San Jose General Reports

[Calzon65]

I stayed at the HDR this past weekend. Unfortunately, the casino is still not operational, and I got no firm ETA from the front desk folks. It's too bad because I think the casino adds some energy to the place. Maybe they will get it operational for the Halloween party. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night were not as packed as pre-COVID times, but it was not too bad. Prices were still around the same, about $100 gets you a good encounter. The chica "room fee" increased slightly from pre-COVID $12 to $15, so not a significant increase.

The Thursday DJ played popular dance music, but I was disappointed in the music on Friday and Saturday where a different DJ (I think it was a female but kind of hard to tell) only played hard rock (KISS, AC / DC, Zeppelin, etc.). From my years at the HDR, the nights where the music is festive / dance girls are dancing, laughing, shaking their ass, singing along, and drinking more.

Overall, it was still a positive experience and I will continue to visit the HDR. I am, however, thinking about venturing to the DR, which I know nothing about. I will read up on the DR forums but I wondered if anyone knew of a hotel setup like the HDR (I. E. , hotel with a chica bar) but in the DR?

[XandirHunt]

That one is in Jaco. Might be an option if you plan to be in Jaco.

In San Jose I have found many of the Airbnb's do NOT want you to bring in guests. So you do need to be clear with hosts on what you want to do, or if you are breaking a rule they have, they can boot you with no refund. So check their rules, and check with the host if the rules don't seem clear (as you indicated you do). I have stayed in an Airbnb where I registered my girlfriend with me. Before arrival, with her name and ID number, and even then I had to confirm it with the security people as they did not want to let her in the building.

I have one booked coming up. You can also check reviews, that helps. One review said "you can come and go without anyone to bother you, and you don't need to go through a doorman" I knew what he was saying. I still emailed the host and asked if guests were allowed.

[Zeos1]

I haven't been to Costa Rica yet, but I was looking into to a trip there a couple of months ago. I read a suggestion somewhere on this forum where someone recommended doing a search on Airbnb for "bachelor pad". In my experience with Airbnb in other countries, I usally email the host if it was not clear.

That one is in Jaco. Might be an option if you plan to be in Jaco.

In San Jose I have found many of the Airbnb's do NOT want you to bring in guests. So you do need to be clear with hosts on what you want to do, or if you are breaking a rule they have, they can boot you with no refund. So check their rules, and check with the host if the rules don't seem clear (as you indicated you do). I have stayed in an Airbnb where I registered my girlfriend with me. Before arrival, with her name and ID number, and even then I had to confirm it with the security people as they did not want to let her in the building.

[TnGentleman2]

Thanks for the tips. I do speak some travelers spanish and look forward to the trip. Staying one night in San Jose, then down to Jaco for several days.

In my opinion, always and everywhere you will get better deals in the local currency. More specifically, in Latin America in my 17 years here, the more you think and talk about dollars with chicas, the more the price goes up and the service goes down. Talking and dealing in dollars just makes you an obvious nookie rookie. If you are in fact a rookie and can't speak Spanish, try to keep it under a hundred. 50 k colones works for me in most places and that is about $75 US right now. I was down there in August and stayed at Sportsmans and it was easy to get two pops in an hour in the room with say a 7 on the scale. The chicas know the exchange rate but they respect you more in colones.

[George03]

Hello all,

I'm planning a multi week trip to Costa Rica, I hope to get some action off Seeking, and might skip the pros entirely. Paces like Taormina seems pricey and would add up pretty quick so my question is:

If I met a girl outside a "normal" hotel for lunch / dinner and on the way back we walk in and go up together, would reception bother me? We should just look like two "normal" people as opposed to a jon and a hooker.

Any hotel recommendations outside the usual places mentioned here would be welcomed. Airbnb is an option but I'd prefer to avoid any awkwardness dealing with hosts and possibly getting a bad review.

I haven't been to Costa Rica yet, but I was looking into to a trip there a couple of months ago. I read a suggestion somewhere on this forum where someone recommended doing a search on Airbnb for "bachelor pad". In my experience with Airbnb in other countries, I usally email the host if it was not clear.

[OldSchool318]

President signed the bill legalizing it. Legislator has to evaluate but odds are strong on it passing.

https://qcostarica.com/costa-rica-go...reational-use/#text=%E2%80%9 CThis%20 law%20 allows%20 the%20 control, streets%2 C%E2%80%9 D%20 said%20 the%20 president.

A few other things:

For the guy who was asking about the random chica and hotels. There are many hourly spots in SJ. Ask the girl or a taxi driver they will know. I know there are some right in the Gulch or near it, I just can't remember where at this time.

Also. Always pay in Colones. Don't even speak $ and if they do, change the convo over to Colones. Much better and inexpensive option.

[Huacho]

Hi Gents,

I will be down thee in a couple of weeks. Can you pay the girls with US dollars or do you need to change over into local currency? Thanks! TN.

In my opinion, always and everywhere you will get better deals in the local currency. More specifically, in Latin America in my 17 years here, the more you think and talk about dollars with chicas, the more the price goes up and the service goes down. Talking and dealing in dollars just makes you an obvious nookie rookie. If you are in fact a rookie and can't speak Spanish, try to keep it under a hundred. 50 k colones works for me in most places and that is about $75 US right now. I was down there in August and stayed at Sportsmans and it was easy to get two pops in an hour in the room with say a 7 on the scale. The chicas know the exchange rate but they respect you more in colones.

[Zeos1]

Hi Gents,

I will be down thee in a couple of weeks. Can you pay the girls with US dollars or do you need to change over into local currency? Thanks! TN.

In most situations using dollars will cost you more than using colones. Not necessarily with the chicas in the typical monger locations, but everywhere else. But you need to know your exchange rates, etc. In restaurants and other places I now use my credit card almost exclusively. That works out to be as good as I can do for an exchange rate, and it is not being bloated to 10 or 20% like can happen when you pay with dollars cash.

[CatBert55]

Hi Gents,

I will be down thee in a couple of weeks. Can you pay the girls with US dollars or do you need to change over into local currency? Thanks! TN.

Depends on the venue. At the standard gringo places (SL, Castillo, etc.), the chicas will quote dollars. You can negotiate to pay in colones if you want. At the Pensiones you pay in colones.

[TnGentleman2]

Hi Gents,

I will be down thee in a couple of weeks. Can you pay the girls with US dollars or do you need to change over into local currency? Thanks! TN.

[CatBert55]

Hello all,

I'm planning a multi week trip to Costa Rica, I hope to get some action off Seeking, and might skip the pros entirely. Paces like Taormina seems pricey and would add up pretty quick so my question is:

If I met a girl outside a "normal" hotel for lunch / dinner and on the way back we walk in and go up together, would reception bother me? We should just look like two "normal" people as opposed to a jon and a hooker.

Any hotel recommendations outside the usual places mentioned here would be welcomed. Airbnb is an option but I'd prefer to avoid any awkwardness dealing with hosts and possibly getting a bad review.

There are a few hotels with lobby bars and restaurants where it's possible to bring in women without registering them. Just stop off for a drink first. The front desk will notice but if you're discrete you won't get hassled. The Crowne Plaza comes to mind. But any hotel like this is probably going to be more expensive than the gulch hotels. What you absolutely must avoid are hotels that cater to American tourists. They will be absolutely unforgiving of bringing in chicas because it upsets the gringas. Unless you have a single companion you're registering for your entire stay, take HD's advice and stick to the gulch.

[HardDrive]

Hello all,

I'm planning a multi week trip to Costa Rica, I hope to get some action off Seeking, and might skip the pros entirely. Paces like Taormina seems pricey and would add up pretty quick so my question is:

If I met a girl outside a "normal" hotel for lunch / dinner and on the way back we walk in and go up together, would reception bother me? We should just look like two "normal" people as opposed to a jon and a hooker.

Any hotel recommendations outside the usual places mentioned here would be welcomed. Airbnb is an option but I'd prefer to avoid any awkwardness dealing with hosts and possibly getting a bad review.

If you register her as a second guest to your room and you have booked the room for two guests you won't have any issues at any hotel. Unfortunately you probably won't be able to bring in a different woman later in you stay at many of the regular hotels. Those that do allow her in will likely charge a heavy "guest" fee.

If you are thinking of bringing in multiple women you are probably better off sticking to the hotels in the gulch.

[GuyPerson]

Hello all,

I'm planning a multi week trip to Costa Rica, I hope to get some action off Seeking, and might skip the pros entirely. Paces like Taormina seems pricey and would add up pretty quick so my question is:

If I met a girl outside a "normal" hotel for lunch / dinner and on the way back we walk in and go up together, would reception bother me? We should just look like two "normal" people as opposed to a jon and a hooker.

Any hotel recommendations outside the usual places mentioned here would be welcomed. Airbnb is an option but I'd prefer to avoid any awkwardness dealing with hosts and possibly getting a bad review.

[Sammon]

A girl with an online listing in the san Jose area. After she quoted her price and I said I couldn't afford it she berated me for wasting her time and called me terrible insults and said here in Costa Rica prostitution is illegal and she was reporting me to the police and giving them all my info including where I stay at.

I told her she is crazy and I've done nothing wrong but she insisted saying the police will visit me soon LOL.

Is there actually anything for me to be worried about here?

She is full of it. Prostitution is totally legal in CR. Be nice to a girl, make sure she is over 18 years of age. You can legally discuss the price for sex. Like other poster said pimping, human trafficking, underage hook ups, threat of violence, hitting a girl all illegal.

Do you know you can block her on WhatsApp? Press her profile and scroll and block. You will never receive any messages from her any.

[CatBert55]

A girl with an online listing in the san Jose area. After she quoted her price and I said I couldn't afford it she berated me for wasting her time and called me terrible insults and said here in Costa Rica prostitution is illegal and she was reporting me to the police and giving them all my info including where I stay at.

I told her she is crazy and I've done nothing wrong but she insisted saying the police will visit me soon LOL.

Is there actually anything for me to be worried about here?

No. Prostitution is legal in CR. What's illegal is profiting off of somebody else engaging in prostitution. So brothels, pimps, etc. , are illegal. Pensiones get around it by 'renting' rooms to 'independent' workers.