www.CostaRicaTicas.com

The question being asked by almost everyone since the election here in Costa Rica this past Sunday is "ARE WE, THE TOURIST MONGERS, IN TROUBLE WITH LAURA CHINCHILLA AS PRESIDENT?? There are about as many opinions to that question as there are guys with an opinion (and everyone seems to have an opinion).

Truth is; THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON THAT CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION AT THE MOMENT! AND SO FAR SHE IS NOT SAYING ANYTHING!!! I personally am not sure she even knows for sure at this moment what she will or can do. I do know from talking with people who are her friends, who have worked closely with her in the government and in her campaign, and who feel the same way she does that if there is anything she (they) can do, SHE WILL)!! There is a large group of monied, old (aristicratic), powerful people in this country that WANT THE REPUTATION AND NAME OF THEIR "BEAUTIFUL" COUNTRY CLEANED UP.

These people obviously carry a lot of weight (they are a big part of the reason she won so easily). They do not look at the loss of tourist income as a problem. Mongering is said to only be 2 & 1/2% of the tourist $$$ in Costa Rica; and a big portion of that leaves the country-over 50% of the 'working chicas' are foreigners sending most of their income back home. They also have no concern for the chicas nor the "support" people working in the "business". There is virtually no social welfare system in this country so several thousand chicas out of work will cost them (individually) nothing. True, this is not really correct in that the (even small percent) loss of inflowing money to the economy and the trickle down effect will affect them at some point. BUT, they are more concerned with the name and appearance (internationally) of their country than the potiental of a small loss of income.

These people are not really concerned with the "TICO" prostitution (Tico MPs, Tico bars, Tico strip clubs). These are places that serve the locals and for the most part keep a very low profil. These people know they would have a very hard time ever outlawing prostitution in this country. What they do want stopped is the GRINGO flaunting his money, his ability to pluck the young chicas here, his being loud and obnoxious, his disregard for their customs and way of life, and their influnce on the high crime rate here!!! They are a proud people who love their country and hate the reputation it has as a "sex tourist destination".

She (they) also know that there are ways (and existing laws) to stop or at least greatly reduce the number of sex tourists from coming here (constant harrasment) without passing a single new law nor having a legislative mandate. Whether she will actually do anything or not is yet to be seen. She has not actually ever said much publically about what if anything she will attempt to do. She has, according to the above sources, stated, priviately and simi-priviately, many times her desire to "clean up" her country.

Again, in my opinion, for what ever that is worth, she is the only one who has the answer to the question and I personally am not sure she even knows at this point what if anything she will do! SHE is the only one who can answer the question, and there is not a thing that we (mongers) can do to change things. All we can do is continue to have fun, enjoy what we have here as long as it lasts (hopefully for ever), and maybe try to calm things down a little; and as DiegoC said, try to be a whole lot less noticeable and obnoxious.

For those that are concerned about their up coming trip to CR, I would not be overly concerned at this point--PURA VIDA--NOTHING MOVES FAST IN THIS COUNTRY AND ESPECIALLY "CHANGE"

The above is just the opinions I have and nothing more!!

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Quote:

There is a large group of monied, old (aristicratic), powerful people in this country that WANT THE REPUTATION AND NAME OF THEIR "BEAUTIFUL" COUNTRY CLEANED UP.

Excellent analysis Roy. Nothing like boots on the ground.

"Are we in trouble?" now seems to be a rhetorical question.

Politicians love to demonstrate and reinforce the voters wise choice with quick action following their election. P4P, as described by Bang could be a very popular target.

Just sayin'.................................support for targeting what AM Costa Rica calls "sex tourism" would not be in short supply.

IMHO

Well, when you put it that way, these sound like pretty laudable goals. Maybe clearing house and putting things back to square one wouldn't be the worst thing in the world in the overall scheme of things. After all, many old-timers who've been around the scene since the '90's or so insist that it was a much better scene quality-wise and price-wise before it was so popularized by the Internet, etc. In fact, this was the gist of a great conversation I had with Circus at the most recent CRT get together in S. Florida.

Sometimes, change is good...

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

I for one hope they don't change things to much. Otherwise everyone that made CR shitty is just going to move on to other grounds; most likely somewhere I go. Before you know it, Thai girls will want 10,000baht for 15minutes

Agree with Circus except for one minor point and that is not sure the quality was better. Not that is was worse just not better.In the early 90's, before the HDR, hard core Colombians, internet search engines, etc. CR was much more laid back. Lot of smaller venues with an ample supply of Ticas at a reasonable price.

Could it ever return to that? As much as would like to see it I doubt it will ever get that laid back again but hopefully it will it will change enough to at least have some semblance of the old days.

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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

The Del Rey is just too freaking great to not be a target. And it's so easy and sounds so good to put a stop to something like that. A nice feather in a politicians hat for not really accomplishing anything at all.

And there is no way they could easy calculate (even if they wanted to) the direct and indirect economic impact of the hard currency flowing there.

There was a place in the Dominican Republic that was just tooooooooooo much fun. I mean it was paradise. And sure enough someone decided they did not like rich americans shacking up with hot brazilian and ukrainian girls and they got it shut down.

What a waste of time.............


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"...

Gosh, do i get a refund of my lifetime CRT membership if Laura outlaws prostitution?
Just lidding. Relax guys, the sky has not fallen yet. But I recommend booking another trip down as soon as possible, mainly because we aint getting any younger.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

whatever happens happens.Would it stop me from going to CR?Not as long as my regulars would still visit me.It might make me choose a different hotel.

CR monger tourism is sort of depleting naturally anyway. Once people discover Medellin and Dominican Republic, CR becomes just a distant memory. Not to mention LOS and other asia markets. It would be the epitome of foolishness, imo, to do away with DR, KL and other venues, though. Along with the casinos they generate a tremendous amount of tax revenue not to mention gifts,"contributions", etc. to local officials.If you look at percentage of taxable goods consumed, there is not enough flights to CR in existance to make up the difference in eco tourists. Also the graft factor. Just how much does your average bus tour company pay out? How about the beach side hotel with a tiny bar and no extra activities? Try 0. Not a thin colone goes to the government types. After all these years of enjoying extra money, those officials may turn into our new allies. I am pretty much done with CR anyway, but it would be a terrible decision to see the place go down in flames. But who would trust a tica to make a good decision anyway?

+1

Well said

JR60

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"THE TRUTH IS' EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HURT YOU. YOU JUST GOTTA FIND THE ONE WORTH SUFFERING FOR"
Robert Nesta Marley

Those of you who have been around for a while should know better, nothing will change. This is Costa Rica afterall.

Exactly!

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It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

If I remember correctly many said that (maybe even you) about the casino hours being shortened!! In the 15 years that I have been coming here and living here, I have seen many changes; some for the good, many for the bad. Yes change comes slow (just as in the USA) but contrary to your statement, it does come. I am not saying that change WILL occur (slow or fast) and was not saying that in my origional post. BUT, She has shown that she can affect change (shortening of the casino hours which she was largely responsable for) and can get things done quickly (she was acting president of Cr for 2 weeks and reportedly was largely responsible for the MP closings the end of July 2008) It was said to be nothing more than a political ploy to show that she could get things done and done quickly.

I am not trying to in any way say that she will do anything (as I said "who knows what she will do or even try to do?? No one but she herself") I was mearly trying to point out and explain what I have been told and heard from people very close to her and highly involved in the politics of CR.

Anyone that thinks change can not or would not occur here is, in my opinion, being very nieve. Hopefully these changes will not occur, but IT IS POSSIBLE!!! and we should not just stick our head in the sand and say "it can't or won't happen! I am not saying we should cancel our future plans or trips or anything of the such, just saying we should be prepared because 'ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE AND IN COSTA RICA THE UNEXPECTED OR LEAST LOGICAL USUALLY OCCURS!!


Only a vocal few are against tourist mongering??????? get out of the gulch my friend and ask people and you will find your statement is totally WRONG!! The vast majority of Ticos outside of the gulch ARE VERY OPPOSED TO PROSTITUTION IN TERMS OF THE TOURIST MONGERING THAT IS OCCURING IN THE GULCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

My guess is not much will change.

maybe some high profile " raids"..

a few perpetual tourists hassled..

a few Non Ticas deported..

enough for TV sound bites and EXTRA coverage
till the next election..

Paz

PIDD

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" The future's uncertain and the END is always near...."