BangBang57 wrote: ID,
My statment about people joining ARCR because of problems at the borders and with their visas was a direct quote from one of the guys in their office!!
We have dueling quotes from ARCR employees as one of them told me the increase was residents joing the CAJA.
BangBang57 wrote:
As for Nicaragua and Equador, How much time have you spent in either country??? yep, just what I thought.
A specious argument as I am sure you realize. You do not have to spend time in North Korea to know the government is dictatorial or in Cuba to know the government is communist.
One does not have to spend time in Nicaragua to know the government is politically unstable. It is becoming more of a dictatorship every day. Fraudulent elections, Supreme Court Justices who refuse to leave the bench when their term expires, Supreme Court ruling allowing Ortega to seek reelection which is specifically prohibited by the Constitution and can only be changed by the National Assembly who refused to do so. That is just a few of the things going on there now.
As to crime in Ecuador vs Costa Rica this is what the U.S. State Departmnt says about both countries.
Quote: Ecuador.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Crime in Ecuador continues to occur at a dramatically high rate and is often violent. American citizens have been victims of crimes, including but not limited to homicides, armed assaults, kidnappings, robberies, sexual assaults, and home invasions. American citizens have also been victims of violent crime on beaches, both at popular tourist destinations and in remote areas. Low rates of apprehension and conviction of criminals contribute to Ecuador’s high crime rate.
The U.S. Embassy in Quito advises caution when traveling to the northern border region of Ecuador, to include areas in the provinces of Sucumbios, Orellana, Carchi, northern Esmeraldas, and southern Esmeraldas, south of Atacames. U.S. government personnel are under strict limitations with respect to traveling alone and over-nighting in these areas due to the spread of organized crime, drug trafficking, small arms trafficking, and incursions by various Colombian terrorist organizations. In 2009, an American citizen was kidnapped and held for ransom near Ecuador's border with Colombia. At least 11 U.S. citizens are known to have been victims of kidnapping in this region over the past decade, including one U.S. citizen who was murdered by his kidnappers in January 2001.
Robbery of taxi passengers is a serious problem in the Guayaquil and Manta areas. Please see crime information below.
Political demonstrations occur frequently throughout Ecuador. Protesters often block city streets and rural highways, including major arteries such as the Pan American Highway. Public transportation is often disrupted during these events. Protesters may burn tires, throw rocks and Molotov cocktails, engage in destruction of property and detonate small improvised explosive devices during demonstrations. Police response may include water cannons and tear gas. U.S. citizens and U.S. affiliated interests are not usually targeted, but U.S. citizens are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are in progress and to be prepared with back-up transportation plans. Although political demonstrations have not been directed at foreigners in the past, visitors are reminded that peaceful demonstrations can turn violent with little or no warning. Additionally, foreigners are prohibited from protesting in Ecuador and may be subject to arrest for participating in demonstrations of any kind. Please see the Embassy’s security and safety page, or the security and safety page of the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil for the latest safety and security messages. U.S. citizens may also keep informed of daily happenings by following the local news and police reports.
Ecuadorian authorities may declare states of emergency in provinces and regions affected by civil unrest, natural disaster, or other disruptions. During states of emergency, authorities have expanded powers to restore order, including suspension of some constitutional rights, expanded detention powers, and imposition of curfews.
Radicals in various locations in Ecuador, including Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, have occasionally placed small explosive devices that release political literature, known locally as pamphlet bombs. Targets have included local and international businesses and various Government of Ecuador buildings. Although no foreign tourists have been injured in these explosions, American citizens visiting or residing in Ecuador are urged to take common-sense precautions and avoid suspicious-looking packages.
Costa Rica.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: There have been no recent acts of terrorism in Costa Rica. Visitors to Costa Rica may experience the effects of civil disturbances such as work stoppages and strikes. Although infrequent, these acts can create inconveniences for visitors. On both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts currents are swift and dangerous, and there are few lifeguards or signs warning of dangerous beaches. Every year a number of American citizens drown in Costa Rica due to riptides or sudden drop-offs while in shallow water. Extreme caution is advised.
Adventure tourism is popular in Costa Rica, and many companies offer white-water rafting, bungee jumping, jungle canopy tours, SCUBA diving, and other outdoor attractions. Americans are urged to use caution in selecting adventure tourism companies. The Government of Costa Rica regulates and monitors the safety of these companies, and registered tourism companies with operating permits must meet safety standards and have insurance coverage. Nonetheless, be advised that safety regulations enforced in Costa Rica are not as stringent as safety regulations in the United States. The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) web site has contact information for licensed tour operators and travel agencies.
BangBang57 wrote: Hey, I love living in CR, but it is not the paradise it once was, nor that some people would like to make it out to be!!! There is no such place as the perfect paradise for everyone--every place, including the USA, has its draw backs and problems!
Absolutely right on. My disagreement is not with you or anyone else moving on to another county I simply pointed out what I felt were two of the countries you listed as having significant problems. I did not mention anything about Panama or Colombia as I do not see them having the problems that exist in Nicaragua or Ecuador.
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