www.CostaRicaTicas.com

So far this year, at Ground Zero, it has been slow. Slower than prior years, but, many new faces and lovely ladies, and few tourists.
Perhaps the tourists are heading directly from the airport to the beach, or heading to other countries. Perhaps the overall San Jose scene is reducing, who knows ? Perhaps the HDR management did little to dispel all the rumors causing tourists to not take any chances and booking elsewhere ?
The hustle and bustle of prior years has turned into a more laid back place with lots of empty tables. There is a crowd built up around 11PM, most of the time, but at other times , it is 'dead'.
Irregardless of all this, the HDR is still a great place to take care of business. Today there is always a fine selection to choose from, the ladies could outnumber the men 2-1 at times, and reduced rates available ( if you negotiate) are all over the place. (25-35mil, easy) . It is now easier to spot the appreciative ladies, versus the hard-core sharks.
This past week I noticed quite a bit of business being transacted, a lot of fresh new faces and plenty of options to choose from.
For the some of us, the HDR is still a great place to socialize with other guys, view the eye candy, meet up with old flames from the past, and spot that newly twinkled diamond in the rough.
For sure, with a different management perspective, this place can regain some of it's old glory, but this is Costa Rica, Pura Vida !

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Having too much fun. 8)

Mi novia and I went Tuesday to people watch (and play "would you?").

Spectacular shortage of gringos (but many report it's been dead slow since mid-December). Good number of chicas. Most guys either gambling or huddled together.

Chica-wise a good variety. If there were more gringos there would be more chicas (according to mi novia, who knows more about chicas than I do).

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Any opinion or observation in the post above is purely presented for entertainment purposes and does not promote "sexual tourism" or "human trafficking". The laws of Costa Rica apply to all activities in Costa Rica. No warranty is expressed or implied. Void where prohibited by law. Your experience, observations or perspective may be different.

In exile in pu*sy prison

25-30mil CRC? it's a buyers market. we'll see 1/31/18!

CostaReeker

Agreed! 1/26-30/2018!

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Everything written here by me is purely fiction; and Any opinion, or observation, in the post above is purely presented for entertainment purposes and does not promote, nor is it intended to promote, "sexual tourism" or "human trafficking". The laws of Costa Rica apply to all activities in Costa Rica. No warranty is expressed or implied. Void where prohibited by law. Your experience, observations or perspective may be different.

I would agree with Rico. I landed late last night. Got to HDR at about 11:00. There was definitely a good selection. It might not be packed wall to wall but the there were not that many guys looking. It was a buyers’ market.

A buyers market is always nice! Sounds like I might cut my trip to Jacó a day short. Thanks for posting the update.

Rico, another fellow monger, and I were there my last trip which was early September. First time HDR visit for me, and I can assure you that the selection was fantastic and the value was very good.

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Take The Highway To The End Of The Night...The Doors

I would tend to agree about the HDR not addressing the speculation about closing hurting their business. Most people plan their trips out months in advance and don't want to be stuck with a room reservation and no room. Many also like the one stop shopping concept and are unsure if the place would be open.

See this is one of the things that has me on the fence, especially as a newbie. My plan was to stay at La Amistad so I could be near the HDR, but recently I’ve been reading all these post about how it is not how it used to be. I’ve also been reading about how it’s better in Jaco, but I’m too apprehensive about booking that area for my first trip. In other words, I’d rather be closer to the airport for when it’s time to leave.

So let me ask this of the veterans; even though San Jose is not what it used to be, do you think it will still be as satisfactory for a newbie ?

yes, absolutely.

Definitely go. Between HDR, SL and the MPs you cannot go wrong.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

It all depends on what your goals are, do you want to hang at the beach, if so Jaco is the call but it is by far not the best beach and only one source for chicas. San Jose offers a good jumping off point for tourist activities during the day and multiple sources for chicas. if you are coming in alone it is easier to find a travel buddy or mentor in San Jose.
If you are on a budget it is easier to stay under budget in San Jose, as you won't have the transport cost to the beach and back, more opportunities for cheap food and drink and cheaper chicas available. The bus is a cheap way to Jaco and back and most people aren't comfortable going that route.

when you say newbie do you mean to mongering scene in general or just the area?
if you are new to the scene then you will absolutely enjoy yourself w a a decent attitude
if you've been around other destinations it might be a letdown but still a good time
the mp scene makes it pretty easy for new guys to get on your bike and ride
and the SL bar is like home away from home for most
have fun

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

It's true that the HDR is not what it used to be, but that fact is not exclusively negative. Personally I never liked the heavy crowds of the circa 2005 period. It was shoulder to shoulder, couldn't hear yourself think let alone have a one-on-one conversation with a gal. And all the choices...I would regret pulling a girl before we even got in the cab as I second guessed my choice and leaving with 30 other girls still there that I was also very interested in. Now when I go there are fewer girls, and much fewer gringos (which is also not bad considering the average obnoxious drunk american vacationer, not the folks on this board of course, those other assholes). I find it much more chill these days, and exactly what I am looking for. I still prefer to hunt at SL rather than HDR but to each their own.

I don't speak enough spanish to do Medellin, not very attracted to asian girls and every time I look at flights to Europe they are outrageously priced. CR is the perfect place for me right now and I will continue visiting 3 or 4 times a year until another option presents itself that is a comparable mix of economical, convenient and satisfaction.

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Mako

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water

New to mongering and to Costa Rica. Never done any of it.