I booked a round trip ticket on American Airlines, from ORD to SJO for $325, for April 2-15. At the airport, went across the street and up the escalator to the entrance terminal where I stopped at a Banco de Costa Rica kiosk and received a greater exchange rate than the place near baggage claim. I walked down the sidewalk to the street below and caught a bus to San Jose, cost about 75¢, then transferred to a taxi once I hit the bus station (final stop), cost $2. Checked into a nice studio room at el Presidente for $55/nt.

I love staying at the Presidente because it’s clean and elegant, wireless internet and the free, hot breakfast in the AM. It’s also around the corner from the Del Rey and Horseshoe Casino. Other people think the security is a pain when it comes to checking in girls, but I like the extra layer of security. I think that working girls are more ameble when taking them back to the hotel because they don’t want to risk getting banned from the entire hotel…the list seems to be enforced like the black list in Vegas! Also, I like the fact that you can pay your exit tax at the hotel, makes for one less thing to do at the airport.

Horseshoe Casino. I like this casino. The casino is clean and the hostesses are pretty hot. The best time for me was at noon or shortly after. The casino is pretty empty, and no ticos are in there. The minimum on blackjack was 500 colones. They also pass around and register you for a raffle. Registration is free, and if your name is picked, you get to spin the wheel to win some colones. The one drawback of this place is that it seems to be under constant construction. It seemed that, during my peak, they were busy replacing chairs, table felt, slot machines, etc. That was annoying. Also, beware the drunk Tico at night. One got pissed at me during Rummy because I hit on 16 (dealer showed King) and took a 6 that the guy needed for Rummy. That’s when I learned to play at the table of Americans at night, costs a little more but the peace of mind is worth it.

Bored with CR? I think I definitely learned that, when you have been here several times, coming for 2-weeks at a time can actually bore you. I don’t leave SJO because I don’t fish and can’t swim. Del Rey, Zona Blue, Blue Marlin, etc, seem to be the same as every trip. I’m not jumping to the evil side where people bash SJO, but for me it has become a place where it is great to go for a quick weekend trip but not an extended trip. Also, Idem raised their prices and only offer 1 hour rates now, so it fell out of favor with me as compared to other trips. Due to this, I got to learn about new places: the Low Rent Day Places!

Low Rent Day Places are definitely a good bargain and actually pretty decent places. Though I never took the Official Low Rent Tour (though I wish I would have), I did my own tour by walking out of Zona Blue, boozed up but having not partaken inside, and walked around. Within 3 or four blocks are several places where you could find a diamond in the rough and for about $15-$20. I forget the names of two places I visited (one is somewhat hard to spot, has a small pink sign on the top of the building), but I had two of my best sessions in these two places. Definitely good times!

Wingman. I usually travel alone and meet up with people at Sportmen’s Lodge. This is the first time that I felt like a CRT elder during a trip. I found myself often talking to newbies and telling them/showing them around town. It was cool here and there, but there are times when you want someone you can share some war stories with and that knows the areas as well as you do. I can say that I was proud to have met TonyTC. He was the one wingman that I liked making the rounds with and shooting the shit with. Tony, the visions of “Jail Bait” from Del Rey will forever be burned into my mind…LOL.

Ticas of the Month. I had the opportunity to be with one of the cutest women in SJO, the lovely Carina. She is so quiet and sweet. Having met at Sportmen’s Lodge, I felt some butterflies just talking to her. She met me the following day at my hotel, bright and early at 7am (right on time, wow!) She looks gorgeous in lingerie, however, it was such a shame what the plastic surgeons did to her when giving her a boob job and tummy tuck. They really did a butcher job to her, and with her being so sweet it really was a shame. If she only realized the beauty she had before she went under the knife, I thought to myself frequently. Oh well, tis the name of the game for these girls.

I tried to session with Francia, Dec 2007 TOM. She gave me her number. I tried calling and emailing to no avail. Seemed kinda flaky in one email, then sends an apology (for not meeting me) email a week after I left. Next was Karen, March TOM. She is working out of Sportmen’s also and her number is posted in CH site. Tried calling a few times here as well. Once a different female answered saying she would call back in a min (never did). Finally met her at the Lodge, talked to her for about 5 mins, ordered her a drink. We agreed that we would have a few drinks and then head back to the Presidente. As we talked, I introduced her to a mongerer that I met from my first trip (University of Michigan Alum, I forget his name.) After the introduction, he asked to talk to her for a second. Literally, a minute later, he takes her back to his room. I mention this only because it was real shady how he did that. I lost a lot of respect for him for doing that and am of the mindset that I will let him know how wrong he was for doing that. Still a lil steamed, I hope that if and when I see him again that I have cooled down and “forgiven and forgotten.” As for her, eh, NEXT!…..lol.

Wrap up. All in all a good trip, not a great trip. Got to the airport early in the AM, flight was delayed 6 hours. AA did make up for sending me an apology email for the delayed flight and also crediting my account 5,000 miles without me even asking. I met a couple cute chicks on my flight back home to ease my pain: one who was gorgeous but oh so married (cocktease!) and the other a Venezuelan Dentist who has invited me to visit her at home (loves to talk politics, very adamant in expressing her opinions). I got home with a smile on my face, and while I had a good time in SJO, I was happy to be back in Sweet Home Chicago!

Sorry it didn't work out for you. I'm begining to get the same feeling with SJO. It's not that it's terrible. The word is "played out". It's for weekenders who don't monger much. The price isn't really prohibitive, it just doesn't get you anything. The service is by and large lousy. Not to say I haven't met amazing girls here. But compared to Medellin or Cuba, it doesn't make the cut...

Good trip report.. many thanks for your comments and opinions regarding SAN JOSE !!

so you are from the chicago area ? nice to see that
what is IDEM asking for the hr ?
are you fluent in Spanish ?
have you pulled any ladies out of DEL REY ?
what's the going rate with them Ticas ?

Mexidan -

Thanks for the info. I plan on going to SJO for the first time in Sept. Where did you get the $55 rate at the Presidente? The hotel web site shows an $89 rate for the standard room.

I emailed them and asked what they could do for me (as I usually do). I have stayed there quite a few times. I am also a member of CRT and ask for the CRT Discount. Worked out great!

my TR will be out soon from early may, san jose is great, but do get out , jaco has the beattle bar ,which is stocked a little differently. Go fishing , its a great way to burn the days between night time hunting.

Karin March TOM from CRT is now back at Zona Blue along with Stephanie/Mia