Costa Rica - Restrictions 2023-2024

COSTA RICA  

Costa Rica - Restrictions 2023-2024

July 25, 2023

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Due to High Level instability

We will include Costa Rica for safe planned surf-beach trips & may not be able to include a resort property or beach properties in our portfolio as considered 

Our in-depth review of South American, American & Carribean countries, history,  daily life, risk & financial sectors plus tourism & import - exports plus investments for CIG global portfolios with real representatives living temporarily in those respective countries is on-going  

Dr Sydney Bennett & crew without an internal group may not be safe to live for 3-6+ months a year & only suggested to visit joint owner investment properties owned by CIG interests with locals to surf & visit beaches in the coast line

We selected another option in South America to test a Surf - Shark free installation 

Costa Rica has a better connection to USA & Canada for tourists than Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Costa Rica is part of the Central American isthmus and borders Nicaragua to the North, Panama to the South, the Atlantic Ocean to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to the West

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/costa-rica

COSTA RICA RISKS ---------------------------------------

Canadian perspective 

Crime Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs frequently. Tourists are common targets for theft because they are perceived as being wealthy.

Crime against property, such as house burglary, theft from cars, and vehicle theft, is frequent. Passport theft is also extremely common and increases in frequency during the peak tourist seasons, from November to May and from July to August.

Thieves often work in teams, in which one thief diverts the victims’ attention while the other snatches their possessions. Thefts commonly occur: 

in popular tourist areas, including viewpointson buses, on trains, in bus and train stations as well as in airports terminalsin hotel lobbiesat restaurants, including on patios located near streets

While you’re in Costa Rica:

ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all timescarry your passport, including the Costa Rican entry stamp received at the immigration entry pointavoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewelleryavoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuablesavoid isolated or deserted areasavoid walking alone at nightbe aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded and tourist areasbe extra cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs

San José

In San José, high-risk areas for theft include:

the Coca-Cola bus terminal area, located between El Paso de la Vaca, Calle 12 and the Coca-Cola marketthe inner downtown area, located between the San Juan de Dios Hospital, the National Museum, Avenida 1 and Avenida 14the Mercado central areaspublic parks

Pacific Coast

In Puntarenas province, the following areas are of particular concern for theft:

Dominical

Jacó, including the crocodile viewing area along the Tárcoles River

Manuel Antonio national park

Quepos

Cóbano area, including the small seaside towns of Mal País, Montezuma and Santa Teresa, as well as the port of Puntarenas

Caribbean Coast

On the Caribbean coast, the following areas are of particular concern for theft:

Cahuita Puerto Limón Puerto Viejo

Residential break-ins

Residential break-ins occur. Burglars may target rental accommodations or houses and apartments owned by foreigners.

Choose well-secured accommodationMake sure you lock doors and windows at night and when you’re awayCar theft

Car break-ins and theft are very common throughout the country. Rental and luxury vehicles are a target of choice. Theft commonly occurs: 

hotels

supermarkets

restaurants store lots

national parks

beaches

If driving in Costa Rica:

familiarize yourself with your route before starting the tripkeep your windows and doors locked at all timeskeep your belongings out of reachuse secure parking facilities, especially overnightnever leave belongings unattended in a vehicle, even locked or out of sight in the trunkdon’t stop to change a flat tire in an isolated area, and beware of strangers offering their helpensure emergency assistance and car insurance are offered by the rental agency when renting a carViolent crime

Violent crime, including murders and armed robberies, occurs. Drug trafficking is common, and most incidents are drug-related.  The most affected provinces are:

Alajuela

Limón

Puntarenas

San José

Although not frequent, violent assaults against travellers have occurred on the Caribbean coast in:

Puerto Limón

Puerto Viejo

If you are threatened, hand over your cash and valuables immediately without resistance.

Fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

pay careful attention when others are handling your cardsuse ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or businessavoid using card readers with irregular or unusual featurescover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Be wary of accepting these items from new acquaintances

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers

Unregulated alcohol

Some people died after consuming adulterated alcohol in Costa Rica during the summer of 2019. Further incidents occurred in October 2020.

Be cautious if you choose to drink alcohol

Be wary of lesser-known or illegal brands

Avoid buying alcohol from individualsSeek medical assistance if you begin to feel sick

Alcohol, drugs and travel

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Incidents of sexual assault against foreigners at beach resorts and by taxi drivers in San José have occurred.

Advice for women travellers

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place from time to time, particularly in San José. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Costa Rican law prohibits political activity by foreigners. Participating in demonstrations or activities may result in you being detained and/or deported.

Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place

Follow the instructions of local authorities

Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Water activities

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Riptides are common. Several drownings occur each year.

Very few beaches are supervised by lifeguards.There are no warning signs of dangerous conditions.

Exercise caution when swimming

Don’t swim alone, after hours or outside marked areasConsult residents and tour operators for information on possible hazards and safe swimming areas

Monitor weather warnings

Follow the instructions of local authorities

Useful links

Tips for travellers - Costa Rica Tourist Board

Water safety abroad

Adventure tourism

Outdoor activities, such as white-water rafting, scuba diving, bungee jumping, canopy touring and other adventure sports can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are rarely marked, and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer.

Safety features on small boats used in river and lake excursions are not always reliable.

Life-threatening fauna such as jaguars, pumas, wild pigs and poisonous snakes are common in the densely wooded areas.

If you intend to practice adventure tourism:

never do so alone, and don’t part with your expedition companionsobtain detailed information on your activity and on the environment in which you will be before setting outbuy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuationensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activityavoid venturing off marked trailsdon’t camp or sleep overnight on beachesensure that you’re adequately equipped and bring sufficient waterstay informed of weather and other conditions that may pose a hazardknow the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatalinform a family member or friend of your itinerary refrain from using facilities or equipment if you have doubts on their safety

National parks

You must obtain a permit to access national parks.

Nation Parks – Costa Rica Tourist Board

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are generally poor throughout the country. Costa Rica has one of the highest traffic accident rates in the world.

Road conditions

Most roads are not paved and those paved are generally in poor condition. Driving conditions may be hazardous, especially during the rainy season, due to:

potholessharp curveslack of traffic signslandslidesnarrow or unpaved roadsDriving habits

Drivers don’t respect traffic laws. Motorists often drive without lights at night.

While driving:

remain vigilant when stopped at lights or stop signskeep doors locked and windows closed at all timeskeep your valuables out of plain sightavoid travel at nightPublic transportationBuses

Public bus transportation is unreliable. Schedules and routes may not be accurate. Vehicles are often late due to traffic and road conditions. Itineraries may also vary from the ones originally announced.

Pickpockets often target tourists in public buses.

If travelling by public bus:

keep your ID and valuables with youavoid placing your bags in the overhead compartment or under your seatavoid sleeping

Police checks of passengers on public transportation also occur. Officers often use those checks to determine if foreigners have overstayed the 90-day visa exemption period.

Always carry your proof of legal stay on your person.

Public transportation

Buses

Public bus transportation is unreliable. Schedules and routes may not be accurate. Vehicles are often late due to traffic and road conditions. Itineraries may also vary from the ones originally announced.

Pickpockets often target tourists in public buses.

If travelling by public bus:

keep your ID and valuables with youavoid placing your bags in the overhead compartment or under your seatavoid sleeping

Police checks of passengers on public transportation also occur. Officers often use those checks to determine if foreigners have overstayed the 90-day visa exemption period.

Always carry your proof of legal stay on your person.

Taxis

Official taxis are safe. They are orange at the airport and red with a yellow triangle on the side elsewhere in the country.

Use official taxis only booked ahead of time

Never board taxis at taxi stands or flag taxis in the street

Note the driver’s name and plate number

Make sure the driver uses the meter

Never use shared taxis

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Rothschild - Bennett