San Jose General Reports

[Sun Devil]

I am back in San Jose and am staying at the Clarion Hotel on Avenida 11 and Calle 3. The ambiance to the hotel is great and there is casino there that closes at 0300, but what is most important is that they have a decent enough gym, which is at the garage level, because I am workout freak.

After the direct flight from the US I changed clothes and immediately went to the Del Rey. The place was packed. I met a dude from California whose main vacation place is Angeles City in the PI. He deplored the fact that the girls here cost more than $20. I informed him that, if he had the opportunity, he could go to the massage parlors or other places besides the Blue Marlin. After suggesting so, we then went to Pantera Rosa, about one mile south of the Del Rey Hotel. I flashed the bouncer my CRT card and was able to go in for free. The other guy had to pay the entrance fee.

We soon went in. I was hoping that this place would be like the upper end strip clubs in Monterrey, such as Prestige and Obsession, but it was not to be. It is a fairly dim place but the girls are available for full service on the premises at $40, a lot cheaper than the $200 I paid in Mexico. Anyway, I asked the mesero for one of the better looking girls at place, Johanna. She soon started grinding her hips on my pelvis and started to touch my private area. Even though I had not slept that much, I was game and paid the price.

In the meantime, the Californian I was with wanted to leave because he felt out of place and could not speak a word of Spanish. I told him that I wanted to go with the chick that I was with and asked him that if he could go back alone. He was game with that, thank God. It is occurrences like these that I like going by myself during my travels--I only have responsibilities to myself.

The room was right next to the dance floor and it had a couch. It was fairly comfortable and I had no problem with it. After the deed, we went out and she sat by me for about half and hour until I started nodding off. It was time for me to get back to the hotel. For those looking for night time activities other than Del Rey and the Blue Marlin bar, this might be an option.

[Prolijo]

Don't forget to ask about any extra fees such as for having a safe in your room or for bringing back guests. When asking, tell them you're just asking to make sure there wasn't and that either you (or a friend) had stayed there before and had not been charged anything extra (ie bullshit them). If they tell you there's an extra fee for either of those, try to get them to agree to waive it. More importantly ask them to confirm everything you both agreed to when they e-mail you your confirmation and then print out that e-mail to bring with you to show them in case they "forget". It may seem like stupid crap to have to do any of this, but the small hassle is worth it if it means you get away paying the least amount possible for your stay.

[Johnny Sax]

their direct phone number is 011-506-222-4622.

all hotels to one degree or another charge different rates for the same room. they have what they call "rack rates", which is their standard non-discounted rate, but they also have peak season vs. non-peak, weekend vs. weekday, aaa discount, aarp discount etc. etc. if a room-night goes vacant thats revenue they'll never recover so they try to adjust their rates to stay as full as possible and they try to discount selectively between guests so they don't have to lower the rates for everybody on a particular night. these various rates and discounts may seem fairly standardized at us hotels, but in places like cr business is run much looser than it is in the us. its even often possible to negotiate lower rates when you reserve or check-in to many places, a tleast during the non-peak season when there's lots of vacancies.

the morazon plays it a little looser than most when it comes to their pricing. if some dumb gringo doesn't know any better and wants to book a room with them at their non-discounted rate they're not about to stop them. locals aren't so stupid so the morazon has a long running special that they advertise in the local paper and all you have to get that same rate is let them know you know the score and insist on it. the "special" rate is usually somewhere between $35-39/nt depending on how hard up for business they are. someone mentioned they've gotten as low as $30/nt. i haven't seen that but its entirely possible. score that rate and they still might try to play you around for extra charges, like the chica fee or a safe fee. yes, its irritating but get it straight ahead of time and you'll probably get them waived and even if you don't its not that big a price to pay for get what is still basically a very good rate.

thanks for the info. the tico times does have an ad in there that says $40/night. i e-mailed them from the address in that ad, and asked about availability for feb 12 and got no response. guess i'll have to call them.

my pet peeve of the day: i hate when places advertise their e-mail address and then don't respond to e-mails! if you aren't going to check it daily and reply within 24-48 hours, then don't advertise your e-mail address!!

anyway, i'll call them and try to get a commitment for a coupla rooms at the $40/nite rate for my friend and i.

[Shadow 97]

Well, fellas. I booked a flight for me and my guys to SJ for 2/2 through 2/7. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, was unable to book a hotel until last week. All the recommended hotels were booked up!!! Staying at the Balmoral, which was 5th on my list. How bad off am I? Please be gentle.

[Prolijo]

Their direct phone number is 011-506-222-4622.

All hotels to one degree or another charge different rates for the same room. They have what they call "rack rates", which is their standard non-discounted rate, but they also have peak season vs. non-peak, weekend vs. weekday, AAA discount, AARP discount etc. etc. If a room-night goes vacant thats revenue they'll never recover so they try to adjust their rates to stay as full as possible and they try to discount selectively between guests so they don't have to lower the rates for everybody on a particular night. These various rates and discounts may seem fairly standardized at US hotels, but in places like CR business is run much looser than it is in the US. Its even often possible to negotiate lower rates when you reserve or check-in to many places, a tleast during the non-peak season when there's lots of vacancies.

The Morazon plays it a little looser than most when it comes to their pricing. If some dumb gringo doesn't know any better and wants to book a room with them at their non-discounted rate they're not about to stop them. Locals aren't so stupid so the Morazon has a long running special that they advertise in the local paper and all you have to get that same rate is let them know you know the score and insist on it. The "special" rate is usually somewhere between $35-39/nt depending on how hard up for business they are. Someone mentioned they've gotten as low as $30/nt. I haven't seen that but its entirely possible. Score that rate and they still might try to play you around for extra charges, like the chica fee or a safe fee. Yes, its irritating but get it straight ahead of time and you'll probably get them waived and even if you don't its not that big a price to pay for get what is still basically a very good rate.

[Sirtonkaoffuk]

I think they have different high and low season rates, or some times it just depends how busy they are (kinda like the airlines ). The last number I have for them is 506 221-9083.

[Johnny Sax]

Hey johnny sax... i have stayed at the morazan 4 times in the last 10 months and plan to stay again on my next trip...Some pointers...1. If you make your resv. on line, call them direct or you will get a outfit that isnt part of the hotel ...just call them give them your dates and your card # and everything will be all set. 2.When you check in , tell them why you chose them was due to the fact they charge no chica fee( i tell them that every time i check in)3. When you are making any deal with the girls from b.m. or key largo it really helps on the price when they know you are so close . 4 You will save money (not much on taxi rides) but if you get drunk its a short walk(from b.m or key largo)5. The rooms are clean and the price is right 6.They have a cool little bar that is open 24 hours and has alot of local people in it ..i have found pro"s and non pro"s in there all the time.7 Nice little casino to kill some time and they have the best sports book in the town there( if you are interested)8. i feel safe there ...except for the time i took 2 lesbo back to my room and had to kick them out ..when they thought they had a dumb gringo and threaten to call the police on me...never have i had any trouble with the hotel itself...9 Also (hasnt happen yet) they have some knockouts working as maids, dealers and wait staff and i have got to know them so could be some non pro action for me on this trip... on my last trip i got the 30.00 a nite deal ( maybe 35.00) not sure what it is now i dont think for a single it evers goes higher than 49.00 , look in the tico times and you will find a coupon for 10.00 or 15.00 off the weekday price.If you need anymore info give me a shout as i have found much better places to go than the b.m ..but the key largo is still a great time, also go back thur the san jose forum and look for the "MAP" IT REALLY HELPS as i find it easy to get lost there and less than half of the cab drivers will understand what you are saying ...unless your spanish is better than mine.....good luck and we hope to read about your trip...

I cannot find a home page for the Hotel Morazan, and the site I am looking on seems to have TWO different listings for the Morazan!

http://*******.com/8vzms

AND:

http://www.1costaricalink.com/eng/ho...azan/rooms.htm

They both seem to have the same name , only it says one is $42 and the other is $65! Looking closer, the $42/nite page has a 2005 date at the bottom , and the $65/nite page has a 2006 date at the bottom. Is it possible that they raised their price from $42 to $65??!! If so, we should boycott this hotel, that is an outrageous price hike!

Anyone have a direct number to this hotel so I can call and straighten this out? If they have raised it $23/night, I will tell them that is ridiculous and I won't be staying there any more due to this gouging price hike.

The Gran Hotel de Costa Rica did this a few years ago. I stayed there one night, had a great room for $45/ night. Then the very next year I checked again and they were charging $60-something ($69, I think it was?) for the very same room! I let them know they had lost my business, and indeed I will never stay there again unless they lower their price.

But of course the unfortunate fact is people WILL PAY the higher prices, so they don't care...

[Jaimito Cartero]

*The girls seem to accept less money if you pay them in pesos.

I've never gotten any girls to accept pesos.

I dislike any place that charges extra for a girl to come up. The Del Rey isn't even the worst, at $10 a head. I think the Holiday Inn charges $20-$25, which is just crazy. I'd give the nod to Sportsman or Presidente if they don't charge joiner fees.

[ChiliMike]

Hey johnny sax... i have stayed at the morazan 4 times in the last 10 months and plan to stay again on my next trip...Some pointers...1. If you make your resv. on line, call them direct or you will get a outfit that isnt part of the hotel ...just call them give them your dates and your card # and everything will be all set. 2.When you check in , tell them why you chose them was due to the fact they charge no chica fee( i tell them that every time i check in)3. When you are making any deal with the girls from b.m. or key largo it really helps on the price when they know you are so close . 4 You will save money (not much on taxi rides) but if you get drunk its a short walk(from b.m or key largo)5. The rooms are clean and the price is right 6.They have a cool little bar that is open 24 hours and has alot of local people in it ..i have found pro"s and non pro"s in there all the time.7 Nice little casino to kill some time and they have the best sports book in the town there( if you are interested)8. i feel safe there ...except for the time i took 2 lesbo back to my room and had to kick them out ..when they thought they had a dumb gringo and threaten to call the police on me...never have i had any trouble with the hotel itself...9 Also (hasnt happen yet) they have some knockouts working as maids, dealers and wait staff and i have got to know them so could be some non pro action for me on this trip... on my last trip i got the 30.00 a nite deal ( maybe 35.00) not sure what it is now i dont think for a single it evers goes higher than 49.00 , look in the tico times and you will find a coupon for 10.00 or 15.00 off the weekday price.If you need anymore info give me a shout as i have found much better places to go than the b.m ..but the key largo is still a great time, also go back thur the san jose forum and look for the "MAP" IT REALLY HELPS as i find it easy to get lost there and less than half of the cab drivers will understand what you are saying ...unless your spanish is better than mine.....good luck and we hope to read about your trip...

[Johnny Sax]

Its been a while since I've stayed there but I thought the rooms at the Morazon were perfectly fine, at least as good as those at the HDR and much quieter. They sometimes charge a $3 guest fee but you can try to negotiate that out when you book. If they still try to charge the fee the first time you bring the girl back, you can also pay the fee in cash directly to the nightclerk and ask if he might forget to add the fee to your bill for the rest of your stay and that will usually work. Basically, they are very loose and inconsistent in what they charge. Even if you get hit for $3 each night you bring back a chica and add it to the $39/nt room rate you still come out way ahead of the $49/nt at the Pres or the $59/nt +$10 chica fee at the HDR.

Thanks. You're the 2nd person who told me the Morazan is quieter than the DR and just as nice for a better price. So I'm going to try to book at the Morazan via the net.

[Prolijo]

Its been a while since I've stayed there but I thought the rooms at the Morazon were perfectly fine, at least as good as those at the HDR and much quieter. They sometimes charge a $3 guest fee but you can try to negotiate that out when you book. If they still try to charge the fee the first time you bring the girl back, you can also pay the fee in cash directly to the nightclerk and ask if he might forget to add the fee to your bill for the rest of your stay and that will usually work. Basically, they are very loose and inconsistent in what they charge. Even if you get hit for $3 each night you bring back a chica and add it to the $39/nt room rate you still come out way ahead of the $49/nt at the Pres or the $59/nt +$10 chica fee at the HDR.

[Johnny Sax]

... I'll actually be staying at the Morazan next to the Del Rey. Much quieter, cheaper, and no guest fees. 5 Days and counting.

I heard that the Morazan does charge $5 (or was it $10?) to bring a girl up to the room. No? Maybe it depends on the night, or on the desk clerk?

Also, can you recommend a particular nice, quiet room there? (Don't worry, I won't be there when you are, my friend and I are arriving about 12 days after you, so I won't take "your" room!)

[Johnny Sax]

Hope it's okay that I post this in this forum; no one seems to be reading or replying in the Travel forum.

I am trying to save money to spend on girls, not on hotel bills. Which would you recommend, the La Gran Via or the Morazan? Both seem to be in the $50/night range. Of course the Morazan is closer to the action which is what I like about it but I've never stayed there. Is it noisy? Are there quiet "interior" or backside rooms? (I'm a light sleeper, once I finally do get around to using the bed for sleep...)

I have stayed at the La Gran Via and although the "ambiance" of the lobby leaves much to be desired, I found the rooms very nice, quiet, and clean enough, and I like the free breakfast, and I found the desk clerks to be honest and helpful.

Anyone have an opinion on which of these is best? Please say why.

Also, I'm open to other possibilities in this price range.

[Lancer520]

Well do to starting a new job Feb. 1st, I've decided to take my first solo mongering trip down to Costa Rica. I'm flying in on Sat. Afternoon Jan 21st to SJ, spending one night at the Del Rey then 6 in Jaco before my last 2 again at the Pink Palace. This is my sixth trip to CR which is why I'm comfortable going it alone this time. I was looking at Rio but with all the crime and only a 5 hour flight from NJ to SJ I'm sticking with CR this time. If any fellow mongers would like to meet up for drinks PM me. I'm 31, not unattractive and speak enough spanish to get by. I know lots of local ticas in Jaco from my friends that own a bar down there. I'll actually be staying at the Morazan next to the Del Rey. Much quieter, cheaper, and no guest fees. 5 Days and counting.

[Capt Crunch]

Here are my personal experiences on mongering in San Jose. I hope this info will help guys have a more enjoyable experience:

*If you are in Costa Rica specifically to monger, i suggest staying in San Jose at the Del Rey,Sportman's Lounge or Presidente. My personal favorite is the Del Rey due to the Blue Marlin Bar being right there.

*Communicate the ground rules before making any agreements with the girls.

*No Cien!(Do not pay over $100!)

*Control the market. Explain to the girls that they will have the oppourtunity to earn $30-$80 based on their performance & attitude. They might even receive trinkets or cab fare if they are extra nice. Offer four different prices.

*Make it clear to the girls that they will be paid after services are rendered.

*Any violation of your agreement should result in you clearly & politely declining the girls services.(You will only be out $10)

*The attitude you see downstairs(Blue Marlin Bar) is the attitude you will see upstairs. If a girl is boring and disinterested in the bar, she will most likely be that way upstairs. The sex still may or may not be good,but the chances are she will be an unenthusastic clockwatcher.

*Some girls that propose threesomes will not touch their friend. In the bar the girls act like they are bisexual, but they are just trying to get you to also pick their friend. The girls that are truly bisexual will passionatly kiss and fondle one another in the bar. Alcohol will help loosen them up. Again, explain clearly what you want the girls to do to one another. Let the girl choose a girl she is attracted to.

*The girls seem to accept less money if you pay them in pesos. Get familiar with the conversion from dollars to colones.

*Tell the girls that you will be in town for 3-4 weeks. If you tell them that you are in town for a few days, you will get substandard treatment. All of these girls talk to one another and share info. I would not be surprised if they have their own working girl forum on the internet. I used this method and i had girls i have never spoke to calling me by name and giving me neck massages,allowing me to fondle and kiss them in the bar area. These girls see you as a potential meal ticket for the next 3-4 weeks.

*Treat every girl with respect. You are in paradise and the customer is always right. Report any major problems immediately to the manager/ or security.

That's it for now. I will be returning to San Jose in about 45 days. I will report my trip and other helpful tips when i return.

Purda Vida!

Daj912