www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm probably the only CRT brother who cares about this, but here's the info anyway.

For those of you into "social dance" (where you actually lead your partner) the place to go is Salon del Tobogan (with an accent over the last syllable, sah-LOHN del toh-boh-GAHN). It's a huge dance hall (three hundred people or more could dance on this floor) with a stage at one end with a live band. It's not far from the Sportsmens and El Pueblo.

On Sundays, at least, they open at 3:30 and the mostly retired crowd shows up to dance early. I'm guessing later (open until 3 in the morning, I'm told) it's a little more caliente. It's clearly a 'for dancers, by dancers' kind of place. Cumbia, Bachata, Merengue, Salsa, etc.. No disco or rock or rap or reggaeton. The predominant dance style here is regional and quite different than what I am used to (which is more of a Cuban-Miami-L.A. style).

PM me if you want details, or Ray at the Sportsmen Lodge can help you.

I know there are some other Salsa outlets around here, including some Miami style stuff, but I have not found them yet. I heard of one place called something like 'minquinta' (mean-KEEN-tah) that supposedly is 100% salsa all the time.

Tanager

Thanks for the tip. I also enjoy the social scene of hand/partner dancing styles of swing, salsa, etc...And, I would recommend to the members that they consider learning at least the basic steps/movements for such styles as salsa and swing. It has been my experience that any man that can step out onto the dance floor with the ladies (since there are so many more female dancers) is almost gauranteed to have a 'good time' with the ladies both on and off the dance floor. In fact, if you're truly accomplished, you'll be beating the ladies off with a stick! Even the gringas may give it up gratis for a good time on the dance floor. I understand the working girls will still have a monetary interest, but it doesn't hurt to be able to make flattering compliments on their dancing abilties and charms before they retire with you for other activities.

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Here's another small plug for my new website, but it now features on-line video salsa dance lessons. The password to the site can be found in the SJ Map Update thread in the VIP section.

Check out Castro Bar in Barrio Mexico. I don't know what street it's on but all the taxi drivers will know where it is, they usually pass right by it when you leave from the Gulch to go to the airport. (You know, that part where it seems like you're just driving down a bunch of back streets?) There is also a Bar Mexico just down the street, these are both locals places but very friendly.

I'd like to find some more places, please fess up if you know of others.

Gracias

Prolijo,

I just checked out your website and all I have to say is... WOW!! Hats off to you bro, this is some amazing stuff. How amazing? Well, let me put it this way, it's now 4 in the morning, and I intended on going to bed LLOONNGG ago, but i had to check out the salsa videos, then I had to read up on Rio, then this then that, and next thing you know, the hours have flown by.

This is truly fantastic work. Thanks for all the efforts you've put into making it happen!

Thanks again,

Ruffnutz

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Are there any recommendations for Salsa clubs where there are Ticas who are interested in dancing with Gringos as well as Ticos. I've been to Castro's bar and thought it was a bit 'clique-ish'. Could be I was just there on a bad night or maybe they just assumed only the latin guys knew how to dance....

Any really 'tourist friendly' Salsa clubs you all can suggest?

How about places that play Bachata???

Prolijo I saw that on your website and I thought there is a man who thinks of everything.



Xman

Tanager was right about Tobogon. It is the place to dance in san Jose. The Ticos say that if you dance there you can dance anywhere. The sunday dance starts at 330 in the afternoon and ends at 9pm. A retired crowd for the most part. Friday and saturday nights attract a younger crowd. 930 till 2am. Always a live band.

Bar Castro has DJ music and quite a variety. Salsa, merengue, bolero, raggaeton etc.. Young crowd very loud, hard to talk. Upstairs is the karaoke bar, easier to talk there.

Bar Mexico The music depends on the band they have. Usually the bands play the typical, salsa, merengue, cumbia, bolero mix. Not a big place, middle aged crowd. The times I was there it was mainly couples.

Bosque Bar Hotel san Jose palacio An upscale place. Small dance floor with live bands. Good place to take a date. The music varies according to the band playing. Mainly older upscale Tico couples with a few tourists mixed in.

The thursday edition of La Nacion has an entertainment supplement which lists alot of the weekends activities and clubs. There are clubs with music all over the central valley. And the taxi drivers would know them all.

The Ticas go to these places to dance so if you don't dance at all you are basically out of luck. Although it would be fun to have a few drinks and take it all in. Anyone can dance bolero so you could wait for that.

The Ticas seem to assume that if you are a gringo you cannot dance and sometimes they are reluctant to dance with one. The Ticos have a saying if you cannot dance well " you dance like an american" so beware.

There are more single women at Bar Castro than anywhere else in my experience. And the dance floor is crowded so you blend in if you are not a good dancer. But it is so loud it is tough to talk especially if your spanish is not good.

IMO The basic movements of merengue are pretty easy to learn, bolero is a no brainer, and raggaeton is a basic instinctive jungle ritmo, pull her close and grind. Salsa and cumbia are more complicated and take alot of time to learn.