www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Taxi cabs- Do you ride in the front seat like you do in TJ? Do you pay them in $$$ or colons?

Any strip clubs worth going to open during the day? Being a one bust a nut a day guy, Ive gotta have something to do for the warm up.

Thanks for all of the advice in this forum. Hope to meet up with some of you during my trip.

Thanks

Taxis-sit front or back, doesn't matter. Pay in colones. Use taxis with working meter (pronounced "maria"), otherwise be prepared to get ripped off. They may have a meter but not turn it on. Just say "Pon la maria por favor" (Put on the meter please). Also, do not take the taxis parked outside of a hotel, strip club, mp, unless they have a working meter and USE it. They usually have a meter but won't turn it on then ask for 3X or 10X the rate. Somebody was quoted 5,000¢ for a ride that costs 500¢. In the city, take the red taxis with the yellow triangle on the door. From the airport, take the orange airport taxis.

Strip clubs-I have not seen one open during the day.

Also, since this is your first trip read this: https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16357

Read the other threads in the Newbie section. Being prepared saves you money, makes you look less green, and keeps you safer.

Enjoy your trip and welcome to CRT.

Bear,
You are welcome to ride up front or in the back. Your choice and I've done both. Every taxi I've taken didn't care which you paid in as long as you pay.
I have had a few that I refused to pay what they quoted. I KNOW from my apartment to DR or back is $1 or 500 colone. I've been told anywhere from 2K colone ($4) to 5K colone ($10). In those cases, I give a 500 colone coin then if they complain, I ask where the meter (maria) is and they usually just drive off. But always make sure your in a safe place to do such a thing....have heard of drivers pulling stunts over this attempted robbery!
As for stripclubs open in the afternoon, I don't know if any do or not. However, the 'show' in DR should do the trick for a 'warm-up'
Welcome to the board and hope you enjoy your first trip.

Opps...sorry for the repeat info. Good ole Orange beat me by 5 minutes

Bearman123:

I can't help you with strip clubs I'm just not into them. You've already gotten some information about taxis and the use of them. But I will add your first taxi ride that is the one that takes you from the airport to your hotel will be prepaid. As you leave customs you will make a right and head down the hallway at the end of that hallway is large glass windows just to the right of that is the exit. Just to the left next to the window you can pre-pay for your taxi. Just tell the lady at the counter what hotel you're going to she will tell you how much. I forget at this time I think it's $12-$15. You can pay her in colones are dollars whatever you like. She will give you a receipt that you will give one of the drivers that you will find just outside the exit. He will take your bags lead you to his taxi and you'll be on your way. These are airport taxis and the only ones other than prearranged taxis that are allowed to pick you up at the airport. He will make one stop before heading into San Jose where he will show the waiting attendant that he has a genuine receipt and passenger. A small tip for the driver once you reached the hotel would be appropriate.

Lee

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PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

Current rate is $18.00 to Presidente, HDR, etc. Slightly more to SL, Amon Plaza, etc.

Rate is per ride not per passenger so if you have a wingman or two you can split the fare.

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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

Thanks for the advice.

One more question. Cuban cigars? Where can I get real ones and about how much?

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I had an incident over the weekend with a taxi driver. I had a discussion earlier that day with my novia how much I'm starting to dislike (I think I used the word hate) San Jose now and if it wasn't for her, I'd probably never go there again. Every place you go, they try to rip you off or change the prices or item or service on you. All simply because you're a gringo. I was kind of pissed. So a few hours later, we grabbed a taxi from Central to my apartment. I must've been pissed or whatever, because I didn't notice it didn't have a meter. It was a regular red licensed taxi with the triangle on the door, so I must've assumed (mistake #1-Don't assume anything with anyone in CR). So we get to my apartment I look for the meter, no meter. I remember thinking, we're gonna have a problem here. I ask how much. (mistake #2-Never ask a driver how much if you know what the fare should be!) He says 1500, when I know it should be 600, maybe 650. I said Phuck no, it's 500 or 600, I don't remember what I said. He turned around, in this hostile manner and says 1500. I got very angry at this point, not at the what he said but his attitude and that wanna-be intimidation. I was about to punch him in the head when my novia pushed my chest (I still have a small bruise, she's strong ) and said no, lets go. I literally dropped the 1500 on the seat and we walked out. I know that a physical confrontation, especially when I would have started it (not that it would've matter who started once the cops came) wouldn't be smart. But I'd been complaining about the whole culture of cheating/stealing and this asshole really set me off.

Afterwards, I was thinking and was glad she stopped me because if he had a bat or a tire iron, I'd be in trouble since I needed to find the key to the gate to my building. If he had a gun, I'd be in real trouble. But if he had nothing, I doubt he'd do anything other than drive off, since I was ready to break this 5 foot Tico in half.

And it's not even about the money, but the lack og basic human respect right to your face. With the amount of money I spend each trip, the extra dollar or two here and there won't make a difference, but I fucken hate that feeling like I've just been jacked, like I'm some sap from some farm in Buttfuck, Iowa (no offense to all you Iowans ).

Bearman! Welcome to CRT, and buen viaje on your virgin trip.

1. Ticos usually when traveling alone, sit next to the driver. This makes communication easier, lets you watch the taximeter, and allows you to size up the driver for weapons, etc. It's also more "proletarian," demonstrating to the driver that you're just "one of the common people" and not some snooty gringo who is accustomed to riding in limousines.

2. Get Prolijo's or Get Rhythm's map of San Jose so you know more or less where you're going. Taxi drivers worldwide will try to take strangers on the scenic route.

3. Do not under any circumstances get into a physical confrontation with taxistas. You lose. Period. Instead, get his sticker number, his name, time of day etc. and complain to the taxi licensing/regulating body, called ARESEP.

4. Ask fellow CRT'ers for driver recommendations. There is a list of dependable drivers either in the V.I.P. or Hotels... section, I forget which.

About daytime strip clubs: Nope. Nowhere. No way. But if I may make a humble suggestion? An MP (massage parlor) can be a great way to get co*kteased. You don't have to bust a nut; just have her (them?) warm you up! I've done this at ZB on a number of occasions, and it can be really fun. A session at a good MP might set you back $40.00 for a half-hour show with two girls...less than what you'd probably spend during a short strip club romp. And, the girls will spend part of the time fellating you, or whatever. Just work to hold back that one-a-day nut... But sorry, there is no daytime tittie-bar action in SJ that I know of.

While we're on the subject, if you've never been to a C.R. "nightclub" (strip club), you're in for a treat...or a shock, depending on your overall monger experience level. A $7.00 chica drink leads to kissing (YMMV) cuddling, finger bangin' and sack grabbing...in other words, it ain't the "sit on your hands during the 3-minute, $20.00 lap dance" bullshit you're accustomed to in the U.S.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

I know this thread is about taking a taxi from the airport, but if you want to save some money you can take Interbus (www.interbusonline.com), and it should only cost you $6 from the airport to your hotel. I will be opting for this route when I arrive tomorrow night, and from what I have heard they even have the driver waiting outside your terminal with your name so you can find him easier.

Now never having been to CR before this is all just what I have learned from other people's experiences, but if you want some really great advice just read this forum AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE before you go. I have literally spent at least an hour a day on this forum on average in the last few weeks and I'm sure I will be rewarded with a richer experience and fewer ripoffs because of it. I mean, I know enough about this now to give you advice on something I have never experienced before, that should be incentive enough for you to inspire you to delve deeper into the forums.

Buena suerte!

Orange,

With all due respect, I think you owe an apology not only to Iowans, but to Buttfuckers everywhere

Ciaociao

Having lived for five years in Buttfuck, Iowa, and having buttfucked there, I resemble these remarks.

Hey Ciao, it's just Orange's way of asserting that so-called New York superiority...but I tell you what, if he ever goes to Iowa, he will certainly get buttfucked.

I-o-way! I-o-way! That's where the corn-hole grows!

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Cigars…did somebody say cigars …enough talk about phuckin taxis.

A good start for Habanos is at duty free at the airport. In CR you are allowed to purchase at the duty free shop on the way in to the country. Make sure that it is the “Duty Free” shop not the gift shop…big difference in prices… made that mistake once . This is also a great time to get a couple of bottles of booze to pack into your check in luggage for the trip home (best deal is the 4 packs of Flor De Cana Rums) Back to cigars… duty free has a decent selection of Cubans at some of the best prices. Only 4-5 choices available for purchase as singles (usually Romeo e Julietta and H. Upman Tubos at $6-8ea and a couple others), if you are going to stay for some time or have a friend with you, buy a box (25) for the best deal, but you will not be able to try all the different brands on the down side. Personal choice if I’m there for more than 4 days is a box of Upman Tubos for about $170. (I sneak a few back...Shhh)

Once your downtown DO NOT BUY CIGARS FROM ANYONE ON THE STREET!!! They are fake . Cohibas are not that cheap anywhere! (well, maybe Havana…)

There is a cigar shop about a block up from the Presidente that has a good line of Habanos, but they are somewhat pricey, a tourist shop. A GREAT place to enjoy a Cuban Cigar with atmosphere is at ZB after a session…ask Eddie to show you around his new humidor room upfront, great selection, Eddie has some good connections and his are brought direct from Cuba by a “friend”… here again, prices will be a bit higher, but a great selection, a lot of knowledge in Eddie and a great bar to enjoy your cigar in…

There is a Habanos shop out by the mall somewhere (never been there myself) this is one of the Cuban government run official cigar shops. They do have a web site with a map but I do not have the link…if you do a search on Cuban cigars here on CRT one of the threads had the link.

Last but not least…try the Costa Rican Cigars, they are good! Mild smooth cigars. Don Benigno is my favorite. You can get them at all the above mentioned shops (except the Habanos store I suppose…) or you can get a taxi (about $20) to take you to the “factory” out by the American Embassy. They will show you the rolling room if you ask, have a full selection of sizes, and will give a discount for cash sales! Any of the drivers at the SL know how to get there, or PM Muffdiver for directions in Spanish. The good thing about CR cigars is you can bring them home legally…but if you do decide to try and sneak a few Habanos back take all bands, boxes and tubes off…and good luck. If I have any money left at the end of a trip I also stop at duty free on the way out and buy an extra box of 10 Benignos to carry on.

One of the nice things about a trip to CR is being able to smoke cigars freely with out dirty looks when you light up at breakfast …

Have a good trip!

Mendo

OBTW if you are flying TACA and have a stop in El Salvador or Guatamala buy your cigars at their duty free shops, even cheaper!

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"It takes a lot of good beer to make a great wine"

El Ciego,
Did you mean resent? If you resemble those remarks, you are affirming them.

CiaoCiao,
I don't think there are any Buttfuckers on this board.

Thanks
I have been trying to find out some cigar info for a bit now. Couple questions, how many can we bring back to the US. How much more are they at the ZB and have you heard of or seen don Melos in CR.

Do Ticas ever smoke Cigars, thanks for the info. Absolutely anything else cigar related would be highly appreciative, Oh and the first drink and Cigar is on me.

I know what I wrote, Orange! See, that was a joke. Know why New York joke books are so long? Each joke comes with 12 pages of explanation. And yeah, Orange... I certainly did some buttfucking in Iowa...pitching, not catching, of course. Thos corn-fed Iowa Pork Queens sure love the sodomy...

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.