What language do I need to learn when I go to Costa Rica?

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plateausproblem

In 6 weeks the best you can hope for is some travel language, so even European Spanish would do! You won't be exposed to the technical differences in 6 weeks of learning.

Neo

Just spanish will do. Nothing fancy.

506 ChrisTICO!!!

Remember, Spanish is the same in any Latin Country except for Brazil, Belice and other languaged countries... Some stuff that varies are idioms, that you would learn here and also you're going to get used.
For example:
"Dude":
In Mexico, "guey"
In Panama, "pana"
In Costa Rica, "mae"
In Colombia, "parce"
In Peru, "tio" as same as Chile

What's up dude?
In Mexico, "que ondas guey?"
In Panama, "que hubo mi pana?"
In Costa Rica, "que mae? Pura vida?"
In Colombia, "que hubo parce?"
In Peru, "que hay de nuevo tio?"

Those are examples of different kind of greetings in some latin countries. I recommend you to learn very good spanish, because here in costa rica, if you are going to use any cab, you have to explain very well where you wanna go. Here addresses are given by references so also, take in consideration how many miles are in km, and that "almost each block" is 100 meters.

Good luck and Enjoy your Trip!!!

Mike

Latin American Spanish...

But lots of Costa Ricans speak English fine... I have never had a big problem when I go, speaking only English.

â˜… PÂ¡nk â˜…

Spanish !!!! thats all. They will understand you. There is no Costa Rica Spanish.

Costa Rica '03

I'm not really sure what you mean by Costa Rican Spanish and Latin American Spanish (Costa Rica is part of Latin America). But be that as it may, in 6 weeks you're not going to learn the finer points of differences between the Spanish speaking countries' ways of saying things. Learn the basics and you'll do fine! I know MANY US citizens that have enjoyed Costa Rica even though they knew little or no Spanish. Of course, the more you know, the better off you'll be, but don't make it a worrisome task. Many people in Costa Rica speak English and there are many ex-pats.

peru teacher

Spanish

go braves

after u go buy some think spanish for u to learn

SeijiSanti

If you speak plain Spanish they will understand.

All South and Cetral Americans can understand each other.

Costa Ricans speak very little English, so better bring your dictionary.

fabian_s_arg

spanish

Brent F

When you go to tourist areas, people there are speaking English but I think it is good to learn to speak Spanish as well.

Kim

Just as you would understand different versions of English (eg US, British and Australian), so too would the average Spanish speaker understand both "standard" Castillian Spanish and Latin American varieties. So whichever you prefer or think will be more useful to you in the long run is up to you. Disfrute de Costa Rica!!

sicko

every spanish it's the same!!!!!!! what do you mean by costa rica spanish!??? what's difference it's the accent and idioms..

Brandy

Just speak Spanish and you will be fine. Proper spanish is spoken in Costa Rica however, Ticos do have alot of sayings and expressions.

Some examples:
Diay is Hey
Mae is dude
Guila is kid
Que tirada is what a mess
Una teja is a 100 colones
Un rojo is a 1000 colones
-This can go on forever.......

B322

Each region in South America and this often includes regions within the same country will have unique accents. But I would just call the differences accents they are not different languages. Even Spanish in Spain is the same as the Spanish in Latin America.

I'll give you an example of diverse accents right here in the US:
Los Angeles
Houston
Atlanta
Boston
and so on, and so on.... in each of these regions there is a slightly different accent and also associated with each is the usage of various idioms that vary from region to region.

But we all know and understand Mid American English or Standard English.

In Costa Rica especially people that are accustomed to cater to tourists will understand your Spanish. The Spanish that you learn in the US is the standard Spanish

Costa Rica is beautiful, buen viaje!

marykate

better ask the another person because i don't know where is Costa Rica.

surfer mike

chinese

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