Great question, I was daydreaming about that question so I am going to contribute my 2 Colones.
The HDR not allowing working girls is the end of a good run for the Gulch! I remember when Beatle Bar closed in Jaco and my friends and I were fearing doom and gloom....but than the Cocal shouldered all the action and I will be honest, I tell people there is no place on earth like the Cocal!
The Gulch is not Jaco....
SL, HLH, scores, all the MPs, something for everone in the Gulch... .... But the best thing about the Gulch was hitting the HDR every night - what a crazy fun place..... So much personality and so many different micro things going on every night.... ... Wow, I get goose bumps thinking about it.... (could be the wine I'm drinking too!)
The way our hobby is evolving in CR, I venture to guess that online apps like Skokka, Tinder, and all the other ones will fill the gap.... Honestly it's much easier for everyone..... Find a Chica you like, use Google Translator if you can't speak Spanish, set up a date, boom- it's done. Very efficient.
I think the many MPs are a great source of fun.....but if you read the many posts over the past year or two, some of the best finds are Chicas or Ticas outside the Gulch - it's a big country and so many Gringos only know the Gulch. Hell, I am/was as guilty as anyone.
But for the man with limited time, Heading straight for Jaco seems like the smart play versus hanging out in the Gulch for a couple days..... You have the Cocal and all the online opportunities so you get the best of both worlds.
In my humble opinion, nothing will replace the HDR in the Gulch.... And if you are still around in another decade, don't be surprised if the Cocal changes owners too. Nothing last forever!
"war torn and still over paying... " still chuckling over that Whitecat