www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Myself and some buddies will be in SJO 4/12-4/14.

If anyone is around, hmu and lets have a drink.

What have you been hearing?

Heard there's constant fighting and drama from "locals" (jealousy over women of all things lol) mostly the locals towards expats I was told. Someone else told me that since my last trip ,in November, they've increased security and for a reason..

I get that not everyone is aware of their surroundings at all times. Many guys are on vacation and lose all inhibitions and whatever discernment they may have had before entering these places. Life experiences vary from person to person, but there are those who know what's going on in the room. I recommend if you aren't one of these, learn how to be!

I also experienced the bartender scam at least 10 times. This is my fault though ,lol. After a little while I get too comfortable, and buzzed, and just hand over my credit card. I try to just pay cash so that there's no chance of any bs happening. Honestly, it's not much to speak of, to the traveler from the states, but more so the fact that it's just flat out stealing from me/us.


Not sure the truth, or severity of things, as it could always just be an isolated event. Hell, I see fights at almost any bar/club I go to in the states.



Curious to see for myself, as a few buddies and me are headed there in a week or so.

I can honestly say that I've never had even a thought of any bullshit happening to me at SL. So in my book, based on my experiences, SL is the spot I'm most comfortable in. But, T does have a good scene and such a big selection of what we are there for. Hard not to go back!

Wow, that is sketchy. And with the other guy getting shot out front last week. I like Sportsman’s too. Last June I was down with some buddies, and we were staying at Little Havana but partying at T. Well just close to dark, my buddy wanted to run back to the hotel, said he didn’t need an Uber. Anyway, a couple street hoes picks his wallet, then maced him. Only got $45 and a burner wallet, but still.

Leaving Taormina us always dicey.

As far as drink prices go, Taormina Sports Bar is far from cheap and that is before the check padding, etc. I pay as I go to avoid any check issues and it really pisses off the servers. Probably the most expensive place to drink of any of the bars I frequent.

I have never had a problem with the Ticos INSIDE the bar. Most are well mannered and laid back. Many look like they are coming from work. Like any bar, anywhere in the world, especially in the states, you are going to get the occasional a-hole that has had too much to drink. From what I have seen frequenting this bar for quite a few years is that the drunk a-hole count is pretty much evenly split between gringos and Ticos.

And based on the number of Ticos in comparison to the number of gringos in the bar, I would venture to guess that the Tico business overall, contributes to the bottom line of the bar over and above that of the gringos on an ongoing basis. And if you look inside the casino, the majority of the players are Tico. They may not be dropping C-notes like the two week millionaires but they are always there filling up the tables and the slots.

The only place where the gringo business exceeds the local business is the hotel itself.

It kind of aggravates me when I see guys on here bitching about too many Ticos in one of the venues we frequent. Least we forget, this is their country. A few years ago I heard the similar gripes about the Sportsmens. To much soccer on TV, too much "shitty" music, Ticos taking up all of the seats. etc. Well they spend a lot of money and they are there on a regular basis, not just on vacation.

Now outside the bar is a different story. The hustlers and dealers far outnumber the normal citizens. The Del Rey in it's heyday had the same problem. You've got a venue where a lot of people are drinking heavily and carrying / spending a lot of money. The undesirables are going to flock there unless you can run them off with some periodic arrests. I'm sure that some well-directed cash could get a more significant police presence and alleviate some of this.

[quote="Harddrive43228"]As far as drink prices go, Taormina Sports Bar is far from cheap and that is before the check padding, etc. I pay as I go to avoid any check issues and it really pisses off the servers. Probably the most expensive place to drink of any of the bars I frequent.

I have never had a problem with the Ticos INSIDE the bar. Most are well mannered and laid back. Many look like they are coming from work. Like any bar, anywhere in the world, especially in the states, you are going to get the occasional a-hole that has had too much to drink. From what I have seen frequenting this bar for quite a few years is that the drunk a-hole count is pretty much evenly split between gringos and Ticos.

And based on the number of Ticos in comparison to the number of gringos in the bar, I would venture to guess that the Tico business overall, contributes to the bottom line of the bar over and above that of the gringos on an ongoing basis. And if you look inside the casino, the majority of the players are Tico. They may not be dropping C-notes like the two week millionaires but they are always there filling up the tables and the slots.

The only place where the gringo business exceeds the local business is the hotel itself.

It kind of aggravates me when I see guys on here bitching about too many Ticos in one of the venues we frequent. Least we forget, this is their country. A few years ago I heard the similar gripes about the Sportsmens. To much soccer on TV, too much "shitty" music, Ticos taking up all of the seats. etc. Well they spend a lot of money and they are there on a regular basis, not just on vacation.

Now outside the bar is a different story. The hustlers and dealers far outnumber the normal citizens. The Del Rey in it's heyday had the same problem. You've got a venue where a lot of people are drinking heavily and carrying / spending a lot of money. The undesirables are going to flock there unless you can run them off with some periodic arrests. I'm sure that some well-directed cash could get a more significant police presence and alleviate some of this.[/quote

Words of wisdom…

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Its not about being attracted to the venue per se. Its to do with a drug war going on right now and drug business around the Taormina - most likely. There have been several murders a week lately, sometimes several in a day, and about a couple of groups trying to control the business. So a dealer outside the Taormina might sometimes be a target, not saying that is what happened to this guy, but that style of killing is the exact duplicate of many of these drug related murders. Guys ride up on motorcycles, pump a dozen or so bullets into someone, and ride off. Happening multiple times per week in places like Hatillo, Desamperados, Alajuelita, etc.

Holy Shit! Week Stats

135 accidents, 16 assaults with a weapon and 42 deaths at Easter are reported
https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/report ... ana-santa/

Law enforcement doesn't give shit if one drug gang kills a dealer from another gang encroaching on their turf. If (in the future) a few hookers or their clients catch a stray bullet, they won't care much more. Your average Tico does not want us here. These drive-by's are happening in regular neighborhoods, near schools and parks. The Taormina is in an isolated part of Barrio Amon. Dark streets surround it and there is little to draw a regular crowd to the area. The HDR was on a busy street in a well traveled part of town. It had the Colonial Casino next door and a busy bus stop nearby. Official red taxis lined up just outside the door.

On the 'bright side', no tourist nor chica was targeted. There was no robbery, no mugging or random violence. You may see some increased security for a few weeks. I would not be at all surprised to see the management separate the Jungle Bar from the rest of the hotel and 'encourage' the hobby activity into take place there. But long term the Taormina will be too difficult to secure.

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If you let the devil ride, he's gonna want to drive