I haven't tried looking for antibiotics, but they're probably available almost everywhere without a prescription.
I just arrived in San Jose, and went on an expedition using the CRT 'mongers map' to check the RX's listed on the map. I think you need to be a VIP member to access the map, but it's really worth it. I joined 2 weeks ago, and my stay at the Presidente already saved me more than double the cost of the VIP membership! Anyway, I can't give you specifics re: which farmacias, I just used the map and looked for all the RX notations, and checked any others I came across. Here's what I found:
ED meds (Cialis, Levitra and generic/Viagra): The prices varied about 25%, but all were available everywhere without a prescription. They were somewhat cheaper than US prices.
Blood pressure meds and anti-depressants all available without meds, at least 50% cheaper than US prices (I brought a 'shopping list' from a few friends). These prices varied around 10-20% depending on the pharmacy.
Strong pain meds that are scheduled in the US are not available here. I asked for 'hydrocodone' (Vicodin/lortab/etc) and the first 6 or 7 farmacias said it wasn't available, even with a prescription. I didn't even try anything stronger. However, codeine can be bought over-the-counter. 'Arcedol' is 30mg codeine with a 500mg analgesic ('tylenol' equivalent), sells for from 25 to 40 cents a pill. They sell a stronger one with 50mg codeine, but at $1.50 each I didn't bother, so I don't remember the name. I just asked 'anything stronger than arcedol' and they all brought out the same box of the 50mg version.
Diazepam (valium) is hit-or-miss. About 1/3 of the 20+ pharmacies I went to gave me a direct 'NO', 1/3 said you need a prescription, and 1/3 said 'we can give you a prescription here'. The 'on-site prescription surcharge' didn't vary at all -- 1,500 colones at every place I went to. After that, each 10mg diazepam ranged from 25 to 40 cents each.
I use the pain meds and valium for a chronic condition called 'spinal stenosis', but the farmacies wrote the prescriptions without any question as to what you need them for - only asked for some id to have a name, age and either passport or drivers license number.
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