Costa Rica - Travel Advice

[Ace00]

Sorry Chase Star,
I did not intend to let the cat out of the bag.
I changed the link to the standard CRT map.
Ace00

[Prolijo]

Thanks for letting the cat out of the bag, Ace. Unfortunately if you guys want to access my website you'll need to check out CRT first.

Nastyboy, great minds think alike. I've thought about adding arrows to GR's map. Maybe we'll have that on the next edition. BTW, did you get a chance to try clicking on any of the map icons? If you had you would have seen pop-up pictures of all the places indicated. Yet another cool feature.

[NastyBoy]

Great map...best I've seens so far. I'd like to find one that shows the flow of traffic. There are so many one way streets, it's really hard to tell until you come up on them.

Appreciate the map. Maybe now I'll make it to Oasis.

Thanks.
NB

[Ace00]

Thank you NastyBoy.
Some of my advice is a bit dated.
The exchange rate is now about $1 equals C477.
The Park Hotel is now closed.
A good map can be found at
http://www.**************.com/phpBB2...r=asc&start=15

One hundred dollar bills are hard to exchange due to suspicion of being fake.
ATMs work well for cash. There is a real one upstairs outside the entrance to the airport that you can access when you arrive. The change booth in the baggage claim area is a ripoff.

A duty free store in the airport sells Stoli for $7 a liter which you can access in the departure and arrival areas, before you clear immigration upon arrival and after you clear immigration upon departure.

And yes condoms in CR are smaller.

[NastyBoy]

Nice post Ace and thanks for the tips.

Tip 12 in your top 20 is really funny. I usually do bring my own, LifeStyles ultra thin, but I let one girl use one of hers and you are right it was tiny. And it was even thinner than mine. I tried it and it was ok because it didn't cover the entire phallus, it was really thin, it covered the most important part and it stayed on. She said she could get me more, but I never saw her again.

Tip 12 reminded me of that. Really funny.

NB

[Ace00]

For the exchange rate see

http://www.xe.com/ucc/full.shtml

Change your money at the bank in the airport for the current rate. Slightly less favorable at hotel, and casinos.

See this:

Ace's Five Day Visitors List for San Jose:
Input from CostaKid, Shamas, Nononsense & others:

The following is a list of what to bring with you
on a five day trip to San Jose, fishing for "pink snapper"
and receiving "massage therapy".
It is designed for a first time visitor, and it is expected
that a veteran visitor will have made personal adjustments.



Cash: (cost is $ 800-1400 plus air)

10 one dollar bills, perfect, unmarked, untorn
5 five dollar bills, perfect, unmarked, untorn
5 ten dollar bills, Perfect, unmarked, untorn
10 twenty dollar bills, untorn, unmarked, perfect
9 one hundred dollar bills, perfect, unmarked, untorn
Travelers checks instead of hundreds are ok, but pain to cash
One credit card. ATM card is optional, in lieu of hundreds
Leave extra credit cards at home
The above cash assumes you will pay cash for your hotel.
If you charge your hotel and meals, deduct that sum from the
cash requirement.
Bank Exchange rate is about 438 Colones for 1 US dollar,
( C10,000 = $22.81 ) ( C1000 = $2.28 ) ( C500 = $1.14 ) as of July 2004 -
Changes every day, less favorable at hotel and casinos.
Check the exchange rate before you start the trip. www.xe.com/ucc/full.shtml

Other:

PASSPORT, TICKET, MONEY, carry on board
Photo copy of passport
Drivers License as backup ID & for car rental
Print out or copy of hotel reservation confirmation.
Secure Money belt or secure neck pouch, under shirt. Use in transit
for passport, ticket, money.
Camera, film or media cards, extra batteries, recharger, carry on board.
(I use FilmShield film bags for film).
Ballpoint pen, needed on board for immigration forms.
Sunglasses. Folding umbrella April thru December.
Map of SJO printed out from net, see www.**************.com ,
General Information, A Link Guide, by CostaKid for Lumps map
and other valuable links and info.
See www.dongordo.com
Do your research first.
List of essential names, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses.
Remove non-essentials from wallet and leave at home.




Clothing, year round:

2 pair pants: 1 khaki, and 1 khaki or jeans, (shorts at beach)
Short pants versus long pants a matter of choice. I like long
3-4 shirts: 1 long sleeve, 2 short sleeve (warm days, cool nights, hot bars)
1 old tee shirt, which can be soiled by baby oil, for Park Hotel show
1 light nylon jacket or light jog suit top for mountain touring
1 pair all purpose walking shoes
Socks and underwear for 5 or more days
Swimsuit for beach or jacuzzi, 2 or 3 if rafting or multiple jacuzzi parties
NO (expensive) jewelry
Cheap, but reliable watch, waterproof is best


Toilet stuff

Usual shave kit and toothbrush, etc
Favorite Shampoo, (3-4 mini hotel size containers of same)
(Shampoo may or may not be available at hotel.
Hotel will have soap, but no small wash cloths)
Condoms, dozen of your choice, flavored if desired for CBJs
Vitamin V , for get up and go
KY jelly or liquid, small size, transport in leakproof plastic ziplock bag(s)
Extra toothbrushes for new friends.
Buy mouthwash at local Max X Menos store. Safety caps leak
Asprin for hangovers, Pepto Bismol liquid or tablets for stomach.
Sunscreen for beach or mountains.

Medicines, carry on board:

14 days supply, in case of being stranded by whatever
(It happened to me flying stand-by)
Extra contact lens set, fluids, case
Glasses and Reading glasses, if needed


Optional:

Calculator, ziplock quart and gallon size bags for everything,
Cheap pocket knife & corkscrew in checked luggage,
Plastic cups, inexpensive gifts like perfume, lingerie.
Mini massager, small note pad, small Spanish dictionary.
Portable cheap radio-CD player for room,(leave it to new friend).
Special CDs, book. Small alarm clock. Hat or cap.
Austin House travel neck pouch, or money pouch under belt for around town.
Money clip instead of wallet. Leave wallet in room safe.
Note: reasonably priced booze and mixers are available in stores and at airport.
Roll of USA toilet paper, box of Kleenex
Your health insurance card is probably useless in CR
Cigarettes and lighter for smokers, small candles for atmosphere.


Budgeted expenses for 5 days:

Taxi to hotel $12 (can be shared)
Tips to bell hop $2 arrival and $ 2 check out
Tip to maid for extra towels $ 2
Tip to maid on check out $ 5
Water in bottles $ 4, from bakery next to Presidente hotel
Taxi to airport from hotel $ 12 (can be shared)
Departure tax $ 26
Hotel $ 297 incl tax and safe box key charges (w/ CRT discount)
Food $ 100 - 200 (assumes no "entertaining" ) ?
(Big buffet breakfast included in room rate at Hotel Presidente)
Bar expenses, including drinks for "friends" $ 100 - 250 ??
Fees paid for "massage therapy" and "fishing" $ 200 - 500 ???
Taxis around San Jose at night $ 10 (500 colones each way)
Airport (home) parking $ 40

Optional expenses:

Breakfast or drink at airport $ 7
Drinks on plane $ 8 optional
Cigars $ 50 - 100?? Street vendors sell fakes
Gambling money $ ??
Worthess souvenirs, T-shirts $25 from Central Market
Tours $ 50 - 130
Booze, mixers $ 15
Internet Cafe fees, $ 0-5
Telephone $ ? (buy local prepaid card for long distance at hotel)


Remember that your passport, ticket, money and credit card
are the essential items to keep safe at all times.

_________________

and this:

Ace's Top Twenty Tips:

1. If you change money upon arrival at the airport, it takes 30 min and you must go upstairs in the airport. Travelers Checks are a pain. Use an official orange airport cab. You prepay for the ride. Tip if you wish although it is not required.

1.5 Remember to get your credit card back from hotel check in. Ask for an upper floor for less noise. Tip the bell boy US $2.

2. Get a safe key and or instructions on how to operate it and the A/C.

3. Change some money at check in at the Presidente. Change it at the casino at the Del Rey. Or ask about a real ATM.

4. Find out where to buy bottled water although tap water is safe. The store, one block north of the Del Rey sells it. The bakery next to the Presidente sells it.

5. Have some one dollar bills available for tips. Have a lot of US $1 and 5 bills and a few $10s. All your US dollars must be in perfect condition to be accepted. No tiny rips. No marks. Perfect. Take only perfect bills.

6. Ask the maid for extra towels. Tip her $US 3. Your girl guests will use them for everything.

7. You can buy some booze, snacks and sodas at the nearby Mas x Menos store. It is three blocks East of the Presidente on Ave.Central. Booze is reasonable except for whiskey. No need to bring liquids.

8. Taxis are US $12 from the airport into town, and US $12 for the return taxi ride to the airport. Keep the US bills in reserve for that purpose.

9. Keep US $26 for the airport tax. Buy the tax stamp IN the airport, not at the curb.

10. Keep C500 and C1000 colone bills available for the taxi rides. Cab drivers never claim to have change. There were some new C500 coins the size of a half dollar.

11. Keep your passport, air ticket, wallet, jewelry, medicines and money in the safe. Only carry what you will spend. Use a money belt. Most experienced travelers there do that. Don't bring expensive jewelry or watches. Some travelers carry a photo copy of their passport and their entry stamp as well as a 5000 colone bill for a bribe if needed.

12. Bring extra US made condoms. The little Korean made ones sold in CR are sized for Asian guys with tiny weenies. Bring lubricant. Girls like the liquid type.

13. If you bring a folding umbrella in the rainy season (April - Nov.) pack it in your CHECKED bag. You cannot carry it on the plane from San Jose. Different rules there. Yes, true. Do not ask why. Also no aerosols or matches on board. You may wish to bring a ballpoint pen and small note pad. A ball point is needed to fill out immigration forms on board.

14. Before you go, download and print a map of the action spots in San Jose. See DonGordo.com

15. In general don't wear shorts unless at the beach. Only tourists wear shorts and you will stand out. Try to blend in for less hassles. On the other hand sometimes they are fun to wear in a bar with the girls... Generally cotton pants and jeans are acceptable everywhere. T shirts/ polo shirts or short sleeves in the day and long sleeves at night. One pair shoes should do. Light jacket for the mountains. I bring 2 pants, 4 shirts, 1 pr. shoes, light jacket, and underwear -total for one weekend or one week. Add swimsuit if the beach or jacuzzi is planned.

16. A safe place to exchange money is the Hotel Del Rey casino. You may or may not be able to change Colones back to US Dollars when you are ready to leave. Use them to pay your hotel bill and charge the rest if you wish.

17. Be alert walking the streets at all times- Especially Central Ave and Second Ave. Watch out for pickpockets and being stopped and talked to by strangers for ANY reason. Be aware of who may bump you and who is following you and why. Do not wear a fanny pack as it is a pickpocket target. Don't stop and give to street beggars. Do not buy cigars from street vendors. Do not even think about buying or using weed or drugs unless you want to spend a year in jail awaiting trial, just for starts. Never walk the streets after dark. Never. Do not ever be drunk in public on the street. Taxis are cheap, even from the Blue Marlin to the Presidente after 10 PM. Always take a taxi to the Idem bar, and to and from the Park Hotel after dark. Most chica bars/places are in bad neighborhoods, so you have been warned.

18. Learn the going rate for girls. Do not pay asking price at the Blue Marlin. Negotiate down. Speak Spanish, even a little. Explore alternatives to the Blue Marlin. Be a good Gringo and not a bad example. TREAT ALL GIRLS WITH RESPECT at all times. You will be repaid tenfold.

19. Tip the girls for a good time. Suggested gifts include perfumes, lingerie, condoms, cosmetics, and cash.

20. As of 9-03 the exchange rate was $1 = C438. Or C1000 = $ 2.28 Thus a beer for C900 is about $2.00. Thus, a quote of C10,000 (diez "dee-ess" mil) is $22.81.

[Blind Lust]

I began researching a mongering trip to CR a couple months ago, and thanks to this Forum (thanks Jackson!), I have found many answers to my questions. In the interest of helping newbies, many of whom may not be adept at searching on the Internet, I offer the following brief summary of my knowledge. Keep in mind that all of this is academic knowledge gleaned from the Internet and this Forum and has no support in real-life experience. I may or may not be able to visit CR within the next six months, until then I'm as much a newbie as any other starting their search for knowledge about CR.

1. Costa Rica is a nation about the size of W. Virginia, bordered by Nicaragua on the north, the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean on the east, Panama to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west. As Central America goes, it's a pretty friendly country to gringos, although the usual rules of street smarts apply here. Crimes against tourists (including mongers) seems to be on the increase, although most of the crime is of the pickpocket/purse snatch type. Nevertheless, violence towards Americans has increased a bit over the past five years. Be careful.

2. You _must_speak some Spanish. Yes many ticos speak a bit of English, but sometimes it is helpful for both of you to know some of each other's language. This helps clarify answers to questions and avoid misunderstandings. Your local community college probably offers evening classes on Spanish for beginners. Take one.

3. Marijuana is decriminalized, cocaine is plentiful and inexpensive by U.S. standards. Avoid drugs at all costs. Even with marijuana, you could be detained in the country for a long time until your case is heard. Contrary to what you may have read or been told, you get more than a parking ticket for pot. Avoid the hard drugs. Possession of even a tiny quantity of cocaine can get you seven to ten years in a Costa Rican prison. The Embassy will only offer _very_limited help, should you be arrested. Don't count on Uncle Sam to get you out of trouble with the law.

4. All cities of any size, including San Jose have downtown areas that are laid out in a grid. In all cases, avenues ("avenidas") run east-west and streets ("calles") north-south. Both the x-axis and y-axis of the grids (remember your 7th grade math?) are called "central," i.e. Avenida Central is the east-west avenue which divides the downtown's northern and southern halves, Calle Central is always the north-south street which divides the city's east and west sides. This is very handy to know. If for instance you find directions to a massage place that says, "av.9, entre de calles 7-9, you know for sure that the place you're seeking is in the NE quadrant of the city. And, if you're in a taxi going to that address and suddenly notice that you're at Avenida 12 between calles 12-14, you know that the cabbie has either misunderstood your bad Spanish or else he is seriously trying to rip you off. Write down the directions clearly on a piece of paper or note card and give it to the cabbie, if you're uncertain about your ability to give directions in Spanish.
Adding to the confusion is that Costa Ricans don't use street numbers/addresses. They do refer to landmarks, which may or may not still be standing. The meter ("metro") is the standard unit of measurement when giving directions. One city blockis more or less 100 meters. Be prepared to find locations b ased upon measurements, street/avenue intersections and local landmarks, rather than U.S.-style street/house numbers.

5. The monetary system is the colon. As I write this, US$1.00 = 428 colones. Bills come in ten thousand, five thousand, two thousand one thousand, 500 and 100 colon denominations, coins come in lesser amounts. Be careful to pay in colones when you can; the fluctuating exchange rate can often yield a lot of purchasing power. In the Blue Marlin bar and many other places, dollars are actually preferred, but you may end up paying too much for the convenience of using U.S. dollars. However, if you keep track of the exchange rate, you can often swing a sweeter deal by using your greenbacks. Use common sense when carrying and spending money, don't be afraid to bargain/haggle, especially when you're buying a service.

While we're on paying for service, tipping of waiters is not necessary, as a 10% service charge is added to every restaurant bill. If you do tip, tip with praise and thanks as much as with coin, and keep your tips small (less than 2% of the check). This is a good place to dump some of the 50 centavo coins that merchants will continuously thrust back at you. You can tip taxistas, especially if they've spent a lot of time driving you around. Or if you puked in the taxi. Tip bellboys at $1.00 per suitcase. Room maids get between $.50 and $1.00 per room, per night. Barbers/hairstylists and tour guides are also customarily tipped. And of course, las putas.

While we're discussing money, there are a couple good ways to save some in San Jose. If you're accustomed to taking urban mass transit where you live, the SJO buses are cheap and easy. The 200A bus runs from in front of the airport to just west of the CocaCola bus station, and costs 50 cents U.S. Contrary to popular belief, you won't be sharing the bus with piglets and chickens. Watch for carterristas (pickpockets) who work the buses with more dexterity and skill than you can imagine.

I'm running out of space for this report, so I'll close. If I have made any substantial errors in the report, please post corrections and/or your own opinions. Remember, the above is what I have searched out on this Forum and the Internet and not from real life, but I thought that other beginners might benefit from my research. -BL

[Jaimito Cartero]

i just got back from san jose, and thought i'd mention a few things if you're going to drive in costa rica or go to the beach areas.

the main highway is usually in good shape. i still don't think i'd drive at night. be prepared for heavy fog if you're going over any high mountains. make sure your lights are working correctly. my car had only high beams, and are pretty useless in fog at night.

watch for speed signs. cops usually set up at the bottom of hills, or when the speed limit drops dramatically (like when entering a small town). many ticos call the police "chorizoeros", because they want money. i've acted like i don't speak spanish and they've let me go.

really watch for this sign: reductor de velocidad. usually some sort of speed bump. some of these are super nasty, and you can barely get a small rental car over them.

even worse - sometimes there is no sign. on the way to samara beach (nicoya peninsula), halfway between the city of nicoya and samara there are two unmarked huge speedbumps. the first one is going downhill, just before a bridge. you will see my skid marks (and those of many others) before it. i still hit it at about 40kmh, which isn't real good for the car.

the smaller beaches will have badly paved roads, if any. you'll be lucky if you can go 30kmh on these roads.

i felt i got much more value from the smaller beaches. the bigger ones seemed to be more of a ripoff mentality. at samara $100 a night for a room. no tv, and the a/c barely cooled the room.

playa tambor has some nice places (inexpensive and expensive). you might get a better deal through a travel agent on some of these places. if you go with a tica, you might try having her check you in. costa rican nationals often get discounts of up to 50%!

[SnapperTits]

ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Effective May 1, 2003, the Government of Costa Rica will require that all U.S. citizens present passports valid for at least ninety days in order to enter Costa Rica. The Government of Costa Rica has advised that, until that date, adult U.S. citizen will be permitted to enter Costa Rica upon presentation of a U.S. birth certificate and photo identification. The Government of Costa Rica has further advised that minors who are traveling with both parents will also be permitted to enter Costa Rica upon presentation of a U.S. birth certificate and photo identification. Minors traveling alone or with only one parent will need to present a passport.

[DoomBringer321]

san jose

overview:

prostitution in costa rica is both abundant and legal. unlike the us where the government decides career choices for it's citizens rather than letting the citizens decide for themselves, the costa rican ladies are free to offer their services of sex without the government poking their noses into their bedroom windows to see what they are up to. while many women in the us and other countries become sex workers because of drug and alcohol addictions, rarely is that the case in costa rica (with the exception of the streetwalkers). most ladies of the night in costa rica are there to better their economic situations and care for their families. some will work only a few days per month, while others make it a career choice. you will find women from nicaragua, argentina, venezuela, columbia, dominican republic and even nevada working the streets and, bars and clubs of san jose. light skin, dark skin and everything in between. there are 4 sources of women: escort services, bars, adult night clubs, and massage parlors.

what to expect:

generally, the ladies of the night are very professional which means you get right down to business when they come to your room and once paid, they are out the door. you won't find the affection and attention you get from, for example, the bar girls of the philippines who appear more interested in love and romance than money. the costa rican women are passionate in bed and will put on a fairly good performance. most if not all will insist on condom usage, which is a good idea. don't expect to fall in love or find a girlfriend or wife out of the bar girls. you will not find a bustling nightlife like you would in bangkok, but there are enough places (bars, strip joints, massage parlors, free lancers) to keep a single man happy. certainly, if you come to costa rica, you can expect to have no problems getting laid 7 days a week, 365 days a year. sex is both legal and quite available in costa rica.

women:

you can find all types of women in costa rica. besides costa ricans, or ticas as they are called, you will find filipinas, russians and other europeans.

sex tours are illegal, escort services can be dodgy and not recommended. it is hard to get a girl out of a high class topless bar for less than $300. "$50 for a quick lay" -- an hour in some places; a quick lay costs more like $13.15 right now. ok, precisly $13.15.

colombianas and other south americans are more likely to speak english than ticas or nicas. and the local independent contractors who learn english do so for one reason only: so they can work the high-priced ($100) gringo bars.

costa rican women come in all shapes and sizes and can range anywhere from busty blondes to petite brunettes. you will find girls with blue, brown, and green eyes. some dye their hair blonde to attract more attention. few costa rica women speak english well, so a brush up in your spanish before you arrive will make conversation with the fine ladies go a long way.

cost:

the price for sex varies from girl to girl, but the average cost for a hooker out of the bars is about $50 for a quick lay. this price can double or triple if you take a girl out of the strip clubs or higher class bars. a street girl may go with you for as little as $20 to $30.

legal:

prostitution in costa rica is legal - though pimping and the prostitution of minors under 18 is not, even though it is primarily catholic country. in the u.s. mainly, sex workers (we prefer the use this term rather than prostitutes) have a negative connotation, whether it be streetwalkers, massage girls or escorts. in costa rica, ladies are free to work and without harassment. and while many women in the u.s. and other countries become sex workers because of drug and alcohol addictions, rarely is that the case in costa rica (with the exception of the streetwalkers). most women in costa rica are there to better their economic situations and care for their families. some will work only a few days per month, while others make it a career choice. be sure not to just ask the age of the girl you just met, but to give you proof of age. in costa rica all costa ricans of age will carry a "cedula" with her picture and birth date. for foreigners ie. nicaraguans, panamanians, etc. ask to see her passport.

note that prostitution with a minor is illegal and the costa rican government under pressure from the us has announced new policies to strictly and severely punish those that practice this form of behavior. while the chances of finding an **** prostitute is rare, if you happen to come across one, it's in your best interest to move on to someone else.

drugs:

marijuana is decriminalized, a dismeanor for which you get a ticket. but you would not be able to leave the country if you get one, so drugs - often sold on the streets in gringo gulch - are not a good idea. the other kind of "blow" is also cheap, but cocaine is a felony. avoid drugs here and in fact any country where it is not legal.