www.CostaRicaTicas.com

For those who think that SJ is not very dangerous consider these points.

No restaurants or bars that I know of have seating out front on the street.
In quito, ecuador and Lima , Peru many places have that. In SJ there are too many robbers and to few police .

I hardly ever see anyone walking around town or on the bus carrying a l
laptop. This is a sure way to have a gun at your head , day or night.

You have to be careful where you pull your cell phone out. Think about it if you are in a questionablr neighborhood.

Go back to the states for 2 months and leave your apt or condo empty. Guess what , chances are when you return it will be very empty.

SJ is safe ? Right. Safe for the robber to rob.

The problem in CR is that there are few consequences for the robbers. Even if they get caught they are let go. In Ecuador the police would probably at least beat them up. There people are afraid of the police , not so here.

Everything that Zman says is true. There are certain dangers here and certain precautions you must take.

It is a different set of precautions then what you have to follow in the states. I will say that just because it is a different set of rules, does not in it self make it worse here than other places. It is just different.

If you live within the precautions that Zman outlined, then you really should not expect to have any problems. Criminals here are looking for easy opportunities. I don’t carry anything with me when I am in San Jose. Nothing! It is just not a good idea.

If you are not carrying anything of any value that attracts attention, if you are not wearing clothing that makes you stick out as a tourist, you chances of someone bothering you is pretty damn slim.

It is all relative.

Compared to other big Latin Cities (Rio, Caracus, Mexico City)......... San Jose is very, very safe. However it is not a place to be walking around without a care in the world and oblivious to what is going on around you. That said those that take the time to explore the city will find that it has a lot to offer. It is actually a pretty nice city overall. Certainly one of the cleanest in all of Latin America

I am just wondering what happened to all the "Why Take The Risk" advocates earlier in the thread that were saying that you should always take a cab?

The reality is that there are no perfect choices for moving around San Jose. If you want to insulate yourself from risk, do not come. There are all sort of things that you have to factor when you are making decisions about how to get around. Choices will vary from person to person, and circumstance to circumstance, everyone has to decide what is right for them.

I believe the most important thing, regardless of your choice, is to be aware of your circumstances at all times, regardless of mode of transportation and be prepared to make take control of your situation. That is the best you can do to insure your safety here.

Besides never leaving your room, there is no simple formula for insuring your safety in any big city as far as I am concerned. San Jose is no exception.

KC,

For one it was "always take a cab at night" And you badgered us for making the point repeatedly.

I think both sides of the argument were discussed thoroughly and anyone can make an educated decision now.

I walked from LaSabana through Paseo Colon and Mercado Central, down Av central and then to the SL yesterday (During the day) I would not make the same walk at night.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

Fair point. I plead guilty to perhaps going a little to far in pushing my point. It is all with good natured intent, I don't begrudge anyone for having a different opinion.

I have always felt like the best ideas come out of healthy debate. This has been a good debate. Both sides of the issue make valid points.

This subject has no right or wrong side. It is all a matter of opinion.

Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Although when someone says SJ is one of the cleanest cities in latin america their overall judgement comes into question. I have not laughed so hard in weeks. SJ is a filthy city. Lima, Quito, Buenos Aires, Panama City are very clean in comparison.

Because after saying it, what else is there really left to say. Nothing you say will convince the taxi guys and nothing the taxi guys say will convince the walkers. There is no real new information to add to the discussion. Personal safety is a matter of personal choice. We each have our own boundaries.

Counte, I think you and I pretty much see things the same way as far as choosing what is right for you. I have said all along that people should choose what is most comfortable for them. It is an individual choice.

I personally do not see the purpose of debate as to change anyones mind. I am certainly not arguing against using a taxi. That is what I do most of the time in fact!!!!! So I am not anti-taxi.

There is a group that advocates ONLY using a taxi, and NEVER walking. I have probably pushed the point harder because so many of the "why take the risk" people have been so arrogant and rude in promoting their view. Words like Stupid and Foolish are thrown around, which I feel is unnesessary in a debate of ideas.

Their argument is "Why Take the Risk" for not walking, yet they accept the risk of getting into a dangerous automobile. They become very silent when you point this out. Given the level of arrogance of some, I feel this is a fair point to raise.

I will admit, that I have pushed the point that taxis are very dangerous too far. But I have not been rude and mean spirited, which is more than I can say for some.

We all have the right to our own opinion, I have said all along that there is not perfect choice for getting around this city.

Amigo I am not going to get into a pissing contest on this but I think you have made some comments that are just as rude and self serving as those who gave opinions that were at odds with yours.

Righteousness is the same as beauty..... it exists in the eye of the beholder.

Peace brother and I still look forward to having that beer with you

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

opps, sorry Admin. DELETE. I know I have been doing this a lot lately, I will try to clean up my act.

We can disagree friend, but I won't question your judgement on your choice of transportation. that is a personal choice. Just because we disagree that is no reason to put each other down right?

I am glad I was able to provide you some entertainment, that is the point of the board, right?. The reason I am here is because it is supposed to be a group of good guys that want to have fun and share ideas. I assume you feel the same.

That said

I can not speak for Lima and Quito. Buenos Aires is probably the cleanest of all, hands down as far as what I am aware.

Panama City, it depends what you are comparing. The nicest areas of Panama City are much nicer than nicest areas of San Jose, very true.

Panama City also has a lot more extreame poverty, overall it is very debateble which is a cleaner city.

When you look at the list of major Latin American cities (Quito???), the list of the ones that are reasonably clean is a very short list and San Jose should be on that list. Arguably San Jose is the the cleanest of all Major cities north of Lima. LOL Aren't I funny? LOL

peace

I am accountable. I will admit that I went a little far in pushing my point. I can understand that can be irritating. My bad!!!! But when words like stupid and foolish enter into the discussion you better be ready with well thought out opinions, because at that point it is "game on" for me. If this makes me a asshole, I accept that.

I do try not to take it so serious to the point that I am rude and disrespectful of others opinions. It is one thing to challenge someone's opinion and another to put them down. If I have been rude to anyone in this debate, then I apologize here and now.