San Jose General Reports

[Traveler04]

I have been to CR 20+ and to the DR 25+ times in the past 6 years and have been all over each country and have never had a problem nor have any of my friends etc. Had any problems. That said I have found that making smart choices = a safer (not 100% safe) experience. Things happen in any city in the world. You need to know the lay of the land as there are always people ready to take advantage of you. CR and the DR are no different. I try to make connections with locals, seek out other gringos if I am traveling alone and watch my back as well as the backs of other people around me. Just my 2 cents.

[MrWeebist]

Yes, I've been visiting CR for over ten years. And I won't be back anytime soon. It is very dangerous everywhere after dark. Taxi drivers are hijacking people and taking them to obscure barrios and robbing them. Everybody has a scam. Pick another place.

Thats the biggest load of crap. It might be a bad place for a drunken gringo to try scoring a tranny on a dark side street, but anyone with half a brain can avoid problems.

I have yet to hear of taxi drivers hijacking anyone for anything. Sure they might try to run up fare from 1 to 3 or even 5000 colones to the unsuspecting. Sure it HAS happened but in five years I have never heard anyone even talk about someone who knew someone that happened to.

Sounds like maybe something bad happened to you. But I suspect you might be one of the loud mouth drunken fools that had it coming.

Whether you like it or not the people of Costa rica are as friendly as any I've met. That is if you have a little respect for them and don't act like they are lucky to meet you. Give me a fucking break.

[The Dirty Pirate]

Some of the things you guys believe are just absurd! Yes I agree that if you hop in a taxi PARKED in front of Del Rey you might be ripped off because the meter isn't turned on or they have a rigged one. Simple solution, flag one down driving by! Saying no to a puta and / or their "taxi buddy" isn't that hard!

I have ridden in countless pirate taxis, regular Tico cars, walked around at night. Whatever. I don't encourage you to do this if you think you're in danger but seriously the amount of police presence is up very much. If you make yourself a target you probably will be one, simple as that. San Jose is relatively safe, even at night.

[Papa Fritas]

At night there are some shady people who loiter around the HDR and Parque Morazan. That's why the safety concern. Kids / teens have been known to come up and rip a gold chain off your neck and run off. Parque Morazan is where you can be double or triple teamed, distracted, and find your wallet gone.

Yes, I've been visiting CR for over ten years. And I won't be back anytime soon. It is very dangerous everywhere after dark. Taxi drivers are hijacking people and taking them to obscure barrios and robbing them. Everybody has a scam. Pick another place.

[Jerrycop]

Just got back from 1 night at HDR and 4 nights in Jaco, It was my 5th time there in the past 2 years. I had an incredible time in both places but I find the HDR to be much better and the action 24-7. At beatle bar you have to act fast because the place closes at 1am and it seems more like the girls want to hit and run while at HDR you can definely get better deals and the girls hang out with you. Also found an awesome TICA at Havana bar for $55 an hour and they had 2 for 1 drinks in the afternoon! Not only was the staff at HDR was awesome so were the girls! Going back real soon!

[Nixonbd]

Would someone please clarify something for me?

I have been reading about San Jose for some time because I am interested in visiting, BUT the safety.

Warnings bother me. I have read many members recommend after dark taking a taxi even if you have.

To go a few blocks.

Is it really that dangerous in San Jose City after dark in tourist areas you can't walk a few blocks?

Of course having lived in big cities I understand in every big city there are areas that are not safe.

At night there are some shady people who loiter around the HDR and Parque Morazan. That's why the safety concern. Kids / teens have been known to come up and rip a gold chain off your neck and run off. Parque Morazan is where you can be double or triple teamed, distracted, and find your wallet gone.

[Keg]

Would someone please clarify something for me?

I have been reading about San Jose for some time because I am interested in visiting, BUT the safety.

Warnings bother me. I have read many members recommend after dark taking a taxi even if you have.

To go a few blocks.

Is it really that dangerous in San Jose City after dark in tourist areas you can't walk a few blocks?

Of course having lived in big cities I understand in every big city there are areas that are not safe.

If you're not familiar with the area, I'd recommend a Taxi in the evening. I've done a lot of walking around SJ during the day, but as the sun goes down it's best to stay safe with a Taxi. You're there to have a good time, not get mugged.

Have fun.

[Mangera]

Would someone please clarify something for me?

I have been reading about San Jose for some time because I am interested in visiting, BUT the safety.

Warnings bother me. I have read many members recommend after dark taking a taxi even if you have.

To go a few blocks.

Is it really that dangerous in San Jose City after dark in tourist areas you can't walk a few blocks?

Of course having lived in big cities I understand in every big city there are areas that are not safe.

During the daytime, you can pretty much walk anywhere. However, during the evenning hours, its best to take a taxi when going into or leaving the gulch. Taxi's are cheap for the most part. Better to be safe than sorry for a couple of bucks.

[Sammon]

Would someone please clarify something for me?

I have been reading about San Jose for some time because I am interested in visiting, BUT the safety.

Warnings bother me. I have read many members recommend after dark taking a taxi even if you have.

To go a few blocks.

Is it really that dangerous in San Jose City after dark in tourist areas you can't walk a few blocks?

Of course having lived in big cities I understand in every big city there are areas that are not safe.

There are very few violent muggings in San Jose of foreigners. Daytime is quite safe. Night time after 12 it becomes more unsafe for tourists to walk around. About two blocks from HDR it is ok to walk but not in the direction of the park. If you are walking with a girl it is safe on main roads even at night.

My suggestion is talk to the girl you pick up and follow her advice where to walk or take a taxi.

[JayHighFive]

It is just like any big city anywhere. I found it safe in the tourist area but the taxi are so cheap why take the chance for no reason. If you have traveled or live in any major city you are not going to feel scard.

Jay.

Would someone please clarify something for me?

I have been reading about San Jose for some time because I am interested in visiting, BUT the safety.

Warnings bother me. I have read many members recommend after dark taking a taxi even if you have.

To go a few blocks.

Is it really that dangerous in San Jose City after dark in tourist areas you can't walk a few blocks?

Of course having lived in big cities I understand in every big city there are areas that are not safe.

[Chukar]

Would someone please clarify something for me?

I have been reading about San Jose for some time because I am interested in visiting, BUT the safety.

Warnings bother me. I have read many members recommend after dark taking a taxi even if you have.

To go a few blocks.

Is it really that dangerous in San Jose City after dark in tourist areas you can't walk a few blocks?

Of course having lived in big cities I understand in every big city there are areas that are not safe.

[WaterTraveller]

Will be on my spring holiday for about 6 weeks, after trying to decide on central america or Cuba which I have never been to, decided to go back to see. Are. And nic, maybe Panama, love the bocas terena.

If your a polite well mannerered type person and want to do check out some inexpensive p4p as well as try to find regular women and go to castros or jazz cafe I would like to get together, don't know exactly when as I am working in the north of canada oilfield. Plan on spending about 1 week in san jose, play a bit of poker, hang out at the del rey, key largo and check out cheap places down the hill from there. Lots of 25$ hr places to find an all niter for cheap. Maybe side trip to manuel antonio or samara then head north to managua, leon and chinandega. And I will finally go check out sjds on way back. Already know what to expect but want to finish 10 years of going to Panama, coasta rica, and nicaragua and start on south america in sept and oct.

If your a buget traveller but not cheap willing to try a trip but never know how to start I can be of sme help. Usually travell solo but thought I might do better with a wing man, as want to hang around university cafes and pubs this trip.

Will probaby fly into san jose the 15 of April

[JayHighFive]

One of the best reports I've seen in along time. The majority of your observations were point on.

You say you were getting 50 to 80usd but you add in CBJ or anal and your over 100usd. You stated that guys had been to CR over 15 years and others go nowhere else, that alone says everything. IMHO CR can't touch MDE. Were taliking about 100usd per hour for a chic that watches the clock, I get a chic all afternoon in MDE for that with a good atttitude. But overall an excellent report.

I agree nothing can touch the prices in MDE.

[JayHighFive]

Great report Jay. I am glad you had a good time.

$11 Chica fee per girl or is it a one time fee? This might get expensive if it is for every girl.

It is for every girl and it does add up. You don't realize how much you spent until checkout.

[Samata61]

2. LT is not really what you want in CR and most girls don't want it either. Too expensive, say compared to Thailand. Get a girl really fucked up like I did last time, and see how it goes. If they start talking money right away, time to move on. Albiet, drinks are US prices at the HDR.

Stay thirsty my friend!

I typically make these Mongering trips alone and this will be the case in CR so I will get board from jumping from one girl to another.

I usually choose a nice, girl who speaks decent English; I would prefer talking, drinking, and dancing with her for a couple of hours before taking her upstairs then keeping her for the night and having my way with her in the morning.

This has worked well for me all over the world and I usually pay Double the price of ST and have more fun with the girl.

Are you saying that I have to pay more than double ST assuming I find a girl that I like and she will go LT?