One way you can improve your Spanish vocabulary is to open your eyes when walking along the street. If you look around you will see Spanish words in the windows of stores, on the sides of buildings and in many other places.

He is an example of what I saw in under ten minutes while walking in downtown Heredia.

Mercado Central – Central Market
hojalatería – tin shop where they make rain gutters, hoods for stoves, etc.
perfumería – perfume store
casa de empeño – pawn shop
se arregla ropa – alterations for clothing
sastrería – tailor
bufete – lawyer’s office
peluquería – barber
todas las marcas – all brands
repostería – pastry shop
se alquila – for rent
se necesita cocinero – cook wanted
tienda de mascotas – pet shop
ferretería – hardware store
zapatería – shoe store
pollo  frito – fried chicken
mueblería – furniture store
se toma la presión – blood pressure checked
descuentos – discounts
se vende – for sale
se alquila – for rent
dos por uno – two for one
chinamo or tramo – Costa Rican word for a sidewalk stand where almost anything can be sold. Puesto is the correct word in Spanish.

Tiquismo of the week:
Andar cargado – to have enough money on you when you go out