www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Well I'm gearing up for a four day jaunt in San Jose starting at the end of July. My 3 prior mongering trips have all been to the Dominican. Having recently relocated I can't get to Puerto Plata in a day anymore... sooooo I'm giving Costa Rica a shot and will make Scores home base for a few days. I have a few quick questions of our fraternal order.

1. Medications: Lot's of info on blue diamonds and vitamin C out there. If I want/need to get stuff like asthma medications is that doable without much difficulty? Any issue coming back to the USA with non narcotic prescriptions obtained in CR?

2. Color copy of passport, entry stamp, etc: Recommendations on places to get this done? Do I need to find a copy shop?

3. Calle 6: I must admit a degree of intrigue by the seediness/bargain hunt factor of these salas. Much of the reading on this area suggests one should fear for their life. I need some perspective though. Assume a mid-day visit: solo, sober, no flashy jewerly, limited cash etc. Estimated probability of a gringo returning to home base unharmed? Not counting one being relived of leche and the cost of a session.

4. Molino Rojo: Another intriguing establishment. From my research it sounds as if it had its heyday years ago. I did see a couple reports from late 2013, any updates? One can session on site, yes?

5. Bus system within San Jose: Anybody using these? Worth the effort during the day or no? I see lots on getting to other parts of CR using buses. Less so about traveling within the city.

Thanks in advance. Hope to meet some of the brethren in just over a month.

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This post is provided purely for entertainment purposes and free of charge on the part of the author. No tourist or travel promotion is expressed or implied. The author of this post was not provided compensation (monetary or otherwise) for this potentially entertaining contribution.

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

You can buy most meds in CR without a prescription. Only the addicting narcotics (Schedule II and III drugs in US) are hard to get without a script. Bringing meds back to US is not as big problem. There are laws in place for how much you can bring back with, and without a script. Do a search online.

I used to get the laminated credit card sized copy of the bio page and entry stamp. But in over 60 trips, I have only been asked to produce ID once at Bar Idem during an immigration check. So lately, I just ask hotel reception to make me a black and white copy of the bio page and the entry stamp. I trim it nicely and fold it up and stick it deep in my wallet so it won't get wet/damaged. But I speak Spanish, so I could talk my way out of a sitaution where that wasn't good enough. If you're new, a color copy is probably a good idea. The copy shop BangBang mentioned on Ave Central is good. I posted a picture of it on the VIP photo gallery. Search for "copy shop" in the gallery search box or follow this link: https://costaricaticas.com/wp-content/ga ... ORANGE.JPG

Unless you are working with a small budget, I would not waste my time with Calle 6. Safety-wise, no biggie during the day, just be smart. You already know to leave the jewelry, watches, expensive cell, at home. Take the advice to go with a wingman the first time. You don't want to be seen lost or wondering around aimlessly.

This place sucks. I honestly don't know anybody who goes there. This place is completely dark, you can't see how the women look, even standing right in front of them. Mostly fatties. The "rooms" onsite are pretty dingy, and hot.

Taxis are cheap and quick. It would take you a month to learn where the buses go and where to catch them.

BangBang & Orange

Thanks much for the knowledge! The insight on medications was particularly helpful.

As for the venues mentioned, if I make an intrepid friend or two I might have a look.

That said, I've found on trips like this there's not much point in having a set plan or itinerary. I generally get sidetracked on some other shiny object. I suspect on a first visit I'll be getting an eyeful in the gulch.

Thanks again gents. I've read the forum a bit and appreciate all the guidance you two have put forth.

HD

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This post is provided purely for entertainment purposes and free of charge on the part of the author. No tourist or travel promotion is expressed or implied. The author of this post was not provided compensation (monetary or otherwise) for this potentially entertaining contribution.

For posterity I found some US FDA pages on bringing in medications. Consistent with what the seasoned members put forth, the government is exercising, "enforcement discretion".

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm170594.htm
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparenc ... 194904.htm

WebMD seems to do a reasonable job interpreting all this stuff:

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/feat ... mport-laws

US Customs and Boarder Protection also has a blurb. Although this page is geared to non citizens, they have a section addressing US citizens about 2/3 of the way down the page.

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international ... restricted.

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This post is provided purely for entertainment purposes and free of charge on the part of the author. No tourist or travel promotion is expressed or implied. The author of this post was not provided compensation (monetary or otherwise) for this potentially entertaining contribution.

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

Yep, I forgot about your run-in and them hassling you over your copy not being in color!! It is apparently seldom inforced (MAYBE only if you are a dwarf and sleeping with your head in John Lennon's lap at 6am ). Seriously I agree it is much better to be on the side of total compliance for $2 and 5 minutes of your time. This is like a lot of things where some feel that their time while here is extremely valuable-spending 5-10-15 minutes in a line to possibly save hours arguing with the police To me this is a no-brainer!!! If your time is that valuable you need more help than what a vacation in Costa Rica will give you I will change what I said--IF YOUR HOTEL CAN NOT MAKE YOU A COLOR COPY, FIND A PLACE TO GET ONE!!!

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

Leave no stone unturned, HD ... but don't make it a 'plan' to do so.

If you're caught short of wingmen to hang with, I have been known to walk into SL or Scores and loudly call out to anyone that wanted to go do 'X' ... and usually there's a fellow or two that is bored and is interested in going with you to check out the scene at 'X'.

* Don't do this in HDR ... I have heard a story or two about guys getting banned from HDR for 'taking other guys away' ...

At the very least, you should check out the NF/Scores/Zona area, the Relax/Mansion area, (the MPs on Paseo Colon if you can make it), and a vet-led trip to Calle Seis. At that point you'll know what you are comfortable with, and will have the experience of multiple options under your belt.

Be sure to let us know how it worked out for you.

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

are you suggesting it was the appointed hour of my choosing that led me astray???

They were very mean and rough, you know. Not at all gentle and friendly as I had been led to believe.

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

Written out like that... one a heck of a punch list! I wish that I had a few more nights on this trip. Unfortunately I'm losing 1/2 of a day to the dentist.

Calle 6 might be a long shot, despite my apparent proclivity for seediness.

Views on what spots might be best on a Sunday? As I read it things are a little slower on Sunday.

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This post is provided purely for entertainment purposes and free of charge on the part of the author. No tourist or travel promotion is expressed or implied. The author of this post was not provided compensation (monetary or otherwise) for this potentially entertaining contribution.

Lucky for you Calle Seis is open for Sunday business.

Check the map. It lists the days of operation for each MP. If it is open Sunday, the word is all caps to make it noticeable.

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

Sunday is definitely slower. But that's not surprising. All the hookers are in church confessing their sins.

I concur, even amongst the oldest of the old pro's, The Dwarf should be the go to guy regarding confrontation with the policia, listen carefully to his every word, do the opposite, and you'll stay out of trouble....

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

Are they saying : "Bless me Father, for I have sinned, I have accepted less than cien on a number of occasions, but I was desperate...."

"That'll be one bbbj and 3 dfk's, young lady, go in peace...."

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

If they were boys, it would be... "I absolve you of your sins. As penance get in here and get on your knees...."