From today's Inside Costa Rica.
Economic Crisis Affecting Night Clubs And Motels
The economic crisis has hit the "adult" night entertainment as motels and "night clubs" (strip clubs as they are called iN Costa Rica), as demand for the services is down.
The night clubs report lower number of clients who frequent the establishments, evidenced by the large number of "dancers" in the clubs, sitting idle waiting for customers to come in the door.
Night club owners say it has been so for several months now, especially the weekends, when the crowds never form.
Motel owners are also reporting a drop in business.
The situation has an economic impact on the dancers and sex social workers, who for the most part, work in night clubs to maintain their families.
The drop in business is as much as 80% in some night clubs in San Jose.
Julián Monge, a sociologist working of the UNED, told the daily Al Dia, prostitution in San Jose has been affected by the economic crisis, as people have less spending money.
Monge estimates that there are between 3.000 and 8.000 women dedicated to prostitution in the country.
That number does not include women who dedicate themselves to the oldest profession on an occasional basis, mainly when the financial need arises, like having to pay rent or buy groceries.