Thursday, September 26, 2013

COSTA RICA TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS FROM TAXI DRIVER


SAFETY TIPS FOR TRAVELING IN COSTA RICA FROM A TAXI DRIVER

If you are traveling to Costa Rica or any other country in Central America, you might hear people telling you things like:
- It's not safe, Are you sure you want to go ?
- I heard that there is a lot of crime.
- There is a lot of tourist being robbed.
Let me start by saying that I have driven a Taxi in Costa Rica since 2006. That's right I'm a Taxi Driver, my area is Jaco Beach, Herradura, Playa Hermosa and where ever a customer wants to go. I've Traveled just about all of Costa Rica, from the Nicaraguan border to the north and have driven down to Panama City, Panama.
Well the truth is that Costa Rica is just like most other countries in the world. There are very nice and safe places and also dangerous places
I have worked for all kind of tourists and the local population in Costa Rica, having worked in the tourism industry for over 7 years, I have seen people do all sorts of smart and a bunch of stupid not smart things.
I have seen tourists carrying lots of cash in their pockets, taking it out and showing it to everyone whenever they need to pay for something. I have also seen tourists leave their belongings in the back seats of taxis, then get upset when their new iPhone 5 or their $600 camera is gone.
The truth is most taxi drivers never see the items left in the back seat, we don't check the back seats every time a passenger gets out, we look for another client or respond to a call form dispatch, the next person that gets into the taxi usually is the new owner of your iPhone 5, it is what it is.


I have personally returned more cellphones than I can remember, most of the time getting a tip for being honest. Most cellphones never come back to you especially if it's a smart phone.
I love Costa Rica and the people, Having said that, keep an eye on anything of value you bring with you.
I have to be honest, it is very likely you will be a victim of theft, weather you know it or not, with a smile on there faces Costa Ricans feel you are in their country and they have the right to your belongings, money, and anything else of value they can steal from you.
I have been going there since 1998, I have lived there and worked in Costa Rica since 2006. 
I'm not your average tourist, I worked the night shift in a legal RED Taxi sometimes from 3pm to 3am, I loved it. It's probably the best way to meet people from all walks of life.
The night life is jumping in the pacific beach town of Jaco, there is lots of restaurants to chose from, there is casinos and clubs/bars. The Cocal Casino is where you can pick up company for hire.
Prostitution is 100% legal in Costa Rica.

This is my advice for those who are traveling to Costa Rica to participate in this activity. 
You can hire a professional from any one of many places, (ask any taxi driver) or you can try to meet a regular non professional that will charge you to have sex with her, either way your going to pay.
Make sure the person is over 18 years of age, Very important, I never condone any kind of underage exploitation of minors and neither does the Costa Rican government.

Costa Ricans say ( Pura Vida) it means Pure Life, you should visit Costa Rica at least once in your life, I have lost count, it's been over 50 times for me, Have a great time just be prepared to come back broke with lots of good memories after all that's the most important thing. 

Have fun.

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