San Jose General Reports

[Junky11]

I've heard ZB or now Little Havana (LH) is the best if you want to enter thru the back door. Is this available also at the HDR? How much more do providers want to come in thru the back entrance? The goal of my upcoming trip is to enter a 10 thru the back door. Guidance fellow mongers?

[Horntoad]

Yeah, Horntoad, I've done that, too; but I have to be in a certain mood, and not only that, there has to be someone(s) there who inspires me to do so... the last few times I've looked through that mirror, I haven't seen anything that prevented me from walking on down to ZB...

Anyway, I'm 6 days away from arriving in San Jose'! I'll definitely write a report when I get back, or if I have time, while I'm there. I'm there for about a month, but unfortunately most of that month will be in an area of no action... But I'll hit San Jose' once when arriving, once in the middle and once at the end. So look for a report and photos around the middle of October...

Haha, you're so right about not seeing anything inspiring at New Fantasy. The quality at Zona Blue or Hotel Little Havana as it is called now is way better. Also the girls at NF don't seem very interested and look bored most of the time. At ZB the girls flash you and lick each other right in the bar. Much more livelier atmosphere. I'm sure you will find something even though you are in an area with no action.
Have a great time!!

[Johnny Sax]

I agree with you and like the fact that the girls can come up to you at ZB vs. Idem where they cannot because of house rules. At Idem, you have to call them over but the interested ones will make eye contact and flirt with you.

Johnny Sax, I felt the same way at New Fantasy but I just walk around the mirror and plop myself on the couch next to the girl I want to talk to.

Yeah, Horntoad, I've done that, too; but I have to be in a certain mood, and not only that, there has to be someone(s) there who inspires me to do so... the last few times I've looked through that mirror, I haven't seen anything that prevented me from walking on down to ZB...

Anyway, I'm 6 days away from arriving in San Jose'! I'll definitely write a report when I get back, or if I have time, while I'm there. I'm there for about a month, but unfortunately most of that month will be in an area of no action... But I'll hit San Jose' once when arriving, once in the middle and once at the end. So look for a report and photos around the middle of October...

[Horntoad]

I agree with you and like the fact that the girls can come up to you at ZB vs. Idem where they cannot because of house rules. At Idem, you have to call them over but the interested ones will make eye contact and flirt with you.

Johnny Sax, I felt the same way at New Fantasy but I just walk around the mirror and plop myself on the couch next to the girl I want to talk to.

[Johnny Sax]

[edit]
Johnny,
While you're definitely correct that the CR Mongers public enemy #1 is VP Laura Chinchilla, this latest move came from the San Jose CITY government, not her. The lady VP is probably still indirectly involved, just not in the way you suggest. The truth is that she and San Jose Mayor Johnny Araya, who directed the raids, are actually bitter political rivals who are competing to be President Oscar Arias's successor. VP Chinchilla railing against prostitution does get a lot of attraction among many elements of CR voters and Mayor Johnny probably had to do SOME thing, even if it was just token, to innoculate himself against charges that he wasn't doing anything about it.

Incidently, I've been very impressed with everything else that Mayor Johnny has been doing in SJ. Okay, all those vacas are a bit hokey, but the new Avenida 4 pedestrian walkway is looking really good (and free of cracks, holes and dropoffs), and he's also been making efforts (some more effective than others) to deal with traffic congestion, crime, street peddlers. There is even talk about putting in street signs all over SJ. Talk about hell freezing over.

I DON'T KNOW for certain, but I strongly suspect that this is just a phase among many other similar ones that have happened several times in the past and will probably happen again from time to time in the future. Unless that stuck-up feminist b*tch somehow manages to beat the mayor for the Presidency (hopefully unlikely), then I suspect things will pretty much go back to what they've been like once he's elected and we'll all look back on the events of recent weeks as a small momentary price to pay to help get "our guy" elected.

Anyway, that's my personal take on the situation. I hope I'm correct, but I certainly could be wrong (its also been known to happen from time to time).
----------[...edit]

Thanks Norman and Lancer for the fresh info, and Prolijo, thanks to you for the San Jose/Costa Rica political analysis. You must live there or stay there a lot? I am working on that myself, and with some luck may be down there permanent in a year or two...

Anyway, I hope you're right about things getting back to normal soon, and I surely DO hope that c**t VP does not get elected! Man, that could really be ugly! I can't imagine Costa Rica electing a woman Prez though...

I would prefer NF, too, if I had a regular there. When I first went there years ago I met a girl there who I was totally "in love" with, she was awesome, but then every time I went back she was never there. If she was there, now, I'd also make NF a favorite hang out.

As for ZB, even though it is approaching the cost of girls at the BM and KL, I still like it because it's your basic "no hassle" solid one hour experience and I've never been too disappointed by anyone I've chosen there. (Admittedly I do have a method and knack for picking them.)

I like that they allow the girls to come over to you at the bar in ZB, unlike IDEM where they do not. Some guys like IDEM for that reason, but I'd rather fend off the girls I am not interested in than to have them all sitting along the wall like at IDEM where you can't see them well nor interact with them very well. That's why I don't usually get many girls at IDEM, it seems hard to get a rapport going with the girls there (though not impossible). That's another reason I don't like NF - the mirror deal, no bar... I prefer to interact with the girls at least a bit before choosing one.

Good to hear ZB is getting back in the swing of things again, and I will definitely check out La Gatita and maybe that other place someone mentioned that I have never heard of. I admire those who go to these "off the grid" places. I've generally had little success with such places so I seldom bother, but its true, sometimes you can find a great deal at some of those places.

[Junky11]

Now that's what I call FRESH info! Thanks guys!
------------

Hopefully, they'll bring back the CRT discount soon because, IMHO (YMMV), their regular $55 price is simply ridiculous (approaching what you can get for take-out at the HDR). I'm sure I'll catch a lot of flack for this from the diehard ZB fans (and I know there are many of you), but (again, just IMHO) I think, while the ZB might have been a pretty good place when it first opened, and despite all the many infrastructure improvements, it has been going down ever since (higher prices, declining quality as the original stars moved on, declining quality of service in general and rising demands/expectations for propinas).
------------

Johnny,
While you're definitely correct that the CR Mongers public enemy #1 is VP Laura Chinchilla, this latest move came from the San Jose CITY government, not her. The lady VP is probably still indirectly involved, just not in the way you suggest. The truth is that she and San Jose Mayor Johnny Araya, who directed the raids, are actually bitter political rivals who are competing to be President Oscar Arias's successor. VP Chinchilla railing against prostitution does get a lot of attraction among many elements of CR voters and Mayor Johnny probably had to do SOME thing, even if it was just token, to innoculate himself against charges that he wasn't doing anything about it.

Incidently, I've been very impressed with everything else that Mayor Johnny has been doing in SJ. Okay, all those vacas are a bit hokey, but the new Avenida 4 pedestrian walkway is looking really good (and free of cracks, holes and dropoffs), and he's also been making efforts (some more effective than others) to deal with traffic congestion, crime, street peddlers. There is even talk about putting in street signs all over SJ. Talk about hell freezing over.

I DON'T KNOW for certain, but I strongly suspect that this is just a phase among many other similar ones that have happened several times in the past and will probably happen again from time to time in the future. Unless that stuck-up feminist b*tch somehow manages to beat the mayor for the Presidency (hopefully unlikely), then I suspect things will pretty much go back to what they've been like once he's elected and we'll all look back on the events of recent weeks as a small momentary price to pay to help get "our guy" elected.

Anyway, that's my personal take on the situation. I hope I'm correct, but I certainly could be wrong (its also been known to happen from time to time).
------------

As for NF, my take is very similar to JohnnySax's. The girls there always look very bored, but much the same thing can probably said about most of the girls at most of the other MP's in CR. In fact, despite my earlier negative comments about ZB, that is one of the real positive things about that place. Perhaps thanks to the bar environment that they have, the girls there usually (though still not always) at least look like they're having a good time hanging out and are up for a session. Personally, I still prefer NF, but that is because I mainly just see a regular there and she always seems very glad to see me and ready to play.
-----------

Re: Gatitas, I've never actually been there myself so I don't know what I could add to what you could have read on that other forum, but here are the basics:

Location: Calle 7 between Avenida 12 and 14 (thats about 6 and a half blocks south of the Presidente on the right (west) side of the street

Hours: 10-10 M-F (not sure of its Saturday hours but it is closed on Sundays)

Price: Again not sure, but I recall reading $20 for a half hour placing it more in the Gringo MP price range than the Tico MP that it really is.

Quality: Again not sure (obviously since I haven't been there), but I've heard that the quality went up over recent weeks as it became an alternate place of employment for ZB and NF girls. In fact, I think I read somewhere that it is actually owned by the same people that own NF. Before that, and probably once again as those places reopen, the place had also been jokingly referred to as "Las Gorditas". I'll leave it to others how to interpret that or whether or not it is fair.

Excellent info & analysis. thx

[Norman Stormin]

Just returned from 4 weeks in CR. First and last weeks in San Jose, two weeks in the provence of Limon. Arrived just after some of the brothels were shut down. I had a wingman this trip and was willing to be a bit more adventurous than normal.

In January, I stumbled into a bar on 4th Avenue between Central Park and Merced Park. I had a beer but felt a little uncomfortable simply because everyone was falling down drunk. Not menacing, just annoying. Thought it best if I came again with backup. They were still working on converting 4th to a pedestrian street.

Now it's finished and business is flourishing. I thought for sure this place would be gone. Suprise, it's still there in all of it's disgusting glory. Double shot of guaro 500, Imperial 600, full service one hour sex 5,000. The rooms are on the 3rd floor for 1,500. Granted, some of the girls were past their prime, but there were several who would rank above the blue marlin low ends.

It's a 3 story building on the south side of 4th Avenue between Calle 8 and 10. There is a small counter take out kitchen streetside, big barroom in back. There is an Imperial sign on the 2nd floor saying Restaurant El Porteno and the 3rd floor window is painted Pension mi Casa.

Visited four times. Excellent service each time. And found two gems. A young green eyed Columbian and a tall blue eyed blond from Vancouver (an obvious druggie on the lamb). She could have easily commanded $200 a night at the Del Rey. Go figure?

[Prolijo]

Now that's what I call FRESH info! Thanks guys!
------------

Hopefully, they'll bring back the CRT discount soon because, IMHO (YMMV), their regular $55 price is simply ridiculous (approaching what you can get for take-out at the HDR). I'm sure I'll catch a lot of flack for this from the diehard ZB fans (and I know there are many of you), but (again, just IMHO) I think, while the ZB might have been a pretty good place when it first opened, and despite all the many infrastructure improvements, it has been going down ever since (higher prices, declining quality as the original stars moved on, declining quality of service in general and rising demands/expectations for propinas).
------------

Johnny,
While you're definitely correct that the CR Mongers public enemy #1 is VP Laura Chinchilla, this latest move came from the San Jose CITY government, not her. The lady VP is probably still indirectly involved, just not in the way you suggest. The truth is that she and San Jose Mayor Johnny Araya, who directed the raids, are actually bitter political rivals who are competing to be President Oscar Arias's successor. VP Chinchilla railing against prostitution does get a lot of attraction among many elements of CR voters and Mayor Johnny probably had to do SOME thing, even if it was just token, to innoculate himself against charges that he wasn't doing anything about it.

Incidently, I've been very impressed with everything else that Mayor Johnny has been doing in SJ. Okay, all those vacas are a bit hokey, but the new Avenida 4 pedestrian walkway is looking really good (and free of cracks, holes and dropoffs), and he's also been making efforts (some more effective than others) to deal with traffic congestion, crime, street peddlers. There is even talk about putting in street signs all over SJ. Talk about hell freezing over.

I DON'T KNOW for certain, but I strongly suspect that this is just a phase among many other similar ones that have happened several times in the past and will probably happen again from time to time in the future. Unless that stuck-up feminist b*tch somehow manages to beat the mayor for the Presidency (hopefully unlikely), then I suspect things will pretty much go back to what they've been like once he's elected and we'll all look back on the events of recent weeks as a small momentary price to pay to help get "our guy" elected.

Anyway, that's my personal take on the situation. I hope I'm correct, but I certainly could be wrong (its also been known to happen from time to time).
------------

As for NF, my take is very similar to JohnnySax's. The girls there always look very bored, but much the same thing can probably said about most of the girls at most of the other MP's in CR. In fact, despite my earlier negative comments about ZB, that is one of the real positive things about that place. Perhaps thanks to the bar environment that they have, the girls there usually (though still not always) at least look like they're having a good time hanging out and are up for a session. Personally, I still prefer NF, but that is because I mainly just see a regular there and she always seems very glad to see me and ready to play.
-----------

Re: Gatitas, I've never actually been there myself so I don't know what I could add to what you could have read on that other forum, but here are the basics:

Location: Calle 7 between Avenida 12 and 14 (thats about 6 and a half blocks south of the Presidente on the right (west) side of the street

Hours: 10-10 M-F (not sure of its Saturday hours but it is closed on Sundays)

Price: Again not sure, but I recall reading $20 for a half hour placing it more in the Gringo MP price range than the Tico MP that it really is.

Quality: Again not sure (obviously since I haven't been there), but I've heard that the quality went up over recent weeks as it became an alternate place of employment for ZB and NF girls. In fact, I think I read somewhere that it is actually owned by the same people that own NF. Before that, and probably once again as those places reopen, the place had also been jokingly referred to as "Las Gorditas". I'll leave it to others how to interpret that or whether or not it is fair.

[Lancer520]

Zona blue is alive and kicking. went to check it out this morning around 10:30 and spoke with Eddie. The new second level bar looks great. There were only three girls there for the morning shift but i guess it's gonna take some time to get the girls back. Sunday they are having a two for one drink party. Another crew was starting to arrive around 11:30 but I had to pick up my wingman at the airport so I couldn't participate. I'll be back to San Jose Wed. with another report. Tonight it's Jaco and the Beatle Bar...

[Johnny Sax]

Seems that the whole harrassment of massage parlors was a political move on the part of the new woman vice president. Figures.

How ridiculous! Tellling the massage parlors they need handicapped access ... while the streets of San Jose are full of holes, 2 feet high curbs, open drain holes, vendors blocking sidewalks, etc. etc. etc...

This whole thing was clearly a "shakedown" and/or a first assault of a series of assaults that could possibly lead to a "no sex business" new law in Costa Rica... Let's hope it does not come to that!

Anyway I'm heading down sometime in Sept. and I want to know if the above mentioned thread title mp's are open and what their prices are and how are the selections?

I did hear that ZB (now Little Havana Hotel) no longer offers a CRT discount. But there is talk of a negotiation...

I had a feeling when they started "classing up the joint" at ZB, it might be the beginning of the end of the glory days of ZB... Time will tell. But I am skeptical that things will continue to be as great as they once were there. I hope I'm wrong...

As for NF, every time I've checked it out during the last 2 years (3-4 times), it has been full of very bored looking girls with that "Please don't choose me!" look on their faces, and that's through the mirrored glass, so it isn't like they didn't want to be with me in particular. I remember a time when it was better than ZB, and had some really outstanding girls. So how is NF these days?

Also, someone in another forum spoke of La Gatita. Can anyone tell me about that place?

I have not been around here much lately so forgive me if there was "just a thread on this" or whatever. I'd appreciate any feedback to prepare me for my next trip down there. This will be about my 25th trip down to Costa Rica... but there is always new territory to discover and new things to experience!

[MJG Dogs]

It looks like there is peace. Now you two go have a good time, keep hitting on those $ 100 per hour pieces of tail in San jose, just don't wear a Miami Hurricanes jersey and be a loud drunk in the pink palace.

Good to see you guys have chilled though

[Prolijo]

Paddy,

I'm done. 2666 is done. Apparently Fantasy isn't.

I thought I had actually addressed that query fairly thoroughly 2 full days ago (and insulted for it). That was on Tuesday, the very day it was supposed to open. I'm really sorry that I wasn't able to confirm it personally for you and everyone else by rushing out there that same day. Clearly, I don't pretend to know everything, as some seem to suggest. I guess I shouldn't even bother to try to provide the useful information that I do know any more (or share my opinions) if this is the response. But, in all the time since then, no one else here seems to have had anything more positive to add.

Frankly, ISG may be great for Prague but, if you really want to learn about CR rather than just read snide remarks directed at someone for just trying to share what they know, then you're really in the wrong forum. The same topic about ZB's reopening can be found at the CRT site. Sure, that thread has its share of "childish ongoing banter" too, but at least it is all friendly. And, in that thread, SEVERAL CRT members reported actually visiting Little Havana (formerly Zona Blue) since it reopened. So it is CONFIRMED that they have reopened.

[Paddy]

I'm going to be making my first foray into Costa Rica in a few weeks and I'm trying to genuinely learn something here. I thought that learning and asssisting each other in terms of getting laid was what the ISG was all about.

Instead, this forum is full of childish ongoing banter. Are you "beyond macho" guys about done banging your dicks on your keyboards??? Can we actually address queries about whether or not Zona Blue is open again?

Paddy from Prague

[Fantasy]

Maybe you do know everything!

[Prolijo]

Fantasy,
I'm not going to take the bait this time. You can believe whatever you want to believe. Those members know who they are.

2666 and I have both agreed to move on. Why can't you? Do you really prefer to witness these fights? I'm sure all the more mature members would prefer to read something else.