General Info

[ThomKatt]

ThomKatt. I don't think I would worry too much about leaving the country. They are not going to make you stay. I have never heard of a 12 hour visa. There is no rule saying you have to be out of the country for 72 hours. You can come back the same day if you like. The 72 hour rule is only for declaration of customs and only applies if you are going to Panama and bring goods back into the country. Hotel Little Havana, doesn't exist anymore. It was split into and 2 separate businesses were created, the Zona II and Scores. All will be open but slow. Everyone is at the beach in Jaco. This is where all of my clients and working ladies are this week. Pm me if I can assist you further.

O. L. D. One Lucky Dogg.

Hey brother,

Thanks for your reply and information. I think the 72 hour visa applies for renewals. I don't think it really applies to me since I'm just in transit to Panama and back to honduras. I'm a little worried, but I think I can explain that everything was shut down so it wasn't possible to get out of the country within the 12 hour time period. I'm sad that HLH doesn't exist. It was a great place. I'm probably going to just check out a few places early Saturday morning before my bus leaves at noon.

Thanks again

[One Lucky Dogg]

ThomKatt. I don't think I would worry too much about leaving the country. They are not going to make you stay. I have never heard of a 12 hour visa. There is no rule saying you have to be out of the country for 72 hours. You can come back the same day if you like. The 72 hour rule is only for declaration of customs and only applies if you are going to Panama and bring goods back into the country. Hotel Little Havana, doesn't exist anymore. It was split into and 2 separate businesses were created, the Zona II and Scores. All will be open but slow. Everyone is at the beach in Jaco. This is where all of my clients and working ladies are this week. Pm me if I can assist you further.

O. L. D. One Lucky Dogg.

Hi guys,

So I am in a pretty bad predicament. I was suppose to go to Panama city for 5 days, but because of semana santa, I'm stuck in San Jose until Saturday and my trip to Panama is cut down to 2. 5 days. I didn't know that everything was closed (all buses) for Thursday and Friday for semana santa. My transit visa was only good for 12 hours, which means it will be a couple of days expired when I try to exit for Panama. I should have looked more closely at the visa, because my previous trip here before also said 12 on it, but it had "dia" circled versus this one says 12h. What kind of issues and problems and fines will I be looking at? What are my solutions? Also, the ticabus leaves here at 12:00pm on Saturday and my return ticket leaves Panama city at 11:00pm, which means I will on all technicality be out of the country for more than 72 hours if I get to the border by 6:00pm Saturday and get back to the border by Wednesday morning at around 10:00am. I'm on assignment in Honduras for a few months and have to get back by April 30th.

Regardless, anyone know if Hotel Little Havanna or New Fantasy or any of the other massage parlors will be open for Friday? I might as well make the most of my time here.

Thanks for any and all help.

[ThomKatt]

Hi guys,

So I am in a pretty bad predicament. I was suppose to go to Panama city for 5 days, but because of semana santa, I'm stuck in San Jose until Saturday and my trip to Panama is cut down to 2. 5 days. I didn't know that everything was closed (all buses) for Thursday and Friday for semana santa. My transit visa was only good for 12 hours, which means it will be a couple of days expired when I try to exit for Panama. I should have looked more closely at the visa, because my previous trip here before also said 12 on it, but it had "dia" circled versus this one says 12h. What kind of issues and problems and fines will I be looking at? What are my solutions? Also, the ticabus leaves here at 12:00pm on Saturday and my return ticket leaves Panama city at 11:00pm, which means I will on all technicality be out of the country for more than 72 hours if I get to the border by 6:00pm Saturday and get back to the border by Wednesday morning at around 10:00am. I'm on assignment in Honduras for a few months and have to get back by April 30th.

Regardless, anyone know if Hotel Little Havanna or New Fantasy or any of the other massage parlors will be open for Friday? I might as well make the most of my time here.

Thanks for any and all help.

[FourRings]

Easy Answer NO.

They have something called SUGEF which is relative to SEC and banking oversight. They are fastidious and pain in th be*t for the "you must know your client" part of the deal.

You will need paperwork and references and it will take time to open an account.

Deposit box might be different. As a resident I did not have any problems opening one, but had to show cedula. So for foreigner might be ok with passport. Would suggest you limit your search to San Jose banks, as the banks in the smaller centers really do not have anything available.

Enjoy.

Mellow

Thanks for your help. Any suggestions on a bank near Hotel Del Ray?

[The Dirty Pirate]

Your best bet is to try the private banks and not the national ones. BAC or Scotia is where I would start, there are some others as well.

[Mellowg]

the rules are regarding banking rules? Can you open an account for a few days or open a safe deposit box?

Easy Answer NO.

They have something called SUGEF which is relative to SEC and banking oversight. They are fastidious and pain in th b**t for the "you must know your client" part of the deal.

You will need paperwork and references and it will take time to open an account.

Deposit box might be different. As a resident I did not have any problems opening one, but had to show cedula. So for foreigner might be ok with passport. Would suggest you limit your search to San Jose banks, as the banks in the smaller centers really do not have anything available.

Enjoy.

Mellow

[FourRings]

Hi guys,

First time posting here and preparing for a trip in a couple three weeks. I was wondering what the rules are regarding banking rules? Can you open an account for a few days or open a safe deposit box?

Thanks in advance,

4.

PS, I did do a search with no luck.

[Gfm9280]

Hahaha nice! Anyway you can elaborate on your experience? Thanks for putting up the pics but an account if your trip would be great. Which hotel did you stay at? Any great chicks? Any problems? Hope you had fun man. I'm looking forward to going a lot, I'm fact it is what gets me thru the day.

Thanks guys!

[Rush 2112]

All I can say is San Jose is the Bomb!

[Rush 2112]

The Famous Hotel Del Rey is a place to pick up girls, but you can't really have sex with them there unless you have a room. If you do have a room, HDR charges and additional $10 to bring them up.

The Queens is a 50 foot walk across the street for a $10 short time room. If you go down the block by the AM / PM where the music store is there is another shithole notel right around the corner.

[Gfm9280]

I have not been to CR yet but have researched through the forums in preparation for my solo first trip this late spring. If I was going in a group I would not rent a car. Why risk it when and or if you take an excursion you can just all split the bill and not have to risk anything happening to the car or your credit. Unless you are traveling a ton in CR I would not rent a car. Just from reading through the forums one would see that at La Amistad the owner is now providing a shuttle service to and from certain areas such as Jacob. Speaking of Hotel La Amistad, thus far all fingers point for staying at this location. The all inclusive includes booze and food and there is never a guest fee according to their website. Also, there is a CRT discount available that is pretty sweet. 15% 25% I believe, the longer you stay the more of a discount you get. I have yet to read a bad review on Amistad I'm comparison to the other hotels discussed. I can understand the gentleman below only taking girls to other rooms but wouldn't you want the option to also bring a chica home without a $10, $35, plus fee added on.

Also, if I was going with my boys I would consider the Sportsman lodge for my stay. The supposed frat house yet a tiny bit more dignified attitude that I read about would probably be a fun environment to shoot the shit with your friends while scoping a chica or ten. I read the rooms are hit and miss though and you do not want one by the bar due to excessive noise and busy bodies watching you and your chica go into your room from the bar. There is a CRT discount on this place as well. Not sure if we can mention CRT but the discounts are listed on their webpage so I would go read there as we'll.

Again, this is just my opinion based on what I have was on here in preparation for my own trip. Have fun post pics and share more info!

Thanks again to everyone for the great stories and info.

[Sammon]

Hello to all,

I am planning to travel to CR in may 2014 as I ma totally un familiar with this part of the world, need your expert advise to how to plan my vacation. San jose and any other city or town to plan along with it. We will be a group of 4 to 5 friends so wht kind of accomodaitons to look with its avg daily for in USD. We been to all over Asia US and Aus and iddle east. Seniors will be of great help for mongering tips and expense involved so that we can plan our budgets accordingly.

Cheers Brad

Since you are a group of 4-5 friends,

1. Rent a car at the airport. Check all the travel sites for the best prices. Get full insurance for the car even if your credit card covers it. Buy ins when you pick up the car, not when booking.

Having a car or van will help you see many sightseeing places, take cars with you and have fun. Apart from mongering there is plenty to see and enjoy in Costa Rica.

2. Check this forum and there are many suggestions for girl friendly hotels. Nothing beats taking a girl to your room rather than go to a ST hotel.

3. Del Ray hotel or specifically BM bar downstairs is the monger central. Here you find girls in all sizes, shapes, country of origin. Negotiate directly with the girl or girls. Girls go for $50-$100. Some girls stay all night.

4. If you are in a group walking to any areas is safe. Otherwise taxis are cheap and plenty. Negotiate with driver or ask him to turn the meter on before getting in.

5. Plenty of good restaurants in San Jose.

[Dr Howard]

Just about all his info is bad, won't address every one but The Holiday Inn Please the worst place to stay?

[Pussy Stroker]

Hello to all,

I am planning to travel to CR in may 2014 as I ma totally un familiar with this part of the world, need your expert advise to how to plan my vacation. San jose and any other city or town to plan along with it. We will be a group of 4 to 5 friends so wht kind of accomodaitons to look with its avg daily for in USD. We been to all over Asia US and Aus and iddle east. Seniors will be of great help for mongering tips and expense involved so that we can plan our budgets accordingly.

Cheers Brad

It is every easy to monger all the beautiful women of San Jose, however, you must determine if you want to bring a woman to your room, or use a hotel. Further, many women know rooms for a short time (por un rato) , that charge 6-10 colones (About 20 bucks).

I, being a NEW senior, like to have a nice and comfortable room with amenties, however, most of these do not allow women. Further, you want to consider if want a breakfast included (none, continental or full). If you stay downtown, the most comfortable hotel is the Holyday Inn. It is within one or two block or ALL your mongering, partying, food, drinking needs. However, it is dangerous at night for gringos.

If you stay in a very nice hotel like the Park In by Radission or Tryp Sabana by Wyndam, they are on the End of the city and much safer, offering nice rooms, facilities and full breakfast, but it is a 20 minute straight shot down Avenida Central (Central Avenue) to Gringo Gulch.

Food, lodging and entertainment won't be a problem, the only issue will be safety and if you want to bring a girl back to your room. I don't do that, I go to places like, New Fantasy ($50) , Hotel Little Havana ($40 before 1 pm) and Pirate Club ($52) and do the girls there! Even if your hotel allows girls many want to charge an additional Guest Fee of $75 dollars.

The Famous Hotel Del Rey is a place to pick up girls, but you can't really have sex with them there unless you have a room. If you do have a room, HDR charges and additional $10 to bring them up.

All in all If you want to have a great room, be in the middle of everything within one or two block, reserve a from at Holiday Inn. Aurola downtown, or sleep in a block away. Both are modern and secure!

P. S. Always use taxi's with the Yellow Triangle and always use a working meter! Otherwise they will take advantage of you!

P. S. S. You should never pay more than $50 for sex and never buy a woman off the street. I promise you, $50 will be all you need to pay if not lower, and there will be some woman you will be attracted to that will accept it for 1 hour!

You will not need much money for food and if you take one of the many excursions, they always include either breakfast / lunch or lunch! So 15 daily for food! Again, many Tica's will ask for $100 dollars but you tell them no! $40 dollars! And they will take it! And do not tip! Never tip! (propina) never.

Christmas and New Years:

Many people post. There is no one there for Christmas and New Years. That is a big lie! I always go to Costa Rica for this exclusively.

I just got back from my 5th time for Christmas and New years, and there as Just as many there then as any time! San Jose is like New York City and there are always people buzzing around! However, this year, the Costa Rican soccer team won some championship and everything was closed! Imagine that!

There are more women because they are trying to get that last minute money to buy presents! How do I know, I talked to many of the freelancers! This is what they tell me! Plus the weather is very nice at this time! People still work, businesses hotels, HDR and everything is open! So don't let people lie to you!

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In the future, please do not write reports in ALL CAPITAL LETTERING. Thanks!

[Bradstons]

Hello to all,

I am planning to travel to CR in may 2014 as I ma totally un familiar with this part of the world, need your expert advise to how to plan my vacation. San jose and any other city or town to plan along with it. We will be a group of 4 to 5 friends so wht kind of accomodaitons to look with its avg daily for in USD. We been to all over Asia US and Aus and iddle east. Seniors will be of great help for mongering tips and expense involved so that we can plan our budgets accordingly.

Cheers Brad