www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Paco responded to a Josie post recently that it was nice to see someone open up and delve into the complicated quasi relationships that guys get into with working girls. I have been thinking for a while that we need to get back to informative helpful posts.

When I moved here four years ago the CRT veterans both local and tourist helped me immensely. There was not a question I could ask that did not get 5 well thought out answers.

In this vein, I am starting this thread for helpful ideas for the brotherhood. I am going to start with posts about how to save money while living or visting Costa Rica so that you have more to spend on important things like chicas, gambling and drinking.

In no order of importance, here are a few of the things that save me money:

1) Use the buses. I recently made two trips to Atenas to visit a buddy. The first trip my girlfriend and I spent 1200 colones on the bus and it took us directly to downtown Atenas. The bus was clean and the people on it were relaxed. Two weeks later, we went with another couple who insisted on a van. We spent $110 round trip and got there 10 minutes faster. The city buses are very cheap and ez. I come into town on a San Pedro bus that is 175 colones and I prefer riding it to being in a small Hyundai cab.

2) If you use cabs make sure the Maria (slang for meter) is on. It should start at 430 colones which is about 80 cents. If you use pirates make sure they are not gouging too much, Know the meter price from where you are going. Anywhere in the gulch the meter should not turn over. I see guys all the time paying 2k colones from the Sl to the DR. This is 4.5 times too much. Do not tip the drivers unless they have done something extra for you. They do not expect it and it will not improve your service.

3) Food here is relatively expensive in restaurants and groceries. Anything imported is very expensive. There are local products that are inexpensive. I eat a much larger component of fruit in my diet now. Mangos, Pineapples and bananas are very cheap. Apples and grapes are expensive. Eat lunch at the sodas (diners). There are many good one and some bad ones too.

4) Walk during the day. Avoid taxis alltogether and get some exercise.

5) We go to the movies on wednesdays. The price is 1,000 colones vs 1,800. I believe most cinemas have this discount. I know Multiplaza in Escazu and Mall San Pedro do. For 5,000 colones we get two movie tickets, popcorn and two drinks.

6) Remember that 10% gratuity is included in all restaurant and bar bills. Extra tipping shoud be scaled accordingly.


These are just a few, I will add more later. Lets get back to productive advice for the brotherhood.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

I want some of the guys who gave up posting for various reasons to come back and give us some input. Flamers should just be ignored anyway. I originally quit posting about my relationship because other chicas would read it and tell my girlfriend.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

i agree, i went pm only know matter what some said they got flamed, i plan one moving down less than year need all the help you can get thanks bk

Thanks BKtuna for steering things back in the right direction.

On topic of going to the movies- In case I want to splurge (and later splooge ) on my date where is the VIP movie theater with the recliners?

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Terra Mall headed east from San Pedro, every cabbie knows it. I thought a $1 bootleg dvd bought on Av central and played on your laptop was more of your style for datenight.

BKTUNA
I amnever going home

BKTUNA

I think you have an excellent idea. hope you get mucho support

_________________
"THE TRUTH IS' EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HURT YOU. YOU JUST GOTTA FIND THE ONE WORTH SUFFERING FOR"
Robert Nesta Marley

ADDITIONS TO THE SAVING MONEY LIST:

1. Have your shoes repaired in San Jose.

2. Have your alterations to clothes done in San Jose.

3. Go to the dentist in San Jose.

4. Buy generic drugs in San Jose.

Good ones Zebra,

Buy prescription meds in San Jose


BKTUNA
I am never going home

Buy alcohol and cigarettes on your way in and out of CR at the Duty-Free in SJO.

This one will only interest a small percentage but if you need any translation services (documents translated from Spanish into English, or vice versa) for business, legal, or whatever reason... do it in San Jose.

In CR, they charge under $25 a page. In the US, companies charge $75-150/page for translation service.

Not so much a money saving tip but more a SAVE YOUR MONEY tip. My novia taught me this one...

If you are riding the bus to it's destination at the parada, wait for all of the other passengers to disembark before you get off. You might also wait another moment for the crowd on the sidewalk to disperse. Pickpockets like to work on buses and in crowds. Don't give them the chance.

_________________
Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

eat at the local sodas on every street. not all are great but many are excellent deals for the money and you get to experience a more authentic version of the local food.
there are literally hundreds within walking distance of the areas we frequent. the one up like four doors from amistad is like 4 dollars for a screaming casado.

i love the three doller bus to jaco. catch it at coca cola

_________________
But mama, that's where the fun is

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

Use the CRT discount not just for hotel stays but for food and drinks at the various restaurants and bars that sponsor. I have saved hundreds of dollars at the Sportsmens. Read the sponsor list again to see who is on the list.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

I have a friend that is married to a tica
She does all the buying for the family to avoid the gringo tax
He has lived in CR for ten years and she still gets better deals than he does
So my tip is if you find something you want to buy, befriend a tico and send them to buy it