San Jose Country Council

San Jose, Costa Rica Country Council

Welcome

This Country Council web site has been established as a means to facilitate communication between US Businesses and the US Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica. 

OSAC Administration

Costa Rica 2008 Crime & Safety Report 
Overall Crime and Safety 


All travelers and American citizens residing in Costa Rica should consult the Department of State’s website, http://travel.state.gov for current information about the security situation in Costa Rica. The Department of State currently considers the crime rate in Costa Rica to be high. The Embassy routinely deals with U.S. citizens who are victims of criminal activities. Criminals frequently prey on tourists through street scams, automated teller machine thefts, robbery of their effects while transiting from the airport to their lodging, and increasingly, credit card theft, to include number skimming. Rental vehicles are targets for thieves. The Embassy in San Jose receives more reports of passport theft than any other U.S. Embassy in the world. The majority of cases involve the theft of bags from rental vehicles. 


There are numerous crimes associated with rental vehicles. The most common is to puncture a tire on the victim’s rental car, and follow the car until the driver pulls to the side of the road. At this point the criminals, posing as “good Samaritans” approach the vehicle to replace the tire and in the process steal the personal effects of the tourist. Tourists who rent vehicles have been victims of carjacking, thefts, and assault. All criminals should be considered armed with firearms or knives. The criminals, if challenged or threatened, will quickly use their weapons. Credit card fraud or ‘numbers skimming’ is common. ‘Numbers skimming’ is the theft of the information contained in the magnetic strip on the backside of the credit card. The theft of the information occurs when a criminal swipes the card through a machine that stores all the information. With this information the criminal can charge items to the unsuspecting victim’s credit card. Only when the monthly invoice arrives does the victim realize that they have been swindled. Travelers should carefully monitor their credit cars, and frequently check their credit card accounts. Travelers should avoid using debit cards for point-of- sale purchases. 


In 2006, Costa Rica experienced a rash of travelers (approximately two dozen reported incidents over a three-month period) being targeted for robbery at gunpoint while driving from Juan Santa Maria Airport after 10:30 PM. During these robberies, a vehicle full of arm d men would approach a moving car and force the vehicle to pull over and the travelers would then be robbed. In most cases, the victims were not injured during the robbery. Police were able to target the ring and these types of robberies have ceased. However, travelers should be aware of this past trend and when arriving in Costa Rica are encouraged to arrive during daylight hours when more traffic is on the road and a potential armed assault of a passenger vehicle is much less likely to occur. If travelers encounter an unidentified vehicle on the road that attempts to stop them, they should consider not stopping and driving to the nearest public area for assistance. Long term visitors to Costa Rica must be alert for ever increasing auto theft rings, and escalating incidents of carjacking. Also, 2007 saw an increase in the number of smash-and-grab thefts from vehicles stuck in traffic. The robbers would break vehicle windows to steal purses, laptops or other valuables. Residential break-ins are common. All residences should be appropriately secured by grills, fence or wall, and protected by an alarm system. 


Political Violence 


Costa Rica is a stable, well-developed democracy which abolished its military nearly 50 years ago. Indigenous terrorist organizations are non-existent. There is no known organization targeting U.S. citizens or U.S. affiliated interests in Costa Rica. However, US citizens should always exercise caution and regularly consult the U.S. Department of State’s website for the latest information about the security situation in any country. Labor strikes and protests are fairly common in Costa Rica. While normally peaceful, all protests and demonstrations should be avoided. 


Post Specific Concerns 


Costa Rica lies within an active earthquake zone, and periodically experiences significant tremors. The last earthquake to cause significant damage to Costa Rica’s infrastructure occurred in 1993, but an earthquake measured at the 6.2 level on the Richter scale occurred in late 2004. In December 2005, another earthquake measured 5.1 on the Richter scale. Long-term visitors to Costa Rica may want to check with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website for guidance on earthquake preparedness. Visitors can also contact the Costa Rican National Emergency office, known as the Commission Nacional de Prevencion de Riegos y Atencion de Emergencias (C.N.E), via email at Comiriunicaciones@cne.go.cr or via phone at 506-210-2828 for information on earthquakes or other natural hazard information. Costa Rica is also a micro-climate, and travelers to Costa Rica should check the projected rainfall amounts for the area they intend to visit. Flooding may occur around the port city of Limon or other lower elevation areas of Costa Rica at any time, regardless of time of year of year and projected rainfall amount in a particular region. Daily hazards in Costa Rica are poor road conditions and varied driving skills. Highway fatalities (from vehicle or pedestrian accidents) are one of the leading causes of death in the country. Roads are often overcrowded, narrow and poorly-marked; drivers should be on the lookout for large potholes, road washouts and mud slides during the rainy season (May-November). Drivers must be cautious when coming to bridges, which may be narrow and one-way, even if the road approach is two-way. 


Roads are generally in worse condition outside of San Jose. Driving at night is especially treacherous outside of San Jose and not recommended. The main roads are also used by pedestrians, cyclists, and farm animals, all of which compound the driving difficulty. Even the most experienced drivers are challenged by the disregard for traffic laws and driving safety. Speed limits and red lights are often ignored. Government traffic statistics cite speed, aggressive driving (especially when passing) and alcohol as major contributors to road fatalities. It is very common for vehicles to cross multiple lanes of traffic without regard to other drivers. Pedestrians are not given the right of way, and extreme caution should be used whenever walking on the streets. Motorcycles are prevalent on the road and weave through traffic during any type of traffic situation. 


Police Response 


Costa Rica does employ a 911 emergency assistance system. However, response time varies widely. Crime discovered after the fact must be reported in person at the nearest organization of Judicial Investigation (OIJ) office. OIJ is also responsible for investigating major crimes. Victims should be prepared to wait a couple of hours to complete the necessary reports. As of December 2006, Costa Rica deployed the first group of Tourist Police, focused on tourist crime and assistance to the nearly 2 million visitors to Costa Rica each year. The deployments of these officers, who wear a white uniform shirt with “Tourist Police” clearly printed on the back, is currently around 120 officers, with more planned deployments in the future. Some of the initial Tourist police areas of deployment are: San Jose, Jaco, Monteverde, Arenal, Los Chiles (border with Nicaragua), and Quepos, the location of Manuel Antonio National Park.


Police emergency - 911
Ambulance - 911 or 128
Fire - 911 or 118
OIJ - 911 or 22-1365 or 221-5337
Tourist Police - Due to the newness of the organization, no public number is available. 


Vehicle Accidents


Costa Rica has a high rate of vehicle accidents. In the event of a traffic accident, the vehicles must not be moved. This commonly results in excessive traffic back-ups. The traffic police (Transito) and the insurance investigator (INS) must complete accident reports. Both of these officials will come, eventually, to the accident scene upon notification.


Transito police - 222-9330 or 222-9245
INS (insurance) - 800-800-8000

Medical Emergencies 


Medical care in San Jose is adequate. Areas outside of San Jose have more limited medical services and road conditions increase driving times to hospitals for routine or critical medical care. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash or credit card payment for medical services. Local Cruz Roja (Red Cross) ambulances, usually the first responders to accidents, are minimally-equipped to handle emergencies. U.S medical insurance is not always valid in Costa Rica. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including a provision for medical evacuation, has been useful in many emergencies. 


Hospital Contact information in Costa Rica


In San Jose:
CIM Hospital - 208-1000 (this hospital is the primary hospital for U.S. Embassy personnel)
Hospital Mexico - 242-6700
Clinica Biblica Hospital - 522-1000 ext. 9
Hospital Calderon Guardia - 257-7922
National Children’s Hospital - 222-0122
CIMA and Clinica Biblica are private facilities, and will require payment up-front for non-emergency care.

In Puntarenas:
Hospital Monsenor sanabria: 630-8000

In Limon:
Tony Facio Hospital: 758-2222

In Guanacaste:
Emillo Baltodano Hospital - 666-0011
Red Cross Ambulance - 233-7033
Air Ambulance: Costa Rica Medical Response
Monteverde - (506)645-7778
San Jose - (506) 286-1818
Papgayo - (506) 670-0047
Peninsula Osa - (506) 305-2121
Web page - http://www.costaricaemergencias.com
For SCUBA Diving/Decompression medical consultation: Dr.
Schmidt (506) 350-0418, works at CIMA Hospital Emergency Room. 


How to Avoid Becoming a Victim 


Be aware of your surroundings; ask your guide or hotel for crime information. Even though you are in a foreign environment, trust your instincts. When planning your travel, remember that Costa Rica receives about 12 hours of sunlight a day, year round (5am-5pm). 


Street crime: Leave expensive jewelry at home or put it in the hotel safety deposit box. Take only the amount of money you need with you and do not carry it all in one pocket. Do not change money on the street as money changers cheat clients and pass counterfeit currency. Do not flash a lot of money when making purchases. Pay particular attention to your belongings when transiting airports and bus stations. Teams of thieves are known to work these locations; one will distract an individual while the other will steal anything left unattended. Have recorded and safely stored the account numbers of your credit cards, and the contact numbers for each card, in case they are stolen. 


Although relatively safe during the daylight hours, downtown San Jose becomes more dangerous at night. Walking around downtown San Jose is not recommended at night and travelers who must go downtown should use taxis to travel to and from the city. 


Laptop computers have become an increasingly attractive target for thieves in Costa Rica. Pedestrians should not carry a laptop computer while walking anywhere in Costa Rica. Most electronic items are more expensive in Costa Rica than the U.S, with laptop computers, personal data assistants, or digital cameras attractive targets for theft in any location in Costa Rica. 


Car Theft 


Travelers should purchase an adequate level of locally valid car theft insurance. It is rumored that thieves have master keys to many of the popular models of rental cars, so do not leave anything visible in the car. Never leave luggage in a parked vehicle. Park in paid lots whenever possible; if unavailable, park in a well-traveled area and in a lighted place at night. Always lock vehicle doors and use the anti-theft device and alarm system if the car is so equipped. To minimize the risk of smash-and-grab robberies from vehicles, keep valuable items hidden and if possible, within reach. Valuables left in plain view on the passenger or back seats are easy targets. Visitors using local taxicabs should be made aware of “unofficial” cabs. The “unofficial” cabs do not have a company logo or identifying roof mount and generally do not have a meter, which is called a “Maria” in Costa Rica. Visitors should not use non-metered vehicles, as there have been reports of extreme overcharges to customers. 


When traveling by bus, avoid putting bags or other personal belongings in the storage bins. Thieves will take property from the bins when the bus makes its periodic stops. A good rule to follow is always having your belongings in your line of sight or in your possession at all times. 


Passport Theft 


GOCR’s immigration service conducts random inspections throughout the country. Travelers should be prepared to present their passports upon entry into Costa Rica. Due to a recent change in Costa Rican Immigration regulations, photocopies of passports, with the biographical and entry stamp page can be carried while in Costa Rica. Tourists are encouraged to leave passports in hotel safes or other secure locations while enjoying Costa Rica. You will be required to present the original passport and valid license when renting a car and/or driving. 


Your U.S. passport is the single most important document that you will bring with you. While the vast majority of passport theft involves the taking of a bag, or purse, criminals looking to illegally enter the United States may target U.S. passports for theft. Post received 1401 reports of stolen U.S. passports during calendar year 2007. Passports have been reported stolen from inside the airport, as well as other locations throughout Costa Rica, but principally from rental cars. The Consular Section can issue an emergency passport to accommodate urgent travel. Lost or stolen passports can only be replaced during the Embassy’s regular business hours (8am - 4:30pm), Monday - Friday. 


Hotel Security 


The quality of hotel security varies greatly in Cos a Rica. When making reservations for hotel stays, travelers to Costa Rica should question hotel personnel for specific security information regarding the accommodations and be wary of hotels without access and compound control procedures, room safes, or hotels lacking a 24 hour front desk presence. 


Embassy Contact Information 


American Embassy: 519-2000, after hours: 220-3127. The U.S. Embassy maintains a website at http://sanjose.usembassy.gov, and the Consular Section can be reached by email at consularsanjose@state.gov. In the event of an emergency involving an American citizen, the Consular Section can be reached at 519-2188 during working hours. Street address for the U.S. Embassy in San Jose: U.S. Embassy in Pavas. The Regional Security Officer may be reached at 506-519- 2313 during regular business hours. Note: U.S. style street addresses do not exist. An address will start with a common landmark and then give the meters and direction. Since the US Embassy in the Pavas neighborhood is a landmark, any taxi should be able to take you there. 


OSAC Country Council 

There is a country council currently active in San Jose, Costa Rica. Please contact Wade DeWitt, RSO Costa Rica, at (506)2519-2317 if you are interested in participating.