I lived in Costa Rica for 10 years and made many trips to Panama. If you speak Spanish STAY AWAY from the tourist areas and bigger guided tours. Go to Jaco or Quepos, find a mid-level comfortable hotel and start asking around. There are TONS of locals who are always looking to make some extra cash and you can get great deals. Do, though, be VERY careful with your personal things. Passports, cash, cameras, phones etc. are all easily stolen and GONE faster than you can shake your head. It is a balance between not being taken as the "touristy gringo" and being ripped off up front and being careful enough not to get everything stolen. If you are going to spend a night in San Jose, stay at a better hotel and tell them you are looking for professional but NOT TOURISTY help on the coast. It is worth one night at a more expensive hotel in the capital to get off to a good start, especially if you are sharing the cost with a few other guys. Remember that Costan Rican hotels charge extra per person staying in a room so depending on your "honesty-o-meter" and your budget you may want only 1 or 2 of the group standing at the reception desk upon check in
