| Living in Costa Rica one cannot help notice that in | | | | and spend most of their time outside of the city |
| recent years, especially this year, crime is on the | | | | become so enamored with the friendliness of the |
| increase. The level of homicides so far in 2008 | | | | Costa Ricans, or ticos, that they leave their |
| has increased dramatically over last year and | | | | common sense behind them when they get to |
| previous years. Is this a trend that is likely to | | | | the big city. It is never a good idea to carry large |
| continue and, if so, what does it mean for this | | | | amounts of cash when you are walking around |
| country that has been looked at in the past as a | | | | downtown San Jose, especially at night. It is never |
| peaceful alternative to its unruly Latin American | | | | a good idea to wear expensive jewelry when |
| neighbors? Well for starters most of the crime in | | | | walking around downtown San Jose, especially at |
| Costa Rica is limited to its capital and largest city, | | | | night. |
| San Jose. There are sections of San Jose, just | | | | It is also not such a good idea to walk alone (men |
| like any large city in the U.S.A., that are downright | | | | or women for that matter) in downtown San |
| dangerous and should be avoided by tourists. I run | | | | Jose, especially at night. When you take a taxi, |
| a travel agency and most of our customers will | | | | make sure it is an official taxi. We have many |
| spend either their first or last nights, or both, in | | | | criminals that pose as taxi drivers and hang |
| San Jose. Many times we put them in a hotel | | | | around tourist areas and hotels looking for victims. |
| downtown so they get to experience the cultural | | | | Never get into a car that is not the standard red |
| aspects and nightlife of a large Latin American | | | | with yellow triangle that signifies that you are |
| city. San Jose is a great town. | | | | indeed in a legitimate taxi. If you do get assaulted, |
| It is very cosmopolitan and one can find food of | | | | it is best to give up what they ask for because |
| almost every ethnic persuasion. The nightlife is | | | | chances are very good that they are carrying a |
| great too and the party never ends on the | | | | firearm (another reason why you should not |
| weekends. However, in the downtown "touristy" | | | | carry lots of cash, your original passport that can |
| areas there are those that would prey on | | | | be sold on the black-market for lots of money or |
| unsuspecting tourists. So the best way to avoid | | | | expensive jewelry). If you resist or try to be a |
| becoming a victim is to not be so "unsuspecting." | | | | hero, chances are you will wind up another front |
| It seems that tourists that come to Costa Rica | | | | page article. |