I spent almost one month in Costa Rica. To be honest, I didn’t expect much. Back home in Germany everyone told me to not to visit this country. It’s too dangerous, they said. You’ll get robbed, they said. My parents were concerned and my friends thought I was out of my mind.
Why would anyone visit Costa Rica?
Believe it or not, but I went because I was interested in the culture. Yes, I was also interested in stepping a foot in the local dating culture. But I didn’t go there for the one reason that you’re thinking of right now.
In fact, it makes me angry that so many men know Costa Rica for only one thing…
Not All Costa Rican Women are Prostitutes
I guess you can blame Cuba Dave for that…or some of the other bloggers who write about prostitution in Costa Rica. It’s sad that so many people ignore the incredible culture and landscape that this country has to offer while reducing it to a simple transaction.
But it’s even sadder that the local women can’t get rid of this stigma.
Yes, there are prostitutes in Costa Rica. But believe me. You can find way more prostitutes in Germany and other parts of the world. Heck, my hometown has less than 30.000 inhabitants and we have three brothels.
During my stay in San Jose, I learned one lesson:
You can meet so many educated, caring, and amazing women in this country. I have zero respect for people who claim that all Ticas are prostitutes. It’s disrespectful and a lie.
It’s Your Fault if You Stay at the Hotel Del Rey
I didn’t stay at the Hotel Del Rey because I’m not interested in hooking up with hookers. Period.
But I met quite a few travelers who were disappointed with their experience because they stayed in the wrong hotel. I even met a guy who told me that he dreams about finding the love of his life in Costa Rica and guess what? He stayed in the Hotel Del Rey.
Let me ask you a question:
Do you visit a steak house if you want to drink a fruit smoothie?
I mean, come on! How can you be so naïve? These men are the reason why Costa Rican women have such a bad reputation. They type “most popular hotel in San Jose” into Google, stumble upon the Del Rey and book a room.
They arrive with the intention to meet a good girl, to get a girlfriend, or to meet the love of their life…just to end up in an unhealthy and destructive relationship with a prostitute.
Don’t waste your time with bad apples. Good ones are everywhere.
I Was Surprised by the Level of English in San Jose
I was blown away.
I didn’t expect to meet English-speaking Costa Rican women. I had been to Colombia and to Brazil and every time I met someone who spoke English, I was the happiest gringo on the planet.
I was positively surprised that so many locals spoke English. Of course, you can’t expect a fluent conversation about Einstein’s theory of relativity. But a conversation about the best sights and the local culture is definitely possible.
That makes dating in Costa Rica so much easier…especially for Spanish-illiterates like me.
The Girl I Met Didn’t Want to Show Affection in Public
It’s normal to show affection in public.
I saw so many local couples who kissed and touched each other in public. As a German, that’s not a new concept for me. Even though the whole world believes that we are emotionless robots, we are actually pretty open about showing affection.
The wonderful woman I met in Costa Rica wasn’t down with it.
She was 24-years-old and a student at the Business University of Costa Rica. Her English was good and her smile made my heart beat. She was into me and I was into her. But she didn’t want anyone to know.
She was afraid to be stigmatized.
I respected her decision because I understood her concerns. And I’m glad that I checked my wardrobe before our first date.
Please Don’t Walk Around like Trouble
Here’s what my Cost Rican date said about the typical gringo:
“He walks around with a confident smile because of his golden watch and fat wallet. But deep down he’s insecure. Otherwise he wouldn’t be walking around in sandals, white socks, cargo shorts, and a Hawaiian shirt. He looks like trouble”
In case you love your Hawaiian shirts, I want to apologize. That’s the unfiltered opinion of a young Costa Rican woman. Don’t shoot the messenger.
But she definitely has a point.
Are you interested in meeting good local women, maybe even your future wife?
Then don’t walk around like the typical gringo who spends his nights in the Hotel Del Rey. You are in a big city. Dress appropriately.
She Wants to Show You Her Country (Let Her)
She wanted to show me everything and I wanted to see everything.
We went to the Mall San Pedro, the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, and we even went to the Parque Zoologico Nacional Simon Bolivar where a monkey almost stole my camera. I loved every second of it.
Here I was, exploring the local culture with a beautiful woman by my side.
We were holding hands, looking into each other’s eyes and enjoying the beauty that this country has to offer. That’s when I felt sorry for all the men who waste their time and money in the Hotel Del Rey.
