Is Costa Rica safe for cruisers?
Is Costa Rica safe for cruisers?
Costa Rica is moving fast to reassure cruisers that it's safe to visit the country in the wake of last-week's much-publicized attack on a group of Carnival passengers on shore.
Officials pledged on Tuesday to double the number of police on patrol in the port city of Limon during cruise ship stopovers. They also say they'll install security cameras around the city so police can keep a closer eye on vehicles carrying tourists.
The moves come less than a week after three armed assailants held up a group of passengers from the Carnival Legend, which was in Limon for the day. In a widely reported twist, the cruisers fought back, killing one of the alleged muggers and sending the other two running.
In the aftermath of the incident, Carnival initially canceled upcoming port calls in Costa Rica, but this week the line says it'll return to the country starting with the Legend's March 8 voyage.
Costa Rica, long one of Central America's most popular destinations, has been surging as a cruise stop in recent years as the fast-growing cruise industry looks for alternatives to increasingly crowded Caribbean ports such as St. Thomas and Cozumel. In the last four months, around 40 cruise ships have arrived with 85,000 passengers -- a period during which officials note there have been just four "security incidents" reported to authorities.
Still, crime against tourists is a growing problem in Costa Rica. The U.S. State Department's consular information sheet for the country warns that theft has become "common," and there's been a string of armed attacks against tourists on roadways. "Local law enforcement agencies have limited capabilities and do not act according to U.S. standards," the report notes.
Is Costa Rica safe to visit -- either by cruise ship or otherwise? Personally, I've never experienced anything but warmth and friendliness from locals when visiting the country, and I've never felt in danger while there.
Costa Rica is a peaceful place, and in my own mind I'd place the recent attack in the category of "random and rare." Indeed, I'll be taking my three little kids to Costa Rica (to a jungle eco-lodge) in just a few weeks for spring break, and haven't thought twice about it.
Tell us Cruise Loggers, what do you think? Does the recent attack on cruisers in Costa Rica change your perception of the country?
Posted at 09:36 AM/ET, February 28, 2007 in Carnival Permalink
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I have been to Costa Rica many times and have never had a problem. I have found the people to be friendly and helpful to tourists.
Costa Rica is very modern and there is a lot to do as a tourist.Posted by: teckman Feb 28, 2007 9:13:26 PM
There are people everywhere preying on tourists. You should use the same precautions you would use in your home city. Having said that, I have a question. It has never made clear...was this a Carnival sponsored tour? If not, has the "tour" operator been investigated? Posted by: hoopsmom Feb 28, 2007 1:20:26 PM
I've traveled to Costa Rica often over the past few years and have never felt threatened. I have heard stories of those who have had problems but my experience has been different. But, there is serious crime in Costa Rica. Surrounded on it northern border by much poorer neighbors with unstable governments, there are problems. But there are also problems when travelling in Europe, the US, SE Asia that are just as bad if not worse.
Also, don't confuse petty scams as serious crime. Everyone needs to make a living in this small country and selling you a free parking place at the beach, for example, is a small price to pay for making sure someone is watching your car while you go for a swim. In fact, paying to have soemone watch your car is an honorable national industry in Costa Rica just as in most other Central American countries.
Costa Rica is a place where one needs to be street wise. In the hotel, use the safe; never leave items visible in the car; never leave anything unattended on the beach. Be wary of road-side events and always rent a cell phone if you rent a car. While coverage is not great, it may be just what you need in an emergency.
Costa Rica is a real adventure, the Volcano's are not run on LPGas, the white water rapids don't get drained and filtered everynight, and the Crocodiles really will eat you!
Accept that you need to be cautious of everything you do... It really is a jungle out there!
However, do not become so travel-wary that you miss the opportunity to know the Costa Rican people. While Costa Rica is rich in so many ecological treasures, its real treasurers are its people.
Pura Vida
!Posted by: gdelius Feb 28, 2007 11:03:32 AM
http://blogs.usatoday.com/cruiselog/2007/02/is_costa_rica_s.html
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