Overview
Prostitution in Costa Rica is both abundant and legal. Unlike the US where the government decides career choices for it’s citizens rather than letting the citizens decide for themselves, the Costa Rican ladies are free to offer their services of sex without the government poking their noses into their bedroom windows to see what they are up to. While many women in the US and other countries become sex workers because of drug and alcohol addictions, rarely is that the case in Costa Rica (with the exception of the street-walkers). Most ladies of the night in Costa Rica are there to better their economic situations and care for their families. Some will work only a few days per month, while others make it a career choice. You will find women from Nicaragua, Argentina, Venezuela, Columbia, Dominican Republic and even Nevada working the streets and, bars and clubs of San Jose. Light skin, dark skin and everything in between. There are 4 sources of women: escort services, bars, adult night clubs, and massage parlors.
What to expect
Generally, the ladies of the night are very professional which means you get right down to business when they come to your room and once paid, they are out the door. You won’t find the affection and attention you get from, for example, the bar girls of the Philippines who appear more interested in love and romance than money. The Costa Rican women are passionate in bed and will put on a fairly good performance. Most if not all will insist on condom usage, which is a good idea. Don’t expect to fall in love or find a girlfriend or wife out of the bar girls. You will not find a bustling nightlife like you would in Bangkok, but there are enough places (bars, strip joints, massage parlors, free lancers) to keep a single man happy. Certainly, if you come to Costa Rica, you can expect to have no problems getting laid 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sex is both legal and quite available in Costa Rica.
Women
Costa Rican women come in all shapes and sizes and can range anywhere from busty blondes to petite brunettes. However, as a general rule, the women tend to be rather heavy set (which means big tits and butts) and what some would consider “large” which means bulky thighs and fat around the waste. You will find girls with blue, brown, and green eyes. Some dye their hair blonde to attract more attention. Few Costa Rica women speak English well, so a brush up in your Spanish before you arrive will make conversation with the fine ladies go a long way.
Cost
The price for sex varies from girl to girl, but the average cost for a hooker out of the bars is about $50 for a quick lay. This price can double or triple if you take a girl out of the strip clubs or higher class bars. A street girl may go with you for as little as $20 to $30.
Legal
Prostitution in Costa Rica is legal – though pimping and the prostitution of minors under 18 is not, even though it is primarily catholic country. In the U.S. mainly, sex workers (we prefer the use this term rather than prostitutes) have a negative connotation, whether it be street-walkers, massage girls or escorts. In Costa Rica, ladies are free to work and without harassment. And while many women in the U.S. and other countries become sex workers because of drug and alcohol addictions, rarely is that the case in Costa Rica (with the exception of the street-walkers). Most women in Costa Rica are there to better their economic situations and care for their families. Some will work only a few days per month, while others make it a career choice. Be sure not to just ask the age of the girl you just met, but to give you proof of age. In Costa Rica all Costa Ricans of age will carry a “cedula” with her picture and birth date. For foreigners ie. Nicaraguans, Panamanians, etc. ask to see her passport.
Note that prostitution with a minor is illegal and the Costa Rican government under pressure from the US has announced new policies to strictly and severely punish those that practice this form of behavior. While the chances of finding an underage prostitute is rare, if you happen to come across one, it’s in your best interest to move on to someone else.
Basics:
Location: Central America
Status: UN Country
Capital City: San José
Main Cities: Alajuela, Cartago
Population: 3,347,000 Area [sq.km]: 51,100
Currency: 1 colón = 100 céntimos
Languages: Spanish
Religions: Roman Catholic
WEATHER
The best time to go weather wise is late-December to mid-April dry season is the most pleasant. But of course, this is when everyone else goes to Costa Rica, so prices are up and hotels are full. Although some roads are impassable in the wet season, it’s still worthwhile to visit at this time, and things are much quieter. April, May and mid-October to mid-December should give you the best of both worlds.
Season Number One: The rainy season. It drizzles along from May to the middle of November, bringing sunny, summery mornings, splashed by bouts of warm afternoon rain. The wet season is punctuated by a “little summer” (el veranillo), a short dry season that visits the country in July and August. September and October, look for Los Torrenciales, dramatic cloudbursts that drench the hillsides and fill the rivers to the top. If you plan to drive the back roads during these months, bring your jeep and a cheese sandwich. You may be stuck back there for a while.
Season Number Two: The dry Season. This starts toward the end of November and continues through April. Dry, warm, sunny days march past in endless procession, tempered in January and February by winds cooled by the two seas. San Jose Weather
SHORT VISIT
If visiting for less than a week, focus on San Jose. Arrive on Thursday to catch the hottest action over the weekend. Sunday is the slowest day of the week. Vacations lasting a week or longer can include several nights in a rain forest resort, a beach on the Pacific or Atlantic, or beneath a towering volcano.
HOLIDAYS
Juan Santa Maria Day April 11th
Independence Day September 15th
Day of the Cultures
Easter The week before Easter Sunday is an unofficial vacation time. Much of the country shuts down. Thursday and Friday of this week only essential services function; even many of the public bus routes cease operation.
FLIGHTS
Flight fares vary according to season. The high season runs from December to May with the highest fare coming around Christmas time. Low-season fares (May to November), round-trip from the US to San Jose, are as follows:
From Los Angeles: $680 (about 6 hours)
From New York: $660 (about 7.5 hours)
From Miami to San Jose: $460 (about 1.5 hours)
From Houston: $460 (3.5 hours)
From New Orleans: $460 (5.5 hours)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
U. S. citizens may enter Costa Rica without a tourist visa and can stay up to ninety (90) days.
Requirements for U. S. citizens – regardless of their age – vary depending on how long they are going to stay in Costa Rica. Whether U.S. citizens travel for a short or a long visit, they are required to have:
A pre-paid airline ticket to exit Costa Rica (either to return to your country or to go to another country)
And, the following required documents for:
A SHORT VISIT: If you are planning a short visit (no more than ninety (90) days) and you are:
1. A naturalized U.S. citizen (born outside of the United States of America), you may enter Costa Rica with a passport valid for at least six months.
2. A natural born U.S. citizen, you may enter Costa Rica with either a passport valid for at least six months or a photo Identification Card -driver’s license or State I.D. card – issued by your State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), along with an original or a certified copy of your birth certificate.
If you enter the country with a photo Identification Card along with an original or a certified copy of your birth certificate, you will be required to purchase a tourist card at the immigration point of entry for $4.00 U.S. dollars in order to enter Costa Rica.
A $20.00 U.S. dollar fine will be charged upon departure from Costa Rica if you overstayed your permitted length in the country.
Documents For A Long Visit: If you are going to stay for more than ninety (90) days, you may enter Costa Rica with a passport valid for at least 6 months. If you are considering staying for more than 90 (ninety days), a valid passport will be required and you must file for a stay extension at the Immigration Department of Costa Rica. Or, you may exit Costa Rica and re-enter. Most tourists visit Nicaragua or Panama – Costa Rica’s neighbor countries – for a day and come back into Costa Rica.
A $20.00 U.S. dollar fine will be charged upon departure from Costa Rica if you overstayed your permitted length in the country.
EXITING
When you leave Costa Rica you are required to pay an exit fee:
$46.00 U.S. dollars Costa Rican Citizens
$17.00 U.S. dollars Other Citizens
AIRPORT TO HOTEL
There are a number of taxis outside the airport and they will actively solicit your business. The price to any downtown hotel (Del Rey, Morazon, Ricos, etc.) is $10 and they accept American currency so you don’t need to exchange money at the airport if you don’t want to or forget to do so. The exchange rate is usually pretty good at the airport. Have a number of $1’s on hand as well. A man will handle your luggage and will consider a $1 tip as generous.
CURRENCY
Local Money: The local currency is Colones. There is $238 Colones. per dollar or roughly, a $1000 Colones.
Money Exchange: Exchanging money in the airport in foreign countries have always been known to give the pretty good rates, except the U.S.
Bringing money into Costa Rica. You do not pay Customs duty for bringing cash to Costa Rica. However, if you bring more than ten thousand U.S. dollars ($10,000.00 US), you will be required to declare the total amount of cash that you bring in the country at the Customs Office.
Tipping: You don’t have to tip in restaurants in Costa Rica since a 10% service charge is added to your bill automatically. However, if the service was exceptional, you’ll feel good about slipping the waiter a few dollars extra. Tour guides and Taxi guides can be tip from $3 to $20 US depending on the tour.
HOW MUCH
LODGING
Budget: US$3-10
Mid-range: US$10-20
Top-end: US$20 and upwards
MEALS
Budget: US$2-5
Mid-range: US$5-10
Top-end: US$10 and upwards
WOMEN
The price for sex varies from girl to girl, but the average cost for a hooker out of the bars is about $50 for a quick lay. This price can double or triple if you take a girl out of the strip clubs or higher class bars. A street girl may go with you for as little as $20 to $30.
CREDIT CARDS/TRAVELERS CHEQUES
Nearly all hotels, restaurants and shops in the major towns and tourist areas take all major credit cards. Street vendors and smaller establishments in remote areas may accept only cash or travelers checks. It’s important to keep travelers checks in a waterproof pouch, as they are considered void if they get wet.
FOOD
Restaurants in towns and cities serve a variety of foods including French, Italian, Mexican, North American and Chinese. Food is good, from the most expensive to the cheapest eating places (which are generally found west of the city center). Food sodas (small restaurants) serve local food. Common dishes include Casado (rice, beans, stewed beef, fried plantain, salad and cabbage), olla de came (soup of beef, plantain, com, yucca, nampi and chayote), sopa negra (black beans with a poached egg) and picadillo (meat and vegetable stew). Snacks are popular and include gallos (filled tortillas), tortas (containing meat and vegetables), arreglados (bread filled with same) and pan de yuca (specialty from stalls in San José). There are many types of cold drink made from fresh fruit, milk or cereal flour, for example, cebada (barley flour), pinolillo (roasted corn) and horchata (corn meal with cinnamon). Imported alcoholic and soft drinks are widely available. Coffee is good value and has an excellent flavor.
WATER
While the water is said to be safe in most of Costa Rica, we recommend bottled water in most places. Do not eat fruit you have not pealed yourself, stay away from leafy vegetables like lettuce, and avoid ice cubes. These are common causes of amebic dysentery and giardia, both of which are unpleasant enough to be worth avoiding at all costs.
RESTAURANTS
Chango (Escazú, San Jose) Exquisite International restaurant.
Kings Garden Chinese Restaurant
Machu Pichu (San José) Excellent Costa Rican restaurant. Dexter and Horn dined there and it was great.!!
Hotels
Reservations are a must. Good hotel rooms are snapped up quickly during the high season, so make your reservations at least one month in advance. You can do this by fax if you include a credit card number. When you arrive to Costa Rica, call or fax the Hotel to confirm your reservations. Visitors who love the spontaneous life should restrict their travel to the low season when accommodations are easier to come by.
The Following list of hotels are in Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose, a perfect base for tours to volcanoes, white water rafting, rainforest tours and more!
Hotel Del Rey The Hotel & Casino Del Rey is located in the heart of San Jose, Costa Rica within walking distance of the city’s museums, theatres, shops and night life. Located in a completely renovated neo-classic building, the Del Rey offers 104 rooms with all the amenities of a modern hotel including the 24 hour Casino Del Rey and San Jose’s #1 meeting spot, The Blue Marlin Bar, also open 24 hours. **Featured in Dexter Horn’s “Erotic Women Of Costa Rica” adult rated travel video. more hotel info
Hotel Costa Rica Morazan El Pequeño gran Hotel Costa Rica. It is located downtown near the historic Morazán Park, and is within walking distance to museums, and the National Theater. Single $47. more hotel info
Hotel Balmoral
The Hotel Balmoral, located on the main walking Boulevard enjoys the best location in the heart of San Jose Downtown. For business or pleasure, Balmoral is the perfect place. An authentic Costa Rican hospitality… Allow us and we will show you the best combination of location in San José and value for your next business gathering or holiday vacation. Single $80. more hotel info
Hotel Costa Rica Located in the heart of San Jose, with shops, restaurants, banks, public offices and the city’s nightlife only steps away, the Gran Hotel is the obvious choice for business or vacation. Services include a tour desk, car rental agency, gift shop, bar, and 24 hour coffee shop. Our side-walk cafe facing the National Theater is one of the most popular gathering places in San Jose. You can listen to the marimba music and watch a colorful swirl of people go by. El Pequeño gran Hotel Costa Rica. It is located downtown near the historic Morazán Park, and is within walking distance to museums, and the National Theater. Single $47. more hotel info
Hotel Presidente ($60 per night) is a block from the Del Rey but less of a circus-and they don’t charge a guest fee for taking a girl to the room (the Del Rey pops you for $12). The Hotel has 102 comfortable rooms, including 3 Full Suites & 7 Junior Suites. The room rates include: American Breakfast for our guests Color TV with 52 cable chanels (HBO, ESPN, CNN, NBC, FOX)
Electronic phone messaging service. Air conditioning in every room, safety deposit box, international calls access, and computer connection capability. more hotel info
Hotel la Mansion Just in the heart of San Jose, only a few steps of Costa Rica’s pride, the Teatro Nacional. Small Hotel, with big customer service. Single $30-$35. more hotel info
Business Oriented Hotels in San José
Downtown San Jose Hotels
HOTEL LIST WITH ON LINE DISCOUNTS
ELECTRIC
110 volt AC is the standard in Costa Rica. This is the same as the States. However, the standard wall outlet here only has the two electrical inlets. That means that you could have a hard time with appliances that have the third piece on the plug which facilitates the ground. To be safe, you should go to a local electronics store and buy an inexpensive adapter piece. For anyone bringing a computer, you may have to go “unprotected” since ground connections are hard to come by, therefore surge protectors could be useless.
LANGUAGE
If you are a first time traveler to countries outside of your own, alert yourself to fact that many people in Costa Rica do not speak your language. The language of Costa Rica is Spanish – though you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that many people in this highly educated country speak more than one language, and, of course, people serving you at the better hotels and restaurants will almost always speak enough English to make themselves understood.
WHAT TO BRING
Batteries –especially unusual batteries for cameras, hearing aids, and the like. Film –cheaper at home than in Costa Rica; bring a bunch. Binoculars, Watch, Alarm Clock, Cassette tape, Insect Repellent, Contact lens supplies, Condoms, Combination lock, Shower gel, Towel, Electrical adapter, Sturdy umbrella (especially during the rainy season) Compass and Maps (if planning to go hiking to remote areas)
LAUNDRY
You’re not going to find a lot of coin laundries in San Jose. There is nothing in a Costa Rican’s genes that would permit him or her to lug a bundle of smelly laundry down to the corner for a wash and dry. Here, people hire people to wash their clothe s. Payment is generally by the kilo Some hotels offer a laundry services, but it is expensive.
BUSINESS HOURS
Banks: Monday – Friday 9 am to 3 pm.
Government offices: Monday – Friday 8 am to 5 pm
Retail Stores: Monday – Friday 9 am to 6 pm or 7 pm
Schedule your activities to accommodate the traditional Latin American Siesta. Almost everything shuts down between 12 and 2 pm for a sandwich and snooze. It is a noble tradition that should be emulated by sensible people everywhere. Saturdays most stores are open. Sundays almost everything is closed.
LAND ADVENTURES
Canopy Tour is a new adventure sport, invented ( patent pending ) and developed in Costa Rica by our founder Darren Rennick. By modifying techniques and equipment originally used by spelunkers (cavers) and canyon rappelers. THE original CANOPY TOUR® offers any adventurous tourist the opportunity to ascend into the reforest canopy from a perspective available previously to only a select few researchers and photographers. more canopy info , and even more info and more.
Mountain Biking Ascending and descending through the windy trails of mountainside tropical rainforest to emerge into a river valley teaming with wildlife…monkeys, macaws, piranhas and the like…carrying the bikes through a light river current to continue the journey on the rugged trail…to make it back to base with hearty appetite ready to satiate. more biking info
Horseback Riding
Just minutes away from San Jose, enjoy a memorable experience on this unique horseback riding expedition in San Jerónimo Mountains, adjacent to Braulio Carillo Rain Forest National Park. Ride over mountain trails to observe the magnificent scenery, on one side the Central Valley, and the other, impressive views of the cloud forest and volcanoes.
Paragliding
Have you ever dream of flying like a bird or to explore in the clouds? Check it out, you only live once.
Bungee Jumping
Unless you’ve got heart condition, or some serious problems with your back and neck, you should be able to bungee jump with no fear of injury. Jumps should always be supervised by a trained jump master, and all equipment must be up to international standards. In Costa Rica, jumps are done from the “viejo puente sobre el Rio Colorado,” an old bridge that spans a 300-foot-deep gorge located about half an hour west of San Jose. Jumps are usually done Saturday and Sunday mornings, but they can be arranged at other times for small groups. The jumps are done with 100-foot bungees, which means jumpers have dropped about 200 feet when the chord stretches to its limit.
WATER ADVENTURES
Kayaking
Costa Rica offers unequaled opportunity to enjoy the rapidly growing sport of sea kayaking. Sea kayaking is a natural way to experience our beautiful Costa Rica. The sea kayak is a self propelled small craft devised by the ancient Eskimo tribes in the Arctic ocean region and has evolved into a stable, efficient and extremely sea worthy craft which makes wildlife observation excellent and totally unobtrusive.
Whitewater Rafting
Costa Rica offers some of the world’s finest whitewater rafting and kayaking rivers. Wild and untamed, these big, brash rivers plunge through spectacularly beautiful, largely unexplored tropical wilderness. more rafting info, and even more.
Scuba Diving
Most dives are off pinnacle rock formations at 40 to 80 foot depths. Visibility can vary from 20 to 80 feet in the same day this is due to plankton and marine organism that thrive in the warm 75 to 85 degree waters. Although this may restrict visibility it is the reason the North Pacific waters are home to such a variety of pelagic marine life. more diving info
Wind Surfing
The Trade winds blow across Costa Rica with incredible force and consistency during the dry months, creating windsurfing conditions in the northwest part of the country. The western end of Lake Arenal is one of the world’s premier windsurfing spots, having been compared to Italy’s Lake Garda and the Columbia River Gorge. During the dry season, the wind speed averages 33 miles an hour, a velocity than only experienced windsurfers can handle. As the gale increases, the lake’s surface becomes choppy, and expert surfers use the waves to jump high into the air.
Tortuga Island
Tortuga, a dream island and a little paradise in the Pacific Ocean, has something for everyone. More than just a beach, white sands and sun, Tortuga also offers luxuriant flora, fauna and adventure. more tortuga info
Cruises
Pacific Island
Punta Coral Reserve
Sailing Cruises
Tours
One-Day Packages
Sightseeing Tours
Arenal Volcano
Helicopter Tour
Costa Rica Highlights Tour
Coffee Plantation Tour
Fishing
Sportfishing#1
Sport Fishing#2
Tours Leaving From San José
ATTRACTIONS
National Theater
Plaza de la cultura
Central Park
Jade Museum
National Park
SHOPPING
Special purchases include wood and leather rocking chairs (which dismantle for export) as well as a range of local crafts available in major cities and towns. Local markets are also well worth visiting. Prices are slightly higher than in other Latin American countries. Best buys are wooden items, ceramics, jewellery and leather handicrafts. Shopping hours: 0900-1800/1900 Monday to Saturday.
Places to Shop
Central Market in downtown San José.
Plaza del Sol – Curridabat
Plaza Mayor – Rohmoser
Plaza Colonial – Escazú
Multiplaza – Escazú
SECURITY
Take taxi’s late at night and verify the fare before you get in. Everything local to the downtown hotels should be no more that 500 colones ($2.50). Bandidos are not uncommon, stay away from walking around corners and watch for groups with one person having a stick. After midnight, be very cautious. Try not to appear to be an easy target by always looking alert (not
daydreaming or intoxicated). It is not like there are gobs of gangs, there is not, but exercise the same precaution you would in any big city walking the street late at night.
TAXI/BUS
Although there are many car rental agencies in San José, we don’t recommend renting a car for travel within the city limits. Traffic is terrible. In many cases it’s faster to walk to places than to take a bus or taxi. If you need to go farther than you are willing to walk, taxis are inexpensive. You can travel almost anywhere in the city for less than $4. It’s common to have a $1 cab fare. If the meter is broken agree on a price before you set off on your destination, or find another cab. Tipping is not expected. Cabs running after 10:00pm charge a 20% premium.
TRANSPORTATION
Costa Rica has the best bus system in Central America. It is by far the cheapest and most efficient way to travel. Climb aboard, the buses will take you anyplace you care to go – and will not drain your wallet in the process. Long-distance bus fare from Peninsula de Osa to San Jose is only $10.
Your ticket will indicate the seat number and the date of the trip. If you are going to a popular spot, reserve your ticket in advance –and make sure the ticket is for the correct date. Bus tickets are not refundable.
Traveler’s Tip: When you get to your destination, go into the station to buy your return ticket. That way you will assure yourself a seat for the ride home.
Some of the local buses do not have bells to signal the driver to stop. No problem. Do as the Costa Ricans do: let out a whistle or call out “Parada!” which, loosely translated, means “I have arrived at my destination, so please stop the bus so I can get off.”
Most of the buses are in good conditions, but they are not air conditioned and do not offer a great deal of room for your luggage – or limbs. Long-legged visitors might be wise to cast about for an alternative way to travel.
Also, buses do not have toilets; however, on long distance rides, the driver will make stop often enough gas stations, at a soda stands and restaurants to satisfy the passengers.
Bicycles: There are lots of hills in Costa Rica. If you plan to see the country from the top of a bicycle, remember, it will make life easier for you if you peddle a good machine, one with at least a 21 gears. Be aware that you’ll be outdoors at high altitudes so bring along a windbreaker and some warm clothes –and don’t forget your emergency kit with water, tire patching gear and a few basic tools.
Costa Rican drivers seem to respect bicyclists more than pedestrians. However, truck and bus drivers will forget about the bicycle once they have passed it and have been known to for a bicyclist off the road.
Renting A Car: You must have a valid American or international driver’s license, be twenty-five or older. Also you must have a Visa or MasterCard with enough credit to cover the total cost of the rental. Please check with your credit card company whether or not you can be insured if you pay with your credit card in Costa Rica.
Renting a car in Costa Rica is expensive, approximately $320 a week for a compact; perhaps double that for a four wheel drive. The price includes insurance. Warning: check with your credit card company to make sure your insurance covers you if you pay for the rental with a credit card. Fuel is not expensive, around $10 to fill a compact car; $20 to tank up a four wheel drive. By the way, most of the rental cars are stick-shift; so if you don’t know how to work a clutch and gearshift lever, you’d best take a few lessons before you come.
A word of caution: Costa Rica has one of the highest auto accident rates in the world. Drivers are very aggressive so be prepared to get out their way. The speed limit runs between 75 to 90 kph (45 to 55 mph). Speed limits are posted on signs or painted on the pavement. A speeding ticket can be expensive, $150 US. Do not try to bribe the officer; you could create further problems for yourself. Incidentally, drivers coming from the opposite direction will often warn you by blinking their headlights if there are police or a radar trap set up nearby.
MAPS
Where is Costa Rica?
Map of Costa Rica
San Jose City Map
Costa Rica Political 1987
Shaded Relief Map Costa Rica
Smaller Political Map 1998
Large Reference Map Latin America
Large Political Map Latin America
CAR RENTALS
Dollar Rent a Car
Hertz Costa Rica
Hola Rent A Car
National Car Rental
Prego Rent A Car Excellent Car Rental
Hertz Costa Rica
Hola Rent A Car
National Car Rental
Poas Rent a Car
Prego Rent A Car
Excellent Car Rental
BEACHES
Jaco Beach is the place to stay in Costa Rica. A sleepy small town nestled in a bay on the Pacific Coast, it has all the things to make your holiday complete: good restaurants, banks, and shops; nearby national parks Manuel Antonio (famous for its beaches and monkeys) and Carara (home to flocks of Scarlet Macaw and oversized American Crocodiles in the adjacent Tarcoles River). You can visit a volcano and a deserted beach, ride horseback in the jungle, go white water rafting, spend a night in the cool of the mountains, or just relax beside the ocean. And for the nighthawks, Jaco boasts both a disco and a casino.
Jaco Beach Hotel is the ideal starting point for those who want to enjoy an exciting and thrilling experience in the Pacific Coast, passing through the mountains planted with coffee, enjoying fascinating views and the warmth of our tropical weather; only one and a half hours from San José.
more on Jaco Beach and Jaco Beach Surf Report
PROSTITUTION
Prostitution in Costa Rica is legal – though pimping and the prostitution of minors under 18 is not, even though it is primarily catholic country. In the U.S. mainly, sex workers (we prefer the use this term rather than prostitutes) have a negative connotation, whether it be street-walkers, massage girls or escorts. In Costa Rica, ladies are free to work and without harassment. And while many women in the U.S. and other countries become sex workers because of drug and alcohol addictions, rarely is that the case in Costa Rica (with the exception of the street-walkers). Most women in Costa Rica are there to better their economic situations and care for their families. Some will work only a few days per month, while others make it a career choice. Be sure not to just ask the age of the girl you just met, but to give you proof of age. In Costa Rica all Costa Ricans of age will carry a “cedula” with her picture and birth date. For foreigners ie. Nicaraguans, Panamanians, etc. ask to see her passport. Prostitution with a minor is illegal and the Costa Rican government has announced new policies to strictly and severely punish those that practice this form of behavior.
MASSAGE PARLORS
Inexpensive for the most part while they provide pleasure in a safe environment. Most are clean and well appointed, some with Jacuzzis, while some are sleazy. By the most part the ladies that work in the massage parlours are attentive and ready to please. Prices range from about $15 to $60, providing complete service.
Arte Sauna: Centrally located in San Jose on Calle 9 (Estudiantes) between Avenida 2 and Avenida 4 on the west side of the street. The front of the building is white tile. They have a comfortable steam room, a dry sauna, attentive female masseuses, and never rushed. Telephone 222-2881.
Centro de Masajes: A small place with showers and attentive female masseuses. Located on Calle 4 between Avenida 2 and Avenida 4 upstairs.
Club EROS: (also called Lucy’s) the rate is 10,000 Colones for an hour. An appropriate tip for good service is 2000-3000 Colones (rate of exchange 300+ Colones to the dollar). EROS has showers and girls will furnish the condom.
Krysis Health Club: There is a Jacuzzi in one of the rooms and questionable women for various activities. Located on Avenida 7 between Calle Central and Calle 2.
Lucy Massage: Although named massage, there aren’t any massage tables, steam or sauna. There are questionable women for various activities. Located across the street from the bar “Idem” on calle11 between Avenida 8 and 10. Telephone 391-3011.
Sala de Massages “Si Bo Ny”: A small place with showers and attentive female masseuses. Located on Calle 8 between Avienda 12 and Avenida 14 .NEW
The Green Door: (Sept. 2000) Rates are $85 for all day with pay-as-you-go drinks or $100 for the day including all drinks. Included in the rate is a one-hour massage plus use of the swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and just hanging out with the girls and other guys. A pair of Honduran sisters are best bet. Howard, the owner, will talk your arm off. They recently became licensed as a hotel and are in the process of fixing up rooms. The address is 3350 Avenida 2, on the way to the San Pedro Mall.
NIGHT CLUBS AND STRIP CLUBS
All the night clubs (strip bars) offer totally nude shows and table dances. The upper scale clubs like also have private rooms, shower stages and Jacuzzi suites. Prices tend to be a bit steep, but you will have good time in a safe and secure environment. The girls tend to be better looking and they can be taken out of the club for a price. Most clubs charge a door entrance and have a minimum consumption policy. Table dances, lap dances and private dances are done with taste and you can guarantee yourself a good time. Also, you can take the girl from the club but check with management as each club has a different policy. All major credit cards are accepted and English is widely spoken.
Elite Club: A show bar. Located on the Paso Colon (Avenida 2) between Calle 28 and 30.
The reports are coming in that this place is a rip off.
Hollywood Club: A strip club with a cover charge. Located in Sabana Sur, 250 meters west of the McDonalds on the old road to Escazu.
Josephine’s: A strip club with a cover charge. Located on Avenida 9 between Calle 2 and Calle 4. The reports are coming in that this place is a rip off.
Olympus: A totally nude strip club; currently with no cover charge. Be prepared to pay considerably extra for drinks for the women dancing there you meet. Located on the corner of Calle Central and Avenida 7 across the street from the La Benny show bar.
Puro Platino: Located at Avenida 5 y Calle 4.
HOOKER BARS
Please note: rates for the clubs below range from $33 to $59 for an hour with a good-looking girl. Some will arrange to meet you for overnight or a hotel visit, but you need to know a little Spanish. (But as always, Ticas are less than reliable at keeping appointments, usually arriving at least an hour late.)
(Bars list below in alphabetical order.)
Bar Tonny’s: Here there are questionable women for various activities. Located on Avenida 9 between Calle 2 and Calle 4, next to Josephines strip club.
Blue Marlin Bar: Is located inside the Hotel Del Rey. One of the best things about the Hotel Del is that all you have to do is go down to the lobby and enter the Blue Marlin Bar around 5:00 p.m. and pick a girl you want to have sex with. You don’t even have to leave your hotel to get laid. Nights here are usually very crowded, with patrons and women who are sometimes very aggressive to lure you into having sex with them. After all, Prostitution is legal in Costa Rica. The bouncers and management are careful when it comes to letting in women who are over the age of 18. I.D’s are checked at the door in the bar and the girl’s I.D’s are copied and kept at the desk for safety reasons. They have 2 televisions constantly showing sports. You can order food in the bar, either full menu or appetizers. Located on Avenida 1 between Calle 9 and Calle 11. Girls will ask for $100 but usually go for $50-60. A lot of Dominican’s, Argentina, Venezuela, Nicaraguan’s, and Colombians. Prices for the ’10’s are a solid $100.00.
CAFE PARISIEN: Try having lunch or dinner there. It is the terrace restaurant at GRAN HOTEL COSTA RICA. At around 6:00 PM there are girls to be found sitting by themselves in the process of “gringo hunting”. You will be able to tell by the way they look at you.
CAMELOT BAR(a bar to find Ticas) is located 100 MTs South and 50 Mts, across the street from the GRAN HOTEL ,COSTA RICA. This bar has clean rooms on the floors above, and the price is more than reasonable. This place is a local bar, quite basic but friendly enough. The price is set at 5000 Colones or approx. $16.00 for 40 minutes of sex. The price also includes the room. The place opens from 11AM until 12 MN. Look for a girl that works on the day shift named Magali, and during the night shift there is another girl called Alejandra. Both girls are 10s both in looks and in personality.
Club Bikini: Is two blocks from the glitzier but less colorful Hotel del Rey in downtown San Jose. It is a hooker bar known to locals as “The Land of the 1,000-colone Lap Dance.” (A thousand Colones sounds like a lot of money, but it is only about $3.20 — compare that to $10+ tables dances in the States, where the bouncer tosses you into the parking lot if you even look like you’re thinking about touching the dancer. Costa Rica prostitutes are different, making it a great place for single travel sex tours.
Club 40’s Pension: Now there is no cover charge to enter. They have done some remodeling. The bar is downstairs and the rooms are upstairs along with pornographic movies and loud music. There is also questionable women for various activities. Located on Avenida 7 between Calle 1 and Calle Central.
Idem Bar: Avenida 8-10, Calle 11 is a bar with rooms. Price is 11,000 colones in the upstairs rooms for an hour or 14,000 colones in the nicer room downstairs. At Club IDEM, they charge 200 colones for a condom. They have remodeled the bar area and now there is much better ventilation.
Key Largo: Has 3 bar areas, and a dance floor. Located on the south side of Parque Morazan, around the corner from the Del Rey Hotel and across from the Holiday Inn. It’s been described in most of the tourists books as the most popular place to find women who enjoy having sex with men for a monetary compensation. This is a well known meat rack and anyone can tell you where it is. It opens about 9:00 PM and has a large selection of nectar ranging from 3’s to 10’s. The higher ones are more expensive. Always verify all the services you want. Don’t just say todo la noche (all night), say hasta nuevo en la manana or mediodia (until 9 in the morning or noon). Verify “Compania para sexo cuando yo quiero” verify “cuatro o cinco vez ok?” 4 or 5 times OK? She will giggle and go WOW but ultimately say yes.
The Key Largo has a 600 colones cover charge and did not use to allow re-entry but they have changed that policy and give you a hand stamp now. The place really picks up at 10:00 PM and if you see a 10 move quick because it may not last long. Get there early and view them as they come in.
La Bella Mansion: Here there are questionable women for various activities. Located on the corner of Avenida 9 and Calle 2.
Las Margaritas II: Located on Calle Central and Avenida 18.
Miss Caribe: Usually crowded, with 3 televisions (one big screen) playing pornographic movies. There is a cover charge to enter, but you can exchange the ticket for a drink. There are also women who come here to pleasure men. Located on call 2 and between Avenida 8 and 10.
Pension Anita Jet Set: They have been remodeling for the past several months. There are questionable women for various activities. Located on Avenida 11 between Calle 3 and Calle 1, right next door to VIPS.
Ricos: Across the street from the Del Rey, Rico’s. . The girls here were quoting 10,000 colones-about $33 — and were just as hot and well dressed as the $100 girls in the Del Rey and the Key Largo.
Tarzan La Casita: The Chinese restaurant moved out and a bar moved in with questionable women for various activities. Located on Calle 11 between Avenida 6 and 8.
Vips: There is a cover charge to enter, but you can exchange the ticket for a drink. There are a few seats at the bar and a few small tables and music. An of course you’ll find women for various activities. Located on the corner of Calle 3 and Avenida 11.
VIPs Molino Rojo: Located on the corner of Avenida 10 and Calle 2. There are questionable women for various activities.
DRINKING BARS
Beatle Bar: This is the one place you can go to hear old time rock and roll via cd’s and see Beatle’s memorabilia on the walls. On Wednesday and Saturday nights is hosted Karaoke Night with “John” surrounded by his lovely Costa Rican hostesses. On the last Saturday of the month is the live ” Blind Pig’s band ” with “Dave the Dude” from radio Paladin. Boca’s are available after about 9:00 pm. Located 25 mts south of the Hotel Del Rey on Calle 9 (Estudiantes) between Avenida Central and Avenida 1.
SECOND LOCATION : Salitral de Santa Ana Just follow the signs to the bar with the view.
ESCORT SERVICES
Escort services advertise in the English written newspaper which is published every Thursday called “Costa Rica Today.” The escort service called Costa Rican Nights is run by an American guy named Richard who use to run the BBC. He has an internet site http://www.multicr.com/escort and his telephone number is (506)380-5389. His e-mail address is escort@multicr.com. He has some excellent women at a price of $250 per 24 hours. If you describe what you want he will do his best to get you the right girl. One shortfall is that some of his girls you might find in the local bars for a price quite a bit cheaper. Another service is
(506)222-8502 and is run by a guy named Tony from Louisiana. His girls are so so. He will bring girls over 3 at a time for you to view. Tell him what you want and tell him you have time for 1 meeting. If he doesn’t have what you want, tell him you will go to other sources. Otherwise he will bring the ones that have not been chosen for a while. He can be bartered quite a bit on price and he will originally tell you $300 per day (24 hours). There is a couple other services in Costa Rica Today which, by the way, can be picked up in the lobby of Hotel Del Rey at Avenida 5, Calle 5. If there is none sitting on the coffee tables ask the bellman (Botones). The other services are (506)380-0878 (no name), (506)381-8496 for G&G, (506)441-3878 for Zuberth. I don’t have any experience with these
Costa Rica Escorts
Latin Escorts
Costa Rica Escort
SEX TIPS
Girls In The Room: Almost all the hotels will charge you $10 -$12 each time you have an extra person in your room. They take down the girl’s identification which insures you will not be ripped off. If you have a minibar in your room it is best to hide the key or they may talk you into the chocolate bars and other stuff in there. The Costa Ricans are pretty honest people but always exercise precaution wherever you travel.
Getting The Girls To Your Room
IN A BAR: Make eye contact, lift your glass like, “cheers” when she smiles (and she will) walk over and buy her a drink. Its very laid back. If you are picky about the service verify oral sex without a condom and if you like 69, kissing etc., don’t be bashful about asking. Again a bit of Spanish is helpful.
DO’S AND DON’TS
Pirate Taxi Alert (July 2000)
A gringo was robbed by a pirate taxi driver and another Tico in July. Before entering a taxi, check to see that it has a meter, and always sit in the back seat.
Beware Taxi drivers recommending clubs or hotels, they get commissions for expensive places.
Bus Travel
Bands of thieves have been stealing luggage, cameras, and whatever else from tourists returning from the beach towns on the local buses.
It is dark and everyone is tired, so the tourists are easy pickings. But the thieves are true professionals, going so far as to crawl under the seat in front of them to snatch a camera from an open bag, while another distracts the victim and a third blocks the view of other passengers.
TRAVEL TIPS
Make sure that all of your US bills are perfect. Costa Rican banks won’t accept torn or marked dollars, so most businesses won’t either. Speaking of cash, bring extra. Many businesses don’t accept credit cards and ATM machines are tough to find outside San Jose. If you plan to drive, pick up a Spanish phrase book to help you decipher the road signs. Of course, this will help everywhere. Bring along a copy or two of your passport I.D. page and carry it with you. Keep the actual passport somewhere safe. If you rent a car, leave it empty. Some folks also leave the car doors unlocked to prevent broken windows. Don’t bring pre-paid calling cards with toll-free numbers. They don’t work in Costa Rica. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Don’t drive on the beach. It’s bad for the environment and can put a serious hurt on your wallet.
MEDICINES/DRUGS
Narcotics and dangerous drugs are prohibited entry. There are severe civil and/or criminal charges up to 20 years in prison if you bring illegal drugs through Customs. If you require medicines containing habit-forming drugs or narcotics (e.g., cough medicine, diuretics, heart drugs, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, stimulants, etc.), you must: Have all drugs, medicines, and similar products properly identified; Carry only such quantity as would normally be used by an individual having the health problem requiring the drugs or medicines in your possession; Have either a prescription or written statement from your personal physician that the medicine is being used under a doctor’s direction and that it is necessary for your physical well-being while traveling.
Declare such drugs or medications to the Customs officer.
EMAIL
If you also have email to take care of, try the CYBER CAFE, which is at the LOS ARCOS building adjacent to the GHCR. If you need any special kind of girl, talk to Victor B. (elegantly dressed with coat and tie, long black hair and mustache) he knows lots of girls, many of whom are great fun and “non-professional”.
CONTACTING HOME
All telecommunications services (direct dial phones, fax, telex, cable) are available; but calls from Costa Rica are much higher than an equivalent call to Costa Rica. The country code for Costa Rica is (506) Remote jungle lodges usually have short wave radio communications linked to cellular service.
UNDERAGE WARNING
Underage Girls Means Big Trouble (The tourist board announced their semi-annual “attack on sex tourism” in June 2000, but underage prostitution remains the focus. They are serious, and even Ticos are going to jail for sex with underage girls, so don’t even think about it in Costa Rica.)
Events
Events that would make me want to go to Costa Rica:
1: The Annual “Blowjob Olympics”
2: The “World Series of Sport fucking.”
There are no REAL events here, and even if there were, they would start two hours late and someone would forget to put diesel in the generator. (Except a number of sport fishing tournaments, a new international golf tournament, four major international poker tournaments in San Jose this year.)
Again, no real events here. Place is so tranquilo, they don’t even have an army, navy or air force. (But if they did, the planes would take off two hours late and someone would forget to fuel up the jets.)
Scams
Beggars and street people
only get aggressive in “Gringo Gulch,” around Hotel del Rey down to Hotel Morazan. Even they will leave you alone if you just walk and don’t respond. Won’t chase you down the street like in many places.
Scams to watch out for: Rolex watches, fake Cuban cigars, guys who sell you REAL Cuban cigars and tell you it’s ok to take them back into the USA. “Guides” who hook you up with girls and a van for a beach trip, on which the driver stop every ten miles and drinks six beers and winds up costing a fortune. “Nightclubs” that pad tabs. So basically, it’s the Ticos (male Costa Ricans) who run the scams. Also watch out for luggage, camera theft on the local buses; thieves work the buses on the way back to the city FROM the beach, when everyone is burned out and half asleep.
Oh, and don’t buy any property or make any investments on your first trip. ANY. Or on your second trip, either.
The hookers themselves don’t run many scams, though a few will always steal your watch if you tempt them (so buy a fake Rolex cheap and let her steal it). If you don’t know the real price in some casas or brothels, a “sex worker” might tell you it’s more if the madam or manager is out of the room, and might tell you, after sex, that you have to pay her for the room too. These incidents are rare, but they do happen. Main way to avoid them is to know the REAl price and the conditions for GETTING the real price.
Photography
Point a camera at a Tica, and she instinctively poses. Most LOVE having photos taken, and those who like to show off will do some of the wildest things.
But DEFINITELY develop pics at home. The photo shops here are notorious for making two sets of photos here when they get something hot. And “manufacturing pornography” is illegal. And though possession and distribution are pornography are legal, it is not a good idea to carry porno in or out of the country.
Safety
There are lots “tourist police” here too, in city and main beaches and coastal towns.
Women
include Filipinas, Russians, other Europeans
Sex tours are illegal, escort services can be dodgy and not recommended It is hard to get a girl out of a high-class topless bar for less than $300
“$50 for a quick lay” — an hour in some places; a quick lay costs more like $13.15 right now. OK, PRECISELY $13.15.
“women are “rather heavy set” (From the overview)
– yeah, but more than a few CR hookers are slim and look more like models: “which ALL Latinas want to be, so asking one if she is a model works wonders on them, just like pointing a camera. Especially the night-time crowd. (But a little baby fat is not uncommon.) Nicas are the fatties, and some Dominicans. Turns out the Nicas are skinny in Nicaragua, but start eating at MacDonalds and Pizza Hut when they hit San Jose.
Colombianas and other South Americans are more likely to speak English than Ticas or Nicas. And the local independent contractors who learn English do so for one reason only: so they can work the high-priced ($100) gringo bars.
Dope
Marijuana is decriminalized, a dismeanor for which you get a ticket. But you would not be able to leave the country if you get one, so drugs – often sold on the streets in Gringo Gulch – are not a good idea. The other kind of “blow” is also cheap, but cocaine is a felony. Best Best: avoid drugs here and in fact any country where it is not legal.
REPORT
Been living in Costa Rica for close to two years now, and my preferred location to find Ticas is at a bar called CAMELOT which is located 100 MTs South and 50 Mts East of the GRAN HOTEL COSTA RICA.
This bar has clean rooms on the floors above, and the price is more than reasonable considering the quality of the girls. The price is set at 5000 Colones or aprox. $16.00 for 40 minutes of great sex. The price also includes the room.
The place opens from 11AM untill 12 MN. The best looking girl, in my view, during the day shift is Magali, and during the night shift there is another girl called Alejandra. Both girls are 10s both in looks and in personality.
To find less professional type girls, try having lunch or dinner at the CAFE PARISIEN, which is the terrace restaurant at GRAN HOTEL COSTA RICA.
At around 6:00 PM there are girls to be found sitting by themselves in the process of “gringo hunting”. You will be able to tell by the way they look at you.
If you also have email to take care of, try the CYBER CAFE which is at the LOS ARCOS building adjacent to the GHCR. If you need any special kind of girl, talk to Victor B. (elegantly dressed with coat and tie, long black hair and mustache) he knows lots of girls, many of whom are great fun and “non-professional”.
The best advise I can give you while visiting San José, is to stay away from minors, and also from street girls. You could get into a lot of trouble
LINKS
CRT The Gentlemen’s Guide to Costa Rica
