Just wanted to give a heads up.

We stopped really quick to check out the crocs. Stupidly left our bags in the car which was only about 20 feet away. Within about 4 minutes our car was broken into and robbed.

Guys at the embassy told us that things have been bad there for a while and only getting worse. The same day we were robbed, 10 other US passports were taken as well.

The embassy said that it's a very organized group that even poses as tourists looking over the side and using their cars to take the close spots to make you park further away.

The lookouts are on motorcycles and the grab car is a fake tourist police agent.

Looking back I wouldn't even stop anymore. The embassy told us that if you happen to take your bags with you with the valuables, and they are having a slow day, they will use armed force.

I would advise anyone considering this to just keep driving down to Jaco or Quepos.

Go to a zoo instead.

While it pissed me off, I am still not soured on Costa Rica.

Happy travels!

-a

Sorry this happened to you, not fun at all.

In my research I realized that even with a very brief stop you never leave items in the car there.

When we stopped our driver stayed in the vehicle.

Yep, this is a pretty notorious break in spot. There's even a sign there saying not to leave valuables in the car. Best to have one person stay with the car and take turns having a look. Sorry this happened to you. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my belongings in an unattended car anywhere in CR.

Hate that it happened to you as well. As mentioned, that area has been bad for a long time. This board, other boards, all the guide books have warned about it for years. We always take turns as well. In fact, that is our practice anywhere we have to stop. It's just the way it is. The more tourism, the better organized the thieves have become. Our car is never out of our sight--for a second. Unfortunate, but 90% of it is knowing that you just can't assume even for a second.

Yeah, in hindsight, it was a dumb move. Live and learn I guess.

The crocs were cool though.



-a

Those crocs are HUGE! We were on a mangrove tour near there last year and they were in the water all around us. It was a little creepy, but we were not in a small boat--more of a jungle "cruiser". Being right next to them in the water, it was unreal how large some of them were.

Sad that it hapeened to you! But I don't believe that they are working with a fake tourist police agent. Sometimes they have a real police officer on duty there.

This is a common tactic used by thieves. A lot of thieves operate out of Jaco because it is a touristy place.

http://www.livecostarica.net/index.p...rica?showall=1

Costa Rica is the only place I've personally seen anyone robbed right in front of me and I've been to some pretty hairy places (e.g. Zimbabwe, Palestine, Egypt)

You're right RBCal, I'll bet it's the only place in the world where that could happen!

Thank god NY, LA, Miami, Detroit, don't have thieves....

We were at Tarcoles bridge on a bright, sunny day when there were at least 15 other cars parked along the road. We felt so safe and secure we almost ignored the warnings and left our car unattended. To our complete shock, as we were walking back to the car a family was announcing their stuff had just been ripped off...

Don't let your guard down!

The thieves in CR are just so much more well organized.

The incident I witnessed involved at least 4 people working in cohort.

A mother distracted two people checking in at Manuel Antonio and her young daughter stole the bag containing their money and passports.

Her husband (I assume) had a cab waiting for their getaway.

Pura Vida!

Yes, pura vida! Crime happens everywhere. Of course, the thieves are well organized in places where tourism is heavy. I'll be damned if I'll let a small representation of a population (or of its illegal aliens as is often the case in CR) color my view of an entire country and its generally warm, friendly people.

Most of us haven't developed a sorry attitude here in the U.S. because of the possibility of being confronted with rudeness and/or crime. Life is just too short to let the negatives rob us of the appreciation of all that is good and beautiful. So, again, Pura Vida!

Well said Jill, you are a great ambassador for Costa Rica.

Of course there is crime in Costa Rica, sadly so....one needs to be aware, alert and take the necessary precautions.

Still....MOST visitors to Costa Rica(& that's a LOT) leave the country without ever being robbed, lol!

I've been 4x & happily report no robberies thus far.

Just use common sense and listen to what we tell you. I have been warning people about the flat tire scam for almost 15 years. I have also been warning people about the Tarcoles bridge for almost as long. I learned a lot from the guide books that also warn of things like that.

I always feel horrible when I hear of a person who had a problem. You can't avoid everything but a lot of things you can and most people who have had a problem say they knew better but did it anyway. I worry that maybe I should have mentioned it again. I think it is wonderful that so many people are so trusting of other human beings. Most Costa Ricans are wonderful people deserve that trust. Unfortunately, bad people and bad things happen no matter how nice you are and no matter where you are.

Leave the jewelry home! And forget the fake stuff too while you are at it. Do you want to be robbed and potentially hurt for nothing?

The person we bought property from knew not to leave anything in the car. He did and sure enough it was stolen. He parked it on the street while he ran a quick errand at a store right there. He lives down there and he should know better. He got too comfortable.

A friend just had her purse stolen by the tap on the shoulder trick. Don't know why she was carrying a purse to begin with but it is now gone, complete with all her credit cards and money. Fortunately her passport was at the house she is renting. She was sitting at an open restaurant and had set her purse down next to her on the ground, a man came by and dropped his glasses on the ground on the opposite side of where her purse was. He very politely asked if she would mind if he reached down and picked them up. Of course she said yes and as she watched him a friend of his came by on the other side and grabbed the purse. I wear a fanny pack but carry very little in it. Just a little cash to pay for what I may need for the day or at the store, some tissues and other little things. If I think I might need more than I am comfortable loosing I stash it on my person in a pouch or in a zippered pocket. I have several pairs of special travel pants with semi hidden zippered pockets.

I have been traveling to CR for many many years now and have never had a problem. Maybe I should keep my mouth shut because now it will probably happen. I grew up outside NYC so I guess I learned my street smarts at an early age. Do I travel in fear? No. Has it stopped me from going to CR? Heck no, I will be living there full time in just over a month. Will I continue to follow my own advice? yep.

I agree with you Suzie2. We leave for Costa Rica in a week and I've been paying attention to the advice of those who have had these experiences. In Paris a few years ago at an outdoor cafe at the Place des Vosges we were the victims of a diversionary trick by two guys working as a team. My wife's purse at her feet under the table was taken. The only thing that saved the day was an undercover cop, who happened to be working that location, who arrested the thief. Since that experience, we've made more of a point to research the issues and be vigilant for every place we travel now. Even in Hawaii, which is the drowning capital of the U.S., people drown because they don't want to think about anything "negative" before they go there and then they get in trouble. Likewise with the car burglaries in Hawaii driven by the meth epidemic there. It's just wise to get informed about these issues where ever you are going in order to avoid trouble when you can.

shillmac, you go girl! As Faithie said, you are a wonderful ambassador for Costa Rica.

Many here have made good points. It pays to be vigilant wherever you go; it pays to do a little research before you go...

We stopped to see the Tarcoles crocs on our first visit to CR. We heeded the warnings and someone stayed with the car at all times. We loved seeing those huge reptiles!

Bad things can happen anywhere you go. You can't live in fear, and you should exercise common sense as much as possible, but there are unfortunately no guarantees that you'll never experience crime. I try to stack the cards in my favor as best I can (following the advice of guidebooks, locals, and seasoned travelers from places like the Fodors forum) and set out fully prepared to enjoy my travels!

I'm sorry to hear of archdog's negative experience and am glad to hear that he/she was not soured on Costa Rica overall.

Hi All -
I must admit, these messages are getting me a bit paranoid! We have a driver taking us from SJO to MA on our first day...is it safe to leave him with the car and our belongings or should myself or my husband stay back and take turns taking my kids to see the crocs? Are driver's generally trustworthy? I'm also planning to stop and eat along the way and I know we can't leave the car unattended but I'm wondering now if that includes the driver. I'd appreciate your comments - Jenn

If you hire a driver through a reputable source, I'd have no problem leaving him with the stuff while your family looks at the crocs - that's one of the advantages of having a driver.