San Jose General Reports

[Nixonbd]

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?

SL is a 5-7 minute walk (all uphill) from the Taormina. Best to use a taxi if late at night though. During the afternoon and evening it's a generally safe walk too and from the SL and Taormina. The girls in SL and Castillo are mostly regulars who will go to other bars as well. Though the girls in those venues are a bit aged, for the most part. The Castillo is probably the most crowded during football season when a lot of regulars who frequent there are in town. That said, most of the bars pick up over American holidays because that's when we typically choose to travel.

The Taormina has its old regulars too (some holdovers from the old Del Rey), but there are some hidden gems who wander in when their rent money is due. As noted, there are some nights where there may be 60-100 girls who come through; some nights only 30-40. If you're a long time traveler the places like SJO and MDE, you'll have girls on your WhatsApp Rolodex that are only a phone call away.

Look forward to your report. I'm at the Taormina for five nights over Memorial Day weekend; I'll post my report then.

[Dcrist0527]

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.

100 makes me more comfortable with my hotel selection. I'm far too picky for someone with my looks. Chemistry is important, and hard to find. I'm also encouraged you mentioned later in the evening. For whatever reason, I'm usually a late night guy on these trips.

[Dcrist0527]

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.

You have my taste. It seems no matter what country I visit, I select a Colombiana. It's a nice problem to have. LOL But I'm determined to try at least one tica or nica. I almost booked MDE again this trip but I really want to try sonewhere new. My expectations are pretty low for this trip. MDE is basically paradise for me. But a new locake usually brings at least some feeling of exciting, the unknown.

[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?