San Jose - 2004 Reports

[Coxslinger]

My best friend and I just got back from our 2nd trip to San Jose. He spent most of the week with his college girl, non-pro, novia that he met back in January. In between my mongering, his girlfriend introduced me to 2 of her friends, that I subsequently fucked the shit out of.

Although I had free snatch 4 of the 6 nights there, I still was able to sneak away for some MP action in the mornings and mid afternoons. For those of you are love Nicas, Eros and Cha cha cha (purple joint to the right of 747) are loaded with nice looking gals from Nicaragua right now. Highly recomended.

Coxslinger

[Rome Bound]

I just spent five great days in CR. Returning very soon.

The Beatle Bar in Jaco was as good as advertised. First night was Thursday April 15, 2004. Ninety percent of the women were incredible looking. Lots of good choices but most wanted $100. A few hot Colombians went for 30,000 colones ($70). One was named Diana, a young petite spinner. Great body, looked even better in the nude. Friday night girls were not as good looking.

Tried the Central Disco on Thursday night. They had some bikini contest for the local school kids. Left after 5 minutes. Friday night was completely dead. No one was in the club. Went back to the Beatle Bar each night.

Spent Saturday and Sunday in San Jose. Stayed the Hotel Presidente. I would highly recommend this hotel. Got a double room for only $56 per night. Ask for the TSM (corporate) rate.
This hotel is right in the middle of everything. Women at the Blue Marlin Bar in the Hotel Del Rey were gorgeous and plentiful.

One word of caution: Colombians were hot and plentiful and most wanted $100. They could be talked down to $70 but were very business oriented. Asked for money once in the hotel room and tried to finish you as fast as possible. Not girlfriend material.

Ticas (Costa Rican) women were incredible looking and also girlfriend material. Most were willing to take from $50 to $70. Never asked for money before finishing. Ticas were also very loving, friendly and pretty straight forward.

Recommendations: Hotel Presidente in San Jose
Costa Rican women. No Colombians.
Be nice to the Ticas and they will reciprocate.

[Blind Lust]

One more thing. I am not adverse to using a little green lubricant to help my relationship with my guides to move more smoothly. One of the first principles of carousing is to be hospitable with one's fellows. Although I am not making any offers here, I have in the past paid for a mongering companion's airfare and hotel in return for guide service. I can't afford that, especially with airfares running in the half-grand range, but I wouldn't mind paying for a meal, a drink or two, or even a 6000 colones massage. I'm not cheap, but I'm not rich. Even so, there are mildly interesting benefits to hanging out with a blind guy. I think that too much time has been devoted to this thread already, and I invite any reader who wants to reply off-forum to PM me.

Thanks,

BL

[Blind Lust]

Ace, Shamas,

Thanks guys! Finally, a simple answer to a simple question! Now I have a better idea of the Av. Central layout. If I may, a couple more questions. Again, keep in mind that I can't see Lump's map, although my PC reads the list of numbers in the index and the descriptions. Is it safe to say that all the places (massage, bars, clubs) listed on Lump's map are more or less in the same quadrant of the centro? Or are they spread out over different quadrants? Yes Ace, the BM looks ridiculously expensive by Central American standards, and while I am confident that I could haggle my way into a much lower price, I'd much rather try economy services first. If I can be satisfied at a Zona Azul or Item, for instance, why would I pay more for the BM girls? Conversely, if I am dissatisfied with the quality of the local tico places, there's always the option of the high priced spread. As variety is the spice, particularly here, I don't want to hook up with one woman for the entire trip, although that might be more convenient. Nope, I want to monger around and taste the variety of flavors San Jose has to offer. For anyone reading this who might think it would be a drag leading around a blind dude, trust me. It's simple. Let me walk with you, lead me to the servicios once in awhile, read an item or two from a menu. It's simple. And, between my good looks, charm and Spanish, you might find me a better mongering companion than some. I am also aware that most of you reading this prefer in general, to monger alone, but my sense is that a buddy system provides more safety, blind or sighted. Thanks to all who continue to reply, answer questions and offer encouragement.

Pura Vida!

BL

[Ace00]

Blind Lust,
I wrote a reply and accidently deleted it. Here it is again.
The Hotel Gran Via is on the North side of Ave. Central, just two blocks West from the Presidente which is on the South side of the same Avenue. It is just in the Northeast quadrant. It is within walking distance from everything in the gringo gulch including the Hotel Del Rey and the famous Blue Marlin bar. It looks nice on the outside from what I have seen. If you go to their web site they have a photo looking SouthEast into the Cultural Plaza. Central Ave. is a walking street in the area.
Just use common sense about crime and pickpockets. Do not wear a belt pack unless it is under your shirt. Keep moving on the street just like in New York City or SFO in the tenderloin.
If you look in the back of the Frommers guide at the map the Del Rey/Blue Marlin is just across the street from the "Serpentarium" which is no longer there. The Colonial Casino is directly across the street from the old Serpentarium location. And the best internet cafe is on the East corner of the same block. About 500 colones an hour to use a station. Good coffee too. If you go in Sept remember to bring your umbrella as it rains every afternoon and not just for 10 minutes. Often for hours.
Best of luck. Give us a report when you can.
-Ace, aka Ace00.

[Shamas]

Blind Lust,

I'll send you a PM tomorrow, just too busy tonight.

As far as some of the warnings, I've given you some and I'm quite sure you've gotten some from others. Crossing the streets is dangerous for every one, going with the flow is safest.

Pick pockets are a problem any where you go, even in the states. It's just something I warn people about.

I'll check on the hotel you posted about, not familure with it.

As far as shopping at the Blue Marlin, it's quite expensive for CR standards, you can get local cab to shuttle you to most places for around $1.25 each way.

Will PM you tomorrow.

Shamas

[Big Poppa]

I head to paradise CR on Thursday anyone want to hook up for a drink PM me.

I will post full report when I return can't wait.

Pharmacia Isabella no script required, sounds good I want to try Cialis if they will sell. I'm staying at the Hotel Presidente hope I can find the Place.

Pura Vida!

[Magic Monkey]

Dear Fellow Americans,

A gross injustice is going on in Costa Rica, specifically San Jose. Many working woman from Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Nicaragua and especially Columbia are out to rip you off of your hard earned money simply based on where you are from. They operate in the Hotel Del Ray/ Blue Marlin bar and Key Largo Bar. Most of these woman will quote you $100 for an hour (which can really turn out to be 30 minutes) with them, some will back down to $80 and many will not go lower. Why? When I can go to a massage parlor and pay $20/8000 colognes for the same services for a half hour at say New Fantasy and the provider is probably only keeping half for herself ($10). Therefore the independents are charging 10x's that. I asked them specifically, their response was either you are American that is nothing compared to what you have to pay there. Another Tica that I offered $50 to said that would be fine if I was a Tico but since I was an American she would not accept that. Many girls brag about how much they make. One girl said how she could make $4,000 a week. When I asked her for an hour she quoted a $100, I responded ok for 4 hours, she responded with $400 dollars, for that price I could have 20 girls for a total of 10 hours at a massage place. The lowest she would go was $300. I talked to girls that work at the massage places and what they thought; they called Americans "el loco" for spending so much money. I say it is time to fight back against such blatant discrimination. I don't know what other board members think but I think one way is awareness. So how about printing four of the following and giving them to 4 fellow Americans when there, perhaps we can create a chain effect that will make the prices return to what they should be for that country and not based on nationality.
____________________________________________________
Warning,
Woman in this bar are scamming Americans by demanding more money from you than the going rate. The going is rate is $50/hour at the maximum. Any girl quoting you $100/hour is scamming you because of your nationality. You can go to (insert your recommend place) and have service for $20.
____________________________________________________

Thank you for reading this! Other thoughts on how to fight back?

[Migrant One]

Blind Lust,

I've traveled in CR, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador. About the only street signs worth anything are on the freeways.

Central Americans use landmarks,"go straight to the hotel Prado, left to the Mercado, right past the iglesia"

Go with the flow, take Lump's map and ask at the hotel, you'll do fine.

I usually pick up a Moon Guide when I go to the countries for sightseeing and restaurant recommendations. Their maps are good, but don't look for street signs, just count streets, look for the various hotels, retaurants as landmarks and if you can't find it move one street over. Enjoy the differences

Migrant

[Blind Lust]

J.C. et al,

I will discuss the specifics of my blindness in a PM. My Spanish is pretty good, although I've been told it's a real mix of idioms and accents. My biggest concerns are fundamentally small ones: knowing where I'm going, dealing with the taxistas, identification of CR money ($ no problem, but there will be times where I'll want to trade colones). The more I research this, the scarier it gets. Warnings come up about everything from dangerous street crossings to pickpockets and violent street crime. I find myself wondering if I could tell a TV by voice, or if I'd have to pull a Crocodile Dundee on his/her package. I haven't been able to satisfy my appetites in the repressive ol' U.S.A., and Amsterdam is four years behind me. I don't mind rice and beans, I like Spanish language and latin music, I play some Latin keyboard...CR at first sounded like a dream come true. Well, perhaps I'll hook up with a band of brothers, guardian angels all, and we'll howl. I wonder how the ticas react in general to blind men? Well, if I never go, the dream and the research have thus far been really fun; thanks Jackson and all the truly experienced mongers in this topic.

BL

[Jaimito Cartero]

Are you totally blind, or just greatly impaired? I honestly can't answer your question about directions in San Jose, as I've NEVER gotten them down. I just head for landmarks for the most part. I always end up printing the Lumps map out and circling things I want to see.

If you are greatly impaired, I raise my cup to you for having the balls to go out and still have some fun.

As for dates, it's often easy to confuse since they use the Day-Month-Year format, instead of Month-Day-Year. I don't have any personal experience with the hotel. From what I hear, the Presidente is still the top choice for mongers. Fair prices, no BS and good rooms.

How is your spanish? If you're going to Molino Rojo, 747 and such, you will need a moderate amount, or have a guide who speaks it.

[Blind Lust]

I thought you'd enjoy reading the e-mail I received this afternoon from Hotel Gran Via. Obviously a small language barrier (next time I'll correspond in my bad Spanish), but it was cool that they replied in less than two hours with answers to my questions. My own comments are between < >.

DEAR MR <my first name>.--GREETTINGS FROM COSTA RICA !!!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT US !!!!

WE DO HAVE A ROOM AVAILABLE ON APRIL 20TH/2004 ( 13 NIGHTS )
<I had actually inquired about 13-18 September, 2004>

ABOUT YOUR QUESTIONS--

1- YES- A DOUBLE BED- REFRIGERATOR AND BREAKFAST INCLUDED.

2- FOR THOSE DAYS WOULD BE $36.50 USD PER NIGHT/ TAXES AND BREAKFAST
INCLUDED ( THIS IS SPECIAL RATE JUST PAY CASH OR WITH CREDIT CARD
WE WILL CHARGE EXTRA 6%.
<Okay, so far so good. 6% surcharge for using the CC, good room rate!>

2- LOCATED ON THE wEST OF THE CENTRAL AVENUE STREET 1 AND 3 MIDLE.
<Huh?>

3- TEATRO NACIONAL HALF BLOCK, PLAZA DE LA CULTURA JUST 25 STEPS
HOTEL DEL REY 3 BLOCKS , COCACOLA BUS STATION --ZONA ROJA 1 KM
FROM US.

4- WE DONT CHARGE FOR A GUST VISIT AFTER 3 HOURS STAY WITH YOU IN
THE ROOM- WE NO ACCEPT PROSTITUTE WITH BAD REPUTATION OR
PRESENTATION.
<Okay, this sounds like there's no guest charge if she's actually a guest, staying more than three hours. Also begs the question of how a blind guy is going to tell skank from swank.>

5- I THINK YOU DONT NEED A GUIDE FOR SAN JOSE, WE CAN HELP YOU ON THIS
MATTER WITH ALL THE ATRACTIVES BUT IF YOU CHOSISE IS A GUIDE WE
DO.
<Oh yeah, Mr. Alvaro, I'm gonna need a guide. Glad you can find me one.>

6 THE GRAN VIA ACCEPT VISA, MASTER CARD , AMERICAN EXPRESS AND ALL
THE LOCAL CREDIT CARDS.

HOPE ALL THE INFORMATION IF OF YOUR CONVENIENCE,
LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR VISIT/

MY BEST REGARDS.

ALVARO MONTERO.
<and the new Alvaro Montero Sport>

[Chingo Gringo]

Big Poppa,

Pharmacia Isabella should be on Central between 5th and 7th. The popular chain pharmacia won't sell Vitamin V without prescriptions.

[Blind Lust]

Gentlemen,

I have been reading the SJO Forum here for more than four months. Thanks to Shamas, JC, Ace, NoN and the other posters who have truly "been there, done that." I have indeed RTFF, going back six months. But I still can't figure this out. Help a blind brother.

The Frommer's Destination Guide to San Jose, CR under the "City Layout" section says that avenidas (including Central) run E <->W, calles (streets) including C. Central run N<->S. However, I was told in an e-mail reply from the hotel, that the Hotel Gran Via is on the west side of Ave. Central. How is this possible? Also, which quadrant of the downtown (NW, NE, SE, SW) is the location of Hotel President, the DR/BM etc.? Keep in mind that I can't see Lump's map. Are places like the 747, Molino Rojo, Lucy's all in the same quadrant? The best way for me to orient myself is if your reply states locations as, "the NW corner of Ave. 2 & C. 9," or "Midway down the south side of Ave 1 between c. 7 & 9,' something like that. This is why I ask seemingly obvious questions.

Do the calles have odd numbers east and even west of Central, or is it the other way around? The avenidas are even numbered south of Av. Central, I'm pretty sure, and odd north of it. This is if Frommer's has the basic direction of travel for avenidas and calles correct. Lots of questions, but can you help me orient myself to this fascinating "Big Pineapple?"

[Jaimito Cartero]

If I bring "toys", I'll bring them in a clear ziplock bag and pack them in a checked luggage. I've taken them to Asia and South America and never had any problems. I do try to put them in an interior pocket where they're not visible, but hey, if they whip them out, so be it.

If you do bring them in carry on luggage you're likely to run into more problems, of course. Some of the "Do you have any battery operated devices" questions could be a little tough.

I took some to BA, and I swear I had to make sure they weren't taking the vibrator with them when they left.