www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Gday Gentlemen

I have a few of questions listed below , i was hoping i could seek some advice and wisdom from some of the more experiancend CRT vets. First a quick run down of my plans I'm coming to SJ for 12 nights for the first time ever and I'm arriving in late june and i have booked a rm at la amistad for 6 nights but i wouldn't mind maybe checking out Jaco or somewhere else for a day trip or overnighter to the coast or maybe just stay in SJ for the whole time.The main purpose for my visit is to get amongst the ticas drink some beers an relax.

- Is la amistad a good option for my base for the first 6 nights and will there be like minded individuals staying there?

- Would 2 wks be to long in SJ ( is there enough ticas to keep me occupied ) ?

- Im planing to hit up the MPs through the day then hit places like DR of a night time. IS that the best bet ?

- If i was to stay somewhere else in SJ for the remainder of my trip just to try another place what would be a good option?

- My español is limited will this make it harder with picking up the Ticas?

- Is it possible to walk safely to the DR from la amistad of a day or night time?

Any advice is better then no advice.

JP, they are called 'chicas' and not ticas. A Tica is a female Costa Rican citizen. There are 3 year old Ticas, and 90 year old Ticas. And misusing the term in front of Ticos can get you injured.

Read up on Orange's newbie post. Many of your questions can be answered there.

La Amistad is an excellent venue.

2 weeks isn't long enough. On any given night there are 200 chicas in the HDR alone.

MPs are your cheapest bang for the buck, but some of them may frighten you into celibacy.

Once you are on the ground, check out Sportsmens Lodge, Hotel Castillo, Scores, Zona II, and HDR. I heard strange rumors about Mona Lisa, but look into it as well.

Just do the best with your Spanish, and learn "Desculpe" ... to get out of whatever trouble your tongue gets you into.

Hit the SL, and have a vet show you the direct path to HDR. I never use a cab (unless I have a chica), but everyone is different.

Oh, and become a member of CRT before you go. You will save more than you spend on it.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

jp...........

Check your PM's.

RE: Our good brother Bash's comment concerning never using a taxi, this may not be a good choice at night. As my amiga Daisy from the old HLH once assured me..."your life is worth a $2 taxi ride", to which I had to agree. Personally I can't run anymore, probably wouldn't win a fight of any consequence(do know how to inflict pain in the process though), and use taxis most anytime after dusk for all but the easy walk from La Amistad to SL. To each his own, but please never hesitate to use a red taxi(show them a rojo-red colones bill worth basically $2) and tell them the destination, and have a safe ride if any doubt exists about walking. Be sure to read Bash's reports from the past, and if you are a stout past full back with good stiff arm, try the parque espana route about midnight. jajajaja not really!

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

just note that I did not advise, just commented. Personally, I cannot see myself paying $4 for a 5 minute walk, unless it is raining or I have a chica. Also, the cabs outside of SL are worse ripoff than the ones from the HDR. I had a guy charge us $8 to get to Castros. A red cab simply asked for rojo on the back trip.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Very good post, BD - the more experienced you get the more the misuse of a certain term tends to annoy, correct?

I'm more in your corner regarding cabs, b/c for YEARS I made the walk from the Presidente to the HDR and the KL - saw some annoying druggies ("One coin" assholes) but I never felt unsafe. But for late at night, it can make sense to take a cab - while I really don't want to open this can of worms, somewhere between the guys who think at night you need to take a cab even if you are going a block, and guys who walk all over, alone - there is likely a happy medium. New guys should probably tend towards taking the cab

And yes, if you are at the Sportsmans or the Delrey, or the Key Largo, the cabs are rip offs - so much so that the HDR<certainly not a bastion - in my book - of consumer protection ) has a sign stating that they are not affiliated with the hotel - so go down a block and grab one there.

(Most problems have the following elements included in the story of guys getting in trouble, or getting assaulted in San Jose:

It was very late
I was really drunk
I was by myself
There was this chica involved.......

Avoid the above, and you avoid 98% of the problems )

My answers to your questions are in red below.




WRONG. If I told you that it's ok to go to Elite or Hollywood strip club and open a tab, I'm giving you crappy advice. It would have been better if I just kept my mouth shut.

(In case you haven't read about it, these are 2 of the rip-off strip clubs that will pad your bill and charge you hundreds for only a lap dance, and they WILL make you pay it too.)

"One day many years ago, Grandpa was out looking for whores in this shitty part of Central America, and a bad man with a machete told me to give him my wallet. I didn't hand it over fast enough, so he sliced a part of my arm off. Grandpa had to masturbate with his left hand ever since."

YO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

with this mentality, it makes me wonder why you set foot in such a horribly dangerous two-bit country at all? I don't brag about walking at night ... I'm just not a pu*sy who's afraid of every blowing piece of dust in his path. I also don't go looking for trouble, and know when to *not* go down a dark street.

Perhaps you've seen these machete-wielding madmen in the HDR area lately, but I haven't, and I fail to see why I should waste my money on rip-off taxi services when I have never seen nor heard first-hand accounts of anyone having an issue lately walking at night from HDR to the Sportsmens and back.

Having added up every night-time walk I took on my last trip (solo or with a wing), and based upon the standard 2k charge from SL or HDR, I would have paid over $60. Sure it's not a lot of money to ensure your *safety*, but just remember those taxi drivers may be carrying the machete that night as well. Especially the 'special' private taxis.

I do not disagree with your assessment that newbies that do not know their way around should stick to taxis when solo at night, but I take issue with your opinion that someone who knows their way around is 'bragging' when making a simple statement that they are willing to walk the path.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Another good piece of advice is if you are coming solo, try to hook up with some other guys headed down the same time, you can make arrangements here and meet at your hotel or SL, besides being more fun, making new friends, there's safety in numbers. I've been coming here 10 years and walk pretty much anywhere in the day time (I know where the bad areas are) but I typically take a cab at night, especially if you're a newbie and don't know your way around, also if you're slightly inebriated, you make a tempting target.

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

Bashful, I really think that your success in walking around at night is that as a dwarf you present such a small profile that you are overlooked by the muggers. Also the glue sniffers and crackheads obviously think that such a small object carrying a pick and a sack over his shoulder and singing HI Ho Hi Ho, it's off to the Del Rey I go" is a drug-induced hallucination, and let you go merrily on your way.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Orange wrote: "WRONG. If I told you that it's ok to go to Elite or Hollywood strip club and open a tab, I'm giving you crappy advice. It would have been better if I just kept my mouth shut.

(In case you haven't read about it, these are 2 of the rip-off strip clubs that will pad your bill and charge you hundreds for only a lap dance, and they WILL make you pay it too.)"

Excellent ''advice"...I'm a 10 year visiting mongrel monger who also lived here 2 years and NEVER visited a strip club! I probably never will, I get so much at the HDR, SL all the MP's and the ones I've made friends with I have no desire to go to these dubious places, most are in bad neighborhoods, you have to go there late at night, and are potential rip off traps. I don't bother, plus I usually get plenty in the daytime, then get an evening girl from HDR, SL or Key Largo. Perhaps one day I'll go to one recommended here with a group of fellow mongers, but unlikely anytime soon...

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

actually, it's my cloak of invisibility that gets me through. And in the evenings, Dwarfs don't do the "Hi ho" melody ... we very softly hum the Mission Impossible theme as we scamper along fenceposts ... scares the bejesus out of the locals!

In all seriousness, first-timers take taxis because they just don't know their way around. But once they've walked it several times in the daylight, they can decide whether they want to stick with taxi services, or just walk the distance.

Yes, there is always the chance that you will become THE statistic ... but I do not trust the cabbies anymore than the people on the streets. And my last trip, there was no one in the streets at night ... and hardly any trannies on the corners. This may just be a temporary thing, but I took advantage of the quiet and pocketed my taxi money for a session somewhere.

I have heard many times the state of the area from times past ... how a taxi ride between the HDR and the Morazan was necessary (a 45 second walk), but since my brief time in the gulch, it has been cleaned up and those situations no longer exist. Maybe the pendulum will swing back, but until it does, I feel comfortable walking (alert, not drowsy/drunk/confused/lost/etc) to my destinations.

I simply don't like taking cabs. Not bragging, just sayin'.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

This mentality has served me well. I've done over 70 trips to CR (about 60), Colombia, Dom Rep, Thailand, and Europe, and biz trips to India and Taiwan. I may seem like a pu*sy to you, but to me it's just smart thinking. $2-3 cab ride is no big deal since it guarantees that I won't run into the wrong guy on my way back. I have not had any trouble anywhere. I dealt with enough violence growing up in Brooklyn to have any desire to have to deal with that shit again. All it take is one time, wrong place, definitely wrong time (10pm-4am), and you could be regretting your decision. On Friday, my CR brother-in-law found out about the dangers of the night. Attempted motorcycle-jacking turned into a bullet in the backside that lodged in the interstines and may now have to shit in a bag for the rest of his life. There's a reason why guys who have been coming here for years and years all (most) give the same advice. The streets are not safe at night. Period!

You have what about 4 trips under your belt and already you are telling newbies to walk back to their hotels at night? If you had been around in late 2000's, you would know what I mean by machetes. There was a guy on this board that used to brag about having no fear walking about from HDR to the Prez with all the gold and rings on after midnight. Well, one day it caught up with him. 2 guys with machetes came out from the shadows as he turned down the block from HDR and relieved him of all his fancy jewelry. Grant it, most guys'who walk at night don't flash gold, but it's a similar mindset. BTW, criminals still carry and use them. Even if you think you are not advising anybody to walk home at night, the mere fact that you mention doing it will give newbies, who don't know better, the idea that it's safe to do so; you don't have to explicitly state it.

I'm glad that the guys who walk at night have mostly not been robbed or hurt, I really do, I don't wish harm on anybody. But to mention it to newbies is a bit irresponsible. Why even mention it, just keep it to yourself. Don't give some wide eyed newbie an idea. That's all I'm saying.

Netgems. there are two types of strip/night clubs (Actually 3 if you add in the non P4P places where the "hunt" is on!!). There are the places like Elite(De Pelufo Paseo Colon), Tango India, Hollywood (heard it was closed-can someone confirm?, Lipstick) that are worse than rip-offs!! Funny thing- many of these places (they have come and gone over the years) are Gringo owned!!! And there are the Tico owned clubs where prices are reasonable, service is generally good, chicas are a mixture from hot to cold, crowd is mostly Tico, and the facilities are not generally up to USA standards! I am now an Old fart and seldom go to these places anymore but a few years ago there was nothing more fun than going to le Grillon, Pandera Rosa, Arcadas, and others with a group of other guys!! Many, many fantastic memories. Actually my favorite night time place was the old Park Hotel-now that was a great place especially on Thursday night!!! I never have felt ripped off, never was robbed, never felt any fear from the "non gringo surroundings", and ALWAYS had a great time!!!

Once again I will say "most all who do have a problem on the streets here are DRUNK, wearing loud cloths which attracts attention and says "I am a dumb tourist", wearing expensive jewelry and carrying cameras, smartphones, and other costly gadgets that you don't need on the streets (keep them hidden away in your pockets), and, worst of all, they were being loud and stupid!!! Don't do things to attract anymore attention than being a gringo already does, and you are much, much less likely to have a problem anywhere in any country!!!

Now my comment "non Gringo surroundings" brings up another subject that has been alluded to in this thread and many others. At the risk of upsetting and even making some "mad" I must say many Gringos who come here are afraid of their own shadow!! I know it is human nature to be apprehensive of the strange, the different, the unknown, but God, there are a lot of (sorry) "pussies" who come here. My comment to those so afraid that they never get out and explore and enjoy the "out of the way" places, and never walk anywhere here - "Stay at home and spend your money on the Gringa and Asian (AMPs) prostitutes"!!!!

THIS IS A 3RD (or 2nd depending on who you believe) WORLD COUNTRY . Why in hell would anyone come here expecting (and only wanting) everything to be just like it is in "small town USA". No, it is not going to be as clean and sanitary as you might be use to-I have seen many places in the USA just a dirty as places here. No, it is not 100% safe in some areas and at some times of the day/night-Every major city in the USA has the same type places and the overall crime rates are higher than here. Yes, you might get sick eating in some places--The US over-protection programs are the culprit in this case-Gringos are so over protected that the "good" bacteria in their bodies have been destroyed!! I have been going to, and living in 3rd world countries since I was 20. I have always eaten in the local (street vendors and back ally) places, have drank the water, have gone to "shitty" places that most Gringos would never go, have had sex in some places that would make 6th street here look like Rodeo Drive!!! and I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN SICK ( sorry, once in Cancun in a very "American" 5 star restaurant) from what I ate, food or otherwise , Have never gotten an STD (only in the USA did that ever happen to me), and I have never been robbed nor even felt threatened (was pick pocketed once getting off a bus, but I was being very carless at the moment!! and that happens in the USA much more frequently than here!!!

I have been coming here for 20 years and living here the last 8. I walked thru Morazon Park very late every night I was ever here before moving here (and that was before they put in the lights). I walk from the SL to my bus stop a block down the hill past the REY quite often at night. I have probably spent more hours walking the streets of downtown San Jose than any other 10 Gringos combined. I have spent many hours (day and night) in 15 de Septembre de Hatillo and have never been bothered nor even felt fear (I know I am stupid -according to some here) . BUT, I do not go out on the streets drunk, I do not wear cloths that attract attention, I do not carry nor wear anything expensive. I do not act like a tourist, but rather I walk with purpose and like I know exactly where I am going, AND, most important, I am not loud and boisterous, I am not the "better than everyone else Gringo", I am polite and courteous, I speak to people I meet on the streets, even the trannies , and I HAVE NEVER HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM!!

Yes, I could have a problem today (I am going to 6th street alone!!!) but guess what? In my opinion risk is a part of enjoying life. You are more likely to die from a car accident in the USA than from a ladron on the streets of Chepe!!!! Would you tell a mountain climber he should take a helicopter to the top a the mountain instead of climbing it, denying him the thrill of discovery

The one thing that really upsets me is when I hear "Well I am on vacation and I am going to act and dress any way I want!!" God, but that is asking for trouble whether here or ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD!!! So what if you are an "AMERICAN" - they could care less!! And by the way here in Costa Rica (and in most other Latin 'AMERICAN' countries, most of these people (their families) HAVE BEEN 'AMERICANS' MUCH LONGER THAN YOU OR YOUR FAMILY HAVE BEEN! YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY "AMERICANS'

All this said, EVERYONE SHOULD DO WHAT MAKES THEM COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY!! But preaching fear because of a very small number of incidences relatively speaking, condemning a place with very little actual first hand knowledge (but a lot of hearsay), and telling people to NEVER walk anywhere in Chepe is just plain stupid! Advise them of what you think is best for YOU but do not tell them that if you walk you will get robbed, knifed, shot, etc!! And NO, I am not recommending that newbies (nor anyone who does not feel comfortable) walk at night here!!!! I am just saying that "life is a risk" and if you do not sometimes take that risk, is it really worth living??

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!