I'm going to Costa Rica next week...should I take my nice camera?

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Kristina L

I've used the public bus in Costa Rica. I agree with never taking your eye off your camera. Try to catch to express bus if they have one, it will make it more comfortable and less likely that you'll end up having to store it on top. Don't advertise that you have a nice camera on the bus and keep it in your carry-on rather than packed away.

Beyond that, you are going to run into some beautiful stuff that you'll want good pictures of - so yes, I'd say take your good camera.

Derek J

I moved three weeks ago, and my wife left one bag in the taxi from the airport. She was in charge of our passports, and the medication that she must have three times daily. Included were also $150 in cash, thousands in jewelry, a cell phone, and a huge pile of pharmaceutical narcotics and other strong meds.

The cash and cell phone were stolen. We recovered the rest.

All that to underline, electronics here are very expensive. The country has an 80% tax on imported electronics, and the country is not wealthy by US standards.

Bring the camera and use it. Just keep in close to you when you are out. I've had two maids now, one at a B&B, and now my own private maid, and I trust them completely. Just worry when you are out. Back at the hotel you shouldn't have a problem with anything left in your room.

I wish that I had brought an extra $20 MP3 player. They would make a very nice "Thank You" when somebody goes above and beyond to help. People her are generally VERY helpful and honest.

justagorilla

do not take what you cannot afford to lose. Cameras, and cell phones are number one on the rip-off list. One minute it will be there, the next...?

lindsay25

Mmmm... I think you could, but you have to be very careful, specially in the bus, don't take it out, or if you do, watch it all the time!

oceanwaves36

Yes. You should bring your nice camera and enjoy the incredible photos it will reward you with as Costa Rica is rich with amazing ohoto opportunities.

HOWEVER..as many others have replied, do not let it out of your sight for a second. Costa Rica is a beautiful place, and very safe overall, but theft is rampant and common place. Dont leave anything in your car, on the ground, on a bar, counter, or anywhere out of sight as thieves are quick and well skilled. This includes luggae, purses,backpacks, cameas, Ipods, or ANYTHING.

Trust NOBODY, regardless of how big their smile is, and how accommodationg they may seem to be. If you have any valuables in snatch and run reach, they will likely vanish.

mntg

Keeping eyes on your camera is not gonna help you when you have a gun in your face.Sadly,most Costa Ricans here don't like to admit it,but gun robberies happen way to often here.

mysweetjayne

BAD. Simple as that. At least if you would like to return home with it. They are very well trained as pick up artists and work in teams. I know. My daughter's purse was stolen in the wink of an eye so I was extremely careful with mine on the next trip but lost it anyway. The worst area is probably the downtown though so if you aren't going there you might be alright but I wouldn't chance it.

Mike

Yes, you can take your camera... just never let it out of your sight. I have been to Costa Rica 4 times, and I always take nice HD video camera's to film my friends surfing.... there has never been a problem.

I have always rented a car, not taken the bus though. I would be a little more cautious on the bus, you might want to try to leave it in your bag for the bus trip, if possible. The most important thing is to keep your eye on it.

Alley

If you do take it, make sure you keep an eye on it and NEVER leave it unattended. Is the rebel camera the one thats like $300? When I went to Hawaii, I wanted to take pictures with .. one of those cameras that can take the long pics ( I want to say APS), so what I did was buy a cheap one off ebay a few months before, took some test pictures to make sure it worked ok.. then brought that, so if I lost the camera, I wouldn't be out a lot of money. Although I know you can't do that with this camera, like I said, if you do take it, Just be very careful with it, and if you leave the room w/o it, lock it up in the safe.

Schattenjagger CatÃ³lico

I live in Costa Rica. You can take your camera, buy don't left your stuff unattended, because there're some people that is looking for some things. Cameras and cell phones are some of those MOST WANTED.

hey...
sure you can
lots of people do.
enjoy your trip and do some surfing there

CostaRicaBlogger.com

Mermaid,

As you can see by the other answers, you will want to keep your eye on any camera as petty thieves love to grab electronics if the opportunity presents itself.

My father-in-law is a professional photographer that just visited with his "old" camera worth substantially more than I have paid for my lifetime of cameras - combined. I considered it somewhat of a burden to keep one eye on his camera as we traveled by bus, taxi and boats ... but the pictures were definitely worth the perceived burden.

A cheap camera just doesn't capture the beauty you will view here in Costa Rica - especially wildlife pictures where you can only get so close before they leave your field of view.

When your not planning on taking pictures, leave the camera in the hotel safe.

Enjoy your visit and be sure to share your pictures!

AttorneyKearney

No problem just keep an eye on your camera and stuff, and donÂ´t go around big crownds in the center of town with the camera at night, spcially if you are drunk.
Other than that you should be ok.
One more thing beware of hookers on the street.
Mal paÃs should be fine.

Lic.Gregory Kearney Lawson.

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