San Jose General Reports

[Zeos1]

Thank you to everyone for their opinion. I opted for Taormina. My first CR trip is only a few days so I almost pulled the trigger on SL. I could rough it in those lesser accommodations for a few days. LOL But Taormina was cheaper (for the bigger rooms, even), comes with breakfast. And I'm just guessing I'll pull more from Taormina.

That said, it won't be a problem for me to stop in SL for a drink and check out the selection, correct? I haven't seen as much info about Castillo but same question. I don't need a room there to go to the bar and peruse the chica selection, right?

Correct. But unless you hit a very busy time the Castillo only has a few chicas. Mostly under half dozen. Busy times SL may have 20 to 30, and Taormina later in the evening may have 100 sometimes.

[Cocr Brotheler]

That said, it won't be a problem for me to stop in SL for a drink and check out the selection, correct? I haven't seen as much info about Castillo but same question. I don't need a room there to go to the bar and peruse the chica selection, right?

That is correct Dc. Both SL and Castillo bars / restaurants open to those not staying there. I like Tao too. I stayed there once in 2013 when it was called the Mona Lisa.

I had dinner last night at SL also very good food.

Have a blast! My Colombiana did come over to my room at Amistad last night and wore me out.

[Dcrist0527]

For me it's between Tao (nicer hotel) and Castillo (college dormy and more relaxed) and SL doesn't even compete unless the other hotels are booked.

Tao rooms are nicer, the hunting grounds are a casino so a dark loner vibe, the place to be at night if you want selection / variety. You do need to pay a chica fee though.

Castillo is just a straight upgrade over SL IMO. Castillo and SL have the same atmosphere (relaxed bar with a bunch of gringos) and both have sucky loud rooms. But Castillo has a much better food / drink deal and is closer to Tao so easier to get takeout. Neither castillo / SL have chica fees.

Thank you to everyone for their opinion. I opted for Taormina. My first CR trip is only a few days so I almost pulled the trigger on SL. I could rough it in those lesser accommodations for a few days. LOL But Taormina was cheaper (for the bigger rooms, even), comes with breakfast. And I'm just guessing I'll pull more from Taormina.

That said, it won't be a problem for me to stop in SL for a drink and check out the selection, correct? I haven't seen as much info about Castillo but same question. I don't need a room there to go to the bar and peruse the chica selection, right?

[SmallWeinerGuy]

I'm getting ready to book my hotel. I've done my research but would love to hear opinions.

I'm leaning towards Taormina, primarily because it looks like the accommodations seem nicer and the price is actually a little cheaper. They also seem to have a higher volume and maybe a higher quality of chicas. SL seems to have benefits for first timers, presumably for advice you may get from fellow mongers at SL. Do I have that right?

If so, I speak enough Spanish to get by, so that's not a worry. I'm also experienced enough in other countries to stay out of danger, as best one can. All that said, I'm still considering SL because my day time plan is to hit the pensions. Those pensions seem to be less than overt and seem to vary greatly on quality. Is the SL guest knowledge of these pensions enough to warrant staying at SL more than Taormina, which I plan to leverage during the nights?

For me it's between Tao (nicer hotel) and Castillo (college dormy and more relaxed) and SL doesn't even compete unless the other hotels are booked.

Tao rooms are nicer, the hunting grounds are a casino so a dark loner vibe, the place to be at night if you want selection / variety. You do need to pay a chica fee though.

Castillo is just a straight upgrade over SL IMO. Castillo and SL have the same atmosphere (relaxed bar with a bunch of gringos) and both have sucky loud rooms. But Castillo has a much better food / drink deal and is closer to Tao so easier to get takeout. Neither castillo / SL have chica fees.

[MikeMark]

I prefer the atmosphere, the bar, and the company at the SL. It is my home away from home. I know the staff, I know many of the regulars, and many of the repeat visitors which I am. There is little to none of that at Taormina. Also the bar restaurant at SL is far better for me.

Taormina is higher volume of chicas especially later in the evening or night. Many of them circulate back and forth so I wouldn't say there is a difference in quality as much as quantity. If all you want is to go down the elevator, grab someone, and go back to the room Taormina is fine. Or if you want a casino in the hotel.

Up until Super Bowl Weekend this year, I would have agreed with you. Since 2012, I always felt comfortable and welcomed by everyone at the SL, every year and sometimes multiple times in a year. All that changed this year when I booked a reservation at the SL, they confirmed, had my CC information a month before my stay for Super Bowl Weekend. Then cancelled it the Sunday before SB Weekend bc I only had booked for two nights and was headed to Jaco / Quepos to fish. I couldn't believe it. Spent multiple hours on the phone to no avail. Taormina was already booked so I ended up in Jaco 2 days earlier than expected and the Cocal found me a room (albeit double the going rate). I had the Taormina booked on the back-end of my trip for 3 nights. And honestly it was better than it ever was. I found the food better and more reasonably priced than SL now. The breakfast is much better IMHO. And honestly the bar staff hasn't gotten a lot better than it was. Although it is hard to beat the girls behind the bar at the SL who always remembered you!! I have fond memories of many wild nights at the SL. But.

[Huacho]

The weather here is very strange. It would start raining a bit and stop. This happened a few times during my stay. Never had to use an umbrella.

That's what it's like at the very beginning of the rainy season, which is now.

[Cocr Brotheler]

I think unfortunately those $10 rates even for 15 minutes are long gone. I did a pretty good walking tour yesterday departing from Amistad hotel first going by Muses (closed), then Marruecos (also closed). Found 2 flabby chicas 3-5 looks range in Flamingo I believe quoting 15 K CRC for 30'. Found 2 better looking gals in Krisys quoting 20 K CRC for 30'. Then walked Calle 4 & Av. 9 area and everything there closed and shitty area so bugged back to Havana bar (former Zone Blue) and scored with great Colombian on-site for $70 USD and have her contact info for rest of my trip.

[CatBert55]

I prefer the atmosphere, the bar, and the company at the SL. It is my home away from home. I know the staff, I know many of the regulars, and many of the repeat visitors which I am. There is little to none of that at Taormina. Also the bar restaurant at SL is far better for me.

Taormina is higher volume of chicas especially later in the evening or night. Many of them circulate back and forth so I wouldn't say there is a difference in quality as much as quantity. If all you want is to go down the elevator, grab someone, and go back to the room Taormina is fine. Or if you want a casino in the hotel.

The SL and Taormina are separated by a walk of only a few blocks. The walk is safe during the day, OK during early evening, not so safe late at night. You wouldn't want to walk back from the Taormina with a chica because there's a hill that's difficult in FM heels. Cabs between the two spots are about 2 mil CRC. The point being that it's easy to hunt at the Taormina and drag them back to your cave at the SL.

[Dcrist0527]

I prefer the atmosphere, the bar, and the company at the SL. It is my home away from home. I know the staff, I know many of the regulars, and many of the repeat visitors which I am. There is little to none of that at Taormina. Also the bar restaurant at SL is far better for me.

Taormina is higher volume of chicas especially later in the evening or night. Many of them circulate back and forth so I wouldn't say there is a difference in quality as much as quantity. If all you want is to go down the elevator, grab someone, and go back to the room Taormina is fine. Or if you want a casino in the hotel.

Thanks. For making my choice more difficult. LOL. I'm not a guy that finds the girl, negotiates, and is back in the room in 3 minutes. Just the opposite. I like the flirting. A drink or two. I'm definitely a guy that is happiest with a 7 that I click with as opposed to a trophy 10. I'm probably making this more difficult than it needs to be, no? I plan on shopping at both places. So maybe the comfort of the bar is important.

Truly, thanks for your perspective.

[Zeos1]

I'm getting ready to book my hotel. I've done my research but would love to hear opinions.

I'm leaning towards Taormina, primarily because it looks like the accommodations seem nicer and the price is actually a little cheaper. They also seem to have a higher volume and maybe a higher quality of chicas. SL seems to have benefits for first timers, presumably for advice you may get from fellow mongers at SL. Do I have that right?

If so, I speak enough Spanish to get by, so that's not a worry. I'm also experienced enough in other countries to stay out of danger, as best one can. All that said, I'm still considering SL because my day time plan is to hit the pensions. Those pensions seem to be less than overt and seem to vary greatly on quality. Is the SL guest knowledge of these pensions enough to warrant staying at SL more than Taormina, which I plan to leverage during the nights?

I prefer the atmosphere, the bar, and the company at the SL. It is my home away from home. I know the staff, I know many of the regulars, and many of the repeat visitors which I am. There is little to none of that at Taormina. Also the bar restaurant at SL is far better for me.

Taormina is higher volume of chicas especially later in the evening or night. Many of them circulate back and forth so I wouldn't say there is a difference in quality as much as quantity. If all you want is to go down the elevator, grab someone, and go back to the room Taormina is fine. Or if you want a casino in the hotel.

[Frankfurt]

Inflation my friend. As much as US citizens blame Biden for inflation (he doesn't set Fed policies), the rest of the world has had much worse inflation than US including the Euro zone. Also dollar has been declining against CRC. At the peak it was almost 700 colones (Jun 2022). Today it is 508 colones to a dollar. I never ever negotiate prices in USD. Always negotiate in CRC. Few years back a top shelf chica from DR, SL, Taormina would easily go for 60 K colones which used to be $100 but now it will be around $125-30 (you don't get the inter-bank FX rate at retail shops).

I can also speak for Alcazar. I had one of the best young chica barely 20 for whom I suffered the high prices of Alcazar until I convinced her to meet me at day time at Taormina. Alcazar with entry fee, your drink, chica drinks and room upstairs will easily set you back $150-$200 USD and this was pre pandemic the last time I was in SJ. Yes there a much cheaper pensions in few blocks radius of Taormina for day time action where you can get a chica for 15000 colones (half hour) up to 40,000 colones for an hour for 6-8 rated chica (at best). There are several pensions in the center near the China town. I have done them all during my trips to SJ over the years (pre pandemic). You will always find a literal hidden gem or a diamond in the rough -for example a young single childless 20 years old flaka on the first day of her job 'iniciante' but it takes boots on the ground, lot of walking, going to wrong addresses and disappointments along the way. But if you want to shoot fish in the barrel, stick to Taormina and SL.

Happy hunting as always.

I have been to CR and thinking about going soon. Where do you guys get these prices from? If HDR and the main pre-covid vibe and massive amt of tourist is no more then why are these prices so high? Or is the Colones to USD conversion get lost in translation? Cause the only reason why prices would be inflated would be due to an influx of tourism which there isn't. So what's going on there?

Also why no one ever reports about the low end casas? The ones where you spend $10 or less in SJ? Glad you mentioned Alcazar, that was one of my go-to spots and banged quite a few nice girls there. What's the real rate in Colones at Tango India or Alcazar? L would bet Alcazar is nowhere near $200 or TI at $700 usd. That's almost laughable. Even in Scandallo in Sao Paulo BR where you can arguable find the most gorgeous women in the world doesn't come near that price. Others who went recently need to update these prices correctly por favor. Locals still make less than $700 usd per month on average if employed and the clubs are 2/3rd or more with locals so where would they get that kinna money to pay these rates?

[Frankfurt]

Both hotels are within walking distance of each other and the girls rotate in between the two. I like Taormina better because you can actually get quality sleep in rooms on back of the building (room 420 my fav). SL rooms are loud due to the bar / lounge right outside the rooms. Taormina casino and restaurants has unlimited supply of chicas -however be ready to bargain and don't let a chica convince you to also 'invite her friend'. It is usually a meh deal. Both hotels have gringos and you will have no shortage of 'advise' but more importantly you don't need it to shoot fish in the barrel.

Good luck and report back. You can see my report here back from 2017 time frame.

I'm getting ready to book my hotel. I've done my research but would love to hear opinions.

I'm leaning towards Taormina, primarily because it looks like the accommodations seem nicer and the price is actually a little cheaper. They also seem to have a higher volume and maybe a higher quality of chicas. SL seems to have benefits for first timers, presumably for advice you may get from fellow mongers at SL. Do I have that right?

If so, I speak enough Spanish to get by, so that's not a worry. I'm also experienced enough in other countries to stay out of danger, as best one can. All that said, I'm still considering SL because my day time plan is to hit the pensions. Those pensions seem to be less than overt and seem to vary greatly on quality. Is the SL guest knowledge of these pensions enough to warrant staying at SL more than Taormina, which I plan to leverage during the nights?

[Dcrist0527]

I'm getting ready to book my hotel. I've done my research but would love to hear opinions.

I'm leaning towards Taormina, primarily because it looks like the accommodations seem nicer and the price is actually a little cheaper. They also seem to have a higher volume and maybe a higher quality of chicas. SL seems to have benefits for first timers, presumably for advice you may get from fellow mongers at SL. Do I have that right?

If so, I speak enough Spanish to get by, so that's not a worry. I'm also experienced enough in other countries to stay out of danger, as best one can. All that said, I'm still considering SL because my day time plan is to hit the pensions. Those pensions seem to be less than overt and seem to vary greatly on quality. Is the SL guest knowledge of these pensions enough to warrant staying at SL more than Taormina, which I plan to leverage during the nights?

Was in San Jose for five days. Walked into the Taormina and saw a flaca chica in hot pink with a gringo at the front desk. Wow! Never saw her again. Seems girls come and go all the time so I suggest go in hang around and wait for something you like to show up. I got quotes of 100 dolares or 50 k Colones. I offered 35 k both said no. I bumped it up to 40 k and both agreed. No one pressured to buy any drinks except one chica. One chica asked for 150 dolares. She had white skin and green eyes said she was from Alajuela.

Sportsman lodge is maybe 6 or 7 blocks away. One girl asked for 150 dolares. It looks like the chicas have to sign in here before going in the establishment. All older girls here.

The weather here is very strange. It would start raining a bit and stop. This happened a few times during my stay. Never had to use an umbrella.

[Mger34]

Was in San Jose for five days. Walked into the Taormina and saw a flaca chica in hot pink with a gringo at the front desk. Wow! Never saw her again. Seems girls come and go all the time so I suggest go in hang around and wait for something you like to show up. I got quotes of 100 dolares or 50 k Colones. I offered 35 k both said no. I bumped it up to 40 k and both agreed. No one pressured to buy any drinks except one chica. One chica asked for 150 dolares. She had white skin and green eyes said she was from Alajuela.

Sportsman lodge is maybe 6 or 7 blocks away. One girl asked for 150 dolares. It looks like the chicas have to sign in here before going in the establishment. All older girls here.

The weather here is very strange. It would start raining a bit and stop. This happened a few times during my stay. Never had to use an umbrella.

[MaddTraveler]

Last night in San Jose and planned a night out with a long time Costa Rican friend. He picked me up at the Taormina and we headed to La Cascada for a great steak dinner Perfect NY Strip for me, Porterhouse with salads and sides and a great bottle of Argentinian Red set me back $110. Incredible!

First stop Tango India. Entry fee was $28 US per person included two drinks. Great table by the stage. Hadn't been here since 2017. About 20-25 girls dancing and circulating, we ordered drinks and we are accosted immediately by a late 20's pair of 6's who we decline their company. We're scouting the entire place and it is about 2/3rd full of a mix of locals and gringos. The place for me is a total disappointment. I honestly didn't see a girl in the place better than an 8. My Tico friend is mildly interested in a girl who is tall thin mid 20's a 7 who speaks english. We buy her a drink and she gives us a rundown of the prices for FS in the boxes which start at $700 US according to her. We order a second drink. Take in a few more dancers on stage. The place isn't what it was. We pay the bill $100 and leave.

Next stop. Alcazar in downtown San Jose. I'm greeted at the door by my old friend, manager, waiter, bartender, part time pimpMeister Jaro. He waves the $10 entry fee and takes us to a ringside table. We order a couple of drinks and he introduces us to a few of the girls. Solid 7's but nothing that interests me but one cute early 20 TICA has my friend's radar humming. We buy her a couple of drinks and watch a parade of dancers come and go till about 130 am. In the end, my buddy declines Jaro's invitation to take her upstairs for $200 for the hour. I just didn't see anything that got me going. Total bill for me and my friend 4 drinks each and 2 for the Tica was $50 and I threw my old friend Jaro a $10 side tip.

We leave and are parked in the gaited parking lot across the street from Alcazar. As we are leaving, we spot what appears to be an underground bar, club, ? Across the street from the parking lot. A couple of very cute girls ring the bell, and a young guy opens the door and the door gate and looks around, letting the girls in. Looked very interesting. My friend doesn't know the place but the girls entering the place were dimes and dressed to party? Anyone know this place?

We head back toward the Taormina and stop up the street at VIP Club. Go inside for one drink and there are a 3 Nicaraguan girls at the bar. 2 were sub 5's and 1 was a mid 20's passable 6/7. My friend chats up the decent looking girl for about 20 minutes. She is looking for $50 to give him a BBBJ. He declines and I have no interest in the dregs in the rest of the place.

Back to the Taormina by 2 am. The place is rocking. I walk in the door. 2 steps inside. The beautiful Racquel greets me. A DFK. To the desk. Sign in and off to the room for the rest of the night for $250 till I leave at 830 am for Miami.

It was a great trip!

I have been to CR and thinking about going soon. Where do you guys get these prices from? If HDR and the main pre-covid vibe and massive amt of tourist is no more then why are these prices so high? Or is the Colones to USD conversion get lost in translation? Cause the only reason why prices would be inflated would be due to an influx of tourism which there isn't. So what's going on there?

Also why no one ever reports about the low end casas? The ones where you spend $10 or less in SJ? Glad you mentioned Alcazar, that was one of my go-to spots and banged quite a few nice girls there. What's the real rate in Colones at Tango India or Alcazar? L would bet Alcazar is nowhere near $200 or TI at $700 usd. That's almost laughable. Even in Scandallo in Sao Paulo BR where you can arguable find the most gorgeous women in the world doesn't come near that price. Others who went recently need to update these prices correctly por favor. Locals still make less than $700 usd per month on average if employed and the clubs are 2/3rd or more with locals so where would they get that kinna money to pay these rates?