Official Guide to Costa Rican Spanish by Chris Howard
Although it may take a while to learn the pronunciation, this Spanish language guide by Chris Howard is designed to teach you to speak Spanish like a Tico.
The book starts with a quick explanation of how to pronounce common constants and vowels in Spanish.
It then moves into basic, “survival” Spanish phrases that you will encounter in daily life. This section is well organized as it puts phrases into categories of situations, such as being in an airport, social situation or police station. You get to the first aspect of Costa Rican Spanish in learning the use of “vos”, which often replaces “usted” in for example, Mexico.
Included is a detailed dictionary of Costa Rican words or uncommon uses. For example, the use of the word “lata” or aluminum can to refer to a public bus, or “limpio” or clean to mean a person who is broke.
This is followed by proverbs and phrases, or idiomatic expressions that are common in Costa Rica.
A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando – Pray to God but keep laboring.
Howard, Christopher (2012-10-19). Official Guide to Costa Rican Spanish (Kindle Locations 1539-1540). Costa Rica Books S.A. Kindle Edition.
A little more bawdy are the piropos or flirtatious kind of street poetry that men fling at passing women in Costa Rica. Although Howard is merciful in avoiding the cruder ones, he still offers plenty of phrases.
Si tu cuerpo fuera carcel y tus brazos cadenas, sería un bonito sitio para cumplir mi condena. – If your body was a jail and your arms chains, it would be nice to serve time in jail.
Howard, Christopher (2012-10-19). Official Guide to Costa Rican Spanish (Kindle Locations 2385-2386). Costa Rica Books S.A. Kindle Edition.
Learning the language is important for making friends and being happy in the country you plan to live or spend time. Chris Howard as a 30 year resident of Costa Rica is well qualified to write this book.