| Finding a Temporary Place to Stay
While exploring Costa Rica or looking for an apartment, house
or other type of residence in the San
Jose area, you may choose to stay at one of the many accommodations
listed below.
If staying in downtown San José, we recommend the
Dunn Inn (222-3232). It is run by North Americans and is a
very popular gringo hangout. The service is excellent and
you can make some good contacts. At night the new bar is a
happening place. Around the corner the Posada Amón
(222-6700) is another quaint place to stay in Barrio Amón.
The Hotel Torremolinos (222-5266) is where we book most of
our tour participants. We recommend it highly. The Hotel Presidente
(222-2034) has reasonable rates, good service and free breakfast
included.
In the beautiful city of Heredia we highly recommend the
Hotel America (260-9292) E-mail: info@hamerica.net, http://www.hamerica.net.
The owners also operate three other quaint and affordable
places in the same area: Hotel Ceos (262-2628), Hotel Heredia
(238-0880) and Hotel D'Cristina (237-3036).
There are other accommodations for all tastes and budgets
in the metropolitan area. The price range is from a few hundred
dollars at the top end to less than $20 at the lower end of
the scale. We don't have the space to list every hotel, motel, pensión, aparthotel and bed-and-breakfast in
the section below. If you want a more extensive list we suggest
you purchase Christopher Baker's Cost Rica Handbook or
any of the guides listed in the last chapter of this book.
Vacation Rental Homes
Located in Heredia, known in Costa Rica as the City of Flowers,
and only 10 minutes from the airport, are Rudy's Vacation
Rental Homes. Both are fully furnished, 1,500 square-foot-homes
with three bedrooms and two full baths. Each home has cable
TV, Internet, a fully-equipped kitchen, laundry room, phone
and much more. To find out more contact Rudy Matthews at 262-2083
or 839-6961, E-mail: rkmno@aol.com.
Aparthotels
Aparthotels, a cross between an apartment and a hotel, are
a good first option because they are furnished, completely
equipped and have phone access as well as bilingual management.
From there you can comfortably survey the market. If you are
living in Costa Rica only on a seasonal basis, an aparthotel
is probably your best bet. Most have a kitchenette or other
cooking facilities. Usually they are less expensive than hotels
with similar amenities, but more expensive than apartments.
The Don Carlos and Los Yoses are centrally located and have
nice accommodations. Aparthotel Castilla (222-2113), Aparthotel
La Sabana (220-2422) and Aparthotel El Sesteo (296-1805) round
out the list.
Bed & Breakfasts
Bed-and-Breakfasts, or b-and-b's as they are sometimes called,
have sprouted up all over Costa Rica in recent years. Most
of these establishments are smaller and in many cases less
expensive than hotels. What sets them apart from other lodging
is their home-like, quaint ambience. Many have a live-in host
or owner on the premises and some are downtown. Most b-and-b's
advertise in the local English -language newspapers, but there
is now a service to help you find the right b-and-b for you.
Call or fax the Bed-and-Breakfast Association at 228-9200.
To make a reservation, call, 223-4168.
Homestays
Home stays provide a great introduction to the Costa Rican
way of life and provide the opportunity for you to improve
your Spanish. We highly recommend Bell's Home Hospitality,
225-4752, Fax: 2245884, E-mail: home-stay@racsa.co.cr.
Apartments
Here are three apartments that cater to foreigners, are located
in or near downtown San José and offer kitchens, a
telephone, cable TV and are furnished. Apartments Scotland
(Tel: 223-0833, Fax: 2575317), Apartments Sudamer (Tel:221-0247,
Fax: 222-2195) and Apartments Van Fossen (Tel: 253-9586).
If you want more information contact Prime
Costa Rica real estate and retirement properties or
call toll free 1 888 581 1786.
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