www.CostaRicaTicas.com

After 25+ years of traveling to CR I became a Victim.

My travels to CR are mostly for nature & wildlife photography. I've been to all 4 corners of CR multiple times. I also like to indulge in some "fun" in San Jose both before and after my treks. I speak very good Spanish and have got to know the people of CR and the culture very well. I've helped many friends and clients plan their 1st visit to CR.

My camera gear is not cheap. On my most recent trip I was carrying my camera bag backpack with the camera body and 2 pricey lenses along with some expensive filters. Total replacement value: about $7,000 (Canon products).

One of the very first things I always tell prospective visitors to CR is: if they're renting a car, never ever leave anything in that car. Nothing. Leave it empty, roll the windows down so any potential thief can poke his head inside and see there's nothing there.

I had spent all morning hiking in Gandoca Manzanillo a few weeks ago. The heat was not that bad (mid to high 80's) but the humidity was absolutely brutal and by early afternoon I was sapped of all energy. I drove from Manzanillo to Cahuita for lunch. On the "main drag" there are a handful of restaurants all next to each other so I parket my Toyota Rav in front of one of the restaurants. My camera backpack was on the floor of the passenger with my rainjacket covering it. I was SO TIRED, EXHAUSTED and LAZY and being so close to the restaurant I broke my own rule and left the bag in the car for 30 to 45 minutes. I was ceratin the alarm had been set as well. When I went back to the car the bag was gone. No windows smashed or anything. I'm assuming the car must not have been unlocked when I thought it was locked. The thief just opened the door, grabbed the bag and ran as best I could tell. Items in the backseat (tripod etc.) were not taken.

I was staying in Playa Cocles that week and I learned that to file a police report for a theft that occured in Cahuita (or other towns in the area i.e. Puerto Viejo) you have to drive all the way to BriBri for that. I didn't have time for that since I was on a tight schedule.

The moral of this is: DON'T be Lazy or Complacent. Never leave Anything in your car in CR if even only for a few moments. I'm angry at myself for that mental lapse and blame myself.

This incident does absolutely nothing to change my perspective or love for CR and its peoples. Shit Happens. My own city of Los Angeles is far more dangerous in my opinion.

Sharing this story to hopefully prevent someone from making the same mistake.

Back in October. With my near camera gear.

The good news is your home owners or renters insurance from the states should cover most of the loss. The thieves in Costa Rica have gotten much worse since covid and they really are around all the corners now. I have easily had over 30k stolen in the last 5-6 years in 4 separate incidents, I hate to think what will happen to the one that I catch in the act.

Yes homeowners would cover. However, with a replacement value of about $6,500 and a deductible of $2,500 that leaves $4,000 I could claim for. Filing a claim would unquestionably result in premium increase which, over time, would more than offset my benefit. I've already replaced my gear and will seek out a rider policy that is specific to my photo gear and not connected to my homeowners. FYI, average premium increases in CA. for homeowners for 2024 is near 30%. It's out of control.

good idea about not having the coverage tied to your homeowners. Look at Brite Insurance for that. CA is out of control for pretty much everything and only getting worse. On 2 claims in Costa Rica totaling about $16,000. I had an increase of about 280.00 per year on my home owners, my deductable is only $500.00. I only have 1 claim left on my record and that disappears in about 15 months.

It might be better to take it as a loss on your taxes. Ask your CPA.

Sorry for your loss

_________________
MBA CR offshore fishing