What is my chance to be victim of stealing in Costa Rica?

Question

I read that many tourists have a break-in in their cars.
I read that we should not walk in the cities by nights.
As I rent a car for 5 weeks ... what is my chance to be victim of stealing?

I don't want to stick in hotels by nights and be stolen when I don't watch the car.

Note: Many nights ... I will even not stay in an hotel ... just in the car.

Disappointed-worry for the moment!!!!!!!

Answer 1

To start off Renting a car in Costa Rica is expense. I suggest you do not sleep in your car and spend the money on a hotel instead of renting a car. Getting around in Costa Rica is very easy by bus, either regular bus or tourist bus, and it is cheap to do this.

If you do rent a car make sure you do not leave anything in it. All you have to do is bring your stuff into your hotel and you should be fine.

As far as walking around at night, it is fine in most places in the country. This being said if you are in any big city, like San Jose, make sure you ask your hotel if it is safe to walk at night. This is good advise in any large city in the whole world; there are parts of Los Angeles, New York, etc that you should not walk around at night.

Answer 2

Pilfering of cars and the outright stealing of vehicles is prevalent in Costa Rica. That said, an "industry" has developed offering protection at reasonable cost.

Within San Jose itself, there a numerous parking lots, which are secure, although rates have increased to nearly a dollar an hour. Around popular attractions such as restaurants, movies, clubs and casinos, there are freelance "watchers" who look after cars for a tip when you return; if it is a big event, they me charge a higher fee up front.

In the suburbs, supermarkets, banks and hotels provide parking lot security at no charge. Restaurants may provide security or have freelance guards working for an optional tip. (But if you do not tip, consider yourself an undesireable.) Populated beach areas typically have freelance guards. Resorts, of course, provide security.

Parking your car during the day without security for an hour or less is okay in many areas, but as a tourist, you will not know which areas are safe. Leaving your car on the street overnight, anyplace, is asking for trouble.

Rental cars are a prime target because they are presumed to be loaded with luggage, cameras or other goodies. (Some years ago, the car rental companies removed the stickers identifying their cars as rental vehicles.) As anywhere, don't leave stuff visible in a parked car.

Costa Ricans, called Ticos, dislike violence. There are burglars, but not many robbers. If you are in your car, even at night, you are unlikely to have a problem. Ditto for walking the streets at night. In San Jose, though, beware of pickpockets, especially the streetwalkers. The girls in the bars are usually okay.

Violent crime in Costa Rica was almost unheard of until a few years ago. There have been robberies of banks and wealthy homes. Violent crimes involving tourists get considerable press because they are rare.

My wife and I have lived and worked in San Jose and its suburbs for the past fifteen years. We have never been burglarized or robbed, but we do take reasonable precautions. Come and enjoy a beautiful, friendly country.

Mochica

Answer 3

my trip to costa rica was beautiful and theft free. having lived in new york city for 25 years, i apply the same rules about safety that i follow here in nyc to ANYWHERE i travel to.

park cars in well-lit areas.
don't walk at night - especially alone - unless you know you are in a safe area. or, at least, stay on well populated streets.

sleeping in your car is not advisable. there are hostels all over the world. why not do a google search for the closest hostel to where you will be. it'll cost you about $25 per night and you'll have a bathroom as well.

Answer 4

Here's what the US State Department has to say about crime in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica attracts over a million foreign tourists annually, all of whom are targets for criminals. Theft is common. Visitors should pay particular attention while using public transportation, and not leave personal belongings in rental cars. U.S. citizens are encouraged to exercise the same level of caution they would in major cities or tourist areas throughout the world. Local law enforcement agencies have limited capabilities and do not act according to U.S. standards. Travelers should minimize driving at night, especially outside urban areas.

The US Embassy in San Jose has received eleven reports from victims of armed robberies of American Citizens and other Nationals since December 2005, most of which involve people coming from the Airport in vehicles between 2200 – 2300 hours. Although not all of these incidents were identical, a consistent theme is a group of masked and armed men (some of whom speak English) either convince or force the driver of a vehicle to pull over. Once the vehicle pulls over, the armed men quickly and methodically rob the occupants of their luggage and other valuables. As of this date, the people committing these armed robberies have not been caught by the Judicial Police.

Americans should avoid areas with high concentrations of bars and nightclubs, especially at night, and steer clear of deserted properties or undeveloped land. For safety reasons, the Embassy does not place its official visitors in hotels in the San Jose city center, but instead puts them at the larger hotels in the outlying suburbs. Americans should walk or exercise with a companion, bearing in mind that crowded tourist attractions and resort areas popular with foreign tourists are common venues for criminal activities. Travelers should ignore any verbal harassment, and avoid carrying passports, large amounts of cash, jewelry or expensive photographic equipment. Tourists are encouraged to carry photocopies of the passport datapage and Costa Rican entry stamp on their persons, and leave the original passport in a hotel safe or other secure place.

Travelers should purchase an adequate level of locally valid theft insurance when renting vehicles, park in secured lots whenever possible, and never leave valuables in the vehicle. The U.S. Embassy receives reports daily of valuables, identity documents, and other items stolen from locked vehicles. Thefts from parked cars occur in downtown San Jose, at beaches, in the airport and bus station parking lots, and at national parks and other tourist attractions.

Travelers should use licensed taxis, which are red with medallions (yellow triangles containing numbers) painted on the side. Licensed taxis at the airport are painted orange. All licensed taxis have working door handles, locks, seatbelts and meters (called "marias"); passengers are required to use seatbelts. When traveling by bus, avoid putting bags or other personal belongings in the storage bins. At all times have your belongings in your line of sight or in your possession.

A common scam involves the surreptitious puncturing of tires of rental cars, often near restaurants, tourist attractions, airports, or close to the car rental agencies themselves. When the travelers pull over, "good Samaritans" quickly appear to change the tire - and just as quickly remove valuables from the car, sometimes brandishing weapons. Drivers with flat tires are advised to drive, if at all possible, to the nearest service station or other public area, and change the tire themselves, watching valuables at all times.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

Answer 5

If you act carefully and not expose yourself, you have very little chance.