www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Come on guys … help me out here … Am I witnessing or on the cusp of a great rise and decline of great P4P in San Jose as much of us have come to know it in the last decade?

I know as every era comes to an end another begins … and although I have only 7 years of experience in SJ under my belt …. I will quote Vince Lombardi and say: “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AROUND HERE …”

Can’t imagine the series of happenings within at least the last calendar year or so makes San Jose as appealing of a “vacation” destination as it used to be. I am not one who is consistently up on the goings ons, but surely the climate seems to be changing and it doesn’t sound necessarily for the better

Now surely, I am not oblivious to the obvious…

It is still a Field of Dreams out there for many ... “If they Shake it … men will cum” no pun intended.

Other then the above, we do all make the pilgrimage to SJ for different reasons… some solely for the flesh while other try to incorporate an all-inclusive experience where being free to roam safely matters, accommodations matter, activities matter, reasonable to good pricing matters, good eating matters and fellowship matters … to be able to have all of one of those things in abundance or a balance of them all is what has personally kept me coming back.

But I am starting to sense things changing in my gut … and hopefully its just a mirage or me overdoing it on 25 cent wing night.

Here is what I can, just off the top of my head, remember reading in the last year or so in no particular order

• New woman President with an eventual agenda of “cleaning-up” San Jose
• Raid at Del Rey by policia
• Raid at HLH by policia where they do significant physical damage to the place
• Raid/Robbery at HLH by off duty policia (or criminals disguised as policia) leaving at least the front desk lady with a busted nose or something
• Ousting of popular liason (BKtuna) from Dunn Inn initiating over unfounded drug allegations after he completed the physical and image re-birth of the Dunn … and then the establishment goes out to stick it to the patrons by massive double bookings , unfavorable conversion rates, etc
• Raids and/or periodic temporary closings of NF
• Owner of NF shot gangland style (10 times?) Wow!!!

And when you add these to the always prevalent … gringo pricing, drink hustles, waiters/waitresses padding bills, taxi drivers trying to screw you, hotel over charges, chica fees, exchange rate, escalating MP pricing and it seems more and more there is some vagrant following you down the street for a hand out or to sell you something.

(Yes , some of these final items are part and parcel for any international American traveler anywhere you go, but these things are becoming more and more common place almost to where the mind set is to expect it.)

THIS IS NOT YOUR DADDY’S COSTA RICA ANYMORE!!!! LOL

…and not that I ever expected things to never change … change is the way of things, but Damn … it’s starting to sound like one should take the chances with the Cartel Battles roaming Tijuana … LOL.

Before anyone gets their granny panties extra frilly … I will say this list is not all-inclusive but just things from my recollection… it is not to taint the good experience one can still have coming to San Jose (I’ll be there soon) but some may dispute the incidents above and others may know that there are a million and one things that were left out.

For me the questions still remain … ”WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AROUND HERE…? “

Is there reason for more than casual concern?

Are these all isolated, unrelated happenings?

Are we going into a new era of P4P in San Jose where we have to be more cognizant of raids and shootings, security, safety?

Or is all this “status quo” and just a product of more prevalent media type outlets and forums like CRT, that didn’t exist as strongly as before and finding out about such happenings are merely a mouse click or 2 away ... or simply on your hip in your I-phone or Blackberry?

One more to add to the list........the closing of the New York Bar.

As the guys who live in CR have said, if you only stay in the Gulch then you'll get a very distorted view of the country. Most of those issues and "problems" are of no concern to the bulk of the "real" tourists, those who come for the beaches, rain forest, wildlife, etc.; they are only a concern to perverted old men who come just to phuick hookers.

Personally, as long as there are chicas at the SL and HLH is open then I'll be just fine. My trips to CR have now become equally split between visits to HLH and doing things like taking long walks in Parque Sabana, taking the bus to Volcan Poas, going rafting on the Pacuare, and other non-hooker activities. I'm not really a "monger" like most of the guys on this board, so I can continue to have a good time.

Condo for Sale

Best offer Wins

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Good advice on getting outside the gulch. I've only ever been able to spend about 3 days in the gulch before wanting to blow my brains out. So many other cool spots to explore around the city.

+ 1

Get the hell out of the gulch (and / or Jaco) and you'd be amazed at what a different country you'll see! Then you'll be able to understand what the "REAL" Costa Rica is all about!

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

I'd do the same thing if I'd confined myself to just the Del Rey or Sportsmen's. Get outside the sleaze pit that is the Gulch and you'll see that the country isn't all that bad.

Ok, kitchen utensils and cat included.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Well, if things do indeed change in CR, the world still goes on. From what I hear there is plenty of action in lots of other hot spots in Latin America. And unless man manages to change his core nature, p4p will always be out there to spare.

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=27382

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

Don't take this personally Kenny P. sure expand your horizons but who on this site goes to CR primarily for the monkeys or to take long walks in the park with Hiker Tom? You guys are saying SJ will suck less if one visits the rest of CR. I've seen the "real CR" and still prefer the wildlife in HDR on a Thu. night.

Change and impermanence are the only constants. You can expect most P4P scenes to reduce in scope or disappear altogether as cultures and economies change. I predict the scene in Costa Rica will be almost gone for us within the decade. But there will be another up and coming spot to replace it.

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I believe in moderation in everything except excess.
I phuck 'em just to see the look on their face.
Klatu, berata, nicto.

what the hell? why do the "nay" sayers always say "nay"? man up pudding pants! shit happens. as for crime. try setting up shop in arizona or new mexico, corrupt cops, raids, drug lords, we take that chance anywhere. as for boyd, i do not know the details, but respect him and wish him the best. ive always found it's best not to burn bridges with people until youve walked a mile in their glass house. boyd, guy, & all the crt guys are deeply respected by me. in conclusion, and for my final remarks, it is what it is, roll with it and SAN JOSE IS NOT ANY LESS APPEALING TO ME.

Walk a mile in tom's Gor-tex hikers
Then you find out what he pays for everything LMAO

As the founding member of The Costa Rica Does Not Suck Club
And Asst Editor of CRT Weeky Update (semi) I must respond to this post

1 The gringo hating owner of NF ... that was a hit
2 MG goes to CR to see monkeys !
3 Dear Laura has not made a move that effects us yet? she got lots of other problems
4 Boyd vs Done Inn Bad move... we will see
5 HLH I think all there problems as of late are due to the turmoil as to WHO is running the place? with the right person it would be happy again... spruce up the entry as well

I agree that Costa Rica is muy bonita I have traved far outside the gulch and done some fun things but after a few days begin to miss the Central Valley

It is what it is... break out of your zone and go to some other country, that is a good way to get a perspective on things

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And someone posted that non-paying members should not be allowed to post