www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello Gents,

Well it's been a while since I've been to CR since I've been trying a few different places but this year I'll be heading back and I have a few questions about the scene at the moment.

I've always stayed at the DR and while I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, I've always considered it ground zero while in SJ and I'm hoping to stay there again. That brings me to my first question which is how is it there at the moment? Are there still plenty of ladies asking for cien? How's the quality these days and what about the Key Largo? Is that place still going strong? I'll be hitting ZB and a couple of other haunts for the nostalgia as well.

Also going to pop down to Jaco and I know there's been some changes down there too. We used to stay right on the beach at the Copacabana but there was never much going on there and from what I've been told, the BB is either gone or back again. I've been told about a hotel that has plenty of action poolside till late night. Any idea what that is if it exists?

Thanks for your time, Merry Christmas and I'm glad I'm back!

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"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" - Maybe Shakespeare was a CRT member?

Welcome back!!

Just as it was years ago, if 100 guys respond to your questions you will get 100 very different answers. Not sure how long it has been since your last trip but some things have not changed and a lot of others have changed a lot!! You mentioned ZB! It no longer exists. There are now two bar/hotel/MP combinations located next to each other-Scores and Zona2. Both have been remodeled and are very nice, both have some hot chicas and Scores has a kitchen and serves food though rumors keep popping up about this or that part of it shutting down. I do not put much faith in rumors till I have been there and seen for myself. Been going to go by but just have not had time in the last month.

As for the del REY and KL, there are some who will tell you it is great and just as it was 6-7-8 years ago. I live here and walk thru the REY 3-5 times a week. I was there Wednesday night for a while around 8pm. What I saw was typical of what I see every time I go in there--maybe 50-60 people tops! Others will tell you it is still hopping just as before!! I seriously doubt you will find anyone who lives here and is there frequently who will agree with that. As for the chicas, there are never the 200 plus chicas as before, the Colombianas for the most part are gone (Migracion cracked down on visas). That said since there are fewer guys also, the ratio is still probably about the same. As for quality, there are many chicas that were there 10-even15 years ago STILL there!! But there are almost always a few hotties to choose from. Attitude and quality of service is something guys seldom agree on. "Cien" is still the starting point in most negotiations. Problem is it seems many more guys today don't even try to negotiate -"It is such a bargain!!" The KL is quite often almost dead. Very seldom will you have to push your way thru a hundred plus people to get to the back bar. Over all in both places in my eyes the quality is down; but I guess if one goes there and finds what they are looking for, they would disagree with me. You will just have to decide for yourself. But for most of us who were around in the 90s and early 2000s, it just is not the same!!

The one place where there has been a big change in quality of the chicas is in the MPs. There are now even several up-scale MPs where the prices range from around $50 and up to well over $100. Most of these are Tico places and the higher priced ones seldom see a Gringo (they are mostly located in the outlying areas and are very discreet about even advertising their location.) A few of the Tico MPs that were here 10 years ago are still around - Oasis, Veronicas, KamaSutra, and VIP in Paseo Colon are all still there, but not nearly as popular as before. The hot spot in that area today is 360!! New Fantasy is still in Br. Amon, thou many of the better chicas that use to be there are now in 360 and Relax. Idem is still around(about the highest bar prices in SJ and (in my opinion) sessions are over priced for what you get. Eros is closed but the owner has a new place 1/2 block south and 1/2 block east called Pension 69. Probably the most popular, and right now (IMHO) has the hottest chicas over all is Relax. As of yesterday there were 9 chicas there that which ever one I saw first upon entering, I would do!!! La Mansion is still there and la Plaza is now Erotica3 (Erotica 1 and 2 are located more in central SJ.) The 4 pensions on 6th are all still going strong. the most north one, Casa portuguesa was rebuilt a few years ago and has a few chicas who have been very popular in other locations. Overall the quality of the MP chicas is higher than is has been since the mid 90s.

As for the strip clubs, some of the hi-priced Gringo type rip-off places are still around (not sure how they stay in business!!) Still many Tico clubs like Molino Rojo, Pandera Rosa, le Grillion, etc-some good, some not.

Bashful Dwarf and I did a new Google map with all the places (MPs, REY, SL, hotels, bars, etc,) listed and shown on the map with a pop-up with picture and info on each. It is a sticky at the top of the Massage, bar, club section.

Every thing I have said is just my opinion. Maybe others will fill in more info and different opinions.

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

BB57 covered San Jose pretty well. As for Jaco, the Cocal is the hotel with the action. Beatle Bar is still there and open but it isn't a 'monger' bar anymore. Basically there are just four places with consistent girl action and that is Cocal, Le Loft, Orange Pub and late night Monkey Bar. The really desperate go hang out at Jaco Taco after 4am or so.

Biggest change will be that Jaco is now where the hottest girls are going. The quality is MUCH higher than what you will find in San Jose. Some of the Jaco gang will ask over $100 but no one seems to have a problem getting them down to $80-$100 although I've met a few holdouts.

Welcome back, good luck with planning the trip and if I can help in any way, just shoot me a PM!

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Thanks guys. Sounds like it's the same old story. You make the kind of trip you want to have. Sometimes you read so much that you start to think that all the chicas have retired...

I really appreciate the advice though and I am sure I'll be looking for an airport, Jaco and day trip driver while my group is there.

Thanks again for the advice and warm welcome back.

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"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" - Maybe Shakespeare was a CRT member?

them's turning 18 every day!

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

Thanks for the insight guys. I'm looking forward to getting back! Couple more questions. I have a couple of friends who want to stay at the Holiday Inn. Is the one the other side of the park the AUROLA HOLIDAY INN on 5th Avenue and 5th Street?

Secondly, I'll need to arrange a driver from the airport and for a few day trips. There will be 9 of us so I need someone who can accommodate us with luggage at the airport. Anyone have any recommendations please? I've had some brilliant drivers in the past but like I said originally, it's been a while.

Cheers guys.

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"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" - Maybe Shakespeare was a CRT member?

Anglo.........

You have the location right for the Holiday Inn in San Jose. Be aware that it is NOT AT ALL chica friendly. I've heard that the chica fee to take a girl to your room is (maybe) $85 each time.

For transportation, you should PM Sid at OneLuckyDog or Steve at PuraVidaTransport. They may or may not be able to accommodate 9 guys in one van. Jim at Lucky13 operates Zona 2, where he has a REALLY CUTE line-up every day. He has a stretch limo for transportation.

AUROLA HOLIDAY INN Only if they have no interest in Mongering! or they are very rich and will put up with the nasty looks and comments!!! Holiday Inn DOES NOT LIKE MONGERS at all!! $75 guest fee last I heard. Much better places to stay!!!! Just like in the States, most US chain Hotels here are very anti mongering!!! Many will not allow "working chicas" to enter at all!!! Look at the hotels that are sponsors on CRT; if a hotel is not a sponsor be sure and check for their policy on visitors in your room.

As for a driver, not sure. Might check with Puravidatransport and One Lucky Dogg! Both are in the business, and are members and sponsors on CRT. I do not think either has a single vehicle large enough to accommodate 9 people and luggage but maybe they can or can point you in the right direction!!!

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

I'm aware of the Holiday Inn's chica policy but we have a couple of guys who are not (we'll see) partaking in the enjoyment...

I'll PM those guys. Many thanks.

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"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" - Maybe Shakespeare was a CRT member?

Hi I have a copy of the pdf map but don't see the locations of 360 and pension 69, do you have the calle/avenida numbers, just posted that my friend had a good time in Pension Monica

Robertj, if by "pdf map" you are referring to the "OLD" VIP Map in the general section, it has not been updated in years. MPs in Costa Rica (actually everything to do with mongering) is a ever changing thing. Go to the new Google map that is a sticky at the top of the MP section. It will have location, prices, and in most cases, a picture of all the different MPs in the central SJ area.

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

Forgot to answer your question: Pension 69 is on C4 between A8 and A10 on the east side about the middle of the block and right in front of another Pension/MP- Erotica2!! 360 is in Paseo Colon on the NW corner of C34 and A5. It is a 2 story terracotta house and the entrance on on the A5 side. Pension 69 on the old map would be listed as Maison2, New owner recently changed the name!!

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

Thanks again guys. One Lucky Dog will be taking care of us!

Last question, I assume nothing has changed in a couple years and good old greenbacks are still used almost everywhere?

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"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" - Maybe Shakespeare was a CRT member?

With your last question ........ you assume nothing has changed ........ I guess you mean with the use of currency.
Because, other than that, A LOT has changed.

Yes, not much has changed regarding the use of currency. ATM machines have become more popular and more available to us......so you don't need to travel with much cash or keep much in your room. The Schwab ATM card has NO FEES at all.

You will sometimes get a discount at the hotel if you pay for your entire stay at check-in with U.S.dollars.

The girls usually will take either colones or dollars at a ratio of 500:1. I negotiate in colones to keep it simple and clear.

You'll get the best exchange rate at banks or at the Colonial Casino.

It's better to use colones with taxistas.

I just noticed that in this post I said Pension 69 was on C4 between A8 and A10. This should have said Pension Monicas. Pension 69 is on A10 about 25mts east of C11. This is a 1/2 block south and 1/4 block east of Relax! Sorry--old age fart!!!

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