Posts tagged Ticos
Costa Rica Crime – Is it Really That Bad and How to Avoid It
Nov 9th
Living in Costa Rica one cannot help notice that in recent years, especially this year, crime is on the increase. The level of homicides so far in 2008 has increased dramatically over last year and previous years. Is this a trend that is likely to continue and, if so, what does it mean for this country that has been looked at in the past as a peaceful alternative to its unruly Latin American neighbors? Well for starters most of the crime in Costa Rica is limited to its capital and largest city, San Jose. There are sections of San Jose, just like any large city in the U.S.A., that are downright dangerous and should be avoided by tourists. I run a travel agency and most of our customers will spend either their first or last nights, or both, in San Jose. Many times we put them in a hotel downtown so they get to experience the cultural aspects and nightlife of a large Latin American city. San Jose is a great town.
It is very cosmopolitan and one can find food of almost every ethnic persuasion. The nightlife is great too and the party never ends on the weekends. However, in the downtown “touristy” areas there are those that would prey on unsuspecting tourists. So the best way to avoid becoming a victim is to not be so “unsuspecting.” It seems that tourists that come to Costa Rica and spend most of their time outside of the city become so enamored with the friendliness of the Costa Ricans, or ticos, that they leave their common sense behind them when they get to the big city. It is never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash when you are walking around downtown San Jose, especially at night. It is never a good idea to wear expensive jewelry when walking around downtown San Jose, especially at night.
It is also not such a good idea to walk alone (men or women for that matter) in downtown San Jose, especially at night. When you take a taxi, make sure it is an official taxi. We have many criminals that pose as taxi drivers and hang around tourist areas and hotels looking for victims. Never get into a car that is not the standard red with yellow triangle that signifies that you are indeed in a legitimate taxi. If you do get assaulted, it is best to give up what they ask for because chances are very good that they are carrying a firearm (another reason why you should not carry lots of cash, your original passport that can be sold on the black-market for lots of money or expensive jewelry). If you resist or try to be a hero, chances are you will wind up another front page article. San Jose can be a lot of fun, but nothing will ruin your trip and your perception of Costa Rica faster than becoming a victim of a crime.
Costa Rica – Music, Dance and Nightlife
Oct 31st
Music in Costa Rica is music to dance to. From Salsa to Chamber music there’s something for everyone. Live bands play at different clubs everywhere a rural area. Salsa, Jazz, Rock, Tango, Tex-Mex, and Calypso are all on the venue at different nightspots in Costa Rica.
If you are staying around San Jose the perfect nightlife is found at El Pueblo in Escazu. Here you can find restaurants, nightclubs and shops. Club Twister is one club that is very popular playing up-to-date and Latin music. Another is El Tobagan and while they are open only on the weekend they are always packed.
Somewhere in El Pueblo the Tango Bar is located. It has a couple of older gals that serve drinks and perform sentimental ballads. If you are lucky an Argentine visitor are able to translate the lyrics. Occasionally you will have the treat of seeing a good tango performed.
Costa Ricans love to dance and they are so good that it is scary. Not overmuch cha cha, but there’s plenty of cumbia, merengue, lambada, and salsa. If you get a chance at home to Costa Rica endeavor to get in some salsa lessons. It is the most fun you can have and it sure makes you know that you are alive. There is dancing at night time in any sum of clubs everywhere Costa Rica but the majority of the great hotels have music at night time.
If you speak a tiny volume of Spanish and you are looking for local happenings then you can endeavor to read the local papers the Tico Time and La Nacion. These should guidance you find local movie times and info on concerts and festivals.
Every year in February and March there’s the Monteverde Art Festival, which has local musicians and visiting guest musicians. The venues for the music change from year to year reckoning on what festival planners have in mind so check the local newspaper or simply ask around. The local Ticos will be to a greater extent happy to present you any info they have on where the next performance is.
Costa Rica is predominantly Catholic so most of their holidays follow the normal Catholic holidays like Christmas and Easter but one holiday that sticks out is the celebration of the Jet Christ Esquipulas. This festival originates in Guatemala but is celebrated throughout Costa Rica. There’s large population of Guatemalan immigrants so this may have something about the celebration.
The Teatro National was built in excess of a hundred previously an in that time Costa Ricans have obtained there own national theater company. Additionally Costa Rica has their own Symphony and Ticos love classical music almost as much as Salsa.
For those of you that like a dissimilar sort of nightlife there are, in addition a few nature and wildlife tours. In the Mountverde Cloud Forest there are night tours that let you know the beauty of wildlife that only shows itself at night time.
