SAFETY•SECURITY MESSAGE from the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica - Violence in the Limon Province.

Updated:  03 June 2013
SOURCE:  the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica - SanJose.USEmbassy.gov

Security Message: violent crime in Limon Province.   Within the last few weeks, the Embassy has received additional reports of armed assaults against tourists and other foreign citizens in Limon Province along the Caribbean coast.  In light of this situation, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens living in or visiting that area to remain cautious and vigilant with regard to their personal safety and security.

In the past week, three U.S. citizens and one other foreign visitor were kidnapped at gunpoint and robbed while driving along a rural road near Moin; a Costa Rican companion was killed in the incident.  The attackers allegedly placed a log in the road and ambushed the driver when he stopped and attempted to move the log off the road.

In the past four months, three armed robberies of U.S. citizens have occurred in the Puerto Viejo area, in addition to armed invasions of two hotels and one residence.  Police in Puerto Viejo have informed the Embassy that they are undertaking active preventative measures to avoid further incidents of this type.  Armed robbery continues to be the primary criminal threat facing tourists in the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.

Do not resist a robbery attempt.  Most criminals have weapons, and most injuries and deaths during robberies result when victims resist.  Use the same common sense while traveling in Costa Rica that you would in any high crime area in the United States: do not wear excessive jewelry; do not carry large sums of money, or display cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. Avoid walking at night in most areas of Costa Rica and exercise strong caution during the day.

If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy.  Although the investigation and prosecution of a crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.  In Costa Rica the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling +(506) 2519-2000.  

The U.S. Department of State encourages all U.S. citizens to read its Country Specific Information for Costa Rica or any country to which they are planning a trip at

Travel.State.Gov  
and specifically

 travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1048.html 

 travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1093.html

for updated information on travel and security in Costa Rica.

Information can also be obtained from the Department of State by calling +1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling +1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.  911 is the emergency line in Costa Rica.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Costa Rica enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/step. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.  You can also download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Android market, to have travel information at your fingertips.

If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.   Follow us on Twitter at mobile.twitter.com/TravelGov and Facebook at facebook.com/TravelGov

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

PLEASE "SHARE" this with EVERY U.S. Citizen you know living in or planning on visiting Costa Rica!
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/USEmbassySecurityMessageJune32013.html

.