For Yarca the safety of our friends and clients is of utmost importance, Costa Rica has a standard of security in Latin America, however we suggest you follow some preventive recommendations to make your visit even more satisfactory and safe.
1. In the City:
* Do not carry jewelry or any visible gold element so as not to attract attention.
* Be very careful if you use your cell phone or camera, preferably be accompanied and maintain visibility all around you to avoid inconveniences.
* If you carry a backpack we always recommend you to carry it in front of you to keep it safer and more in control of it.
* Always be alert if someone wants to approach you, push you or if you feel that you are being followed, if this happens please inform the guide if you are on a tour or look for a nearby police officer or enter a public establishment.
* If you want or must change money into colones, use only banks or authorized and properly labeled services, for this you must have your passport at hand if it is requested.
* If you must use an ATM, use only those that are located in public areas and well lit, avoid using the help of strangers and finally keep your money somewhere safe before leaving the ATM. Just like at all times stay alert to what is happening around you.
* Always carry your ID card or passport with you if you are going to travel outside your hotel or lodging system or the group.
* If during your stay you lose your passport, you must report it to the guide so that he or she can provide you with a safe guide and help to carry out the respective procedure as well as call the respective embassy or consulate and finally report it to the office of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ).
* At all times you must keep your belongings visible and not leave them in the care of people outside the group, especially in public places with a lot of traffic of people.
* Use authorized transportation services such as buses or taxis, as well as verify that they are up to date with their permits and requirements by law.
3. If you’re renting a car
* Read the contract carefully, so you know which items are covered by vehicle insurance and which are not.
* Check with the company’s representative if the vehicle you are going to rent is appropriate for the destination you are going to according to the condition of the road, car or four-wheel drive. Make sure with the person in charge of the company that the vehicle is in optimal traffic conditions and that it also has the basic safety equipment and in good condition such as: triangles, reflective vests, hydraulic jack and frog wrench.
* In Costa Rica, it is mandatory to wear a seat belt even on low-traffic roads.
* Be cautious when placing your luggage in the compartment of the vehicle and try to keep it as inconspicuous as possible.
* As much as possible, use public parking lots. Do not leave the vehicle on the street. Even if there are people who pretend to take care of you, in case of robbery or theft, they are not responsible.
* Be wary of people who ask you for a ride. It may be a hoax to steal your belongings. Do not stop, especially on low-trafficked, lonely or illuminated roads.
* If you are told that the vehicle has broken down or that one of the tires has gone flat and you are motioned to stop, do not do so. Go to the nearest gas station or mall and call the company that leased you the vehicle or 9-1-1 for help.
* If the rear of your vehicle is struck or you perceive someone following you for no apparent reason, do not stop. Call 9-1-1 for help or go to the nearest authority.
* If you need to consult a map, do so in a public place with sufficient lighting. It is advisable to ask for help from a security officer. In Costa Rica, addresses are mostly known by landmarks and not by streets and avenues.
* If you are stopped by a traffic officer during the tour and asked for money in exchange for a violation, report it to 9-1-1 or contact the vehicle rental company.
4. If you are going to hire the services of a local travel agency or tour operator
* Prefer tour operators registered on the website: www.visitecostarica.com
* When hiring the services of an agency or tour operator, ask them to send you in writing the confirmation of the services as well as their cancellation policies.
* Request your invoice with the details of the services provided as well as the price.
* In case of non-compliance with the contracted services, please report it to 2299-581
5. If you are going to hire the services of a tour guide
* If you require a private guide, you can request it from some of the accredited agencies on the website: www.visitecostarica.com
* Verify that the person who offers you the guiding services carries the card that accredits you as such, issued by the Costa Rican Tourism Board.
* In case of non-compliance or non-compliance with the services, write down the Guide’s name and card number and file the respective complaint to the telephone number 2299-5811 or to the toll-free assistance line 800-turismo.
* Don’t be fooled on the street by people who tell you that they will give you tour guide services at more affordable prices, they could scam you.
* Request an invoice that clearly identifies the services provided as well as the price.
6. If any hosting system is going to be used
* Preferably accommodations with a Tourist Declaration. If not, check comments on social networks or platforms such as Google Maps to verify its reliability.
* When hiring the lodging service, ask the person in charge to send you a written statement as well as its stipulations such as Terms and Conditions of Reservations.
* Request your due electronic invoice to have proof of use of the service where the data of the hosting system is indicated, as well as amounts and dates.
* Keep both doors and windows locked and do not leave valuables in plain sight when you leave the room, either due to theft by someone else or the entry of an animal into the room.
* Always check that the hosting system contains all safety devices such as fire extinguishers, evacuation routes, or emergency exits.
* Do not give out information about where you are staying or your room number to strangers.
7. At the Restaurant
* Always check that in the Menu include the prices together with the Value Added Tax which must be 13% and additionally 10% for the service provided.
* Do not hang your belongings on the back of the chair but always keep them in sight at all times and thus have better control of them.
* Always check the emergency exits when entering the establishment.
8. Hike
* Wear hiking shoes, with grip on the sole.
* Wear light pants and shirts (avoid wearing jeans), cap or hat, sunscreen, repellent, and cape.
* Carry a small backpack with food and drinking water, preferably dried fruit or canned goods.
* If weather conditions indicate that it is going to rain or that there is mud, please bring a change of clothes.
* Every tour, even if it seems simple, requires prior planning.
* It is important to consider factors such as your physical condition, the purpose of the time, the minimum equipment available to you, and knowledge of the route.
* If you need guidance to do the tour, turn to a professional or local guide.
* It is not advisable to walk through the virgin forest or take shortcuts not indicated.
Tell someone you know about the route you will take or the areas you will visit, so that if there is a delay or an accident happens, this will help you locate them.
* If you are traveling in a group, it is advisable to keep the same pace as the walk. Don’t get ahead, get distracted, or fall behind. In case you are unable to keep up with the group, please let the guide know for help or determine the best way to continue with the tour.
* Always stay on marked trails and avoid touching, eating fruit, or tasting plants. Some of them could be poisonous.
* In Costa Rica, the extraction and commercialization of wild species and animals is prohibited.
* Do not leave food residue or trash on your tours. This, in addition to harming the environment, can be consumed by forest animals, causing severe damage to their bodies and even death.