The Movie Theater Experience in Costa Rica

Written by Cailey Halloran

There are positive and negatives for theater lovers living in Costa Rica. I’ll start with the negatives first, then we’ll move on. This way, hopefully by the time I’m done writing I won’t be so depressed. So let’s begin!

First and foremost is that unless a major blockbuster is being internationally released, we ain’t gettin’ it for ages. I’m talking months late. So keeping up with current movie news can lead to inadvertent spoilers. I think Tom Petty said it best with his line, “the waiting is the hardest part” as sometimes the wait is excruciating.

Another complaint of mine is the cultural phenomenon of cell phone use and talking not only before but also DURING movies here. I should also mention that talking on cell phones while driving is another dangerous problem here, drivers just love to chat and simultaneously make sharp one-handed turns.

But back to the theater, my final compliant is in regards to commercials before previews. When did this become acceptable? While I don’t mind the occasional well produced commercial, I didn’t come to the theater to be sold products. Unless, of course, you’re a singing bucket of popcorn! Yet, commercials have gone beyond “the sell” here, to include accusatory messages. Accusatory messages, you wonder? Yes, because of piracy. While I understand piracy is problem for all sorts of reasons, do I need be reminded? I can’t help but feel guilty once I’ve seen this ad, and then I’m looking around wondering who else feels the same. Plus, if the pirate is already in the audience, it’s not like he’s going to see the anti-piracy ad, shrug his shoulders and turn off the camera!

On a lighter more positive note, prices here are reasonable compared to the exorbitant, must-take-out-a-mortgage-to-see-movie rates in the U.S. and European theaters. Also, most theaters here have that cool option where you can pick your seats prior to entering the theater! I dig. I once heard that a movie is more enjoyable if you sit on the left side of the theater, something to do with how your brain processes the images and sounds, so of course I’m completely anal about this and must always sit on the left. With the prior seat choice, there’s no need to worry about getting to the movies hours ahead of time. Oh yeah.

Lastly, I have never been to a more luxurious theater than perhaps Terra Mall’s Cinepolis VIP theater. I’m talking black leather reclining La-Z-Boys, spiffed-out waiters (yes, waiters) and great sound and screen clarity. It’s the perfect environment to enjoy a movie, almost like having your dream home theater.

To see a list of movies and theaters in Costa Rica go to cinemania.co.cr. “Now Showing” movies are listed under “En Carteleras”.

Telephone: (506) 278-3631 / 518-0002

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Cailey has lived and worked in Costa Rica periodically throughout the last decade after attending Country Day School in 1998. She currently contributes and helps maintain the content of Costa Rica Pages.

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