Safety Concern???

[Scott365]

My wife and I are excited to be planning our first trip to Costa Rica. We've read several warnings about petty theft and are aware of what we need to do to lower our risk factor.
Here is my concern. Actually more my wife's concern than mine.
She told a friend that we were planning a trip to CR and her friend advised her to reconsider. According to this "friend", it would be uncomfortable if not actually unsafe for her to go to CR as she is a blue eyed blond.
This is no joke. The woman is serious and it unnerved my wife to the point that she is having second thoughts about going.
Has anyone ever heard of this, or is it total BS.
Thanks for any reply you can offer.
Scott

[THW]

I am not a blue eyed blond, but my husband and I traveled across Costa Rica in a small car on our own. We found the Ticos cordial, kind, and respectful. We went in a loop around the country East to West and North to South. We stayed in small independent properties and ate in local eateries.

We had a perfectly horrible day traveling from Arenal to Dominical, ending in torrential rain and losing our way to the villa we were supposed to stay in.
We were not only helped by the only bar open on the road, but the owners knew the person we were renting from and called her at home to let her know we were still alive and would be arriving soon. We did not experience any type of harassment during the trip.

We have traveled throughout Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, etc. We know harassment! I assume your lovely lady is kind and respectful too and would know how to discourage inappropriate admiration! Normally in countries that have a certain amount of "machismo" being accompanied by a man discourages any attention. Especially your husband, a wedding ring usually does the trick.

We had a lovely time in CR and want to go back to drive the San Jose-Limon-Bocas del Toro, Panama route.

My experience has been that people love to talk about things they know nothing about first hand. Hence, I take travel advice from other people with a grain of salt. You will probably do the same with this post. Do what you are comfortable with or you won't have a good time anyway.

Happy Trails!

[soliteyah]

Haven't been to Costa Rica myself, but I have a blonde-haired, blue-eyed friend who went a few years ago with her boyfriend and had no trouble that I know of. If your wife were traveling alone there might be more of a safety concern, but given that you're traveling in a pair I think you'll probably be just fine. It can't hurt to do a little research beforehand to see if there are any areas that are generally less safe (certain neighborhoods in San Jose, perhaps?), but otherwise just use common sense.

Have a wonderful trip!

[Host Bonjour]

Costa Rica is not only a popular tourist destination, many people also enjoy it so much they relocate there, or split their time between CR and home. Either way, as soliteyah mentioned, common sense is always the best technique no matter where you might be in the world. Whenever one is in a destination that is new or not like home, one must heighten their senses a bit to the environment...i.e. just scan the crowd. Carry cash, credit cards or passport in a zipped case close to your body; they even make waterproof slim cases (mostly all of them are very slim to wear under clothes) to wear with a swimsuit! It's usually a good idea to bring along costume jewelry and or inexpensive watch when traveling. Leave your good stuff home in a secure place.

Just have fun and keep your eyes open but don't be overly concerned. I am a blonde, fair skinned and petite and I have been all over the world without being robbed, knock wood. Very often, I have traveled alone......no harassment, no losses. I don't know that people are robbed because of their features as much as they may just be easier targets; nor does every criminal "look" like a criminal but they generally all do act a certain way. Ignore people who may try to stop you at random. So again, it's mostly actions that convey a state of mind. Feel confident and protect your valuables and have a great time.

[cdnlindaloo]

I emailed my girlfriend who has lived in Costa Rica for the last 20 years and she said it's total BS.

[francisco]

Costa Rica,No problems.Steer clear of venturing into Nicaragua.San Jose's nice this time of year.