Why is COSTA RICA SO POPULAR?

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Kool-Aid Jammers

In El Salvador Security remains, by far, the number one preoccupation of Salvadorans. In 2006, the government reported 3,906 homicides, up from 3,779 in 2005, or the equivalent of 57.2 violent deaths per every 100,000 people (this compares with just a handful of murders per 100,000 inhabitants in New York City). This confers upon El Salvador the dubious distinction of ranking amongst the worldâ€™s most dangerous countries. Moreover, the official homicide figures are believed to be understated.
http://www.economist.com/agenda/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8616598

The U.S. Embassy and the Department of State consider El Salvador a critical crime-threat country.

By the end of 2005, El Salvador earned the dubious distinction of having the highest per capita homicide rate in the Western Hemisphere. The trend of increasing homicides has continued into 2006, with 42 more homicides recorded during the first four months of this year than in the equivalent period of 2005.

Security officials at the Embassy emphasize that serious crimes can and do occur in all regions of El Salvador and all neighborhoods of the major cities. The presence of privately hired "neighborhood guards" in the more affluent sections of San Salvador does not always represent a deterrent to criminals.

In the first months of 2006, Embassy-related American citizens were the victims of the following crimes:

-- The spouse of an Embassy employee was the victim of armed robbery while walking in an affluent residential area in Cumbres de Cuscatlan.

-- Peace Corps volunteers were the victims of armed robbery at a popular tourist location.

-- A U.S. official on temporary duty at the Embassy was robbed by a machete-wielding assailant on a popular beach.

-- Another official was victimized when his vehicle was broken into and valuables were stolen from it while it was parked during business hours in the parking lot at Price Smart in the Cumbres de Cuscatlan section of greater San Salvador.

-- Several Embassy employees or their dependents were the victims of credit card "skimming" while using their credit cards at major retail outlets, restaurants and hotels in San Salvador. The RSO pointed out that waiters or other employees at these establishments can quickly "skim" the cards using small readers attached to their clothing. The information obtained from the card then can be sold and eventually used for large purchases at locations around the world.

Recent violent crimes in which U.S. citizens were not victimized but that occurred in areas of San Salvador frequented by Embassy employees and their family members include:

-- The drive-by shooting of Salvadoran police officers near the Galeria shopping mall on Paseo Escalon;

-- An attempted kidnapping near the Princess Hotel in the Zona Rosa;

-- A series of carjacking/kidnappings near the Malibu Restaurant on South Boulevard in Santa Elena. The victim in each of these crimes was an unaccompanied woman who was entering her vehicle during hours of darkness;

-- A murder near the Multiplaza shopping mall adjacent to the Pan American Highway during the late night hours;

-- A series of armed robberies in which the victims were operating motor vehicles stopped for a lengthy traffic light on La Mascota Avenue in the Escalon district;

-- A series of armed robberies in which the victims were operating motor vehicles stopped for a traffic light near the Feria International and were waiting to make a left-hand turn into the Zona Rosa;

-- The armed robbery of a pedestrian walking along the sidewalk near La Capilla in San Benito;

-- The disposal of more than half a dozen bodies of murder victims along the "new road" from behind Price Smart in Cumbres de Cuscatlan to the Comalapa highway. Because the bodies were left along the road at night when traffic was light, the RSO strongly advised Embassy employees to avoid using this four-lane, divided, well-constructed thoroughfare during hours of darkness.

A nonviolent crime that is becoming more prevalent in affluent residential areas in San Salvador involves "home invasions" or the burglarizing of residences during broad daylight by individuals posing as delivery men to gain access to a home. The RSO encouraged Embassy employees to instruct their domestic staffs to be suspicious of unexpected deliverymen and to admit only people whom the head of household has announced would be arriving at the residence.
http://sansalvador.usembassy.gov/consular/english/news/2006/0206.html

Violent crime including armed robbery, banditry, assault, kidnapping, sexual assault, and carjacking is common, including in the capital, San Salvador. Downtown San Salvador is dangerous, particularly at night. At all times avoid wearing jewellery and using expensive cameras, video cameras or portable music players. Avoid travelling alone and after dark as security risks associated with violent crime are heightened after dark. Victims have been seriously injured when resisting perpetrators.

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/01/15/elsalv6931.htm

Over 2 million Salvadorans live in the U.S. , 60% are illegal and 57% have been imprisoned, are in the MS13 gang and have committed another crime.

BAGOFSWAGS

Mainly, Political Stability and Security for the past 6 decades while its neighbors were at civil war or being overrun by communists.

It has a variety of attractions in a small geographic area - Mountains, Volcanoes, Rainforests, animals, lakes, Beaches just a few hours from each other

sd705

Go to Alajuela,close to the airport,
stay at www.alajuelacampground.com,
meet cool people from all over the world,learn Spanish for free and have a great time!

cuz in this country, there is a lot to give in just a 50 000km2.
from beaches, rainforest, towns, animals, rivers, volcanoes... there is a lot to do here and see.

Julia E

Mostly because it is so little and so much to see. National Parks, Rainforest, Adventure Activities, Beaches, the People. Only stay in San Jose if necessary, (late flight arriving, etc) Best is to buy a book about the country to learn more and decide on where to go.

Johnny T

being the first democracy in central america it has political stability so its relatively safe. while it the most expensive country in central america its still dirt cheap compared to the u.s. or even the carib. and then theres the landscape, surrounded by 2 oceans and the carib sea, endless beaches, jungles, mountains and volcanoes in the interior, kinda reminds me of switzerland there, hour drive your surfing, what's not to love!

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