Socially its definitely not for everyone.... But if you can find your way into the scene here its pretty awesome.
I still barely speak any spanish after 4yrs... you learn enough to get by and as long as you don't want to act like a 'rich gringo' everyone is very cool down here.
If you want to only hang out with americans... I find the ones down here kinda suck. *present company excluded* If you want to mingle with the locals. There are scenes for everything.
1. Find an area you really like, and is relevant to what you want to do.
(work, fuck, party, relax, or what mix of those is desired)
- For instance Santa Ana is the hottest place in the central valley.
- 5degrees warmer then Escazu,
2. Find appropriate friends. There are some seriously fun parties that rock this place. And some shady people as well to enjoy the better things in life
3. Get a friend with a beach house. Or place at the Marina (Los Suenos) Because one perk of the tropics should be an ocean nearby.
4. Biz wise I REALLY like the locals. Getting ready to open a big office down here. And I personally have nothing but good things to say about them. Different pace. I had a big office in the phillipines and I hated it... I would hire 'ticos' 2:1 over people in manila.
5. Dunno you either like it here or you don't. I personally do, but I know I wouldn't if I lived in a different area or under different circumstances.