Wireless internet access in Puerto Viejo? Rocking J's?

1

Unless things have greatly improved, last time I was there, it was Dial Up and the electricity was spotty, as its located at the end of the electic grid/phone grid, that was 2005. Laptops are a target for theft as well.

There are internet cafes but the service is slowwwwwwww.

Did you check out Rocking J website? http://www.rockingjs.com/

This is a party place and can be a tad nuts and a young euro backpacker, and Pt Viejo is a rather dodgy place at night and a heavy element of drug users are commiting random acts of violence and robbery against male tourist....no reports lately, but just so you have been warned, get the lowdown on rules of safety once there, and head the advice. Desolate beaches and roads are a risk on that coast.

Get a Guidebook & Get Lost. Adventure travel to Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Morocco, Monaco, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Hawaii and USA National Parks. Recently returned from 7 months in China.

2

I appreciate the advice. Any recommendations on budget places to stay that do have a safe track record and decent internet?

3

you will find lots of internet cafes with high speed in PV....leave the laptop at home and check in daily is my advice...i would stay south of pv in chiquita or cocles or punta uva...rent a bike and take the local bus...selvyn's is probably in your price range, although perhaps not as cheap as rockin j;s

4

Wireless internet is widely available in Puerto Viejo, the majority of the hostels have it including Rocking J's. The speed is fine at Rocking J's and most people use their laptops in a central area with a good signal and lots of plugs, it can get loud at night so I wouldn't plan on working there or anything.

Rocking J's is a fun place and worth a walk through to say the least, it lacks some good hostel essentials like cooking space, free breakfast, or cheap laundry. The restaurant there is too expensive considering they're renting $4 places to sleep. On the up side it is in a great location, it is THE cheapest place to stay in PV, it has plenty of hammocks, it has a great vibe, it has some green space to walk around without shoes, and did I mention really cute rabbits? Lots of drunk people and drinking...if you can't meet girls here try taking one of the rabbits for a walk, they have leashes.

If sleeping in a hammock isn't for you or you're not into the party scene I'd recommend Sunrise Backpackers Hostal (http://sunrisepuertoviejo.com/) is the cheapest place I found to rent a room. My girlfriend and I stayed there for about $16 total per night as compared to Rocking J's at $23 per night for a room. It was clean, safe, and all that, plus there is free wifi internet included and a nice area to hang out on the computer upstairs on the balcony. Again, no kitchen avail and the laundry was too expensive at $6/kilo so I used the shower to wash my cloths on their dime.

Have a good trip, food is expensive in PV so keep your eyes open for the pita shack on your left hand side walking to Rocking J's from where the bus drops you off. You can fill up on falafel there for $4.

5

Regarding safety.....the safest option is to stay home. Barring that, realize that you don't belong wherever you are, and the people that do belong there know that, no matter how sly you think you are. If you get drunk at night and wander around in Puerto Viejo or almost any other place I've been in the world there is a very good chance someone will relieve you of your wallet or purse, they probably won't hurt you.

Be smart, and don't carry much, I'm sure you'll have a real fun time in PV. I recommend taking a surfing lesson, it's a really good learning spot.

6

just spoke with a buddy of mine who was in PV this past March and was robbed at knifepoint early in the morning on the road outside the hostel. He didn't have his wallet with him and just lost some loose bills, but the knife is a scary thing

7

You can wander drunk out of your gord in SE Asia big city or beach town, no worries...

Pt Viejo probably has more negative issues concerning crime and tourist, than any other area in CR, besides the capitol SJ, which is not apples and apples....not to scare anyone, but you do need to be WISE, and SMART, and avoid PV at night once the town clears out after 11...

I never had a issue, but I saw 2 nasty violent bloody fights......crackheads know no pain....

Get a Guidebook & Get Lost. Adventure travel to Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Morocco, Monaco, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Hawaii and USA National Parks. Recently returned from 7 months in China.

8

So is Cahuita a better option? I'm going to learn how to surf during this trip. Any cheap surfboard rentals known in the Cahuita/Puerto Viejo area? Also, what are some of the best day trips to take out of the area to see the jungle (i.e. jungle/zip lines/wildlife)?

9

Cahuita is not a better option than PV. It was highly disappointing actually. Like everywhere else, we met some ladies whose cabina was ransacked for their money/electronics while they were out. It was daylight while they went to the Nat'l Park, and given the fact that they were all police in San Fran, I would say that their hypothesis of it being an inside job is pretty accurate.

Anyways, dont let the stories scare you. As said before, be WISE about what you carry and when/where you go. Rockin J's is quite a fun place, especially for single people, but I prefer to keep my bed separate from the party, hence why I'd recommend staying at a hostel in town. Cabinas Lika Sa and neighbors Pagalu are great options in a somewhat unsavory part of town but be wise and hopefully you'll have no incidents.

The area is a top favorite in CR. I love the beaches and water and coral tide pools that you can swim in. Take the local bus down the road to Punta Uva or further for a day hike past Manzanillo and you'll be all alone on a beach tucked away from everything else. I also love the reggae vibe, totally different world than anywhere else- you know you're definately on the carribean side.