www.CostaRicaTicas.com

A book I own called "Living Overseas In Costa Rica", copyright 2000, has a section with brief features on successful Costa Rica businesses. One of those featured is the Hotel Del Rey. It says it was totally reconstructed in 1994, and includes the following comments from owner Greg Ruzicks, "For the hotel, the key is tenacity, as well as good service and a high-quality product. Everyone wants a good time, and to give them that good time is our goal."

Wondering if any of the old-timers or others who've been around the scene long enough can provide a little more background. What I'm particularly curious about is at what point did the Blue Marlin evolve into what it is today? Did this occur after the reconstruction, and did it have a totally different character prior? If afterwards, was there any period of time when it was just a normal bar and casino without hookers? And if so, how did the hooker scene evolve - was it an organic process that occurred over an extended period of time, or did it happen pretty suddenly?

And finally, when are they going to stop letting those gorditas through the doors?

Thanks,
GR

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Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

Thanks,
GR[/quote]

Hey if they do that then I can not get in. Life ain't fair

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Take a walk on the wild side.

I chatted with a short and stout older gringo one day at the New York Bar during the midday happy hour.

He wore cowboy boots and and a cowboy hat. He lives in San Jose and claims to have been the last tenant at the Del Rey hotel before the current owners renovated the building and turned it into what it is today.

I will say this, some of the most interesting stories from long time gringo residents can be heard at the New York Bar from the midday happy hour crowd.

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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)

GR,
Great question, I've wondered the same thing many times. When I saw your post I remembered a similar one from not long ago. Anyway, I did a search, found it, and enjoyed the history lesson again. Many of the long time, respected members of this board contributed, so I hope you and others also enjoy it! NEXT ....
https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... in+history

I wonder how much revenue the Hotel makes with all the activity taking place. The same people own the hotel(that includes the Blue Marlin),the Key Largo, and The monkey bar. Do they also own the Del mar?
I wonder how much its all worth?

My first trip was in 1994 and it has always had the ladies. It was not the dominant place until Happy Days was demolished. Don't know exactly when that took place. Hell back then, the "All America Bar" now the Monkey Bar, was more popular than the HDR.

dapanz1

Thanks for the ref. Next time I'll try to show a little more initiative with the search function...

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Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

Not a problem. I've enjoyed many of your quotes and found many helpful. I'm happy I could help you out.

I can remember on my first trip Labor Day 2001, the Key Largo was operating with a few girls inside. You had to walk around the block to get to the entrance. It seemed like a shady place and the chicas were hard core. The Beetle Bar was located where the New York bar is now, whlie the New York bar was located on the now Del Rey parking lot. Walking back to the Prez at night, I went past the Morazon and then left. I would check the Bikini Bar (now closed) before I hit Ave Central.