You full-flavor smokers with lungs of leather might appreciate other local brands, including Delta and Rex. I got a pack of Delta at a local soda for around $0.75 (75 cents). They are a bit strong, but are quite flavorful and smooth. Rex cigarettes nearly caused me to blow a lung through my nostrils.
Many places outside SJO don't carry Marlboro Lights in any form. Other American brands (Camel, Winston and so on) are nearly impossible to find.
As a treat for the chicas who smoke, I brought a variety of smokes with me on my last trip. Dunhills, Export A's and Players from Canada, Nat Sherman Kiss of Mint (hugely popular with the ladies), Camel Dark Mint and Mocha cigarettes and so on. A pack of cigarettes not readily available in C.R. makes an impressiv gift/propina for ladies who smoke. I myself smoked mostly Derby Soave while in C.R.; I'm a Marlboro Red smoker, and found the Derby Lights to be about as strong as Marlboro Red.
I was amazed at places which permit smoking in C.R., in contrast with North American anti-snmoking fascism. Very cool.
