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San Jose - how safe is it?

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Bexx7799
  3/25/2015 11:28 EST

So I'm hearing all kinds of things about San Jose being very unsafe - true? I'm told that just walking down the street you could be dragged into an alley and mugged (or worse..). This sounds unlike anything else I've heard about CR. I'm sure there are muggings etc. as per any city - pretty much any city in the world (!) but is it THAT much more unsafe???

Jackietrehorn
  3/25/2015 11:48 EST

It all depends on where you are, what time of day, what your wearing. Loud clothes, shorts, jewelry and camera around your neck, by Coca Cola at 10pm and your in big trouble. On the other hand I've walked the main boulevard of my neighborhood, Rohrmoser, at night with no problem. Key is, be aware of your surroundings, don't be stupid or flashy, don't take risks.

Others will chime in I'm sure.

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Kohl
  3/25/2015 12:22 EST

If you wander around in poor and areas where drug dependant people hang out, yes, here is a chance of you being mugged or worse.
I'm not dismissing Jackietrehorn account and so at this time, has posted very recently moved to this area and so has very limited experience but offers good common sense. Students of all ages, while going to school have many times reported that they have been robbed of bank cards and their cell phones are stolen....during the day.
Don't walk around talking into your cell phone or using an ipad or similar type object, to tak photos.
Some areas are safe ... but not all of them.

Read the local papers for yourself, online realizing that most people do not report 'incidents' to the police.
There is presently a 'discussion' taking place to allow only one rider on a motor bike, due to many incidents where the passenger is opening fire on pedestrians...which I doubt will pass.
http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/03/18/motorcyclists-to-protest-proposed-law-prohibiting-passengers

www.lacacion.com
www.crhoy.com
wwwamcostarica.com
www.ticotimes.net
www.qcostarica.com

TICR
  3/25/2015 13:44 EST

Rohrmoser: 2 friends were assaulted walking down the sidewalk in the morning. Heredia: my 15 yr. old son was assualted walking home from high school. If a motorcycle pulls up with 2 guys on it, you are in trouble.

chopchi
  3/25/2015 14:20 EST

I heard so many negatives about downtown San Jose that I resisted going there on my own.However during my last visit I took the bus twice and had no problems. I got to visit all the museums,had lunch and walked back from the Museo Nacional via China town to the Coca Cola bus terminal-definitely a ? ? part of town and I got turned around trying to find my bus stop. I asked a shop keeper and his son walked me to the stop!
Along the Avenida Central I was amazed/impressed by so much police presence,just about at evry corner 2/3 of them. There's even a raised structure wher ethe police survey the Avenida.
I even took photos but put my camera away in my bag.
To be honest I didn't enjoy the Mercado Central-I have visited similar markets in Mexico and so I wandered through there very quickly.
The only time I felt uneasy was when I tried to find my bus stop back home in the area of Coca Cola.
I know better than to wander off into other ? areas such as that around the Children's Museum-worth taking a taxi to get there.Even during the taxi ride I saw lots of police and 2 arrests being made.
I live in Atenas and have never felt worried but then again I don't wander around after 6 PM when it's dark and no street lights!.

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