San Jose General Reports

[Mr Jetsetter]

Golly gee, I'm so worried about all these MP closures that I booked a return trip to CR next month. Don't get me wrong, these closures are disappointing and a source of concern, and I really hope Zona Blue and other MPs are open during my trip, but tons of mongering opportunities still exist and I'm looking forward to exploring this somewhat altered landscape.

[Underwriter]

Green_Thumb,

Take a day, go to the beach and go Sailfishing. Jaco Beach has great fishing and just by chance has a bar that rivals Blue Marlin. Beetle Bar.

Have fun

[Member #2964]

Following the show of force by the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública and the Municipalidad de San José in closing down massage parlours in the downtown San José on Thursday, many like IDEM (picture above) were open for business as usual by Friday afternoon. The police action was based on lack of or expired licenses. However, operators say that the municipality is on a "witch hunt".

[Don Papi]

IDEM opened yesterday and will maintain regular hours.

[BabyHuey]

My only hope it, if the girls from the MP's are still working the bars by Labor Day (this would be if the MPs have not re-opened by then), that the high priced girls in Del Rey, Key Largo and Sportsmans don't talk them into raising their prices.

I can oonly imagine the irls all getting together for a meeting. All the cien girls at Del Rey would tell the MP girls they have to start charging more. Next thing you know, I hit Del Rey on August 29, and now all the MP girls are asking for cien.

I don't think that will happen, and I expect several of the MP's to be re-opened by then, but it would suck if the P girls realize they can charge more in their new venue.

It would be nice to see the Gardens Bar at the Castillo full of ladies looking for a place to work. Then I wouldn't even have to walk to Sportsmans.

[Member #2964]

Click here for the video news report that motivated the municipal action

http://insidecostarica.com/dailynews...os-amon-24.wmv
and this;http://insidecostarica.com/dailynews...stibolos25.wmv

or if they don't work ck out; http://insidecostarica.com/dailynews...y/27/nac01.htm

for a better link.

[Member #2964]

As the professor writes. code violations. i think ZB was for no Handi cap access. LOL as though anyone with a wheelchair can travel on any sidewalk in SJ. 6th st, ZB, NF and I bet Idem will be up and running by labor day.

Thank the CR pineapple for my little CR book of #'s. A couple of the girls I spoke with have just moved up to the el Ray, SL, NY Bar and are driving the colombians and other imported pro's crazy with there $30,$40 & $50 P4P.

It could not be a better time to VK in SJ then Labor Day.

I'll be there.

[Lancer520]

So now i'm really questioning whether or not to head down to Cost Rica for Labor Day weekend. Next thing you know, they'll be shutting down the Del Ray. These politicians are really trying to ruin my holiday weekend. Somebody bribe these idiots already....

[Professor 1]

From what I read, it's just the police flexing their muscles. They didn't even close the MPs down for pimping. They got them on code violations relating to handicap access.

Code violations are far easier to prove, and tend to subject the state to fewer challenges. It is often cheaper to fix the code violation than hire a lawyer to fight. Governments know this.

[Member #2964]

police units raid 13 more locations for prostitution
by the a.m. costa rica staff


the security ministry initiated a sweep of brothels thursday. all 13 ended up being closed by municipal officials because the businesses lacked a license or had an expired license, officials said.

some were decidedly low-budget, catering mainly to working class costa ricans. but some, including the the pirate club at avenida 10 between calles 12 and 14, were known in the expat community. also raided were the venerable idem and a firm called eros on calle 9 between avenidas 8 and 10, according to a reader who saw police there.

idem, almost a tourist attraction, has been in business as a so-called pension for at least 30 years.

officials did not supply a list of those places raided, but they did provide photos, including some of the pirate club. that location rents rooms for $30 to $50 an hour, according to its web site. it also says it offers "therapeutic massages for both men & women."

immigration agents detained 19 women and a man who were believed to be in the country illegally. they are being investigated. they are colombians and nicaraguans.

the lead agency in the sweep was the ministry's dirección de investigaciones especializadas. agents were accompanied by fuerza pública officers, the policía especial de migración and members of the policía municipal. july 25 it was


ministerio de gobernación, policía
y seguridad pública photo

fuerza pública and municipal police await the results of an inspection of the pirate club.

the municipal police that headed raids on four brothels in barrio amón.

most of the places raided thursday styled themselves as massage parlors, according to the ministerio gobernación, policía y seguridad pública. some advertised themselves as a pension, a latin version of a rooming house.

officials also said that some businesses were dispensing alcohol without a permit. the raids took place all over the capital city.

agents said they were attracted to some of the businesses by their suggestive signs.

[Smokers Rule]

Thanks for the info, Smokers Rule, I was in San Jose two years ago and have plans to return again later this year. Hopefully, everything will be open again by then.

From what I read, it's just the police flexing their muscles. They didn't even close the MPs down for pimping. They got them on code violations relating to handicap access.

[Don Tonto]

ZB will reopen on labor day, according to Eddie. I do not know about the others, but many are still closed. Still plenty of lower-end places open.

Thanks for the info, Smokers Rule, I was in San Jose two years ago and have plans to return again later this year. Hopefully, everything will be open again by then.

[Smokers Rule]

ZB will reopen on labor day, according to Eddie. I do not know about the others, but many are still closed. Still plenty of lower-end places open.

So I'm headed down to CR Labor Day weekend and I'm wondering what the status is on Zona blue and the other massage parlors? Hopefully they will reopen by then. Anyone on the ground in san Jose heard anything?

[Rainman3]

Why is Costa Rica not the place to budget monger these days? For Americans it is still the cheapest place to get to for airfare.

Airfare is only one part of overall trip cost. There are plenty of places only a little further south such as Colombia where your dollar goes much, much further. Im traveling back to CR for Labor Day but have been spending the last 1.5 years visiting in various cities in Colombia. As soon as I touch ground in Mde, Cali, Bogota or Ctg all things are cheaper. But yes the airfare is less expensive.

Rainman3

[Lancer520]

So I'm headed down to CR Labor Day weekend and I'm wondering what the status is on Zona blue and the other massage parlors? Hopefully they will reopen by then. Anyone on the ground in san Jose heard anything?