Costa Rica General Advice

In any type of crisis, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Your country’s embassy abroad is usually your best resource in an emergency; registering with that embassy upon arrival in the country is a good idea.

Costa Rica is a democratic republic and maintains a strong emphasis on human rights and democracy. Law does require that foreigners carry passports, or at least a photocopy of their passport datapage and Costa Rican entry stamp, with them at all times. An aggressive program against sexual tourism exists in Costa Rica, and any sexual activity with a minor is punishable by imprisonment.

In late 2006, Costa Rica established a Tourist Police force to assist with the reporting of crimes that would normally be difficult to report due to language barriers and bureaucratic difficulties. Costa Rica has no military, but it does have a domestic police force. Let’s Go lists the location and number of the local police station, if available, in the Practical Information of each town; in case of an emergency, dial ☎911, unless otherwise specified.

Drugs And Alcohol

Penalties for possession, use, and trafficking of illegal drugs in Costa Rica are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and substantial fines. People may try to sell you everything from marijuana to cocaine (cocaína) ; use your head, and don’t buy it. Your home embassy will be of minimal assistance should you get into trouble. You are subject to the laws of the country in which you travel, not those of your home country, and it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these laws before leaving. If you carry prescription drugs while you travel, have a copy of the prescriptions themselves and a note from your doctor. It is also a good idea to have the Spanish translations of all of your prescriptions. Avoid public drunkenness; in certain areas it is against the law and can jeopardize your safety while earning the disdain of locals. Costa Rica also has dry laws, prohibiting the sale of liquor on the day prior to, of, and following elections. The legal drinking age in Costa Rica is 18, and, with the exception of those days, liquor is sold every day.

Specific Concerns

Natural Disasters

Floods. The rainy season occurs between May and November, contributing to an average rainfall of 254cm per year; floods often occur during this time. The Caribbean coast and the areas surrounding major rivers are most prone to floods. Roads may become impassible during the rainy season, so plan ahead and ask locals about road conditions.

Earthquakes. Costa Rica is located over two tectonic plates, which results in a significant number of quakes. Tremors are not unusual, but large-scale earthquakes are rare. If an earthquake occurs, be sure to stay away from anything that could fall on you. If indoors, stand in a doorway or go under a desk. If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road until the quake passes.

Riptides. Riptides are a problem at many beaches, both on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. These strong currents occur when there is an excess of water brought to shore by waves. Rather than accumulate on the beach, the excess water creates a channel to carry itself back out to the ocean. This can create a strong current capable of pulling swimmers out to sea. To avoid riptides, check for safety advisories before swimming at any beach, and never swim alone.

Terrorism

Terrorism is not of particular concern in Costa Rica. The country is firmly democratic and has been politically stable for many decades. There are no known terrorist groups currently in Costa Rica. For information on Costa Rica’s current events, see Costa Rica Today. The box below lists offices to contact and webpages to visit to get the most updated list of your home country’s government’s advisories about travel.

Personal Safety

Exploring And Traveling

To avoid unwanted attention, try to blend in as much as possible. Respecting local customs (in many cases, dressing more conservatively than you would at home) may ward off hecklers. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings before setting out and carry yourself with confidence. Check maps in shops and restaurants rather than on the street. If you’re traveling solo, be sure someone at home knows your itinerary and never tell anyone you meet that you’re by yourself. When walking at night, stick to busy, well-lit streets and avoid dark alleyways. If you ever feel uncomfortable, leave the area quickly and directly.

There is no way to avoid all the threatening situations you might encounter while traveling, but a good self-defense course will give you concrete ways to react to unwanted advances. Impact, Prepare, and Model Mugging can refer you to local self-defense courses in Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and the US. Visit the website at www.modelmugging.org for a list of nearby chapters.

If you are using a car, learn local driving signals and wear a seatbelt. Children under 40 lb. should ride only in specially designed car seats, 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 driving, consider bringing spare parts. For long drives in desolate areas, invest in a cellular phone and a roadside assistance program . 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 the most dangerous way to get your rest and is also illegal in many countries. For info on the perils of hitchhiking,

Possessions And Valuables

Never leave your belongings unattended; crime can occur in even the most safe-looking hostel or hotel. Bring your own padlock for hostel lockers and don’t ever store valuables in a locker. Be particularly careful on buses and trains; horror stories abound about determined thieves who wait for travelers to fall asleep. Carry your bag or purse in front of you where you can see it. When traveling with others, sleep in shifts. When alone, use good judgment in selecting a train compartment: never stay in an empty one and use a lock to secure your pack to the luggage rack. Use extra caution if traveling at night or on overnight trains. Try to sleep on top bunks with your luggage stored above you (or in bed with you) and keep important documents and valuables on you at all times.

There are a few steps you can take to minimize the risk associated with traveling. First, bring as little with you as possible. Second, buy a few combination padlocks to secure your belongings in your pack or in a hostel or train-station locker. 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 (US dollars or euros are best) sewn into or stored in the depths of your pack, along with your traveler’s check numbers, photocopies of your passport, birth certificate, and other important documents.

In large cities, con artists often work in groups and may involve children. 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. Never let your passport and your bags out of your sight. Hostel workers will sometimes stand at bus and train-station arrival points to recruit tired, disoriented travelers to their hostel; never believe strangers who tell you that theirs is the only hostel open. Beware of pickpockets in city crowds, especially on public transportation. 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.

If you will be traveling with electronic devices, such as a laptop computer or a PDA, check whether your homeowner’s insurance covers loss, theft, or damage when you travel. If not, you might consider purchasing a separate low-cost insurance policy. Safeware (☎+1-800-800-1492; www.safeware.com) specializes in covering computers and charges US$90 for 90-day comprehensive international travel coverage up to US$4000.

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More Safety And Health in Costa Rica

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