Casa Loros Bed

This page contains a categorized list of questions and answers concerning just about everything there is to know about travel to Casa Loros. If you have a question that's not answered, please email it to us and we'll answer it as soon as we can and add it to this page.

The "Miscellaneous Stuff" is positioned at the top of this page because it's important. If it were located at the bottom of the page, it's likely that it would be overlooked.

If you decide to rent a car, we strongly suggest that you plan to arrive in Costa Rica at least two hours before sundown which occurs between 5:30 and 6:00 PM, all year. Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time all year long, so set your watch accordingly. If it's not possible to arrive before that time, please find a room a one of the hotels near the airport for the first night so you don't have to drive on strange roads in a strange country after dark.

Always carry a copy of your passport with you. Try to get a copy of the page with your entry stamp on it, too. Costa Rica has a 90 day automatic tourist visa for US Citizens and they're serious about people who violate that restriction.

The police are helpful and are there to protect you. There is a special police force that specializes in helping tourists. While most of the police personnel speak some English, the tourism police always speak English.

You'll find that the Costa Rican people are happy and helpful and they like Americans. Even if they don't speak English, they will try very hard to understand what it is that you require. If they don't understand what you're asking, raising your voice will not help, so don't do it.

The electricity in Costa Rica is 110/220, just like you are used to in the US. There's no need to bring any kind of converter kit.

Casa Loros sits on top of a mountain. That's why the view is so spectacular. There is a concrete road all the way up, so it's a safe and easy drive if you'll just take it easy with the speed regardless of whether you're driving up or down. Off the road, the sides of the mountain are almost vertical. For this reason, we ask that you consider carefully whether or not you want to bring children with you. There is plenty of room to walk around outside the house if you're so inclined, but there are no fences or other barriers around the top to keep them (or you) from falling. Serious injury could result from a fall and Casa Loros will not be held responsible.

Fly to San Jose International airport (SJO). From Atlanta (ATL), a non-stop flight takes almost exactly four hours. Careful searching of various airline web sites (we use Delta.com) will often result in round-trip airfare in the $400 range from Delta's hub. We have also found similar prices on American Airlines from Jacksonville, Florida.

If you are traveling on a week-end, we strongly urge you to arrive on Sunday and return on Saturday. Jacó is a beach resort town and many native Costa Ricans (Ticos) go to there on weekends. This crowds the roads on Saturdays with traffic going to the beach, and on Sundays with traffic returning to the San Jose area. Arriving and returning on other days of the week will pose no problems because traffic is normally very light.

We recommend this approach for getting around in Costa Rica. It gives you the freedom to explore on your own whenever you wish. Our recommendation is that you contact Adobe Car Rentals at http://www.adobecar.com. They are the largest automobile rental firm in Costa Rica, they speak English, and their prices are very competitive. They have offices throughout Costa Rica and their customer service is excellent. They will pick you up at the airport, drive you and your luggage to their off-airport office where they will complete the rental agreement, etc. and send you on your way. Driving instructions, directions and maps are given to you.

When completing your reservation form at their web site, be sure to read all of the instructions. They require you to call them, using the supplied 800 number, to verify your credit card information.

Driving in Costa Rica is very much like driving in the USA in that the right lane is the travel lane. Speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour (KPH) instead of miles per hour (MPH), but the speedometers of the automobiles are calibrated with KPH, so driving within the speed limits is easy. A word of warning; do not exceed the posted speed limits. The Costa Rican police are very fussy about them, the fines are huge, in the $500 range, and there is no recourse. Should you rent a vehicle and are subsequently fined for an infraction of the laws, your fine will be collected by the rental car company before you leave the country. They have no choice, either, because the law requires them to do so. Also, (and we hope this doesn't happen to you) if you are involved in a traffic accident, except to extract someone from the wreckage, DO NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE until the police give their permission. One other thing; do not give money to a police officer, even if he suggests or requests it. Simply tell him that you will pay the fine at the rental car agency when you leave.

If you would like to arrange limousine service between the airport and Casa Loros, please let us know when you make your reservation. The approximate cost is $90 each way, but it does relieve you of the stress associated with driving in a foreign country, and the fear of getting lost.

Should you select this mode of transportation, there are many taxi cabs in the Jacó area, their rates are very reasonable and they operate 24 hours a day. There's a small catch to the last part. Taxi cabs are normally owned and operated by individuals, not companies. The operators all have cell phones, though, so you simply have to remember the number to call.

Jacó is a year around beach resort town. As such, it supports the tourist trade as well as the people who live there. There is one main street, Calle Pastor Diaz, which runs North and South. There are several roads which can be used to enter the town from the Coast Highway (la Costanera) and there are many more side streets which begin on Calle Pastor Diaz and end at the beach.

There are many types of stores in the town such as Souvenir shops where all types of souvenirs can be found including items made by local craftsmen. There are also stores, tiendas, that sell groceries, liquor, hardware, clothing, cigars and other smoking products, and real estate. There are also pharmacies, restaurants, Laundromats, and places to get haircuts and manicures. Medical help is available at many clinics that are located in the town. Doctors and Dentists are also available. Many of these establishments will accept US Dollars as payments, but the local currency is preferred.

Jacó is a safe place to visit and shop. Avoid the area at the extreme North end of town where the paved road stops and a gravel road begins. It's safe during the day, but could be dangerous after dark.

Surfing - Expert surfers are urged to use the beach, Playa Hermosa, that you see in the photo at the top of this page. You'll usually be challenged as this beach is reported to be one of the world's best surfing beaches. Beginner and intermediate surfers will be better served to surf on the beach in Jacó, about ten minutes away. There are many places in the area where surf and body boards can be rented for a reasonable fee. Surf board repair services are also available nearby. We recommend that you leave your personal surf board at home and rent one in Costa Rica. The fees associated with transporting a surf board are expensive.

Golf - A fifteen to twenty minute ride from Casa Loros will take you to Los Sueños Resort (http://www.lsrm.com/), the home of La Iguana, an 18-hole golf course designed by Ted Robinson, Jr. Go here to read more --> La Iguana golf course. http://www.golfincostarica.com/Los_Suenos.htm

Off Shore Sport Fishing - Arrangements for half- and full-day off-shore fishing trips may be made at several locations on Jacó's main street, Calle Pastor Diaz. We have had personal experience with King Tours fishing tours and we have had a ball! Mahi Mahi and yellow fin tuna are almost always available to be caught as are sailfish and marlin of various types.

Shoes that you don't mind getting muddy (some of the tours will require that you walk through muddy spots)

Short sleeved or sleeveless light-weight tops and shirts. Try to stay away from heavy T-shirts, if possible. Light cotton, button-down-the-front shirts are more comfortable for men.

Light jacket (very light for evening and early morning, and for inside restaurants, especially if you're cold natured)

Cell phone (Costa Rica has a G3 cell network and the signal from Casa Loros is very strong. Cell phone service outside of the more populated areas is spotty. At this time Casa Loros has no land line because none are available on top of the mountain).

Small amounts of cash in US Dollars. We suggest no more than you'll need to return home. (See DO's section)

Don't bring business suits and dresses unless you plan to actually do business during your vacation. Nobody cares how you dress as long as you're decent.

Don't bring expensive jewelry and watches, etc. They are a spotlight for thieves and pickpockets.

Don't bring lots of cash. We strongly recommend that you use local ATMs to withdraw cash in the local currency which is the Colon. See Do's below.

Don't walk on dark streets after sundown. The towns in Costa Rica are just like any town in the United States. Don't go into places that look dangerous or suspicious. Be aware of your surroundings. Try to walk with at least one other person. There is safety in numbers.

Don't believe anything you hear about a great way to get in on the ground floor of a super new project or business opportunity or only $5000. After all, would you believe a story like this from a complete stranger you just met in a bar located in the United States?

Use the local ATMs to withdraw cash in the local currency, the Colon. Many ATMs also offer the option of withdrawing US Dollars, too. In addition to what your bank might charge you for the withdrawal, there is a 1% fee assessed which is much lower than what's charged by the cashiers at the airport. Some ATM services also charge an additional service charge in the range of one to three dollars. There is an ATM located in the baggage claim area at the airport. This one charges $2.50 for a cash withdrawal. There is another one located outside the airport building across the street from the taxi stand upstairs. The last time I used this one, it did not charge a withdrawal fee.

The water in Costa Rica is safe to drink. In fact, the water at Casa Loros is probably better to drink than the water you drink at home, except it's not fluoridated. If you order bottled water in a restaurant, be sure it is sealed when you get it.

Even though prostitution is legal in Costa Rica, Casa Loros does not permit prostitutes on the premises.

Illegal drugs of any nature are forbidden on the Casa Loros property. If it is suspected that you are carrying or using, the police will be called to investigate.

Casa Loros does not object to smoking, but please do not smoke cigarette, cigars, pipes, or anything else in your room. There is adequate space outside under covered areas for you to smoke.

Casa Loros does not object to drinking beer, wine and liquor as long as it's done in moderation. Ice and glasses are available. Feel free to bring your purchase to the house. If you bring beverages that must be kept cold, the refrigerator is available for your use, but respect the fact that it is the only refrigerator on the property and that it is also used to store food to be used by Casa Loros for your breakfast and for the staff. We will make every attempt to accommodate your needs, but we ask that you be reasonable about it.

In order to respect everyone's enjoyment of the tranquility of Casa Loros, we ask that all guests be in their rooms by 10:00 PM unless other arrangements are made in advance. If you are going out partying, please take a taxi both ways.

High Season	Special Season	Green Season
November 15 thru July 31	December 21 thru January 4	August 1 thru November 14
$175	$210	$160
$210	$245	$195

During the first three months after opening our doors, our rates will be $85 per night. That's less than half of those shown above. We'll have just opened. We'll need your feedback to let us know what works and what doesn't. We're willing to reduce our rates to hear your suggestions regarding what we can do to improve our customers' experience at Casa Loros.

We offer discounts to AARP members and to team members of certain select corporations. In your email requesting your reservation, please mention the name of the company where you work to see if you qualify.