Costa Rica - Travel Advice

[ThatMonger1969]

Can anyone recommend a good guide to get in contact with. I'd love to do some rooster fishing.

Any traction on this? I'm going to be in Jaco Sept 15-18, and I'm interested in fishing, but I don't have a group for a charter as I'm visiting alone. Looking for anyone who might be interested in putting a group together.

[Rzrfl69]

Can anyone recommend a good guide to get in contact with. I'd love to do some rooster fishing.

[Frankfurt]

Fun Luvr,

Thank you very much for this valuable info regarding the bank in the departure terminal! I rarely use money exchanges and stick to ATMs but on a possibly upcoming trip to CR I'd be restricted to using slush funds without having luxury of using an ATM.

There is a Bank of San Jose in the departure area of the airport. When you enter the departure area (upstairs, across the street from arrival area) turn left and go as far as you are allowed. The bank is on the left. There are money exchanges before to get to the bank. DO NOT use them. Last Wednesday, I received 565/1 at the bank, the exchange next to the bank quoted 484/1.

[Fun Luvr]

Guys,

After RTFF, wanted to get a quick update on:

1) where could I draw money to get best usd / colones exchange rates?

2) should I carry dollars or just as easy to draw from ATMs (I know ATMs in some countries could have a draw down limit).

Thanks.

1) Any BCR ATM will give you a good rate without a fee (they didn't have a fee last year, don't know if that has changed). They do have a daily limit for withdrawals, but I don't know what it is.

2) I have usually taken enough dollars for 5-6 days, then use ATM's. There is a Bank of San Jose in the departure area of the airport. When you enter the departure area (upstairs, across the street from arrival area) turn left and go as far as you are allowed. The bank is on the left. There are money exchanges before to get to the bank. DO NOT use them. Last Wednesday, I received 565/1 at the bank, the exchange next to the bank quoted 484/1.

[Mr Jetsetter]

I usually carry dollars and exchange at the banks. Usually slightly above 500 c to 1 dollar. Make sure that any dollars that you tak kave no tears or nicks, as they will not be accepted. Some ATM's have both dollars and colones.

I usually bring dollars to CR & exchange at Colonial casino next to the Del Rey. Very easy, no lines, and they offer a fair exchange rate normally close to what the banks offer. Much better than what you will find at the Rey, Sportsmens, and other hotels.

[Qncterra]

Guys,

After RTFF, wanted to get a quick update on:

1) where could I draw money to get best usd / colones exchange rates?

2) should I carry dollars or just as easy to draw from ATMs (I know ATMs in some countries could have a draw down limit).

Thanks.

I usually carry dollars and exchange at the banks. Usually slightly above 500 c to 1 dollar. Make sure that any dollars that you tak kave no tears or nicks, as they will not be accepted. Some ATM's have both dollars and colones.

[Superman24]

Guys,

After RTFF, wanted to get a quick update on:

1) where could I draw money to get best usd / colones exchange rates?

2) should I carry dollars or just as easy to draw from ATMs (I know ATMs in some countries could have a draw down limit).

Thanks.

[Mr Jetsetter]

I'll be in San Jose in mid June for 3 days. I want to take a day trip to do some sight seeing. Any thoughts / advice on interesting day trips I could make and how much they cost. Appreciate any ideas.

Poas volcano.

Rafting the Rio Pacuare (class 3 & 4 rapids, very scenic).

Research costs, as they might have changed since I did these trips.

[Superman24]

I'll be in San Jose in mid June for 3 days. I want to take a day trip to do some sight seeing. Any thoughts / advice on interesting day trips I could make and how much they cost. Appreciate any ideas.

[Creideiki]

I've been doing my RTFF and taking notes for San José. I will be visiting for 2 weeks, primarily to get some dental work completed (abutments and crowns for previously placed implants) and hope to do some sightseeing as well. I have been learning Spanish for the last 2 years, and while I'm not fluent yet, I am way above tourist level in speaking and comprehension, and I'm hoping that will give me some advantages when I start meeting women in CR.

Two questions:

1. I like to blend in as much as possible, so I would like to know how most Ticos of San José dress during the weekdays, and on the weekends. I'm hoping that at least looking the part will keep me away from some of the tourist scams. I did read that dress is definitely more casual at the beaches.

2. I'm a good dancer of salsa, bachata, and merengue--has anyone visited dance clubs in town? I thought that would be a great way meet chicas to maybe get some action for later.

Thanks in advance.

[Johnny Sax]

CR has become inflated in prices in the last few years specially Jaco. If you are looking for top quality girls be ready to spend $100-$150 US for the hour, is totally normal these days, specially if they are busty and everyone is going to want to be with them. You can always find some gems in Del Rey. I have never seen a girl in Del Rey for less than 60-80 US unless you are getting the ugly ones. Hotel prices during slow season is really good you can find them around 60-80. I have never stayed at the Del Rey. But if you do, you have to pay $10 per chica every time you go up. Safety is not an issue as long as you use common sense. If you are looking for top quality and good price. Colombia is the place to be these days.

Sorry Zhagolo but your negotiation skills must suck if you are always paying $100-150 at the Del Rey, SL or KL. I have had 5 girls from the DR in the past year and have paid only one of them $100 because she was the hottest thing ever, and the others I paid between $75-85, and no they weren't ugly. My wingman almost always pays $100 because he doesn't speak Spanish but never pays over $100 even without being able to really negotiate well in Spanish.

$60 is hard to do these days but I got one for $60 year before last, and she was above average in looks, maybe a 7 but it was late. $75 is do-able still if you really want to haggle or if it's late or if there are way more girls than guys in the bar.

My advice is NEVER pay "cien" and start out asking them to do 40 mil which is around $75 now. If everyone pays cien and doesn't haggle at all then you're just giving your money away and they think you're a chump.

[Johnny Sax]

Hey can anyone help me out?

I am in another part of Costa Rica and I want to stop and buy some sex toys for a few of my fave girls at the Del Rey / SL but for the life of me I don't ever recall seeing a sex shop or any place like that to buy sex toys in the San Jose area nor Alajuela.

I am especially looking for the small vibrators that don't cost a lot. Maybe AA operated. And a vibrating butt plug for my anal-loving babe.

Do they even have sex shops in Costa Rica? Never seen one that I can recall!

If you can give me any idea where to find these please do. I know San Jose fairly well so general directions might help!

Thanks.

[Dickhead]

The other thing to remember about Asia is, it's really really hot and humid, and kind of smells like ca-ca. Pattaya in Thailand has the sewer running right under the street with open grates. So, Restaurant A puts a carpet over the grate, which makes Restaurant B smell worse, so B puts a carpet over its grate to pass it on to C, and so forth. Eating while smelling shit is not really that optimal of a situation, but eating in 40 C /105 F muggy weather while smelling shit is even less optimal.

[Mangera]

I'm sitting in my hotel room at the Morazan next door to the famous Del Ray wishing I made the decision to do my annual trip to the Philippines or Bangkok. As you walk the surrounding streets in this area it is really run down. As for the girls yes they are pretty but for what you would pay here for an hour, you could easily get the whole night in the Philippines. There you literally have to pay them to leave. Hotels are more luxurious in the Philippines, the Girls are more GFE and the drinks are a lot less expensive. Only caveat, I'm kicking ass everytime I sit at the Blackjack Rummy Table.

I had to get the idea of Costa Rica out of my system and I'm glad I did but if any of you are on the fence, Asia (even Sosua DR) has it all over this place.

Generally speaking, I do agree and understand your feelings on this topic. All of your points are valid. However, you must understand that what basically has screwed up the pricing scale in Central and South America over the last few years has been because of many gringos going over there and over paying. Its unfortunate, but its the reality. Its a short and more economical trip in comparison to flying all the way to Asia. So this will continue. Believe me, 10 years ago, San Jose was much better than the current situation. That being said, there are still some gems to be found.

For the majority that do not have the time and funds to go all the way to the other side of the globe, its still a good alternative. Now, if you can make the time, and have the funds to get to Asia, its worth a giving it a shot. However, for most, the initial costs of just getting there is so much, they just factor those costs into a shorter trip, and spend more when going to places like CR. In their minds, overall, they will still spend less than flying to the other side of the world.

Personally, the perfect situation is to be able to do both things. Enjoy!

[MoneyShot]

I'm sitting in my hotel room at the Morazan next door to the famous Del Ray wishing I made the decision to do my annual trip to the Philippines or Bangkok. As you walk the surrounding streets in this area it is really run down. As for the girls yes they are pretty but for what you would pay here for an hour, you could easily get the whole night in the Philippines. There you literally have to pay them to leave. Hotels are more luxurious in the Philippines, the Girls are more GFE and the drinks are a lot less expensive. Only caveat, I'm kicking ass everytime I sit at the Blackjack Rummy Table.

I had to get the idea of Costa Rica out of my system and I'm glad I did but if any of you are on the fence, Asia (even Sosua DR) has it all over this place.

The positives of CR to me are location, lots of gringos to hang with, cheap massage places, sweet ticas, lots of tourist stuff to do, strip clubs with all the talent available.

Jaco has more talent but you will pay good $.

I try to stay at nice places in CR, the HDR is a dump IMO.

But you are right, Costa Rica is not cheap, Thailand is on my bucket list.