Were you finding these? On Craigs List? $200 seems to be the norm in my area for CL. I have had luck finding local talent on the USA Sex Guide boards (sister site for ISG) for around in the $100 to 150 range. Home girl massueses for around $80 plus extras. Lots of guys seem to be willing to pay $250 or more for "top shelf" with lots of rules.
I'm amazed at the guys who do street walkers on a regular basis in the States. Besides the chance of getting an STD or robbed by crack heads the cops bust middle aged guys all day long for soliciting. They impound your car, arrest you, and in some areas publish your name in the paper. 
The busts are all about getting a bigger budget for the next year and not about dealing with real crime issues. The cops have also taken to setting up stings through CL listings. I always worry if I make an appointment through CL and hope it's not a sting. So I rarely do. I know a guy who lost his job because of a CL sting.
Thats what's nice about Costa Rica; fewer problems and lots of quality choice.
But I'm glad you were able to score on your visit and not have any problems. 