Discovering Costa Rica

Safety and Security At Home

To keep your family and belongings safe, consider following the safe practices described below: + Avoid giving information by telephone to people you do not know, and be sure that your household employee behaves the same way + Instruct your household employee to not give any sort of information on the family to strangers + Never tell strangers about household routines + Always ask your future household employee to present documents and references. Take photocopies of their identity cards in case you need future confirmation of their identity + Never accept orders or packages you have not asked for + Keep at hand a list with all of the emergency telephone numbers + Look for a home with an armed guard on duty as well as gated communities with other security measures in place + Look for communities that offer professional guards or protection for your belongings and property. This can include land or parking for cars + Do not leave large boxes of new purchases or bags in plain sight on the side of the street or in the garbage On the Streets In San José, major felonies (i.e., rape and murder) are committed; however, the rate of these type of crimes is lower than any other big city in Latin America. Pick-pocketing, or petty theft is quite common on the streets, especially in the downtown areas of main cities. To prevent being a target of pick-pocketing, it is advised that you keep your bag or purse tucked beneath your arm. Do not carry a lot of money, and never pull out a large stack of it at once. To take further precautions, avoid wearing flashy jewelry, stick to the main streets, and always be aware of your surroundings. You should also avoid walking after dark – especially in a public park or by yourself, as most parks can be very dangerous at night. In the Car Never leave valuables in your car where they can be seen. Always lock your car, even for a 30- second trip to buy something. Always keep objects such as keys, watches, or mobile phones next to you. Also, be sure to secure the objects in your hotel room. Petty theft is huge in Costa Rica, but it is a crime of opportunity – do not provide the opportunity.

© 2015 Dwellworks, LLC

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Discovering Costa Rica