THEFTS IN COSTA RICA
 

Recently returned from a trip to CR and I must say the thefts my group had there were far too common. Don't take any more valuables with you than what you must have and guard them very closely. Better yet, choose a safer destination to vacation in or one that is tourist friendly. CR is not a country I will visit again.

I'm sorry to hear that you had such a negative experience in such a wonderful country. Were you with a tour group or traveling on your own? Personally, I feel that Costa Rica is a safe and tourist friendly destination. However, tourists can be an easy target, not only in CR, but everywhere. As a rule it is advised to leave valuables at home, don't leave things unattended on the beaches, never leave personal belongings in a parked car, use safety deposit boxes, etc.

I'm very sorry to hear of your mis-fortune, Dolores. Something like that can definitely color your view of a place and ruin your vacation.

That's luckily <i>not</i> the experience that most visitors to Costa Rica have, hence it's popularity and devoted following here on this forum. I'm sorry that you weren't able to have the wonderful time that most of us have enjoyed.

I'm sorry for your loss.

However, your post, if meant to be helpful and not alarmist, is lacking info that would be helpful to others. Were you on a tour when the thefts occurred? On a bus? From your hotel? Which hotel, which location? To dismiss an entire country without any details is like saying Florida is unsafe due to crime.

Good questions by Hip and tully. If you shared more information about the circumstances of your unfortunate experience, it would be more helpful to other readers here.

I've never worried about traveling in Costa Rica, but I do always take certain precautions with my money/belongings wherever I travel in the world. I also carefully research the places I plan to visit beforehand so that I'll know if I need to be especially vigilant. I've never felt unsafe in Costa Rica and have found the people there to be particularly kind and helpful. Obviously, there can be exceptions to any rule...

I'm also sorry to hear about what happened, Dolores. Like the others, I'd be interested in hearing more about the circumstances.

The thing is, I completely understand the way you feel. If I went somewhere, and I and other people in my group had things stolen, I wouldn't give the place another chance. Why should I? With all the other destinations in the world, why would I go back to a place where bad things happened?

A couple of years ago, I recommended a trip to Costa Rica to some people I know back home. Their trip went great up until the end, when someone broke into their hotel room WHILE THEY WERE SLEEPING and stole their money, credit cards, passports and cameras. What could they have done differently? I felt awful for them. They can look at their trip objectively and say that most of it was great, but the robbery ruined Costa Rica for them. They'll never go back, and there is no reason they should with all the other places to choose from.

That's exactly the problem for a country like Costa Rica that relies so heavily on tourism. Crime is on the rise. The U.S. embassy in San Jose replaces more stolen passports each year than any other U.S. embassy or consulate in the world, for example. (There's some cocktail party conversation for you.) When bad things happen to tourists, they will never be return visitors.

So sorry that happened, Dolores - can you tell us what was stolen and from where? We've never had any problems like that in CR, but we also don't bring valuables with us. We always leave our passports in the room safe, although I know that's not infallible. I've always heard not to leave anything in your car because car breakins are common. We love CR so much and are always sad to hear that someone didn't have a good experience.

Speaking of hotel safes . . . several years ago I had several hundred dollars stolen from a room safe in Aruba, apparently because there was more than one key and someone on the hotel staff had access to it. In Costa Rica recently, I was very pleased to see that all of the room safes I encountered were the type that allowed guests to set their own codes. (I did wonder, however, what would happen, when programming the combination, if one accidentally committed a "typo" in punching in a different number from the one intended. I can imagine this happening, particularly if one is overly excited or inebriated.)

Any hotel manager can open a room safe, even if you have selected the codes, exactly because of that sort of situation.

Sorry for your negative experience,but

room theft is a problem not just specific to CR

find CR to be one of the safer countries

compared to others in SA CA Mexico...

have no problems as long as I am careful...

leaving money valuables in a hotel room

unattended is an invitation to a crime...

www.insuremytrip.com good idea also so no worries

So that we can prepare accordingly, I'd appreciate any tips and tricks so that we can avoid this experience when we take out trip to Arenal, MA and San Jose next month. Are the hotel safes generally secure? We'll be staying at Orquídeas Inn, AO in Arenal, Costa Verde in MA and Don Carlos in San Jose - has anyone had any problems at these hotels? What about back packs, fanny packs and purses - is crime so bad that we should keep all valuables tucked in as to avoid "snatching"? We'll be sure to take the obvious precautions like refrain from leaving valuables laying around in cars, rooms, at beaches, etc. but is there anything else we should be careful of?

Hi Mom

Your hotels are good you should have no problems

Usually put money passports in a money belt

worn to the front under clothing.

Leave electronics at home or insure them

Read your US State Department consular advisories

for a heads up on the latest scams touts..

being careful have never had a problem in CR...

Mom, most people don't have any problems when they go to CR. Just take normal precautions - no flashy jewelry, don't leave anything in your car unattended, etc. Unfortunately crime can happen anywhere, but it's not all that pervasive. We did meet people who had all their luggage stolen out of their car - that seems to be the most common problem. For a while, there was a scam in San Jose where they would puncture your car tire and then offer to help you but really steal your luggage. Just be aware. Like I said, we've never felt unsafe or had anything taken in several trips.

Hi Mom,

As already stated, you've made some good hotel choices which is one step in the right direction.

I always use a money belt (for pretty much anywhere I travel these days), and I make 2 photocopies of my passport. I take one with me and keep it separate from my original (i.e. hotel safe), and I leave the other copy at home where someone can get to it if needed.

I make use of the room safes for any extra money, electronics, or other valuables that I'm not going to haul around with me for the day.

I generally also split up the money I carry on my person; some goes in the money wallet, some in a front pocket or zippered compartment.

I use a daypack to haul around my camera, binoculars, rain jacket, etc, and have never had any issues, but I do always keep a good eye on my stuff. I think using common sense and being aware of your surroundings goes a long way towards avoiding mishaps.

Trip insurance is always a good idea too!

Two notes about rental cars:

1. As VG mentions, stolen luggage is one of the more common issues you hear about in CR. Don't leave your stuff unattended, even it it's locked in the trunk! If you need to make a pit stop along the road, always have someone stay with the car, or keep it in plain sight at all times. Once you've reached your hotel destination and unloaded your luggage, you can relax your vigilance; just don't leave valuables in the car while you're at a restaurant or enjoying the sights.

2. The flat tire scam does unfortunately happen. When you rent a car, you'll typically be handed a flyer that warns about this. It's a bit disconcerting, but don't let it freak you out. I think the main problem areas for this are around the airport and in San Jose (Jeff probably has better than I do...). I've driven on 2 trips to CR and have had no issues.

It's always a little worrying to visit a new place where you don't know the lay of the land, but CR is not scary or unfriendly. Quite the contrary (which is why so many of us return again and again)!

I am also curious what exactly was stolen, Delores. And under what situations. You mention "your group", were you on a tour? What type of "valuables"? Again I ask because I never travel with anything worth stealing.

Kind of unfair to blame an entire country, don't you think?

For this post to be taken seriously, or be of any help to anyone else, we need more details about what went on.

Dolores, how about giving us a trip report? We'd love to hear details.

I'm not sure we're going to get an answer, though it'd be nice. I think it's unfair to make an accusation without any details.

Anyway, mom, lol....2 of the things I can think of off the top of my head which will go a huge distance to keeping you and your stuff safe - absolutely nothing in your rental car left alone, as discussed here. Even for a moment, even if it "looks really safe".... there was a trip report a while back and someone lost their luggage to theft even though they weren't gone long. (I believe they continued on though and had a great time). The other thing that comes to mind is the beach, don't leave stuff all by itself, I've heard of nice flip-flops being swiped.

I've done several trips, all solo save one, and never felt all that nervous about it, just mostly common sense stuff - that would apply whether in CR or Paris.

I've stayed at Orquideas Inn & Costa Verde and know they both have safes, sure the others do too. At Don Carlos, leave your stuff in the safe when going out to dinner and take a taxi - my dad stayed there last May and they advised taking a taxi.

I agree, I think common sense is the key. Crime IS everywhere (even in our hometowns) and staying alert is imperative. Thanks for the additional suggestions - I've picked up a few good tips that we'll put to use. It's unfortunate that one vague post can cause a CR newbie to get nervous but all you CR experts have done a wonderful job of restoring my faith! Thanks! We will set forth for CR in a couple weeks with great enthusiasm AND our cameras - well secured.

We've been to Costa Rica twice and Argentina three times (along with many other places in our lives), I've been pickpocketed in Paris and NY (where I live), so now I am thinking of moving to Argentina to be safe :)

You've received great advice, just follow it and you'll be fine.

Too bad Dolores won't come back to give us the specifics about these thefts. If her objective was to be helpful, she missed the opportunity. Hard to believe that with all that is beautiful to see in Costa Rica, this is the one thing she has to say. I find that, in cases like this, it says more about the poster than the country. I've been to Costa Rica twice (about to go for my third time) and never had a problem.

I'm going to defend Dolores, although I'd like to hear details of what happened too. Something bad happens to you when you travel, and it colors your impression of a destination. Whether or not that's fair, that's the way people react, and it doesn't matter that the country is drop-dead gorgeous and that the people are, all in all, wondeful. Costa Rica will never get a return visit from Dolores, and why should she go back when there are so many other places to choose from? Why go back to a place that you have bad memories of?

Six years ago I was violently mugged in Venezuela. Whenever anyone says the word "Venezuela," that night is the only thing I think about. It doesn't matter that I had had previous trips to Venezuela and they were great. That one event has colored my impression of the entire country. Objectively, that isn't fair, but it's a natural reaction.

So, Dolores, if you're reading this, I think your reaction is natural. I am sorry to hear of your bad experience, and am sorry to hear Costa Rica lost a potential return visitor.

But Jeff, would you come on a message board and warn everyone of ever going to Venezuela? That really wouldn't be fair or, in my opinion, "natural." I read between the lines in a post like Dolores's, notice the lack of details, the lack of anything positive, and get a sense of some kind of sour grapes. There's more going on here than Dolores is claiming. Just my hunch.

No, cimbrone, and I've never trashed Venezuela here on this board. I think is the first time I've ever gone into that much detail here about what happened to me. The thing is, when I got back from that trip, I had to write a book chapter about travel in Venezuela. (I'm a travel writer.) I knew I had to keep things in perspective, and I did that, although I made the warnings about safety stronger than I'd planned. But to sit at my computer, and with every sentence I typed, to relive that horrible night, it was awful. I have not been able to bring myself to go back.

I don't agree with your statement: "Hard to believe that with all that is beautiful to see in Costa Rica, this is the one thing she has to say." It comes across a little bit like that old joke: "Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?" :) I understand how Dolores feels.

My point is that no one has to go to Costa Rica or anywhere else for that matter. When something bad happens, it colors one's impression of the destination. Costa Rica will never get them back, and it doesn't matter to them if the vast majority of people have wonderful, hassle-free trips there, me included. Tourists can afford to be fickle. That's a problem for Costa Rica.

MonInFl, go, and have a great time. :)

I am simply curious because I feel differently about different circumstances.

If "valuables" are things like really expensive & flashy jewelry that imo should have been left home in the first place, I'm less sympathetic.

If this is taking about being robbed, especially more than one person or one incident, than I want to hear the details.

My thoughts exactly, suze. They're not perfectly comparable, but Dolores makes me think of my mother who took a cruise ship excursion to Merida, Mexico and returned saying how she hated it, that it was dirty and boring. Yet it's one of the most lively, authentic, beautiful cities I have ever been to. So go figure. One needs to adjust oneself to the type of place one is traveling to. Take the necessary precautions, have the right expectations, and conduct oneself in certain ways. Otherwise, you're courting trouble and dissapointment. I admit I am making assumptions here, but would be glad for Dolores to set me straight.

Excellent points, Jeff! Our personal experiences, be they positive or negative, are always going to color our perceptions. I'm sorry to hear about your negative experience in Venezuela.

It's just a shame that Dolores didn't care to provide additional info that could have helped everyone here understand what happened to her. A post titled THEFTS IN COSTA RICA is going to draw a lot of attention.

I agree Jeff somewhat, however I think it's an unfair slur if no info is provided. If it was bad enough to post the brief paragraph the OP did, then I feel it's only to be expected that some details would be provided, just the tiniest bit.

I had my purse gone thru while walking in Paris (wasn't in a crowd, they were just really good). I could have been relieved of all my money, passport, camera etc or I could've laughed about it, along with the young thief, when finally noticing him as I only had a water bottle and a guidebook in there. I think thefts, as opposed to a horrible mugging that you went thru, can go either way, it's a lot just based on precautions..... I'm wondering if Delores left out some pricey jewelry or a camera left alone on the beach - things that are no-no's just about anywhere.

At this point we're only left to ponder though as we have no other details and I think the OP is not helpful, though it has become helpful as others here have taken the time to post their experiences.

In mild support of the OP: didn't someone just mention that even flip flops are liable to be stolen from CR beaches? That's a tad extreme for most places...
I can also have lunch in a restaurant in most places (Yucatan included), and not have to worry about the car being broken into or the tires stabbed, yet these are prominent warnings about CR on many boards (relieve yourselves in shifts, never be out of sight of your car, etc.). So, though I'm still looking forward to my upcoming trip, after reading and researching, my excitement has certainly been colored with trepidation about rampant thievery and car vandalism. Can't imagine that there isn't something to it, given all the warnings in guidebooks and travel forums!

I really wouldn't say there is rampant thievery; we've been several times and never had a single problem. We've even stayed at a place that didn't have locks on the doors. I think as long as you take normal precautions you'll be fine.

sylvia - in CR it's the leaving luggage in your car, in Argentina it's getting squirted with a substance and being "helped", in Paris the metro is often poplutaed with pick-pockets, in Barcelona it's being a tourist in general. All of these true and yet none of these true. No place is perfect and has it's own peculiar problems. I think the frustration with the OP lies not with the possibility that issues are common in CR, I don't think anyone is debating that - it's that we are left to wonder what they are.

Don't be too worried, sylvia. I think you have to be prepared anywhere that you travel, and know ahead of time what precautions you should take. I was pretty paranoid about driving in CR on my first visit because of all the warnings I had read. Once we were there, we loved driving in CR and never felt threatened or unsafe. We enjoyed it enough that we rented a car again for trip #2. No issues on that visit either...

While I sympathize with Dolores, my wife having experienced a theft while we were in Jaco Beach in March, there are so many things that Costa Rica has going for it that we have every intention of returning to the country next winter, perhaps for a month if we are able to rent a place in the Central Valley. Having made 2 visits to Costa Rica this past winter, I think we have a more realistic perspective on what to expect. If you are interested, I have written several posts on our experiences in my blog, which can be found at http://www.educationanditsdiscontents.blogspot.com/
Look under the May 2009 archive.