1 - Always have a copy of Prolijo's or some similar map with you if you're new to SJ. Taxi drivers are unbelievably ignorant about their city. frighteningly so.
2 - Always have small bills with you. Even if you forget or don't bother to tell the taxi driver to put the meter on mil colonnes will take you anywhere you want to go inside of Paseo Colon and 40th. Any arguments, throw him the mil colonnes and get out of the cab. Also, if you only plan to make small purchases then it's safer not to carry big bills.
3- Nothing is less interesting to a tica than a loud, grabby drunk. I must have had at least 8-10 girls tell me this, and they tell me it's the most common complaint of the girls there.
4 - kindness and respect will take you to places that dollars alone won't go to.
5 - As in most places, listening is more important than talking.
6 - Costa Del Sol is never open, and their Chicken Parmesan is a fable perpetuated by a fascist government.
7 - The gentlemen of CRT were, in fact, for the most part, gentlemen, and a pleasure to associate with.
8 - fake Cohibas are made with banana leaves in CR too.
9 - 100 colonnes will get you a private dance from Psychman.
10 - There can be value in the pretense of ignorance.