Marin County man shot in Puerto Viejo
#21
Join Date: May 2003
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You explicitly said above:
"anyone would be well advised to not travel to Costa Rica at his time."
That's what I'm disputing with you. I think that's an extreme thing to say, and no country has told its citizens to stay away from Costa Rica.
Yes, there is crime here and it is rising, against locals and visitors alike. Nobody should suggest otherwise. I do find it distrubing that the tourist industry tries to sweep the problem under the rug the way it does. (Puerto Viejo is notorious for doing this.) You are right that in such situations, the police are limited in what they can do. If something bad happens to you in Costa Rica, you are more on your own than you would be back home. All true.
But to tell people to stay away the way you're doing? I don't buy that.
"anyone would be well advised to not travel to Costa Rica at his time."
That's what I'm disputing with you. I think that's an extreme thing to say, and no country has told its citizens to stay away from Costa Rica.
Yes, there is crime here and it is rising, against locals and visitors alike. Nobody should suggest otherwise. I do find it distrubing that the tourist industry tries to sweep the problem under the rug the way it does. (Puerto Viejo is notorious for doing this.) You are right that in such situations, the police are limited in what they can do. If something bad happens to you in Costa Rica, you are more on your own than you would be back home. All true.
But to tell people to stay away the way you're doing? I don't buy that.
#22
Join Date: Oct 2010
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Jeff
I don't like the situation any more than you do. I just find it callous that the tourist industry hides real facts to prospective visitors. You know as well as I do that the streets of San Jose, Jaco, Quepos, Cartago and Limon and Puerto Viejo to mention a few, are not safe at night.
OSAC does report that " The continued increase in criminal activity can be attributed to the lack of a coordinated policing effort, combined with a complex judicial system, in which few reported crimes are taken through to a judicial conclusion. This combination has created an environment in which criminals freely commit crimes with little fear of arrest or prosecution."
You acknowledge that there is crime and that is it rising (as well as the incidence of violent crime). Costa Rica is simply not safe anymore. It's sad, but that's the way it is. Silence gives consent.
I truly wish it would be otherwise. But nothing will shake up the authorities into action like international coverage of a crime problem they do zip all to solve.
I don't like the situation any more than you do. I just find it callous that the tourist industry hides real facts to prospective visitors. You know as well as I do that the streets of San Jose, Jaco, Quepos, Cartago and Limon and Puerto Viejo to mention a few, are not safe at night.
OSAC does report that " The continued increase in criminal activity can be attributed to the lack of a coordinated policing effort, combined with a complex judicial system, in which few reported crimes are taken through to a judicial conclusion. This combination has created an environment in which criminals freely commit crimes with little fear of arrest or prosecution."
You acknowledge that there is crime and that is it rising (as well as the incidence of violent crime). Costa Rica is simply not safe anymore. It's sad, but that's the way it is. Silence gives consent.
I truly wish it would be otherwise. But nothing will shake up the authorities into action like international coverage of a crime problem they do zip all to solve.
#25
Join Date: Nov 2009
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There will always be a difference of opinion on crime in Costa Rica. Obviously, those who left the country after being a crime victim have their own agenda. Probably, the best we can do is to agree to disagree.
I don't think that the 2 million tourists who visit Costa Rica every year are telling others not to come because it is so crime-ridden. In fact, if you read many of the posts on tourist forums, you will read that people are either intending to return or this is their 2nd or 3rd or whatever trip.
I was on vacation in Puerto Viejo which is what tourists who visit there will be doing also. I wrote about my experience.
Puertoviejoexpat: Please don't presume to lecture me on Costa Rica or crime in Costa Rica because, unlike you, I still live here.
I don't think that the 2 million tourists who visit Costa Rica every year are telling others not to come because it is so crime-ridden. In fact, if you read many of the posts on tourist forums, you will read that people are either intending to return or this is their 2nd or 3rd or whatever trip.
I was on vacation in Puerto Viejo which is what tourists who visit there will be doing also. I wrote about my experience.
Puertoviejoexpat: Please don't presume to lecture me on Costa Rica or crime in Costa Rica because, unlike you, I still live here.
#27
Join Date: Aug 2003
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I admit I haven't spent a lot of time partying in Puerto Viejo, but have been there a few times as a single parent with my daughter and love the daytime adventure. I think the area has a lot of great things to offer and easy to combine with Tortuguero. We've really enjoyed our times there but do stay aware of our surroundings and belongings at all times.
The statement "Costa Rica is simply not safe anymore" is a blanket of exaggeration.
The statement "Costa Rica is simply not safe anymore" is a blanket of exaggeration.
#28
Join Date: Oct 2010
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To Hsmithcr
You wrote "There will always be a difference of opinion on crime in Costa Rica. Obviously, those who left the country after being a crime victim have their own agenda. Probably, the best we can do is to agree to disagree."
Quite right. I'm done anyway and yes, I don't live there anymore. My choice. You do. Your choice. Be safe. cuidate
You wrote "There will always be a difference of opinion on crime in Costa Rica. Obviously, those who left the country after being a crime victim have their own agenda. Probably, the best we can do is to agree to disagree."
Quite right. I'm done anyway and yes, I don't live there anymore. My choice. You do. Your choice. Be safe. cuidate
#29
Is there any verification of the reported "pirate attack" off of Quepos? It's being reported in Southern California where the alleged victims are from.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/costa...a-pirates.html
http://www.ocregister.com/news/costa...a-pirates.html
#30
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Well, peggymiao has been the busy little bee! Every post I have checked today has this spammed advertisement. I can't figure out how to report this to a forum moderator but maybe some of you more experienced with this forum will know how.
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