Generally Speaking, how safe are Americans living?

Question

in Costa Rica? Are there issues like kidnapping and such foreign residents there?

Answer 1

In 10 years I have had only one problem.  A small gold chain was snatched from my neck in San Jose.  Now I take my jewelry off when I go to the big CHITTY.  I live in the town of Golfito in the southern zone.  The notrh Americans that have problems here are the ones who flaunt and brag about money , or take the local crack girls to their homes for cheap s*x.  Then they tell their boyfriends and the Gringo gets robbed.  Kidnapping isn't an issue.  It's all in how you carry yourself, and your attitude.

Answer 2

Costaricans actually like US americans, but not because of their money, but because they just like new people coming into their country. Kidnapping in Costa Rica for wealthy people is not like in southamerica and you would be living in good areas, where this is not common. Generally criminality is like in all other countries. Avoid downtown city areas, dark hours, etc.

Answer 3

You can go to state.gov and then to the consular information sheets.  Property crime rates are quite high, but violent crime rates are lower than they are in about half of the cities in the U.S.  The crime trend is up however and that has many Costa Rican residents worried.   Kidnappings of foreigners is nearly unheard of (I think the last one was 2 Dutch persons  in 1999 or 2000)

Answer 4

not bad... i have friends that play hockey with me and they are like any other person living here. don't worry about that...

Answer 5

There is only one kidnapping case in Costa Rica I can remember of, it was two Colombian guys who commited the crime and fortunately the people got out with nothing else but a bad story to tell.

Proud to be costarican myself, studies demostrate that Costa Rica has the lowest delinquency rate of all latin countries. Costarrican people is very kind and love getting to know foreing people.

If you are visiting take the same precautions you will anywhere: do not carry large amount of cash (you can use your credit card almost everywhere), dont leave expensive cams or valuables unattended.

ENJOY..... most likely you are going to be safer in Costa Rica than many of US cities.