el moreno 202 wrote:
Thank you. Advice well taken.
For those those dates, the decent AirBNB rentals in San Jose had that "no friend" policy. Also, you made a good point regarding a doorman and the security. I just booked a room at the SL for my stay.
Thanks again!
All the normally listed hotels (La Amistad, Castillo, Taormina, ZII, HLH, Morazan, HDR) have access control (door man / reception).
I haven't heard of a single ladrone attack on a hotel (hotel invasion?) in years.
An AirBnB, because its not a hotel, is a bit different.
I asked a Tico friend about all the forted-up houses and he said "If you are the house on the block without bars and razor wire, the ladrones break in" - which makes sense.
The biggest issues (based on reading the entire board over time) seems to be (1) chicas that steal and (2) staff that steals.
(1) you can take care of my chica-proofing your room (I've never had one steal my toothbrush but mongers have had that happen). I admit I've had lapses in that regard but have never lost anything - and I trust mi novia enough to have her hold my colones* (a trust she's never betrayed).
(2) is harder. I have never had an issue at LA, Taormina or SL with stuff I have left out (I would add the Castillo but I was the only guest but I am sure Matt has hired honest staff). The hotels know theft is the kiss of death - hell people are slamming the Taormina (basically a new hotel) for theft back in the Mona Lisa days.
*Instructions to mi novia for a heart attack: "open the safe, take the money, put my wallet and passport in my hand and call 911 on the way out".