www.CostaRicaTicas.com

The Gentleman's Guide to Costa Rica:

When visiting Costa Rica, remember these things:

Before you leave home join the Costa Rica Ticas VIP membership which will pay for itself in discounts and insights.

ARRIVAL:

If you change money upon arrival at the airport, it takes 15 to 30 min and you must go upstairs in the airport. The money exchange booth in the baggage claim area is a ripoff. Use only an official orange airport cab to avoid numerous problems. Now they use the meter or "Maria" for the trip. Make sure they know the location of where you are going such as the Sportsman's Lodge. Tip if you wish although it is not customary in CR. Tips are included in your restaurant and bar bills.
Paco Loco says: Never ever tell a girl or a taxi driver you are on your first trip to Costa Rica. Remember to get your credit card back from hotel check in. Ask for an upper floor for less noise. Tip the bell boy US $2 or C1000.
I advise paying for everything in Colones as you never know what exchange rate you will get if you pay in Dollars, if they accept Dollars.

HOTEL:

If this is your first trip, I advise staying at a popular monger hotel. Get a safe at check-in and instructions on how to operate it and the A/C from the bell boy. For more travel and arrival tips see: http://www.kyee.com/traveltips.htm
For other basic stuff you did not know, and nobody told you, see:
http://forums.arcr.net/index.php?showtopic=778

MONEY:

Use Colones because if you use Dollars who knows what exchange rate you are getting. And Colones are always accepted.
Change some money at check in at the hotel. Change it at the casino at the Colonial or Del Rey. Or ask about a real ATM. Best of all is to change at the bank on the upper floor of the airport upon arrival. Travellers checks are a pain to cash and there is a fee. As a matter of fact they are almost impossible to cash.
Have some one dollar bills available for tips. Have a lot of US $1 and 5 bills and a few $10s. All your US dollars must be in perfect condition to be accepted. No tiny rips. No marks. Perfect. Take only perfect bills. This seems like strange advice but it you do not heed this you will be sorry.

A safe place to exchange money is the Colonial casino. You may or may not be able to change Colones back to US Dollars when you are ready to leave. Use them to pay your hotel bill and charge the rest if you wish. The Del Rey also has an ATM machine.

WATER:

Find out where to buy bottled water although tap water is safe. The bakery three doors down from the Presidente sells it.


TIPS:

Ask the maid for extra towels. Tip her C1000. Your girl guests will use them for everything. If your hotel has a reservation desk find it and give the reservation girls a small gift of candy or perfume. They will remember you and that can be important in finding rooms in the future.

LIQUIDS:

You can buy some booze, water, snacks and sodas at the nearby Mas x Menos store. It is three blocks East of the Presidente on Ave.Central. Booze is reasonable except for whiskey. No need to bring liquids.

TAXIS:

Keep C500 available for the taxi rides. Cab drivers never claim to have change. There are some new C500 coins the size of a half dollar.

Taxis are US $25 from the airport into town, and US $25 for the return taxi ride to the airport. This fee may have recently increased. Keep the US bills in reserve for that purpose. Airport taxis use meters now, so there is no fixed fee. Vans are supposed to be more. Search this site for a list of dependable drivers.

Use only real taxis that are red and have a yellow triangle on the door.
Do not accept a ride from a chica in her "friend's" car or you will end up who knows where and robbed.


EXIT TAX:

Keep US $26 for the airport tax. Buy the tax stamp in the airport or at the Banco Credito just East of the Presidente and around the corner The exit tax receipt has a section where you must fill in information which is required before you check in at your airline to depart. In other words, fill out the receipt.


SECURITY:

Keep your passport, air ticket, wallet, jewelry, medicines and money in the safe. Only carry what you will spend that day. Most experienced travelers use a money belt or neck safe. Don't bring expensive jewelry or watches. No gold jewelry. Use a cheap plastic sports watch. Some travelers carry a photo copy of their passport and their entry stamp as well as a C5000 bill for a bribe if needed.
BEWARE of the "Dragon or Viper Lady" who will offer to have a drink with you because it is her birthday or some excuse and then drug and rob you.
Read: https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... dcf1013cb8
ALWAYS WATCH YOUR DRINK and beer to avoid the addition of knock out drops and do not accept a beer from a taxi driver.

ADVICE from VIP MEMBER ORANGE:

Newbies listen up, here are some basic safety tips to use in CR (not complete by any means):
-it's maybe safe to walk around town during the day, be careful of pickpockets (keep your wallet in the front pocket) and watch out for scam artists on the streets who will try to separate you from your $
-TAKE A TAXI EVERYWHERE AT NIGHT. I take one in the daytime.
-do not walk around the streets drunk-it's an invitation to get robbed and possibly hurt
-if you are getting robbed, do not resist, you can replace money or a watch (if you're wearing a inch-thick gold chain and you get robbed, I have no sympathy for you)
-safety in numbers, (if you are with somebody, they are less likely to Phuck with you)
-do not wear ANY jewelry or flashy watch(YOU DON'T HAVE TO IMPRESS ANYBODY!!!!)-buy a $30 Timex watch on Ebay for $9 Cool
-only carry a small amount of cash on you (what you will need for the MP or drinks at the bar)-try to avoid starting a tab using a credit card
-good idea to have a travel wallet (i have cash, 1 atm/debit card, my passport copy) and leave your real wallet in the hotel safe


CHICAS:

Bring extra US made condoms. The little Korean made ones sold in CR are sized for guys with tiny weenies. Bring lubricant but in a plastic bag in case it leaks which it will. Girls like the liquid type. Thinking of girls, I do not recommend bringing a girl to the beach for several days unless you know her very very well and are compatible.
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Smoking, TV watching, talking on phone, drugs, unexpected emergencies at home with the young ones and so on.

LITTLE STUFF:

If you bring a folding umbrella in the rainy season (April - Nov.) pack it in your CHECKED bag. You cannot carry it on the plane from San Jose. Different rules there. Yes, true. Do not ask why. Also no aerosols or matches on board. You may wish to bring a ballpoint pen and small note pad. A ball point is needed to fill out immigration forms on board.

MAP:

Before you go, download and print a map of the action spots in San Jose. See www.DonGordo.com Before you leave notify your credit card issuer or bank that you will be in CR.

CLOTHING:

In general don't wear shorts unless at the beach. Only tourists wear shorts and you will stand out. Try to blend in for less hassles. On the other hand sometimes they are fun to wear in a bar with the girls... Generally cotton pants and jeans are acceptable everywhere. T shirts/ polo shirts or short sleeves in the day and long sleeves at night. One pair shoes should do. Light jacket for the mountains. I bring 2 pants, 4 shirts, 1 pr. shoes, light jacket, and underwear -total for one weekend or one week. Add swimsuit if the beach or jacuzzi is planned. Now I bring 2 pair of shoes if wilderness adventures are done.


NAVIGATION:

Be alert walking the streets at all times- Especially Central Ave and Second Ave. Watch out for pickpockets and being stopped and talked to by strangers for ANY reason. Be aware of who may bump you and who is following you and why. Do not wear a fanny pack as it is a pickpocket target. Don't stop and give to street beggars. Do not buy cigars from street vendors unless you like fake Cubans. Do not even think about buying or using weed or drugs unless you want to spend a year in jail awaiting trial, just for starts. I never walk the streets after dark. Never. Do not ever be drunk in public on the street. Taxis are cheap, even from the Blue Marlin to the Presidente after 8 PM. Recently there have been multiple robberies between the Del Rey and Presidente after 8PM. Always take a taxi to the Idem bar, and to and from anywhere after 6 PM. Most chica bars/places are in bad neighborhoods, so you have been warned.

BEING A GENTLEMAN:

Learn the going rate for girls. Do not pay asking price at the Blue Marlin. Negotiate down. Speak Spanish, even a little. Explore alternatives to the Blue Marlin. Be a good Gringo and not a bad example. TREAT ALL GIRLS WITH RESPECT at all times. You will be repaid tenfold. But read this:http://www.geocities.com/piddweb/lstt.html

BONUS:

I tip the girls for a good time. Suggested gifts include perfumes, lingerie, condoms, cosmetics, and cash.

EXCHANGE RATE:

As of Feb 2008 the exchange rate was $1 = C500. Or C1000 = $ 2Thus, a quote of C10,000 (diez "dee-ess" mil) is $20

OTHER:

You may wish to read the official US State Department Information Sheet on Costa Rica. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _1093.html

You can find a lot of info here: http://www.paulglassman.com/CostaRicaGuide.htm

Tip: When returning thru US Immigration, it looks better if you are talking with other "friends" and tourists, like you are part of a group, instead of someone alone.

WITLING SAYS:

And here is good advice regarding Chicas from CRT member Witling:

Here are some suggestions:

1. Do your homework on CRT.
2. Study the scene in the Blue Marlin before making a decision.
3. Negotiate EVERYTHING up front (time, services, price).
4. Don't drool all over yourself when you meet them, you'll only lose your bargening position.
5. Get recommendations from other CRT members.
6. Don't pay up front or you will also lose your position. I have shown the money and left it on the desk and that appeased them.

There is no 'bait & switch' when dealing with the girls in the Blue Marlin since you are doing the interviewing and choosing face to face.

That's not to be say they might change what was negotiated but you have the right to end the session right there and ask them to leave. If they won't leave call the hotel security.

Be a gentleman and remember there are plenty more to choose from. I doubt if any CRT member hasn't had at least a couple sessions that turned out to be less than they had hoped for.

Just average them out and I think you'll still find you've come out way ahead.

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PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

Good tips Ace . A good site to find the current exchange rate is http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet . Print out the cheat sheet just before you go to CR . The posted rate may not be exactly what you get but it will be very close

Ace,

Some really good advices and useful information, especially for newbies, to make this site a better one.

BUT...c'mon Ace...you gotta let me wear shorts even though I'm not at the beach. I got to show-off my legs cause they are the only thing worth looking at on me. You know...i'm not as young and as good looking as you so my legs are the only thing I got going for me.

Ace,
Great advice. I have been scribbling all sorts of tips and tidbits of info for my trip, and have been dreading trying to go through all the scraps of paper, and sloppy writings. This is great, I can just print your advice and have a nice, neat, and consolidated cheat sheet.

I am absolutely out-of-control excited about my first trip.

Thanks again!!!!

mkOrion

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You can't hurt steel, baby!!!!!

Ace
great listbut...I always wear shorts in San Jose. The weather is beautiful and no matter what I do, its hard for me to "blend in" with the ticos. I am proud to be a gringo tourist and the locals have treated me like family for the last few years.
The bottom line is to wear whatever makes you comfortable. Behave like a gentleman and you will have no problems with the locals.

DG

I wore shorts most of the time I was there. But, be forewarned, you better expect more than one tica to grab your wang at the BM if your wearing shorts. Everytime I sat down, there was always some tica trying to get her hands up my shorts and on the goods. This would normally be a good thing but after a couple days in SJO, your boys will need a break any chance they can get it. I also violated about half of his tips and had no problems. The bottom line is common sense, if you don't want to be a victim, don't act like victim. I'm not a big drinker either so I usually have my sense about me when I'm wandering the seedier parts of SJO. I think on my next visit I'll just wear a toga or maybe just a towel. So, I don't have to waste all that time getting dressed and undressed.

Ace, Love the post...
Though I must say I am a Gringo and proud of it... And during the day I wear shorts... I like to be comfortable during the day and no pair of jeans is every going to make me look like a tico...

And Besides I have much better legs then Dino ....

Dino, The white shorts have to go though..

And MK.. the only thing that meets the excitement of the 1st trip is how depressed your going to be when you come home.

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"Success isn't having $$ it is knowing how to Spend It"

DG...come to think of it..I've never seen you in pants. Do you even bring pants to CR?

Hamer...ding..ding.ding..give this man a prize. The number one reason I wear shorts to the Blue Marlin is so that the ladies can have a quicker access to my equipment.

Gman...yes, but my legs look manly where yours are cute and look girly. Hey..and what's wrong with my white short. Don't make me break out my Hawaiian short...oh yeah.

Gman and Dino, stop the uncalled for bickering, and leave the leg showing to the chicas. I have seen better legs, than both of you, on frogs.

MK, Gman is right. As a recent 1st timer, I can say that the post trip depression does set in. All I can think about is going back. Have a Great Trip!!!

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I have a full on robot chubby

Ace; Excellent list of 20 tips and I agree with all except one. Due to the activities of the immigration police in random checking at various locations both in San Jose and at tourist locations around the country I suggest that mongers strongly consider having their passport on them (in a secure location where it cannot easily be pickpocketed) at all times (well, maybe not all times! ).

I understand some mongers do not want to take the chance of losing their passport in this manner and I suppose it boils down to a choice and issue of risk. Would you rather risk losing a passport or risk being confronted by immigration police and not have a passport and risk some time in a jail. Without re-visiting my own experience of June of this year (plus other mongers with me) I now choose to carry my passport and bring several copies of the passport and keep a couple of those copies in my room safe.

I think that as long as mongers make an informed choice on this it is, of course, whatever they do is fine. Hope this is helpful.
Easy

I really agree with Easy on this one. I have absolutely no desire to spend even a few hours in the SJ Crossbar Hotel and have started carrying my original passport with me at all times and leaving copies in the hotel or apartment.

I use a really lightweight cloth money belt that fits under my clothes and rides in the back below the beltline. Holds my passport and any large bills comfortably and securely.

I find I am much more conscious of security since some Tico stole my watch right off my wrist in broad daylight on Ave Central without me even knowing it. It could have been my passport and that would have been a real pain. So, I will carry my passport but am careful to carry it safely.

mexpat

Have there been anymore instances of immigration officials asking for passports, besides the infamous time involving easy?. I'm just trying to asess the level of risk and probability.

Great tips. I think any newbies traveling should write them down.

I always wondered why people were allowed to sell departure tax outside of the airport while the loudspeaker tells you not to buy from them. The reason is the airport gets a commision on the departure tax stamps they are selling. I have bought outside my last 10 visits and have never had a problem. I am curious if anyone has ever bought outside and actually had a problem.

They no longer sell departure stamps outside the airport...all sales are inside the airport.
To avoid long lines at the airport, you can buy the departure vouchers at the Cartago Bank near Parque Central

DG

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