Diferencias

Aspects of Costa Rica that are different than the US: 

News anchors say "Dios les bendiga" and "Si Dios quiere." Faith is still a part of everyday vocabulary here, even on secular/national tv channels.

Toilet paper goes in the trashcan, not in the toilet.

Air conditioning is a rare luxury so most people sleep with a fan on.

A typical greeting is a hug and a cheek-to-cheek kissing sound.

Dishwashing is done by hand.

Laundry is done either totally by hand or with semi-automatic machines, and normally clothes are washed three times, without any fabric softener, then hung to dry.

There are many tropical fruits here that we don't have in the States: cas, jewplum, guanábana, etc: http://www.insightguides.com/inspire-me/blog/costa-rican-fruit

Cars are more expensive here so many people rely on the bus system, bicycle or taxi for transportation.

Little "pulperias," convenience stores, are scattered throughout residential areas.

Stray dogs and chickens roam the streets freely.

Squirrels have a white stripe down their back.

People get married right out of highschool or sometimes before. 15-22 is the range of when many women marry and the husband is often a few years older than the wife.