www.CostaRicaTicas.com

After looking at those Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles prices........rural Pennsylvania's a bargain.

Thanks Steve - that's a good list and just the explanation I needed.

DWAYNE;
A LITTLE MORE:
THE PRICES I SHOWED WERE WHAT A GRINGO PAYS. THE LOCAL TICO DOES MUCH BETTER:
IF I PAY 400.00 A MONTH RENT, THE TICO PAYS 175.00 0R 200.00.
IF I GO TO A RESTURANT FOR STEAK, THEY GO TO A SODA TYPE PLACE AND PAY 5.00 TO MY 20.00 PER HEAD.
IF I GO TO AUTOMERCADO, THEY GO TO PALI TO BUY FOOD.
IF I GO TO PRICE SMART, THEY GO TO HYPER MAS.
AND SO ON AND SO ON....
LVSTEVE

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

Steve,
With all due respect that really doesn't answer the question at all, even Cali's original question, which had as much or more to do with local INCOME levels as it did with COSTS. If you recall, Cali's original suggestion was that since per capita INCOME in CR is 6 times lower than in the US, so are many COSTS (your point) and THEREFORE the rates that HDR/BM girls charge SHOULD be seen as ASTRONOMICAL in local terms. Furthermore, according to Cali, we shouldn't be paying any of them more than 1/6th of what we would pay for such services in the US.

Puff then asked: if TICOS are making so little, why is it that one sees so many of them eating at the News Cafe, which is expensive by local standards. Your original response didn't really answer why TICOS can afford the News Cafe. It explains why YOU as a local gringo can. In a sentence it is because you save so much in other areas relative to what you paid in the US. Looked at in another way, those prices don't seem so low to the local Tico that has to live on what you paid him to build your furniture or work on your car.

You then go on with these additional staements that not only ignore the original question but actually at one point contradict it:

In fact, if you go back to the original thesis that, since average per capita income is 1/6th of what it is in the US, costs should be as well, some of your costs actually show why the local TICO actually has it harder not easier than we do in the US. For example, even at the local Tico price of $175-200 for monthly rate that would equate under Cali's conversion rate to a $1200 per month rate in the US. That might be cheap in NYC or LA but around most of the US thats a lot of money for rent. I know its much more than my monthly mortgage in Tampa. In fact $1200 rent in Tampa gets you a very nice place, not the basic accomodations that $200 gets the average Tico in CR.

Pro;
Sorry if I strayed from the point. I just thought it might be usefull to the topic.
I really admire Ticos who earn very little yet seem to have a good life - maybe its because they don't know the other life. I marvel at thier ability to stretch a colone. They get prices much lower that I am able to (and I consider myself a good shopper).
In closing, I have to say that the Ticos we all see in the News cafe are business owners, lawyers, Doctors and other professionals who also drive SUV's and dress very nice compared to a lot of thier countryman.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

Lots of interesting points and I certainly don't want to even have the appearance of the "ugly american" by speculating on another countries fnancial situation but my curiostity still lingers.

A decent explantion was presented by PacoLoco. It seems there must be a larger upper class then suggested by the average annual salaries.

Even if the News cafe is filled with lawyers and owners and other professionals (which in itself is an assumption), they still only appear to earn maybe between one and two times the poverty level here in the U.S..
I still contend that such citizens here, close to the poverty level, do not eat in comparable restaurants, especially for lunch hour, (in general).

I do not believe that the situation at the News Café is reflective of society in Costa Rica or any different from what you find in the city core of any major city in the United States at lunch hour.

There will always be a few up scale restaurants filled with the movers and shakers who dine there as much to be seen and to network as to eat a meal. The middle and lower class workers will be at the local places and their main objective will be to grab a quick filling meal and hurry back to work.

To look at either of these groups and draw a conclusion as to the economy in general is fraught with problems.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Well put, ding dong.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

Guys, your are missing the point that the $5K is only an average. Most of the middle and high Costarican class is located at San Jose, and they can be making a range from $12K to $60K a year. This is the people that you have seen at Newscafe and the BM, especially people making more than $36K/year. With that money you can live pretty well at Costa Rica.

Cptn Solo

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Cptn Solo

good point....I think 36K a year would provide a reasonably comfortable lifestyle in San Jose...one member told me about smaller Tico condos/apartments selling near downtown for around 25K (up from 15K-18K a few years ago he said). And one of the young ladies I spent some time with in the gulch told me she makes about $800 a month at $40 to $100 rate...but hey, what do I know,
Another relative Newbie I chatted with, told me of his experiences just riding around the area on the bus system and getting a better feel for the typical Tico lifestyle/conditions....I'd like to try more of that on my next visit

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

That's usually the case in Latin America and to a certain degree in CR. However, CR has more class mobility than most countries in Latin America due largely to its educational system. The best university here is the public university; unless the K*ds go abroad to study, upper class K*ds aim for UCR, where they mix with K*ds from all walks of life.

So the opening premise is that based on a lower cost of living, hookers are overpriced in Costa Rica.

I lived in Costa Rica and can get laid in a Tico place for $12 to $15, less that I'd pay for a nude dance in a US tiddy bar with no touching.

When I felt rich, I'd go to the Bule Marlin or Key Largo and pay $50 and pick from 50 to 100 women, most good-looking. The selection is like choosing toothpaste at Walmart. If I went to Vegas, I'd pay $250 to $300 for lots less selection and lower quality.

I think you can add getting laid to the list of things that are lots better and cheaper in Costa Rica.