Rating: - very helpful
This book may not be best for a first book on speaking Latin American Spanish, however, it has been extremely helpful in helping me with pronunciation and local usage of words.

 

Rating: - Must have resource!
This is a great, well organized and efficient book. You do not want to go to CR without it... and it will be the only book you need while you are there! I suggest picking it up months before your trip so you can start practicing the most common sayings. Buen Viaje!

 

Rating: - Good book! Fun!
I bought this for a couple I was tutoring (Spanish lessons) because they are moving to CR. I found it helpful and even though I already speak Spanish, I had no idea how differently the Ticos do it!

 

Rating: - Speak Easy
I spoke Spanish before coming to Costa Rica, but found the people in San Jose spoke with more slang and pachuco. Chris Howard's book helped me to communicate better and with more credibility. When I moved to the coast, the dialect was even more different. People considered me snobby when I spoke like I did originally. His information was even applicable in the countryside. I give this book as a gift to new clients and friends visiting Costa Rica.

 

Rating: - A Great Survival Tool
When I came to Costa Rica I quickly discovered the vast majority of Costa Ricans DIDN'T speak English. Since I only had a limited Spanish vocabulary, I had a lot of problems in daily situations. Then I bought this handy little book and it virtually helped me survive the first couple of years. I still refer to it now and then for important phrases.

Rating: - Handy and well organized
Easy to use and usefully organized. Words and phrases you would really use in travel and in every day living. Loads of interesting Spanish that you will only find in Costa Rica. The book's size and sturdiness is also convenient for carrying around.

 

Rating: - The Best CR Spanish Guide
I was fluent in Spanish before moving to Costa Rica, but without constant conversations with ticos, it was impossible to become fluent in Costa Rican slang & phrases. So I bought the Guide to Costa Rican Spanish and in my excitement, studied the entire book and internalized as many phrases as I could. When I arrived, I was surprised at how many CR-only phrases I actually understood! Who knew that "a chile" is the same as "en serio" or that "brete" is as commonly used as "trabajo"?? I did, thanks to this great phrase book.

Looking through the local stores, there are several books that claim to be Costa Rican Spanish guides. They're not. They are quick reviews & reminders of Central American/South American (instead of Spanish from Spain) dialects and will help you no more than the average guidebook. This phrase book is different.

A caveat: some of the phrases are outdated an no longer used (according to my friends), so I would recommend this more as a passive language learning tool -- wait until you hear one of these phrases instead of using them first. I got quite a few laughs when I used certain of these words, and while it was all in good fun, it can be a little embarrassing!

 

Rating: - GUIDE TO COSTA RICAN SPANISH is a take-along 'must'.
The ideal take-along Spanish guide is very portable (i.e. fits in a standard purse), easy to use, and contains phrases lending to everyday issues. That's why destination-bound visits to Costa Rica will welcome GUIDE TO COSTA RICAN SPANISH: it's all of the above and more. The new edition comes from a Costa Rican citizen, not a U.S. teacher, though he does hold a foreign language background as a teacher - thus it includes a healthy dose of local slang and color new to even those with some rudiments of Spanish. From proverbs and sayings to a basic English/Spanish reference set, GUIDE TO COSTA RICAN SPANISH is a take-along 'must'.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

 

Rating: - This Book is MUST to Survive Here
I spend most of my time in Costa Rica and part time in Nicaragua. When I came to came to this part of the world I virtually spoke no Spanish. I needed a quick injection of the language to get by. I did not have time to go to school. A friend recommended this book highly so I purchased. It has been so helpful. I can now get out of a lot of jams by using it. I even met the woman of my life by using some of the phrases in the book. The slang is also great.

 

Rating: - This Spanish Book Was Just What I Needed
I have little ability when it comes to learning a foreign language nor do I have time to take language courses. This book gave me the basics to survive in Costa Rica. Now I can at least communicate. It has extricated me from a lot of jams. This book is like an idiots guide to Spanish. Buy it!
 

Rating: - Speaking Costa Rican Spanish is now possible!
Christopher Howard has assembled the quickest and easiest way to learn the nuances of speaking Costa Rican Spanish like the native "Tico" speakers. His common sense approach to learning all the little things makes it a pleasure to practice speaking, and listening, as the locals do whenever I visit beautiful Costa Rica. I have more confidence in my communication ability now that I have this excellent book to guide me.

Where to buy