www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Did a search but did not really find a answer that helped me. I am a big photography buff. And I plan on bringing my dslr (canon 7d) along with me on my trip as I will be spending most of my time in playa hermosa, minus 2 days in san jose. I only plan on having it out and using it while at the beach hotel. Might bring it along if I go on a tour of something. All the talk of theft and people getting mugged for their stuff has me nervous though. Would it be fairly safe if kept out of view on my way from the airport to hotel in san jose then left in the safe, till I go out to the beach?

I plan on getting a nice camera backpack. A few companies make ones that open from the side that is along your back, so they can not be opened by the person behind you, would this be a good buy? Or do they tend to look out for backpacks also? I have been to several big cities in the states with my good cameras and never had issues just used a lot of common sense. (ex. nyc, dc, miami, orlando, montego bay in Jamaica) But for some reason I am really nervous about it in Costa. Out of site in a secure backpack that is always on my person gonna be a fairly safe bet. Or would it really be best left at home? Again I will NOT be dancing around the streets of San Jose with a 2000 dollars of camera gear around my neck in plain sight . (which im sure some people do).

Go to a garage sale and buy the most beatup bag you can find that will carry all your camara stuff, that will work.
Get some old crappy clothes also. Look like you are poor.

I've walked all over San Jose with my Nikon on my shoulder and a tripod under my arm... not a single problem in 6 trips. You can't get those good shots if you have to fish your camera from a backpack. You also can't hide your Gringoness, so just do what you want and be smart. I don't take it out to the bars after dark though, lol . Life's too short to live life like a victim, IMO.

That sums it all up. !!!