Reply to Charles Wanger     Jim from Boston Massachusetts     February 02, 2012

I don't think conscientious and caring describes the rep if he infact rented without disclosing the violent crime that took place on the property , especially to a female who is alone. Secondly as a life long resident of Boston Im not sure your putting your money on the right place . I posted below last February after I was beaten and robbed by men with hoods, knives and sticks during the day on your beach. The hotel that I was staying at which I will leave nameless did not disclose to me that there had been problems in the exact location I was headed.

Reply to Jim's reply     Charles Wanger from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - CR     February 02, 2012

Hey Jim,
First I just wanted to say how sorry i am about what happened to you while you were visiting - I wish this type of thing never happen to anybody. As far as the comment regarding the rep that "we think" was responsible for putting Elocin in the house - I don't know him that well, and have not known him that long, but my comment was that he seemed to be a good guy - I honestly cannot say if he knew or didn't know, or what the circumstances were surrounding his placement of the tenant - It seems that the owners may have sent her to him - so I am unclear - was only making an observation as to what kind of person I "think" he is.
As far as the people at your hotel not informing you of the "do's and don’ts" and the "where nots" - as I wrote earlier - I have been here a long time - and I ran a Hotel right in front of the island in the picture on my post for over 13 years - sorry to say that if you had been staying with me you would have known about what "can" and what "has" happened - not sure if that would have changed what happened to you but you would have been informed.
Long term resident of Boston – well then maybe we were neighbors at one time – spent most of my life in Newton, Brighton, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Cambridge, and Winthrop. But as far as your comment about putting my “money there” – What I meant by that was the following: I was shot in the back in New York NY, stuck with a screwdriver in my arm in Brighton MA, jumped by 12 gang members in Torrance CA, Beaten and left for dead in Tijuana MX, Jumped and beaten by 6 kids in Haifa Israel ( I was 7 ) and I have had exactly 1 fight with a local in Puerto Viejo, and my home was robbed in Bri Bri once as well in 7 years. So, as a father of 3, 2 in public school, and we often hang out in Puerto Viejo, go to the beach, etc – I FEEL safer here than anywhere else in the world.
As well, I have known people that have either lived here or have been visiting here for 15 years with absolutely no incidents – and I have known people that here for 2 days and died. I still say – I am home.
1.3 million violent crimes that were reported in the US last year - and to be honest, I don’t know how that works out on the per capita thing – but it just seems like a lot – and the other factor is always – everywhere in the world – the same – The tourist target factor – its awful, it sucks, I hate it – but it is everywhere in the world.
Any way – I know you probably will not return to our area – but if you liked anything about your trip, maybe you should give it a shot. My first vacation here in 1994 – all of Costa Rica – was the worst vacation I ever had in my life – I swore I would never come back to CR – But something about Puerto – just had to give it another try – 2 years later, I drove from Boston to Puerto Viejo – and never went back.
.

Crime is a reality here     Elocin from NYC     February 01, 2012

I just rented a house in the jungle on Playa Cocles for 2 months. I was loving it until today the previous tenant came by to pick up some things she left here. She told me that the reason she and her husband left the place was because one night 3 men in masks with guns and knives came to rob them here. They tied the man up and tried to rape the woman. She ended up stabbing onwe of the guys. Apparently her screams drove them away, but they were never caught. I am so disappointed that the property manager did not inform me of this before I paid for this place. It is really secluded, no neighbors really around at this time. I am here alone now but have a male friend joining me shortly. Still, I don't feel it is safe for either of us here. It seems like this town sweeps stories like this under the rug, and that is bad news for newcomers. The more I research, the more I hear about horrific crimes happening pretty often in Puerto Viejo.

I understand how you feel     Charles Wanger from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - CR     February 02, 2012

This is a topic that really hits home for me. As a realtor doing business here since 1997, I have had my share of crimes committed against tenants both on and off the properties. Those of you that know me here also know that I have had some horrific experiences with friends and clients alike.
My personal opinion and professional policy has always been that it is my obligation to disclose any and all information to a potential renter or buyer as to the history surrounding their property – both good and bad. This can range from information regarding their immediate neighbors and their activities, incidents that have happened to the occupants of the property both on the property and off, as well as financial information, etc.
As you can imagine however – in some case the OWNERS of the property request that we do NOT disclose this type of information and so at that point people in my line of work are faced with a choice: Continue representing the property as the owner requests, or NOT represent the property because it goes against personal or professional policy. For me, I have always chosen the later – case in point – the original post above. I neither like surprises.
I write this now though because I happen to know the representative for this property – and I feel that he is a very conscientious person who does care about his clients - but that he may not have experienced this type of situation yet and / or was instructed not to disclose information –I really don’t know. But I will say this – YES – there are people here that would like to “sweep” things under the rug – but I can assure you – there are just as many responsible people here – and more, that do NOT!
In closing, as Lisa mentioned in her post, this incident was a very public affair – was on the forum, Facebook, and YouTube – one may have thought that there was no way that you didn’t know about this – but it is hard to say.
Many of us have lived here long enough to understand, and even accept ( to a point ) the way things can be here, having lived in Boston, New York, Chicago, and East LA – My money is still on Puerto Viejo.
www.puertoviejo.net

Reply to Crime is a Reality     Lisa Valencia from USA     February 02, 2012

I believe I know about the incident you are talking about. The couple had a meeting with friends and other locals afterward to tell their story and help warn others. I learned a few things at that meeting. If I recall correctly, the husband let his dogs out every evening at about the same time. That is when the robbers were waiting. I don't remember how the robbers were able to avoid the dogs but that is when they got the husband.

What I learned is that it is better not to have a set routine. I also heard of a woman who was robbed twice in the same week because the robbers knew when she went to work. Some routines are almost impossible to avoid, I know. But I try.

The other thing is about the dogs. I have two German Shepherds who are very protective of the property. I let them run free most of the time. I keep them outdoors ALL THE TIME. And if I hear them barking at night and I do not know for sure why - I DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR - I look out the window, where I am still safe.

I know how you must feel being there alone, but there are things you can do. Make sure the place is absolutely secure and stay in and keep it locked tight at night. If you can get dogs, that would help too. They will warn you of any noise you may not notice - but that can be unnerving. Mine bark at every animal in the trees at night and it keeps me awake!

RE: responses     Elocin from NYC     February 02, 2012

Thanks for your responses. The owners in this case also did not disclose anything to me before I moved in, so the fault could lie with them, and not necessarily the property manager. I never would have rented this place had I known the situation, as it is possible my friends won't come and I will be here for 2 months alone. Unfortunately I need stable wifi 24/7 for work, and there aren't many alternatives here. It is rather terrifying- once I am locked up at night the place is pretty secure, but it's going and coming back after dark on my bike that worries me. I can imagine someone waiting in my yard for when I get home, and there would be not much I could do then. The dog suggestion is a good one and if you know of any dogs who need fostering for 2 months, send them my way (I will keep an eye out for strays). I will say that I have been researching crime in Puerto Viejo for a couple of days now and it seems like armed robberies and muggings happen here disturbingly often, even in the daytime. This is not something I was aware of, and I have been to Puerto Viejo 3 times before. Hopefully all will be well anyway. I have a lot of good karma coming to me. ;) And for now I am enjoying this beautiful place with my new sloth friend who has been hanging out on my porch with me. ;)

Safest Beaches for solo women who wish to snorkel / read?     Susan from Saint Augustine, Florida     January 20, 2012

Hi. I'm travelling light + solo, age 55, seeking tips on safest beaches / bike rides from Cahuita to PV to southernmost spots. Is a scooter safer (are roads ok for them)? Are NOISE Alarms good if approached? Other excellent safety ideas? What's the safest town along that coast in which to base camp (for a quiet, older, solo chica?) Thanks very much!

Doug     January 20, 2012

Hi Susan. Bike or scooter are both fine although scooter rentals aren't particularly cheap in town whereas bike rentals are plentiful. Strategy for solo traveler is simply to stay in the more populated areas. Cocles beach (younger crowd, bigger waves) and Punta Uva (quieter, reef protected swimming and snorkeling) are always popular so say high to your neighbors on the beach and park yourself down next to them! Banana Azul in Playa Negra also has a staffed beach club so you can feel secure and get drink and food service! And bring as little to the beach as you can. I even find throwing things in a shopping bag instead of a backpack is way less tempting to thieves even if both only might have a towel and some sunscreen. Finally avoid traveling alone at night. Ask a hotel to call you a taxi.

Costa Rican Health Insurance?     Silk from Canada     December 23, 2011

Hi. As a visitor, can I buy Costa Rican health insurance when I'm there - or do you recommend buying international health insurance before I leave Canada?

Thanks,
Silk

Travel Insurance     Doug from Puerto Viejo     December 23, 2011

Travel insurance must always be purchased before you leave or is generally not valid (sometimes it can be purchased or extended while you are away). I don't know of anyone who sells it in Costa Rica directly either.



Free Travel Insurance Quotes from Travel Guard.

Costa Rican Health Insurance     Silk from Chauncey     December 23, 2011

Hi Doug, thanks for your zippy reply.

I was actually wondering about purchasing local Costa Rican health insurance when there. Is that possible for visitors?

Thanks again,
Silk

Doug     December 23, 2011

It's a long complex bureaucratic process to get enrolled in the Costa Rican health system; not something you would want to undertake as a tourist nor have I ever heard of anyone offering any sort of private insurance package to tourists.

Costa Rican Health Insurance     Silk from Canada     December 24, 2011

OK, good to know. Thanks for the info. Doug.

Silk

Robbery..the violent fashion in PV     n37     November 05, 2011

Dangerpoints...the last 2 weeks 2 tourist violent robbed in day light just after the last brigde to PV..police know who they are..people know..but nothing is done...why dont the police patrol this area in day time?

ksenia     November 03, 2011

Hi,we'll stay at Corrigan Lodge. Can we drive to Cocles beach, leave a car there and go to swim? Where can we leave a car? I guese near any holel\lodge? Will they allow to leave a car? can we leave bag with camera, money inside the caR? Thanks!

Yellow Fever Vaccination     Reza from Germany     May 19, 2011

Good afternoon Folks,

i am heading in a few days to Puerto Viejo and have some weeks on the Caribean Cost before heading further to Southamerica. I would like to avoid going back to San Jose for a Yellow Fever Vaccination. Can anybody of the expats tell me, if there is sich Vaccination possible in Puerto Viejo in the Clinic?

If not, what city would you recommend?
Thank you very much in advance.
Best regards

Reza

Bot flies?     Beverly S McCarter from Thomasville, NC     May 19, 2011

I was watching a program on TV. It was about a person that went to Costa Rica that got bitten by a bot fly. It was NASTY. Has anyone heard of that? If so, is it common?

Puerto Viejo health and safety     margo     April 22, 2011

Did the guides that were with you see these guys faces at all? I hope they can recognize them again, because this type of robbery has got to stop!

I hope they get what they deserve from karma!

Carla     April 03, 2011

does anyone know of a practicing midwife in or fairly close to the area? Or, someone to contact that might know? thanks!

Know of any MIdwifes in Limon area     Julie from Nashville tn     January 07, 2012

Hi,
I was wondering if you ever heard of a good midwife in the Puerta Viejo area. My daughter is due in Feb and the midwife she is using is wacko ( a woman named Christine). I'd appreciate any help with this that anyone can offer.
Thank you so so much! Julie

malaria     Kate Scowen from Canada     March 29, 2011

I am coming to Puerto Viejo for ten days in April, with my two kids and husband. Travel doctor has prescribed Malarone (anti-malarial) but I am concerned about the side effects for my kids. There seem to be conflicting reports as to whether malaria is a problem in PV and surrounding area. Can anyone advise?

Doug Dosdall     March 30, 2011

I've never heard of a tourist contracting Malaria in Costa Rica. I believe that the reason people get this conflicting advise from their doctors in US and Canada is that there does exist the possibility of Malaria in the country but it is in remote jungle settings where indigenous folk live. Unless you're going on a serious multiday backcountry trek into road free areas this shouldn't be an issue.

What is unfortunately an issue on occasion is Dengue fever however there is no preventative drug for this. The best prevention here is to try to avoid mosquito bites. Very few cases of Dengue are of the serious version though so that's the good news.

Hotel Playa Westfalia     mike from st louis missouri     March 01, 2011

We are cruising to Limon in two weeks. Is it safe to catch a taxi at port and head to the Hotel Playa Westfalia? Is the beach there safe for swimming? Should I be concerned about being able to get back to the ship on time? Any information will be much appreciated.

unfortunate incident     Jim & Mike from Massachusetts,USA     February 20, 2011

On 2/10/2011 around 11 in the morning while visiting the Puerto Viejo area we rented bikes and took a ride north along a sandy road to an area the police refered to as black beach. Its a spot where the river meets the ocean about 4 miles north of town. We stopped and were exploring the beach and some snake tracks in the sand when out of the bushes came 2 men wearing cloth over their heads with eye and mouth holes. The men ran at us with long sticks and knives. My friend and I were about 20 feet apart with our backs to the river and no place to go. The men ran up to us and began beating us with the sticks and waving the knives at us at which time we began to empty our pockets throwing items forward into the sand. The men picked up our stuff and ran off into the bushes. We each lost Iphones, cash, and copies of our passports. The men had no way of knowing what was in our pockets as these things werent out and visible. We had done our research prior to our visit and were very much aware of the problem with petty theft but never saw anything suggesting violent crime. Isolated incident? I dont know but be aware and I would suggest staying in populated areas.

Doug from Puerto Viejo     February 20, 2011

Very sorry to hear about your experience Jim and Mike. Unfortunately there have been occasional incidents on this stretch of beach for years as there is a very poor community living back there and there is no road access for the police to patrol.

So I don't really recommend that particular walk although I personally have walked without problem the 3 hour walk or so from Puerto Viejo to Cahuita National Park. It is far, there are no services or marked paths (until you're well into the park) and there is that security risk. If one does take this route, nothing of value should be taken. Although it does sound like you guys basically did take this precaution, at least of not showing anything to steal, and were very unlucky anyway.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the community. If you haven't already filed a report with the security committee, you can do so here. They are a dedicated group of volunteers working hard on improving things and the reports help them hold police and justice services to account for enforcing and prosecuting offenders.

This kind of thing can happen anywhere (I was swarmed by 5 teenagers just outside the main tourist area in Panama City in the middle of the day) but I know that kind of platitude doesn't make it feel any better when you are a victim of t his kind of incident.

Crime outside Puerto Viejo     Pam from Seattle USA     April 21, 2011

Just wanted to pass on that my 14-year old daughter and I were bicycling with our two (female) tour guides from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo in early April when two men with shirts/scarves wrapped around their heads jumped out of the bushes waving machetes and took all of our belongings - backpack with my purse, cameras, even our two bikes. No one was hurt and it was over in about 15 seconds, but I was shocked that something like that could have happened. As we stood by the side of the road, many people cycled past us - didn't seem a particularly dangerous place but the circumstances were apparently right for a robbery. We were obviously at the wrong place at the wrong time, but just beware!

Mary from italy     April 07, 2010

I am wondering about the availability of medications in puerto viejo, specifically the pain killers and anxiety medications. I have read they are over the counter, versus needing prescriptions. Does anyone know? thx

Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica     April 07, 2010

Many medications which would need a prescription elsewhere don't in Costa Rica, you just need to consult with the pharmacist. But there are many that still are restricted and need a prescription. This would include anything classified as a narcotic or any medication which is often abused (Oxycontin for example).

But again, if you know what you want just talk to the pharmacist first. Sometimes there is actually a doctor on staff at the pharmacy who can write a prescription if it is needed or he can refer you to someone who can.

dentists     Rob     February 13, 2010

Does anyone know if there are dentists in Limon?

Colin from Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo     February 13, 2010

There is a good dentist office right beside bus station in Limon. It has all latest equipment. Do not know name of it. It is easy to find.
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As for prescriptions, whatever they do not sell over the counter, you can most likely get a doctor to write you a prescription.