A Safe Passage Travel Tips

There is a saying in Spanish 'la ocasión hace al ladrón' which basically translates to 'the opportunity makes the thief.'  Our goal at A Safe Passage is to help you give los ladornes as few opportunities as possible.

You will find great travel tips in guidebooks and on the web.  If this is your first time abroad we suggest that you at least give them a browse.  You can check out links for safety tips on our link page.

Below are some tips that we want to add or share with you for safer travel in Costa Rica.  If you have traveled here and have tips or stories you want to share please email us.  

1. Make two copies of your passport, airline ticket and travelers checks.  Put one copy in your luggage and carry the other copy.  The ICT (the local tourist board) advises tourist to 'Always carry a photocopy of your passport and leave a original in the safety deposit box at your hotel...'   When you arrive make a copy of your passport with your entrance stamp so that it is valid.  You won't often need to show your passport while in Costa Rica and as the ICT a copy of your passport is the best way to travel.

2. Scan your important documents into a file or find a storage site on the Internet and store them. Your passport, tickets and travel check numbers maybe some of the obvious but don't forget about your prescriptions, credit card numbers and other important documents.  And for fun you may want to scan some family pictures or photos of your home town to download and share with your new Tico friends.

3. Set up an email address that you can access international.  Yahoo, Hotmail and Juno are a few that offer free email.  Some email accounts where you have to call a local number are not accessible from Costa Rica.

4. Make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.  Also, keep in touch with ?love ones? and email them as you schedule changes so they will know your whereabouts.  There are Internet cafes in most of Costa Rica and they are very affordable.

5. Use a money belt or two.  (Yeah I know sounds a little much.)  But with two you can use one for your daily travel (around the neck) and the other one, around you waist that you do not have to access in public.

6. Travelers checks are fine but many places do not accept them and they can be a hassle to cash.  ATMs are readily available in most areas of Costa Rica and you may find them handy.  We suggest that you use them in the daytime if possible.  You can also pay with credit cards but because of the high credit card charges charged by local banks most merchants prefer cash .

7. Only travel with a day or two worth of cash.  Again, an ATM may be your saving grace.

8. Don't buy an international phone card before coming to Costa Rica buy one here to be assured that it will work.  Costa Rica has a state run phone company and only their phone cards work.  Calling the United States with a local phone card is about 48 cents a minute.  Also, cellular phones often won't work here so leave yours at home.

9. Hide or pin some money in your luggage or inside your clothes. In the case that you do get robbed you have a backup.  If you have pants with deep pockets bring them they will be a traveling plus.

10. Do not bring or wear anything that you can't afford to lose. Do not bring expensive jewelry etc. 'A fool and their jewelry are often parted.' You get the picture.

11. At A Safe Passage we have met travelers who were separated from their luggage on their flight.  So we recommend that you pack as if you are going to be separated from your luggage for a day or two.  Use a carry on for two days or so of clothes and the essentials that you need to travel.

12. Register with your embassy.  This is an option that takes a bit of time but is well worth it.  You may want to e-mail your embassy before coming to find out how and when to register.

13. And, oh yea, don't bring torn, worn or marked dollars, virtually no one will take them.

14. On the bus do not store anything over your head.  When a bus gets crowded sometimes luggage in overhead racks disappear.  And try to purchase your tickets in advance to get seats up front in the bus.

15. You may want to bring some coins, patches, pins or post cards etc. from home to trade or give to your Tico friends.

.email: rchoice@racsa.co.cr    Phone: 011.506.365.9678