HOTELS

This view of the Real Intercontinental Hotel in Santa Ana illustrates the fact that there are plenty of fine quality hotels in the San Jose area. There are also many of the chains we are used to seeing in North America and Europe such as Holiday Inn, Ramada, Marriott, and Hampton Inn etc. In addition you’ll find many local and European chains represented. The prices in most of these hotels are very high($120-$200), but they offer a lot and sometimes you can get a real bargain.

On one occasion I booked the Holiday Inn in downtown San Jose on the Internet at $95 per night. On the cab ride from the airport I saw a billboard advertising the same hotel for $75 with breakfast. I checked in at the bargain price and then cancelled the Internet reservation thereby saving $200 on a ten-day stay. On another occasion I booked the Barcelo Palacio hotel by using the auction services of SkyAuction.com for $50 per night in the off-season. Other guests had paid $120 for a similar room.

LOCAL INDEPENDENT HOTELS

Check them carefully on the Internet before booking. Most are quite good. Some are quite the opposite.

BED AND BREAKFASTS

There are some charming little bed and breakfast places available. However they’re not the same type of place you find in North America or Europe. Generally they are a regular small hotel with a breakfast room and nothing else. I can recommend one or two very special ones if you Email me. One charming place has paintings all over the walls, antique furniture and a delightful conservatory with plants hanging everywhere.

APARTHOTELS

This is a slightly different concept and something between a Bed and Breakfast and a small hotel. They usually have a breakfast room plus a swimming pool and probably also offer Internet access. They also offer a small kitchen in each apartment with a fridge and microwave so you can save money on food. Prices are usually around $50 - $60 per night with breakfast so they tend to be a bargain if you can book early enough to get a room. Again, I can recommend a couple of them that are excellent value. contact me

RENTAL HOMES

You may find a nice home for rent in the Tico Times or Craig’s List. However most of those will be available only on long-term leases. For me the best bet is now a condo rental.

CONDO RENTALS

I found one that offers a one-bedroom condo with full kitchen and bathroom for about $60 per night. You have all the conveniences of a small house with guarded parking and a golf course view for less than the cost of a hotel room. They also have two bedroom condos available. Email me for information on this.

HOTELS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY

There are good hotels and also some bad hotels all over the country. Check them carefully on the Internet before booking.