www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Maminm there is a map available on the home page.

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

marcado central is it in aveindo central? i have seen the map.. it taklks about the road avenda central.. is it where marcado central is?

Si, it's 1 square block at Ave. Central y Ave. 1 and Calle 6 y Calle 8

thank you pacoloco

Let me jump in on Mercado Centro cuz I love the authentic Tico experience of the place. It's a huge indoor market building with all manner of stuff for sale (saddles, pets and hats and housewares) plus a ton of sodas and fresh-food merchants. I believe all the sodas are safe to eat in. It's worth an hour to walk thru. It's on the Monger Map. Might be a bit of a walk from the Castillo (depending on your physical condition. In person it's a landmarked, yellow-colored building. Walk up to Avenida Cental (the pedestrian walkway)and turn left--you'll see it
Gringo Gulch (the Gulch) is the area most frequented by us and extends from the Hotel del Rey (HDR) or the Presidente to the Sportsmens Lodge (SL)--I call the area the SL, La A, Cafe Mundo are in by a subset name The Neighborhood.
Bottled water is best bought by the case at a supermarket like Auto Mercado or maybe HiperMas--there's an AM near the HLH/Dunn Inn.

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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

Looks like the brotherhood gave you good answers to follow up questions. As far as where to try to pick up chica? Everywhere! Groceries, supermarkets, on the street, ect. Of course, odd are low and you have to play the numbers, and not act like an asshole tourist, but just put out feelers. Not everyone's style, but fun if you are going to be around for a bit, and again, a free sport to play (unless you score and have to take her for a date- movied are cheap though ). Mercardo central is mabye a 15 minute walk from the Castillo, I would say, but that could be off by a bit. As far as the need for Spanish? I will let those who don't speak answer that questoin for you. If you even speak a little, it goes a long way to try

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

When visiting Mercado Central... make sure you are all "buttoned-up". The market is notorious for being a haven for pick-pockets. I make at least one trip to the mercado whenever in SJ. There are many sodas and mariscorerias on the lower level, and fresh food vendors on the street-level outer perimeter. Interspersed throughout the building are vendors of live poultry, flowers, kitchen ware, gadgets and souvenirs. There is exceptional variety, reasonable prices... but make sure you know where your money and valuables are all the time.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

thank you soo much all.. it has been a great help!!!

I have been reviewing the map lately just a question , stupid one but just to be sure, will all the calles and aviendas will be posted like on the side of the street? even the ones that doesnt have a traffic light? like smaller roads...will they still be visible on each intersection?

Not all of the calles and avenidas are clearly marked. In fact seems like half or more are not.

And the signs for the streets that do have them are located on the side of a building, not on signposts at the corner; in some cases you have to hunt for them. Street addresses are rarely used in CR, instead locations are referenced by the number of meters (100 meters is a "block" whether or not it's actually 100 meters) from a landmark, even if that landmark no longer exists (like the Coca Cola plant). For example, if a taxi driver doesn't know where the Hotel La Amistad is, say it's 100 meters west of the Hospital Caldreron Guardia.

"The Gulch" is the gringo area of Barrio Amon (Sportsmen's Lodge, Castillo, Amistad, Hotel Little Havana area). As far as the regular girls, you do need to know some Spanish and have a little bit of game. Most aren't going to go out with you just because you are from the US. It can be done but it does take some effort. Good luck with it and let us know how it goes. Buena suerte!

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El Gringo

any recommendations for places to go---even to meet visiting single ladies?