Las Cañitas, aka. Bar Villalobos, Tres Ríos

Las Cañitas is a classic, one of the places where we learned to drink back in the 20th century. Although the bar is currently under a different administration, the atmosphere is much the same as always, its main ingredients consisting of heavy metal, a friendly clientele and bamboo walls. It's located about 700 m north of la municipalidad de Tres Rios, the sign says "Bar Villalobos".

La Verbena, San José

"Let's paint the urinal fuchsia. Men love fuchsia."

La Verbena, somewhere near la Clínica Biblica in downtown San José, struck us as having no ambition; boring decor, a boring bar lady who spent her time with her back turned against the clients in order to watch TV novelas and generally very little entertainment available. On the positive side, there was a decent, although way too loud, jukebox by the door.

Alajuela Safari 5:La Porteñita

The gentleman chucking down his beer on the left of the picture did not agree on the billed amount, as he claimed he could not possibly have had that 13th beer. Loud arguing was the result.

Classic decor

Bathroom detail

Ladies' room. Kudos to MJ for risking her life taking this picture.

Located somewhere in downtown Alajuela, near some bus station, this was our first stop on our Safari in Alajuela. La Porteñita is a classical downtown chinchorro of the kind every costarican town has at least one or two. It's not necessarily the kind of place where you'd want to hang out for extended periods of time, but it's good for a guerrilla style beer; fast in and fast out again. The bartender was friendly enough, though; chatty, and he even gave us complimentary mints upon leaving his establishment.

Bar La BohemiaAvenida 12, Calle 5, San José

According to the IWCRP counter statistics, a lot of people visit our blog after having googled phrases like "WC porn". Well, here it is: a naked lady in the bathroom. Pubes and all. Enjoy.

La Bohemia is our new favourite bar in down town San José. Despite its slightly dodgy surroundings, this bar has managed to maintain the same cozy atmosphere it must have had when it opened in 1946. The furniture and decor certainly has not changed, and a lot of today's clients were probably present at the opening over six decades ago.

La Bohemia is located at Avenida 12, Calle 5; that's 100 m south of the Cartago bus stop and Bar la Nueva Lira

Erick's Copas, San Pedro

Erick's Copas, formerly known as la Araucana, is one of few decent options for the thirsty around the University of Costa Rica. Over the past couple of decades, large, noisy, crowded bars with a very young and silly clientele have taken over la calle de la amargura, where students traditionally went to seek inspiration.

Erick's Copas is about 100 m east of the northern end of la calle de la amargura, and offers good bocas, cheap beer and a friendly staff and clientele. Highly recommended, along with the nearby Bar Copas.

Alajuela Safari 4:El Rinconcito

Not much to say about El Rinconcito, it's one of those bars that simply appear in the right place at the right time for a little beer. Not a place we would actively look for again, nor one we would do anything to avoid.

Alajuela Safari 3: Bar el Galeano

The bathroom at El Galeano is a monumental masterpiece of costarican engineering. That's all you need to know about the place.