Should we bring digital camera to Costa Rica?
 

Can anyone advise us as to whether we should bring our good digital video camera to Costa Rica? We'll be travelling for about a month, half with a rental car, half on bus, staying in mid-range places. Although we would LOVE to take video and digital pix, I'm concerned that the camera will be a bit of a ball and chain, with us constantly worried about looking after it. Seems there is an awful lot of theft in the country these days? We've already made the hard choice to leave the IPOD at home...should the camera stay behind as well?

Thanks for your input!

I think that you'll find humidity much more of a problem than theft {but do take precautions!}. We didn't take a digital camera, but my husband's video camera and my 35 mm camera both had problems handling the rain {we went in green season} and humid conditions. We were told that digital cameras are even more sensitive. There are special cases you can buy, but I have no idea how practical they are.

Where in Costa Rica will you be traveling?

Perhaps someone who has used a digital can offer more concrete advice?

Hi maggels,
We've taken our digital camera and our video camera every time we have gone to CR and never had any problems. I wouldn't think of not taking my digital. Hope I'm not sorry one day! :)
Last summer used public buses (we stored our luggage in Alajuela) and went to 3 different locations over a period of 9 days. We packed very light with a couple of backpacks, but even then had our video and digital cameras.
They are never out of our sight--it can be a bit of a hassle but usually worth it! It would also be a little easier if they were both smaller as yours probably are!

Hi Maggels,
I took our digital last year and my sister who is a profesional took her digital and her 35mm. I know she has invested alot in her equip. and she didn't hesitate. It was great, we could go back to the house each day and look at our pics of the day. We also had a laptop we could download them to. Just be smart and watch your stuff.
TRIP

Parrot Pop has always traveled with a camera....and has never had a problem with his digital cameras... I keep mine in a small cosmetic/padded type pouch in my handbag (don't want to wear mine around my neck nor keep it in a camera case) and have never had a problem. As for thievery we've traveled all over South America and the Caribbean and the only time we were aware of eyes on his camera was on the tube in London.. We have a code phrase if we feel somebody is staring at our camera "heads up"... Years ago before the small digital his Minolta gathered stares and I walked on the same side where his camera hung. We don't have a video camera. Also, our cameras are insured on our home owners policies.

We brought both of our digital cameras and an IPOD and didn't have any problems. My husband has a very good camera and does carry it in a special box. Kind of a pain but the pictures are wonderful. Some people buy bigger bags of the silica (those little bags in shoes, bags, etc. that keep the moisture under control)and put their cameras with them.

Stuff happens...and unfortunately it does seem to be happening more in Costa Rica. In November our good friends, who have travelled through Costa Rica before, were staying at a nice new resort on the Gulf of Papagayo. They were walking on a quiet road outside the resort (in an area they'd been assured was safe) when they were held up by four young guys who jumped out of a car and pointed a gun at them. So there went the camera; and in this case it didn't matter whether they kept their eyes on it. Fortunately their other valuables were back in the safe at the hotel. If you have insurance, as they did, then I guess you should take whatever camera you like. We had all our stuff ripped off from our car when we stopped briefly on a busy street in the middle of Canas--kids' backpacks and toys, everything--but at least there was no frightening incident like that.

If you really nervous about bringing your camera, buy a bunch of the disposable digital cameras (the ones which allow you to view/delete pictures) to take on your trip. The cost about $18 each.

Thanks so much for all of your insights. We leave in less than a week and we've decided that our good camera needs to come with us. We'll pray for the best and hopefully have some great photos to share with this Fodor's group when we return!

Happy New Year's everyone!

I think it's a good choice. The nice pictures you'll have should outway the risk of loss. We took our digital and 35mm to CR in the green season and had no problems with moisture. Just use a decent case for carrying and storing.

We brought a digital camera to Costa Rica and had absolutely no problems. Having the luxury of taking hundreds of digital pictures is wonderful here, because you will have so many photo ops that you would quickly run out of traditional film. I highly suggest that, if you have one, you should bring a camera with a zoom lens. You will be spotting wonderful birds and monkeys in the trees and a traditional 3x lens will be disappointing.