OK I admit it, I am orientationally challenged. In basic training I was the guy who carried a rock around in my right hand because I got tired of hearing the drill Sergeant say "your other right dummy" I offer the following to others who may have problems navigating directions in CR. I am sure we would all welcome additional insight on the subject.
Yes the streets and avenues have names and there are signs now (if you can find them) but I hope you aren't hungry if you tell the delivery guy at Pizza Hut or McDonalds you live on the corner of first and third. The locals ignore them. Directions (addresses) are usually something like "150 oeste de parque espana". That's 150 meters west of Spain park.
First, 150 meters doesn't mean 150 meters, so leave your tape measure at home. 100 meters means 1 block, so 150 meters means 1 1/2 blocks, 275 meters means 2 3/4 blocks etc. OESTE= west, ESTE=east, NORTE=north, and SUR=south. These directions always reference some landmark that everyone knows, yea right. That is a problem, my spanish school uses directions from a Subaru dealer which hasn't been Subaru for a long time. But if you can find the landmark, the rest is fairly easy. If you know which way west is! A compass might help.
Recently I was looking for a dentists office, My directions were "250 oeste de…." I stopped to ask 2 locals who immediately got into a heated argument about which way was west. They sent me the wrong way, and I was late for my appointment. You can always check your shadow, if the sun is shining, and it isn't too close to noon, but one of the instructors in spanish school clued me into a piece of information that has been very helpful. The main entrance of every catholic church in Costa Rica faces west. There are lots of them, so as I walk around this info helps me keep my orientation. I've asked around, and checked it a few times and so far this info seems reliable, so everytime I pass a catholic church I know which hand to put my rock in.
I hope this was helpful to someone, And that other more knowledgable brothers will add more suggestions on the subject. Today I am off to 300 norte y 100 este del edificio de la Toyota.
