According to the postal service, Correos de Costa Rica, in a few short years nobody will use the archaic system of giving directions.  After a 3 year study in conjuction with the Postal Service of Spain, the postal service has developed a complete system of defining addresses. 

Now begins the public education phase. The mail people must teach Costa Ricans to use their proper address, like Escazu, San Antonio, Avenue 7 # 15, 3.  As opposed to saying from where Rigo’s Cantina used to be, 300 meters north, 75 meters west, in front of the old barn that burned down, house with gray wall and black gate.
Although the new addresses still may include a description of the front of the building. 

So how will the new system work?
  First, each street must have a name!  Normally they will be avenues and streets designated by numbers.  (like Avenue 7 above)  The #15 would designate how many meters from the corner. And the , 3 would designate left or right hand side.

When will the new system be in effect?
Not very soon it seems.  First, the postal service has to work with all the 81 municipal governments to name the streets.  At the same time, work with their largest clients to implement the system. 

How much will it cost?
No estimate was given, but they hope to double the work that each letter carrier can do with the new system. Now they spend as much as half their time looking for addresses!