Ready for Costa Rica nightlife, gambling the night away?
This little country, only the size of West Virginia, has over 30 casinos, many in the finest hotels and resorts of Costa Rica. if you are coming for your bachelor party and have already decided to spend some money on the game then know that Costa Rica nightlife for gamblers won’t be as glitzy and the casinos won’t be as large as those in Vegas, Atlantic City, or Monaco but you’ll find many familiar ways to gamble.
Most of the bigger casinos have the typical Vegas-style slot machines and Roulette (called Canasta), Craps, Mini-Baccarat, and various kinds of Poker.
If you’re a gambler, you should be familiar with two exceptions. First, each casino sets its own odds. Second, some games may have a maximum payout (if you’re a bit better you need to find out before plunking down your bet on the roulette wheel).
My advice: to fully enjoy this part of your Costa Rica nightlife, be sure you know the rules.
There are also some popular Costa Rica gambling games uniquely Tico.
Rummy and Tute
One of these is called “Rummy” but don’t let the name fool you. In Costa Rica, it’s a form of Blackjack. Usually played with four decks, you’ll get two cards just like Blackjack and if you beat the dealer without going bust you get even money. So far, so good.
But, here are Tico twists. If you get a Blackjack (a face card and an Ace) or take five cards without busting, it’s still even money. However, if your hand consists of three-of-a-kind (ex. 3-5’s) or a three-card straight (ex. 3-4-5) without going bust you’re paid 3-to-1. And, if you get three sevens or a 6-7-8 combo, you’ll receive a five-to-one payout (because you reached 21).
Better yet, if you get three-of-a-kind or a three-card straight you win EVEN IF YOU GO PAST 21. Now, this is my kind of Costa Rica nightlife, you win when you’re supposed to be losing!
Try it on your next trip to Costa Rica.
Another popular card game is Tute.
After you put up your ante, you’ll be dealt five cards (which only you see) and if you like your hand you can make a bet which must be twice the size of the ante. The game only goes forward if the dealer holds a king or an Ace. If not, you keep your ante.
But if the dealer holds one of these cards and you win, your payout will be this: winning pairs pay even money; two pairs 2 to 1; three of a kind, 3 to 1; a straight, 4 to one; a flush, 5 to one; a full house, 15 to 1; poker, or four-of-a-kind pays 20 to 1; and a straight flush 50 to 1. You can also make a sort of side bet called an “acumulado.”
Most Costa Rica casinos serve free drinks to gamblers and some will even provide free buffets or bring food to your table (this is really Tico hospitality). And, some casinos will give you a little piece of paper with numbers on it. During the course of the day and night, there are periodic “rifas” or drawings that payout if you hold the winning numbers so, for goodness sake, don’t throw away that paper!
Popular Costa Rica Casinos
Did you ever notice that whenever James Bond gambles, he’s surrounded by beautiful women?
When you travel to Costa Rica you’ll have the same kind of Costa Rica nightlife if you want. Costa Rica is pretty free-wheeling and you’ll find lots of beautiful female company, click for more
Here are some casinos where you can indulge your gambling vices and pleasures.
Alajuela (across from San Jose International Airport)
Fiesta Casino
Cariari
Melia Cariari Hotel & Country Club
Casino Cariari
Hilton Doubletree Cariari
Ciudad Quesada
Lucky San Carlos Casino
El Roble
Caribbean Village Fiesta
Golfito
Hotel Sierra and Casino
Guanacaste
Hotel Flamingo Beach Resort & Jazz Casino
Best Western El Sitio Hotel & Casino
Paradisus Playa Conchal
Heredia
Fiesta Casino Cacique Heredia
Casino La Condesa, San Rafael de Heredia
La Uruca
Irazú Hotel Best Western & Casino Concorde
Casino San José Palacio
Perez Zeledon
Hotel & Country Club del Sur & Casino del Sur
Playa Herradura
Los Suenos Marriot Golf Resort & Stellaris Casino
Playa Jaco
Hotel Cocal & Casino
Hotel Jaco Fiesta
Barceló Amapola & Jazz Casino
Sonesta Jaco Resort
Playa Manuel Antonio
Casino Hotel Parador
Casino Divisamar
Byblos Resort & Casino
Playa Panama
Premier Fiesta Resort & Spa
Playas del Coco
Flor De Itabo Hotel & Casino Hotel Casino Coco Bay
Casino Best Western Coco Verde
Puntarenas
Hotel Yadran & Casino Adriatico
Hotel Tioga
Quepos
Hotel & Casino Divisamar
Best Western Hotel & Casino Kamuk
San Jose
Balmoral Hotel
Barceló San José Palacio Spa & Casino Club
Casino Jazz at the White House Hotel
Colonial Casino Bar & Restaurant
Del Rey Hotel & Casino del Rey
Fiesta Casino Costa Rica at the Garden Court
Hotel Fiesta
Herradura Resort & Casino
Krystal Quality Hotel
Centro Colon & Casino
Costa Rica Radisson Hotel & Casino Europa
Royal Dutch Hotel & Casino
Casino Hotel Costa Rica Morazán
Casino Hotel Aurola Holiday Inn
Hotel Crowne Plaza Corobicí
Tamarindo
Barceló Playa Langosta Resort & Casino
Casino Jazz at El Diria Hotel Tamarindo
Tambor Puntarenas
Barceló Playa Tambor Resort & Casino
If you like wine, fine women, song, AND gambling, Costa Rica nightlife might be just what the doctor ordered!
Welcome to the world of Costa Rica tourism.