Costa Rica - Travel Advice

[Hello0]

BabyHuey,

What does HLN stand for?

[Inketa]

LOL!

Guys after reading all the posts I think i'm going try CR out

Guys sorry for all the post. Last night my posts weren't showing on the website.

Advice still needed please.

[Inketa]

But you are not taking the triple "S" (Sliding scale syndrome) into consideration when prospects are meager, and rum overflowing....jejeje!!

LOL!

Guys after reading all the posts I think i'm going try CR out

[Inketa]

Hi all,

First post here been reading the boards nonstop and I have decide to touch CR for a well earned break from work.

Looking to fly from London in November for at least three weeks. So just need so advice on where to go and what to do

Don't really like hotels so looking for a private villa any know of any please point me in the right direction and recommend which area is best. As there is far to much on the board "Which is a good thing but bad in another way "

With regards to budgets I'm thinking of taking about £3000.00 for the trip / Inc accommodation.

Guys please could you let me know which places are safe and what to expect when going out. Is tourist safe going to the local night clubs etc.

[Inketa]

Well I’ve decided on a trip to CR to sample the delights on offer and chill out as work is a stress and lord knows I need a break

I'm looking to flight out in November from the UK for at least 3 weeks of fun sun and whatever else pops up in that time.

So thought I would start getting as much info as possible to make my trip a sucsess.

1. Night life in CR

Being from Zimbabwe and living in South Africa I've learnt to be on guard 24/7 when I go out and about.

Guys please advise on which areas to avoid like the plague and which are safe to enjoy. I like my music and dancing so any good spots you can recommend I will be sure to note and visit.

2. Which Part of CR to Visit

Like anywhere in the world each country has the best and worst spots, which area of CR would you guys recommend San Jose, Jaco, or would a trip around be better for a first time visit.

3. Hotels/Villas

We have found a few private villas for around $200.00 per night in the Jaco and Potrero area.

Given the fact that i will be looking for some company in CR would a villa be better idea for my plans or a would a hotel be safer.

Being looking at the below site for places to stay etc.

http://www.costarica.com/rentals/

4. Budget

Looking at being there for 3 weeks would £2000.00 be enough for my trip?

Thanks

[Generous Gent]

But you are not taking the triple "S" (Sliding scale syndrome) into consideration when prospects are meager, and rum overflowing....jejeje!!

Hence it is so stupid to use the rating system, to the guy who took those pictures he thinks they are a 10, to me at the most a 5, so don't bother about what a guy says when he thinks some chick is hot, its a waste of time.


LK

[Lion Killer]

The pictures your seeing are not pictures of the girls in the bars such as the Blue Marlin Bar/Del Rey/Key Lago & Sportsman's, they are of the lower end girls in the local massage parlors that you can pick up from $25.00 to $50.00.

I have been going to Adalita's in TJ for 20 years and Costa Rica for the past 10 years. Adalita's is second comparing quality/price to Costa Rica. You have to go to Costa Rica yourself to find out the quality of the women, not just look at some picture a guy took.

Hence it is so stupid to use the rating system, to the guy who took those pictures he thinks they are a 10, to me at the most a 5, so don't bother about what a guy says when he thinks some chick is hot, its a waste of time.


LK

[Member #2041]

Based on my time in Germany and visits to TJ (Mexico), I know quality can be had at affordable pricing. I don't see much point in paying $100US in CR for what can't be better looking than some of the women in AB. This is based on the photos I have seen thus far.

AB? How are we supposed to know what this abreviation means?

It's the Adelita Bar in Tijuana.

[Jodi In Heat]

Thanks for the extended break down.

Based on my time in Germany and visits to TJ (Mexico), I know quality can be had at affordable pricing. I don't see much point in paying $100US in CR for what can't be better looking than some of the women in AB. This is based on the photos I have seen thus far.

AB? How are we supposed to know what this abreviation means?

[Soft Bob]

DJFourMoney,

After reading your expectations I think you will find CR worth a visit. Unlike TJ or Germany you have a lot of choise and variety in your mongering. You are in control of your fun and can really have a good time. Also in CR there is much more chance of hooking up with other mongers and enjoying the time away from the girls.

If you stay at either the La Amistad or Dunn Inn or Castillo hotel you have a hearty breakfast included which can take you to dinner time with a little snake in between.

I am well over 60, eat only breakfast and dinner have no more than 2 beers a day and go for 1 pop a day.

In Oct. 2008, I spent 6 nights in SJ and I spent around $1800 total.

Essentials:
Airfare $650.
La Amistad Hotel $410
Taxi (to and from airport) $50
Departure tax $26

Girls :
Day 1, HLN $50/hour and SL $60/hour.
Day 2, SL $60/hour
Day 3, HDR $60/hour, Taxi $2.
Day 4, SL $80/hour, Dinner for 3 girls at SL $40.
Day 5, No girl
Day 6, SL $60/hour

Others:
Tips for the girls and hotel staff $100
Viagra (generic) 2 100mg tablets $7.50
Food $100
Tour to volcano $90.
Museums $20
Gifts $50

You can control the Girls and Others very easily.

Girls at NF are $45/hour at Relax even less and you could also do half hours at either place.

Just my opinion is do not go to Idem as the price at the place with the room is the same as what you can get at SL/HDR in the comfort of your own room.

(Your hotel must be one with no chica fee).

Also TLN is kind of risky unless you are quite comfortable with the girl. I would be afraid to sleep and wake up with watch/stuff and money gone.

Also for non spanish speaker not much fun and lot of extras could result.

Hope this all helps you in your decisions.

[DJ FourMoney]

First thing you will want to do is (sorry Jackson), go to CRT (PM me for more info on that), and get at least the 1 year ($39) VIP membership. The CRT VIP membership gets you a card that will get you discounts at many different hotels, restaurants, and other places. The $39 will easily pay for itself by a couple nights stay at a sponsor hotel.

That being said, burgers suck in Costa Rica. The local beef is grass fed Brahma, and the flavor is not very inviting to the Amercan pallette (there are some who may disagree, but Costa Rican beef is definately an aquired taste). I say this because, while it's possible, it's not as easy to eat cheap in CR as it is in America. Even small soda restaurants will end up costing $6-$10 a meal, si I would plan at least $30 a day for food. You say you don't drink, that's great and I wish I could say the same, as I drink like a fish. Just remember, water sodas cost the same as a beer in most bars (ie. Del Rey, Key Largo, Hotel Little Havana, and Sportsmans Lodge etc.). Therefore, even not drinking alcohol, you can still rack up a pretty decent bar bill if you hand out very long, and stay active (ypu can stock up on bottled water, sodas, and snacks at Mas x Menos to save a little money).

Girls?? The prices you stated of $50-60 per hour and TLN for $150 is probably a little low (especially for a newbie). No offense, but the guys that are getting quality ass for these prices are seasoned veterans that have been traveling to CR and other locals for years. It is hard for a newbie (I know from experience, and still have trouble not doing it), to not quickly give in to the demands of cien from a beautiful Columbian, or Tica. After a few trips to CR and somewhere between 80 and 100 trips to Mexico, I consider myself a pretty astute monger, but still I have trouble getting anywhere near those prices, especially what you stated for TLN. That being said, unless you stick to the massage parlours which can make the night pretty boring since they all close up by 9:00pm, I would say for a first timer, plan $70-$100 a pop.

Now, here is my usual daily schedule. I usually wake up about 8:30-9:00am (trust me I wish I could sleep later, but it just ain't happening). I have breakfastat either Sportsman's (where I stay) or a soda, or Presidente, and I will be hitting up Amistad on my next trip. Sportsman's offer a free continental breakfast, but I gotta have something better from time to time so probably 5 days out of the 7 that I usually stay in CR I will eat a good breakfast for around $6-8 or about $6 a day.

After breakfast I hit a Massage parlour like Relax or HLH, or, rarely, New Fantasy. Relax will run you about $25 for the hour with a 6 or 7. HLH will run about $50 for the hour with a 7. I think New Fantasy is about $40, but I don't go there much, and the girls can range from 5-7)

I usually head back to SL for a nap after my morning pop. By now I have already had about 3-5 waters or energy drinks, and maybe a beer or two if I'm feeling froggy.

After taking my nap, I head to the bar at Sportsmans to see whats going on. Hang out with the CRT vets and the many X-Pats that congregate there and maybe take a chica to my at a price of $60-$70 (I like to pay a higher price than what is possible to get, but ask for no time limit or at least two hours). I might also go to IDEM. Idem, I think, is about $60 for the hour with a 7 or 8 (sometimes better) upstairs w/ community shower and too soft bed, or $70 downstairs with private shower and a bed you can really pound away on.

I rarely eat lunch in Costa Rica, preferring instead, an early dinner. I usually eat at Sortsmans Lodge and it can run anywhere from $10-16. If I go somewhere else can be up to $20 or more. So, food, good food that is, is not as cheap in CR as you would think.

Later that night I usually get a good buzz at Sportsmans, then if I din't find a chica there I head over to Del Rey, and Key Largo. I almost always take home a chica from one of these two bars at a cost of $80-100.

So, lets add up what I spent:

Breakfast: $5 (average, with 10% CRT discount)
1st pop: $40 (average)
2nd pop: $60 (average)
dinner: $14 (average with 10% CRT Discount)
3rd pop: $80 (average)
snack: $10 (average, usually at Sportsmans con chica)
drinks: $50 (average, yeah, I said I like to drink)
hotel: $50 (with 10% CRT discount)

So, I'm at about $300 per day, and I haven't bought any souveniers, ridden is any cabs (definately a necessity at night), or done any tours yet. Also, I haven't purchased any viagra yet. As you can see it adds up pretty quickly. Yes, you can do Costa Rica on the cheap, but hey, how many times do you get to do a trip like that, live a little. I personally wouldn't budget less than $200 a day, and at that, I would definately make sure I had access to extra cash if needed.

And yes, I do pay for everything in colones. The prices I have shown are an average after the conversion.

Other than that, enjoy your time in Costa Rica.

Pura Vida.

Thanks for the extended break down.

Based on my time in Germany and visits to TJ (Mexico), I know quality can be had at affordable pricing. I don't see much point in paying $100US in CR for what can't be better looking than some of the women in AB. This is based on the photos I have seen thus far.

I can deal with a continental breakfast (bowl of cereal, maybe a muffin) for only 3-4 days. I don't usually eat more than that at home.

I think 2 sessions are plenty. 2 was plenty in TJ, once a day was plenty in Germany (3 was the most in Frankfurt, hit FKK Miami (2) and RLD later (1). Even with the reduced pricing in TJ, I couldn't see myself spending more than $160 I spent in one evening (two separate sessions).

Seems like Del Ray and Sportsman Lounge are good bets, as are a few other places. I'm good with money when I want to be. I was mainly interested in CR for the low entry fee and seemingly affordable pricing.

So what your saying is CR is no cheaper than TJ, its actually more expensive?

Maybe DR is a better idea, about $200 more for airfare....

I'm already on CRT and I will look into a VIP membership if I venture down there.

Thanks for the input.

[BabyHuey]

First thing you will want to do is (sorry Jackson), go to CRT (PM me for more info on that), and get at least the 1 year ($39) VIP membership. The CRT VIP membership gets you a card that will get you discounts at many different hotels, restaurants, and other places. The $39 will easily pay for itself by a couple nights stay at a sponsor hotel.

That being said, burgers suck in Costa Rica. The local beef is grass fed Brahma, and the flavor is not very inviting to the Amercan pallette (there are some who may disagree, but Costa Rican beef is definately an aquired taste). I say this because, while it's possible, it's not as easy to eat cheap in CR as it is in America. Even small soda restaurants will end up costing $6-$10 a meal, si I would plan at least $30 a day for food. You say you don't drink, that's great and I wish I could say the same, as I drink like a fish. Just remember, water sodas cost the same as a beer in most bars (ie. Del Rey, Key Largo, Hotel Little Havana, and Sportsmans Lodge etc.). Therefore, even not drinking alcohol, you can still rack up a pretty decent bar bill if you hand out very long, and stay active (ypu can stock up on bottled water, sodas, and snacks at Mas x Menos to save a little money).

Girls?? The prices you stated of $50-60 per hour and TLN for $150 is probably a little low (especially for a newbie). No offense, but the guys that are getting quality ass for these prices are seasoned veterans that have been traveling to CR and other locals for years. It is hard for a newbie (I know from experience, and still have trouble not doing it), to not quickly give in to the demands of cien from a beautiful Columbian, or Tica. After a few trips to CR and somewhere between 80 and 100 trips to Mexico, I consider myself a pretty astute monger, but still I have trouble getting anywhere near those prices, especially what you stated for TLN. That being said, unless you stick to the massage parlours which can make the night pretty boring since they all close up by 9:00pm, I would say for a first timer, plan $70-$100 a pop.

Now, here is my usual daily schedule. I usually wake up about 8:30-9:00am (trust me I wish I could sleep later, but it just ain't happening). I have breakfastat either Sportsman's (where I stay) or a soda, or Presidente, and I will be hitting up Amistad on my next trip. Sportsman's offer a free continental breakfast, but I gotta have something better from time to time so probably 5 days out of the 7 that I usually stay in CR I will eat a good breakfast for around $6-8 or about $6 a day.

After breakfast I hit a Massage parlour like Relax or HLH, or, rarely, New Fantasy. Relax will run you about $25 for the hour with a 6 or 7. HLH will run about $50 for the hour with a 7. I think New Fantasy is about $40, but I don't go there much, and the girls can range from 5-7)

I usually head back to SL for a nap after my morning pop. By now I have already had about 3-5 waters or energy drinks, and maybe a beer or two if I'm feeling froggy.

After taking my nap, I head to the bar at Sportsmans to see whats going on. Hang out with the CRT vets and the many X-Pats that congregate there and maybe take a chica to my at a price of $60-$70 (I like to pay a higher price than what is possible to get, but ask for no time limit or at least two hours). I might also go to IDEM. Idem, I think, is about $60 for the hour with a 7 or 8 (sometimes better) upstairs w/ community shower and too soft bed, or $70 downstairs with private shower and a bed you can really pound away on.

I rarely eat lunch in Costa Rica, preferring instead, an early dinner. I usually eat at Sortsmans Lodge and it can run anywhere from $10-16. If I go somewhere else can be up to $20 or more. So, food, good food that is, is not as cheap in CR as you would think.

Later that night I usually get a good buzz at Sportsmans, then if I din't find a chica there I head over to Del Rey, and Key Largo. I almost always take home a chica from one of these two bars at a cost of $80-100.

So, lets add up what I spent:

Breakfast: $5 (average, with 10% CRT discount)
1st pop: $40 (average)
2nd pop: $60 (average)
dinner: $14 (average with 10% CRT Discount)
3rd pop: $80 (average)
snack: $10 (average, usually at Sportsmans con chica)
drinks: $50 (average, yeah, I said I like to drink)
hotel: $50 (with 10% CRT discount)

So, I'm at about $300 per day, and I haven't bought any souveniers, ridden is any cabs (definately a necessity at night), or done any tours yet. Also, I haven't purchased any viagra yet. As you can see it adds up pretty quickly. Yes, you can do Costa Rica on the cheap, but hey, how many times do you get to do a trip like that, live a little. I personally wouldn't budget less than $200 a day, and at that, I would definately make sure I had access to extra cash if needed.

And yes, I do pay for everything in colones. The prices I have shown are an average after the conversion.

Other than that, enjoy your time in Costa Rica.

Pura Vida.

[Max Mojo]

Dj,

Cash is a good thing, but remember, you will always spend more than you thought. Couple of things; set aside $26 for the exit fee. Have a credit card as back up and notify the CC company that you will be in CR from x date to x date. Important so they will not block transactions. Print an exchange rate cheat sheet from oanda.com and keep in wallet. Always negotiate in local currency! Photocopy passport information page and keep in your wallet. Lock original in room safe. Speaking of rooms, your budget may be a little low, are you factoring the 16% tax rate into the 60-65?

Have a back up plan and enjoy the trip. The little head mandates that you WILL spend more than your budget.

[DJ FourMoney]

I agree with the previous response, $100 a day is very tight. If you consider $60-$80 for a quality pop, $20 for drinks, $20 for budget meals and your likely over the $100 limit. I always figure on $150 - $200 a day. If your bag is MPs, then $100 may work for you.

Thanks for the replies, some clarification -

I don't drink. As for meals, I'm not big on steak dinners, expensive sea food and the like. I'm very much a burgers, burrito, taco, hot dog kind of person. I've been doing research and seems $50-60 per hour is typical and TLN for $150 is also typical.

Am I mistaken?

I figure $1000 total, given $350 for the plane ticket, that leaves $650 or $162 a day ($94,972.50C ). I thought hotels ran about $60-65US per night, that would leave $100 and personally I don't think I need more than a pop per day.

Its still early and I might be able to bring more, but I can't see myself doing more than two pops per day tops.

[Nixonbd]

[QUOTE=DJ
I'm also looking for advice on how much money I should bring to exchange?

Is say $100US a day enough? That's with hotel paid for in advance BTW.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

I agree with the previous response, $100 a day is very tight. If you consider $60-$80 for a quality pop, $20 for drinks, $20 for budget meals and your likely over the $100 limit. I always figure on $150 - $200 a day. If your bag is MPs, then $100 may work for you.