Poker is a very popular game among the people of Costa Rica, and finding a place to play is relatively easy. The Costa Rica’s Casinos are scattered all over the country, but the biggest concentration can be found in the capital San Jose. Some casinos in Costa Rica feature live action and tournaments in local card rooms as well as a series of variations including 3 card poker and Omaha, but most of the poker rooms offer No Limit Texas Hold'em which is the most popular game in the country. There are several good casinos located on the beaches of Costa Rica, Jaco for example, features several card rooms and at least two big poker tournaments every year. Jazz Casino in Jaco Beach is only a few hours away from San Jose. It is currently the only beach town with poker games, though some ex-pats run home games, mainly seven Stud, in near beaches including Quepos and Manuel Antonio.
The Hotel Radisson Europa is by far the most popular poker rooms in Costa Rica. Located down ton San Jose, the casino is famous for holding several poker tournaments including several stages of the WPT. The Colonial Casino in downtown San Jose also offers Hold’em Poker and the Friday night tournaments. And if you’re on your way back to the airport, you can also visit the Fiesta Casino and Card Room, which is located only a few blocks away from the Juan Santamaria Airport in Alajuela. The Tara ResortiIn Escazu, is about as far from downtown as the Fiesta, but the place has a different vibe and atmosphere that reminds a cotton plantation in the southern U.S.
You don’t have to speak Spanish to play in the Costa Rica casinos; most dealers speak English or at list known the poker lingo in English. Costa Rica’s poker scene may not be as sensational as Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but at list the ambiance of each casino has its own flavor that make gambling in Costa Rica a truly unique experience.
