www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello everyone, somewhat of an overwhelmed newbie here still in the early steps of planning for my first visit. This isn't my first P4P romp but it is the first in a LONG, LONG time and my first to Costa Rica. I used to visit Thailand but unfortunately time takes its toll and I can't tolerate such long flights anymore. Anyhow, I read through the invaluable sticky threads for newbies and just looking for some honest input from some of the veterans that may still glance at this newbie sub-section of the forum. Forgive me if I sound a bit like a worrywart, I probably am overthinking a lot of this stuff but I just want to try to be as prepared and educated as as I can be and there is no shortage of wealth of knowledge on this board so I figure I might as well ask. I apologize in advance for being a bit long winded but I assure you assistance or words of wisdom regarding any or all of my questions is greatly, greatly appreciated =)

For this virgin trip I am planning to stay at HDR just because of the seeming convenience of it all. From what I have read the hotel does have a lot of naysayers around this board but I am really trying to make everything as simple as possible for myself. It seems just simpler for someone in my position to go downstairs, pick up a chica, go right upstairs, use the restaurant and bar which are part of the hotel, etc. So my first question is; is a potential December visit highly discouraged? Is the place completely dead? From what I read in the newbie FAQ the days surrounding Christmas and New Years tend to clear the place out a bit because many of the girls are w/families, visit their home countries, etc. Would it be a total ghost town around Dec 14-19th? It is approaching the holidays but have things already slowed down by that point? I've read some conflicting stuff in other topics, some say that girls need cash for Xmas and are working up until the week of Christmas, others say December flat out isn't worth going. Should I wait until Mid January instead?

Also, I was just issued a new passport, as my last one expired a few months back. This shouldn't be an issue right? I have read some of the threads on passport issues and there seem to be more problems propping up when the passport is within months of expiring, but is there any issue with a passport that has just been newly reissued in the recent months? Do they require passports that have been active for a certain time or something? 

The next questions may be a bit ridiculous so bear with me if I come across like an oblivious idiot..
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Not sure how I can explain this, maybe I am worrying about nothing and it is my naivety showing but is it highly looked down upon to send girls back downstairs if their tune changes once we get to the room? For example if everything is agreed upon before heading to the room and they try to upsell you or back out of any activities that were previously agreed on by both parties? I've read a few trip reports where this happens occasionally. Everything is fine downstairs but once you get to your room they occasionally play dumb or say you misunderstood them or blame the language barrier/poor English, etc... The few I read specifically were in instances of number of pops and BBBJ's where they agree to it downstairs but then back out once they have you upstairs or say it will cost more or a "good propina". For this reason I understand not paying in the beginning but is there any taboo against backing out and sending a girl back downstairs before things go any further in these situations? I've read the girls are independent and don't technically work for the house right? Obviously this is worst case scenario stuff and I hope it isn't an issue. I will do my best with my limited Spanish and the help of the FAQ translations on this board to tactfully and respectfully make sure everything is laid out in no uncertain terms ( price, # of pops, acts, time) and agreed upon by both parties. I have no issue eating the guest fee should this occur but to lose 'cien' on the other hand would be disappointing. Do they complain to the hotel that they didn't get paid or are all the encounters basically between you and the guest and the hotel just wash their hands of it? Has anyone ever had to send a girl away who didn't uphold her end of the bargain. I just don't want to get a bad rep for stiffing a girl or cause any issues with the hotel or at worst get roughed up by security. 

Last and I am aware I may be opening a can of worms by bringing this up but has anyone ever had any issue with STDs? It has been a LONG time since been in the realm of sleeping with a new partner so I probably am very out of the loop with new/potential risks these days. I am aware and fully accept the risk that obviously comes with the territory of P4P and plan to take as many precautions as I can while still having some fun but has anyone ever had an issue with this? Like it isn't rampant there or anything I hope. Certain acts I will probably refrain from, while I wish I could dabble more I probably won't go down on any of the girls and it seems like that has been discussed ad-naseam on this board and everyone has their opinions on DATY with a working girl. Also I'm aware things can still be transmitted with a condom but unfortunately at this age a covered BJ isn't really gonna do much for me, I'm just not as sensitive down there as a I used to be and I'm not sure it would even be enjoyable. I'm basically just looking for opinions and input anyone has on this subject. I probably wouldn't even ask but it seems like (at least according to trip reports) a lot of the girls are willing to engage in bareback full service with guys if they have built some rapport with them or if you pay them enough and that is a bit worrying and one road I can't let myself travel down, I want to do my best to avoid bringing any souvenirs back home with me.   

Anyway, sorry for the wall of text and much appreciated if you chose to read it all and provide me with some advice, comments, opinions or just part with some knowledge. Hope to see some of you down there whichever month I manage to make it down. Thanks again. 

1. I personally wouldn't stay at the HDR.
a. Rumor control says they are closing for renovation in November.
b. $11 chica fee to take a girl upstairs.
c. Noisy.
d. The rooms need renovation. The whole place does.

I'd stay at either the Castillo or La Amistad (1). Fully inclusive plan, no unescorted chicas when you want privacy, short trip to HDR, Salas, no chica fee, etc. Option 2 would be the Taormina (no chica fee) or (maybe) the HLH. The Sportsmen's Lodge is popular, but if I'm going to pay that much and still have to pay for booze and food, the newly renovated Castillo wins.

2. Pre-Christmas no issue.

3. New passport no issue (I actually thought "WTF?").

4. Give the chica ¢5k and say 'adios, perrita'.

5. Wear a condom and visually inspect.

_________________
Any opinion or observation in the post above is purely presented for entertainment purposes and does not promote "sexual tourism" or "human trafficking". The laws of Costa Rica apply to all activities in Costa Rica. No warranty is expressed or implied. Void where prohibited by law. Your experience, observations or perspective may be different.

In exile in pu*sy prison

Levitra geezer
your post reads like you are pretty close to the truth on all subjects w the exception of passport
that is a non starter
always hold your own upstairs and if you aren't happy w whats happening you can always terminate the session
depending how far along it is you still should give her something to go away
no one wants a scene if the bitch flips the Phuck out so choose wisely
at the same time relax but understand she's a mercenary and anything not nailed down may grow legs
i never liked HDR but a lot of guys do so meh, whatever, you can always stay there and hit other places
that is unless the rumors are true which seems to be a fluid situation
i agree that SL, Amistad, Castillo are better choices imo
all your other fears are part of the trial by fire everyone went through
limited Spanish is always going to be an issue and any brushing up/learning is in your benefit

_________________
im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

My only comment on the passport question is when I had a newly issued one with no stamps at all Immigration asked for my reservation out of the country and gave me that exact number of days in CR. Whenever presenting a well used passport where they can get a better idea of my travel history I get 90 days, no questions. Non-issue as it gave me the time I needed in CR.

You are required to have a reservation leaving CR when entering. This is the only time I have been asked.

Hi Geez,

Send the girl away if she asks for more than you bargained for:
Yes! Do it without regret. Don't let her get away with that shit at all. Send her away with a laugh and go get another more honest girl. You are in charge here.

HDR Stay:
No. There are better places to stay. La Amistad is wonderful. They treat you like a king. The bar is very nice. The food is great. They wash your laundry every day if you want. The interaction with other mongers is just great. Same goes for Castillo and Sportsmans Lodge.

December visit:
Last year I stayed from December 5 to 15. I pulled from Sportsman, HDR and Zona II. All are a 5 minute cheap taxi ride to Amistad. There were at least 50 girls at HDR to take back to your room at any hotel. Some complain that the stable at HDR is not as good as it used to be and that December has reduced numbers. I disagree. How many girls do you need to choose from. You're only taking one. One night I walked into HDR and was out the door with a smoking hot blond local star in about 5 minutes. December is just fine.

Good hunting my friend.