Hi guys I'm a newbie here so I hope I'm posting the right way. Great site Jimmydr. I have been to Asia many times but this imy first trip to Costa Rica so any pointers would be appreciated.
Thanks in advnce
Newborn Lurker
Hi guys I'm a newbie here so I hope I'm posting the right way. Great site Jimmydr. I have been to Asia many times but this imy first trip to Costa Rica so any pointers would be appreciated.
Thanks in advnce
Junior Member
Essential reading posted on CRT: http://costaricaticas.com/forums/vie...p?f=11&t=16357
Costa Rica for Dummies™ (and Newbies)
Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in any establishment or website that I reference in this post. Everything here is my own personal opinion and should be taken as such. The information here is not complete by any means; I’m only listing things from personal experience or from others’ experiences. This took a few days to put together, but I’m sure there are plenty of topics that I missed.
So you made the decision to come to Costa Rica? Nice! Here’s some info to help you on your journey.
I will try to cover as many details of a trip experience as I can think of, all in one place, so you don't have to search and read through hundreds of threads. YOU SHOULD STILL READ SOME MORE. The more you read, the more you'll learn from others' experiences (both good and bad). You’ll learn to avoid the scams and how to make the most of your time there.
Being that you are here reading this, I assume you are going with the intention of hooking up working girls at some point in your trip. If you are going ONLY for the volcanoes, howler monkeys, toucans and shit, follow this link because you are in the wrong place: http://www.costaricaexpeditions.com
Before the trip
-Read the forum as much as you can, especially the NEWBIES SECTION. Many guys have asked the same questions that you probably have. Also, use the search function to find information on specific topics/questions. If after doing an extensive search, you still don’t have an answer, post your questions and I’m sure somebody will be happy to help you.
This thread lists many of the abbreviations you'll come across on this board: http://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1774
Also read these threads, they offer a lot of relevant info:
http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... .php?t=263
http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... .php?t=953
http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... php?t=5305
PLEASE NOTE: I'm not a professional anything, so keep that in mind when following my advice. Do not solely follow my advice, always consult a professional.
-To clarify a myth that has been circulating forever: Sex workers in CR are NOT required to get tested for STD's.
Many do so on their own, for their own piece of mind, but there is no requirement (legal or otherwise) foe getting tested against STD's. Some misinformed people claim there are mandatory health cards or periodic check-ups, but those are just myths. Some places may claim that their girls are tested/clean, but there is nothing to prove it. There is a risk to this hobby, so play at your own risk. By using your head (BRAIN!) and common sense, and making smart decisions, you can minimize the risk, but you CAN'T ever completely eliminate it. ALWAYS use a latex condom for intercourse. Many guys prefer receiving bbbj's (bareback blowjob/oral without using a condom) which increases the risk somewhat but still not as high as unprotected intercourse. To further minimize the risk, use condoms for all types of sex (oral, intercourse, anal, etc). I don't know the official HIV rate in CR, but it should not matter. You should always use protection to minimize the risk as much as possible.
-VACCINES- This part is totally optional, they are not mandatory, but doesn't hurt to have them, especially since you are travelling to a "2nd" world country. About 6 months (or as soon as possible) before your trip, you may want to look into vaccines for Hepatitis A & B. Don't panic, they are not required.
HAV (Hep A) is found in the feces of people with hepatitis A and is usually spread by close personal contact (including sex or sharing a household). It can also be spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with HAV.
HBV (Hep B) is found in blood and certain body fluids. The virus is spread when blood or body fluid from an infected person enters the body
of a person who is not immune. HBV is spread through having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles when shooting drugs, exposure to needlesticks or sharps on the job, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth. Exposure to infected blood in ANY situation can be a risk for transmission.
Read CDC website for more info: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis
-The risk is relatively low if you use a little caution. Hep B is a 2-dose and Hep A is a 3-dose vaccine. Hep A vaccine is administered at time 0, then the second dose 6-12 months later. Hep B is given at time 0, 1 month, and 6 months. Ideally, thet should be started at least 6 months before travel so you can build up enough resistance, but getting one dose is still better than none. There is also a Hep A-B combo vaccine which you can get, it's 3 doses (0,1,6). It's called Twinrix.
-HOLIDAYS- When scheduling your trip you want to AVOID Christmas week and Easter week. San Jose is a ghost town during those 2 times of year. Working girls go home to be with family and some days liquor sales are prohibited. So you may end up drinking iced tea with a bunch of guys.
-CRT VIP CARD-If you haven't already done so, I'd recommend that you upgrade to a VIP membership on this forum. The cost is $39/yr (or $138/lifetime) which you should be able to recoup before the end of your first trip by using the discounts. You will receive a membership card (which you can have sent to you in the US or pick up in CR--PM Admin 1 for info) which entitles you to discounts at various establishments around San Jose and other parts of Costa Rica. They include hotels, restaurants, massage parlors, and non-mongering type of activities (ATV tour, Canopy tour, etc). VIP members also have access to a useful map of SJ which comes in handy on your trips. Print it out and bring with you, it includes all the establishments that I will mention in this post.
Here's the list of discounts: http://www.costaricaticas.com/memberdiscounts.pdf
You can sign up for a VIP membership here: http://www.costaricaticas.com/join.php
-As a VIP, you get access to the photo gallery. You will see many pics of chicas members have hooked up with in CR. While you can find many of them still around, DO NOT GET YOUR HEART SET ON ANY ONE CHICA, because you will waste a lot of time looking for her. And you may not even find her. For every one beauty, there are 3 or 4 others just as beautiful around the corner willing to take your cash, don't waste time on some mission to find "The one".
-SPEAKING SPANISH- not necessary. Many of the girls speak English well and the others will usually understand enough to get by. Here's a thread I put together with some basic Spanish translations: http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=12923
-I assume you have your ticket booked or know how to do that, so I'll just suggest a few websites:
http://www.kayak.com
http://www.travelocity.com
http://www.expedia.com
http://www.ticotravel.com
-Book your flight and hotel separately. Most of the travel package deals include hotels that are either too far from the gulch (downtown "red light district" area) or don't allow working girls up to the rooms. If you are looking to bring girls up, book with the hotels directly. See below for hotel info.
-PASSPORT/VISA- If you are a US or EU citizen, you do not need a VISA but you must have a passport, valid for at least 30-180 days from the date you enter Costa Rica, depending on who you ask. Some sites say 30 days, others say up to 6 months. My suggestion is that if your passport is expiring within 6 months of your trip, renew it so there's no chance of any problems. FYI-YOU NEED TO CARRY A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT IN COSTA RICA AT ALL TIMES. (And lock up your original in the hotel safe, along with the exit tax if you purchased it coming in or in town. (Thanks BD)) They can make you a copy of a passport at your hotel or any copy shop downtown for about $1-2. You need a copy of the picture page and also the page with the entry stamp to show the date you entered the country, in case you are asked to produce it. Non-residents are only allowed to remain in CR for 90 days at a time.
US passport info can be found here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
CR entry passport requirements: http://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16959
-HOTEL ROOM- Before going to CR, you should reserve a hotel room. While you may be able to get a room at many places just walking up, you will be locked out of the more popular (& monger friendly) hotels. Some of them fill up months in advance. Make sure the hotel allows female "guests" if you're planning to bring girls back to your room. Some hotels do not allow working girls at all, others charge high fees per "guest".
Some of the monger and chica-friendly hotels include (incomplete list):
1. Sportsmen’s Lodge (SL) http://www.sportsmenscr.com (Preferred hotel of many CRT'ers; frat like atmosphere; large sports bar; lots of tv's (incl all PPV events-boxings, MMA, football); rooms range from $60-150/night (less CRT VIP discount); indy chicas work the bar from morning till closing; free breakfast is only fresh fruit and toast)
2. Hotel La Amistad http://www.hotelamistad.com (a block from Sportsmens; very nice hotel; rooms start at $69 (less CRT VIP discount); also a favorite of many CRT'ers; no chicas working on-site; free breakfast is good)
3. Hotel Del Rey (HDR or DR) http://www.hoteldelrey.com (bars in the hotel are where chicas can be found literally 24 hours/day, the rooms are pretty bad, uncomfortable, old, most would not recommend staying there-only visit the bars to pick up chicas, no CRT discount)
4. Hotel Little Havana (HLH), formerly Zona Blue (ZB) http://www.hotellittlehavana.com (owned/operated by CRT'er, hotel attached to massage parlor, or vice versa, recently opened, rooms start at $69/night (less CRT VIP discount), 2br suites available, quickly becoming a favorite)
5. Hotel Castillo http://www.hotelcastillo.biz (budget hotel; starts at $38/nt (w CRT VIP discount); very basic; free breakfast sucks)
6. Hotel Dunn Inn http://www.hoteldunninn.com (renovated rooms, start at about $70; new large sportsbar opened feb 2011; good food but pricey; CRT discount)
7. The Freebird Hotel http://www.thefreebirdcr.com (nice hotel close to 2nd ave; 2 blocks from HDR; most rooms share bathrooms; but has 2 suites; rooms start at about $40/night (CRT discount))
8. Hotel Morazan http://www.costaricamorazan.com (budget place $45-50/night; ok rooms-basic; reports of smoke smell; no CRT discount)
9. Nuevo Johnson (budget hotel @ $15/night) http://www.hotelnuevojohnson.com (very very basic, bad part of town, not recommended unless on very tight budget)
-There a several hotels that offer discounts to VIP members. Staying only a few nights will save you enough $$$ for another session. Of the ones listed above, #1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 offer a CRT discount. Also be advised that some hotels charge a “guest” fee (aka chica fee) to bring up a working girl to your room. It ranges from $10-25 per girl. In these hotels, you have to sign them with reception as you enter and they tack on the charges to your bill.
Chica fee hotels:
-Del Rey ($10)
-Sleep Inn (next to Del Rey) ($25)
-Holiday Inn ($80
-Nuevo Johnson ($3-4)
No chica fee hotels:
-Sportsmens
-Amistad
-HLH
-Castillo
-Morazan
-Dunn Inn
Hotels that DO NOT WANT our kind of business include:
-Radison
-Hotel Grand Costa Rica-WORKING GIRLS NOT ALLOWED IN THE HOTEL AT ALL
-Holiday Inn-hence the $80 guest fee
-Balmoral
-Best Western
-Hotel Presidente (Prez)- No longer offering CRT discount. They have a dress code for chicas (no revealing clothing), and a 1 chica at a time rule. They don't want hookers in their hotel either.
-LOVE MOTELS- If you can't take a girl back to your hotel room for whatever reason, there are several short-stay hotel(motel) options. The price ranges from about $10 to $35.
La Oficina (A9/C1) is probably the best in terms of value and quality. It costs ¢6500 for 3 hours. They have jacuzzi rooms for ¢8500.
Hotel Morazon (A1/C7) rents rooms (when available) for short-time for $35 for 2-3 hours.
Motel Eden- is the fanciest (read: most expensive) one. It is the most discreet, you drive (taxi) into a garage and the door closes and you walk into the room. This is popular with locals who don't want to be seen with their hookers/mistresses. It's located by the highway to Limon and it costs ¢20,000 per chica.
Hotel Asia (AC-1/C11) is located just around the corner from Del Rey. It's the cheapest (around $10), but it's the least clean and insect free. It is on Calle 11, between AVE 1 and CENTRAL. It is clearly marked, you can't miss it. It is across the street from a large parking garage.
-CAR RENTAL- Unless you have somewhere specific you will go outside of the gulch or are interested in touring the country, I do NOT recommend a rental car in San Jose. The roads suck, the drivers are dangerous, lots of break-ins, and parking in San Jose is a pain in the ass. Plus, you pay high insurance deductibles if you have an accident or damage. Taxis are cheap and ubiquitous (:?. A taxi ride anywhere in downtown should be under 1,500¢ ($3). Always ask the cabbie to use the meter (pronounced "maria"). If they don't use a meter ask the fare up front, and only proceed if you agree with it. Some cabbies may ask for as much as $10 or more, if they think you are a newbie sucker and will pay it. DO NOT TAKE HOTEL TAXIS and those parked in front of bars, massage parlors, and hotels. They don't use the meter and will generally charge you 3X or more the fare. Step into the street or to the corner and you can flag down a passing taxi and pay the metered fare. It may not seem like a big deal, but saving a couple of bucks each trip (x 20 trips a week) will be enough for an extra session or two. Only use licensed red taxis, take gypsy cabs at your own risk.
-COLONES VS DOLLARS- Some places (most Tico MP's, stores, restaurants) won't accept dollars at all. It's a good idea to change some dollars into colones for bars, restaurants, and MP's. Most indy chicas (DR, SL, DI) will negotiate in dollars, but will accept either. It's usually better to pay in colones since restaurants and bars will give you a poor exchange rate if you pay in dollars. Either way, you will usually get change in colones. Personally, I don't carry any dollars while in town, colones only.
-CASH/ATM'S/TRAVELLER'S CHECKS- I always bring cash with me. As soon as I check-in, I try to exchange most of it at a good rate, to save me trips and time in exchanging. I then lock it up in the hotel safe, and only carry what I'll need for the day's activities on me. Don't carry more than you need for that particular day. If bringing chicas back, keep the money in the safe until it's time to pay. No need to bring it with you to the bar. I try to avoid using my ATM card, if possible. There's nothing wrong with using your card at banks and casinos, but I wouldn't use the ATM's a just any place. Traveller's checks... I haven't used them, but I heard that they can be a pain in the ass in CR.
-CONDOMS/LUBE- Bring your own condoms (and lube), the stuff they have in MP's is low quality and very small. Some of the BM/DR/KL indy's don't even carry condoms. You can buy Durex condoms in CR pharmacies or just buy condoms on the internet at a nice discount before you leave for CR, instead of going to your local pharmacy.
Here's a very good online retailer: http://www.condomsexpress.com
-DRESS CODE- There is none. You should wear whatever you want to wear. Most guys wear jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers. A lot wear shorts and sandals. Some guys say that shorts will make you stand out as a tourist. Not true. Your gringo-ness will make you stand out as a tourist much more than the clothes you choose to wear.
-GIFTS- Totally optional-- Some guys like to bring small gifts for the girls. It's unnecessary, but it's a nice touch. Just don't waste a lot of money on them. Some examples are: candy (chocolates/lollipops), thongs (size S or XS), lotions/creams, small make-up kits, costume jewelry, and other inexpensive items you can pick up at your local department store or the dollar store.
-LUGGAGE LOCK- Get a good luggage lock. When having "guests" over, you should lock up all your valuables in the hotel safe. Anything that doesn't fit should be locked up in your suitcase, just in case the girl has sticky fingers. Here are a couple of places that sell TSA-approved locks (good for air travel):
http://www.ebags.com/search/index.cfm?f ... =tsa+locks
http://www.tamperseal.com/index.php?cPa ... g_tsalocks
-ELECTRICAL OUTLETS- are the same voltage as the US. You don't need any converters. Some older outlets in CR are 2-prong, so your 3-prong cords (ex. laptop) won't work, but the hotel will usually have a small plug-in converter for you to use. Most of the new outlets are already 3-prong.
-CELL PHONE- Unlike many other countries, they are not needed in CR. Although NOT necessary, some guys still rent them. There are now pre-paid SIM cards available at the airport and ICE offices. (see below). You can also rent a phone (with SIM card), or just a SIM, if you already have a GSM phone. The cost is usually about $10/day for unlimited calls within CR and incoming int'l calls. Making calls to US costs $1.25/min. This is a company some use: http://www.cellulartelephonerentals.com Many rent-a-car companies also rent cell phones, some for as little as $5/day. You may also be able to use your own phone service, if it's GSM (has SIM card in back) with 1800 Mhz frequency, and your wireless provider turns on international roaming. It's pricey, about $2+/min. T-Mobile and Cingular are two companies that you can use. Verizon's network does NOT work in CR unless you have a WORLD phone, and then it's about $2.50/min too. There are much cheaper options (see "calling the US" in the next section). Renting a phone is a waste of money IMO, better to bring an unlocked phone and buy a prepaid SIM. Keep reading...
Update! Pre-paid SIM cards are now available for purchase at the ICE booth on the customs level near baggage carousel #1, as well as the desk on the upper level (near Gate 7 I think). They are available in denominations of ¢2,500, ¢5,000, and ¢10,000. The ¢2,500 SIM will give you about 60 minutes of local talk and text time. They can be re-charged online (http://www.masterpago.com/productos/ind ... roducto=40) or by buying a recharge card.
You will need a unlocked GSM cell phone that works on the 1800Mhz band. Many dual and tri-band phones will work, and all quad-band phones will work in CR.
-RETURN TICKET- You should print out a copy of your itinerary from the airline's website to have in case immigration asks to see it. They have never done this, but people have reported recently that they have been asked to produce a return ticket. It is an official requirement to enter CR, but until now, they had never requested to see it. They will allow you to go to your airline's rep and print it but it will waste a lot of time.
Arriving in Costa Rica
-IMMIGRATION FORMS- You will be given some forms to fill out on the plane. Bring a pen on the plane and have those filled before you land. Have them ready when you get to immigration to avoid a delay.
-IMMIGRATION- Once you land, proceed to immigration as quickly as possible because the other 149 passengers on your plane are right behind you. As of April 2010, Immigration is now located on the lower level (same level as customs). It can get very busy at times (often 2-3 flights get in at the same time), so the quicker you get there, the faster you’ll be out the airport getting into your ride. There are 2 immigration lines: tourist (visitor) and Costa Rican citizens. There is usually a monger’s dash to immigration on every incoming flight.If you want to pick up some duty-free items on the way in, do it after you get through immigration. Don't stop upstairs, there is another one downstairs in customs.
-LUGGAGE- Once you clear immigration, walk out into customs area and wait for your luggage. You can use the ATM (near carousel #1) and visit the Duty-Free (next to carousel #3) as you wait for your luggage.
-DO NOT EXCHANGE MONEY IN BAGGAGE CLAIM/CUSTOMS area exchange window (their exchange rate sucks, you will lose 10-15% on each dollar). The Global Currency Exchange windows upstairs suck too. You will not need any colones until after you check-in to the hotel and are ready to go party. You can exchange money at any casino, bank, or even your hotel (not really recommended either). I would suggest a bank or a casino. You may need to show your passport when exchanging at a bank and the banks in CR are painfully slow. The current exchange rate (Sept 2010) is 511¢ per US dollar.
*You can also exchange money at the airport upstairs in the check-in/departure area (NOT IN THE BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA). Make sure that you go to the red square bank booth all the way on the right side as you walk into the departure terminal (There is now a global currency exchange booth too in the departure level-they give horrible rates). The rate you get there is the bank rate. (thanks PL). You have to walk out of arrivals hall, go across the street to the parking garage, take the escalator upstairs, and go back into the departure hall, and it's all the way on the right side. A small square red booth with BAC (Bank of San Jose) on it. Also, most hotels will exchange money for their guests. You are giving up about 2-3% from what you'd get in banks, chalk it up to a convenience charge. For every $100 you change, you lose about $2. No biggie.
To check the current official exchange rates, check the National Bank website: http://www.bncr.fi.cr
-COMPRA is the "buy rate" meaning you will get xxx colones for 1 USD.
-VENTA is the "sell rate" meaning that you will have to pay xxx colones for 1 USD. It costs more to exchange colones back to dollars, so don't exchange a lot more than you will need.
-If you want to have money before getting into the city, there is an ATM near carousel#1 in the baggage claim area. (thanks Wit) If you use an ATM, take out colones, not dollars. Otherwise, you'll be doing a double exchange, once to get dollars out instead of colones and then when you have to exchange the dollars anyway. Why bother, just take out colones. In CR, use BCR (Banco de Costa Rica) ATM's, they won't cheat you. DO NOT USE "ATH" ATM's (Long story... so just trust me on this one.)
-CARRYING MONEY- You should carry a mix of smaller bills (1k and 2k) for taxis and beer/water and larger (5k and 10k) for MP's and souvenirs, etc. You don't want a wallet full of 1k bills. Many places have trouble breaking a 10k (or even a 5k bill) so it's a good idea to carry some smaller bills too. The girls will accept dollars or colones.
-TIPPING- Americans are so trained to tip everybody that they have tip jars everywhere now in the US, including non-service businesses. In CR, it's different. Nobody in CR, except spoiled chicas, expects a tip. At restaurants, prices already include a 10% service tax, locals don't tip beyond that. Taxis don't expect a tip, and locals never tip them. But "rich" gringos need to prove something (mostly to themselves, but they're not impressing anybody), so many tip excessively.
Some chicas demand tips for certain acts (bbbj, for example). That's not a tip, that's called an upcharge. This is a controversial topic on the board, as opinions vary greatlty. Search "tipping" on the forum to read all about it.
-DUTY-FREE- There is a Duty-Free shop in the baggage claim area. You can buy up to 8 liters of alcohol to bring into Costa Rica. (This is rare, as usually you are only allowed to take things out.) I have bought Bailey's ($15), Moet champagne ($45), Malibu Rum ($14). Prices are almost half off the retail prices. I know that a lot of guys buy booze and smokes on their way in (and more on the way out).
-CUSTOMS- Grab your luggage and head through customs. You will be asked to put all your luggage through the x-ray machine.
-TAXI- Once you clear customs, walk straight ahead past the car rental desks and outside through the automatic doors. As soon as you get past the first set of doors, you’ll see a bunch of cab drivers, dressed in whote shirts and with ID badges around their necks. They will usually ask you where you want to go. Many speak English, but it’s a good idea to have a printout of the name, address, and phone number of your hotel. Airport taxis keep switching from flat rate to using the meter. It will cost about $25 to any downtown hotel. You can share a cab with as many people as can fit for one fare. It takes anywhere from 30-90 minutes to get to downtown. Traffic in/into the city can be really bad. The guys who stand behind the barriers are gypsy cabbies (in private cars). Not recommended. Take them at your own risk.
-Another airport-to-hotel transfer option is Interbus. This is a shuttle service company that charges only $12 each way per person from/to the airport. They also provide shuttle service to all of Costa Rica at reasonable prices. They use large vans that seat about 8-10 people. They are late model vans, have A/C, makes rest stops (on longer routes), and have extremely friendly drivers. You have to book it online (at least 3-4 days before your trip): http://www.interbusonline.com (You can book it using Paypal at this site also: http://www.shuttlebus.co.cr at about a 5% discount)
Note: you must pre-pay your Interbus transfer using a credit card/Paypal, and you must book it at least 3-4 days in advance. I think you can also book over the phone with a credit card, call them at 011-506-2283-5573.
-Once you check-in to your hotel you have to decide what to do next. This will depend on many factors: the time of day, your preferences, your budget, etc. Read on...
During your stay
-CHICA PRICE- This is the most frequently asked question, and it's the most difficult to answer. The price varies based on a million factors (your looks, personal hygiene, Spanish skills, "game", etc etc), so it's impossible for anybody to say that chicas charge x number of dollars per hour. Many start the negotiations at $100/hour, but that doesn't mean you should pay it. You can negotiate more time or less money or specific services (bbbj, anal, etc). A fair price is $60-80 for an hour or two.
-CHICA OPTIONS- You have several options for where to pick up working girls. You have massage parlors (brothels), strip clubs, street (NOT RECOMMENDED), and the world-famous Hotel Del Rey. Another option is the independents working out of the Sportsmens Lodge & Dunn Inn. Most girls do short-term sessions (1/2-3 hrs), but many are available for longer stays. This really only applies for independents (HDR & SL). The extended time can be in the form of TLN ("toda la noche") which is Spanish for "all night". That usually means from the time you meet them to whatever time they want to leave in the morning. If you want them to stay longer, you'll have to pay more (usually). You can also get a girl to stay or go away with you for a few days, depends on what you can negotiate. Everything should be negotiated upfront, so there are no problems when it comes time to pay.
-Massage Parlors are a fixed-price option. The prices are set and non-negotiable, and are paid before the session starts (usually the girl will take the money and come back with your change). Many guys prefer MP’s because of their lower price and no negotiating. The price includes the room and the girl’s fee for an hour (or half). MP’s range in price from $10-70 per hour, plus optional tip for good service. Don't tip for bad service; it just ruins it for everybody else. HLH and NF are open 9am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Idem is open M-Sat from 2-10pm, closed on Sundays. At MP's you should be there at least 1-2 hours before closing. Many girls go home early if there are no clients. Here’s a MP list put together by RBC100: http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... php?t=5209
-Some of the most popular MP’s are:
1. Hotel Little Havana (HLH), formerly known as Zona Blue (ZB)
2. New Fantasy (NF)
3. Idem
4. Relax (across the street from Idem)--mediocre looking chicas, but most provide decent service, but they don't always change the sheets after each client
5. several other Tico MP’s which are usually cheaper, under 15,000¢ (~$30) per hour, but bring a can of RAID with you
-Here is the procedure at most MP's (or more specifically HLH): http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... p?p=145864
-Another day option (and an even better night option) is the Hotel Del Rey (HDR or DR). The Blue Marlin (BM) is a bar inside the hotel. This place is the mecca of prostitution in Costa Rica and you must check it out at least once, even if you decide it’s not your kind of thing. At any given time (open 24/7/365, except for Religious holidays and National Elections) you will find 30-120 women, age 18-45, in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and from all over Central and South America ready to offer their company. Just walking through the crowd, you may get felt up.(Unfortunately for me, only the ugly ones feel me up.
) Once you agree on price and services, you can take them back to your hotel room or a short-stay motel nearby or right upstairs if you are staying at HDR. Many speak enough English to get by, but if you can learn a little Spanish, it’ll make it that much easier and more enjoyable. Pretty much anything you can think of sexually can be gotten from the ladies there; you just have to find the right girl for what you want. Most girls will ask for $100/hr, but many will lower the price a little with some negotiation, some will not. It’s up to you what you want to/can afford to pay. You can pay in dollars, colones, mp3 players (been done before), anything of “perceived” value to them. You should negotiate everything: price, time, services (bbbj or cbj, etc). Don’t assume anything. Pay after the service is completed, otherwise once she has the money she may lose her burning desire to please you. Provide a small tip or cab fare where appropriate.
-Be aware that you will be harassed by street scum in the area in front of the Del Rey. There are all kinds of scam artists who will offer to "help" you with whatever you need or sell you anything (including illegal drugs). These guys are pretty annoying, but a firm NO usually does the trick. There will be K*ds trying to hail you taxi or open the door for you. DON'T GIVE THEM ANY MONEY. I saw some stupid gringo giving them 1,000¢ each once. Also watch out for people who have "sob" stories about being robbed who will try to get some money out of you. They are ALL scam artists who do this for a living. I wonder if passport boy from California is still asking for $1.90 for food, or if inflation is affecting street filth also.
-Across the street from DR/BM is Key Largo (KL), a nighttime spot. It’s basically a disco filled only with working girls and non-pros “visiting” their friends.Usually the girls will make the rounds from BM to KL and back all night. It’s loud, you can dance and have fun with the girls, and then take them back to your room. Same rules apply as above.
-Another good option during the day and evening is the Sportsmens Lodge (SL). There is a bar/restaurant there which has pretty good food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at reasonable prices. Try the chicken burrito! It's awesome. There are independents working out of there. They usually hang around the bar and they are easy to spot. Other than the employees, the women that hang out there are mostly working girls, especially if they aren't with a man. Bar is open from the morning until midnight, girls can be found there anywhere from noon till closing. The numbers are nowhere near the Del Rey, you will have up to 15 at any given time. They are usually cute, provide good service, and until recently, the prices were lower than the usual $100 (cien) at the DR. You should still be able to negotiate them down to $60-70. (thanks GR)
-A newly added venue has opened in January 2011. The Dunn Inn has opened a bar/cafe/casino on its premises. Working girls will be allowed (and encouraged) to be available to customers.
-With the indy's, it's better to pay after the job is completed for several reasons. Before she actually gets the money, she's still "working" hard for it. If she gets the money before she renders service, she no longer has to "work" for it and may not give 100% effort. Keep in mind, some will ask for payment upfront, most guys don't give in to this. Many guys will send the girl packing if she insist on being paid upfront. Many chicas will agree to just put the money in a "neutral" place. If they demand money upfront, it could be a bad sign. If you agree to it, fine. If not, you can dismiss her. Cab fare (no more than 2,000¢) is appropriate. It's a good idea to discuss that during the "interview" also. Remember, everything should be negotiated, even when you'll pay, to avoid drama later. If you get to the room and she renegs on anything (agreed on bbbj and now wants cbj, demands money upfront, etc) or her attitude or demeanor goes sour, you can boot her right out of your room. No cab fare in MY opinion, if they re-neg on a verbal agreement. Read this: http://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26732
-If this is something you enjoy, you can take any of the indy's out to dinner, dancing, a trip outside of San Jose for a couple of days, etc. Pretty much anything is possible, especially if you hit it off. This is actually something I did in my early trips to CR. I'd usually go out with a buddy and we'd each take a "date" to the beach for the weekend. Besides time in the cama, I always enjoyed a good meal and conversation with a nice chica. This is where speaking the language comes in (even if only a little) and your effort will be rewarded. I would not go away (or even to dinner) with somebody that I could not communicate with. Obviously, wherever you go, you'll usually be paying for everything, plus a fee for her time. Always remember, everything is negotiable.
-ESCORT SERVICES- are available, but very few guys actually use them. There's no need. It's so easy to just take somebody out of DR or SL, why bother with escort services... First, you don't know what you are getting. The person that shows up at your door maybe not be your type at all, and then they may have a bad personality or attitude. G&G Escorts is one that has been mentioned before. It's about $150 for 2 hours, up to $250 for a 24 period. 10% CRT VIP discount available. Just for reference: http://www.costaricaescort.com For pics, go to members area:
username: _________
password: _________
-NETWORKING- It's also a good idea to set up a little network of indy's that you will hook up with on future trips. It saves you time and energy looking for girls each trip, if you have a list of good ones. Good to get their number and/or email address. But if you give them your info, you may receive an RFM (request for money)--see "After the trip" section for more on this phenomenon.
-STREET-WALKERS- Street working girls are available, but not recommended. Often times they are not exactly girls. 99% of streetwalkers (at night) are transsexuals/cross-dressing men who will rob you if they get the chance. Another reason that a woman might be working the streets is that she’s not allowed into bars/clubs. She may be und***ge (BIG NO-NO), a thief, drug addict, criminal, etc. Avoid.
-STRIP CLUBS- At night, after 10pm, you have another option. CR strip clubs are nothing like US strip clubs. I recommend visiting one just for comparison if no other reason. If you do visit one, you will probably never step foot inside club at home again (been almost 3 years for me
-Some of the popular clubs are:
1. Le Grillon http://www.nightclublegrillon.com/english/
2. Pantera Rosa (PR) http://www.pantera-rosa.com
3. D’Pelufo’s http://www.dpelufo.com
4. Nightclub Monaco (area is dangerous)
Clubs to avoid:
-Atlantis
-Elite
-Hollywood
-Scarletts
-Lipstick
All of "clubs to avoid" are well-known rip-off joints. They will pad your tab (IF YOU ARE DUMB ENOUGH TO START ONE) and then if you refuse to pay, they will call over their goons (with guns) to threaten you into paying. You've been waned. Also, NEVER let a cab driver talk you into going to a particular club, bar, or MP. They get a commission for bringing a gringo and you will end up paying extra to cover his commission.
-VITAMINS- If you need any "vitamins" (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) or any regular medications, you can pick them up at most pharmacies in SJ (usually without prescription). The prices are better than the US. There is usually somebody there who speaks English and can help you.
-FINDING OTHER CRT'S/WINGMEN- if you’d like to meet fellow CRT’s, you can look through the ROLL CALL section of the board for announcements and post your own trip dates. Also, in the late afternoons, you can find many CRT’s at DR or SL for happy hour. It’s not always easy to recognize them, but you can do it if you ask.
-INTERNET ACCESS- Most hotels offer free internet, usually wireless. You can bring your laptop. (Make sure you lock it up in the safe, if it fits, before bringing a chica over. Other options include: locking it up in your suitcase or buying a special laptop lock that attaches your laptop to a piece of furniture. Here are some laptop locks: Get one here: http://us.kensington.com/html/17688.html
Let them try to walk out with your laptop connected to a desk or a chair
-CALLING HOME (US)- The easiest way to call the US is to buy a pre-paid calling card. They are sold at pharmacies, newspaper stands, even street vendors sell them. There are two types, ones that have 197 and 199 printed on the card. (You will want the 199 card, 197 only allows domestic calls). A 3,000¢ card will give you 18 minutes to the US (~$0.35/min). You can buy cards in 1k, 3k, or 5k denoms.
Most hotels charge high int'l rates, but a few offer discounted calls to the US. Check with your hotel. DO NOT USE THE PHONES IN HOTEL LOBBIES THAT ASK FOR CREDIT CARDS. THEY CHARGE ABOUT $40-60/FOR A FEW MINUTES CALL.
Here's what the calling cards look like (the pictures on the front vary):
INTERNATIONAL 199: http://home.roadrunner.com/~orange/prep ... one199.jpg
LOCAL ONLY 197: http://home.roadrunner.com/~orange/prep ... one197.jpg
-TRAVELLING OUTSIDE SAN JOSE- many guys enjoy breaking up a trip to SJ with a couple of days at the beach, in the mountains, or just a day-trip to recharge from all the fornicating. It is relatively safe as long as you don't go too far off the beaten path. You still need to take basic safety precautions, just like in San Jose. Also, be aware that working girls are only readily available in San Jose and Jaco. When travelling outside these 2 towns, it's better to BYOC (Bring Your Own Chica) with you, or you may have to use the self-service lane.
Here is a short list of places to go:
Jaco (~2 hr drive south/sw from San Jose)-closest beach to San Jose, this is the only place outside of San Jose to find working girls on a regular basis. There is nothing going on (chicas) during the day. Beatle Bar is a nighttime spot where many independent girls show up to rent their stuff. Many Colombianas and Dominicanas nightly. Prices are about the same as DR. Jaco itself is a small dirty town, ugly beach, VERY hot and humid all day and night, and has some safety issues occasionally. Robberies, petty theft, etc.
Manuel Antonio-further south past Jaco, nice beach (possibly nicest in CR), national park, great tourist destination, no working girls.
Tamarindo/Flamingo-my favorite side-trip in CR-on the Pacific coast (5 hour drive west/45 min flight from SJ-I recommend flying), nice beaches, not many working girls, hot but not too humid. A couple nice resorts (Flamingo Beach and Flamingo Marina) in the Flamingo area make for a great side-trip/weekend with a novia or favorita, very romantic setting. Great (fresh) seafood in both towns. Happy Snapper restaurant (located in Brasilito in between Flamingo and Tamarindo) has excellent seafood. Here are the websites for the resorts:
http://www.resortflamingobeach.com
http://www.flamingomarina.com
Limon/Puerto Viejo-on the Caribbean coast (4 hour drive northeast of SJ), more laid back Rosta culture. Lots of weed smoking (if you're into that), not many working girls as far as I know. Nice beaches, very mellow atmosphere, relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city (San Jose).
-OTHER THINGS TO DO IN CR- What can you do besides monger?... There are many things you can enjoy aside from banging chicas all day. You can enjoy a nice dinner with a favorite chica or a CRT buddy. There are a couple museums in the city for the cultural buffs. Each hotel has brochures for various day trips from San Jose. You can see the rain forest, a volcano, coffee plantation, do a canopy tour (zip lines thru the forest)--MY FAVORITE, ATV riding in the mountains, a trip to the beach, among other things.
Here's a list of discounts for CRT VIP's. It includes an ATV riding company which has received excellent reviews, and some good restaurants (I recommend La Esquina de Buenos Aires):
http://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=17
Going home
-RIDE TO THE AIRPORT- The taxi fare to the airport is very night negotiable, or you can use a red taxi with a meter. The meter usually runs only about $19-20, unless there's heavy traffic. You can get your hotel to arrange a taxi for you (but you’ll probably pay more) or just get a phone number from a taxi you used during your stay and negotiate a good fare. I always do that a day or two before I'm about to leave. Recently, I have gotten a couple of rides using meter, it was under ¢10,000.
-EXIT TAX- Before you check-in at the airport you’ll have to have paid your exit tax. The cost is $26 and you can buy it at the airport or many BCR (Bank of Costa Rica) branches. As you walk in to the departure terminal, there is a long counter (on the right as you walk in) where they sell the exit tax, you’ll see signs. You’ll need your passport (or copy) to buy it. The bank on the 2nd floor of the INS building also sells it, as does Banco Nacional downtown. A few hotels sell it, but charge a $5-10 fee. There is no upcharge at BCR. Bring a pen to fill out the form on the back.
After the trip
-Post a good trip report
-Post some pics (if you received permission from the chicas to do so)
-Start planning another trip
-You may receive an RFM (request for money) email or phone call from any girls you gave your contact info to. DO NOT SEND MONEY! Her mother doesn’t need surgery and her baby doesn’t have a rare disease which can only be cured for $300. She wants a new cell phone and more clothes.
Safety tips
-ALWAYS CARRY WITH YOU A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT BIO PAGE & ENTRY STAMP PAGE. If you get asked to provide ID by the police and don't have either, you may have to pay a bribe to the cops to avoid being detained/arrested
-Like everywhere else, use common sense
-Don’t act like an "Asshole American", we don’t need that image
-It's relatively safe to walk around town during the day, be careful of pickpockets (keep your wallet in the front pocket) and watch out for scam artists on the streets who will try to separate you from your $. There have been armed robberies during the day, even in "safe" areas like Barrio Amon (where SL, Amistad, Castillo, HLH are located), so the safe option is taxis day and night. If you want to walk around during the day, better do it with a wingman.
-TAKE A TAXI EVERYWHERE AT NIGHT -- NO EXCEPTIONS!
-Do not walk around the streets drunk-it's an invitation to get robbed and possibly hurt
-I would not recommend going to a chica's house, if invited. You never know what may be waiting for you there. You could be robbed or killed and dumped in a ditch.
-In case you are getting robbed: give up your stuff, do not resist, you can replace money or a watch (if you're wearing a inch-thick gold chain and you get robbed, I have no sympathy for you). They usually only want your money, they won't hurt you if you comply. Don't try to be a hero.
-Safety in numbers (if you are with somebody, they are less likely to Phuck with you). The bigger the group, the better.
-Do not wear ANY jewelry or flashy watches (YOU DON'T HAVE TO IMPRESS ANYBODY!!!)-use a cheap Timex watch.
-Only carry a small amount of cash on you (what you will need for that day)-try to avoid starting a tab using a credit card
-Good idea to carry a travel wallet (I carry some cash, 1 atm/debit card, credit card, CRT card, and my passport copy) and leave your real wallet and passport in the hotel safe
-Lock up all your valuables in the hotel safe, especially if you will be bringing girls over. This includes camera, laptop (if fits), mp3, wallet, all documents, watch/jewelry... anything that you don't want stolen or anything that contains personal/private information. You can also lock up other things in your suitcase, see "Before the trip" section for websites that sell luggage locks. Some of the girls will steal anything that is not bolted down. (thanks PL)
-When bringing girls to your room, keep an eye on them. Do not leave them alone for even a moment. Don't get me wrong, they are not all thieves, but many are.
Enjoy your trip. I'll be getting ready for my first trip soon too!
***If you have any suggestions for info to add, PM me and I will do so. I will continually update it with more info and try to keep it updated with the most current info.
Last edited by Orange on Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:55 am, edited 122 times in total.
Super Moderator
i also moved your post over to here;
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...all-the-basics
you only live once, but if you live it right once is enough
Super Moderator
welcome akkodiak akakodiac from kodiac alaskaOriginally Posted by akkodiak
no wonder you are looking at warm weather spots
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