San Jose General Reports

[Iguana Six]

Hey Chili Mike and Iguana,

Also I don't really feel like spending 20 bucks on the taxi from the airport. Could I catch the bus to downtown then catch a taxi to my hotel. Would this be safe for a young white guy?

Thanks guys

How much is your time worth? Do you really want to spend an hour in a third world bus? Then spend more time trying to find a cab while you stand around carrying around your luggage? Could you not have the hotel pick you up for $20-25?

[Assman666]

Hey Chili Mike and Iguana,

They were actuality booked at the sportsmens lodge. So I'm staying at the morozan, I'm 21 and I'm going by my self so it would be great to meet up with some experienced mongers and have a good time and have a few drinks. I'll go to the sportsmen lodge around 8 or so and try to find you guys. Lets keep the mongering going in costa! Also I don't really feel like spending 20 bucks on the taxi from the airport. Could I catch the bus to downtown then catch a taxi to my hotel. Would this be safe for a young white guy?

Thanks guys

[Bruce52]

I'm a long-time experienced monger making my first trip to San Jose November 18-23. I'd like to meet guys with more experience so that I don't make dumb mistakes there. Anybody want to meet? I plan to stay at Sportmen's Lodge, in the new wing. Seems like one of the nicest places, and the price doesn't bother me. PM me if you'll be around. We can compare notes on mongering around the world!

Bruce

[Rockhunter]

Has anyone been to the Total Satisfaction resort in San Jose?
Is it worthwhile?
Thank you...Rockhunter

[ChiliMike]

Sounds great. We just added 2 more guys to our group (great guys) not all of them are staying at the sportmens but nomal night starts with dinner and few beers at the sportmens, then at the delrey at least by 8:30 then hang out have some beers up on the top area. I myself enjoy leaving the delrey and hit vips1 and vips2 (and a few other places at night) we are better in numbers when leaving the delrey and alot more fun. We are planning some daytime stuff (other than hitting 6th street and the mp's) like the avt trip and maybe a rafting trip. I know all my plans sound good then once we get there, they all go to hell. But one of the guys with me likes to do more than just chase pussy. So maybe this trip we will get that raft trip and avt trip done! The count down is on fellas. Only 4 days till kick off for me. Please make sure we all meet as on one of my last trips a guy I was exchanging pm's with never said Hello, (or did I) and we seen each the whole week and when I got back. I pm him and ask him what happen? He told me he thought that was me but never said anything. Also I think once we check in at the desk (sportmens) we give them out crt name and they post it on our room bill or in the computer as we all all go by our screen name.

[Iguana Six]

Hey Chilimike and other guys,

This is my first time. In Costa Rica I'm 21. I've mongerd in Brazil and Panama, but I would love to meet up with you guys and monger. I'm staying at the sportsmen lodge as well.

I'll be at the Sportsmans that week. When you get in, leave a message at the front desk for Maximo Gomez. I'm hooking up with some non-ISG mongers who are pretty regular. They know how to party.

[Assman666]

Hey Chilimike and other guys,

This is my first time. In Costa Rica I'm 21. I've mongerd in Brazil and Panama, but I would love to meet up with you guys and monger. I'm staying at the sportsmen lodge as well.

[Jaimito Cartero]

The Del Rey certainly has some nice chicas in it, but often quite over priced. The fee per chica you take to your room is still ridiculous. If you really want to find the hidden gems of Costa Rica, stay somewhere else.

Just in the difference in price you'll pay at another reasonable place, you can screw 1 or 2 girls a day. No chica room fees, and you get to see some different stuff out there.

[Jaimito Cartero]

It's easy to get ripped off when you're traveling. In my 50 or so trips to SJO, I can't recall being ripped off. It's been a total of 20 years, though.

I have had a number of attempted rip offs in other places, though. As has been stated here, don't carry all your valuables with you in one place. Obviously the vulnerable place is at the airport. So, I don't dick around with trying to find a taxi and such, where I'm milling around in crowds, and providing ample opportunity to pick my pocket.

I also don't carry a wallet in my pants. If I have one at all, it's in my shirt pocket, in my direct view. I also have shirts that have an inside pocket, so I can keep larger bills there, and lessen my exposure. If I need a credit card, I'll take one with me. Each trip I take, I figure I'll be ripped off, and walk out the door prepared for it.

[Jaimito Cartero]

Sorry to here what happen. At least you are OK.
Here is something of interest. Instead of carrying your passport or photocopy while walking around, the Government has a new ID Passport Card.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/pp..._card_3926.html

As far as I know, this card is not valid for travel to Costa Rica. Only good for Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. It's also only good for land and sea travel, not flying.

[Member #3437]

Last week while sitting at the Del Rey, I was talking with a long time Monger. He said he was staying upstairs for six nights. I, of course, replied:"why in the world would a Spanish speaking, experienced monger stay upstairs? Why? it is stupid? Only a newbie would do it?" He took a sip of his beer, and turned to me and lifted his shirt. their was a huge scar up his left side. He went on to tell me that during a regular mongering trip he jumped into a cab to return to his hotel one night. The cab took him about 6 blocks and turned into an alley. The cab driver told him to get out, he was going home. He was jumped, stabbed and robbed by two young guys. They got $30.00. He was experienced and had no cash, no jewelry, no watch, no camera, nothing. He stated he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
His dilemma was: do I give up mongering, or do I change the way I monger. He chose to greatly increase his level of safety. He is a light drinking, 48 year old fit and trim spanish speaking monger.

Fantasy: Open mouth, Insert foot.

I will never, ever question why anyone does what they do ever again.

THis reminds me of a guy I know in Colombia. He got in th back of a cab in Bogota to take him 4 blocks to zona rosa. The cabbie pulled up about a block, and two guys jumped in on either side of him. they then drove him up into the barrio, took everything he had, and let him out. This was at about midnight, and he was scared shitless. Luckily the cabbie took mercy on him and flipped him a 5000 peso note to get a cab out and he made if safely back to his hotel, albeit extemely shaken.

I myself got mugged by a 5 guy snatch and grab gang in Caracas in the middle of the day with hundreds of people around. Luckily I was able to prevent them from getting my wallet, camera and passport which I had because it was the middle of the day and I let my guard down. I have, over the years, exchanged story after story with guys that have got robbed, snatched, drugged, whatever. No place is immune...there is no "safe" mongering destination. Anywhere you combine tourists who are perceived as rich with third world poverty it is a recipe for crime.

What is the solution? Stay aware, try to minimize risk, Walk confidently and don't stop for anyone you don't know, never leave your drink unattended, and don't trust strangers, and don't flash money, jewelry or fancy clothing. Carry only the money you need, and carry a copy of your passport. Leave the wallet and passport at your hotel (Note: IN st. Martin last week, there were prymarks on my safe).

All you can do is minimize your profie.

[Joe Roma]

I got some great advice from you guys, that I know will save me many problems. I got talked into changing my plans by a good friend and I am now going to Santo Domingo, but my next trip will be to CR. Again thank you for the time in helping me with my first trip.

[Iguana Six]

Price? Quality? Distance from the action? Chica friendly?

[ChiliMike]

Hey joe roma. Chilimike here, I am a san jose vet and we will be in town nov 9th /16th the members before gave you some good advice, but the delrey for me isn't my bag. Room is over priced, 10 chica fee will get old and really you want to see the town. We are staying at the sportmens and its cheaper, better rooms, no chica fees and we booked 3 rooms and only 2 are going. Daytime walking is 99% safe but is better to have a wingman with you while you explore the city.

Nighttime 100% taxi, no and I mean no walking. The walk from the delrey to the morazan is even getting a little funky. If you want to hook up shoot me a pm and at least have a few beers with us (being solo sucks as with most of us our first trip is solo)but really alot of the fun for me was finding the cheap bars where I am only the only gringo in it. Yes over 18 trips and really no concerns, but on my last trip I got lazy and let my little head do all the thinking and was robbed at knife point for 90 bucks but it got me to keep my safe hat on at all times. And feel I will be extra safe on this trip. That first 5 mins you are in the delrey. You think that's what heaven will look like if you make it. As for me. Maria blowjob grab me before the other 20 daytime sharks could get me. And 1 hour and and 50 bar tab later. She proved why she is called Maria blowjob.

[JazzPlayer]

Hey Guys,

I am going to SJO for the first time on Nov. 13th. I am traveling alone and want to play it safe so I think I will be staying at the Del Ray (5 days). How much are the rooms going for? I don't think I will do much traveling as I look very Gringo and with little Spanish, I won't feel safe. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You need to stay at the Del Rey. Based on what you posted do not consider any other option. After your first trip there are many choices. You will pay between $75 and $130 a night.

When I stay at the Del Rey I like the 6th floor ($130) because of the balcony, window and fresh flowing air. You will be perfectly safe but it's best to hook up with a like-minded friend to travel with. It's way safer and a lot of fun.

Oh, practice your spanish and be willing to learn. How else are you going to really have fun in a country that speaks spanish?

hasta luego e ciao,

Jazz/