I disagree. Costaklaus doesn't know what he/she is talking about!There is a LOT of street and petty crime in Costa Rica. If you are a tourist you are a TARGET with a red dot painted on your face, and you are very likely to use your luggage, backpack, passport, money, credit cards etc., unless you are VERY VERY careful.
If you leave your luggage in your car, park and leave it unattended, you are likely to lose it! Even if it is in front of a police station!
In downtown SJ area, be very careful with your backpacks, purses, watches, cameras, jewelry, etc.
If you suddenly develop a flat tire, do not stop and ACCEPT HELP from someone following and offering to help you! They will steal you at gun/knife point!
Lock all doors and windows of your vehicle when you are driving and stopping. If you are not careful, a thief will come, open the car door, grab your bag and run away!
If you are in a bar, finish your drink before you go dancing! I had a gringo friend whose drink was laced with a narcotic when he came back from the dance floor!
Be carful with your credit card. While it is easy to reverse charges on a credit card, it is VERY difficult to do so with a debit card. Do not use your debit card!
Do not carry cash. ATMs are near and very frequent. Travellers checks are harder to cash as lot of hotels would not even accept those.
My 10 cents worth!
Joe
