Costa Rica

jwrg26

Any US ten clubbers making the trip and if so where are you planning on staying?

Brisk.

Take your pick!

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=hotel&hl= ... o+Nacional)&geocode=CQwVJjyvUt_zFfaflwAdn538-iF3wz0C-j_TtA&dq=Estadio+Nacional&t=h&vpsrc=6&fll=9.939008,-84.103947&fspn=0.056897,0.090895&z=14

mateo45

hey, my wife and i had this trip planned out for last year, things fell through, whatever. we replanned the costa rica trip and it turned out we were coming home november 20th in the am. boooooo. we've switched tix to come home at a later time. now, the ticket deal is confusing to me, and i'm not really sure what everyone else is doing? do you think it would be fine to walk up and get tix there? will it be sold out? what do you all think? i'm a little nervous about will call at some kiosk where i'm not fluent in the language.....

Mike's Side

It shouldn't be hard to find a CredEx place and you are there days before. I would just buy in advance so you don't worry about tix and wing it when you get there. Use google translator for help buying them.

mateo45

thanks for the advice. i'll check it out.

jjtormey

Yes, I'm going from Chicago...staying at the DoubleTree - Cariari just north of San Jose on points that I've been saving for a special occasion, and I can't think of a more speical occasion than PJ in Costa Rica at an outdoor stadium in the Fall.

The question I have is how to get around? Should I rent a car...I'll be there for a few days and want to hit the beaches on both coasts, so i think I'll need a car...right?

Also, parking at the stadium...safe, secure? Would I be better off getting a taxi from/to the hotel/show?

I purchased tickets ahead of time...I didn't want to be worried about that...

I know nothing about Costa Rica. Going to the bookstore to get a travel guide. Any ideas about where to go, where to eat, what beaches are the best, etc...would be hugely appreciated!!

THANKS!!

calvo17

I'm a Costa Rican and have been a fan of the band since 1997 when I first listened to Ten. No need to mention how much I had dreamed with this concert ever since! Nov 20 will be my first PJ show, and it would be the first for the majority of the crowd, so you can expect a crowd that will go nuts all the way! If you want to go the beaches or any other national park, I would definitely recommend renting a car to get there. You can go to Guanacaste (pacific coast), a province located at approx 250 kms from San Jose with the most beautiful beaches of the country in my opinion. Beaches like, Samara, Carrillo, Tamarindo, Flamingo, Papagayo are just beautiful. If you're looking for night-life at the beach, then Tamarindo is the place. If you just want to relax, then I would recommend Samara and Carrillo. If you want to go to the Caribbean side, then visit Manzanillo (for the views) and Puerto Viejo (for night-life and restaurants). Be advised that this zone is not as safe as the Pacific.
Now, the place I like the most is Arenal Volcano, this is located about 2/12 to 3 hours from San Jose in the Northern region of Costa Rica. Google it and you'll see what I'm talking about.

The day of the concert I personally prefer to take a taxi from the stadium to my house. The stadium has no parking lot, meaning you would need to leave the car on the streets of the neighborhoods that surround the venue. I wouldn't recommend it. If you stay at a nice hotel, perhaps you can ask them to arrange transportation for that night.

About restaurants, you can find anything you want in here. I would recommend eating at restaurants located inside shopping plazas or so; the food is defintely better there. Again, the guys from the hotel can give you options once you arrive.

As for the tickets, definitely buy them online before you come here. No need to have Credix to buy them online, that was only for the pre-sale. I have heard of people from Guatemala and other countries nearby that bought them already. Page is laboleteria.co.cr

Hope you find this helpful guys!

mateo45

Thanks so much calvo17. I've been to Costa Rica before, just about 11 years ago. We stayed in San Jose and Jaco. And we LOVED our time there. We are making the trip down and couldn't be more excited. Maybe we could all meet up somewhere grab a drink and get pumped. Can't wait to see your country go nuts for their first Pearl Jam show!!!

ladydocNYC

My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Costa Rica in 2007. Just coming off 3 Canada shows, I'm toying with trying to make one of the South American shows happen and this one looks most likely. I'm a little intimidated, though!

Looks like there are still GA "seats" available, but do I risk death if I try that?

JoeDwine

try to get down to the Osa peninsula for a few days and Arenal is worth it as well!

Falling Down

JoeDwine wrote:

try to get down to the Osa peninsula for a few days and Arenal is worth it as well!

I've been twice in the Corcovado Park on the Osa peninsula and I do agree that it is a must see. Flights from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez are not too expensive, and it saves you from the 10-plus hours of driving or bus.

Mike's Side

It looks like tickets are selling pretty good. Most sections sold out or close to it. Just think of how many people will be at their 1st PJ show. Its going to be nuts up in there.

calvo17

They say approx 30K tickets have been sold already, and the concert is still two months away! As far as getting GA seats, you wouldn’t risk death hehe, but it is going to be very rough down there. Never been to a concert in the US, so I can’t compare it, but if you don’t want to stand up for 4-5 hours waiting for the show to start, then I would not recommend getting GA tickets. Be advised there are no seats down there and people are so excited that they will stand up for the full 4-5 hours before the show. I got GA tickets for Red Hot Chili Peppers two weeks ago and it was crazy. A lot of people fainted ‘cause it was very packed and hot. From what I have read here, I understand that in the US and Canada for example, GA tickets are in fact numbered, correct me if I am wrong. That is not the case here. Now, you can get GA tickets and stay in the back of the crowd, where it is not that crazy. Personally, I prefer to be down there as closer to the stage as I can. Also, be advised that the pitch has been divided into two sections: Alive (which would be the equivalent for general admission and The End (it begins from the middle of the pitch all the way back) I think this section will not be very rough, but of course the visibility is not the same as Alive since you are further from the stage. If you want to get numbered seats then you need to buy any of the sections called Graderia. There you can get in even one minute before the show and you’ll get the seat you bought. But again, if you want to go wild, then buy Alive!

Mateo45, I guess I will be on the line outside the stadium since very early in the morning that day, so I guess we won’t be able to meet hehe, but thanks for the invite!

Osa Peninsula is great they say; never been there, but some relatives have and they just loved it. And yes, take a flight to get there!

ks276262

What time do you think we should get in line for ga to get a spot on the rail? Can you buy beer or water while you are waiting all day?

Mike's Side

Thanks for the info Calvo. I would also like to know how early in the day all the crazies will be lining up out front for the sprint to the rail when the gates open so I can get there a few hours before them . Also what time do they start to let people in. Thanks again and I will be the gringo in the front of the line so we can chill if you get there early also.

heduable

Mike's Side wrote:

It looks like tickets are selling pretty good. Most sections sold out or close to it. Just think of how many people will be at their 1st PJ show. Its going to be nuts up in there.

Remember my friend, there`s always resale outside before the concert :idea:

calvo17

Ok guys, let me explain. Here, many people actually spend the night before outside the stadium waiting in line. For example, the biggest concerts here have been those of Metallica last year and Iron Maiden; for those two there were people camping outside for two weeks! I went to Metallica and arrived at 8:30am and the line was already about a quarter of a mile long and the show started until 8pm! We think that PJ is going to be very similar to those two concerts, in terms of attendance and excitement. I'm actually planning to get there between 5-6 am to try to get a good spot. Even getting there that early, I know for a fact that I won't reach the front rows. If lucky, perhaps between the first 10 -15 rows. That's how crazy it gets here. The reason is that we did not use to have such good bands playing here; it was not until approx. three years ago that local producers became interested in bringing big rock bands down here.

I don't mean to ruin your plans guys, just want to make you aware of what to expect hehe. For Red Hot Chili Peppers I got there at 1pm (RHCP started at 9pm) and they let us in at 4pm (that is usually the hour when they open the gates). I was between rows 15-20. Now, the Peppers played on a Monday when many people had to work and arrived to the show later on in the afternoon after work. For PJ, as happenned with Metallica, the show will be on a Sunday, which makes it eaiser for people to spend the whole day or more in line.

As far as getting beverages or food there are supermarkets around the stadium where you can buy whatever you need while you are in line. They don't allow passing any food or bottles inside though. Inside the stadium they usually sell sodas (not beers) and some fast food.

Mike's Side

Thanks again! This is great information. Lol@ no beer for sale at a concert. Not that it bothers me because with such a long day I will be on water only anyway. I have lined up for PJ at 5am for possible ticket drops many times so I don't have a problem putting in the time. I might just take a cab by there a few times they day before to scope out the amount of people in line then decide when I'm gonna join. I can't wait to comeback to your beautiful country. Pura Vida!

ladydocNYC

heduable wrote:

Mike's Side wrote:

It looks like tickets are selling pretty good. Most sections sold out or close to it. Just think of how many people will be at their 1st PJ show. Its going to be nuts up in there.

Remember my friend, there`s always resale outside before the concert
:idea:

Can decent non-floor seats usually be gotten that way? How exorbitant are the prices? I mean, would it be reasonable to fly all the way there and count on picking up some tix right before the show? Sounds too risky to me...

ks276262

Thanks for all the info Calvo! I just have a couple more questions I ordered my tickets during the pre sale and from my understanding you have to pick them up there is there anywhere near the stadium to do this? Also can you drink beer outside the stadium while we are waiting in line? Thanks again for all your help! Greg

release_me_82

Thanks calvo17 for all the info. Your posts have me so stoked for the show. I cant wait to jump, and sweat and scream my lungs out with the rest of you in the Alive section. Ill be coming by myself from Texas and will hopefully be pretty close to the front of that line to get in. Im also staying for a month or so to surf so if anyone else is doing the same, hit me up. November cant come soon enough.

totto

I am going with a friend from out west. We are staying at a Marriott resort about 12 miles away. If I have tickets and just need to pick them up what time do I need to be there for will call? We selected seats on the side so I wont be pushing to the front.

cent208

calvo17 wrote:

I'm a Costa Rican and have been a fan of the band since 1997 when I first listened to Ten. No need to mention how much I had dreamed with this concert ever since! Nov 20 will be my first PJ show, and it would be the first for the majority of the crowd, so you can expect a crowd that will go nuts all the way! If you want to go the beaches or any other national park, I would definitely recommend renting a car to get there. You can go to Guanacaste (pacific coast), a province located at approx 250 kms from San Jose with the most beautiful beaches of the country in my opinion. Beaches like, Samara, Carrillo, Tamarindo, Flamingo, Papagayo are just beautiful. If you're looking for night-life at the beach, then Tamarindo is the place. If you just want to relax, then I would recommend Samara and Carrillo. If you want to go to the Caribbean side, then visit Manzanillo (for the views) and Puerto Viejo (for night-life and restaurants). Be advised that this zone is not as safe as the Pacific.
Now, the place I like the most is Arenal Volcano, this is located about 2/12 to 3 hours from San Jose in the Northern region of Costa Rica. Google it and you'll see what I'm talking about.

The day of the concert I personally prefer to take a taxi from the stadium to my house. The stadium has no parking lot, meaning you would need to leave the car on the streets of the neighborhoods that surround the venue. I wouldn't recommend it. If you stay at a nice hotel, perhaps you can ask them to arrange transportation for that night.

About restaurants, you can find anything you want in here. I would recommend eating at restaurants located inside shopping plazas or so; the food is defintely better there. Again, the guys from the hotel can give you options once you arrive.

As for the tickets, definitely buy them online before you come here. No need to have Credix to buy them online, that was only for the pre-sale. I have heard of people from Guatemala and other countries nearby that bought them already. Page is laboleteria.co.cr

Hope you find this helpful guys!

Thanks for all the info

mateo45

purchased tickets for the "Alive" section. i couldn't be more excited. my first show was in san jose, ca (well, i went to the infamous s.f. show to, where ed got sick) and my bookend show will be in san jose, cr (with many more to follow i'm sure. i can't wait. i believe there were 35,000 at that '95 show, and i think that's gonna get passed up at this one. i can not wait. so many tie ins. me and my wife started dating the day after that '95 show, we had our honey moon in costa rica in 2000 and just fell in love with this country, took her to her first pj show the third night at the gibson amphitheatre in l.a. and she was floored. i simply can not wait for this to happen. thanks for all the info that everyone has been giving out. so excited. see you soon.

calvo17

Hi guys! You're all welcome! Let's see. As far as waiting to buy the tickets outside the stadium on resale, I would not recommend it at all. Those guys usually double the prices and if they see that you're foreigners they will charge you even more. It's a total rip off. So, if you have a credit card and can purchase them on-line, I would recommend doing so.

As far as picking up tickets at the stadium the same day of the concert, I honestly don't have much info about that. But if you could pick them up at least the day before, please do so. About 5-6 km from the stadium, going west, there is a store called EPA, (located in a town called Escazu, everyone knows where it is so you can ask how to get there) it's sort of a Home Depot kind of place; that's one place where you can pick up the tickets if you bought them on line, or you can purchase them there also if you arrived here with no tickets (as long as there are still tickets of course!). All you need to pick them up is the credit card that you used to buy them, a valid ID, and I think the confirmation email.

While on line, you can drink whatever you want, just behave hehehe. Bring sunblock; mornings here are very sunny nowadays and it could also rain in the afternoon.

And I think the idea of checking out the line the day before in a cab is great.

Hope this helps guys!

Pura vida maes!!

GivenToJam88

Can we bring a backpack into the stadium?

aneutronbomb

mt

ks276262

Thanks again Calvo! Me and my girlfriend will be getting to San Jose on Saturday after staying 5 days in the Guanacaste area traveling from Wisconsin. Can't wait see your beautiful country now just hope ten club could still do something for us to get early entry or me and my girlfriend doing shifts in line! And have to figure out how to get the packer game on my phone! See you all there!

ladydocNYC

If I order tix online from laboleteria site, do you know if I can pick them up the day of the show?

For Mexico City, ticketmaster says you have to pick them up at least 48 hours in advance in person (and they don't ship them internationally) or you lose them.

Is it the same in CR?

cent208

Calvo or anyone that might know. Does anyone when know where to pick up the tickets if you bought them online? What do I need to pick them up? I'm assuming id, credit card and order # are enough. Also can you bring a bag into the venue? Someone mentioned you need your passport but I don't believe it Thanks so much

heduable

Hola, soy costarricense y tengo entradas para gramalive, podría decirme si es necesario estar desde el día anterior haciendo la fila? es que tengo una condición de salud que me impide estar de pie muchas horas y quiero gastar mi energía en el concierto, así como usted comento es mi primer y creo será mi único concierto (no estoy sacando el violín) no me interesan otras bandas solo P.J. Tengo un sobrino que dice que el hace la fila y va estar desde antes pero no me gusta "colarme", ya que ud tiene experiencia que me aconseja? Gracias de antemano. :?: