Romance tourism in Latin America is an exciting adventure for English speaking men, and the most popular destinations are among Central America and the Caribbean.
Hotel Del Rey: Legal Prostitution and Gambling
Hotel Del Rey in San Jose, Costa Rica
The Hotel Del Rey opened the doors to a hundred room hotel in 1993 on the edge of the Barrio Amon neighborhood in San Jose, Costa Rica. The hotel functions as a casino and 24 hour, and the prostitutes who frequent the venue are totally independent. Hotel management does a reasonably good job of Checking Identification in order to comply with the legal drinking age, which in Costa Rica is eighteen.
The consequence is that on any given evening there are perhaps hundreds of prostitutes from all over Latin America working at the Hotel Del Rey and the surrounding bars in this part of downtown San Jose.
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The irony is that at the time the Hotel Del Rey was constructed many of the other hotels in San Jose took measures to keep prostitutes out or at least from soliciting deals on their premises.
It was unlikely that the city officials who approved the building knew what the owners had in mind, given that previously businesses involved in sex tourism had been small scale like the Park Hotel. In fact when the Del Rey opened it doors it was a pretty boring hotel. The transformation required a certain marketing recipe.
Marketing Sex Tourism 101
Hire bartenders who are young and attractive, and entourage them to flirt and drink with the customers. The next step is to invite the local ladies in for free drinks, and encourage prostitution.
During the late 1990’s sports fishing was immensely popular in Costa Rica, and while downtown San Jose is far from the beach it was at the time the only place to find an international class hotel. The result was that it was common for travelers to spend at least one night in San Jose before going anywhere else in Costa Rica.
The recipe was an instant success and quite literally thousands of young Latina women found their way to the hotel rooms of middle aged American men. Today the tradition continues, and most of the guests do not bother to disguise themselves as they come back again and again to Negotiate for Satisfaction.
Hotel Del Rey is Destination Upon Itself
Apparently capacity can become a problem when growth is out of control. The owners of the Hotel Del Rey bought the adjacent properties on two blocks with the idea of extending the action of the Blue Marlin Bar.
Next door the Bar Key Largo become the overflow area and provides an alternative to the casino with live music.
The Monkey Bar never really attracted much attention, but that did not stop the Del Rey from acquiring the nearby Little Marlin. Without a doubt the real action remains inside the Del Rey and at the Key Largo, which expanded in 2010 and remains very popular for late night.
Typical Del Rey Experience
See More of Habib's International Videos
In the above video Habib shows what the outside of the Del Rey looks like on a busy evening, and also shows you what to expect from the ladies working the various bars in San Jose.
Find more excitement, save time and money on your next trip to Costa Rica by ordering for instant download the Single Male Handbook and Video. The guide has map locations, narrated on the street video, and reviews for over 50 venues in San Jose with pay for play action.
About the Author
Jose Luna is Latin American travel expert and is the author of the San Jose Sex Guide.Author's Blog
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I love Th Rey, a great place to hang out meet friends, look a the hundreds of pretty girls, and after a successful day of hunting, what a place to end the day, have a cold one and compare your day with others. But your a fool to pay the $100 fee for the average to a little above average working girl that will constantly hassle you to go with them, forget about eating there, the service is beyond bad, the food comes from across the street ( if you can believe that). The barmaids are a treat to look at, but sadly they are hired for their looks not their ability to serve you, if you manage to get a drink make sure you grab your change as the tip is included in the overpriced drink and without asking they will snatch it from you, now on the other hand if your lucky enough to get Mia, Lorna, Espy, and a couple other favorites feel free to buy them a shot and have a good time with them ( they are not all bad)- Remember look at the girls, but with all the $20 -$30 girls in San Jose, et your business over with before you go there.
Overall a great place to hang out they don't push drinks on you or hassle you for money. The girls are pretty with every type you can imagine. The girls always ask for $100 some are gorgeous and can get the $100 bucks. No thuggery they do have security guards and are always polite. Outside many men trying to sell you watches ,cigars ,ect there not hoodlums and have some good deals but bargain. Great place have fun be kind to people there. The girls are friendly and are sole support for there children and family.
If you are a first timer, head for the Del Rey to learn the ropes. Its a big hotel. You will feel a bit more comfortable there than in some of those other hole in the wall spots. If youre not comfortable with your surroundings how can you relax and enjoy. After a few twists at Del Rey you will be able to venture out and enjoy the ugly city. Some places will down right scare you( aka Lipstick) The #1 rule when in Costa Rica is to negociate all prices with these ladies. All the ladies in these spots are working for a living and remember you have the upper hand cause you got money. Rule# 2 / Remember these ladies dont really like you. So go there have a good time and leave with good memories and some money in your pocket.
I've been to the Del Rey about four times and have had some good experiences as well as some bad ones. First and foremost, keep your belongings in your room safe. I've never had anything stolen from me and most of the women are pretty honest and kind, but every great now and then you run into a shady girl of course. The ladies have to behave since the doorman has her national id card in his possession the entire time you are with her in your room (I like that they hold on to it). If you have an issue with a girl, immediately tell the doorman. The girl will most likely be blocked from entering the hotel again. Which is bad for the girl who's blocked because the Del Rey get's them high wages from men ($100/hr which actually is more like 40 minutes depending on how fast you pump her lol). Don't fall for "I give good massages" as these "massages" feel great but only last like two minutes haha. Do not pay until you are finished. They will ask for the money upfront before any nooky but tell them you only pay after. Show her you have the money though. You call the shots! I once had a girl tell me one price only to raise it above the norm once we got back to the room. I told her to get out, went downstairs and grabbed one who was even hotter than her! One time this girl had drank so much that she passed out and slept for four hours in my bed. It was lame. As for the quality of women; I've experienced the Del Rey at almost all hours of the day at some time or another. In my experience the best time to find the most attractive women is Friday night between 6-9pm. Any later than that and all the pretty ones are already taken. When I say pretty, I really mean gorgeous. I once was with a lady who could have been Penelope Cruz's twin. No joke. Friday, Saturday, and I hear Wednesdays are the peak times for the best looking women (Penelope style).
The security is friendly but unprofesional! once i met a tico at the bar and he showed me his gun. comon Hotel del rey check the ticos better in future!!
The bartender are pretty but they never say thank u! hope the manager teaches them how to treat a customer well! they keep the change without asking if it is a tip or not! shame!!