Costa Rica

Costa Rica: Mugging Is a Lesson That It Could Happen to Anyone

Date: September 11th, 2008 |

The mugging of a 45-year-old fit former boxer 50 yards from his hotel and two blocks from a police station in Playa del Coco is a reminder that even the most unlikely targets for crime can become victims if they let down their guard. The American tourist took a stroll on the beach alone after [read more]

Costa Rica: New Safety Card to Aid Tourists

Date: April 4th, 2007 |

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The Costa Rican Tourism Institute has produced a safety card for tourists that lists a 24-hour hotline to report problems or get tips about travel around the country. The hotline number is 800-TOURISM or 800-TURISMO. The back of the card has a list of emergency phone numbers, including those of many foreign embassies. The card [read more]

Costa Rica: Laptop Computer Thefts in San Jose

Date: June 14th, 2006 |

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An American walking to Sabana Park in San Jose was shot twice during a robbery May 29 when thieves stole his laptop computer. One robber tried to snatch the computer from his hand and when he resisted, an accomplice clubbed the victim on the head, then shot him in the leg. When they fled, the [read more]

Guatemala: Floods and Mudslides

Date: October 11th, 2005 |

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Torrential rains from Hurricane Stan swept across Guatemala and other Central American countries causing extensive flooding and massive mudslides that wiped out entire villages. Areas hardest hit were Mayan mountain villages, but Santiago Atitlan and Panajachel, both on the shores of Lake Atitlan and popular with foreign tourists, were overwhelmed. Some 40 people were killed [read more]

Costa Rica: No More Swimming with Dolphins

Date: August 9th, 2005 |

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Swimming with dolphins and whales has been banned throughout the country, and it is now illegal to keep the animals in captivity. This close contact with marine mammals has been a growing tourist attraction, with some 45 companies promoting it, but it has been criticized by environmental groups. In other news, moneychangers who work the [read more]

Costa Rica: Crime Down Thoughout Country

Date: January 2nd, 2008 |

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A year after a new tourist police force took to the streets, crime has come down in areas of the country frequented by foreigners. Reported crimes against tourists in 2007 compared to 2006 were down 36 percent in San Jose province, almost 34 percent in Guanacaste, and 33 percent in Limon. Other areas that saw [read more]

Costa Rica: New Tourist Police Force

Date: February 21st, 2007 |

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A new tourist police force completed training Dec. 20 and is now deployed to assist with directions and information and to increase security in cities and towns frequented by tourists. By mid year another 120 officers will complete their training, doubling the number of officers now at work. By then all will have participated in [read more]

Costa Rica: Armed Robberies on the Road from San José’s Airport

Date: May 2nd, 2006 |

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Since December, the U.S. Embassy has received 11 reports of armed robberies of Americans traveling from San Jose’s Juan Santamaria Airport in cars heading west on the Pan-American Highway between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. In some cases the criminals have punctured a tire either before the tourists left the rental agency or at one [read more]

Costa Rica: Dengue Fever Outbreak

Date: August 30th, 2005 |

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Dengue fever is increasing in Costa Rica and has claimed its first victim in more than six years. A 24-year-old man died in Puntarenas Aug. 20. More than 14,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported since January, an increase of 35 percent over last year. The central Pacific and Atlantic regions are the most [read more]

Costa Rica: Passport Thefts

Date: July 20th, 2005 |

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Despite its allure as a peaceful, tropical escape with numerous national parks and adventure tourism programs, Costa Rica has a high petty crime rate, with foreign passports being a prime target. Police recently arrested seven Costa Ricans and two Colombians who had a business of buying and selling stolen U.S. passports. The U.S. Embassy reported [read more]