www.CostaRicaTicas.com

You I think missed the point I was attempting to make, Feb - or if I was unclear, apiologies

My point was not a comparison between the 2 places - although you could certainly make the arguement they were both the premiere spots in their respective cities - my point in the post was 2 fold:

Too many guys - even those who are CRT members and readers of the board - never venture much past the HDR/KL - and when they do, a new world opens up for them Which is a good thing

I was not comparing the places, nor concerned with their world wide rating; hell, I would bet the Beatle Bar owners would do anything to get back the business they lost, but since I'm using a lot of cliches in this post, the old one about pigs getting slaughtered comes to mind......

Just stating what I consider to be a fairly clear fact that business can change, sometimes very quickly - Beatle Bar, due to the emergence of the Cocal, has become an also ran (just got back from Jaco) - while not out, def. down.

The business shifted for a reason; the same thing can happen to other places, including the HDR - that was my point

Need to rethink my future stay and reconsider the Mona Lisa. Nice prices, great rooms, just needs the chicas .

Is the VIP membership sold out?

What about casino?? Is any there in Hotel ?

was in there late afternoon yesterday, the busiest part of the place was the poker room, 2 games going.

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

The life-time vip membership was an error. What I heard was that it should have been a yearly membership for $100. Last I heard it was still available.

cheers,
Attila

As of Feb 24th, Guy Grand told me they were no longer available. I was there in person and had made reservations for the lifetime VIP there at Mona Lisa, but apparently business was picking up at such a rate they were not honoring that.

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"If you dont think women are explosive,....drop one."

I visited the Mona Lisa late yesterday afternoon, and found a very sweet little chica. I'm staying at the Castillo, and didn't expect her to walk betwen the hotels in her high heels. At five o'clock, no empty cabs came by while we were waiting. Then I noticed there was a cab parked across the street from the Mona LIsa, and the driver motioned us over. I saw him there again today. The guy is a rip-off. He doesn't run a meter, and he charged 2,000 to go from the Mona Lisa to the Castillo. I would have put up an argument, but I didn't have anything smaller than a 2,000 bill. Just a warning, looks like there is at least one cabbie who was trained at the Del Rey.

I think I know who he is. Its a little white toyota or something similar. Just remember that its only 650 from the Mona Lisa to the Del Rey. Just negotiate up front and agree to pay nothing more than 1000.

When I stayed at the Mona Lisa, the cabbies who hangs out front, plays the same game as the ones outside the Del Rey....don't turn on the meter, trying to charge double the rate.

cheers,
Attila

It was a normal looking red taxi.

I was there the other night and wanted to go to San Pedro. I said I would pay 2,000. He called someone and started going, I said no how much, is 2,000 good. He agreed. If you agreed to pay 2,000 to the Castillo that is your problem. He is only charging what the market will bear. This is going to be a problem because of the location of the hotel. Its a bit off the beaten path and they are going to charge more. I don't have a problem with no meter, just make sure your understand how much you are paying.

i had a guy in a van take me from mona lisa to barrio don bosco at 4am in wind and rain for 3000 the other night. thats basically park sabana or up the street from pirates club for an idea. totally fair.
definitely speak w a guy before getting in. fwiw i would have walked from mona lisa to castillo at 5pm. heck i would walk to amistad or delrey from there but teho.

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

I admit I screwed up by not talking to the guy before we started, but since I didn't have anything smaller than 2,000, I was not in a position to haggle. I walk all around the area, but I didn't expect the chica to walk up the hill in high heels. Plus, it was a little chilly for her.

Definitely a good game going last time I was there. Try the ceviche also, free when you are playing cards.

I had a lunch, a dinner, and gambled on three different days. This place is just really nice and relaxed. The friday night karoke was a fun touch as well. Met George and he is a great guy.

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Women are Property, treat them as such.