What are the dangers in Costa Rica?

Question

I am an American. Going as a family. 3 young boys?

What are things to do while there? Any info would be helpful.

Answer 1

you may be butt raped, im speaking from personal experience.

Answer 2

The roads leading to the mountainous areas are trecherous.

The city life (ie..San Jose) is hectic and corruption is everywhere.

The beaches on the Pacific side are very nice.

Arenal Volcano is quite something to see erupting. (especially at night)

Answer 3

Been to Costa Rica twice.  Most recently we were married in Manuel Antonio with a big group of people.  No one experienced any displeasure.  Just use common sense and you should be fine.

That comment about the howler monkeys throwing coconuts was ignorant.  The comment about the hard hat was even worse !!!  That's like saying you could get by a tornado in Kansas.  The hotel we stayed at in Manuel Antonio's motto was "still more monkey's than people".  We didn't have one single problem with them the entire time.  We did see a cappuchino monkey that stole a can of pringles from someone's beach bag.  That was hilarious !!!

Top 5 things to do :

1.  Zip line tour.  You need very little athletic ability to do this.  Awesome time !!!

2.  Beach.  Simple and Beautiful.  Some of the most stunning beaches I've ever seen.  And FREE !!!

3.  Arenal Volcano.  The only reason this isn't #1 is because it's usually is an all day excursion.

4.  Jungle tour / hiking / ATV tour.  Great way to see the jungle with a guide.  Very educational.

5.  White water rafting.  Again, this is usually an all day affair.  Depends on the season too.

Answer 4

Snakes at night...many deadly...

And beware of warm beers...they give you gas!

Answer 5

The drivers, cause they don't have any respect withe the pedestrian

Careful...

Answer 6

Like any non first world country there are dangers when travelling.  Since you are going with three young boys the dangers of you getting mugged while clubbing and during the nightlife is less, however watch out for:

1) Strangers offering to help, carry your luggage, offering your rides etc... as they may be looking for money or be distracting you so they can rob you.

2) When travelling on public transport plan ahead and know where you are going and what you are doing.  Keep everyone close together

3) Carry a photocopy of all the passports along with a copy of the entry stamp as this is allowed in Costa Rica and keep the original in the hotel safe.  One of your boys may loose their passport or you may be asked for ID and they accept photocopies

4) Insects, monkeys and other creatures of the wild may attract your boys attention and result in tears.  Warn them that these animals can be dangerous and should be looked and admired at from the distance.

5) Getting ripped off.  When using the taxi make sure they use the meter (called 'Maria').  The currency is colones (less than 500 colones to the US dollar).  Taxi's from the airport have fixed rates and are orange.

6) The roads here are bad and accidents can happen easily.  Any accident keep the car where it is and call 911 (do not move the car).  

Loads and loads of things to do here with kids

1) Beaches, use plenty of sunblock

2) Zoo's, and jungle tours

3) Canopy tour (depends on the age of the boys)

4) Horseback riding

5) Rafting

6) Hot Springs

7) See the volcano

... the list goes on

Answer 7

do not know but cannot be any worse than england  what with all the stabing and shooting this must now be one of the worst places in the world to visit

Answer 8

Same as in America.  If you look for trouble you will find it.  If you go to the bars and get drunk you can get raped or robbed.  Don't be in strange neighborhoods at night.  Etc.

However, if you live responsibly you will be safe from everything but petty theft.  If it isn't locked up or nailed down people assume you want someone to haul it off.

Answer 9

I am also American and married a (Tico) Costa Rican. Costa Rica is a very pleasant place and like any where else in the world, you always have to be careful of your surroundings. I travel to Costa Rica every year and I have never exprienced anything bad. I loved the Arenal Volcano, it is beautiful and you can stay at a near by hotel with the view of the volcano and also visit the hot springs. Monte Verde is a great location to visit the Rainforest. Guanacaste has great beaches.  Costa Rican's are very humble people and very layed back.  There will be mokeys by the beach and you might even see a sloth. Good Luck and Have Fun!

Answer 10

I would say that dangers are everywhere not only in Costa Rica. But one thing is that Costa Rica has many lovely beaches, most of them on the Pacific coast. You do have to be careful swimming at many of them, however, as more than 200 drownings occur each year. Most are unnecessary, resulting from rip tides, strong currents that go from the beach out to sea in a kind of funnel. Of course, besides from swimming there's a lot of things to do in Costa Rica that you will not forget!

Answer 11

Howler monkeys like to climb lofty trees, pick coconuts, and toss them at people's heads.

I am not lying or joking.

People have died from this, because coconuts are very heavy, and very hard, and those trees are tall.

Pack a hard hat, and watch out for falling coconut bombs (and also monkey p**p).

Otherwise, have a wonderful trip.