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Keeping Yourself Healthy and Safe in Costa RicaWater SafetyOur beaches can be tricky. Some are very calm and safe -- some have riptides and big waves. And sometimes these vary seasonally so a beach which might be easy swimming one day may not be the next so don't assume! Some water safety tips:
Don't be a Victim of CrimeThis is mostly common sense but remember you're visiting an area where what to you are simple indulgences (an iPod, a nice watch) may look like food on the table (or drugs unfortunately) for a local who could never afford such a thing. Here are some tips:
This page has lots more good tips on safety in Costa Rica. If you are a victim of crime, call 911 and then follow the steps on this page to report your crime. HealthAccidents and Travel MedicalAccidents can happen anywhere, especially when you are unused to local road conditions and driving manners (crazy at times!). So although medical care in Costa Rica is generally decent, remember that here in Puerto Viejo we're a long way from a large hospital. There is a public clinic in Hone Creek, about 5km from Puerto Viejo, which is your best bet for emergencies and a small private clinic/doctor's office in downtown Puerto Viejo which can take care of more minor problems (costs are higher than at the public clinic though). Costa Rican pharmacists can also dispense directly many items without a doctor's prescriptions, so check with the pharmacy. You should check whether you have travel medical coverage with your current insurance provider and with your credit cards (sometimes the credit you book your travel on will have some limited coverage). It is worth noting that medical care in Costa Rica is much cheaper than in the USA and cheaper than in Canada and European countries. So the expense of a minor accident or even a broken bone probably won't break the bank. But in the case of a major accident or illness the expenses could certainly run into the thousands of dollars or more, if you need to be evacuated back home, for example. In Costa Rica, there are two parallel medical systems - public and private. Both are accessible to foreigners in an emergency. The quality of care is quite reasonable in the public system but there may be a wait to access services so many people choose to use the private system even though it is at a substantially higher cost. Costa Ricans themselves are required to enroll in the public system through a salary deduction and in turn get free care. If you need medical evacuation back to your own country, you could also be looking at a substantial expense. If you're going to be participating in any sports activities while you're in Costa Rica (surfing, whitewater rafting, etc) make sure your policy doesn't include a waiver for those activities or, if it does, you may need to buy additional coverage. Tropical DiseasesThe main worry here is Dengue Fever, which is a mosquito borne illness which does occasionally have outbreaks in the area. Unfortunately there is no vaccination for this. Your best protection is to minimize the number of mosquito bites you get by applying bug repellent and/or sleeping under a mosquito net. Costa Rica is listed as a risk for Malaria on some travel advice websites. However, this is primarily a risk if you are planning hikes deep into the forests. Taking malaria pills is not generally needed for here but check with your doctor.
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Additional comments from our visitors about Puerto Viejo Health and Safety
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. ;)
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!
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.
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?
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.
Hi Doug, thanks for your zippy reply.
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.
OK, good to know. Thanks for the info. Doug.
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? 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!
Good afternoon Folks,
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?
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! does anyone know of a practicing midwife in or fairly close to the area? Or, someone to contact that might know? thanks!
Hi,
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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).
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. Go to comments page: 1 2
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Carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times --
it is Costa Rican law that you have identification with you at
all times but unless you are driving or crossing borders a copy
is generally adequate. Leave the original behind in the safe at
your hotel.
I understand how you feel  
Bot flies?  Beverly S McCarter from Thomasville, NC May 19, 2011





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 donts" 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 dont 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.
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