Legal
Prostitution in Costa Rica is legal - though pimping and the prostitution of minors under 18 is not, even though it is primarily catholic country. In the U.S. mainly, sex workers (we prefer the use this term rather than prostitutes) have a negative connotation, whether it be streetwalkers, massage girls or escorts. In Costa Rica all Costa Ricans of age will carry a "cedula with her picture and birth date. For foreigners i.e. Nicaraguans, Panamanians, etc. ask to see her passport.

Note that prostitution with a minor is illegal and the Costa Rican government under pressure from the US has announced new policies to strictly and severely punish those that practice this form of behavior. While the chances of finding an underage prostitute are rare, if you happen to come across one, it's in your best interest to move on to someone else.

What to expect
For the most part, the ladies of the night are very professional which means you get right down to business when they come to your room and once paid, they are out the door. The Costa Rican women are passionate in bed and will put on a fairly good performance. Most if not all will insist on condom usage, which is a good idea. Don't expect to fall in love or find a girlfriend or wife out of the bar girls. You will not find a bustling nightlife like you would in Bangkok, but there are enough places (bars, strip joints, massage parlors, and free lancers) to keep a single man happy. Certainly, if you come to Costa Rica, you can expect to have no problems getting laid 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sex is both legal and quite available in Costa Rica.

Women
You can find all types of women in Costa Rica. Besides Costa Ricans, or Ticas as they are called, you will find Filipinas, Russians and other Europeans.
Sex tours are illegal, escort services can be dodgy and not recommended. It is hard to get a girl out of a high class topless bar for less than $300. "$50 for a quick lay" -- an hour in some places; a quick lay costs more like $13.15 right now. Ok, precisly$13.15.
Colombianas and other South Americans are more likely to speak English than Ticas or Nicas. And the local independent contractors who learn English do so for one reason only: so they can work the high-priced ($100) gringo bars.

Costa Rican women come in all shapes and sizes and can range anywhere from busty blondes to petite brunettes. You will find girls with blue, brown, and green eyes. Some dye their hair blonde to attract more attention. Few Costa Rica women speak English well, so a brush up in your Spanish before you arrive will make conversation with the fine ladies go a long way.

Cost
The price for sex varies from girl to girl, but the average cost for a hooker out of the bars is about $50 for a quick lay. This price can double or triple if you take a girl out of the strip clubs or higher class bars. A street girl may go with you for as little as $20 to $30.