www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Excellent one Nhhank. My friend used this strategy building his house and he probably saved at least 15%.

One of the brothers while at the SL (I wont mention names) said he pays in colones because the girls still equate 40k with $80 and 50k with $100. I am not sure about this one.

I do recommend that you use colones for all purchases. Exchange your dollars somewhere at the full rate. This will keep you from getting a currency hit in every soda/tiende or bar that uses a bad rate.


BKTUNA
I am never going home

It's usually true, most chicas still use the 500:1 exchange rate. There are a few sharp ones that know they are getting screwed so they ask for more colones.

I tend to shop at stores and markets that have their prices clearly marked.
In the past when I've inquired about the price of an unmarked item I feel that I've been sized-up and given the 'Gringo price'.
If the price of an item is clearly marked at least you know that you're paying the same as everybody else.

I always pay in colones.You are not in the US.Why not pay in the local currency.I always quote prices in colones as well.Big money saver.

In general they know the difference between 50k colones and a hundo, because they change the hundo afterwards for 58k colones. The real reason colones works better is the 50k does not break the unionized rules that they try to uphold, but when you say 50k colones almost all are ok with that it also keeps their pride in tact the still feel like a cien girl although its really 85 bucks or so. More than we think amounts to pride and feelings that they are a top commodity (think about they need all the self esteem building they can do....maybe not the colombians they think their shiiiit dont stink)..... 50k does not lower them in their minds so they will take it..especially these days. The day time girls drop their prices fast these days real fast

My favorita from this last trip would absolutely not accept colones; she wanted dollars only. When I asked her why, her reply was...
"Considering the current world economic situation and the volatility of the colon versus other currencies, I feel that the dollar is more stable. The only currency other than dollars that I would accept would be the euro..." (True story). Some of these ladies are far sharper businesswomen than we think...

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Here are some other money-saving tips:

1. Hand launder lighter wieght clothing, including socks and underwear. A 3-ounce travel size bottle of Woolite or Wisk is perfect, and is enough to do several items by hand in your lavatory sink.

2. Rather than paying "por pedazo," get your laundry done by weight ("por peso"). I know of at least four lavanderias within walking distance of the Gulch, including Sixaola (near the Gran Hotel C.R.) and Lavanderia Camila (across the street from the Soledad church on c. 9, two blocks south of the Presidente). Neither of these is the cheapest, BTW. While walking/busing, look for hand-lettered signs reading "Lavanderia" or "Se lava ropa." You can often get 4 kg. of wash done for under 1500 CRC

3. Dicker and hagggle: Yes, you need Spanish. Anywhere along the mercado Central or at the feria agricola south of the Gulch, you can get ridiculous deals by haggling. I don't think it's so much "the gringo gouge" that costs us extra money as it it the unfamiliarity of haggling and striking a bargain. This can also be done with the chicas (see below)

4. Not all working girls in C.R. are obvious, and 80% of them never visit our favorite bars and MPs. Particularly near the end of the month, a gentle smile and inquiring look can connect you with a "non-pro." Like everybody else, pretty women often need to pay the rent, and even if she doesn't label herself a prostitute, she will rent it to the right man. Spanish absolutely required here. Look for these girls at paradas for buses going to Desamporados, Alajuelita, Pavas or other poorer parts of town.

5. Particularly if you have a favorita/repeat provider, you can often strike bargains with her. Believe it or not, beyond professional pride and a dearly-held price point, many of these ladis have a sense of justice. Explaining that the drinks/meals/gifts also have value, reminding her how good the sex/affection has been etc. can turn a $80.00 hour into an $80.00 TLN. I've done it with amazing ease. I even had a provider this last trip offer a freebee, simply because she had to cut out of our first session together to answer a family emergency. When I explained that a free session would not be fair to her and offered 20K CRC, the "make-up" hour turned into a three hour party. Work the cultural love of bargaining to your advantage.

6. Steak? Burgers? Lays potato chips? Forget that shit until you return home. Honestly, you'll save money by eating the fish and local produce that the ticos eat. This was mentioned by BKTuna above, but it bears repeating. Save your pizza cravings until you get home, but enjoy the cheap seviche, tortillas, plantanos maduros con queso etc.

6a. Water: I spent a ghastly amount of money on bottled water during my recent trip. In fact, this isn't necessary. The local water is perfectly safe to drink and doesn't taste bad (depending upon locale, of course). If you're concerned about water safety, buy a 1 liter filtration bottle (Wal*Mart, $6.95) to drink with greater peace of mind.

6b. Drink locally. Forget American brands, switch to rum instead of whiskey or vodka. Try guaro (Casique is a good brand and very inexpensive). Guaro and Fresca is a delicious drink. If you insist on Jack & Cokes or Grey Goose, you're going to spend more money than you have to.

I think a fun and interesting part of travel is to at least try local foods, drinks and customs. If you're spoiled and "must" bring your foo-foos, Arabica coffee, Maker's Mark or whatever habits with you, you'll pay for the priviledge. In my view, guys who refuse to leave McDonald's and Budweiser behind in the U.S. are missing part of the fun of travel...just MHO.

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Good tips El C

One time I missed my Plane
Went back outside... Depature level spotted a cab that just did a drop off... A red one I had an Idea this guy was going back to SJ empty
How much to my hotel???? 20 he says.... No thanks I will go back downstairs and walk away Mi amigo how about ten???? Sure Vamanos
Try this if you go up to change money it is hit or miss

Here's some more tips on keeping the price of sex down. El Ciego was on point with his "end of the month" advice:

1. Avoid the Hotel Del Rey,Key Largo and the Sportsmen's Lodge when looking for sex. Often you can pick up the same girls at a 50% discount at the New York Bar during the day. 40 dollars max plus taxi no more no exceptions.

2. Avoid HLH New Fantasy and other gringo tourist traps...Many gems are to be found at the tico oriented MPs around town as well documented on the board.

3. Avoid getting a novia. As well documented, "free sex cost you more than P4P" Better to become an "amigovia" with a working girl, and wait until she gets sweet on you. Eventually she will let you bang her for nada. Let her work all she wants. Assist her in her job when needed. May have to help her a little financially here and there to smooth out her cash flow...but never take her off the market. You will have to deal with her pleas for you to do this...ignore them...she will get the picture...

Always remember saving money costs a little more in time and effort...be prepared for this...if you need rapid results you will end up paying retail.

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

Cost saving tips that can also improve your experience.

1) Try to session at Tico MPs at least 25 percent of your total needed nuts

2) Buy fruit for your room for snacks- eat it for breakfast.

3) Eat at least half of your other meals in Soda's or local joints.

4) Learn to say no to requests from drinks from random Chicas.

5) Negotiate TLNs, which are usually not that much more from non-hardcore chicas- Sometimes spending a bit more and being very satisfied will actaully save you money.

6) Drink beer at a local place like Bar Camolot (ton's of fun), and foo foo drinks at the DR.

7) Try a coulple of meals at the Mercado Central.

If you an do so for free (for inernatoinal flight), take a larger check in suitcase, and bring a bit of extra clothes and all the things you may need. This may save on the insodentals.

9) Negotiate your hotel rate- never hurts to try, especially during hard times.

10) Bring very cheap trinkets from dollar stores for "tips" and gifts. 20 bucks worth or so an last the whole trip and keep you in excellent standing without the need for tips. Such kindnesses before a session (and think about it, for one dollar?) can often extend a session with a non-hard coare girl who finds you playfull and fun.

11) If you have a mini bar, ask them to empty it and replace with your own stuff.

12)Conciously skip a day of sessioning (or, do one instead of the usually four or five ). This will save you some cash and often improve the otherall quality of sessions.

13) Take the bus to a nearby city and roam around, just explore. Cheap and fun, and gets you out of the daily monger expentatures.

14) Spend a couple of hours a day on some project/fun thing that you have wanted to do for some time. This will also get you out of the spending mode and actaully add some texture to the trip. Examples would be two hours of Spansh study or that chapter in your great American Novel, whatever.

15) Just phucking chill- sometimes we feel so obliged to go balls to the wall that it is almost not fun. Listen to your body and spirit and know when to back off..

_________________
I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

1) Do the opposite of everything I do...

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Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

Haha! Yes, do the opposite of what G.R. does, and what I did on my last trip.

I would add the following, based upon my experience last trip: Many chicas have hrd-luck stories. These stories are most often true, but one monger cannot save her nor can he save the world. Your destiny is not and never was to be Capitan Salvaputa. Do not feel so sorry for these ladies that you overpay or give money for free. It serves no good purpose, in my experience.

Hank Daemon, P.R. - Great tips!

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

"I want to teach the world to sing/ In perfect harmony"...but that's not going to happen either. Doesn't mean you have to be hard-hearted or utterly cynical; it does mean you have to pick your objects of empathy carefully...lest you descend to hard-heartedness or cynicism. Please remember "empathy" means feeling with, not feeling for--and that's tough to do unless you are very in the culture--essentially, for most folks this means either growing up in a dual-cultural environment or turning your back on your own. That old adage: You don't know a language 'til you dream in it--seems to fit here.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Hank,
Good post. I am definitely want to take a short bus trip to roam around on my upcoming visit. If you have suggestions I would like to hear them....