San Jose General Reports

[Xion149]

Please don't make things up. Read my post. Again! I didn't argue over a empty wallet. My wallet was full of my id, credit cards and most important my atm card. If the asshole gets that I am screwed

You did not specify that in your report, only said "he looked inside and saw no money". That to me means, empty wallet- because I don't carry credit cards, passport, atm or any of that shit. Cash only and a photocopy of my passport. Yet you were carrying all these things. Late at night. In a strange city you don't know. Do you see what I'm trying to say about bad choices? Are you noticing a pattern here yet? I said it was safe to walk, but I also qualified that statement- you can't look like a fucking mark. Never did I say wait outside Pantera Rosa for a cab, that is a BAD IDEA. I said have them CALL ONE FOR YOU, while you wait inside. There is a HUGE difference. Anyone who's been to Colombia will tell you the difference between calling for a numbered radio cab & pulling one off the street, ESPECIALLY in front of a girl club- one will get you safely home, the other can get you robbed. I'm sorry you ran into some bad luck, but there were also some bad choices made BY YOU.

Its just foolish and I wish you would admit it! This site dosnt get much action and I am not sure if you are a crt member but if you posted that it was safe to walk at nite from there. You would get 20 guys telling you that its a crazy and foolish ideal. And zero who would agree with you.

That is probably true, but its also just their opinion (I am a member actually). I don't post there for a reason. Alot of the really hardcore CR guys who have been visiting a long time, have some very strong opinions about things that I dont agree with. Example: I was reading a thread on there about this guy who felt cheated by a girl, so took $20 back from her while in the shower. Now certainly this is a cowardly/tacano move, I wouldn't do it. But to hear some of the responses on that site- a few people offered to track the girl down and pay her the difference. One long time poster went so far as to float the idea of selling out this person to some local ticos to get him beat up. I was fucking appalled. The idea that a girl can provide bad service, then mysteriously men she doesn't know will materialize out of thin air and start giving her free money is patently absurd to me. Furthermore that in a strange land filled with people looking to do one harm, that a fellow monger would even think of setting up a brother in favor of some chick who probly cheats guys on the regular- where's the solidarity? Fuck that. That board has alot of good info and some intelligent posters, it also has alot of guys that have been to SJO 327457145 times but probly haven't been anywhere else even once. They provide good info, but the perspective can sometimes be narrow. Believe me, you think SJO is tough at night? Try centro in Medellin. I'm not stupid, even I know to be off the street by 10PM out there. Ditto for most of Bogota. Its just my opinion, but I don't think the number, organization or intelligence of the glue-huffing street punks in SJO comes anywhere near the professional criminals in either of those places, or of some places in the US (think Brownsville or Bronx NY)

By the way, does anyone know if HDR shows hockey on TV?

Yup. the side of the bar playing the Celtics playoffs was full one night, the side I ended up sitting on had hockey on 2 TVs. Just ask the bartenders.

[G Without Bush]

As have I. In fact I just got back. I walked twice, to and from Pantera rosa, at about 3am each time. It's not a problem for me, yet it obviously is for some people, since they posted about it. Neither did I buy into the Villalobos scam, but many people (possibly/probably reading this now) did. And if .....blah blah blah

Very entertaining report, I must say. LOL.

By the way, does anyone know if HDR shows hockey on TV?

[ChiliMike]

Please don't make things up. Read my post. Again! I didn't argue over a empty wallet. My wallet was full of my id, credit cards and most important my atm card. If the asshole gets that I am screwed, I keep my cash in my front pocket. Where he took it! If you know the area which I think you do. The area across the street from vips 2 has never been written about here or on crt as a bad area. Yes I did feel something bad about the 2 guys and went back inside and when I returned they were gone or hiding. But my point is. I try my best to be safe and ran into bad luck (maybe good. I lost 90. 00 and no wounds) but you are asking for it, and posting about it! This site is for sharing information. And if a newbe read your post and went to panta rosa and waited for a cab. And no cabs came. Lets see I remember reading that it was safe to walk back to the delrey. Its just foolish and I wish you would admit it! This site dosnt get much action and I am not sure if you are a crt member but if you posted that it was safe to walk at nite from there. You would get 20 guys telling you that its a crazy and foolish ideal. And zero who would agree with you.

[Xion149]

You sound like a guy who knows his way around and to think (and worse) to post that walking from there is safe. Is foolish and makes me think why you would even post this.

It was my opinion. I'm not a big dude, and I'm certainly not fighting anyone, but no glue sniffing fiend is catching my ass, or will even come close enough to try.

As money gets worse everywhere the druggies that hang in that area will soon get word that you are a gringo (= $) and you openly talk to girls inside the club about drugs (gringo walking alone $ & drugs) only a matter of time. You have been lucky so far. I don't mess with drugs and drink little and take a cab 100% at night and I still got robbed. Please continue to post but to say that it is safe to walk at night is a fools game that you will lose.

Whoa man. You are inferring alot of things that did not happen. The girl brought up the drug subject, not openly, more like into my ear while grinding on my lap; and talking about does not equal buying- did I say I bought any? That's a special occasion thing for me and this was not the occasion.

I hate to say it but I think you got distracted by the girl. You had all the warning signs, the bad feelings, but you went for it anyway? Then once they already had your money, you wanted to argue with one over the empty wallet. Its just a series of bad choices, see what I'm saying? Its like any big city, you have to be observant and make the proper decision to avoid becoming someone's lunch.

The second you saw those guys sizing you up you should have gone back inside the club and asked someone to call you a cab.

[ChiliMike]

Xion. I enjoyed your report and you are right on with many things you wrote about. You must have picked odd times for some of the mp's you hit as I go to all of them as well and mostly find at least 5 to 7 more girls at each one you listed. You may want to check out 6th street at there are a few mp's that are worth the walk (day time). Your walking from panta rosa is a bad mess just waiting to happen. You sound like a guy who knows his way around and to think (and worse) to post that walking from there is safe. Is foolish and makes me think why you would even post this. As money gets worse everywhere the druggies that hang in that area will soon get word that you are a gringo (= $) and you openly talk to girls inside the club about drugs (gringo walking alone $ & drugs) only a matter of time. You have been lucky so far. I don't mess with drugs and drink little and take a cab 100% at night and I still got robbed. Please continue to post but to say that it is safe to walk at night is a fools game that you will lose.

[Mr Jetsetter]

Member #2964

Your point is well taken, and I am in general agreement with you in both theory and practice. But you and many others who make this argument often never get around to really defining the parameters of your argument. Is paying $100 so bad if you are getting 2-4 hours with a top-shelf lady with pre-negotiated services like BBBJ and anal? Is paying $100 a bad deal for a TLN? Prolijo's post touches upon these distinctions. Are you saying never pay cien regardless of time and services? BTW, I generally pay $60-80 for one to two hours at the Sportsmens and DR, and I fully recognize I could probably do better. Frankly, this session length generally works fine with me, as I'm basically a "short term" kind of guy. I have now come to the belated conclusion, however, that better deals can be had at the DR than the SL, where the ladies seem to command and get top dollar and CBJs are depressingly becoming the insisted-upon norm.

Having spent some time investigating the "low end" MP scene, it does seem that the days of $7.00 BJs are a thing of the past. Inflation is even hitting this end of the market.

[Xion149]

Hogwash. I've walked around San Jose at all hours of the day and night and never had a problem. And as for "unsatisfying" $100 experiences, can I suggest that maybe it's your own fault in some cases. I for one have had some great $100 experiences in SJO, and many for less than that as well.

Costa Rica is a great place to kick back and have fun. And it's a great mongering spot too. As for getting ripped off, remember the immortal words of W.C. Fields. "You can't cheat an honest man."

As have I. In fact I just got back. I walked twice, to and from Pantera rosa, at about 3am each time. It's not a problem for me, yet it obviously is for some people, since they posted about it. Neither did I buy into the Villalobos scam, but many people (possibly/probably reading this now) did. And if you think its the guy's fault when a chick who agrees to stay for an hour then tries to leave after 30 minutes (I'm the only one this has happened to right? right.) then well, the Colombianas must just LOVE you, they couldn't ask for an easier mark. So, Mr.-7-posts-to-your-name, by all means continue to call me BS. You're over there getting all defensive and shit- I'm trying to tell it like it is. I don't hate the place, in fact I go there when I need to burn excess vacation days or fly for cheap. Which brings me to my trip report below. I just stepped off the plane, when's the last time you were there? And I'm the one that's BS?

SJO 5/16-5/19

I guess it wouldn't be fair to bash the place without an accurate report, so here ya go.

Spent the last 3 days in SJO trying to burn off some excess vacation time (use it or lose it) IMHO this place doesn't have enough to keep one entertained for a whole week, but for a short stay, it can be pretty fun, and is a cheap/short flight from most US hubs.

Accomodations:

My last CR trip was for a week, but being I was on short time, I splurged a little this time around. Day one I stayed at the suites in Zona Blue. I gotta say, these rooms are pretty pimp (will post photos later) I particularly liked the huge bathroom with combined shower/sauna. You can fit like 10 bitches in that motherfucker, the chicas love it. It has a bench in the shower too, I think more action went on in there then in the bed itself. Getting blown by Kristina with Pam dousing me in hot water- only thing crossing my mind was "now this is what the fuck I was looking for!" Price was $200/night, which also allows you to session with the girls for only $20/hour. So if you wanna grab like 3 or 4, this is the place to do that. For day two and three, I stayed at the Del Rey. Despite being to CR several times before I'd never actually stayed there so I said what the fuck, I'll be part of the herd this time around. I must say, the convenience it offers is nice. Chicks, gambling, drinks and food all under one roof, everyone speaks english. If you are new to travel in Lat-Am destinations, this is the place for you. The room was very clean (smelled like it had been sandblasted with high power disinfectant; considering the clientel, this actually upped my comfort level) I would recommend booking ahead- the rate I was given over the phone ($90/night deluxe room) was drastically different from the rate displayed behind the counter when I arrived ($90/standard, $120/deluxe!!) Major downside was some goofiness with the room phone- I think the ringer was broken. I missed one room service and at least two calls from chicas.

Food:

The food in CR fucking sucks, with little exception. Expect dishes as simple as rice and beans to be fucked up or oddly flavored in some way. I pretty much fasted for the last two days- trying to find a restaurant that didn't turn my stomach was just eating into my whoring time.

Travel:

Everything is in walking distance, and is generally safe, even late at night. I walked to and from Pantera Rosa, Fri and Sat nights after 3am with no issues (I am wary about the cabs outside any club- I dont use em). The key is to not look like a fucking mark. If you are wearing a hawaiian shirt, plaid shorts and flip-flops with socks- this means you. If you want to take cabs, they are a good way to get rid of the pounds of gigantic coinage you'll find yourself carrying. Price starts @ 400 colones, 2000 will take you pretty much anywhere.

Drugs:

Are easily obtainable. Ask the girls, the white is VERY popular, not so much the green. Do NOT ask cab drivers. In fact I stayed out of cabs my entire time there (shifty cabbies are alot of what fueled my "resentful" remark earlier)

Chicas:

As I didn't want to be one of those guys who never gets out of the HDR, I visited a couple different chica venues. I recommend joining that other site, at least for their map/pricelist, it pays off in the end.

Massage parlors

Zona Blue - As reported earlier, a good many of the crowd favorites have left ZB. I'd recommend calling ahead if you are looking for one in particular. Those that bailed seem to have split between Sportsmans and the HDR. That being said, the new talent is, eh, not bad, not spectacular. Lots of cute nicas, but the bodies could have been tighter. I did not see any straight stunners, or any of say, Karen's caliber (I know, tall order to fill) I will not expound on the benefits of the Pam & Kristina combo, other than to say they left me totally without sperm, and by the time I woke up all the girls had gone home (dammit) One thing I noticed was different, I was informed several times (by signage, and even by the manager when I checked in) about the tipping policy. Apparently alot of guys got their panties in a twist by being asked for tips. I got a chuckle out of this- ticas like money, and they aren't afraid to ask. If you are afraid of saying no to women in general, may I suggest that SJO is not for you. Girls here are sharks and a half.

New Fantasy - I am starting to think the tinted fishbowl glass is not really for the comfort of the clients, and more to conceal the girls various imperfections, dim lighting, etc. I actually like this place, the facilities are nice-ish, kinda cool getting a massage in the steam room. BUT, without exception, everytime I get a girl here, once the clothes come off its a horror show. Stretchmarks and tica tummy abound. Girl seemed kinda bored. I think she'd rather be back in the fishbowl watching tv, lol.

70E - 2 girls, neither attractive, walked out.

Europe 2000 - Couple fatties sitting around eating, watching TV and sweating in the heat. They giggled when I did a immediate 180 and ran.

Hotel Marracuswhateverhowyouspellit - This is actually a low-budget hostel with a waiting room in front. All girls busy (saturday)

Bar Dorado - Closed? or maybe I was just too early. 2pm.

Muses - Two girls, one REALLY ugly, one passable. This was my only low-rent MP session. Girl increadibly unenthusiastic, as seems the norm at the lower priced spots. Room TOTALLY BARE, mattress on the floor, florescent light hand-splashed with blue paint. Price 12k/hr. You get what you pay for.

Strip clubs

Centerfolds - Seems to be closed down. Two years ago this place had higher quality than HDR, by leaps and bounds. I was only in there once and saw not one but TWO solid tens (Colombianas, go figure) However I didn't get to sample as the prices were outrageous; 15k girl drinks, girl + room fee around $200US. No wonder they closed, too bad- had we not physically pulled him away one of my friends would've married this hot Calena.

Pantera Rosa - Well everytime I think I want to check out different strip clubs, I never get further then this one. This is possibly one of my favorite places on the planet. Make sure to arrive promptly at 10:30, as it fills up quick with lookie-loo no-tipping ticos. Best seats are the couches in the corner adjacent to the girls bathroom, for obvious reasons. The girls are just slightly below HDR level, and a few are above. Plus its cool how the chicks come out of this hole in the floor of the stage. The format is, spy a chick you like, buy her a drink for 3.5k and they grind on you for a few songs. Build a repoire and they'll drink alot slower. You can bang them onsite but the room fees are expensive- I think the girls realize this and ALL were eager to give their contact info, even right in the middle of the club with staff watching, so I guess its not against the rules or anything. One night I grabbed easily the hottest girl in the club, turns out she spoke perfect english and was increadibly friendly. She also happened to be the designated onsite pharmacist! I told her how much the stuff sells for in the states and her mouth literally hung open, that was classic. Did her there and the next day at the hotel.

Hotel Del Rey

The phrase "it is what it is" springs to mind. Probably the best thing about this place is the hoes are omnipresent, even at 11am on a Sunday. And it does serve one purpose, when you really just want the dopest chick possible. So my first day I spot this platinum blonde with HUEG tits, nice body and what looks like 20lbs of botox injected into each lip. So just for kicks I go to see what the price is, and she quotes $150 (LOL) The funny part was, when she opened her mouth to speak, her teeth were rotted and crooked like some old hag!! I think the genuine look of revulsion crossing my face actually shocked her- I turned around without saying a thing and immediately she's calling after me offering $100 or lower. Sorry sweetie, not for all the tea in China with that kind of trenchmouth. So I drink a bit, ok a lot, and I'm up $50 at roulette so I figure what the fuck, lets grab me a stunner. So I find Andrea from Cali, for $100 and she left early, after only getting $80 (yeah I pay cien sometimes but at least I dont pay in advance) I'm like whatever *****. Next night I'm in the same kinda mood and I find Lorena from Cali. Whoa, this one started at $120.. sharp cookie! Eventually came down to 80, and was just so increadibly sweet and personable. I would have regretted missing out on her over some nickel and diming. So I finish with her, come back downstairs, gamble more and get STINKING DRUNK. Ended up being waylayed by a cute flaca 18 yr old with her rotund cousin in tow. And when I say rotund, I mean ***** was as wide around as she was tall. I could not shake her. Ended up taking both of them for 30k, the flaca was good at least.

And thus ends my quick foray in SJO. Like I was saying before, as destinations go, its not particularly nice, BUT it does have its place, and that is a quick 3 day trip when one is low on funds. Personally any longer than that the atmosphere just starts to grate on me, but to each his own.

[Prolijo]

I've been refraining from adding any comments on this board for the last week or two but, when I have the rare opportunity to agree with my good friend 2964, I just have to take it. He is absolutely right that "There is no need to pay $100.00. In the DR or KL: ALL the girls start asking for $100.00 +/- Just say No. They will come down to $80.00..." (boldface added by me).

I will qualify those comments a little. There ARE a FEW chicas who won't come down at all. As often as not, you can take that as a clue what their attitude will be back in your room and count yourself lucky if you decide to move on to one of the MANY others that WILL negotiate. SOME times those hard and fast chicas MIGHT be worth as much as they THINK they are (more often as "fast" as they are "hard"), but, unless you've got a reliable recommendation from a fellow monger who has checked her out, the odds are definitely not in your favor. These are very minor qualifications. Like 2964 said, most chicas will come down fairly quickly to $80 without much negotiating skill needed at all. With just a little more negotiating skill than that, getting cute ones down to $60 is extremely common. But even if you can't get them to lower their price, it is still very possible to negotiate for extra services for that $100 (more hours, videos, anal or whatever floats your boat and can get her to agree to).

However that is not what I came out to post about. IMHO, there has to be something really messed up with this forum when the Admin recommends a post like Tequila's as a "post of distinction" (and he can then add his own post to that section). Don't get me wrong. I'll grant that Tequila was trying to make what he thought was a helpful contribution to this forum. It was a nice little newbie report but, c'mon, a "post of distinction"? His post was chockful of rooky mistakes, which he apparently didn't even realize he made, and misadvice.

1) The telecom monopoly in CR is not news. If he had done just a little bit of research BEFORE his trip he would have known that and could have found a SIM chip on-line that works in CR (e.g. www.www.celtrek.com @$.37 in CR & $.29 to the US)

2) Staying at a hotel that charged such exorbitant chica fees that it is painfully obvious they don't really want our business except to profiteer from it (and he would have known about it if he had read the forum BEFORE his trip).

3) Chica fees that must have largely if not entirely offset any savings he might have gained from using up his priority points. There are perfectly nice hotels in the area w/o any chica fees which cost less than HI chica fees alone.

4) Late at night, drunk or with gambling winnings may be another story, but maintaining it is unsafe to walk across Morazon Park at 7PM, when 2 cops are stationed there until at least 9-10PM, IS paranoid. Chicas don't want to walk it because a) you're paying for the cab and they like to make us pay for whatever they can get us to pay for (they'll even ask for cabfare to get home at the end of the session and then walk back to the HDR) or b) simply lazy or c) they're wearing high heels which are tough on crooked SJ sidewalks (a legitimate gripe that only applies to you if you're escorting one in heels). A guy walking alone or with other guys can easily watch out for any suspicious characters before leaving the front entrance of the KEY Largo and quickly walk safely across the park in less than a minute (not even 3 or 4).

5) Paying $2 for what should have been less than a $1 cabfare (in SJ it is 405 colones for the 1st km and that ride is less half a km). He probably didn't read the warnings in this forum NOT to use the taxis that PARK in front of the HDR and charge double the regular fares. It is ridiculously easy to flag a relatively honest one down off the street as it passes that busy corner.

6) Telling guys that bargaining is not an option just because he did not know how to do it (or possibly even try). (see my remarks above)

7) Thinking that CBJ's are the norm, but never thinking to ask for a BBBJ as part of his bargaining. Many if not most chicas will provide BBBJ's without your even having to ask. Certainly most will do it if you insist on it as part of the package before you leave the bar. But even nearly all the minority that don't readily agree to it, will always agree to it for the promise of a little bit more money. (negotiate it into the regular rate ahead of time to avoid the upsell when your little head is at its largest)

8) Only visiting or reporting on the 3 most heavily visited P4P venues in SJ, all of which have all ready been reported on EXTENSIVELY (no correct new news in his report) and then not even knowing the correct name on one of them.

9) Buying the cheap fake cuban cigars off the street (or from a guy who came in off the street) and paying $100 for them. Real Cohibas may cost $5 a pop when you buy them individually, but $3.33 each when buying in bulk is no great discount and I seriously doubt those cigars were real Cohibas.


Like J Europe said, I'm glad he enjoyed his trip, but I think he really has a LOT more to learn than what he indicated in his report and that report should NOT be held out as any model.

[Member #2964]

We have too get this right guys; There is no need to pay $100.00.

In the DR or KL: ALL the girls start asking for $100.00 +/-

Just say No. They will come down to $80.00 just like that and again just say NO. keep at it till its down to $50.00, $40.00 or even $30.00.

If you pay $100.00 its the little head doing all the thinking.

Just remember that there are MP'S within walking distance of the DR that you can get a round of head for as little as $7.00.

[Mr Jetsetter]

Almotu,

Believe me, the DR chicas and everybody else have no problem whatsoever taking either dollars or colones -- it truly doesn't matter. The Del Rey has two ATMs that I know about, one yielding dollars and one yielding colones. I kind of like the one that offers dollars, because you are not hit with any currency exchange fees.

NixonBD

IMHO, paying $100 for multiple-hour sessions with a high-end chica is not necessarily excessive and doesn't make one an a-hole, as you so indelicately phrased it. Paying $100 for an hour simply places one in the "dumbass" category, at least temporarily. I confess to being a dumbass on one occasion during my last trip, and its still bugging me! During my 9 trips to CR, I generally have been paying $60-80 at the Sportsmens and on occasional forays to the DR. I plan on devoting more time sampling the offerings of some of the numerous "low-end" MPs San Jose has to offer, after recently taking a very illuminating walking tour of some of these establishments.

[Almotu]

Recent lurker here. Quick question, when a DR chica asks for $100 or whatever the fee end up to be . . . do they take US bills or is it the equivalent in colones (?) If they take US currency, it maybe a good thing because of the crashing dollar!

[Nixonbd]

For years, I mean YEARS, we've been posting about a-holes who pay $100 and ruin things for the rest of us. Go to the Dominican and spread the wealth! You don't think the Columbian girls are invading the country for nothing, do ya?

Sorry, just venting. But when I'm in the BM next week and a girl tries to tell me $100, talk to the hand!

[Don Papi]

The Aurola Holiday Inn at Morazan Park in central San Jose now charges a guest fee of $70 + tax = $78.

[Cray9564]

Not sure they are available. I do know that while some of them are friendly, nice and give free drinks, one of them (very prety, dk brn hair/eye) at BM's bar at the West side will have shots with you and charge you c10,000 for a drink later.

Beware

I met a couple and you're right about drinking with you and such. It just seemed like there may be a chance - I'm sure its all about the sale.

[G Without Bush]

Any word from you guys about picking up the bartenders at the Del Rey. Is that even an option? If so, any recommendations? Their Rates?

Not sure they are available. I do know that while some of them are friendly, nice and give free drinks, one of them (very prety, dk brn hair/eye) at BM's bar at the West side will have shots with you and charge you c10,000 for a drink later.

Beware