www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Any good suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I do speak spanish fluently, but I've never been to SJO before! Thanks.

I'll give you two suggestions that will undoubtedly help you with your 1st trip.

First, you might want to sign up with a VIP Membership. This will entitle you to numerous benefits and discounts while you're in CR. Plus, you'll be able to view lots and lots of pics, and you'll have access to all the VIP areas of this site. In addition, it helps to support this great site.

And 2nd, read as much as possible over the next 10 days before your trip. There's more information here than you'll need for your 1st trip, but it will help you better prepare for your virgin trip. For a first timer, CR (and especially "the gulch") can be a bit overwhelming. Information is power, so empower yourself by reading, and preparing for your 1st trip to paradise!

Read, read and read some more. Have a great trip, and be safe.

Welcome to the board.

Mucho Gusto

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Thanks for the welcome. I have been to Pattaya in Thailand many times but I prefer the looks of CR ticas more, so this time I'm taking a short trip to test the waters. If I do like it better than Pattaya, then I'll be coming more regularly.

I am familiarizing myself with the search function and finding out excellent details. I am now searching for current prices in ZB, exchange rates, best places to exchange, safety issues, etc...

I will leave a newbie trip report upon return. Thanks to all.

-Pat

Read my Top Tips in the Newbie section.

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PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

TT,
To get the discount at ZB you will need to become a VIP.

-current CRT VIP prices at ZB: 21-22,000¢ hour/15-16,000¢ half (sorry i don't know the exact numbers)
-exchange rates fluctuate daily but it's around 515-520¢ from what I hear
-the best places to exchange money are #1) banks #2) casinos (don't exchange in hotels and restaurants, althought losing a couple colones won't break you, you are paying for convenience.) FYI-banks are super slow in CR. AVOID THE AIRPORT BAGGAGE CLAIM EXCHANGE WINDOWS, THEY WILL BREAK YOU!!!!
-safety: during the day, it's safe to walk around the city, at night ALWAYS take a taxi, even a couple of blocks (saving $2 is not worth your life)
-my suggestion is to find a wingman and stick together. safety in numbers. i always try to do this, even during the day, you never know when shit will jump off
-trust your instincts, if something doesn't smell right, get outta there
-SJ is a relatively safe city, so i wouldn't spend too much time worrying but use common sense, don't overdo on the booze, and keep your eyes/ears open and you'll be ok

Why don't you plan on happy hour on Thursday ay the DR - I'll be there and several other CRT VIP's as well.

CRT VIP discount at ZB is 22K colones (about US $44). Regular rate is 26K colones? (difference of $8 bucks)? I would have to take 5 girls out of there to justify the VIP membership of $39? maybe....

Do the ZB gals (or any of the ladies) expect a propina? If so, what is customary?

I will be there for happy hour at the HDR at 5pm on 02/08/06. Is that the right time? How will I know the CRT members? Is there a sign-in board or something?

Thanks. See you there!

TT,
You really need to read the newbie sections. The discount at ZB is ONLY ONE OF MANY DISCOUNTS FOR CRT VIP'S. Read this thread:
https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... 7972b4f9da
MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

oops!

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

I think with that post you lost any help I might be able to give you.

The majority of your post have been outright requests for help and information which many members have given to you. Then you equate the value of a VIP membership with how many chicas from ZB you need to do to make up for the membership fee. Forgetting all the other discounts available to VIP members I think it takes some balls to pick the brain of current members, who support the site with their membership dollars, and you do not want to support the board yourself.

Good luck. Pura Vida.

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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

You attack me? I am going through the the normal, rational process of making a decision. I don't see that as being arogant. I am very new to this board and have no clue of what to expect once I get down there, or even if I'm ever coming back. I suppose you would want me to buy a lifetime membership now, huh? Get real. there is nothing wrong with weighing the pros and cons of the offer.

I simply wanted to estimate the "break even" or "break ahead" point by purchasing the membership, which I still might. Have been in touch with Admin who says I can pick it up at ZB after making payment via paypal, which I might do.

How long were you user before your paid your membership? If it was less than a week, my apologies and hats off to you. You sure took a long time posting simply to say absolutely nothing positive or of value. Take it easy on the newbies. You were one yourself once.

Yes, you save $8 per hour at ZB, you save on your hotel, various restaurants around town, strip clubs, ATV tour, hotels in Jaco, etc. You should get your $39 back in one trip.

BTW, when you say "take them out" do you mean back to your hotel? At MP's (Zona Blue, New Fantasy, Idem) all "business" is taken care of on-premises. They have rooms, showers, etc right there for your convenience.

Yes, you should definitely tip the girls if you have a good time. Most guys tip based on level of service. Everybody has their own scale that they use, here's mine: If I had a awesome time, I've tipped up to $20 (10k). For an good session (the girl's accomodating and tries to show you a great time), $8-$10. For an ok session, $4-6. I haven't had a bad session yet at ZB. I have had mediocre/bad sessions with BM girls in the past where I didn't tip at all.

Happy hour is not a formal thing. It's just an informal gathering of CRT's who usually know each other or can recognize someone in the group and they sit together, bs, and watch the parade go by in circles. My first trip I went to happy hour but didn't find any CRT's. I asked a few guys and got blank stares (What's a CRT?), so I just left.

I think it would be good if we has some kind of sign to put on the table to proudly show the newbies and chicas that we are CRT's.

Just slightly longer than it took you to post your vitriolic answer.

Pura Vida

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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

Welcome to the CRT boards.

Tengotodo wrote:


Should you continue to read this board, you will find that ID has many things of value to say, including some that are positive. . The vet's are here to help.

Enjoy your first trip to CR.

Health & happiness.

Santas Bro

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!