www.CostaRicaTicas.com

One thing that is very different here than in the US. Crime here is not random. Almost all crimes are crimes of opportunity. If you are not drunk or if you are not caring valuables the bad guys don't have any interest in you.

Reports of crimes here almost always involve one of those two elements.

In the US they will just shot you for no reason, because you looked at them funny. Or because of road rage. THAT to me is scary!

Kc-
you may be right, in that, SJ is not a more dangerous crime area than many US cities...and probably less so compared to the hot spots, however, I believe that, as perceived rich gringos, in ratio to the overall crime victims spectrum---we are the most lucrative targets with the biggest bull$eye on our backs.
Altho, I have been lucky, and many other CRT gringos have been lucky, in spite of their perceived invincibility,
things could go to hell in a second, under the wrong conditions.
Please always remember Rule #1 " Don't be stupid"

Everyone is different.

If you are a city guy, used to being in the city at night, San Jose is no big deal.

For others, taking a cab is the right choice.

If I am feeling intoxicated or if I am with a chica, I take a cab.

City guys will tell you it is all about awareness of your circumstance. For the guys that have those instincts, they will be very comfortable moving around San Jose at night

San Jose has a level of crime proportionate to Sacramento, CA or Portland OR. I think those would be pretty close comparisons.

Seattle is probably worse. Seattle has two or three shootings a year in the Bell Town District (Party Area) of town. Two years ago they had a guy go through a building with a AK47 and killed 8 people. Don't tell me San Jose is dangerous. Yes it is, but please lets keep it in perspective ...............

KC-
I am not disputing the overall degree of crime, ie., US to CR, my point is the level on the victim spectrum that we perceived " rich gringos " represent to the perspective wrong doer. Tell me the truth... if you were a thief, who would be the more lucrative target of your chosen profession--just any tico or a gringo in a foreign country, out of his element, possibly intoxicated, with probably more dinero on him than common sense allows.
There is way more crime going on than what is read about or what is reported to the gringo news forums.

You make a valid points. These are all factors one should take into account. But it is the norm for there to be more crime than what is reported or what we are aware of. We are used to in the US.

I am just saying it is the same rules that apply in any major city. It really is about having street smarts and instincts. There is nothing especially dangerous about San Jose than what goes on in the US, to the contrary in fact.
I know there are crimianals here and I know that bad things can happen to you here. But it is not anything different than what I already used to back home. To tell the truth the thugs here would not last a week in US hoods. They would get crushed. It is just the same.

Looks like kc was right others objecting to his post. Look, guys, the "always take a cab everywhere" point of view has already been widely posted on this board and others. No need for guy after guy to jump on someone who does not completely agree with you on that (usually with the essentially the same arguments restated in various ways). KC, myself et al were just presenting an alternate point of view.

And you didn't even really listen to what we said. KC never said crime did not exist in CR. What he said was simply that it still paled in comparison to many other places back in the old US of A that we take for granted. So you can cite all the anecdotal examples you want but it still doesn't address the question of relativity.

And if you re-read what I said I think you'll see that some of your complaints don't really hold up either. I said that I was somewhat smaller than KC BUT said that size was "only a part of that". I should have said small part of that. It CAN have some DISSUADING effect (crooks naturally go after the easiest looking targets first) but I NEVER said that being big and imposing by ITSELF was enough to stop bullets. So for Diablo to twist our words that way is very unfair. I also said that when I do walk I take other precautions. One of those was not letting "anyone get too close to me". That would be especially true of any "3/4 little wolfpack ticos", who I'd give a particularly wide berth to. And if threatening looking "multiple aggressors" ever started to approach me I'd quickly move off in the opposite direction. However, in all my evening strolls, I've only had to do that once.

I'll admit Diablo's example of the tico who got chokeholded at a crowded concert was a perfect example of why size ALONE is not enough protection, But look more closely at the example and you'll see that example also illustrated the importance of several other elements that I mentioned: a) avoiding close proximity to others (something that simply can't be done at a crowded concert) b) glancing around and even looking over your shoulder so you are aware of your surroundings and no one can sneak up on you and c) knowing "the city, your way around, which places are safe, which places to put up your extra guard and which places to avoid altogether." So Diablo's example in a way really just proves my point.

And those are just some of the measures I suggested be practiced. I said those were "among several other things" I did. However with all of those, I've never said that one will always be 100% safe from crime, but they will reduce your risk and improve your odds. We all take risks all the time in many things we do. Flying to CR itself carries some risk, even with FAA aircraft maintenance regulations and TSA screenings, but we all seem willing to accept that. Once we arrive in CR, most of us seem very willing to get BBBJ's even though that carries some risk. A few or even surprising many will even go for bareback F/S, which is riskier still. I wouldn't but many do. We can debate how wise any of that really is but it all really comes down to each of us assessing the risks and benefits (hopefully based on fair and objective information) and deciding individually where our own personal comfort level is in balancing the two. In the case of walking around after dark, I think your best argument wouldn't be that the risk is so high but rather that the benefit of walking is so little. In most instances, its not really worth it just to save a buck, however there are times when the risk is really so low and the distance so short that I prefer to simply hoof it.

One last point, this "clown" NEVER advised "newbies that there is nothing to be really concerned with at night if you carry yourself well." But again, reread my post which I concluded with "The only real problem I might have with your post is that firsttime CR visitors reading might think this means they can put down their guard or that it is completely safe. I think it probably is a good idea to err on the side of caution and take cabs until one has a better sense of how things are on their own." They don't really know enough to make their own assessment of risk and reward. I've been going there for years, have been out on the streets after dark and am willing to take the risk in SOME but certainly not every situation. But that is my own personal decision. Others can and will do whatever they want.

Lo siento....I certainly didn't mean for anyone's sarong to get bunched up.
Just trying to make some points

You make good points.

I am just waiting for someone from Brooklyn, Philadelpiha, Baltimore or Miami to tell me that they think that San Jose is dangerous.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Redundant? Redundant? You say Redundant?

HA HA Looks who is talking Mr. "I saved my balls 16,00o times". Bumb, bump, bump. LOL!!!!!

That is redundant.

That's right brother.

We all take our chances stepping out our front door every day. We all live with danger every single day. It is a way of life. You are no different than me.

What is the news in that?

Florida,
That's right! Talk about "reckless endangerment", try ball shaving. We all take calculated risks and we all measure those risks differently. but if we take Florida's assessmenr at face value, then I'll be long dead from other causes (such as being stabbed with a pen by some crazed chica) long before I ever walk the streets of San Jose "a million times". If thats the risk factor, then we all really need to get out there.

Diablo,
We're just talking here, so no harm no foul. Besides, I don't wear a sarong and if I did then I'd really be a target ... for the transvestites at least. Your point about Gringos being more attractive targets is certainly a valid one. Unfortunately, its hard enough getting accurate and reliable crime statistics for SJ in general without trying to further isolate the degree of greater risk for certain demographic groups. We probably do get hit more heavily on a proportionate basis, but we make up such a small segment of the overall urban population that FAR more ticos than gringos get hit. And even with a higher rate per 1000 or 10000 or how ever they measure it, the crime rate againist gringos still could be much less than it would be for us back home in similar areas.

KC,
I don't buy your argument that they have no interest in you because you're not carrying much if anything of value. THEY don't know that. As for as they know, you're a gringo and you could have a $1000 in your wallet. But your comment does raise some other considerations. One might be assumed to be holding just because they look like a Gringo, but they don't need to advertise that fact or confirm it by a) wear flashy watches or jewelry, b) flashing their money around when paying a bill at a bar, store or restaurant c) dressing like a gringo (it may be pretty obvious anyway, particularly if they open their mouth by why remove all doubt). As with the other precautions, these aren't foolproof but they ARE things we can do to make it more likely they'll go after the other guy. And one more thing, one shouldn't just LOOK like you don't have much cash, but actually don't. That way if all else fails and you do get robbed all you're out is a few bucks which you can hopefully simply hand over without further incident rather than be tempted by the prospect of losing a larger sum to try and resist and thus risk even greater injury.

I've never been hit, but if I were and lost only the $20 or so that I normally carry on me, what would really be the big deal? I could easily spend that much extra on taking taxis trying to avoid being robbed in just one trip.

My original point is that the crimes I am aware of have involved intoxication or valuables. Almost always intoxication.

I have no doubt that I have been sized up because I am a gringo. I would be a fool not to think that.

But they are not as bold as US criminals. It is just not the same, I don't care what you say. I might be a potential target, but I am not a target that is high on their list. I don't even carry a wallet. Usually not even my phone. There is nothing in it for them but trouble. They are looking for vulnerable targets and easy opportunities. I don't fall in that catagory.

I am still waiting from someone from Pittsburg, Detroit, Houston or Boston to tell me that they think San Jose is a dangerous city.

If you are not a city guy, take a cab. If you are comfortable in cities, use your best judgement, be aware of your surroundings, you know what to do..

Since you asked... I was raised and continue to live in Brooklyn, not Brownsville, but not Bay Ridge either. In the 80's to mid 90's my area was downright scary. People would be afraid to go outside unless they had to, day or night. So I've seen crime at its worst, people stabbed, shot, beat up, etc right in public. Honestly, I don't think San Jose is a very dangerous city, in general. But it can become dangerous very quickly. I have only felt threatened there once, walking from DR (solo) to the old Gran Via on my first trip at about 3am. The part of Ave Central in front of Gran Via was totally dark and too quiet (nobody in sight), so my nerves were rattled.

I think I'm extremely street smart, you have to be to survive in some places. But I take cabs at night in San Jose. Here's why: Like others have already said, we are already starting out with a bulls-eye on our backs. We are all perceived to be rich and we always have cash on our person, so that makes us targets. I'm not worried about a 4ft Tico trying to overpower me and rob me. I'm worried about a 4ft Tico with a loaded gun robbing me and possibly killing me. And it only takes one time, one mistake, one error in judgement...

I have worked in almost every major US city. I am a city guy. My advice still stands, Why take a chance. These idiots doing the mugging certainly are looking for drunk and easy targets, but they are also looking for gringos. There is a crack epidemic here simialr to the US in the early 90s where crime is getting increasingly violent. Obviously you can do what you want and be as Macho as you want, but the risk reward of a 2buck cab ride at night is a pretty good bet.

Yes most all US cities are dangerous and most of us are smart enough to avoid the bad sections. Well here we monger in the middle of the bad area where we stand out, typically do not speak the language and the police will probably jack you instead of helping you.

I would think most should err on the side of caution. Not to mention if you get accosted and hurt a Tico you are typically going to have a shitstorm to deal with.


BKTUNA
I am never going home

KC- I do not look to start trouble or arguments. I have had no problems in San Jose, but generally take a cab at night. Newark, NJ in the late '80's and early '90's, as well as Jeresey City and NYC, were much worse than '07 SJO is.
However, saying Seattle, and in particular Bell Town, is more dangerous than SJO is what causes me to post. I actually find Seattle to be the safest major city in the U.S. Case and point- after Mariners' games I walk back to Queen Ann (by Seattle Center) through Bell Town. Stop in for a couple drinks at a bar on 2nd Ave. No problems whatsoever. Other than for distances that are too long, I have never gotten in a taxi in Seattle for fear of my safety. The same can't be said for Miami, D.C., Sao Paulo, St. Louis, Atlanta, etc.
But regardless, I agree with Bk's recent post. In a land where I don't speak the language or know the laws.......err on the side of caution.
IMHO, of course.