www.CostaRicaTicas.com

If you're not going to be in the "market" while you're with your friend, but just want to go somewhere to dance and perhaps enjoy some free "eye-candy", there's really no reason you have to go to a bar filled with hookers. Of course if you're at the BM anyway, you could certainly pop across the parking lot to check out the KL as well, but I still think there are plenty of better places where one can dance in SJ that are filled with hot latinas. For example, El Pueblo is a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike, with a variety of good restaurants, bars and discos.

Personally, I think checking out other women while you are on a date is usually asking for trouble (not to mention a bit tacky), but perhaps James is really sly or this girl really won't mind. However, if those girls also happen to be hookers and his girl knows that, well, that only compounds the problem.

If he's taking her to CR just to monger, then by all means hit all the places recommended on this site - DR, BM, KL, ZB, NF etc. But if he's taking her to see the country, with one aspect of that being the sex-tourism scene, then PERHAPS a little field trip to the BM wouldn't be so bad. I just don't think it is the best idea to give her reason to think thats all he's into. He should show her that there's much more to CR than its seamy underbelly, as there certainly is.

OTOH, there are many places recommended on this site that are appropriate for whorticulturalist and eco-tourist alike. In addition, to the bars & restaurants of El Pueblo, he should consider such restaurants as Cafe Mundo, Machu Pichu, Tin Jo etc., perhaps one of the little sodas at the Mercado Central (since shes never been out of the country that will be a new experience), unfortunately not Mariscar. The Mirador Ram Luna with its spectacular view of the city lights makes and excellent place to take either a chica or gringa date (especially for Wednesday's Tierra Tico celebration)(maybe even double with a CRT'er and his chica date to split cab costs and give his girl a chance to get to really meet one of the Ticas) and the Jazz Cafe in San Pedro makes an excellent place to take a gringa date for some live music.

I think I saw the difference between Heaven and Hell first posted on this board, in any case it went something like this.

Heaven = COSTA RICA... solo or with your buddies at the Blue Marlin.
Hell = COSTA RICA... with your girlfriend or Wife.

Some very good advice on this post. I was in CR for 8 days flying solo in March. Did my share of the mongering and had a great time. My wife was aware of my intentions prior to the trip. I returned home with a great smile and a lot of stories of my experiences. Yes, she is very openminded and understanding. Afterall, life is short and death is long, so we feel that we should live life without regrets. Being very open means we don't have to lie and can be honest to each other. It's worked for 30+ years.
Now my wife wants to join me in CR this summer, possibly July. We plan to start in San Jose for the first night. Key Largo dancing. I can visit ZB the next morning and then off to Quepos for about 6 days of fishing and/ or the beach. Some side trips to explore the beautiful country (public buses when possible to experience the local flavor). Then back to San Jose for one or two nights.
As far as the BM, I'd have to feel it out at that time about taking her there, afterall I sure don't want her to feel uncomfortable. We will discuss the BM upon arrival to CR. Breakfast at the rail? Sure thing. Museums , the Market. Plenty to do.
I suggest that prior to your trip you discuss all possibilities. If approached honestly you will both be aware of each others limits and go from there. This is just one man's opinion.

To all the other posts with advice on this subject, Thanks for the good ideas.

BTW, I'm also trying to plan to join my fellow board members (solo) for the CRT anniversary celebrations in CR. Looking for cheap flight from Saint Louis Missouri, or Nashville Tenn.

Good luck with your trip and please post after so we can learn a little more about this subject.

Enjoy, Kenj8, Ken

Hey James,

I reported last October that my first visit to the Blue marlin was with a female "wing-man." She's heterosexual, tall, blonde and stacked. Nobody in the bar was outright unfriendly, although she got a few hostile stares from the working girls while in the casino. Phuck 'em.
I agree with the poster above who stated that a lot depends upon the attitude of your female friend. Mine was terrific, just had a centennario and coke and took it all in, smiling. The waitress was very cordial and service was good, nobody gave anybody any trouble. But...

Imagine that your friend suddenly gets religion, or gets feminist, or political. What if she actually considers turning a trick or three to help subsidize the trip? Lots of variables, and only you know whether or not your gringa friend will be cool or not when faced with a couple dozen women who will undoubtedly look better than she. I think a better option would be to follow Shy One's advice above; go to the Key largo on a Friday or Saturday night and dance/party the night away. Lots of couples, tico and tourist go there; the band we heard there was absolutely stellar and we had a great time.

And don't get pissed if some drunken gringo propositions your friend...it could happen!

Accomodations: I love the Don Carlos, very near the Hotel Castillo and Sportsmen's Lodge, and right across the street from New Fantasy. You could even arrange a therapeutic 90 minute massage for your girlfriend through the hotel desk ($35.00 last year, a great price, no sex) and then use the time to go get yourself some therapy across the street or three blocks away.

Price? How cheap are we talking? At $45.00 - $70.00 + tax per night (average price for low-season rooms in the area), you'll find a half-dozen nice hotels. Less than that, I can't say. Check a variety of travel resources:

http://www.letsgo.com
http://www.frommers.com
http://www.fodors.com or other non-mongering websites. The Let's Go" site is geared toward budget travel, but you'll find reviews of inexpensive lodgings at all three sites. Good luck.

You and your girlfriend might enjoy Gringo Gulch, you probably won't get hassled, but everything depends on her attitude, limits and values. Again, good luck.

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

I respect everyones opinion who has posted on this thread. But, I must reiterate (not to force my opinions on others) but, can't there be a place where boys can be boys? Where we can drink, laugh and talk amongst each other? I really like the idea of the BM being a place where the women are looking for business and we are looking to patronize their business. Leave the wives/gf's at home.

But, my gf/wife is "open minded." Ok. I'm cool with that. Maybe you are a member of a local swingers club back home. I don't want to see the DR/KL move in that direction. Yes, I know...it will be a LONG time before either of those places remotely resembles that. I just want those places to be a place where boys can be boys. Unemcumbered by wives/gf's significant others. In other words, I don't want it to be seen as the norm to bring wives/gf to those places. Is there such a thing as being a "traditional" whoreticulturist? If so..I am just that.

I know, these places are ALL public places and my money spends just the same as the guy who brings his gf/wife. I'm just not hot on the idea. Maybe I'm in the minority, wouldn't be the first time in my life.

My last trip I saw a few gringas in HDR. Both were real "butch" looking. Was I upset about? No, not really. But, do we want these establishments to attract that type of crowd? Remember, change is always gradual. I welcome change in many aspects of life. But, I would like to see our little paradise stay just as it is. But, my definition of paradise may be wildly different than someone elses definition. Why were those gringas there? Looking for hot latina women for pleasure?( Yes, girls proposition girls in there. That I know.) Probably, but I don't know. Imagine if we have to start competing with other women? Laughable...maybe. But who (my age group and older) would have ever thought same sex marriage would ever be legalized? Once laughable, now reality. Sorry for digressing.

I realize I took the debate to the extreme. I wouldn't think negatively of a guy if he knew about HDR/KL and still brought his gf/wife. Just think about what the HDR/KL is..what it is supposed to be and what we want it to be in the future. I for one want it to be a place for boys to be boys. We already give half of our sh*t to women here in the states. Can't we have a place that we can call our own? Ok..I will now step down from the altar.

dapanz1

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Paradise= Sitting outside the Bodega in Panama City about 1 am. Drinking cool Balboas with cool friends and blazin' hot Colombianas. I want to be there..RIGHT NOW!

Accomodations: I love the Don Carlos, very near the Hotel Castillo and Sportsmen's Lodge, and right across the street from New Fantasy. You could even arrange a therapeutic 90 minute massage for your girlfriend through the hotel desk ($35.00 last year, a great price, no sex) and then use the time to go get yourself some therapy across the street or three blocks away.

Hi all,
this seem to be a great board. I was always at wsg forum but this is
the first time I've seen a topic like this which I find very interesting. I am
still curious as to the following .....

are gringas allowed/welcomed to the masage parlors such as nf/zb etc?
are couples allowed/welcomed?
What are the chances for a gringa to p/u chicas in BM? in other words
are there many bi chicas?

thanks for any input.
senorpan