http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Central America Caribbean , Costa Rica , San José , tranquilo backpackers en-us Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:36:59 +0000 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:36:59 +0000 Trip log.Vancouver to Costa Rica with 2 hr. layover Dallas flying time 7 hrs. 1085 round trip return mid Feb from San Jose. Taxis airport to downtown 20. I walked a block and got a bus within a min. for 500 colones 1 CND. The bus went within 3 blocks of the hotel and a very friendly beautiful CR lady on the bus told me about CR during the 30 min. ride. She suggested I get a taxi for the 3 bl http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-456609.html They say it takes about a week before you break out of your comfort zone and really get into your trip and they are right. I have to say I have not stayed at a funkier hostel then the Tranquilo backpackers hostel. This place is probably the best hostel I had ever stayed at. The vibe is just off the charts.I arrived from Caribe bus station and made my way here. The hostel use to be an old mansi http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-330625.html So I finally met up with Marianne and John and out of no where a full on marching band was in formation on the intersection. I guess it must of been some sort of school organized event because there were 20 to 30 something kids and a conductor leading them down the street. It was pretty fun watching the little kids dance to the local music. Soon after we went over to the bus station and paid t http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-330537.html After a light breakfast a few quick emails checking out of my hospedaje 3 bus rides one failed attempt at border crossing one successful treck across the border several lines 7.50 in bus fares a six dollar cab ride and 12 hours I finally made it. I'll admit that this has been one of my most exhausting warmest and coldest but most of all longest day here so far. It was a great adventure http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-294833.html Die HauptstadtNoch vor dem Finsterwerden kommen wir in San Jos an und machen uns zu Fu auf den Weg zum Hostel. Wir merken dass schn langsam die Hauptsaison beginnt das Hostel ist fast voll und wir bekommen nur noch einen Platz in einem 8ter Zimmer. Das Hostel ist aber ganz nett mit Internet und Frhstck wir sind mde vom frhen Aufstehen 415 und beschlieen zu bleiben. Nach einem schne http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-255457.html So I called Tranquilo Backpackers which I see has been included in the location selector here even and got myself a room reserved. Without any complaints the hotel receptionist at this soulless place let me check out. I HAD to go and meet people. Heres Tranquilos funky recep areaAfter my complementary pancakes I met one man who proffered insights into the seedier and wellhidden side to http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-163576.html Following our five star experience in Tamarindo with friends we were hurled back into the world of backpackerdom in route to San Jose. Gone were the nice beds kitchen and fresh coffee and replaced with cold showers bunk beds with two inch mattresses and day old coffee. The bonus was a complimentary wonderbread breakfast topped with something that resembled strawberry jam. Despite the attached http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-122498.html ENGLISH Security to leave the UK at Gatwick involved extensive checking of our ten flight itinerary in depth questioning and confirmation of visa requirements for each country.A few hours later we were installed on board Continental flight no.CO29 and we were listening with the greatest attention but not necessarily the greatest conviction to the incredible exploits of the federal agent sittin http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-106862.html Hola Amigo's commo estanI'm all good well have had a hangover that lasted almost 40 hours but now that's passed am back on top form againWell you'll be glad to know that i don't intend to write as much as i did last time but then again i never did last time so we'll seeWe stayed in Granada for just 2 nights in the end and felt pretty much the same about it as we did Leon. That is not th http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-103744.html K folks jsut to let u know Im still alive and well. Enjoying the relaxed prices at least compared to where I've beem and am enjoying tons of fresh fruit and dirt cheap fish not to mention beer. So yeah things are alright. I hit up some canyoning yesterday which was a blast. Maybe not as hardcore as Switzerland but some serous repells. One was like 150 feet from a suspension bridge. It k http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-103681.html 4 of us this time bez scott budgie me . not enough time here really only 5 days to get to panama including the first of many 8hr taxi rides . only got couple of photos . here 17 december carnival on the streets of san jose with everyone throwing confetti in each others faces . our hostel tranquilo turned out to be in the middle of the local ladyboy hangout but thats another story http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-94881.html buongiorno tutti it feels like it has been a lot longer than 2.5 weeks since I last wrote because of my extremely rich and full experience across the seas in the caribbean. I must admit that it was quite nice to be away from any form of contact for a while so that I could put all of my energy into my experience on that wacky magestic island. At the same time it is very nice to be back in a more http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-50690.html D M and I wait in the lobby for super slow free internet access. Overall the Tranquillo backpackers hostel in san jose is the best Ive been to. a great kitchen with outside dining a tiny but effective pourch out front and most importantly bag storage. I left a pile of things here for my return trip mostly shirts and pants that I wont need for my trip up north. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-7162.html A and E take off tomorrow. after spending the good part of a week and a half with the girls. I'll miss them as travel companions but maybe if I ever visit Texas...wait what am I thinking there's no way in hell I'm going back to texas anytime soon. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/San-Jose/tranquilo-backpackers/blog-7155.html