Costa
Rica safety is easy to come by here in this stable and
functioning democracy with the most cosmopolitan capitol
in Central America, which is a relatively safe place to
visit. Making a few common preparations and reading the
following Costa Rica safety tips will increase your chances
of having a safe and stress free vacation.
Costa Rica safety tips are similar to precautions you
would want to take in any foreign country. Travel warnings
for Costa Rica and other countries can be found on your
government's website. Out of all the places you can visit
in Central America, its easy to ensure your Costa Rica
safety. Traveling here, you will want to carry photocopies
of your Costa Rica airline
ticket, your passport, and have enough cash in case of
an emergency. Keep one of these documents on your person
and another copy in your hotel's safety deposit boxes
in case your luggage goes missing, which can happen if
you are not careful.
Luggage can be taken while you are looking in the other
direction or at luggage storage facilities. Make sure
the person you give your bag to at the airport is a porter,
who is supposed to carry an official ID. For additional
peace of mind, put locks on your luggage.
In public one has to be aware as well. Purse slashers
and pickpockets prefer crowded places like buses, stores,
and they work often on busy sidewalks. When you are out
at the outdoor market, for example, walk on the street
side of the vendors and not the congested area of the
sidewalks behind the stalls. Theft and pick pocketing
make up most of the crime in Costa Rica, so if you are
aware and follow these above Costa Rica safety tips you
can get through your visit unscathed.
If for some reason someone what seems like accidentally
spills food on you, make sure you keep their distance;
they will try to help you but are really more interested
in cleaning out your pockets. Northwest of the central
market is the seedy red light district, which you will
probably want to avoid. Walking around the Parque Nacional
late at night is also not advisable.
If you are renting a car, avoid leaving your car in a
conspicuous place such as a main street, or in front of
your hotel. Use the parking lots whenever possible, since
many of them are watched over by guards. Even at the many
national parks can be subject to break in, thieves will
wait for the rangers pass outside viewing range and will
strike when and where they can.
Use your common sense and do not trust anyone who approaches
you on the street and wants to be your tour guide. Women
have to be especially careful, don't let yourself be distracted,
or separated from your tour group. Travel warnings for
Costa Rica are the same as they would be for most relatively
safe tourist areas, so be vigilant and enjoy your Costa
Rica Safety. Travel here is well worth the extra preparations.
