www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello fellow brotheren.

I have been following this board for a little while and truly have read about as much as I can on several different subjects, scenarios, and expectations.

Before I get to my question I must say I like to deal with straight cash on everything. No electronic trail what so ever. With that being said, I will be there in May for 10 days. Now after reading numerous accounts of the great times that can be had, I set my daily budget at around $500 a day.

Now do I believe I will spend that? Probably not, but remember, going to the ATM will not be an option for me, so the way I see it, it's better to overshoot then undershoot (no pun intended)

I remeber reading that 100 dollar bills can be tough to pass in CR so I figured I'd get a host of 50's,20's etc..

Now I know to keep anything I dont use in my safe at the SL and only bring what I am going to spend. I guess I'm not sure how much to exchange at the bank (which I think I recall reading is upstairs at the airport?) Also, are you kidding me, bringing 5 dimes worth of cash is going to give me a huge knot in my pocket.

Once I get to my hotel I'm sure I will feel at ease, however even bringing out $500 worth of colones per day I dont want to attract attention to myself. But at the sametime I'm not trying to go to my room 3 times a day for more cash either. Speaking of, wouldnt the SL take 100's if I wanted to pay for my entire 10 days upfront?

I dont want to buy my fellow CRT brotheren drinks and pull out a huge wad which might kill my bargaining power either (for any chica that might have her laser sights on.) I have PM'd many of you on different topics and you all have been helpful but this one I wanted to open up to the floor. I'm sure there's at least 1 monger out there who also didnt want a solitary electronic trail behind them either....

Thanks for any input


Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

I'm the same way as far as cash goes. It's not that I don't want a trail, I just prefer to pay my way through and not charge or use any cards. I even try to avoid using the ATM's if I can. But sometimes you spend more than you planned. But at $500, I don't see that happening with you.

I always bring cash, and I don't really like carrying around a lot of cash either. I just bought a money belt that goes around your waist and under your pants. It's not uncomfortable or anything. Here's the one I bought: http://www.magellans.com/store/Safety__ ... eltsSV605R

Like you said, once get to the room, lock it up in the safe. I wouldn't exchange money at the airport. You don't want to be pulling out a big wad of cash, you don't know who's watching. Plus, you won't need any colones until you are ready to hit the MP's or Del Rey. Just put $20 in your pocket for taxi, so you don't have to pull out your knot at the taxi booth.

Once you check-in... take a taxi to a bank (go with someone, if possible), ask the driver to wait for you, exchange a grand or two, and get right back in the taxi and come back and lock up your million colones. Also, you can exchange some money at SL reception if you need to, their rate isn't too bad if I remember (maybe 505-510¢). What's 2-3% difference?

You should be able to pay your hotel bill in cash upfront with no problems. They may still want to see a CC for incidentals, but they won't run it or anything (no trail), just make a copy of it which will be returned to you at checkout.

unless you are a 22 yr old rabbit it is impossible to spend 500 a day in cr

heres my modis operandi when in town for a week

cash 100 a day for drinks and food (usually 50 left over)
180 every two days for COMPANY (60 per shot; two one day, one the next)

700 food and drinks
650 chicas
700 hotel
200 required dupla
500 emergency
2750


10 days

1000 food and drinks
900 chicas
1000 hotel
200 dupla
500 emergency
3600

these are BM/prez prices and require negotiating

ps tours figure into the budget becuse if you are rafting, atving or in the rainforest you wont be eating drinking or chicaing during that time

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But mama, that's where the fun is

//\\\\\\\\\\\\\\/////

Jad,

Paying for your entire hotel stay upfront with cash will be fine. Keep in mind, the hotel won't have a problem accepting hundreds from you [if there is a problem with them, they'll no where to find you over the next 10 days ]. Carrying $5000 in hundreds, fifties and twenties isn't really that bulky. Make a couple of packets of cash and put them in your two front pants pockets for transport.

Go to the bank several times a week to exchange dollars for colones. Keep in mind, the bank will require your passport to make the exchange [in some cases, the original passport]. The Colonial will also give you a good exchange rate [no passport required there].

As for the hundred dollar bills not being accepted in CR....it has been my experience that the newer style hundreds are not a problem. The problem is with the older style hundreds with the serial number beginning with CB. Do a search on this website concerning counterfeit hundreds, and I'm sure you'll get lots of info.

Zebra

Sorry......double post. Deleted.

Less than half of that would be my daily budget. All trips and stuff at the hotel is charged.

Well, not to be judgemental but, you will not need $500/day. (Unless you plan to gamble or do some side trips that are not hobby related) I spend pretty freely and on my last trip I averaged about $350 a day and that included a Jr. Suite at the Amon w/o the CRT booking discount at the casino. I would reconsider the amount you are taking. If you do take $100's just make sure the serial number does not begin with a CB. All other $100's are no problem. Change them at any downtown casino.

That should lighten the wad in your pocket. And please, keep that cash in your front pockets. Take trusted transportation to the SL. Take only Orange cabs. After check in at the SL, head immediately to the room and deposit in the safe. Then look for the hottest chica you can find and let loose of some of that cash.

dapanz1

Jad,

Keep in mind....you can exchange your dollars for colones inside the INS BUILDING [which is only one block from the Sportsmen's Lodge]. The bank is inside the INS BUILDING on the 2nd floor....up the escalator and 20 steps to the right; a guard standing by the glass door.

Zebra

Jadcujo Wrote:

If you are staying at the SL run a tab for drinks and food. You won't have to pull any money out. Bill and his staff are very honest. I did this on my stay, and for the amount of food and drinks I charged, it seemed quite low. I drank rum/cokes daily (way too many sometimes), bought rounds for others, ate at least one meal per day there (bought chicas meals also) and my tab was around $200.00 for a week. Although, as has been stated many times by the vet's, do not run a tab in most of the clubs, bars, etc. The SL is one of the exceptions to the rule that I have first hand knowledge of.

Orange is correct about a money belt of some kind. Most of the money can be kept in it. I would keep an additional amount out for cab, and if you want to buy something at the duty free shop, at the airport (liquor/cigars, etc.), for your room .

Also, become a CRT VIP, it appears that you have not joined yet. You not only save money on the room at the SL, but food and drinks also. There are many other establishments that offer discounts for VIP's.

Ticofrankie wrote:

You may want to read Ticofrankie's entire post (Pirates Open Again Thread) about not wanting the pinche gringo discount dollars. He has still not listed the establishments that he wishes me to stay away from. While I wish him much success with his business(es), I hope that he soon lists what they are so my pinche gringo discount dollars are not spent in his establishments. From the post it came from, it seemed IMHO that one was Pirates. I would hope that if Ticofrankie does not represent Pirates, the owners will let me know either by post or PM. If he has no interest in Pirates, I would like to venture there my next trip. If he is a part of Pirates, the only Pirates that I will be spending my pinche gringo discount dollars on is Cpt. Morgan.

Have a great time.

health & happiness:

Santas Bro

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

Good suggestion... at the SL alone, you'll save 10% off your room and bar/restaurant (have to show the card each time eat and drink) which will be about $100 for 10 days. Plus, you'll probably go to Zona Blue a few times (save $6 a session).

The annual fee for VIP membership is $39. Seems like a no-brainer.

$500 a day???? Nice budget! But you should not need that much.

You've gotten some great advice on this thread. Have a great time, but don't carry too much $$$ on you at one time, and be very careful where you put your money. Take a cab EVERYWHERE at night, and be aware of your surroundings at all times, whether in a bar, MP, casino or walking around town.

And trust noone! Especially the chica's. You don't need flash your $$$ in front of anyone. It won't impress anybody, and you'll probably be setting yourself up. Just use good judgement and common sense, and you'll have a great trip!

Mucho Gusto

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

See that's why I had to just now re-new my membership. I let it slide there for a few months. Ask a legit question and like a howl from the distant moutains come the sounds of CRT support.

What's completely cool about you guys is that you can take a piece of what everyone says and apply it as you see fit. Since I know there's no way of me considering not bringing at least 5, it seems my only "vulnarable" time is from the airport to the hotel.

I anticpate meeting whoever may be in town during my stay and please alow me to buy the next round. It's rare I imagine that a "newbie" would give thanks prior to thier cherry trip, but when I say I've been reading, I mean it. The trip report section has had me hooked, thus most of you I feel I know in a different sort of way. Ok, enough slurping you guys

I know dates are for the roll call section but it's from the 9th to the 19th. I feel this board has prepared me to be a great wingman without even stepping foot in the country. I know spanish, so I'm hoping it goes a long way. This is going to be craziness....

Cujo

_________________
"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

Agree with the above, Carry your bigger bills in one pocket and your colones in another. This way you can pull out small bills for taxis, drinks etc without showing a roll. I also have a necklace passport holder that I prefer over a belt.

BKTUNA
I am never going back

Ah for the luxury of a $500/day budget! The mind boggles at the possibilities...

Got to say though that even in my REALLY wild early trips, I rarely rolled up that kind of outlay. One definite budget killer however is doing a lot of multiples - even when the per chica price is reasonable. Case in point, my first session last trip at ZB - a 3-on-1 which rolled into a 2nd hour with one of the girls - ended up at $200 total (4 session equivalents plus a total of $40 in tips - and two of them were less than happy with the $10 I gave them). After that, I stuck with singles - which ended up being better sessions anyways.

Good advice elsewhere in this thread about handling your money, etc. One caveat - if you do run a tab at Sportsmen's, make sure you go over the bill before signing it. Several times in the past I've had whole bottles of liquor magically appear on the bill that I had nothing to do with ordering. No problem getting it corrected, but surprised they can make errors like that so readily. Also make sure they've extended the CRT discount to the bar portion of your bill when you check out.

Great thread title by the way...

GR

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

Bktuna,
That Tico would have to be one crazy mother ph*cker to try to take your money!!! But I guess crazier things have happened. BTW...are you and I gonna be sitting in the corner of the SL taking a "time-out" next week?
MG

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