What to buy for host family in costa rica?

if you are talking about some food.... nuts and trail mix. fancy nuts are VERY popular in central america kitchen gadgets are NOT expensive down there....they are in most other central american countries tho, but in costa rica, they are more available. good wine might be good. if you are going to get to know the family and there are young ones or teens, you might bring jeans, but you would hav to know the size. or some cool tee shirts where size is less important. baseball caps (regarless if there is a baseball logo or not) are great. some like baseball down there, but not a whole lot. the caps however would be cool. basketball is growing in popularity. try some perfume for the woman of the house. people love something from your home town or your home state. local candy is cool (i used to bring almond roca which is manufactured a few miles from my house). try bringing some decks of cards. you can save one or two for unexpected invites. they make good little "thank you" gifts if you are in the countryside.

When my wife and I went there, we noted that for some reason bath towels seemed very expensive, something that really surprised us. I agree with the other poster regarding ball caps and I would add tee shirts from NYC. Something I never saw in CR was really nice pocket knives, if you think the dad might be interested in such a thing. (Hint: A really nice Boker or Spyderco could run around a hundred bucks.). Another option might be to just ask them if there is anything special you can bring. If you know any gringos there, see if they need any peanut butter or analgesics like the huge bottles of Tylenol you get from Costco. You will make a friend for sure.

Get them LA Dodger baseball caps- or NY Yankees. The caps have either LA or NY on them. EVERYONE knows what those letters stand for and they will be the envy of everyone. Go to some sporting goods store. It won't bankrupt you to buy a dozen. I guarantee they will LOVE them :o)

gringo candyss or something like that!