This is what the U.S. Embassy says about security of Americans in Costa Rica.What is the real story?
What are the real dangers?
Where are the safe places?
How much risk is there for expats?
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.
