Central America

Costa Rica: New Safety Card to Aid Tourists

Date: April 4th, 2007 |

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]

Caribbean: Cricket World Cup

Date: February 14th, 2007 |

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The Cricket World Cup will be played March 5-April 28 on various Caribbean islands. Large numbers of fans from participating countries are likely to attend, putting a strain on basic services from hotel accommodations to transportation to medical assistance. Matches are scheduled in Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, [read more]

Guatemala: American Saved from Mob by Police

Date: September 26th, 2006 |

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Police in Panajachel on Lake Atitlan rescued an American man from an angry mob that threatened to lynch him. The mob accused him or raping an 11-year-old girl, and police persuaded them to release him by vowing to investigate the allegations. It is unclear if there is any substance to the charge, but the incident [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: Rumors of Americans Kidnapping Children

Date: May 23rd, 2006 |

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Rumors that Americans are involved in kidnapping children and taking them to the U.S. have stirred passions in the highlands and made travel in some areas potentially risky. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City advises against unnecessary travel to Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Sacatepequez Department and nearby areas. Santo Domingo Xenacoj is located on the road [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]

Nicaragua: Election Unrest Possible

Date: October 24th, 2006 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Managua issued a statement advising Americans that demonstrations and “sporadic acts of violence” are possible in major cities during the campaign for national elections, on election day Nov. 5, and afterward. Protests can be unpredictable and in the past, bystanders have been injured. Hotel accommodations may be hard to find because [read more]

Pacific Rim: Waves from New Zealand Storm Lash Americas

Date: June 27th, 2006 |

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In a clear indication of how connected our world can be, an intense low pressure system several hundred miles off New Zealand caused hurricane force winds that pushed huge waves eastward, resulting in heavy surf from Northern Chile to Southern California June 18-20. Beachfront homes and businesses were damaged from Peru to Mexico, but no [read more]

Belize: Armed Robberies Near Guatemala Border

Date: June 2nd, 2006 |

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Two armed robberies of tourist groups within a month, the most recent May 15, were the latest in a string of almost monthly ambushes to occur in the Mountain Pine Ridge and Chiquibul Forest reserves. The bandits held up the groups in remote areas on Caracol Road and at Rio Frio Caves. Police believe the [read more]

Caribbean: Forecasters Predict Severe Hurricane Season

Date: May 9th, 2006 |

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Following 2005’s record-breaking number of hurricanes, the Caribbean is set for another above-average hurricane season, according to weather forecasters. Water temperatures in the Atlantic-Caribbean are warm and the Pacific is seeing no El Niño pattern to offset them. The U.S. National Weather Service reported that the 2006 season will be as active as 2005, when [read more]