At 20 years old, a female college student and traveling solo, I felt very safe at the Best Western Downtown. Yes, it is a bad area...but during the day IS NO PROBLEM! I walked all by myself to Avenida Central (where is the shopping and no vehicles driving). But at night always take a taxi...only $2 at least. The staff was WONDERFUL..the breakfast was WONDERFUL. And the hotel was incredibley clean!! The security walked me out all the time to a taxi when needed and even had one waiting if I called in advance. The pool they clean every morning (all though they say is 'heated'..it is not) but feels wonderful from the hot sun. I would HIGHLY recommend staying at this hotel. If a young,blonde, college student traveling by herself made it...anyone can!!!

A very dangerous place to stay. Was awakened at 4 in the morning by 3 gunshots ... then about 10 minutes later ... one more! When I asked the front desk about it when I left for my tour ... they acted as if it was normal and simply said a "bar fight" next door! I couldn't get out of that hotel and into a safer part of town fast enough!

They offer free transportation to the airport and various attractions but their courtesy van wasn't working when I was there and they made no offer to provide taxi service instead. Wireless internet worked only some of the time. Buffet breakfast is not a buffet but a rather sparce selection of average fare.

A cheap place to stay ... and it's clean ... but the lack of safety makes this hotel a very dumb choice.

Very rough part of San Jose. I would not go out after dark. During the day is the continuous honking of horns from the dense traffic. The reserved price of $67 per night (reserved 2 months prior) was not honored. Service was ok. The restaraunt staff was great. Even the mouse that occasionally scurried across the floor appeared pleasant. Shower was hot/cold/very hot/very cold. The only reason I chose the location was the proximity to the bus station to depart early in the morning for Panama. I'll pay extra for a taxi further away next time.

Experience was actually very nice. Just returned from SnJose October 30. 2006. Employees extremely nice and accommodating to me. Very courteous. Area not so hot but take a taxi. They are very very very cheap. Less than ten min walk during the day to Plaza de la Cultura and other points of interest. Great breakfast. Pool. Free Internet access. Wake up call ... etc. If you invite outside guests to your room you must pay extra $10, but that is safe too, because they are required to leave valid ID at the desk. Overall very very nice five night stay here. Ask for rooms on the 3rd or 4th floors for great views of the city.
Buen viaje,
Lorenzo