San Jose General Reports

[Underwriter1]

Black,

I am no CR expert but have been 10 times in 5 years. First of all, I personally think the best hotel to stay in is The Del Rey. Especially for your first time. It is a surreal experience and it is the most convienent place to be.

You have the Monkey Bar and Key Largo within walking distance and a very nice casino. I forget the name two doors down. I really think for your first time in San Jose that being at the Del Rey and being able to hang out at the Blue Marlin, go across the street and play pool at the Monkey Bar, or go to the more disco atmosphere at Key Largo.

If the Del Rey is not available and for additional trips to San Jose as far as I am concerned there is only one place to stay. The Sleep Inn behind the Del Rey. First, it is BRAND NEW. Everything is nice, it is 100 yards to the Del Rey and all the above mentioned bars. I will stay there from here on out, but if I am traveling with a first timer. I will always try to stay at the Del Rey for the experience.

I have done the parlor thing in San Jose and yes you can get "more" for you money. But that is for trip 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on. Stay at the Del Rey and get the full San Jose Experience.

Feel free to ask any specific questions.

[Black Dak]

My recently single bud and I are heading south for our 1st trip to CR. We are planning 2 nights in SJ, then 2 nights in Tortuguero for jungle tours and fishing. Then it's back to SJ for our last night of partying. I think we have a handle on the jungle resort and a high end hotel for our last night. But was wondering what some of you thought to be THE BEST deal for us on our first 2 nights? I have read much regarding location and amenities. But this bar fine or chica fee thing really bugs me. Any input on what the best chica friendly hotel is? Really important for me is bed size, as I am 6'3.

Also wondering if you guys can give a newbie some tips on must go clubs, bars, or MPs.

Thanks in advance!

Oh, BTW my bud and I will be in SJ from May 27 29 and again on the 31st. Maybe some of you will be in town on the same dates?

[ThunderPants]

The Presidente does not have a chica fee. It has a dress code and a limit of one (1) chica per quest.

This info is as of April15 2007.

[Prolijo]

Dapanz,
I now see that you were referring back to an earlier post. You should have included some quotes or something in your post to make that clearer. Now I just added even further to the confusion. And all this caused originally by some first-time poster who apparently doesn't know as much about what he is talking about as he thinks he does. Disinformation! What a way to start off one's posting record on a forum. Way to go, Mrmrmr.

[LaTraveler2007]

I go to CR often and my favorite strip club is D'Palufos in San Pedro. They have crazy stage shows where they pull guys on stage and molest them then beat them witha belt. They have girls sticking bottle in any of their orifaces. Thye put whip cream on body parts and let guys lick it off and I mean completely off. Then abour 11PM, they have girls dance for you in public for 1000 colones. Then a little after midnight, they have hot lesbian shows. The thing I like best is they have very private rooms and they only charge $14 for 5 minutes and you can get a really hot lesbian show for $28. Recently I did a two gorl session for 3 sessions and the girls BBBJ the taxi driver and I for nothing. Sure as hell gave them a tip! There is another D'palufos in Alejuela near the airport and it has the same shows but the girls are greedier and many are silicon. Sen Padro has few North Americans but I have never felt threatened. I look anglo but do speak some Spanish. Few people speak Spanish at this one. Alejuela has more NA customers and one of the managers usually speak English. I have had more success just pulling it out during the dance and some ask for money and some just ask if you'll tip them later.

[Prolijo]

Dapanz,
Its nice to see you adding your knowledge over here. I didn't know about the chica fee at the Prez. Goes to show I need to keep up on current events more and probably missed its announcement on the other board where I'm sure it must have been discussed. As for the new Prez chica fees themselves, I can't say I'm surprised and most of us could see the direction they were heading once they started with the ridiculous dress code. IMHO, anyone who hadn't already written off the Prez as a chica-friendly hotel should write them off now with this latest development.

Roller,
Your latest post was a perfectly reasonable and informative explanation. If you had included even just the fact that you were normally subject to migraines and that you were also on some other medication it would have better explained your situation. However, I think a lot of my advice still applies. Obviously, taking a couple of Advil isn't going to cut it, but suggestion 2-5 still apply.

Since you got this prescription legitimately, I'd add in your case that you should go back to your urologist who is already well familiar with your complicating history and either see if he will
a) adjust your prescription for other ED medication to see if that helps
b) prescribe painkillers if they're really called for
c) possibly adjust the form of TRT you're on
d) advice you of some other possible work-around such as the timing of when you take your various medications (e.g. maybe it is just a matter of not taking any Viagra within so many hours of taking your TRT meds)
e) advice you if maybe it is something else altogether that you are taking that is contributing to this reaction such as creatine, myoplex etc.

I somehow doubt either of the last 2 suggestions would really apply, but you never really know unless you ask a real expert (ie your doctor instead of a bunch of yahoos on a sex board). I suspect that it is your propensity for migraines that is the real culprit here and the form of ED or TRT drug or any of the other stuff you might be taking really has nothing to do with it. There may be other solutions short of not taking the stuff at all, but as you admitted you're taking it as an enhancement not as something you absolutely need so just not taking might end up being the best solution.

[Dapanz 1]

Yes - The Presidente charges a chica fee ($10?)

Last I knew Prez has no chica fee. However, you are correct about the new dress code.

Dapanz1

[Rolleratnight]

In clinical studies of Viagra one of the most common side effects is headaches but those are usually mild and only occur in 16% of patients. Be glad that is your worst side-effect and you haven't suffered from priapism or blindness. Even so, if you do experience headaches, there are several things you can do short of the radical solution of adding painkillers to your chemical mix.

1) Try taking an Aleve or Tylenol at the same time as you take the Viagra.

2) Adjust your dose of Viagra downward. Most guys taking Viagra do not need the full 100mg dose and even a 1/2-1/4 pill can be effective.

3) Try using a different ED prescription. Cialis and Levitra also sometimes cause headache side effects but maybe you won't suffer the same problems with them,

4) Rather than self-medicating, consult with your local doctor who prescribed the Viagra in the first place (if any) and get him to write the extra script for painkillers if those are really called for (I somehow suspect that he would advice against it if there even was any local doctor involved at all)

5) If the headaches are really so bad that you need to take prescription painkillers, then maybe the side effect that Viagra causes is worse than the problem it is supposedly trying to solve. If so, maybe instead of compounding the problem by taking potentially addictive painkillers, which carry potential side-effects of their own (can you say Celebrex and Vioxx?), you should be asking yourself if you really even need to take Viagra that badly in the first place.

You referred to it as prescription Viagra, but most guys who take it probably do so as an enhancement aid rather then as treatment for any real ED problem, even many who convince their doctor to write a script (sometimes lying about or exaggerating their problems in order to get it). Often if they can't get their local doctor to write a script (or don't feel comfortable discussing it with him), they go on-line and perhaps fill out some anonymous and unsubstantiated questionaire where they can claim to have some ED problem, and secure a "prescription" that way. Is your ED "problem" really that bad that you really can't get it up at all without the aid of chemicals or is this really something more to enable you to go for multiple sessions per day? Do you have some other contributing factor such as advanced diabetes? Or are any ED symptoms mild (or imagined) and have you tried alternative approaches than resorting to prescription drugs? Somehow I'm a little dubious of your real need.

However, if you're looking for prescription medications in CR, it is at least as easy and usually even easier than in the US. The Alvarez Pharmacy, actually in Heredia, has a good reputation and they deliver, but you can nearly as easily walk into just about any pharmacy in downtown and probably get a better deal on Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc. on the spot. Technically, you may need a prescription but practically they either have a licensed dispenser working behind the counter or next door or the prescription requirements are just quietly ignored. Even prescription painkillers for Gringos are readily available. I know of Gringos purchasing such drugs as Valium, Prozac, muscle relaxants etc. without even being asked for a piece of paper. The only drugs that I heard do cause problems are ones like Morphine.

As for asking a cab driver, I think that is absolutely horrible advice. It better be one you know and trust and use regularly and even then I would have my doubts. More often if you go that route expect to pay a lot more and/or even be ripped off with counterfeit pills. Even at an established pharmacy counterfiets and rip-offs can sometimes be a problem. Some of the Gulch area pharmacies that have been reported as being reliable are:

1) Balmoral AC C7/0 n
2) Italiano AC C1/3 s (near the Gran Via)
3) Catedral AC C1/3 n (across the street from the Italiano)
4) Morazon(?) A1 C7 sw (diagonally across intersection from the Morazon)
5) Botica Int'l A1 C4 nw 222-7481
6) Chavarria A2 C7 ne(?)
7) There is another farmacia across from the Holiday Inn that has been mentioned as being okay.
8) Any of the Fischel Pharmacy chain
9) Farmica Sucre two blocks east of Hotel Presidente on Ave Central.

And in Heredia, Farmacia Alvarez (A2 C3/5 s 150m west of Courthouse) 840-9585 http://www.farmacia-alvarez.com ($21.95 for 10X50mg Viagra so definitely not the cheapest). One is most likely not going to want to actually go there but they offer free delivery.

Ok, to answer some of your questions.

1) I don't "need" viagra. I usually use it an an enhancement aid, not because I have ED.

2) Why did I say "prescription Viagra"? Well, I wanted to be clear that a doctor prescribed it to me as opposed to internet adds and other dubious means.

3) Why do I have a prescription for it. Well, I am into bodybuilding and I have low testosterone. I don't take steroids, but I requested that my testosterone levels be tested. I suspected they were low and this is a hard thing to discuss with your doctor as they will see you as steroid-seeking rather than having a legitimate need for Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). So, I went to a Urologist and said I had low libido and ED problems and I suspected low testosterone levels. This was verified with blood work and I had 164. There's some argument as to "normal level" but a safe range is 280-800. Most TRT pharmaceutical companies will conduct studies on patients with levels lower than 300. I was given Testosterone and I am given Viagra since my initial complaint was sexual function. I rarely use Viagra if ever, but since I was going to CR, I wanted to take some along in case I wanted to do some marathon sex sessions.

4)I have very bad migraines and taking Viagra stimulates them. You are probably correct that I should just avoid it.

5) I have taken prescription painkillers for migraines for over 11 years now and never became addicted. I do not take narcotics for fun and I guess that's how I avoided addiction problems.

Since I am talking about testosterone, let me advise all men over the age of 40 to have their testosterone levels tested with their physicals. Low test levels accompany diabetes for example. If you have low test levels I can tell you that taking TRT will do wonders for you. You will not be dragging by the end of the day or find it difficult to get up in the morning or make it through the day. It hasn't done much for my libido or sexual function, but if you go to a doctor saying you would like to gain or preserve muscle mass as you age, they'll ignore you. Tell them your dick doesn't get hard, they'll treat you. Women suffer sudden and dramatic decreases in hormones at menopause and it's perfectly accepted medical practice to provide hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but men's test levels start declining at age 30, gradually and so it's seen as unnecessary to supplement them. Additionally it is fear that giving test to men will create a super-human male with rage. Nothing can be further from the truth. I actually feel calmer since taking it. "Grumpy old men" is possibly caused by Androgenic Deficiency in Aging Males. Taking TRT will make you feel better. You will not be given dosages coming anywhere close to the levels taken by Bodybuilders. I've asked many body builders what they take and I can tell you that the amount given to me by my doctor is much less. In fact I am arguing with his PA for more since my levels are hoovering around 290. I think I want to be in the 300 range.

Well, this is probably more than you care to know, but thanks so much for the pharmacy advice.

[Prolijo]

I am going to Costa Rica along with some prescription Viagra. Every time I take Viagra I get a terrible headache. I've taken prescriptions pain killers before and it helps. What I was wondering was is it easy to get prescription pain killers in CR? I anyone has had any experience I would like to hear about it.

Thanks

In clinical studies of Viagra one of the most common side effects is headaches but those are usually mild and only occur in 16% of patients. Be glad that is your worst side-effect and you haven't suffered from priapism or blindness. Even so, if you do experience headaches, there are several things you can do short of the radical solution of adding painkillers to your chemical mix.
1) Try taking an Aleve or Tylenol at the same time as you take the Viagra.
2) Adjust your dose of Viagra downward. Most guys taking Viagra do not need the full 100mg dose and even a 1/2-1/4 pill can be effective.
3) Try using a different ED prescription. Cialis and Levitra also sometimes cause headache side effects but maybe you won't suffer the same problems with them,
4) Rather than self-medicating, consult with your local doctor who prescribed the Viagra in the first place (if any) and get him to write the extra script for painkillers if those are really called for (I somehow suspect that he would advice against it if there even was any local doctor involved at all)
5) If the headaches are really so bad that you need to take prescription painkillers, then maybe the side effect that Viagra causes is worse than the problem it is supposedly trying to solve. If so, maybe instead of compounding the problem by taking potentially addictive painkillers, which carry potential side-effects of their own (can you say Celebrex and Vioxx?), you should be asking yourself if you really even need to take Viagra that badly in the first place.

You referred to it as prescription Viagra, but most guys who take it probably do so as an enhancement aid rather then as treatment for any real ED problem, even many who convince their doctor to write a script (sometimes lying about or exaggerating their problems in order to get it). Often if they can't get their local doctor to write a script (or don't feel comfortable discussing it with him), they go on-line and perhaps fill out some anonymous and unsubstantiated questionaire where they can claim to have some ED problem, and secure a "prescription" that way. Is your ED "problem" really that bad that you really can't get it up at all without the aid of chemicals or is this really something more to enable you to go for multiple sessions per day? Do you have some other contributing factor such as advanced diabetes? Or are any ED symptoms mild (or imagined) and have you tried alternative approaches than resorting to prescription drugs? Somehow I'm a little dubious of your real need.

However, if you're looking for prescription medications in CR, it is at least as easy and usually even easier than in the US. The Alvarez Pharmacy, actually in Heredia, has a good reputation and they deliver, but you can nearly as easily walk into just about any pharmacy in downtown and probably get a better deal on Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc. on the spot. Technically, you may need a prescription but practically they either have a licensed dispenser working behind the counter or next door or the prescription requirements are just quietly ignored. Even prescription painkillers for Gringos are readily available. I know of Gringos purchasing such drugs as Valium, Prozac, muscle relaxants etc. without even being asked for a piece of paper. The only drugs that I heard do cause problems are ones like Morphine.

As for asking a cab driver, I think that is absolutely horrible advice. It better be one you know and trust and use regularly and even then I would have my doubts. More often if you go that route expect to pay a lot more and/or even be ripped off with counterfeit pills. Even at an established pharmacy counterfiets and rip-offs can sometimes be a problem. Some of the Gulch area pharmacies that have been reported as being reliable are:

1) Balmoral AC C7/0 n
2) Italiano AC C1/3 s (near the Gran Via)
3) Catedral AC C1/3 n (across the street from the Italiano)
4) Morazon(?) A1 C7 sw (diagonally across intersection from the Morazon)
5) Botica Int'l A1 C4 nw 222-7481
6) Chavarria A2 C7 ne(?)
7) There is another farmacia across from the Holiday Inn that has been mentioned as being okay.
8) Any of the Fischel Pharmacy chain
9) Farmica Sucre two blocks east of Hotel Presidente on Ave Central.

And in Heredia, Farmacia Alvarez (A2 C3/5 s 150m west of Courthouse) 840-9585 http://www.farmacia-alvarez.com ($21.95 for 10X50mg Viagra so definitely not the cheapest). One is most likely not going to want to actually go there but they offer free delivery.

[NastyBoy]

I am going to Costa Rica along with some prescription Viagra. Every time I take Viagra I get a terrible headache. I've taken prescriptions pain killers before and it helps. What I was wondering was is it easy to get prescription pain killers in CR? I anyone has had any experience I would like to hear about it.

Thanks

Try Farmacia Alvarez in Alajuela. They used to have an ad online on the AM Costa Rica newspaper, but they must have pulled it. Maybe there is something local. I always had good luck with anything I ever wanted. Went looking for Lunesta but they came up with a pretty good alternative. Plus they deliver.

NB

[FastFishRacer]

I am going to Costa Rica along with some prescription Viagra. Every time I take Viagra I get a terrible headache. I've taken prescriptions pain killers before and it helps. What I was wondering was is it easy to get prescription pain killers in CR? I anyone has had any experience I would like to hear about it.

Thanks

A local taxi cab driver is your best bet. Vicodin etc, the Farmacia usually wont sell to gringos.

[Rolleratnight]

I am going to Costa Rica along with some prescription Viagra. Every time I take Viagra I get a terrible headache. I've taken prescriptions pain killers before and it helps. What I was wondering was is it easy to get prescription pain killers in CR? I anyone has had any experience I would like to hear about it.

Thanks

[ThunderPants]

Does anyone knof if there a fee for girls at the Best western? Is it ok to bring back two at a time? Thanks

Ace

Best Western has no chica fee. Do not disturb other quests is the rule on how many chicas. Remeber the best thing about the Best Western is its location near Cha Cha and 747 two of the most fun and lowest priced places in all of San Jose.

[Ace Black]

Does anyone knof if there a fee for girls at the Best western? Is it ok to bring back two at a time? Thanks

Ace

[Jeparamour]

I noticed several of you will be in CR the same time as me and my buddy. We will be in Jaco from 4/11 to 4/13, then one nite in san jose. Staying at Copa. other than one day of fishing the rest will be spent exploring / mongering. We are from north carolina. hope to meet some of you

Chow