Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

rab3rd · **Costa Rica -** 08-16-2010, 01:02 PM

So I am going to Costa Rica for a week in Septmeber for some surfing and photography. Has anyone been? I am going to Tamarindo and since its a touristy type town, I am wondering about the possibilty of getting my gear lifted. I will have insurance on it all before I leave but I would rather not have to use it.

Anyone that has any insight would be great. Thanks a bunch in advance.

Nena2007 · 08-16-2010, 01:29 PM

My friend and photog Kari lived in Costa Rica for a year or so.... look her up Zander & Breck Photography, I think she may be a member here, not sure though

WarrenG · 08-16-2010, 03:23 PM

Rob,

I have done 7 trips to Costa Rica for work and pleasure, and spent about 6 months in the Dominical / OSA area there... Shoot me a PM and I can answer any questions you might have. Theft is not a huge problem in CR, but, like anywhere... just do not leave stuff out in the open. I think you will find that the tourists are far more likely to lift something than the local Tico's.

Have fun...

W

mjdmike · 03:49 AM

Costa Rica is a beautiful place, with a ton of photo ops and wonderful people. You will have a blast.

I go to CR ~10 times a year and my fiance is from there, so we split time between the two countries. Like all countries, there are low crime and high crime areas, so it depends on your local as to the risk. Theft is a huge problem in CR, but it can be minimized with the usual precautions. I think part of the problem is that the Ticos in general are so nice, giving, and passive people, that it's easy to assume they won't steal. But they will if given the chance.

The general rule is to NEVER leave anything of value unattended, in your home, hotel room, or vehicle. Take your camera gear with you wherever you go, and you'll be OK. There are far fewer robberies of a person than in the States, but theft of unattended items will happen anywhere at anytime. If you leave it on a table at a cafe -- it's gone. If you leave it visible in the vehicle -- it could easily walk away.

Next to Jaco Beach, Tamarindo is the second most popular 'touristy' type place in the country, so has more than it's fair share of issues, one being petty theft.

Keep your expensive gear with you at all times, and you'll be fine. I carry all my gear in a backpack and never let it leave my side. Don't let anyone carry it for you, take it to the cab, or hotel room.

And don't be alarmed by all this, just be aware. Many people get into trouble in this, and other foreign countries simply because they are trusting and unaware of the dangers.

rab3rd · 08-17-2010, 08:09 AM

Thanks for the replies, so my gear is not even safe in the best western in Tamarindo? When I am surfing I cant exactly take it with me. And if I do I will have to leave it in the surf tours transport vehicle. That seems like a worse idea than leaving it at the hotel. The hotle has lock boxes in the rooms but I dont know if they are big enough for the gear I want to take.

rab3rd · 08-24-2010, 11:48 AM

I finally called my insurance agent to get a quote. $1.34/$100 of coverage a year. 0 deductable, all incidents covered world wide. Needless to say Im covered now. Less than two weeks until the trip. Cant wait.

L Stegall · 08-24-2010, 12:40 PM

My college age nephew just returned from a summer language immersion program in Costa Rica and he had a fantastic time. He was living with a family, but I'm not sure where in Costa Rica. I know the kids surfed, bungee jumped, went white water rafting and had an amazing trip. I didn't actually hear him mention how the Spanish lessons went, though, but his pictures sure were nice. Have a great trip!

texxter · 08-24-2010, 12:48 PM

I spent a week in Costa Rica with my wife and children and we loved it. We flew to Liberia and rented a car for the week. We visited Volcan Rincon de la Vieja, Palo Verde, Guanacaste, Moteverde rain forest, and the beaches south of Tamarindo. We loved a little beach, Samara, where we stayed at a tropical hut small hotel place run by an Italian family with a monkey pet. The kids had a great time. Note that the roads are atrocious and 4x4 really helps, but still it takes forever to get from one place to another. Costa Rica invests its revenues on education and health care, but not on defense or roads, and it shows!

The rain forest is absolutely not to be missed. I photographed the Santa Elena Rain forest for an hour or so... 100% humidity and hard to keep the lenses from fogging up.

When we were there, in December, it rained every afternoon. We felt very safe there, but you got to take normal precautions.

mjdmike · 08-24-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rab3rd

Thanks for the replies, so my gear is not even safe in the best western in Tamarindo? When I am surfing I cant exactly take it with me. And if I do I will have to leave it in the surf tours transport vehicle. That seems like a worse idea than leaving it at the hotel. The hotle has lock boxes in the rooms but I dont know if they are big enough for the gear I want to take.

Maybe you can leave the camera body and main lenses in the lock box or safe. make sure you lock your passport up as well. Now that you're insured, relax and have a great trip.

rab3rd · 08-24-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjdmike

Maybe you can leave the camera body and main lenses in the lock box or safe. make sure you lock your passport up as well. Now that you're insured, relax and have a great trip.

Thanks, thats the plan. Hopefully the lock box is big enough for all the gear out of the bag. Planning on carrying a photocopy of my passport and locking the original in the safe. Thats what all the travel guides recommend.

WarrenG · 08-24-2010, 02:57 PM

Rob, you can also use a large PacSafe to keep your camera bag in and lock it to the safe itself.

@ Mike - Sorry, you obviously live / visit/ stay in another part of Costa Rica than I. I have left my gear in our house while gone and have never had a problem at all once the door is closed, but then if you are going to places like Jaco, Manuel Antonio, San Jose & Tamarindo... then your likely to have issues if you leave your gear out in the open. I do not stay in the hotels, we have a house we stay at.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjdmike

The general rule is to NEVER leave anything of value unattended, in your home, hotel room, or vehicle. Take your camera gear with you wherever you go, and you'll be OK. There are far fewer robberies of a person than in the States, but theft of unattended items will happen anywhere at anytime. If you leave it on a table at a cafe -- it's gone. If you leave it visible in the vehicle -- it could easily walk away.

And don't be alarmed by all this, just be aware. Many people get into trouble in this, and other foreign countries simply because they are trusting and unaware of the dangers.

I would also point out that this information is just as likely (if not more) to occur in downtown Dallas or Houston. This is common sense and I am really surprised to hear you make Costa Rica out to be the crime capital of Central America. Perhaps it is because I have traveled to the "bad places" of the world that I view Costa Rica and a safe haven? If your extent of travel is Disney Land, then yes, Costa Rica is a change... but if you are familiar with travel... CR is a breeze.