We just got back from Costa Rica and had the best time, all except for the last hour when our cameras were robbed from our car at a gas station just down the road from the car rental places near the airport in San Jose. I plan to post more about our trip (which included many amazing sights, animals, and sounds as well as a flat tire and a car accident in San Ramon), but just want to take a moment to warn about a scam we were involved in.

After a long drive form MA to the aiport over the mountainous highway, we must have felt "almost home" and let our guard down while gassing up. I hopped out of the car to accompany the kids to the bathroom while my husband was standing at the pump near the car. Stupidly, I left my purse on the floor of the front seat and the camera (with all of our photos still on it) in betweem the two seats. There were three (count 'em three) security gurds standing not more than 10 feet from our car, which was also as close to the store part of the gas station. There were a half dozen attendants there as well. While we were at the bathrooms around the side of the building both the camera and the pocketbook were snatched. My husband, we realize now, was distracted by an attendant, who took him around the pump to process the credit card. The guy kept asking him about dollars or colons (which no one else did when handed an AmEx card). Hindight is great, and we realize that's when someone, likely with an all clear nod from the (private) security guard, quietly opened the door and stole the sutff. "Miraculously", the pocket book (which held our passports), was left in the street nearby. I spotted an old man stitting on a stoop across the street going through it, and he brought it over when I waved him over. (It was $150 lighter, the cash we had gotten earlier to pay our exit tax.) Anyhow, it became apparent that at least some of the people working the station were in cahoots. They were completely condescening and unhelpful. The rental car agent came by when we called, and he believes that as well. As any of you who have been to Costa Rica know, we only want our photos back. (Among the lesson learned is to download some of the photos in case your camera gets stolen or lost.)

Anyhow, this is just a reminder not to let your guard down as we did. We were always diligent about locking the car and stowing away valuables--until this one time. We will still think of this vacation as the most wonderful family adventure we've had (and I will post more of the good news later).

Also, the people in San Ramon who helped us out during our car crash could not have been nicer, including the other driver.

A few silver linings: my husband bought the photo CD at the zip line tour in MA so we have pictures of that great day. I exchanged email addresses with a family on a catamaran tour my daughter and I took and so we will get some shots of that. And, best of all, my son (age 11) remembered to put his video camera under the seat, so we do have some moving images to remind us of the good times in Cosat Rica. If you are planning a trip, don't let his scare you; just take heed and have a great time.

So sorry to hear you had to end your trip like this. I found the gas stations a little spooky in CR, never got out of the car and they pump the gas for you, so there's no need to.

But, looking forward to the rest of your trip and I'm glad you had a good time regardless of this incident.

Thanks for sharing and so sorry to hear of your loss of photos! I am so paranoid about that that I take multiple smaller memory cards for my digital camera and, as they fill or even as I have taken quite a few on a card and can't stand the thought of losing the photos, replace them with a new one and stow the used one with my passport, maximum security.

I'm glad you had a great trip, have a great attitude, and have some images to tweak your memory. Thanks for sharing!

I'm so sorry this happened to you Joanne and so glad that you haven't let it spoil your good memories of Costa Rica or its people. Perhaps you have home owners insurance that will reimburse you for the cost of the cameras lost? We were pleasantly surprised by how well our insurance policy covered our - sorry to say - quite similar loss in CR a few years ago. Just like you we were at the end of a wonderful trip. On the way back to San Jose for our return flight home next day, we took the chance of stopping in Cartago for lunch. A busy spot on a busy street midday.
Left the locked car with all our luggage in small free open parking lot next to restaurant on main street. A "guard" was milling about. When we returned EVERYTHING was gone. All was ultimately replaceable - just "stuff" after all, but not those fabulous pictures we got of quetzals. Fortunately we had all credit cards and cash with us in restaurant, but my husband's passport was in one of his bags. So we ended up delaying our flight a day while we replaced his passport. Here in our nice DC neighborhood we know never to leave anything in sight in our parked car - as theft from auto is the most frequent crime. But sometimes for sake of convenience, you let your guard down - we were hungry on long drive and thought stopping where we stopped for a quick lunch would be ok. not. We've been back to CR for another wonderful trip since that time and will continue to return - but we will NEVER leave anything of value in locked car again - no matter the circumstances.

So just wanted to second Joanne's warning about watching your stuff. But don't let that scare you - it happens here all the time too. Go and have a great time.

Look forward to rest of trip report.

I would be so upset to lose my photos! Just a note: this happened to us right here in the states, along I-95. DH was pumping gas while someone opened the passenger door and took my purse,cell phone and camera. We never leave our car unattended and unlocked, but my DH was leaning against the car, and never even noticed it! Be cautious everywhere. I do hope you get some photos from others you met.

How horrible, Joanne! I'm glad this happened at the end of your trip, rather than the beginning which might have ruined your whole vacation!

Sounds like you had all sorts of adventures; most of them positive, hopefully!

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.

I remember reading about glover's unfortunate incident before we made our first visit to CR. I was very adamant on our trip that we never leave anything unattended in our car for even a second (I drove my family crazy a couple of times with my insistence ;-) ). We've had no issues on either of our CR trips, but sometimes this sort of thing just comes down to luck of the draw; being in the wrong place at the wrong time...

There's so much that's wonderful about Costa Rica. I'm glad that you (and glover too) were able to focus on the positives.

Thanks for the compassionate replies. Just found out our deductible is $1000 (about the value of what we lost) so will be saving up for a new camera. . .

p.s. I posted here right away because before our trip I was lurking here daily getting all kinds of helpful info. Didn't even need to post because every question I had was already answered. More (fun trip to talk) to come.

Joanne, so sorry about your pictures. I would be crushed. Glad you have some happy memories though. Looking forward to your trip report.

My condolences as well. That is so very frustating. Believe me when I say it frustrates MANY people in Costa Rica as well. The family we know and love so well caution us always--and we pay heed.

I had to chuckle at your remarks, cam. More than once, my husband and I have had a few sharp words when I insist on a little more diligence than he feels necessary (mostly in parking lots). I've been tempted to let it go and just once let him see what happens--but then I'd lose stuff! LOL!

But pictures--man, what a bummer. I usually take mine in to a shop and have them placed on a CD (that I can stash away) if I am there for very long. Just in case.

The only time we've ever felt scammed was at gas pumps. Once, very early in our travels, we lost about $15 when converting $$. Another time, I walked away from the car (just my daughter and I) while they were pumping gas--foolish of me in the first place. They didn't steal anything, but swore that they got the gas out of a certain pump (with $30 on it) instead of the actual pump they used. I had only needed half a tank so knew exactly what it SHOULD be--about $12. They swore they had used the pump on the other side. I wasn't there watching--so what could I say? My word against theirs. Valuable lesson I learned that day. THAT won't happen again!

So glad most of your trip was delightful! The crime rate in Costa Rica (all the petty stuff that we see mentioned here) is the direct result of an ineffective and corrupt as well as understaffed and underpaid police force. No consequences, so why not? That isn't likely to change.

Thanks for the specific warnings. We are going to CR in late May and I have already thought about how to implement your advice.

In spite of the proverbial "there's crime every where" comment that some will post from time to time, different places have specific patterns and problems. This is true of Hawaii as much as it is, say, of Rome. So it's been helpful to read about what the crime specifics are for CR so that we can take the necessary precautions.

So sorry to hear of your mishap, Joanne. Before our trip, I read alot about cars and theft here and told my husband. He thought I was overreacting. When we got there, luckily, we had some Costa Rican friends who promptly confirmed my fears. There was a park we wanted to visit in San Jose but in the end, we never did cos we were too afraid to leave the car parked along the road. There were self-appointed 'attendants' who seemed to be guarding cars, presumably for a fee, but we decided to forego the visit instead.

When we went out to eat, we always made sure to park somewhere where we could have a view of the car.

Sorry for your troubles. I had my camera stolen in Bali and know how upsetting that can be. On our trip to CR we went to Tabacon Hot springs and parked our car in their lot. After a few hours my friend went to the car for a map and noticed the tire was almost flat on the passenger side. The attentant changed it. The next day we went to get the tire fixed, but upon inspection found that the air was let out. After that we were very careful. CR is a beautiful country it's a shame you have to be on your guard.

I'm sorry to hear about losing the camera & pictures. Thanks for your warning. I hope it's ok to piggy back to your post but I have a simple question.

I'm traveling w/my 14yr old and I always wonder how other people protect their camera/credit card/cash, while at the beach? If both of us are in the water - how can we stop someone from taking our things? I have seen "waterproof" carrying cases that you put around your neck/wrist...but I always imagine my credit cards floating out to sea or sinking to the bottom of the ocean. Plus, in MA we'll definitely have a big camera - any advice on how to avoid having our backpack dissappear?

Joanne,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your camera. Over a million people travel to CR every year now and we hear more and more stories. I always use a fanny pack or have my passport, money, etc in a zipper pocket in my pants-sometimes I do both. My camera is just a point and shoot nikon that I hook on to my belt loop with one of those metal carabiners that you see everywhere now.

Unfortunately, theft of personal items on the beach is a problem. Generally you will need to have one person with the stuff. Even a good pair of sandals will be taken even if there isn't anything else to take. I always have a cheap pair of shoes to wear to the beach that won't be missed if they should walk.

I wouldn't have anything more than what you think you will absolutely need in terms of money. Leave the credit cards in the safe at the hotel. Bring some zip lock bags and wear nylon shorts with a zipper pocket over your bathing suit. Think of beach time and picture time as two different events if you really want nice pictures. Plan a time for pictures at the beach and just take turns in the water. Then you can bring the good stuff back to the hotel and just bring the necessary items that you keep on you. Another option might be to have an inexpensive waterproof camera with you and keep it and a zip lock bag with limited money in a nylon fanny pack that can get wet. If you do use a zip lock bag, I recommend the older style rather than the new ones with the zippers.