I have read that you are NOT supposed to leave anything in a rental car. We are going to be travelling in a rental from city to city each day which means that we will have our bags with us. We are getting a 4X4 and the back will probably have some kind of cover, is that safe enough? Anyone has any suggestions?

It may depend on where you are going.

We are arriving in San Jose staying there for a few hours than spening the night in Alajuela. After that driving up to Arenal area, then all the way up to La Cruz/Santa Rosa national park & than down to Tamarindo area.

I'm not sure there really is a specific answer. We've done the same and just don't leave the car alone with bags if it seems dodgy in that exact place. Overall it feels fine, but I'd tend to park in busy streets to be safer. Its about the same as doing it in the US. Never had probelms, but heard stories.

Dot leave anything ever in your car and you will be fine

Sean 420's advice is on the money. The voice of experience speaking here! We thought a busy street at noon right next to the also busy restaurant where we stopped in Cartago was "a safe bet." It was not. The back lock of the rental suv was easily jimmied and everything (all our luggage)was removed within the hour or so we were inside the restaurant. At the American Embassey where we went the following day to replace a passport we encountered many others with similar stories from cities, rural areas and beaches. CR is wonderful and we'll go back again and again, but we'll never park with luggage in view again. We know never to do it here in DC, but took the chance (and lost)on our way back to San Jose.

Don't take the chance. I don't want to sound like the scared tourist, but cars seem to be the favorite place to steal things from in CR. We were told to take all belongings and to even leave the doors unlocked in case people wanted to go into our car, they would not break the window to get in and make us responsible. play it safe, take your stuff with you.

Yes we always left someone "on guard" when we stopped on the way to where we were going...

I had my purse stolen out of a rental car on vacation, even though it was completely hidden, while visiting a park in the USA.

Therefore in Costa Rica we chose never to leave our car loaded with luggage unattended. How to manage that when travelling? Here's what we did:

1) Try not to plan a drive longer than 3-4 hours in one day.

2) Find stops where you can still keep an eye on your car.

3) there are also a few stops where there are guards posted to guard your car! We found a little mall with stores and a fast-food court (rare in Costa Rica actually), and they had an armed guard in their parking lot. We actually spoke to him and decided he would indeed watch our car, and he did!

Another time in Costa Rica a restaurant that was right on the highway had posted a guard (unarmed) in their parking lot. He looked very on-the-ball, and was obviously official, wearing a red vest. We decided to trust him as well.

When parked at your hotel, don't leave any valuables in your car.

Another time, in the city of Quepos, we drove to a restaurant and parked in front of it. There was a boy with a stick who obviously wanted to be paid to watch our car. We decided to trust him (better to stay on his good side, after all), and when we left the restaurant, he was indeed still diligently watching our car and everything was safe. Hubby paid him a small amount, he seemed satisfied. He never actually asked for money, it was just sort of obvious what he wanted. He also helped us squeeze into the narrow parking spot, directing us with hand signals.

Also, even if leaving luggage in the car, even with a guard in the lot, always take your passports with you, and credit cards, and cash. And take your prescription meds with you. (and good advice anywhere, don't be walking in questionable areas at night; don't walk anywhere alone at night.)

Don't be looking like an easy target. Don't go dangling your purse from the end of your fingertips, offering it up to somebody, and don't be flashing your wallet and cash around. I've seen people doing things like this in crowded cities, bad idea.

Have fun and good luck!

One thing to consider is that all the rental cars (mostly 4x4's) stick out like a sore thumb from the vehicles the locals use.

The rentals are all very similar models and colors and usually look newer than the other vehicles around.

We could tell who the other tourists were without a problem just by the vehicles the entire time.

So they are indeed a huge blaring sign that you are a tourist and probalby have money and stuff!

That said I can not leave anything in my personal vehicle on the city streets in Texas, the only times I have been robbed have been when someone has broken into my truck to get something.