www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hey guys, got a question. First, thanks for sharing all your knowledge with us new guys, it's greatly appreciated. I'm going to be in SJO next week and am trying to decide between Sportsmen's and La Amistad for the weekend. Then I'll go elsewhere to do touristy stuff and possibly return for that following weekend.
So far, this is what I've got:

SL
Pros
Miss Sportsmen's Lodge contest (I imagine there will be a lot of good talent there that night)
Ticas readily accessible in the lobby
Gym

Cons
Further away from the city or downtown from where everything is (non-mongering tourist destinations)

LA
Pros
All inclusive deal
Closer to downtown

Cons
I'd have to go elsewhere to find a tica?
Lack of a gym

Is there anything else you guys think I might consider in making my decision or anything I've missed or stated in error?
I'm thinking I might see two, maybe 3 chicas a day. Maybe better to just go on an MP exploration tour?
Also, I probably won't be coming back to CR for a while because there is so much more I want to explore out there. Would a VIP card still be a good call?

Thanks in advance guys~

both places are good. Most of your cons are insignificant.

closer to downtown-the LA & SL are a 2 minute walk from each other

finding chicas-the term is chicas not ticas-either right outside your door @ SL, or 2 minute walk from LA

gym-if an onsite gym is real important to ya, then it's the SL

as for the vip card, it can get ya 10-25% off @ the SL & LA & other discounts around the gulch so you gotta do the math.

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

Do either SL or LA have any rooms available? If not then all this comparison is moot.
You should check for availability, then make your reservation ASAP as rooms fill fast near Halloween!
Good luck

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"What it is, is what it will be!" An expression of Jamaican pidgin about the enevibility of life.

I fixed your post before Scuba1 chimes in...

I always tell first timers to stay at Sportsmens's for their newbie trip. Nothing like walking out of your room and finding chicas all over the bar, trying to get your attention and cash. Same thing goes for the HDR, except it's a much more hard-core and mercenary atmosphere.

As Sincity pointed out, SL and Amistad are a block away from each other. Distance to anything is going to be the same. You can stay at Amistad and spend all your time at SL looking for chicas (who might even be ticas... or nicas... or colombianas (rare these days) or dominicanas), then take them back to Amistad.

As Zabu pointed out, if you haven't made a reservation already you may be out of luck. SL and HLA get booked weeks/months in advance. Unless one has a last minute room cancellation, you might have to consider other options such as Mona Lisa, Castillo, Del Rey or Morazan.

The VIP card will pay for itself with the discounts on room and food during your first trip even if you just use it at the SL or Amistad.

Read Orange's thread for newbies, enjoy yourself, be sure to check out at least one MP, and be safe!

mh

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mh

(Tica simply means Costa Rican female; its not a catch all word for working girls Miamiheller knows its a peeve of mine, the misuse of the term, for which this site plays a role in confusing people, especially newbi's)

All I'll add is geography should play a zero factor in your decision - both are very close to each other, and closeness to "downtown" should not enter into it - they are w/in a few min's walk of the Hotel Delrey, and Key Largo; as a newbi you will want to see those places, but I can tell you between the Sportsmans, Hotel Little Havana/Zona Blue, and another massage parlor or 2 in that same area, the need for the HDR and KL may be limited. Still, their fame make them a mandatory destination.

I like the Sportsmans for a new guy b/c the possibility of meeting other guys, some of whom actually may know a lot and be willing to share with you. This is how you learn about CR.

You can't go wrong at either place, and if you avoid Halloween, very popular, I'd bet you what with green season and tourism down, you will be able to get a reservation - try Sportsmans first.

I just arrived for my first trip to CR and went through a similar dilemma. I chose the Amistad for the all inclusive rate and the hotel is quiet. Slept well the first night.

One thing to consider is the SL offers a $5 day pass to use the gym according to their website. I am going to check that out today. As others have stated it is a 5 min walk between the two so location is a moot point

Bill and Matt both deserve your money. Do it the fair way and flip a coin.

Stay at LA!!!!

This is my first time (arrived yesterday) and it is a very nice place. Matt & Don have been great hosts!

Thanks for all the replies guys. Super helpful.

Special thanks to mh for this:
"The VIP card will pay for itself with the discounts on room and food during your first trip even if you just use it at the SL or Amistad."

On that note, anyone gonna be in SJO this weekend?

my guess is you got the introductory complementary reach around

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood