Security Challenges in Costa Rica

Security Issues

In our reading about Costa Rica, we have encountered many references to problems with pickpocketing and other forms of non-violent theft encountered by tourists. This is not a problem unique to Costa Rica, but it does appear to be prevalent there, especially in tourist locations, and it is one to be aware of and prepared for.

For us, it would be vital to protect a few things - our passports, credit card(s), driver's licenses, cash (significant amounts), prescription medications, medical information, and our electronic gadgets (iPhones, iPads, and camera).

I have been researching strategies for discouraging thieves, and will share some of them here. Bob and I do have somewhat different approaches to preparing for this possibility. I am, it seems, more cautious (or more paranoid) than he is. And he will be taking some different approaches from mine.

I must say, as an aside, that our respect for the skills of pickpockets, and our desire to make some preparation against them, was heightened after reading this article in the January 7, 2013 issue of The New Yorker :  "A Pickpocket's Tale" by Adam Green.

For learning about, and shopping for, some Security items, I found these travel sites to be very informative:

• Magellan's Travel Supplies - www.magellans.com 
• TravelSmith - www.travelsmith.com 
• The Adventurous Wench - www.adventurouswench.com 

Following are some possible scenarios and some solutions or strategies we have come up with. In all things, we have agreed that we need to be a team and watch each other's back.  This is how we operate in our relationship anyway, so we should manage very well.

Pickpocketing

This, I understand, is fairly common in the big cites, especially in crowded market areas and in bus stations. It is also fairly common in most or all of the tourist areas. It is interesting to learn that pickpockets often work in teams: someone distracts you, another snatches your stuff, hands it off to a third person who runs away. Sometimes, yet another person will appear as the good samaritan and return your "lost" wallet or purse, but sans the cash or more.

Solutions and Strategies:

• Don't put anything valuable in a visible pocket. Perhaps keep a few bucks handy for coffee or bus fare, but keep most of your cash elsewhere.
• Don't put all your valuables in one place. Spread cash and credit cards out among a few different locations.
• Wear clothing with zippered or buttoned pockets, when possible. (The travel stores offer pants, skirts, dresses, and shirts with these features. I have a dress on order that has two hidden zippered pockets, for example.)
• Do not wear any flashy jewelry, or any jewelry at all that you are not willing to lose.
• Wear a money belt, either under your clothes or an actual belt with a hidden pocket for currency. (Also available from the travel stores. I have both). In an under-clothes money belt, there is also room to stow your passport, credit cards, and ID. Also sold is an item called "the hidden pocket" that attaches to your belt and can be worn inside your pants, shorts, or skirt. (Yes, I have one of those also.) And, for the ladies, there is also a small silk pouch that you tuck inside your bra and is designed to hold one credit card. (Yup, got one of those too.)
• Keep larger valuables (phones, tablets, cameras) in a theft-resistant bag that you wear cross-body,  in front, with your hand on it. Bob is using his old leather briefcase for this purpose. I have two purses I can use in this way. I also have a front-attaching fanny pack for casual jaunts when I don't need to bring much with me.

Cut and Run

Evidently, some thieves target people (especially women) who wear shoulder bags. The tactic is to come from behind or the side, quickly cut the shoulder strap with a knife or scissors, grab the purse or bag, and run. It usually happens very fast. And, yes, there is an "App" for that. Travel stores offer a variety of purses and bags for men and women that are designed to thwart that effort. Encased in the thick straps are metal cables that cannot be cut with an ordinary scissors or knife. (And who can be stealthy or swift on the street carrying large cable snappers?!)

I have ordered such a purse from TravelSmith from their PacSafe/CitySafe line and eagerly await the UPS delivery. The purses and bags in this line also are lined with metal mesh on the bottom and sides, also intended to thwart the "slashers". They also include technology intended to foil identity theft. (More on this below.)

RFID Identity Theft

Apparently, there is now a "gismo" out there in the world that can "read" encrypted identity information stored in microchips embedded in some credit cards and passports. (This gismo is called an RFID reader.) A potential thief can be holding one of these up to ten feet away and get a reading from your encrypted card or passport. These readers are readily available online and any thief can buy one. I am not sure if any of our credit cards use this technology. I'm pretty sure that our passports do not. However, in the better-safe-than-sorry category, I am glad to know that my new CitySafe purse also comes with the RFID-protection technology.  To learn more about this, visit the TravelSmith site and follow their links to their very thorough explanation about the problem and their technology.

Theft of Unattended Items

Keep an eye on all your belongings all the time.  Large or small, an item can disappear in an instant if you are not paying attention. Do not let yourself get distracted by anyone or anything. This is when our "watch each other's back" strategy will be especially important. Here are some other tips we have learned along the way and intend to put into practice:

• Mark your luggage with tags, unusual markings, name or initials, and other distinguishing characteristics that will enable you to quickly pick your bags out of the crowd. This will come in handy at Baggage Claim in the airports and in many other situations.  Consider making your special mark using some combination of the following: duct tape, paint, permanent marker, ribbon, color-coded zipper pulls. Also, consider using luggage with unusual colors or patterns. It is very easy to make a mistake when looking for your black or brown bag out of many on the luggage carousel, whereas no one else may have a puce-colored bag like yours. A thief is less likely to grab a bag that is unique and stands out from the crowd. 
• Some security bags come with a wrapped metal cable that can be used to attach a bag to a fixed object, much like a bicycle cable attached to a lamp post. My new purse is supposed to come with a cable like that.
• If you are carrying a purse or bag or daypack or similar item, keep it held close to you at all times. Don't leave it lying on a counter or table or in a shopping cart, etc.
• At the beach or pool, bring nothing that you cannot afford to lose, unless at least one of you is watching the stuff at all times. I plan to bring a towel, hat, coverup, suntan lotion, sunglasses, flip-flops, bottled water and a cheap paperback. Maybe I'll bring a little coin purse with no more than $5 in it. If I am planning to swim and my stuff will be unattended, I will not be bringing my iPhone, iPad, camera, purse, binoculars, passport, credit cards, and the like.

Theft of Luggage in Buses and Bus Stations

Evidently, buses and bus stations are especially vulnerable places for tourists. Our plan:

• Pack light. Bring only what we need.
• If possible, bring only carry-on items, and keep them with us at the seat.
• Follow the security strategies listed above.
• If stowing luggage in the under-bus storage bin, sit at a window on that side of the bus. Monitor the removal of luggage at each stop. Be prepared to move fast if we see our luggage brought out before our stop.
• And, as always, watch each other's back.

Problems with Rental Cars

At this time, we are not planning to rent a car. Yet, in the end, we might. Here's what we've learned so far. Cars rented by tourists are a big target for thieves in Costa Rica. We are told, never leave anything visible in your car. Don't bring anything you don't need. If you have to leave something, lock it in the trunk.

There are scams involving thieves and tourists in rental cars. Flat tires caused by potential thieves. Breakdowns that attract potential thieves. Fake police stopping tourists for speeding. And more. Just be aware.

Theft from Hotel Rooms and Other Lodging Sites

This does happen sometimes.  Put your valuables in a safe at your hotel or other lodging when you can. 

Holdups at ATM Sites

Not as common as other types of theft in Costa rica, but it has happened. Some strategies:

• Stay away from isolated or unlit ATM's.  
• Use ATM during daytime hours.
• Use a bank ATM - or a bank teller - when possible.
• Don't draw too much money at one time, and put the money and your card in a money belt, hidden pocket, or other secure place.
• If a thief takes you to an ATM by gun or knife point, and demands you draw out all your cash, try to remove an amount larger than your daily limit. This will initiate a blocked transaction from your bank, and neither you nor the thief will get anything. Be sure to contact your bank as soon as you can and let them know what happened.

Theft of Food From Backpacks

OK, this one's just for fun. Not every act of theft in Costa Rica can be ascribed to humans! They have some very savvy animals there too.  Monkeys, and some other animals such as raccoons and coatis, are skilled at raiding backpacks and other tourist bags for food. It is not wise to encourage this - not healthy for the animals or for you. People food causes health problems for the animals. And you could lose your lunch. Don't feed the animals! Be warned, and plan accordingly.