Costa Rica's "El Pueblo"

[Rebel]

A friend of mine told me a good place to hang out in San Jose is the El Pueblo area. Any comments on this for meeting local Tica's, etc. He couldn't remember any names of bars or clubs but said there were pretty women everywhere who were receptive to gringos. Any observations on this? Any places recommended over others? Thanks.

Rebel

[kented]

... in response to Costa Rica's "El Pueblo", posted by Rebel on Jun 22, 2004

Centro Comerical El Pueblo is indeed close to downtown.  It should cost between 500 and 700 colones by cab.  Insist that the cabbie run his meter "Ponga la maria" or give you a flat rate if he doesn't have a meter.

There are three or four discos which I didn't frequent but these make this a EXCELLENT nite spot. You can decide based on what's happening the night you go and you aren't stuck with one club or taking a taxi and hoping the next spot is better. Also two great restaurants, "La Cocina de Lena" which is Costa Rican food and "Lukas" which is mexican (but NOT "US Mexican").

Costa Rica is not Colombia since women are not desperate to leave.  They do not form a line when a gringo comes to town because leaving their country is the life's goal.  There is also less risk of visa fraud which some might consider a positive.  Ticas also probably doesn't know many people in the US who can advise her how to ditch you but stay.  

Costa Rica also doesn't resemble the US in any way as far as the women go.  I lived there seven months and until I met my wife I always could find women who wanted to go out with me.  I find Ticas sweet, warm and sincere.   You will not be a novelty since many gringos live and visit there, but lots of women will want to meet you if you are nice looking, just plain nice, speak Spanish or fun to be with.  

PURA VIDA!!!

[Rebel]

... in response to Re: Costa Rica's "El Pueblo", posted by kented on Jun 23, 2004

Kented: Thanks again for the informative post. I like all the outdoor things it offers also so it really seems the ideal choice. Costa Rica stands out also for being so stable for so long. Many other LA countries don't offer this stability.

Rebel

[papi]

... in response to Re: Costa Rica's "El Pueblo", posted by kented on Jun 23, 2004

i thought the Ticas were very pretty because i like the lighter skin and they tend to have less of an indian look that yu might find in LA. However, i struck out for the most part there, especially at the El Pueblo - to me it was not that much different than trying to hit on a woman in the States. While i wish things were different, Colombia ranks higher on my list for wife hunting - almost like shooting fish in a barrel

[kented]

... in response to Re: Re: Costa Rica's "El Pueblo&quo..., posted by papi on Jun 23, 2004

My wife is definately dark skined and Me encanta el piel moreno.  I've never picked up a girl in a bar, I don't dance well and this is not my forté.  

If you were to ask ten women to dance in the US and in a CR disco, you'd ask prettier woemn and get more yeses that in the states.  Gringos are not a rarity and many women think all gringos come to LA for sex and are wary for that reason.  

Some have had nice experience with gringos and you have an advantage.  Most, at least, will enjoy a few drinks and a meal.  You are absolutely right that a much larger percentage of women in Colombia will fall all over you.

I met my wife in CR.  She is beautiful, doesn't know how to lie and knows no one in the US and speaks no English.  It took me seven months and good luck.

[Rebel]

... in response to Re: Re: Costa Rica's "El Pueblo&quo..., posted by papi on Jun 23, 2004

Papi: I agree about their "Look". My ex-wife and I vacationed there for a week 7-8 years ago and I was struck by their beauty. We only passed through SJ to the Pacific Coast but saw and I remember their charm. I plan on staying there this time for several months and get to know them. I'm sure Colombia has beautiful women also but at this time can't offer much else.

Rebel

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Costa Rica's "El Pueblo..., posted by Rebel on Jun 23, 2004

you are right. i wish Colombia was more stable or the woman in CR are more desperate. i guess you cant have your cake and eat it too. if you are willing to spend a lot of time and effort, you can probably get lucky in CR. but put forth the same effort in Miami - and you could probably have the same results. not all that much different on the chase front - i got frustrated there.

[kented]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Costa Rica's "El Pu..., posted by papi on Jun 23, 2004

Americanized Latinas are not TICAS.  This is the only thing we disagree about.

Costa Ricans are sweet and naive.  Latinas in the US have learned to expect too much and give too little.  Latinas appreciate a man who treats them well and that is what most of us are looking for.

[papi]

... in response to AWs, posted by kented on Jun 23, 2004

no, we dont disagree. i was just saying that trying to meet a Tica is not all that much different from trying to meet a woman in the States. I'm not afraid to approach a woman in a disco and got blown off plenty of times in CR. Of course, Colombia is far easier

[pablo]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Costa Rica's "El Pu..., posted by papi on Jun 23, 2004


Speaking of CR I thought I'd pass on some good airfares there from six US cities, RT for $199

http://dir.travelzoo.com/Vacations.asp?intCategory=59&id=152903

[kented]

... in response to Airfare Specials to CR, posted by pablo on Jun 23, 2004

Wow.  I live in Phoenix so it's lots further.  I'm going to visit my wife July 8 through July 19 since the CIS is in no hurry to review our paperwork.  I paid $347 which is the cheapest I could find.  Central and South America are due south of the east coast which makes it more expensive for us westerners to travel.

[papi]

... in response to Costa Rica's "El Pueblo", posted by Rebel on Jun 22, 2004

this is a large area full of resturaunts and bars near the downtown area. it is full of young pretty woman on the weekends. the problem though as i've mentioned on earlier posts that CR is only slightly better for wife hunting than the US. Gringos are not a novelty there as you are in other parts of Latin America so it would be on par with trying to pick up a chick in Miami. it is doable but much easier in Colombia, etc.

[Hamlet]

... in response to Re: Costa Rica's "El Pueblo", posted by papi on Jun 22, 2004

My experience was similar to yours.

Additionally I met two Ticas by email.  One said she worked as a private tour guide for tourists speaking Spanish, English, German and Italian.  She seemed very interested in me until I told her how frugal I live despite my ample income.  Then she dumped me and told me I need to see a psychiatrist apparently because I don't live high on the hog as she planned to live with my money.  A Tico friend of mine said that based on her job description she was likely a high-class call girl who wanted out of the business.

The other woman was not worth mentioning.

Hamlet

[kented]

... in response to Re: Re: Costa Rica's "El Pueblo&quo..., posted by Hamlet on Jun 23, 2004

She may have been telling the truth.  Tour guide meet well to do vacationers who throw money around which doesn't create a realistic view of how people are in the US.  We all spend more freely on vacations than in daily life.

Adverizing frugality is an excellent strategy.  Gold diggers weed themselves out quickly and you don't even need to worry about red flags.

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: Costa Rica's "El Pueblo&quo..., posted by Hamlet on Jun 23, 2004

Hamlet, a lot of woman in LA dont like cheap men (tocanos). just a heads up if you are still in the hunt.