www.CostaRicaTicas.com

You guys are acting like your secret agents on a mission trying to avoid the Gestapo or KGB or something

Wear what you want, trust me your gringoness can be spotted from space. Did they pat you down at the Del Rey? No? Thats the true test. If they patted ya down and wanded ya, you fooled them.

The local police are not Gestapo or KGB. They are just regular people just like me and you trying to make a living.

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as my father says "better to be lucky than good"

BP, the original post was how not to stand out to the extent of attracting undue attention. Nothing about secret agents. No one is trying to be a tico here, but I did want to blend in with the native population and not dress in a fashion that the locals would think in bad taste.
That was the sole purpose. I don't care if they know I'm a white man from another country. I just don't want to insult their customs or whatnot.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

We are in the Tropics, albeit it rains a lot here too. Wear what you are comfy wearing. If you usually look like a tool walking around everywhere else, why would you change it now. If you walk around in shorts and Hawaiian shirts, wear them. You are a tourist in a country where, if they are gonna rob you. It will not matter if you are wearing a Costa Rican Sele shirt and look Latino.

Now that being said, I will say this again. This country is much safer to walk around than it was two years ago.

Iggy, Ima have to buy you an upgrade from the fanny pack.


the DR

<--------Still OG'n it is shorts and flip flops.......

I met you, DM .. ain't nobody messing with you.

A vet pointed out a group of (IMHO) inner-city black men in front of HDR, wearing the baggy pants, the white sleeveless undershirts, and covered in gold chains. His words were "now that's how you get yourself jacked in this town".
I might consider that ill-chosen attire, but then again I don't dress like that at home, and they probably do. So I suppose it's all relative.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Once you get to SJO, look around you: Backpacks (the daypack size) are a very common and daily used item by locals and "tourists" alike. View it as your own Jack Bauer save the world satchel if it helps you see just how functional it is. Get into a rhythm with the thing such that you know which zippered pouch holds what. It'll become 2nd nature after a few uses. And, get a cheap but sturdy one.....the expensive one's WILL stand out.



Too, "BashfulDwarf", there are many, many, many posts in the archives which deal with this subject of "blending in". Spend some time doing some searching and you can read the miles of pages wherein this issue was being discussed prior to your joining the forum. As an example, the matter of whether or not to wear cargo shorts has been going on for years. (Put the word "shorts" in the search engine and you will produce pages and pages of posts about this raging matter and I'm certain that'll lead you to some classic and infamous discussions of yesteryear that went on for days and days and were most amusing.....). There is one "camp" who insist it is ill form/bad manners to wear cargo shorts because local men do not, for the most part, wear shorts of any sort. Then there is the far more educated camp which maintains being comfortable is all part and parcel with being in SJO and this concept of "blending in with the locals" is a bit absurd given the reality a gringo is a gringo is a gringo. Period. Whether you wear shorts or not, you're as much a "target" as if you do not. Does "blending in" get you more better pusssy??!! Oh my word: It's all about the ducats isn't it? It's your money. It's your time. It's your life. Do your thing buddy. Care not what others think is my own point of view.....

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

First post here, I just found this board. I have, however, done a lot of international travel.

It's not so much about blending in, it's more about looking like an easy target. Yes, it's true, a tall pale-white man downtown San Jose will get noticed regardless of what he wears. But wearing shorts, expensive camera, flashing money, etc. is still sending a signal. This is especially true in a city like San Jose where the locals are used to seeing gringos. Many of them live here. You just want to send the message that you did not just fall off the turnip truck. Dress like the locals (at least a little bit, if you can stand it). Walk with some swagger -- not arrogant, just look like you've been here a few times, it's pretty easy to fake that from a distance to a stranger.

A gringo in shorts looks like a tourist. A gringo in jeans looks like he's been around the block a few times. Robbers look for easy targets. Many other tricks for traveling -- try to walk with at least one buddy as groups will be passed up every time for the lone drunk. Never make a 180 -- makes you look like you don't know where you're going. Always walk with purpose -- lean forward a little bit, never hesitate at an intersection. Never ask for directions unless you are in a secure location (this is largely a judgment call, cops and bar staff can be crooked, too).

Good points.

To add, the most important thing to "carry" with you to stay safe in CR (or anywhere else, for that matter) is common sense, which unfortunately many people leave at home when they go on vacation.

act like you've been there before. always solid advice.

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

I want to highlight something of my meager experience walking about in San Jose. I tend to walk the MP paths daily, and usually with other members. There are always 'beggars' mixed in the general population (especially near the DelRey and along the pedestrian paths) looking for gringos.

I have only ever been targeted by the beggars once: a Sunday morning when I was carrying a video camera to film the parks in early morning. That made me stand out to them.

But while walking around with others, it is always the guys dressed like tourists (shorts, bright clothes, etc) that attract the beggars. I have had them walk up, ignore me, and pester the other guy.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Exactly! In most of our cases, we haven't a hope of "passing". The object is to NOT look like a typical Gringo (whether an off-course tourist or somebody whose knowledge of CR and prudent practices is a drunken convo with somebody at the Del Rey).
May I also suggest, whether or not if you wear flow-y shirts, an under-shirt wallet, especially for the important papers? Here's one such: http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/ca ... -1771.html
This Site is fascinating--RFID-blocking wallets aren't a bad idea and it's not paranoia to use one, etc. etc.
This is one of the better recent Threads, and one Newbies should be pointed to and vets reminded of (gently). The humor and japes were light-hearted; the info was solid. This, to be blunt, is a solid reason (and my main reason) for belonging and staying active here. Congrats to all.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

This is the single-most important opinion expressed here and deserves its own Thread. I am NOT asking Dr>Mario to justify or defend this position; I would truly like further discussion from all who care to comment. C'mon gents--I know you got shtuff to say.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED