Costa Rica

[blzr]

Anyone got some info about Costa Rica. We are going down there in March. Flying into SJO. Any info on the FBO, lodging, do's/don'ts.... The flt-crew would prefer an all-inclusive if you have any suggestions. Thanks

Blzr

 

[ultrarunner]

Blzr, been there several times. Give Delmark a call with the info I pasted below.

I am not familiar with the all-inclusive resorts. I suspect they are over on the pacific coast. If you're staying a while down there, I suppose that would be the place to go.

If you're just there a few nights, I recommend the Marriott San-Jose. It's a great property and just south of the airport. You'll run into some of the aircrews that do longs there.

A couple of 'MUST-DO's':

1. Rain forest canopy tour

2. Volcano tour

and last, but not least:

A refreshment at the Blue Marlin Bar at the Hotel Delray. Trust me on this one.

A a few other items:

You'll need a few bucks to pay the exit fee upon departure. You can save your pax some time if you pay for theirs when you show. I think it's 20USD PP.

The Marriott can arrange the tours I spoke of. They can also arrange an "offical" cab from the Hotel to downtown. It's about 20 bucks RT, and can be placed on the room charge.

USD are widely used, but I don't recommend you carry much, and you don't need much.

I do not recommend you rent a car.

Delmark will essentially walk you and your other pilot through customs. Just a wave from Delmark to the customs guy and you're cleared. Pax are taken first upon arrival, and my folks have reported they cleared in about 60 seconds.

Like most int'l places, keep your departure card handy. Delmark will want it when you leave.

Have fun.

Ultra


Location - San Jose, Costa Rica
Airport Name - Juan Santamaria Intl ICAO:MROC IATA:SJO
Local Time UTC-6 No Daylight Savings Time observed
// Primary Contact //
Ground Handling Agent - ADS GROUND HANDLING
Office Phone: (506) 430-3575 (Office located in San Jose (SJO Airport))
Office Phone: (506) 430-4204 (Office located in San Jose (SJO Airport))Manager (Located at SJO Airport) - Mr. Delmark Muir / Cellular: (506) 385-0840
Office Phone: (506) 430-3575
Office Phone: (506) 430-4204
Manager - Mr. Gerardo Masis / Cellular: (506) 366-3367
Air/Ground Frequency: 131.0
Open 0001-2359 LCL all week.
Fees Payment
AIR ROUTING CARD Accepted - YES
Air Routing Credit Arrangements - YES
Fuel Supplier / Payment
Supplier/Into-Plane Agent - RECOPE
Payment - Pre-arrangement/Sign for Basis
Airport Hours
Airport open 24 hours

Local Transportation Notes:
- Distance to downtown 12.0 miles/19.3 KM/15 minutes.
- Car Rental If rental car required, then rqst Hertz or Budget specifically as other rental agencies are not as good, as per Nyles Courtney with JBK Co. (10/28/88)
Airport Technical Information
TWR Frequency: 118.600M
Runway Information:
RWY 07 /25 9882'x151' SFC:ASP Elev:3019 PCN:

 

[blzr]

Thanks so Much Ultra. Did you use Universal for flightplanning? My fltplan.com won't let me file iaco fltplsn.

We will be there 5 days, is the fbo fairly secure? the boss is a little edgy about central and south american destinations.

 

[ultrarunner]

Blzr, I used AirRouting for flight planning and the typical stuff. If you are a Universal customer, I suspect they also use ADS.

The airport is plenty secure, and you'll have plenty of company on the corporate ramp this time of year. You will park west of the main terminal ramp and they also use that ramp for overflow airline guys too. Fuel is from a truck, so no relo is necessary.

For a 5-day, maybe you'll want to be on the coast. I have had friends stay over there...It's a good hike by car, and the resorts I was told are essentially honey-mooners clients.

 

[treetop flyer]

I can't speak for the FBO...

Costa Rica is a GREAT place. San Jose is a big city...and like any other big cities it has it's issues. Be aware of yourself and your surroundings and you'll be fine. I'd use caution when in the public bus stations (pickpockets, etc.). The public transportation, however is fine (safe)...plan ahead if you ride the bus because getting anywhere can take awhile. I didn't rent a car when I was there (I used public trans. the entire time) and I'm glad I didn't. In San Jose, the local drivers use two accelerator settings, OFF and LIGHT SPEED so watch out when crossing roads. Even if you're in a crosswalk they won't stop! The food is great...the beer is good and the people are very friendly. Have fun, I can't wait to go back!

Treetop

 

[lazyace75]

Hotel DelRay

I'll second the Hotel DelRay call....you could have a "very good time" if wanted. One of the most unbelievable out-of-country experiences that I've had....and I all I did was witness.

I've been down there two times and it's a great place to go. Have fun!

 

[blzr]

is the Hotel del Ray a good place to stay, or just visit?

 

[DrProc]

is the Hotel del Ray a good place to stay, or just visit?

Both, if you don't mind not sleeping....

 

[landlover]

i'd avoid the blue marlin like the plague unless you want to hang with creepy old americans trying to pick up hookers. the place is a dump. if you are there for 5 days i'd go down to hermosa beach and learn to surf.
​

 

[matchthehatch]

San Jose

I would definitely stay at the Marriott. It's a nice hotel that you can use as your launching pad for a variety of local destinations, and if you feel like just sitting by a pool and drinking a beer or two, then it's a nice place to be.

I would highly recommend you avoid the del Mar. That being said, I DID go to the Blue Marlin with my flying partner and his girlfriend just for the experience. We had a few beers and talked to the horny old men that were there for the prostitutes. I actually called my wife from there to tell her that the women in Costa Rica were incessantly hitting on me. "I'm certain it has nothing to do with the fact that they just want my money, honey."

Tell your handler that you want to be hooked up with a local cab driver (stay away from any cab that is not a Red Taxi, IIRC) for the length of your stay. I would also recommend that you spend at least a few hours in Mercado Central during the day. Treat your driver like a tour guide. Ask him to take you anywhere. It's interesting to see the variety of shops. If you learn enough Spanish to convey your wants and needs to the locals, you will have a much easier time.

Don't worry about the crime, if you are in busy areas during the daytime. Keep your money in a well-secured area, just in case, though. I spent hours walking around downtown by myself, and never felt unsafe.

If you drink, have a few caipirhinas. They're different from the Brazilian type, but delicous nonetheless. Pick up a bottle or two of black label Cacique to make them at home.

I'm jealous. Have fun.

 

[sleepy]

Get out of San Jose (crime ridden sh1t-hole) and rent a 4wd and head to the Pacific Coast! I like the Hotel Si Como No near Manuel Antonio National Park. It is about a 3 hour drive.

 

[blzr]

Did yall have any problem with the food or water giving you Montezuma's revenge? I'm going to take extra cheese crackers just in case.

 

[ultrarunner]

Food and water no problemo....hotels and local joints alike.

And no, you don't stay at Delray...you just visit the bar....


Ultra...

 

[sleepy]

Did yall have any problem with the food or water giving you Montezuma's revenge? I'm going to take extra cheese crackers just in case.

I have driven from one end of that country to the other (except the east coast, which I hear isn't so nice). Ate and drank what the locals ate and drank, never got sick. The food is very good. The have a large cattle industry so order the beef. If you like fish it is very good too, I recal a lot of sea bass being served. The booze is good, but if they are having elections while you are there it cannot be served for 2 days before and during the election. The local women are nice looking, everyone speaks english as it is taught as a second language in the schools. They have excellent health care if you get sick.

 

[Flying_Fool]

Flew into Liberia, Costa Rica a few months ago. The airports is just a few miles from the nice resorts. We stayed at all inclusive hotel that was just bought and redone by hilton for $100 a night. Liberia is were most all US airlines fly into and most of the tourist go for the beach resorts. If your boss like super nice resorts the Four Season is just down the way and it goes for $400-700 a night.

 

[Mahi]

I spent 3 weeks there. Drove all over the country in a Land Cruiser (errr... Toyota Prado) and flew a few times in a Caravan. I highly recommend Tabocon Resort and Hot Springs at the Arenal Volcano. 5 stars! Not exactly cheap but OMG the springs are amazing! You could take a lot of stress out of the trip if you take a shuttle (or Sansa airlines or Nature Air) instead of drive. The roads are pretty hairy, the cliffs high, pedestrians everywhere, and the drivers are madmen. But you will see much more. The Marriott San Jose is a nice place to stay the first and last nights. Get out and see the country!

This is a pretty laid back and passive culture. Hell, they don't even have an Army. Never raise your voice or act aggressive, you won't get anything you want. Many speaks English, expats are everywhere. CR is the most educated and wealthiest country in Central America. Biggest crime is theft. Aggressive crime is very rare. Computers and internet access is readily available. Water is safe to drink.

You will soon learn to live on "Tico Time"! Can't wait to go back.

 

[blzr]

Does anyone have info on General Aviation at Manuel Antonio (MROC). Our trip co-ordinator needs some basic info to arrange our transportation to Puntarenas.

Do we go through customs at the main terminal or is there a GA building to get processed. If so, anyone have the name?

 

[ultrarunner]

Blzr, I fired you all that info in my first post to you.

 

[blzr]

To everyone that has contributed to this thread, Thanks so far for your help. This thread has been indispensable to our upcoming trip. The info shared here is why this website is such a great tool for all pilots and makes all the other stuff on here bearable.

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[Mahi]

Not sure about customs in San Jose. I went commercial. I did fly into Manuel Antonio on a Caravan however. I think it's about 3000' and barely enough room to turn around. Tall trees on each end. I took some video of a Navajo taking off because I thought I was going to have some evidence of a crash. Didn't happen, but the "terminal" is an open air restaurant...... that's it. Arrange transport with the place you are staying. Oh, and pack light... You pay by the pound on the regionals.