We are moving to Costa Rica what do I need to Know?

Question

San Jose costa Rica

Answer 1

How wonderful! I'm studying abroad in Costa Rica right now and I love it.  The people are very nice, especially when you try to speak Spanish with them (they really appreciate the effort and tend to be nicer!).

The first thing I noticed is that the roads are very dangerous here.  Most are very rough, with huge potholes, but the most dangerous part are the drivers.  Though there are laws, it doesn't seem like it on the roads.  People pass cars on the right when making left turns, go through stop signs, and just narrowly avoid accidents.  Also, pedestrians do not have the right away! Very important to remember!

Clothes tend to be a little expensive here because they are imported.  However, foods or crafts tend to be cheap.  When at resturants, make sure to read the fine print because often there is a 13% tax fee and another 10% service fee not included on the listed price of the meal.  This can make things add up faster than expected!

May to November is the rainy season.  You will definitely never want to leave your umbrella behind.  Fortunately it is usually a warm rain.  Many locals complain about the cold, but personally I find the 75 degree weather comfortable.

Family is very important in Costa Rica, so don't be alarmed when many people live with their parents.  It is common to live at home until you are 30 or married.  Also, the majority are Catholic.

Many Ticos (that's what Costa Ricans are called) go by Tico Time, which can be frustrating.  Tico Time=late.  It is a relaxed culture and no one is in a hurry.  You will hear the phrase "Pura Vida" a lot, which means "This is living!" or "Life is Good."  Another phrase is "tranquilo", which means "calm down or everything is alright, not a problem" and shows their laidback attitude.

The best advice I can give is to read the book "Culture Shock! Costa Rica" by Claire Wallerstein.  It is a very accurate, thorough book.  I felt very knowledgeable once I arrived here because I'd already read about things I may encounter.  I hope you love Costa Rica!

Answer 2

PRONOUNCIATION

SPANISH

MEANING



A key eye poor agree jug

aquí hay pura grilla

There's only politicians around here



a key's tatoo one c'm'on eight

aquí 'sta tu juan camaney

Your lover is here



a pest *** all cole

apestas a alcohol

You stink like alcohol



As say toon ***

aceitunas

Olives



Ball add the pay jazz sad us

bola de payasadas

Silly stuff



Be A. has R. when there us

viejas arguenderas

Arguing b*****s



Be A. hope and son

viejo panzón

Fat old man



Be goat tess the ran chair O.

bigotes de ranchero

Red neck moustache



Boy a cool E. R.

voy a culiar

I'm going to ****



Boy a troll E. R.

voy a troliar

I'm going to walk



Boy a Zeus star Allah chick a cone me pin gone

voy a asustar a la chica con mi pingón

I will scare the girl with my big d**k



Boy as N. R.

voy a cenar

I'm gonna have dinner



Cell eye jug, one a what toe

Celaya, Guanajuato

A Mexican City



Come at A. loss Ugh wack cat tess

cómete los aguacates

Eat the avocadoes



Come S. loss tack eat toss

comes los taquitos

Eat the little tacos



Desk can saw

descansa

-You- rest



Does tack eat toss E. free hall S.

dos taquitos y frijoles

Two little tacos and beans



Eye hall is cone O. tear a hess

ay Jalisco no te rajes

Famous Mexican saying



Kit a tell loss call so nest

quítate los calzones

Take off your underpanties



Kit at tell loss war at chess

quítate los huaraches

Take off your sandals



L. gatt E. tow

el gatito

The kitten



L. who go ran C. O.

el jugo rancio

The rotten juice



Law S. taz Sue ran Dough

la estás zurrando

You are ******* it up



Lost trap eat toss

los trapitos

The little rags



Low *** M. Oz N. two quart toe?

¿lo hacemos en tu cuarto?

Shall we make it in your room?



Mass car eat a saw grad ah

Mascarita Sagrada

Name for famous wrestler in Mexico



N. L. C. John

en el sillón

On the armchair



No chin guess

no chingues

Quit ******* around



Oh yes smart S.

hoy es martes

Today's Tuesday



Pass a lass all saw

pasa la salsa

Pass the sauce



Pass a lass shell ***

pasa las chelas

Pass the beer



Pooh row ped O.

puro pedo

It's all bullshit



Rascal P. tow

rasca el pito

Scratch the d**k



S. taz B. N. Gore Dough

estás bien gordo

You are very fat



S. taz moo E. bone E. tick a

estás muy bonitica

You are very pretty



S. taz pen the ho'

estás pendejo

You are a ******



S. toy as tall a mad re

estoy hasta la madre

I'm fed up



S. toy so lap ***

estoy solapas

I'm all alone



S. toy tree stone

estoy tristón

I'm kind'a sad



See eye

sí hay

yes we have



Some us loss mass chin gun S.

somos los más chingones

We are the best of the best



T n s free o?

¿tienes frío?

are you cold?



T. N. S. L. P. P. B. N. T. S. O.

tienes el pipí bien tieso

You have a hard one



Taboo N. O.

'ta bueno

It's ok



Tear egg all O. lass can E. key taz

te regalo las caniquitas

I give you the little marbles



Tell O. boy a in cruise tar

te lo voy a incrustar

I'm going to insert it in you



tell O. lab as

te lo lavas

Wash it as in your ***



Tell O. pro met O.

te lo prometo

I promise you



Ten go sap at toss eat tall E. an Oz

tengo zapatos italianos

I have italian shoes



The head the star mall less stan doe

deje de estar molestando

Stop bugging me



This S. poor as stunt air E. us

dices puras tonterías

You're saying dumb things



Well S. a soap O.

hueles a sopo

You smell like sweat



Web us come ham on

Huevos con jamón

  



Web us come toss see no

Huevos con tocino

  



Web eat us tea be us

huevitos tibios

  



Web us come shore is so

huevos con chorizo

  



Web be toes come free hall lit toes

huevitos con frijolitos

  



Does stack kit toes door add it toes the Paul Joe

dos taquitos doraditos de pollo

  



Does stack kit toes the car neat ***

dos taquitos de carnitas

  



Come chill leap toes hall up pen Joe's

Con chilitos jalapeños

  



Come chill lack kill less

con chilaquiles

  



E free hall lit toes

y frijolitos

  



Train us on six the shell as

tráenos un six de chelas

  



Kiss sea ram most does tea kill as

quisiéramos dos tequilas

  



See Gary eat toes

cigarritos

  



Much as grass see as

muchas gracias

Answer 3

Speaking Spanish would be a major asset.  You are going to move to San Jose???  It is the Capitol, and like big chities around the world it is dangerous.  There are other cities, towns close to San Jose that are much safer and more user friendly.  Moravia for example.  People in San Jose are in a hurry, and it's very hard to make friends there.

The Colon is currently trading for $1 USD = 517 colonies.

Transportation is cheap, but is you are going any distance by taxi make a deal.  Most have meters now.  Lots of busses going everywhere.  The food here is very bland and boring.Beans & rice and rice and beans,  then for breakfast you mix the beans and rice, fry it and call it PINTO.

There are lots of things you can't get here.  Spices for example.  The beer is good and costs about $1.25.  When renting an apt or house know that unfurnished is just that.  No fridge, stove  ect.  NADA.

Unless you have a very Speciality job that a Tico can't do, you DO NOT have the right to work.  If you are retired on a set income, you can apply for residency.  If not you are a tourist, thus you must leave every 3 months.  You can go to Nicaragua or Panama, or anywhere you want outside of Costa Rica.

If you have more specific questions feel free to write to me