www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Going to be in SJ for 28 days and taking a language school. Looking to get a prospective on what kinda of buget to shoot for from those who have extended stays. School, apt are already paid and not put into the equation. I wont be "playing" as I will be spending time with a non worker I have met on previous trip (ok, one session a week at an MP , gotta be discreet). thursday throug sundays I will be out of SJ seeing the country. I factor this into the budget.
So far I am at $750 to $800 a week, food, travel (not staying in high $ places) and taking mepe where ever I go. Caribbean one weekend, west coast the other then la fortuna one of them to see arenal and the falls. I may bump it up a hundred a week but I am doing very little drinking and parting as I will be studying. So basically, 4 days a week I am studing, one night drinking and clubbing (SJ and San Pedro) the rest of the time I am away. Sound good or am I cutting myself way short on cost or way over? Just getting a general idea from those who reside there or have extended stays. Thanks in advance.

$800 a week works fine if you are frugal. (San Jose apartment already paid)

you speak of travelling and the extra expense of rooms and fare, but, it you have a Tica companion and stay at Tico price hotels, use the public bus system to travel the long distances, eat at Tico cafes, etc...I think you'll be OK.

Now, lets get back to the price of sex with a non-pro novia....none of us have enough money for that

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Frugal I will be...to an extent. I am actually taking the language school seriously. I am not going drinking on nights I have class the next day. I am one of those who can't have just one...or 8,9,10 for that matter. I decided to put all hotel expenses on my CC and take that amount for back in case I hit a place where the card wont run. I am estimating all hotels at $75 a night (though I know its less). 6 nights is all i will be gone. I figure now at $8-900 per week now and I should be set. Kinda sad I am letting education interfer with drinking

yes, the hotel rooms should be a lot less than $75 a night if you stay at tico style hotels/motels.

I pay $10 a night (and know of cheaper rates) in San Jose and have to believe that there are similar hotels/motels all over CR.

Ticos and other latinos travelling and vacationing in CR cannot afford to pay Gringo rates and I would argue that if one is willing to live like a Tico, then the cost of a week touring about should be easily accomplished for less than $800.

of course, this may mean a lot of Tico style cafes and using the public bus system. but, when in Rome, etc...nothing wrong with that.


sometimes I am asked if the Tico style hotels are safe and what the accomodations are like.

My answer is that the typical Tico does not enjoy unsavory conduct or conditions any more than a Gringo.

while the Tico style hotels I have seen in San Jose are not up to the standard of the Gringo hotels, they have all been clean, safely managed and acceptable for a nights rest by both myself and the little darlings.

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The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

There are many retires living in Costa Rica for 800. per month. Depends how you live.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

I let drinking interfere with my education and ended up joining a sex club with a bunch of old fat gringos who have to travel to another country for sex.

"stay in school, fool." Mr T.