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HornPhD

By HornPhD
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justhookit
justhookit

Got back in late Monday night and took the puddle jumper from San Jose to Quepos Tuesday morning. Well, that flight got cancelled so they put us on a flight to Puerto Jimenez and from there to Quepos.

Tailgate
Tailgate

This is #4 of the five yellow-fin tunas I hauled in. I was the only “customer” on the boat so after number five.... I thought my arms might fall off. Ran into a pod of 500* dolphins/porpoises and tuna

ernest_t_bass
ernest_t_bass

Greetings from Tulemar! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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midtown

midtown 3354

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I'm booked.   May 9-15.  I'm going a few days early to look at homes.  Finally found a friend to come with.  Known this guy for 40 years.   He's super stoked since he's never been.   He's bringing his Hs senior son.   So since I have some company we are going to MA and staying at Parador.    THey are going to give us an upgrade to a better room since I'm a returning guest.    Will be nice to be able to split the boat with my buddy.   Captain says marlin are still good.    I am going to rent a car so I can drive out to Atenas and then back to pick up my friends and drive us down.   $100 for a week.    Interbus and a private ride back to SJO for all of us would have been close to $400.   

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Chewbacca

Chewbacca 7829

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, ernest_t_bass said:

(Re)Booked Tulemar for March 2022.  Stoked to get the kids there.  They'll be 16 and 12 (girls, no pics).  Original trip was supposed to be March 2020.  We literally missed our travel window by 1-2 weeks b/c of stupid COVID.

Nice.  Where are you staying?

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HornPhD

HornPhD 1389

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6 hours ago, ernest_t_bass said:

(Re)Booked Tulemar for March 2022.  Stoked to get the kids there.  They'll be 16 and 12 (girls, no pics).  Original trip was supposed to be March 2020.  We literally missed our travel window by 1-2 weeks b/c of stupid COVID.

I can’t wait to get back to Tulemar

A71D38A7-7329-47F8-8264-507A7345ACA4.jpeg

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GRHorn

GRHorn 105

Posted
Posted
On 1/9/2021 at 9:13 AM, GottaB said:

2f0408efeea1a97a2c073ba1fa719aec.jpg
The view at breakfast does not suck.

I think you uploaded the wrong pic. I don’t see any cocaine or prostitutes. 
 

On 4/9/2021 at 11:05 AM, midtown said:

Just heads up.  Flights to SJO in May are dirt cheap.  I picked up a ticket through AMEX Travel on AA for $263 from San Antonio.  Throw in the $200 travel credit and I'm gone.  Going to try Jaco this time for a change.   Anyone have any good or bad experiences for a hotel there or a reliable hooker?   

I'm going to spend a day in Atenas looking at homes while I'm there before heading down to the water.

I went to Jaco for a bachelor party several years ago. Had no idea what I was getting into. It was like Mexican border towns x10. Ever since then I realized gringos that buy homes down there are degenerate pervs. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. 

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justhookit

justhookit 4206

Posted
Posted
On 4/15/2021 at 6:45 PM, midtown said:

I'm booked.   May 9-15.  I'm going a few days early to look at homes.  Finally found a friend to come with.  Known this guy for 40 years.   He's super stoked since he's never been.   He's bringing his Hs senior son.   So since I have some company we are going to MA and staying at Parador.    THey are going to give us an upgrade to a better room since I'm a returning guest.    Will be nice to be able to split the boat with my buddy.   Captain says marlin are still good.    I am going to rent a car so I can drive out to Atenas and then back to pick up my friends and drive us down.   $100 for a week.    Interbus and a private ride back to SJO for all of us would have been close to $400.   

Looks like I am going down on the 29th or 30th and will be there for about 2 weeks so I’ll be there when you are. Sorry I didn’t reply about your rental car message but I forgot about it and at any rate I don’t know much about the rental car situation down there anymore. I bought a car there and haven’t rented in over 5 years. I’;l be shocked if that 100 doesn’t balloon heavily when you actually pick up the car.

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midtown

midtown 3354

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17 minutes ago, justhookit said:

 I’;l be shocked if that 100 doesn’t balloon heavily when you actually pick up the car.

I'm sure Ill have to add something.  It was actually only $63.   Even if it goes to $200 thats still cheaper than a taxi to the hotel in SJO.  A taxi to Atenas and back to SJO.    Then the three of us on interbus down and a private van back to SJO on the way home.    All that added up is over $400

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justhookit

justhookit 4206

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I’m sure it will be. Used to hear tons of horror stories about car rentals but not so much lately. Waze works very well down there so I use it all the time. Buy a chip at the airport and load it with $20 of call/data time and you should be good to go. As soon as I know my exact dates I’ll let you know but I’m sure I can get y’all out fishing a day with me there if y’all want.

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justhookit

justhookit 4206

Posted
Posted
On 4/24/2021 at 1:39 PM, Chopper said:

I read somewhere the Del Rey casino had permanently closed. I walked through there once or twice to see what was on offer, and kept walking right back out the door.

You needed to sit at the bar for a drink or 2. The girls that hang out there drinking aren’t much to look at but there are some absolutely beautiful women that work there. They don’t have to hang out there long.

Ive heard various things from it’s closed for COVID, closed permanently, under renovation, or changing clientele to family friendly. The driver I use will know and I’ll ask him when I get down there next week.

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Augustus

Augustus 3061

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Is visiting the national park in MA worth it?

We're staying at Los Altos which shares private beach and surrounding jungle with Tulemar so there's plenty of trails and shit to explore.

I've seen some videos on YouTube that left me feeling the park would be a pain in the ass, but no idea if that's an accurate representation.

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Augustus

Augustus 3061

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Also, google maps is showing it's a 2:45 minute drive from Nayara Gardens near La Fortuna to the Monteverde Cloud Forest.  Would really like to know if that's accurate because if so, a day trip from Nayara to the cloud forest would be doable.  Also looks like a beautiful drive around the lake.

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Chewbacca

Chewbacca 7829

Posted
Posted
12 minutes ago, Augustus said:

Is visiting the national park in MA worth it?

We're staying at Los Altos which shares private beach and surrounding jungle with Tulemar so there's plenty of trails and shit to explore.

I've seen some videos on YouTube that left me feeling the park would be a pain in the ass, but no idea if that's an accurate representation.

Do the sloth tour at Tulemar.  There is a ton of wildlife on the Tulemar property.  We've never visited the NP.

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justhookit

justhookit 4206

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Yeah the NP shouldn’t be on anyone’s must do list. It’s a time killer if you don’t have anything else planned with a couple of really nice beaches, but it’s hot and crowded and to me just not worth the effort. There are some great National Parks in CR, but MA is not one of them. As far as your drive time to the cloud forest I’m pretty sure that’s accurate. Lots of people do that as a day trip.

50 minutes ago, Augustus said:

Is visiting the national park in MA worth it?

We're staying at Los Altos which shares private beach and surrounding jungle with Tulemar so there's plenty of trails and shit to explore.

I've seen some videos on YouTube that left me feeling the park would be a pain in the ass, but no idea if that's an accurate representation.

 

36 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

Do the sloth tour at Tulemar.  There is a ton of wildlife on the Tulemar property.  We've never visited the NP.

 

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HornPhD

HornPhD 1389

Posted
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1 hour ago, Augustus said:

Is visiting the national park in MA worth it?

We're staying at Los Altos which shares private beach and surrounding jungle with Tulemar so there's plenty of trails and shit to explore.

I've seen some videos on YouTube that left me feeling the park would be a pain in the ass, but no idea if that's an accurate representation.

2nd the sloth tour at Tulemar. The trails to the beach are fun/easy. 
 

If you have kids, they may enjoy the NP. The hike in/out is easy. IIRC, the water at the beach is calm and there are some good tidal pools that kids like to explore. 

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Chewbacca

Chewbacca 7829

Posted
Posted
Just now, HornPhD said:

2nd the sloth tour at Tulemar. The trails to the beach are fun/easy. 
 

If you have kids, they may enjoy the NP. The hike in/out is easy. IIRC, the water at the beach is calm and there are some good tidal pools that kids like to explore. 

And you'll see plenty of monkeys, toucans and maybe even some parrots on the sloth tour.  

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Augustus

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Excellent, thank you all.

Not gonna bother with the La Fortuna to Cloud Forest bit, though we'll definitely drive out to Lake Arenal.  There's tons of stuff to do around Arenal so we'll just spend those 4 days enjoying Nayara Gardens and the nearby hikes, hot springs, waterfalls, etc.

Will definitely check out the sloth tour when we head down to Los Altos for the second 4-day stretch, appreciate that suggestion.  Will do some jet skiing and ATV stuff, as well, but I'm mostly looking forward to relaxing.

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justhookit

justhookit 4206

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Yup. But shouldn’t really cause any issues for you guys. And unrelated but I think I’m pushing my trip to June. Have a few things I need to do this month here that I can get done in the next few weeks, and the fishing is terrible right now. The way offshore FAD marlin season should be kicking off by summer.

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midtown

midtown 3354

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That just showed up in my google feed about the new restrictions.   Like hook it said looks focused around the SJO and won't affect the major tourist areas.    Need to check to see how it will affect my house hunting in Atenas.  I definitely wanted to wander around Atenas and get a feel for the town.  If the realtor say no go I'll just head down to Jaco for a night until my friend shows up the following day

Edited by midtown
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Shaddie

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Was worried when I saw that feed as I go visit customer in SJO area on Monday. 
 

Talked with customer and he said no issues. They will be open. Said mainly will be shopping areas closed. I canceled rent car cause of plate deal. Restaurants will close at 9 also. Hope it doesn’t change before Monday. 

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Chopper

Chopper 17430

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On 4/30/2021 at 11:41 AM, midtown said:

That just showed up in my google feed about the new restrictions.   Like hook it said looks focused around the SJO and won't affect the major tourist areas.    Need to check to see how it will affect my house hunting in Atenas.  I definitely wanted to wander around Atenas and get a feel for the town.  If the realtor say no go I'll just head down to Jaco for a night until my friend shows up the following day

You planning to rent or buy?

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Augustus

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21 hours ago, Shaddie said:

Was worried when I saw that feed as I go visit customer in SJO area on Monday. 
 

Talked with customer and he said no issues. They will be open. Said mainly will be shopping areas closed. I canceled rent car cause of plate deal. Restaurants will close at 9 also. Hope it doesn’t change before Monday. 

The license plate restrictions don't apply to rental cars.

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Augustus

Augustus 3061

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Okay, everything I'm reading elsewhere says, if your rental car paperwork is in order, you have a valid driver's license from home, and a color copy of your passport and immigration stamp, do NOT bribe the officers, or agree to pay a requested bribe, just tell them to give you a ticket.  TripAdvisor folks also say never, ever hand over your passport to police, or they'll ransom it back to you for some insane amount.

Any of you have experience with traffic stops in Costa Rica?

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Chopper

Chopper 17430

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Quote

Southwest Airlines makes a long-awaited return to beautiful Costa Rica with daily nonstop service from Houston (Hobby) to both Liberia, Guanacaste (LIR), and San José (SJO) beginning June 6; nonstop Saturday-only seasonal service from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) to Liberia, Guanacaste (LIR) also will launch on June 12.

Tickets are on sale now.

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midtown

midtown 3354

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Got this from the realtor in Atenas about next week

 

Quote

No problems, we couldn't open the office to the public but I could still show homes, next week restaurants, etc. should be back open. The country had a bit too much fun for easter week so we had to close things down this past week.

 

 

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midtown

midtown 3354

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My flight down tonight was full to the brim. Not an empty seat.

Immigration was a breeze. 15 mins from plane to rental car counter.

Like justhook said. Rental went from $100 reserved to $350 with liability.

I'm at the Hampton. Nice clean spot for those who arrive late.

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4th and 5

4th and 5 5000

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 4/28/2021 at 1:14 PM, Augustus said:

Excellent, thank you all.

Not gonna bother with the La Fortuna to Cloud Forest bit, though we'll definitely drive out to Lake Arenal.  There's tons of stuff to do around Arenal so we'll just spend those 4 days enjoying Nayara Gardens and the nearby hikes, hot springs, waterfalls, etc.

Will definitely check out the sloth tour when we head down to Los Altos for the second 4-day stretch, appreciate that suggestion.  Will do some jet skiing and ATV stuff, as well, but I'm mostly looking forward to relaxing.

Arenal is amazing. Try the whitewater rafting and zip lining. Your hotel should have info.

Edited by 4th and 5
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justhookit

justhookit 4206

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Yeah there is some kind of bird down there that starts singing 1-2 hours before sunrise. No idea what it is but we call it happy bird because his song is very upbeat and loud. Expected it to be one of the really pretty birds CR has but nope I finally saw it and it’s just an ugly little brown bird. Annoying fucker.

 

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