Top 10 Costa Rica

Watch the Video Above To See How Criminals Try to Rob You
.
Costa Rica safety is easy to come by here in this stable and functioning democracy with the most cosmopolitan capitol in Central America, which is a relatively safe place to visit. Making a few common preparations and reading the following Costa Rica safety tips will increase your chances of having a safe and stress free vacation.Costa Rica safety tips are similar to precautions you would want to take in any foreign country. Travel warnings for Costa Rica and other countries can be found on your government’s website. Out of all the places you can visit in Central America, its easy to ensure your Costa Rica safety. Traveling here, you will want to carry photocopies of your Costa Rica airline ticket, your passport, and have enough cash in case of an emergency. Keep one of these documents on your person and another copy in your hotel’s safety deposit boxes in case your luggage goes missing, which can happen if you are not careful.Luggage can be taken while you are looking in the other direction or at luggage storage facilities. Make sure the person you give your bag to at the airport is a porter, who is supposed to carry an official ID. For additional peace of mind, put locks on your luggage.In public one has to be aware as well. Purse slashers and pickpockets prefer crowded places like buses, stores, and they work often on busy sidewalks. When you are out at the outdoor market, for example, walk on the street side of the vendors and not the congested area of the sidewalks behind the stalls. Theft and pick pocketing make up most of the crime in Costa Rica, so if you are aware and follow these above Costa Rica safety tips you can get through your visit unscathed.If for some reason someone what seems like accidentally spills food on you, make sure you keep their distance; they will try to help you but are really more interested in cleaning out your pockets. Northwest of the central market is the seedy red light district, which you will probably want to avoid. Walking around the Parque Nacional late at night is also not advisable.

If you are renting a car, avoid leaving your car in a conspicuous place such as a main street, or in front of your hotel. Use the parking lots whenever possible, since many of them are watched over by guards. Even at the many national parks can be subject to break in, thieves will wait for the rangers pass outside viewing range and will strike when and where they can.

Even if you think you have a good grip on your daypack, it is recommended that you wear a money belt and avoid wearing much jewelry or expensive watches to add to your Costa Rica safety. Bring only a minimal amount of cash when you go out, and do not take them all out at once when making purchases and when you are at an outside café paying for your meal.

Use your common sense and do not trust anyone who approaches you on the street and wants to be your tour guide. Women have to be especially careful, don’t let yourself be distracted, or separated from your tour group. Travel warnings for Costa Rica are the same as they would be for most relatively safe tourist areas, so be vigilant and enjoy your Costa Rica Safety. Travel here is well worth the extra preparations.

• Costa Rican lifestyle tends to be more laid-back than that of North American or European countries, be patient if things take longer to be done than in your home country.

• The road infrastructure (street conditions and road signals) in Costa Rica is not very developed, so be patient when traveling within the country.

• Cars do not yield to other cars or pedestrians! Be careful when you cross our streets.

• Buy coffee. Even if you’re not a coffee drinker, you’re bound to know someone who is and coffee is the best buy in Costa Rica.

• Wear conservative clothing. Foreigners often receive more attention than the want, and this is one way to help avoid it.

• Don’t forget to ask what comes on the food you order.

• Don’t leave things unattended on the beach while you’re swimming.

• Always carry a photocopy of your passport, showing your photograph and the date you entered the country. Leave the original in the safety deposit box at your hotel.

• Keep your airline ticket, important documents, cash and travelers checks in the hotel safe. Write the numbers of your travelers checks in a separate place.

• Always change your money at a bank or your hotel, never on the street.

• Don’t wear valuable jewelry and carry only the amount of money you’ll need for each day.

• Under no circumstances give money to traffic police or other police officers.

• Cabs are red with the license plate number painted in the middle of a yellow triangle on both doors and airport cabs are orange.

• Inside the National Parks follow the safety tips posted inside the parks, explore the trails in groups of two or more and do not touch the plants or attempt to pet the animals.

• At the beach find out what parts of the coast are safe and which are not and if you feel yourself being pulled out to sea, stay calm, do not try to swim directly to the shore, instead, swim parallel to the shore towards breaking waves and let them help you get back to the beach.

• If you are going out at night, have the hotel receptionist call you a cab.

• Please make every effort to have a minimal negative impact on the natural and human environment that you encounter and to conserve natural resources.