The following is a long trip report from Easter week 2001. Thanks to all those who made it possible by posting here and on redsnake.

I arrived in San Jose at 9AM after an all night LACSA flight from LA thru Mexico City. The flight was packed with families returning for the holiday but I managed to sleep on the first leg. Tip: Eat and drink well before getting on the plane. In Mexico City I went to use the bano and was displeased to note that some rural customs do not easily change. The bano floor was covered with used toilet paper. Pretty grim. The new group of travelers was primarily businessmen. Got to San Jose and went through customs and immigration without a problem. Outside the airport I grabbed an official cab to the Presidente. Ten dollars.

My upper floor reservation was waiting for me and I was impressed. The Presidente is highly recommended. The rooms are spacious, clean, comfortable and safe. There are windows, AC, Cable TV, a safe, great water pressure and great service. Construction was still going on in the lobby, but that was the only downside of the hotel. Cost $45 /night.

I decided to walk off my jet lag and see downtown. I started down Avenida Central which was packed mid day on a Friday. Somehow I ended up near Krysis Massage and decided a nooner was just the ticket. Krysis is attached to Olympus strip club. When you enter the madam calls for a lineup of all the available girls. I looked at 8-10 chicas that ranged from 6-8's in looks. I love and hate the experience. It is always pleasing to let your eyes engage in carnal lust as you do the slow head turn. A quick look up or down though and its time to decide. I chose Ilene a 19yo Nica on the end. She was morena and full figured. We entered a first floor bedroom with a jacuzzi. We started the water and stripped. She began with a massage that was mediocre. Nevertheless, after my flight, this was just the what I needed. I didn't last long as we went at it and I finished doggie style. Afterwards we enjoyed the jacuzzi for media hora and relaxed. Cost $18,000 colones or $50. Good value.

On the way back to my hotel I walked straight into the Blue Marlin Bar. I sat down and ordered a beer. Baseball and CNBC on different televisions and about 10-12 chicas wandering. Gambling in the next room. This is someone's version of gringo paradise and it ain't far off. I knew I could not go again, but definitely enjoyed meeting the young college student who invited me to her house in the country the next day. I declined all offers and headed to the Presidente for a nap.

I woke up at 7PM, showered and grabbed some fast food. I walked 6-7 blocks to the Park Hotel to check out the famous show. The bartender said it would start around 9:30. I settled into a couple of Imperials at the corner of the bar and began chatting up a couple of expatraites. Soon enough Bill, the owner came by collecting $5,000 colones for the floor show. The curtains were covering the windows. The handful of chicas in the front of the bar had disappeared. The crowd now numbered about 40. The owner quieted everyone down and announced two rules; 1) no cameras, 2) no fingers in their pussies. He clarified the latter by explaining they had to work tonight. Another 10 minutes passed as small squirt bottles of baby oil were distributed to the customers at the bar. The music started, Bill screamed rhetorically "any perverts?" and 15 chicas entered the room, stepped onto the bar and began to strip off their terry cloth towels. The audience began to join in. Guys were encouraged to lather up the chicas in oil and massage it into them. In essence this was a public bachelor party. The chicas were of a mixed quality. Out of 15, 3-4 were young slender and cute. I deferred on the participation as public debauchery is not my thing. This didn't go over well with a drunk Bill who came over and unceremoniously ripped the bottle from my hands. He made a wild set of gestures, spraying the nearest chica and all around her. What did he think I didn't know how to use it? Anyway I slipped off my stool and joined the second row of patrons down the bar. The chicas were giving each other lap jobs on the bar. Guys were sticking their tongues in too. Bill started pouring champagne down their pelvises for guys to lick up. The show went on for a good 35 minutes.

I decided to check out Bar Idem. I got into a $2 cab and headed over, I had to give the cabbie the street address. Idem is a neighborhood bar not far from the centro. There are 10-12 chicas seated on a bench along the wall. The bar and seating areas are well decorated and comfortable. I started making eye contact with Ariana. She is 5'4, light skinned Nica with a beautiful oval face. I bought her two drinks at $8 each. We engaged in charming small talk and she described the layout upstairs and in the backroom. $12,000 colones for a 45 minute session. I tried unsuccessfuly to get her to the Presidente. She wanted $150 for two hours plus $50 bar fine. She was 24yo and had young children at home so toda la noche was not possible. I went for double time upstairs. The rooms were clean and safe, bathrooms in the hallway. I soon found that I had violated my core TJ rules. No extended time until they are proven performers. Anyway the session was good but not GFE. Little kissing, little affection. I shot twice and did multiple postions though. When I left the bar was empty-it closes at 1pm. Bar Idem -good value, but frustrated by too high expectations on my part. The selection was quality and the atmosphere was tranquilo. The strategy outlined by another monger to negotiate with these girls for afternoon time at the Presidente is what I should have tried.

Day 2 I did some sight seeing in San Jose and made arrangements for a trip to Arenal Volcano. I enjoy Latin Amercan art and architecture so walking around San Jose was fun. I found some interesting out of the way neighborhoods with great 19th century houses. Shopping I bought shoes and a wallet. The price and quality of leather was a bargain. I stopped into Arte y Sauna at one point and walked out immediately. Six dogs. Late in the afternoon I found myself at the Blue Marlin again and met Mayra. She was wearing the Costa Rican national chica uniform. Tight jeans and a tank top with sunglasses in her hair and a cell phone on her hip. 5'2, morena, 130lbs., a Tica from Cartago. She was a tiburon. Lots of public affection and promises. $20,000 colones ($60), no time limit. We headed off to my room. One of the best things about the Presidente is how they treat you at the desk. Signing her in was no problem and no one batted an eye. Upstairs we started with a shower and lots of foreplay. Got down to business with a BBBJ. She was aggressive and I liked it just fine. Soon I was dining at the Y. Multiple positions followed by long relaxing spell in her arms. Another shower and I took her to eat at the Del Rey. She was a shark allright but one of the best chicas I had during my stay. Great afternoon interlude.

That night I tried a number of bars in the area. Briefly, the Key Largo is a big disappointment. It's an old mansion kitty corner from the Del Rey. The long entranceway, dark wood paneling, and multiple rooms make it a perfect set up for a brothel. It wasn't because the owners neglect the essential attraction. The chicas 15-20 on a Saturday night were high priced and fair looking. A large number of Dominicans. The band was not very good and the crowd never materialized. I left after two beers. Other bars in the neighborhood (Happy Days etc...) were small and had little selection. I had the best time gambling in the Colonial. Soon I was back at the Del Rey. On a Saturday night it is packed. Reminds me of Chicago Club with regard to numbers and quality. The layout and atmosphere is different but the sheer visual pleasure of it all is intoxicating. I was looking for a companion to Arenal. I drank, mingled, gambled and came up empty handed. I know this sounds ridiculous but sometimes it happens. Either my body was telling me something subconsciously or I got tired from walking the city. I retired to the Presidente alone.

I returned to San Jose after Arenal. Needing to decompress after a stressful drive, I stopped by Eros Massage across from Bar Idem. 6-8 girl selection in the late afternoon. Tiffany, 20yo, 5'0, 110lbs., Tica from Jaco caught my eye. She was slender with slightly billowing hair and a tongue ring. Just the nasty thing I needed. We went to a room for good animalistic sex. The massage was pro forma. The sex was great. Lots of kissing and a tight shaved pussy. She was big on the fake moans. No complaints though as I paid the $12,000 colones ($35). Value high. I returned to the Presidente for my daily late afternoon nap.

That night I was in search of a chica for the beach portion of my vacation. I will detail that in Part II in the Quepos section. San Jose in summation is a great mongering site. Many opportunities and reasonable prices. Spanish is not necessary as the place is set up to please gringos.The Presidente is a great bargain. Highly recommended.

Hey Nomar:

Could you expand your definition for Tiburón/Shark.

You wrote: "She was a shark allright..."

Later,

The Rock

Rock,

The shark metaphor was meant to highlight both her looks and her approach. She was aggressive in pursuing me. She had a lusty and focused strategy, finding me and other fish easily in our vulnerable states. I suppose the opposite of the shark's approach is the "soft shoe" from the proverbial "girl next door."

Nomar