The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was established in 1985 by the U.S. Department of State to foster the exchange of security related information between the U.S. Government and American private sector operating abroad. Administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, OSAC has developed into an enormously successful joint venture for effective security cooperation. Through OSAC, the American private sector, including colleges and universities, is provided timely information on which to make informed corporate decisions on how best to protect their investment, facilities, personnel and intellectual property abroad. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime /Safety Report for San Jose, Costa Rica
NOTE UP DATE..>>>>......2/16/07.........US EMBASSY DIPLOMAT HAS HOME INVASION AND WIFE IS TIED UP AND HOME IS ROBBED OF AT LEAST $10,000 IN MID DAY OF JEWELRY, COMPUTERS AND DOCUMENTS. POLICE SAY THE THIEVES HAD THEIR OWN BACKUP SERCUITY AND HAD CASED OUT THE HOME IN THE UP SCALE ESCAZU AREA WHERE ALL THE USA EMBASSY DIPOMATS AND SENIOR STAFF LIVE.
1. OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY SITUATION:
The American Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica deals daily with US citizens that have fallen victim to crime during their visit. Costa Rica is a very popular country for tourists, who in turn are very popular targets for criminals. Some of the more common reports filed with the Embassy are of muggings and theft. Visitors should pay particular attention while using public transportation and frequenting tourist attractions.
COSTA RICA .........LINKS ........ REAL CRIME NEWS
Costa Rica is a peaceful country and the threat to Americans from terrorism or civil unrest is almost non-existent. Costa Rica is with the Central American country with the longest history of democracy. In 1998, Costa Rica celebrated the 50th anniversary of the abolishment of its military.
3. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS:
Costa Rica lies within an earthquake zone and periodically experiences significant tremors. The last earthquake that caused significant damage to infrastructure was in 1993.
More of a day-to-day hazard are the roads in Costs Rica. Roads are in poor condition. Large potholes with the potential to cause significant damage to vehicles are common. The poor condition of the roads is a frequent subject of conversation with locals and visitors alike. The bad roads get worse each year during the rainy season (May - Nov). In the mountains, mud slides can cause even main routes to be impassable. Roads will washout with regularity during the rainy season. All of the above, in addition to poor visibility because of heavy fog or rain, makes driving at night especially treacherous.
Traffic laws and speed limits are often ignored; turns across one or two lanes of traffic are common, and pedestrians generally are not given the right of way.
4. ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS:
Costa Rica does have a 911 system for reporting emergencies.
Crimes discovered after the fact must be reported in person at the nearest Organization of Judicial Investigation (OIJ) Office. The OIJ is the equivalent of the FBI but is under the authority of the judicial branch of the Costa Rican Government. The OIJ is responsible for investigating major crimes. In the event of a traffic accident, the vehicles must be left where they are, and not moved out of the way. Both the Transito (Traffic Police) and the Insurance Investigator must make accident reports. Both of these officials will come, eventually, to the accident scene upon notification.
American Embassy - 519-2000 after hours - 220-3127 Police Emergency - 911 Ambulance - 128 or 911 Fire - 118 or 911 Transit Police - 222-9330 or 222-9245 INS (Car Acidents)- 800-800-8000 OIJ - 911 or 222-1365 or 221-5337
LOST CREDIT CARDS American Express - 0-800-012-3211 Diners Club - 257-1766 MasterCard - 257-4744 Visa International- 257-4744
5. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:
Red Cross Ambulance - 128 or 911 or 221-5818 Poison Center - 223-1028 Hospital Mexico - 232-6122 Clinica Biblica - 257-0466 Hospital Nacional de Niños – 222-0122
Medical care in San Jose is adequate. In areas outside of San Jose, medical care is more limited. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. US medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proved useful in many emergencies.
6. TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM:
Be aware of your surroundings, ask your guide or hotel for crime information if they do not provide it. Even though you are in a foreign environment, trust your instincts. Talk to other travelers that have already been to the places that you are going; ask if they are aware of any security problems. When planning your travel remember that Costa Rica receives about 12 hours of sunlight a day, year around (6am-6pm). Street Crime - Leave expensive jewelry at home or put it in the hotel safe deposit box. Take only the amount of money you need with you and do not carry it all in one pocket; many places take credit cards. Do not change money on the street as moneychangers cheat clients and pass counterfeit currency. Do not flash a lot of money when making purchases. Pay particular attention to your belongings when transiting airports and bus stations. Teams of thieves are known to work these locations; one will distract an individual while the other will steal anything left unattended.
Car break-in / theft - Travelers should purchase an adequate level of locally valid car theft insurance. It is rumored that thieves have master keys to many of the popular models of rental cars, so do not leave anything visible in the car. Park in paid lots whenever possible, if unavailable, park in a well-traveled area and in a lighted place at night. Always lock vehicle doors and use the anti-theft device and alarm system if the car is so equipped.
Visitors using local taxi cabs should be made aware of "gypsy" cabs. The "gypsy cabs" do not have a company logo or identifying roof mount and generally do not have a meter. Visitors should not use these vehicles as there have been reports of extreme overcharges and personal assaults.
Passport Theft: Generally, carry a copy of the photo / information page from your passport and leave the original locked in your hotel safety deposit box. You may be required to present the original passport and valid license when renting a car and/or driving. Nothing can spoil a great vacation like trying to replace a lost or stolen passport the day before your scheduled departure. Your US passport is the single most important document that you will bring with you. Criminals looking to illegally enter the United States, target US passports for theft. Passports have been reported stolen from inside the airport, as well as other locations.
7. EMBASSY CONTACT INFORMATION:
American Embassy - 519-2000 after hours - 220-3127 Street Address: American Embassy in Pavas Website address: http://sanjose.usembassy.gov
Note: US-style street addresses do not currently exist (testing of a new addressing plan will begin in January of 2000). An address will start with a common landmark and then give the meters and direction. (i.e. Contraloria, 300 mts. este) . Since the American Embassy in the Pavas neighborhood is a landmark any taxi should be able to take you there.
THE US STATE DEPT........UNDER REPORTS CRIME IN CR
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Costa Rica attracts over a million foreign tourists annually, all of whom are targets for criminals. Theft is common. Visitors should pay particular attention while using public transportation, and not leave personal belongings in rental cars. U.S. citizens are encouraged to exercise the same level of caution they would in major cities or tourist areas throughout the world. Local law enforcement agencies have limited capabilities and do not act according to U.S. standards. Travelers should minimize driving at night, especially outside urban areas.
The US Embassy in San Jose has received eleven reports from victims of armed robberies of American Citizens and other Nationals since December 2005, most of which involve people coming from the Airport in vehicles between 2200 – 2300 hours. Although not all of these incidents were identical, a consistent theme is a group of masked and armed men (some of whom speak English) either convince or force the driver of a vehicle to pull over. Once the vehicle pulls over, the armed men quickly and methodically rob the occupants of their luggage and other valuables. As of this date, the people committing these armed robberies have not been caught by the Judicial Police.
Americans should avoid areas with high concentrations of bars and nightclubs, especially at night, and steer clear of deserted properties or undeveloped land. For safety reasons, the Embassy does not place its official visitors in hotels in the San Jose city center, but instead puts them at the larger hotels in the outlying suburbs. Americans should walk or exercise with a companion, bearing in mind that crowded tourist attractions and resort areas popular with foreign tourists are common venues for criminal activities. Travelers should ignore any verbal harassment, and avoid carrying passports, large amounts of cash, jewelry or expensive photographic equipment. Tourists are encouraged to carry photocopies of the passport datapage and Costa Rican entry stamp on their persons, and leave the original passport in a hotel safe or other secure place.
Travelers should purchase an adequate level of locally valid theft insurance when renting vehicles, park in secured lots whenever possible, and never leave valuables in the vehicle. The U.S. Embassy receives reports daily of valuables, identity documents, and other items stolen from locked vehicles. Thefts from parked cars occur in downtown San Jose, at beaches, in the airport and bus station parking lots, and at national parks and other tourist attractions.
Travelers should use licensed taxis, which are red with medallions (yellow triangles containing numbers) painted on the side. Licensed taxis at the airport are painted orange. All licensed taxis have working door handles, locks, seatbelts and meters (called "marias"); passengers are required to use seatbelts. When traveling by bus, avoid putting bags or other personal belongings in the storage bins. At all times have your belongings in your line of sight or in your possession.
A common scam involves the surreptitious puncturing of tires of rental cars, often near restaurants, tourist attractions, airports, or close to the car rental agencies themselves. When the travelers pull over, "good Samaritans" quickly appear to change the tire - and just as quickly remove valuables from the car, sometimes brandishing weapons. Drivers with flat tires are advised to drive, if at all possible, to the nearest service station or other public area, and change the tire themselves, watching valuables at all times.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) was established in 1985 by the U.S. Department of State to foster the exchange of security related information between the U.S. Government and American private sector operating abroad. Administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, OSAC has developed into an enormously successful joint venture for effective security cooperation. Through OSAC, the American private sector, including colleges and universities, is provided timely information on which to make informed corporate decisions on how best to protect their investment, facilities, personnel and intellectual property abroad. 
