Robbery - Bus from San Jose to La Fortuna

A friend of mine was just robbed on our journey from San Jose to La Fortuna.

We had been told that this journey was rife with petty criminals so we were on our guard and spent the journey with our hand luggage on our laps for safety. Just as we were coming to a bus stop in Forencia a man dropped some change on the floor under our seats. My friend was asked to move so he could get under the seat a look for it, she was reluctant to do it but he was very insistent. She got up and he scrabbled around on the floor, when he got up he nudged her with his bag in to someone else (I guess his accomplice) and when she sat back down she realised her wallet had been taken from her zip up pockets. We stopped the bus and followed the man in to a bar who insisted he did not know what we were talking about and emptied his pockets. His friend walked off as we were unaware that he was the one we should have followed. Luckily enough it was only a small amount of cash and a credit card but it is worthwile knowing about this ruse so as to stop this happeneing again in the future.

I hope this is useful advice.

Safe travels to you all.

How does a stranger get a zipper open and take money while its on your body?

Thats some damn good work...

It must be easy because it happened to me last feb. in guate. - but only my passport!!!!!! The government tells me that if I have another passport stolen (working on my third in 4 years) that I can't have another one issued for 5 years - and yes, I am a very careful traveler - these guys are just very, very cleaver.

if you have lost 4 Passports you are NOT a safe traveler, your system of keeping things safe needs to change.

ticotim-where did you learn to count?

True....3 Passports, thanks for the correction.

Seriously though, a Passport is the most important document you own, and should be guarded like it!

Yes, I guess I have been paying some bad karma debt. Interesting to note, both times I have had my passport stolen, I have been traveling with another person - not being as cautious because I am somewhat distracted talking to my friend. No problems traveling alone - which I do alot. It really sucks to have the pressure of carrying a passport - I asked the embassy if that I could keep it with them while I travelled - it is the property of the government afterall.....-but, no - not allowed.

The exact same scenario happened to us today - on the bus from San Jose to La Fortuna. A well dressed young girl pretended to drop some papers beneath our seats, asked us to move and in the middle of it all she stole a wallet from my friends pocket. We realised just as she jumped off at the next stop. Luckily we dont carry anything but small notes and change - but it was enough to realise how careful you have to be. Obviously this is a tried and true method for them!