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Page 3, second story, in today's www.amcostarica.com reports on some more places like Molino Rojo and Arcadas being swooped down on for immigration and drug violations. Check story for your favorite low rent place and oh yeah,call ahead to make sure they are still open.

Here's the article:

Downtown raid nets 25 possible illegal residents and cocaine
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A law enforcement task force descended on night clubs, bars and a hotel Friday night and early Saturday. In the sweep they discovered a kilo of cocaine and at least 25 persons who are believed to be in the country illegally. The establishments in the sweep read like a list of where North American tourists probably should not go: El Molino Rojo, Arcadas, Flamingo, Atlantis, Le Femme Internacional, Alto Scorpio, La Verbena, Aloha Disco Club and Las Tangas.

The majority of the establishments are between Avenida 4 and 12 and Calle 2 and 8. In all, the identities of 200 persons were checked, and 25 were found to be without documents showing that they are legal in Costa Rica. The Bar La Verbena was closed down for paperwork irregularities. Police said they also found 67 doses of crack cocaine there.

Participating in the sweep were the Fuerza Pública, Policía de Migración, the Fiscalía de Narcotráfico, the Sección de Estupefacientes of the Judicial Investigating Organization and police and other representatives of the Municipalidad de San José. Three persons, all women, were detained to face allegations that they were selling cocaine. They were identified by the last names of Guevara Villegas, Rodríguez Mayorga and Álvarez Salazar. Investigators said they found the kilo of cocaine at the Hotel El Scorpio, Avenida 8 between Calles 4 and 6. They said the women used the hotel as a base and distributed drugs nearby.

The most unusual find of the evening was in the Aloha Disco Club, on Avenida 12 between calles 6 and 8. When police and investigators entered, patrons, mostly female Dominicans and Nicaraguans, tried to hide in the rest rooms or flee the establishment. Police said they blocked the way. But in the deserted kitchen an immigration officer detected noise and opened a small closet to find a woman and a 17-year-old youth hidden in the tight quarters. The woman, identified by the last names of Severino Cepeda, was suffering from a panic attack due to the closeness of the closet, police said.

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

I agree completely, gringos have no business being in just about all of those places.

I disagree. I have been to the Molino Rojo and Arcadas numerous times and never had a problem. It's not for everyone. Some of the other places should probably be avoided by EVERYBODY, not just Gringos. Atlantis is a clip joint. Tangas isn't dangerous but they have a 'gringo discount' in effect and the last few times there were virtually no girls there. Flamingo wants too big of a cover for such a boring place. I can't comment on the others, but judging by the addresses, I wouldn't go there. But if you are looking for inexpensive night time action and speak Spanish or have a good wingman, I wouldn't pass Molino Rojo or Arcadas by.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

They are not as inexpensive as one would think. The chica drinks at Arcadas were ¢3000 or ¢3500, I can't remember, we didn't stay long enough. That's not much less than the better clubs. The half-hour at MR is 10k and Arcadas 12k, it's 14K at PR and 16K at LG. But the talent level ranges from mediocre to downright scary. The night we went to MR and Arcadas we saw very little that was appealing at all. There's a reason they keep those places dark.

I would agree that there are other places that are a step up from those two. But the question was about safety more than quality. I haven't been to the Pantera Rosa for a long time, but last time I was there, the bottom line price at PR was for 20 minutes, and on a couch. Fine for some I'm sure, but not what I like. For guys who want to be able to walk in to a club and find most of the girls appealing, I would agree that the Molino Rojo and Arcadas are not a good option. If you are happy with finding ONE then MR or Arcadas can work just fine. The girl drinks are overpriced at Arcadas but I don't participate. I don't say that they are better than Le Grillion or Pantera Rosa, but I don't find them dangerous.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis