www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've read in many post that you should not wear flashy jewelry as it attracts unwanted attention .

I'm the type of guy who likes to look good no matter where I am (not for show off purposes, but for me only. I know you don't have to impress anyone there at all).

I have a flashy looking watch, just a regular Guess watch but it resembles a Rolex in look- black/silver.

I never take it off, haven't for 5 years now (I feel naked without it, I'm sure I will be naked all the time... ahem- but I feel empty without the little guy keeping me on track through these fast times).

Will one watch be that big of a deal? Do you think it will be enough for one person to see and make me a target? (I will also be with more people most of the time- never alone) I could care less and have dealt with punks from other countries before, so it's nothing new there (but new country of course, different people)... I can only imagine how many fake Rolex's people wear around town.

Anyways, should I just forget it all together? It's not that big of deal if I can't bring it but I want to- I wore it for 2 months when I traveled to Trinidad and Tobago in 2001 for the Carnival. I got constant looks back and forth from locals, mostly becuase I was only white person on the damn island...other then this, I like to dress nice- they just aren't use to seeing that I guess.

Also, are new cloths a big problem? I purchased a lot of new cloths before the trip- lot of light color (white/grey) stuff- new shoes, I mean it looks very flashy by itself. Should I go with more busted down cloths to blend in more, or stick to my GQ style and not give a shit?

I don't think I should change who I am because I'm in a different country- but I just want stress free, fun vacation without any trouble- ya know?

Opinions?....

Thanks a bunch again for all your guys info, It will surely help me and my bro once we arrive.

Just go with what makes you comfortable... AS long as you are generally with other people and take cabs at night, you'll be fine...

I know some have said don't wear shorts... Hell, I'm from Florida and when it's warm, I wear shorts... I'm going to stick out anyway with fair skin and blond hair... No one will confuse me for a tico...

Leave the watch at home. Muggers are attracted by what they think they see not what it is really is. A fake Rolex or a watch that resembles a Rolex is a Rolex to them.

Wear a cheap watch, if you need to wear a watch, and no jewelery. Don't to be to concerned about your clothes. You are going to be tagged as a gringo no matter how you dress. That being said the more prosperous you look the more inviting target you make yourself.

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

Thank for the replies Tony and Irish, I will keep your comments in mind for sure.

Personally, if the watch was very important to me I would just leave it at home. You're not going to be overly concerned about what time it is anyway . Between armed and strong-arm robberies, snatch a dash type thefts, and chicas stealing from you when you pass out, is it really worth bringing it down if you care about the watch so much.

You should be relatively safe if you stay in a group. However, one word of advice. DON'T get really drunk down there. While there are guys in CR that seem to live in a constant state of intoxication down there and haven't been robbed yet, almost every story of a guy getting mugged by a tico or robbed by a chica have the words "I was really drunk" in them somewhere . Personally, I think being sober is probably the best safety precaution one could take.

I totally agree, I'm really not much of a drinker anyways so I took this advice seriously the first time I saw it on here, because it makes much sense. Even when I'm drinking, I keep my limits and can hold my own not to get outa control at all (especially in another country...)

delete

As someone else said, It's not what it is, it's what it looks like to them.

Tico's by and large are too.. umm. unmotivated to rob someone, but it's not the Tico's you gotta worry about. There's Colombians (and not the hot Chica variety) straight out of drug cartels, there's El Salvadoran's who spent time in death squads, etc.. These are people that don't care about life and will kill you as easily as rob you.

Don't make yourself a target. Period. Nice clothes are ok so long as you're not wearing armani suits. But I wouldn't let your guard down if you're dressed that nicely.

The other thing being dressed nicely will do is make you a target for the street beggers (even more so than usual).

Caution should always rule. Having said that I wear what I am comfortable with. I do not have a problem . I walk with purpose. I take cabs at night. I stay away from groups of Ticos hanging out. If you are an experienced traveler and are cautious you will be fine.

The ONLY thing that's gonna make you good looking to the DR chicas (and elsewhere in general) is the cash in your pocket. The only thing that's gonna make you good looking to the punks with a gun in hand are the clothes, watch, gold chains... which lead to the cash in your pocket.

Berk.....

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FRUITCAKE... and you thought it was something you eat! Not on CRT!

Sucks to be you, Berk. When are you going to meet me for a drink? Your call, anytime, amigo.

As for watches and such, I wear a fake Rolex in SJO. They are so common that I think you could wear a real Rolex and they would think it is fake. Mine cost little and I will be happy to hand it to the first person that asks for it with the right attitude.

More important, in my opinion, is avoiding situations that put you at risk of being mugged in the first place. Travel by cab at night or in groups and don't be obviously drunk. CalifKen tosses in: "That is one of the great things about Sportsman's Lodge, there are always guys hanging out that are ready to form a group and go on tour."

If you want to wear your watch, wear your watch. Minimize risk and you will be fine. You are on the right track by limiting consumption of alcohol. Your powers of observation will keep you out of trouble and awareness is the first thing to go with to much of the booze, IMHO.

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

here i thought i was going to read a thread on jewelry polishing cloths........didn't realize he wanted advice on his el guaponess & safety???

wear what you want, travel with a wing man, control your enviroment.

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GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

What a shock! NOT!

Berk.....

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FRUITCAKE... and you thought it was something you eat! Not on CRT!

seems like you read many of the posts...stay away walking alone in front of the NYB and down to the Pres. seems as that is the hot area right now , my trip was about 2 weeks ago and 2 guys had chains ripped right off from around their necks walking in that area. I had wrote that i have seen many more police walking around san jose ...mostly during the day and not in the area that gringos are getting hit at. What i did see the police in their new uniforms doing was, mostly just walking around ..i seen 2 cops wake a drug K*D up that was sleeping in the middle of the walking street then 10 mins later he was back sleeping 3 feet from the area he was at. I played cards with some good guys who all wore gold and you could tell they were 200 to 125 for any girls they took (thanks ..really helps a cheap guy like me) but how they didnt get hit by one of the bad guys i will never understand ...as i told one of them ...there is someone right now trying to find a way to get the gold off your neck...he just smiled at me ...i told him he was nuts if he walked out of the delrey , even to key largo...i mean this guy had to have 20.000 to 30,000 of gold on him ...necklace, watch. rings ....but i seen him at the airport and he had it all still on.

Yeah, come on down. I'll get you a smokin' deal of a Fauxlex or two and a discount Colombiana as well. Low miles...only phucked on Sundays!

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978