www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I never thought that I would have to post in the forum a non mongering subject; a subject that many try to stay away from. I have been going to Costa Rica for about four years now with an average of 10 trips a year. In the past two years I have notice the behavior of the Del Rey security staff to be inappropriate to say the least. Most white patrons enter with little to no harassment but almost all black patrons are subjected to a battery of test and question to enter the building. On Nov. 21 in entered about 8pm with two other friends and we were roped off at the door and asked to produce our passports. I pulled out my fl. license and was searched for weapons; and the same processed was administered to my friends also. On purpose I sat at the bar next to the front door to observe the procedure of admission into the Dr. 98% of white patron were not search nor questioned for ID. On. Nov. 22 the same routine, when it came to us getting in; the same hassle and shake down. It was a different guard but the same Bulls**t treatment; sat by the bar again and watch as people flow trough the joint with out having a question asked. Therefore by the third day I could not stand for the BullS**t treatment and I had to speak up about the double standard that was being done; I told the guard that he needed to practice the same protocol with everyone and not just single out the blacks. To make a long story short I have place an X on the Dr. for unfair practice as my skin color is a problem for them so too my money is not good enough for them I have banned them. I rather spend my time at the sportsman lodge where I am treated with respect. This whole experience has left such a bad feeling that Costa Rica will be losing a monger and Colombia and Panama has gained my business. I don’t expect any changes from this post I just want the truth to be told.

_________________
Living Life To the Fullest {Pura Vida}

I've seen this before at the DR. Remember this is a third world country. Discrimination seems to be the norm in CR. From what I hear, (From the DR girls) the only place in CR blacks are welcome are in Limon on the northern coast. CR is really about 50 years behind the US.

_________________
"You can only keep a secret between two people if the other one is dead." Ben Franklin

CZAR, I had the same done to me twice but once the guards recognized me it stopped. I took it as security more than racism. although at 44 I'm getiing to old for this crap!!!

_________________
But mama, that's where the fun is

//\\\\\\\\\\\\\\/////

50 years behind US in what? Racism? Take a ride on the southside of Chicago and tell me how far behind they are.

I had security stop me twice to frisk me and ask me questions. The one time they asked me if I had a knife, I replied, "yes. i have knifes, forks and spoons, but unfortunely I left them back at home in my kitchen drawer." They did not know how to respond. I was allowed inside.

Another time they frisked me, put the wand to me and then asked me why I was there? I replied," I wanted to have a beer and maybe look for a wife." This was around the Tope festivities last year and I was probably dressed more like a Tico then a Tourista.

And this one time... I was banned for no reason. After I was allowed back into HDR/KL I asked everyone that worked there why I was banned and no one could give me an answer.

Racism.. it's alive and well in America.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"i'm in love with a whore and i don't even know it." - Traylor Park

It is a bullshit practice.

My understanding is that they frisk anyone who looks like they may be Tico, or locals from other Latin countries.

I can say that about 70% of the the time I entered the Del Rey I have been checked over for weapons, but just a standard search. Maybe a pat down and a swipe with the metal detector but it hasn't become too much of a hassle.

I have been told I look like a Tico and that is why I get searched. I hope this doesn't become more of a problem. If it does I will just stick to the MPs, Sportsman, and visit the DR on here and there.

Sorry...but Costa Rica is probably the most racist country in Central America. Even into the late 60s, the Caribbean blacks were not allowed into San Jose without special documentation. There are reasons why the Caribbean has not been developed for tourism by the country. It may be changing little by litlle...but very little. Its one of the reasons I moved to Panama. I have a lot of black friends and clients who were in Costa Rica but moving their activities to Panama and elsewhere...much of it being for this issue.

And yes, racism still exists in USA, but not on the scale of countries like Costa Rica.

_________________
All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

I hate to say this but you are not in Kansas anymore!
Do you think that all the other countries in the world follow the U.S. and the U.S. sets the standards for the rest of the world?
I too have traveled all over the world but I can gaurntee you that no other country follow the same racial standards like the U.S. You cant expect to travel and not get pointed out. Most countries do and will bar blacks from establishments. I don't like it but that is their choice!

I guess the security gaurds will have to take sensitivity classes.

I hope not to offend anyone but it seems like many people want to change CR to fit their needs. By tring to tell a gaurd to be more racial sensitive shows how ignorent you are! I am sure in that persons mind he was saying dumb gringo!

Though not checked each and every time
by the security at the DR, I am checked
at least once a trip. I am White, 6' 2", 210 lbs,
with Blonde hair and Blue eyes.
Not what one thinks of as Latin.
I do observe other people coming and
going without being checked, that are
White, Black, Latin, and Asian.
I'm not in the U.S.A., so the country that
I "visit" can do whatever the law in that
county let's them do.
I have noticed that the younger a person appears,
the more chances are they will be checked, especially
the young Latin looking guys.
Would I X the DR from future visits
if I was checked each time, no, since
I can still do more once inside the
DR than I can in my home state.
ShyOne

I might be wrong, but I think it is more of a practical thing than a racist thing. Someone from here would be more likely to have a weapon than a tourist. Simply a matter of access. I don't dress like a middle aged dad, so with the baggy clothes they check me a good bit.

Deleted

As I pointed out in the beginning I don’t want this matter to become a black and white issue. I just think there is a double standard I am not calling anyone a racist I am pointing out what I know to be factual. To Ticoyo1965 I respect your opinion but it’s the tico security guard that is ignorant not me. They fear me I don’t fear them; that in itself shows you that they aren’t that smart to begin with. Sorry but am not dumb gringo for your information I am not even a gringo. I have been to Venezuela, Honduras, and El Salvador and went to multiple establishments and not have any problems getting in. You’re correct that’s why I don’t live in Kansas. This forum is to discuss information and other matters let’s leave the personnel attacks out of it thank you. Pura Vida

_________________
Living Life To the Fullest {Pura Vida}

Word on the street said.. Clinton was expected to visit that night, hence the extra security!! I am 5'6 anglo, I was checked on the 1st trip, my first thought was these cats are trying to get a job with the TSA in the states so they could make more than $20.00/night

Somewhere in Texas

No more , no less , I agree with what T said.

Czar, shit like that does happen, to anyone. Hope you didn't let that bothered you for too long. In the end, you are the paying customer. If the establishment didn't make you feel comfortable in anyway, there are always other joints in SJO that will treat you good with open arms , and legs

Their loss. Happy mongering.

It's not a racist practice at all, as has been posted by some it's a local vs tourist issue that they practice for security reasons. Whether this kind of profiling is right or wrong is another issue. I often travel with a black friend and a very white friend and they both get wanded often, because they both could pass for Ticos. After 30 trips I have never been wanded, but there is no mistaking me for a member of the local population.

My understanding is that whenever there has been a serious problem in the past, including gun play, it has occured because a tico wanted his girlfriend or wife to leave the bar, forcibly if necessary. A tourist is simply unlikely to have a wife working the Del Rey.