Bus Terminals Attract Attacks
On Tourists
Crimes against tourists at bus terminals has
been growing over the years, leaving
tourists to be more vigilant of their
surrounding and their belongings, especially
of luggage being carried in the bus's
luggage compartment.
According to a report by the daily Al Día,
the attacks on tourists are daily, with at
least 60 detentions for far this year, 38 of
which occurred in San José, eight in
Cartago, five in Guanacaste, five in
Alajuela and four in La Fortuna de San
Carlos.
It appears that the large number of tourists
using buses to get around the country has
attracted criminals to commit all sorts of
attacks on tourists that include theft and
robbery, assault and fraud.
"They take advantage of the crowds and
neglect. Foreigners are very confident,
leave the bags lying while talking and
then", said Xinia Vasquez, director of the
Policía Turística (tourist police).
In San José, the bus terminals in the area
known as the "coca cola" and the Caribeños
terminal are hot spots for criminal
activity.
The problem is compounded as many foreign
tourists do not see Costa Rica as an "inescure"
nation and go about without concern for
their own safety and security, like they
would do in other places like Nicaragua or
Guatemala, for example.
Costa Rica last year received 1.922.579
tourists.
Some inside tips for travelling by bus:
- Do not sleep on the bus or leave your
luggage in the overhead luggage compartments
- Do not be trusting of strangers who are
overly friendly, especially at bus stations
- Best to keep your passport and
identification from bags or luggage with
cameras and computers
- Travel by night only if necessary
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