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Costa Rica Visitors Guide
So you're planing a vacation to Costa Rica? We'll if you want the inside scoop of a person that has lived here for 10 years, keep reading. If not and you'd like to take your chances on your own. Good luck to you.
If you're like most people you will read a lot about your vacation spot before you get there, as you want to know as much as you can. Like laws, local customs, what to expect and so on. In this 2ND article I'm going to share with you the down town area of San Jose, Costa Rica. Warning may not be suitable for minors!
Downtown San Jose, Costa Rica:
1. Which way is your Bus, shuttle or taxi going?
After you leave customs and walk through the doors into Costa Rica, you will see ton's on taxi drivers and hotel shuttles waiting for you. Some people will go straight to the beach from the airport and return to the airport when they leave, but they will miss out on the city life in San Jose. If this is your case you will be taking a left from the airport, enjoy the beach and next time you visit try to make it to the wonderful city of San Jose,
If your ride turns to the right, you heading into the San Jose zone. Don't get fooled by the Denny's and the casino you will see on your left hand side as it all looks so lovey and nice like any other modern city.
The key point to know when you have arrived to the big city is the 2ND Denny's on the left side. It's about 25 min from the airport take or give 10 min based on traffic. After you pass this point you will come upon a park to the right called La Sabana, about 3 Min's from the 2ND Denny's. Do me and yourself a favor, stay out of that park at all times, it may look tame but there are robbers waiting for tourist like you. If you must go, make sure you have a local guide with you and hang on to your personal belongings tighter then a glove too sizes to small.
OK, so now you will take a left onto Cudad Colon, and this is the start of the down town area, pay attention to the people, how they are all just walking around and enjoying life. They call that "Para Vida" here in Costa Rica.
After about 10 min your in the down town area, looks like any other down town around the world, except a little more dirty. Don't worry the people are nice and friendly in Costa Rica, and in the day time it's safe to walk around in this area.
2. Alright I'm in Down Town San Jose now what?
Once you get your hotel in the down town area, you unpack and your ready to hit the streets for shopping. As in the down town area you will find the best prices in all of Costa Rica. 5x cheaper than the beach areas.
Just remember, be careful at all times pay attention to your surroundings and you will be fine. Don't carry a big purse, use one that is small and you can keep in front of you at all times. If you buy big items that you can't carry, have them call a taxi for you, then take the items back to the hotel. Should not cost you more than $3.00 for the taxi. Make sure you toss two bucks the taxi driver if he helps you unload it.
So now your hungry, where should I eat? Anywhere you want that's where. Try one of the local Soda's as they make good Costa Rican food and it's safe. Stick with the chicken as I have a rule in life about traveling: "It's hard to mess up chicken" Order a casado, which is a typical Costa Rican meal consisting of rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an entree of choice that may include chicken.
It's getting late and it's time to head back to hotel as we would not want the darkness to catch you.
So you head back to your hotel, what are we going to do tonight? That depends on a few things and factors that I'm going to skip at this time as I'm looking at this like your a single straight male. If you are anything other then this profile, Post a comment in the comment box and I will give you a few suggestions. No matter if it's family, female, couple, or alternative lifestyle I can help you.
So as a single guy or a group of guys lets paint the town the red. I want to warm you up so you don't just jump into things too quickly. 1st things 1st, always travel by taxi at night, no need to go from hero to zero.
Our 1st stop will be a place called "Adams" You must say "A-dons" to the taxi driver. When you get there if your with a group of guys, order a bottle, instead of 1 drink at a time. It's much cheaper and they put the bottle on the table. I won't go into what you will see there, but it's good to just look and talk to the girls.
Spend about an hour there, then lets go outside and grab a taxi, use only red taxis with the triangle on the door, or if your hotel has given you a driver for the night use him.
Now lets head over to the Sportsman lodge, and have a few drinks. You will find a mostly older than avg. crowd there, but the food is good and the place is great. Same thing with the girls, but most of them speak English so your conversations will go deeper.
Once again lets give it about an hour here, then head out side and grab a taxi and move on down the street to a place called Key Largo. Have a few drinks and dance a little to the Latin music if that's your thing. After another hour lets walk across the street to the famous Del Rey. If you have never been here before, your eyes grow as big as saucers right after you walk into the door. Try to grab a seat to the far left, right before the live poker room. There you can see all of the action as it passes by you. From here you are on your own. Just remember, always use a taxi at night, don't try to be a macho man. Have fun you single guys.
There are places in San Jose that none should ever go to and I mean none. If you are standing in front and facing the downtown Holiday Inn, never ever go to the west more than 1 block. As it's nothing but trouble. You will know the start of this area as you enter it as there will be "Lady Boys" on the corner. Also if a taxi will not go into an area, you should not either.
Safety:
I know you have read lot about Costa Rica being dangerous and not safe. It's true if you go looking for it. Let me put like this. If you lived in San Marino, Calif. Would you go taking a Sunday walk on the streets of downtown Los Angles after midnight? I don't think so as it would not be safe and the chances of you getting robbed have gone up quite a bit. So in Costa Rica, at night stay in populated places where there are people. Most bars are open to 3:00 in the morning and always with a crowd around. If you out drinking and having fun, get a taxi as it's cheap and you don't have to worry about trying to find your way back home.
I hope you find these local tips for Costa Rica helpful. If you should have any questions about Costa Rica, please contact me and I'll be more than happy to answer them. Also if you need a English guide when your here let me know, if I'm free I'll join you.
Prostitution in Costa Rica is both abundant and legal.
Unlike the US where the government decides career choices for its 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 streetwalkers). 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, and Dominican Republic and of course Costa Rican women known as Ticas. There are many places where you will find companionship, but one of the most economical and safest places are the massage parlors located throughout the San Jose area.
Massage parlors for the most part in the San Jose area are not shall we say licensed therapeutic establishments. The term is widely used as a place where one can relieve stress in a variety of manners.
Several of the massage parlors that provide sexual services are located in less than desirable areas, providing low cost services to locals and foreigners. Several new, upper scale, massage parlors have opened in the last year or so in more prestigious neighborhoods, complete with sauna, steam and comfortable and clean rooms, and more important, security for their customers.
A typical massage parlor will have a variety of ladies for you to choose from.
Upper scale parlors offer private showers, lockers for your belongings, steam, sauna and a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. Prices range from as low as 8.000 colones for ½ hour to as much as 20.000 colones for a full one hour session.
Prices are generally quoted in ½ hour and 1 hour sessions. However, you ask for more time and a change of girl if you so choose. We have heard of stories of guys spending hours with one girl!
On this page we only list those most commonly visited by foreigners and locals alike. It is believed that there are over 140 massage parlors in San Jose alone.
Most are licensed - that is in conformity with the local laws and regulations regarding their particular business - to others who are constantly being harassed by the authorities.
The quality and beauty of their girls will vary based on location of the establishment as well as the levels of service the actual massage parlor will provide. Pricing will be in line with the quality of the ladies for the most part.
Most establishments will be closed during national holidays, such as Christmas and New Years week, semana Santa holy week prior to the Easter holiday, Mothers day as well, just to name a few.
Attention!!
Prostitution in Costa Rica is tolerated. To promote it is illegal. According to some officials, it is illegal to say that
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