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Perfect US$ bills have been emphasized here over and over. But if you change to the local currency, wouldn't it be easier to just tip using the local currency? When paying for sex, is it less expensive to pay with local bills?
Is there a Citibank ATM in SJ? Have an address?
Thanks y'all.
Almotu
Yes it is better to pay in the local currency.
No there is no Citibank ATM in CR but there are ATM that
use the same Cirrus or similar affilation and will work with
your ATM card.
They are all over town, usually in phone booth size rooms which lock out strangers.
MJG Dogs: IMHO, I would not even say that the people of SJO are nice. I would describe them as cordial but curt; if you ask a question, they will answer -- nothing more!
BTW, call me paranoid but I don't trust anybody when I travel, particularly when traveling alone. San Jose is no exception to that rule.
It's good for rookie mongers to know that SJO is also, what some have called, a "shit hole", filthy. But unlike many, I try (hard) not to judge the character of citizenry by the look of the city, albeit difficult. Let’s not forget that Costa Rica, while better off than some, is still a poor country. That said, one's financial condition may be beyond their control -- the content of their character is not.
What I neglected to mention was that in spite of previous comments, I still find SJO an ideal, and reasonably priced, field to hobby. And, I refuse to compare San Jose to other cities that I have ‘mongered’. Let’s leave it to others to draw their own conclusions based on forum facts and experiences.
Enough
San Jose is far from being a shit hole. They sweep their street twice a day and pick up the garbage everywhere everynight. The girls take 10 showers every day. You can drink the water out any tap. Don't ever give the impression that Costa rica is a dirty country. Those people don't have much, but they try with what the have.
Since there is no Citibank ATM, how much does Cirrus charge you when doing a withdrawal? I am guessing the ATM dispenses local bills. Is this exchange rate favorable? If one needs to change US bills to the local currency, where is the best place to do it at? I know in Brazil, there are always 'Cambio's where you can exchange money besides the bank or hotel.
Almotu
NF got hit yesterday as well as Bella Mansion. DelRey next?
police raid new fantasy
from a.m. costa rica, an on line newspaper, dated july 30:
quote:
cops raid two prostitution businesses in city
by the a.m. costa rica staff
police raided two sex operations late wednesday, and the man in charge said this is the beginning of a crackdown on such businesses.
the man, paul chavez, credited internet web pages for helping provide evidence in the case. he is director of the centro de información of the fuerza pública. despite its non-threatening name, this is the unit that handles certain complex cases.
raided was new fantasy on avenida 9, barrio amon, and la bella mansión on avenida 11 between calles 1 and 3.
some 65 officers participated in the twin raids. although a report from the ministerio de gobernación, policía y seguridad pública said the 15 female prostitutes were liberated, chavez said his men were met with considerable hostility from the women.
two persons were arrested, one at each location. at new fantasy, the administrator, a woman identified by the last name of suazo, was detained for six months preventative detention. at la bella mansión, a man with the last name of carballo was detained, officials said.
the report by officials said that the operations were under the same ownership and that three more persons are being sought. police said that both operations catered to foreigners. that certainly is the case with new fantasy, a popular spot for
vacationing north americans, but la bella mansión where a prostitute could be engaged for 5,000 colons ($11.30), has been described by expats here as a place frequented by mostly costa ricans.
chavez said that a million colons were confirep001ed in the raids. that’s about $2,270. he estimated that the businesses collected 14,000 colons ($32) from customers and handled about 70 customers a day.
chavez said that the raids were a result of citizen complaints and followed a six-month investigation. he said he realized that there were similar operations in downtown san josé but no complaints had been filed on these.
chavez said all the women in the establishments were adults. prostitution is not prosecuted in costa rica, but pimping is punishable by prison.
new fantasy, which has been open about a year, was closed down by the municipalidad de san josé jan. 16 but it reopened a short time later. the problem then was described as one of paperwork.
chavez said that the policía municipal and his unit soon will meet to plot a course of action. they are concerned about the sex tourism generated by international advertising of these establishments.
new fantasy was bold in promoting its operation. in addition to web pages, an agent circulated through the downtown handing out business cards to likely looking prospects. he even did so on the pedestrian boulevard in the heart of the capital.
I'll be in Heredia and Samarra Beach 9/11-9/25. Does anyone have any info on those areas? Non pro, semi pro, or even pro if they're hot? How important is the Spanish? Many girls 18-25?
Thanks
Latin T,
You will not find many classic pros or semy pros away from the San Jose establishments althou there is the Beetle bar at Jaco and in bars in Puntarenas, caution verry bad areas.
For a young handsom tourist the odds for non pros are very good all over CR. Girls are very attracted to anything foreign. I recomend El Pueblo night clubs north of town in San Jose. If you are like me, old and fat, the odds tend to diminish. What a drag....
Overall many girls want to meet someone that will give them a better future and this may be to your advantage. I am not saying to take advantage of this I am just stating the facts.
I was told that the best looking girls in CR are live in Heredia.
Good luck and happy huntings.....
Here is some info on Heredia. The National University is located in Heredia on the east side of town. It makes for a pleasant place to take a stroll and do some "bird" watching. As far as nightlife is concerned, however, the town is pretty dead and most students just head into San Jose in the evenings. There are no decent hotels in the town itself and not many interesting restaurants.
One interesting local tidbit, the Central Park, which is a nice place to take a break under the spreading mango trees, has the nickname as the Park of the Dead Doves (Palomas Muertas). It derives from the old coots that hang out there to check out the young chicas that stroll by (figure it out - the old guys have a shriveled old white thing that can't come back to life). Another tidbit that I have heard that has some general appplicability is that one can tell whether a park is safe at night by whether one sees young couples hanging out in them (what they refer to in ecotourism circles as an indiciator species). That said, the park looks like a happening place after dark, but I've heard mixed reports.
As far as bars, nice bars in Heredia are Boulevar, La Choza and Rancho de Fofo (all near each other). These are Tico bars though so speaking spanish will definitely be very helpful. On sunday night at Miraflores they do a strip show and the chicas are pretty hot, some freelancers. Miraflores would be the best bet to try and hook up with a Heredia semi-pro.
Here is the little I know of Samara. Not much happening. Best to bring your own female companionship. The one place I have seen reported is a club called Fandango. Strip club with rooms in the back. $70 was the going rate for 40 mins.
For all the people who have posted that Zona Blue is $45, is that just the house fee? Do you tip the girls afterwards?
Hi,
Does anyone know of a place where I can get Viagra or Cialis in San Jose? Are prescriptions required?
Thanks,
RB
RedBull ####
Viagra and so on are available, I'll PM you.
Whoa,
The rates for all the MP's in SJ are all-inclusive. Some guys tip but it is really not needed. Ticos never do. The girl generally gets half of the house fee. which may not seem like a lot, but hey remember this is CR. If you feel like you absolutely have to give the girl extra, due to an exceptional performance or simply middle-class guilt, just don't go overboard. Restaurants generally tack on a 10% service fee in CR. If you use that as a benchmark then 2000 colones would be more than enough, but again only if you are blown away.
Some MP's charge for condoms and non-US condoms leave something to be desired anyway, so you might want to bring your own.
Tipping aside, ZB is a little pricier than the other MP's but if you get a CRT VIP membership you can save 3000 colones (about $7) on each visit.
I'll be arriving in CR this Wed. for the first time in a couple of years. Given the current situation at NF and LBM, can anyone give me a suggestion as to what MP to hit mid-day? Arte y Sauna used to be an old favorite, but I hear it's shutdown. I'm inclined to hit 747 first. Any suggestions? What's the going rate at IDEM?
Thanks a bunch,
RB