Personal safety

Exploring

First of all, in all of our journeys to Costa Rica, we've never had any problems. We've been approached on the streets by people trying to help or homeless people and you must watch out for anyone saying they can convert your money for you. This has happened at night clubs if they see you have US currency. Almost any popular place will take US dollars but always have colones as well. Taxi's will only take colones. You might not be able to look like a local, but looking like you know what you're doing makes a world of difference. Dress conservatively. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings before setting out, and carry yourself with confidence; if you must check a map on the street, duck into a shop. Traveling with a buddy is always recommended, particularly at night or in more remote areas. However, If you are traveling alone, be sure someone at home knows your itinerary; never admit that you're unaccompanied. Find out beforehand which areas are unsafe; tourist offices, consulates and other travelers are good sources. Try to avoid nighttime travel, and be wary of streets in the big cities at night. Be aware of red light districts and ares that are not tourist-friendly.

Driving

If you are using a car, learn local driving signals and wear a seatbelt. Most cars are standard, so make sure you are comfortable driving a stick shift. Children under 40 lb. should ride only in a specially-designed carseat, available for a small fee from most car rental agencies. Study route maps before you hit the road, and if you plan on spending a lot of time on the road, you may want to bring spare parts. If your car breaks down, wait for the police to assist you. For long drives in desolate areas, invest in a cellular phone and a roadside assistance program. Be sure to park your vehicle in a garage or well-traveled area, and use a steering wheel locking device in larger cities. Sleeping in your car is one of the most dangerous (and often illegal) ways to get your rest.

Be very careful if you decide to drive. Sometimes there are not many signs, you often encounter road problems, know your signs, and have some general knowledge of spanish before you attempt to drive.As the photo shows, driving at night in rain or fog could be very dangerous.

Protecting Your Valuables

There are a few steps you can take to minimize the financial risk associated with traveling. First, bring as little with you as possible. Second, buy a few combination padlocks to secure your belongings either in your pack or in a hostel. Third, carry as little cash as possible. Keep your traveler's checks and ATM/credit cards in a money belt---not a "fanny pack"---along with your passport and ID cards. Fourth, keep a small cash reserve separate from your primary stash. This should be about US$50 sewn into or stored in the depths of your pack, along with your traveler's check numbers and important photocopies.

Con Artists & Pickpockets

In large cities con artists often work in groups, and children are among the most effective. Beware of certain classics: sob stories that require money, rolls of bills "found" on the street, mustard spilled (or saliva spit) onto your shoulder to distract you while they snatch your bag. Don't ever let your passport and bags out of your sight. Beware of pickpockets in city crowds, especially on public transportation in markets, and on the beach at night. Also, be alert in public telephone booths: If you must say your calling card number, do so very quietly; if you punch it in, make sure no one can look over your shoulder.

Other Safety issues:

Sunburn- Believe us! The sun here can be brutal. We live at the beach in the US, and have realized that 20 minutes in the sun in Costa Rica is much like an hour in the US. The location near the equator, and lofty elevations of many of the attractions add up to extremely intense UV radiation. BRING SUNBLOCK!!!

Water- After staying at over 30 resorts in Costa Rica and traveling the entire country, we've never had any sickness from water. It is always safer to drink bottled water anyway, but you should not have to worry about brushing your teeth or showering.

Food- The food here is unbelievable. There are some fantastic restaurants. you will find that things are different in many of the smaller places. Many of the family owned restaurants (sodas) are actually ran out of the house or next to it. As in any case, just check the settings out and see if it looks clean. Again, we've had very few problems aside from fish that may have been bad but that has happened more to us in the United States than here.

Insects and Animals- Let's face it, this is Central America. These resorts are built on the outskirts of jungles and rain forests. If youa re allergic to ants or insects, bring your allergy shots or pills. Don't swim in shark and crocodile populated estuaries, which aren't terribly appealing places to swim anyway, and you won't have any problem from them. As for snakes, there are some very dangerous snakes as in the US, but most of them will be long gone because of your vibrations. Don't use your hands to look through weeds, etc and stay on the paths in the woods and jungles and you should be fine.