MW79
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I'm from Costa Rica living in America since 2006, but I go there every 6 months to see my family.
Is so sad what I'll tell you... but I feel is my responsibility.
First, Costa Rica is not the same of 5 years ago, not even 3 years ago, is so many crime, that I feel shame.
Please dont go to any place after 5pm, especially San Jose down towm, PLEASE DONT TRUST TO NOBODY, especially if they wear nice cloths.
Coronado is a "semi" safe place, BUT is next to Moravia, there is a place call "Los Cuadros", (the squares). In that place they'll kill you for less than a coin. Not even the locals go there, please stay away from there.
If you are faraway from the house and is getting dark, take a taxi, be careful choosing him, choose the old guy, always, is much safer. In the day may be safe to ride the bus, but I'm seeing in the local news that now many criminals are attacking the buses, robberies with guns and violence.
Dont wear expensive jewels never, dont use a cell phone in the road, or cameras and NEVER NEVER carry on your laptop in his bag, because they'll kill you for get it. If you need your laptop, just used in a backpack. If you can take only your cloths will be better.
This are the places that you need to AVOID, they are extremely dangerous , DAY AND NIGHT:
1) Moravia, especially "Los Cuadros" and near neighborhoods.
2) Zona Roja ( red zone) in San Jose downtown is where all the criminals, prostitutas, drug addicts, homicides, robberies are, so stay away from there.
3) Pavas ( american embassy is here) if you need to go there, take a taxi back and forth.
4) Alajuelita
5) Leon XIII
6) Tibas
7) Barrio Mexico
8) La calle de la amargura, San Pedro
9) LIMON IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TO ME, about 80% of the people are blacks, and in the last month 36 people got killed, homicides, rapes, violence.
10) San Jose of Alajuela. Is a bad neighborhood of Alajuela.
Now, this places are very dangerous at night, in the day are just ok, if you're smart to walk fast and don't stop to see something or talk to strangers you're going to be ok.
1) San Pedro
2) Some Places in San Jose downtown
3) Heredia
4) Puntarenas ( all the area)
5) South of the country: Perez Zeledon, Dominical Beach.
6) Guanacaste: (best beaches of the country), just be careful at night.
7) Alajuela
8) Desamparados
9) Rio Azul (Blue River)
10) Tarbaca
11) Aserri. ( we got a serial killer who killed more than 6 couples and never got caught) about 10 years ago. Is because this is a higher place with incredibles city views and lonely places, so many couples used to go there.
Just a few places I can use the word "safe", basically the very rural places.
Now, a must see place is Arenal Volcano in la Fortuna, San Carlos, but carefully, because in just 2 policeman for the whole town. So the criminals are there now, because they can go away with pretty much everything.
Now, if you ask me why is so bad, in a very small period of time, let me tell you why:
1) Liberals judges, basically the criminals do all kinds of crime, the police caught them and half an hours later are back on the streets, committing more crimes.
2) Our laws are very weaks.
3) We have many illegals (Nicaraguans and Colombians) they are very violent. They got paid for kill people. And again, half an hour later are free.
4) Not many police. Just a few in the rural places, not enought.
5) Many weird crimes are happening now, like homocides or robberies inside big well known hotels, we are wondering if the workers are helping the criminals to get some extra cash.
If you want to practice your spanish better got to another place, and personally I think is very irresponsible that programs, associations or schools are sending students without warning the dangers to them of the zone.
About the weather, is very comfortable, although Coronado is higher in the mountains. so is alittle bit colder. Rain 90% of the time. Is like Washintong State, rain...rain..rain..
In Guanacaste and the South part of the country is hotter, about 10 or 15 degrees more.
Costa Rica has only two seasons: summer and rain.
Rain : from middle of May until November.
Summer: from middle of november until end of April.
About cloths,...
For the city: jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes, boots, light sweaters, jackets, blouses. I dont know if dresses are safe to wear them, because the guys many grab your butt, they dont care even if you go with your boyfriend. NOT MINI SKIRTS, for the same reason.
For the beaches: sandals, bikinis, shorts, lighter cloths
PLEASE DONT WEAR HAWAIAN CLOTHS, because everybody knows you are from another country from faraway, and may not be safe. And anyway nobody used them there.
If still you want to go, just be smart, is a really beautifull country with jungles, white sand beaches, good food ( you must try ceviche with a beer), cool towns, amazing views, but in this moment my country is going down the toilet. Hopelly the people is going to wake up and get back our peacefull land.
Now, Arenal y Turrialba are safe for malaria, I dont know about dengue because is rainy season right now. Just be careful and dont eat food from the road's vendors avoid places that are not clean. Drink the water from the bottles.
Costa Rica has an excelent health care system, not like the others country around us. Many of those Immunizations are innecessary. |
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