ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
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Tuesday, April 8, 2008

CASINOS • GAMBLING • GAMING in Costa Rica

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NEW LAW:
Smoking is ILLEGAL in public places/buildings now in Costa Rica
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/12/smoking-laws-cr.html
so ALL Casinos are SMOKE-FREE!!!


Visiting Costa Rica or live here and gotta blow off some steam/blow that wade? Here’s the start of a list of some of many of the CASINOS in the San Jose - Central Valley (with more outside of the Valley coming soon!).


NOTE: As in the States, casinos give free drinks as long as you are play. Minimum bid in most casinos for Blackjack are $5 on average. Most casinos stay open till around 3am.


SAN JOSE:
COLONIAL Casino, Restaurant and Hotel
I CONSISTENTLY here REALLY GOOD THINGS about this Casino!!!
GAMES: 100 Slot Machines (start at buy 2,000-c - 100-c/25 cents), Rummy / Blackjack / 21 ($5 min.), Roulette, Texas Hold 'em, Craps (1,000-c or $5 in dollars min.), Pai Gow Poker (2,000-c min.-$300), Caribbean Stud / Tute (1,000-min., 3-Card Stud (1,000-c-min.), Sports Betting (upstairs). Odds were x2 on 4, 5, 9,and 10, and I think x3 on the 6, 8). FREE Parking.
LOCATION: Avenida 1 between Calle 9 and 11 - next to the Del Rey in front of Juan Bombach Musical Instrument store.
HOURS:  11am-5am


Fiesta Casino in their NEW Downtown location in the Hotel Presidente
A REALLY GOOD Casino!!!
GAMES: 300 Slots, Rummy / Blackjack / 21, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Stud / Tute. They’re the only casino in San Jose that has Player Tracking and the only one in Costa Rica that has it on the machines.
LOCATION: San Jose-Downtown - Avenida Central between Calle 7 and 9

Horseshoe Casino
(2-233-4383 / http://HSCasino.com)
Low minimums, not real noisy/crazy, not crowded.
GAMES: Slot Machines (50, Slot Club Comp), Rummy (500-c min.), Blackjack ($5 min.), Craps ($5 min.), Texas Hold’em Poker, Tute, 21, Pai Gow Poker, Pai Gow Tiles, Race and Sports Book, Sports Tournaments. No hookers per-say but I’ve heard of a few guys getting “hit up” by some of the “hostesses”. Much of their staff speaks English. BUFFET. Valet Parking, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. Qualified players may get free air and hotel. Highest Limits in Latin America.
LOCATION: San Jose-Downtown - Avenida Uno between Calle 7 and 9 (caddy corner to the Del Rey)


Hotel Mona Lisa (former Paradisio Casino - Clarion Hotel)
http://facebook.com/MonaLisaHotelCostaRica    2-256-3833)
NEW – January 31, 2013.
LOCATION:  San Jose-Barrio Amon – Avenida 11 and Calle 3
in the Clarion Hotel
(http://casino-paradiso.com)
This is a nicer, quieter, classier place with underground parking (thanx Steve).
GAMES: Blackjack (1 table, $5 min.), Craps (though I hear it’s not often open but request it of the Pit Boss and I hear they will open! (500-c or $5 in dollars min.
LOCATION: San Jose - Bario Amon


Aurola Holiday Inn’s Casino
The NICEST as it’s on the top floor - 17 floors above the city with spectacular views!!
GAMES: Slots, Game Tables.
LOCATION: San Jose - Avenido Quinto and Calle Quinto


Casino Europa - Tropical Hotel - Morazan
GAMES: 25 Slot Machines, Gaming Tables, 3 Card Tute, Canasta, Pai Gow.
LOCATION: Calle 7 between Avenida 1 and 3 - in front of Parque Morazan. (owned Casinos Europa?)


Gran Hotel’s Casino
(2-221-4000 / 2-222-6126)
GAMES: Slots and 6 Gaming Tables.
LOCATION: San Jose - Calle 3 between Avenida Central and 2

Grand Hotel’s Casino
(2-223-2573)

Del Rey’s Casino
(2-257-7800)
The most famous casino in the because it’s THE "working girls" spot.
GAMES: Video Poker Machines mixed within the Slot Machines, Craps. Often the minimum bets are MUCH higher (OFTEN $25 min.). Most guys that go to here are looking for the “action” (fyi - I hear the girls here are around $80/hour [PLUS you HAVE to pay for a room there or somewhere else] and VERY “Give me your money - what do you want!!” = cold! VERY smokey.
LOCATION: San Jose-Downtown - Calle 9 and Avenida 1

Cheetahs Casino
(2-233-4383)
GAMES:
LOCATION: Avenida Primero between Calle 7 and 9 San Jose.

Krystal Casino in the Sheraton Herradura Hotel
(2-239-0033)
GAMES: 20 Slots, 4 Game Tables. Daily.
LOCATION: San Jose


Confort Casino (232-8122)
LOCATION: San Jose - Sabana Norte


Hotel M Casino
(http://HotelMCostaRica.com / 2-253-8345)
They are a Priavte Club/Card Room featuring Texas Hold’em Poker in their courtyard. Daily games of no limit along with their Sunday tournaments. This is actually a Texas Hold’M Club that will benefit players. LOCATION: San Jose - Bario Dent


Casino Europa - Raddisson Hotel
GAMES: 30 Slots, 3 Card Poker, Baccarat, Canasta/Roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Rommy Blackjack, Tute.
LOCATION: San Jose - Barrio Tournon, Goicoechea - Calle Central between Avenida 3-15


Jungle Casino/Casino Central
(2-221-4994)
LOCATION: San Jose - San Jose - Avenida Central between Calle 7 and 9.


Casino Europa - Hotel Royal Dutch
GAMES: 50 Slots, 6 Gaming Tables.
LOCATION: San Jose - Calle Central and Calle 4 and Avenida 2


Crowne Plaza Hotel - Corobici Casino


Club Triangulo Casino


Fiesta Casino Cacique
GAMES: 100 Slots (expanding soon to 200), Rummy / Blackjack / 21, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Stud / Tute.
LOCATION: Heredia - Centro - southside of the park


Condesa Casino
(2-267-6000/2-267-6290)
LOCATION: Heredia (San Rafael)



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NEAR THE AIRPORT - ALAJUELA:
FIESTA CASINO
I CONSISTENTLY hear this is the BEST Casino around and it’s BY FAR the BIGGEST in Central America (excluding Panama City)!!!  It’s nice, has high ceilings, GOOD Air flow, LIVE MUSIC and a dance floor (9pm-2am Mon, Tues., Wed., Fri., and Sat.) in their Pirates Bar and Grill!
GAMES: 400 Slot Machines, 21 Gaming Tables with limits from $1-$2,000 including Rummy / Blackjack / 21, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Stud / Tute, 3-Card Stud. VIP Room with 5 tables. They’re the only casino in Alajuela that has Player Tracking.
LOCATION: Alajuela by the airport in the same compound as the Hampton Inn, Denny’s (fyi - prices are WAYYYY MORE than in the States!!!) and the Garden Court Hotel.


Ramada Hotel Herradura Fiesta Casino
GAMES: 60 Slots, 6 Texas Hold ‘em Tables, Rummy / Blackjack / 21, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Poker (3 tournaments a week, $20 buy in, about 40-50 players. You have to get there at 7:30pm to sign up and it usually starts around 8:30pm. Fridays and 2 other nights - THANX Preston!), Caribbean Stud / Tute.
LOCATION: 6 km from the airport towards San Jose. Belen (San Antonio) off the Autopista General Canas


Doubletree (formerly the Melia) Cariari’s Casino and Hotel
(2-239-0406)
GAMES: 25 Slots, Rummy / Blackjack, Caribbean Poker, Pai Gow Poker, 3-Card Stud, Roulette / Canasta with a wheel, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Let it Ride, Mini-Baccarat.
LOCATION: Belen (San Antonio) off the Autopista General Canas


Best Western Hotel Irazu and Balmoral  -  Dominio / Concorde Casino
(2-231-0664 / 2-232-7910)
GAMES: 83 Slots, Canasta/Roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Rommy Blackjack (6 tables), Tute. Gaming chips in US$ and Colones.
LOCATION: La Uruca - 3km Autopista Calle General Canas.


Hotel/Spa Barcelo  -  Palacio Casino
(2-220-1310 / 2-220-2034 / http://Barcelo.com)
GAMES: Slot Machines (18 total); Table Games (15 total), Canasta (Roulette), Craps, Dice, Rommy Blackjack, Tute.
LOCATION: La Uruca off the Autopista General Canas, El Robledal


Martino’s Casino and Resort Spa
(2-433 8382 / http://HotelMartino.com)
LOCATION: Alajuela - La Garita - in front of ZooAve.


La Central Hotel and Casino
(2-460-0301)
LOCATION: Alajuela - Ciudad Quesada - on Calle San Carlo




ESCAZU
Tara  (formerly the White House)
(2-288-6365 / 2-228-6992 / http://CasinoJazz.com / http://WhiteHouseCostaRica.com)
VERY Upscale/High-end, GORGEOUS VIEWS, lots of more upscale "girls," Cigar Bar, Jazz Club, GOOD Restaurant with gringo quality meats/STEAKS (USDA Angus). GAMES: Vegas style gambling with they claim the best odds and highest limits in the Central Valley. Blackjack, Craps, Tute, Roulette Wheel, POKER ROOM and Slot Machines. Fri. is LADIES NIGHT with Ladies Texas Hold'em Tournament with only a $25 buy in.
LOCATION: Escazu - San Antonio - DIRECTIONS: WAYYYY up the hill - 600 mts. South of the cemetery. HOURS: 6pm-2am.


Intercontinental Hotel - Camino Real
(2-289-7000)
LOCATION: off the Pista - across from the MultiPlaza West Mall - Escazu


OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL VALLEY:
Kamuk Casino at the Best Western
(2-777-0811 / http://kamuk.co.cr/casino)
GAMES: Tute, Roulette, Romy, Pay Gow Poker, Mini Bacara and of course, slot machines.
LOCATION: Manuel Antonio


Parador Casino
(2-777-1414)
LOCATION: Manuel Antonio


Divisamar Casino
(2-777-0371)
LOCATION: Manuel Antonio


Pacifico
(2-777-0905)
LOCATION: Manuel Antonio


Cocal Casino and Hotel (2-643-3067)
LOCATION: Playa Jaco


Flamingo Casino at the Flamino Beach Resort
(2-654-4011 / 2-654-4350)
LOCATION: Flamingo Beach


Best Western Coco Verde’s Casino
(2-670-049)
LOCATION: Playas del Coco

Playas del Coco’s Casino
(2-670-0110)
LOCATION: Playas del Coco


Los Suenos Mariott Casino and Hotel
(2-298-0000)
LOCATION: Playa Herradura


Maribu Caribe
(2-798-3750)
LOCATION: Limon



Also, here are a few GOOD websites that give more details about gambling in Costa Rica:


Association overseeing Casinos: Asociacion de Casinos


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