Next bad news

Taking up on one of Klaus' points, the well meaning and much respected Mayor of my village has gone amongst the gringo's asking them not to offer to buy land from the Tico's and trying to explain why. She argues well that to do so shatters the famiy unit and brings virtually nothing but misery and has many examples to prove it.
I think she's probably right,although it hasn't stopped the locals hammering up the Se Vende signs.

Maybe I'm just confused.........but exactly when did the TT forum become "a place where people air their differences" ? I could have sworn I signed up for a travel related forum.

CostaKlaus and Spin live in CR, as well as DKT2U.

I do not, I am only a frequent visitor, some 30 plus times, and have never had a issue, not know of anyone, but have crossed paths with tourist, that have had rental cars broken into, and petty theft from the beach or hotel rooms. Though I have observing a trend in CR, it does seem that crime has been on the up swing, from shootings, car jacking and a assaults, to bandits and young gang rings preying on both locals and tourist.

Correct me if I am wrong, but a big part of the problem lies in the judicial system in Costa Rica, or lack thereof. Police have limited resources to investigate crimes, poor coordination of agencies, and the courts and laws are not in step at all with each other, with many accused criminals never getting to court, or the prosecution lacking in manpower and teeth to be successful with a conviction.

Costa Rica is not perfect, and if you read the TicoTimes.net or the A.M.Costa Rica online, you see daily crime sprees and issues authorities are trying to cope with, and appears its ebbs and flows in both positive and negative results.

Overall, CR has some growing pains, as popular tourist destination, it sees upwards of 2,000,000 million visitors per year the last 6 years, in a country with 4 million residents, huge developments taking land and homes from the locals, and also causing inflation and driving cost of living prices upward most recently. But, CR is improving its society by leaps and bounds, with a high literacy rate, education reforms, and a economy that is more diverse than ever, not just based on exporting nature and eco-tourism, which it basically invented in the 80's, that continues to appeal to a large range of adventure travelers, it has high tech and also many other multi national companies investing, thanks to its english teaching in schools, has impacted employment in very positive and will have a long term effect.

But, there are underlying factors with the youth in CR, like most of Central America, and its a tough problem. High School drop outs, gangs, and drug selling, all add up for a headline of a few bad guys making 99.9% of the rest of CR society looking worse than really is.

I hope authorities get handle on the issues and problem facing them in regards to the crime and the bad press and reputation and negative impact it has on the general media and perceptions about the country from a outsiders pint of view.

Ticos and Ticas are wonderful folks, and they have a lovely country, a great culture, and bright future, and I hope the happiness and prosperity they have been enjoying continues, and that all the fundamentals of why people choose to vacation, invest, and retire to this paradise don't change.

Costa Rica I have always found a easy, safe and comfortable country to explore, a good value, and endless options for activity and enjoying nature, beaches and local hospitality. It really is a little Thailand of sorts, for better or worse, as its popular, booming, and you see more more tourist invading once off the beaten path venues, but overall, 9 months a year, Costa Rica is a great destination to have fun, go by the seat of your pants, and discover many great attributes few countries offer with easy access.

You can dissect any countries negatives, and its easy for a crime and fear to make the headlines, but like so many destinations the world over, its normally not the real story, as Chicago was the murder Capitol of the USA last year, and if you have been to Chicago, its one the safest and most fun major cities in the world to visit for a tourist, as the crime reports are all gang related, in drug infested housing projects, a tourist would rarely encounter.

Cheers!

You are not allowed to say it BUT......organised and violent crime in CR have gone up in line with Colombian and Nicaraguan immigration. I know I know its the 'lets blame the immigrants' bigotry again BUT in my experience a dishonest Tico was an 'opportunist'- if you left it laying about then he might just take it. He didn't sit around with his mates planning an armed bank robbery or an armed raid on gringo houses.
This is serious and organised crime and rarely seems to be reported as Tico led, maybe thats a press bias?

Boomer...your a resident too...sorry I forgot to mention that-

I agree, that the influences of Colombian drug activity, in both huge money investments in developments the Ticos cant say no too, to their back home tactics of hits, assassins and corrupt narco dealings, have really taken a toll in the past 3 years, from what I gather.

The Nicaraguans and crime is nothing new, and considering Nicaragua is safer than CR according to statistics, there is a also a huge prejudice against the Nicas, that Ticos despise there presence in the country, though 300,000 a year work the fields and plantations, doing jobs the Ticos dont want, and when you have 300,000 desperate and unemployed Nicos crossing the border for work, of course there is a bad element too, making the rest of the Nicas look bad. Just look at the prejudice CR has towards the Afro culture on the caribe coast, many would enever go there as they dont like blacks...

Tico Tim thank you for a great review of some of the major issues facing Costa Rica. I have lived here since 1991 (married to a Tica). Over the years I have seen a lot of change in Costa Rica: the Internet arrived, cell phones and a generation of youngsters from rich families rejecting a lot of the conservative ways of their parents (as happens in many cultures). Older Ticos did business on a handshake and only after they knew you well. Once they knew and trusted you, business was a breeze. Now it seems these great ethics have been tossed aside by some in favor of the quick buck.

Add to this the fact, some low-life Gringos have also arrived running property scams, investment scams and other bottom-dweller schemes designed to bilk people out of their hard earned savings. Many of these are actually running away from legal problems in the states. Some years ago I met a guy who had run out on $8 million in taxes and was enjoying all that money on the golf course every day. Some of this is getting cleaned up with closer cooperation between the US govt and local law enforcement.

Boomer1 certainly has a point about immigration affecting this place - but most Nicaraguans are just looking for a better life than they left behind in Nicaragua. Many young Columbians are leaving to avoid the draft. There is definitely an element of crime mixed in (people running away from the law etc.).

In the early 90's I could comfortably walk in almost all areas of San Jose at night without much worry. Now I wouldn't think of it.

Having said all this I would still rather live in Costa Rica than anywhere else due to it's peaceful way of life and low crime rates. Most of the people affected by crime take foolish risks and do here what they would never do at home (i.e. wander around unfamiliar places at night, leave belongings in the open where anyone can pick them up unoticed, trust anyone who has a smile on their face etc..). Most residents live in nice suburbs where such crime is less common.

Don't let any of the crime reports affect your visit to Costa Rica. These things are rare and traveling outside the city in places such as Cahuita, Osa etc. you shouldn't have any problems.