Growing Concerns Over Tourist Safety in Costa Rica Amid Reports of Scams and Attacks
A Spanish tourist's viral account of being scammed highlights the challenges facing the country's tourism sector amidst a rising crime rate.
A Spanish TikTok user, Mery Caldass, recently posted a video describing her experience of being scammed during her vacation in Costa Rica.
While visiting a beach, she was allegedly taken advantage of by a seller, who misled her about the local currency—Costa Rican colones.
In her viral video, Caldass humorously remarked on her situation, stating, "I just got scammed in the worst way of my life," as she donned a shell necklace sold to her for 30,000 colones.
She acknowledged her awareness of the scam but opted to humor the seller instead.
The seller in the video exhibits a distinct accent, leading many local Costa Ricans to comment that he is likely not a native of the country.
One comment read, "She was scammed in Costa Rica, but not by a Costa Rican," reflecting a sentiment shared by numerous locals in response to the video.
In a separate incident, authorities in Puntarenas ordered nine months of preventive detention for three suspects—identified as Ruiz Cano, Pérez Escalante, and Cordero Chacón—who allegedly abducted and robbed three foreign tourists, including a minor.
This arrest follows a reported incident on May 26, where the suspects intercepted the victims while they were in a rented vehicle, forcibly taking them to the area of Caldera, where they were detained for approximately two hours.
During this time, their personal belongings were reportedly stolen.
This incident increases concern within the context of a rising trend of crime targeting tourists in Costa Rica.
Data from the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) indicates that over 6,300 tourists have become victims of crimes in the past five years, primarily involving theft, vehicle break-ins, and robberies.
Despite these figures being relatively low compared to the overall volume of international visitors—reported by the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)—the impact of such crimes can significantly affect tourists' perceptions and experiences.
On social media forums dedicated to tourism in Costa Rica, users frequently share warnings and reports of thefts.
Comments from users indicate a growing sense of insecurity; for instance, one individual reported their distress after being robbed and losing their identification and wallets during their travel.
As tourism remains a vital component of Costa Rica's economy, the growing concerns surrounding safety and crime could present challenges for the sector and affect the experiences of both current and potential visitors.
While visiting a beach, she was allegedly taken advantage of by a seller, who misled her about the local currency—Costa Rican colones.
In her viral video, Caldass humorously remarked on her situation, stating, "I just got scammed in the worst way of my life," as she donned a shell necklace sold to her for 30,000 colones.
She acknowledged her awareness of the scam but opted to humor the seller instead.
The seller in the video exhibits a distinct accent, leading many local Costa Ricans to comment that he is likely not a native of the country.
One comment read, "She was scammed in Costa Rica, but not by a Costa Rican," reflecting a sentiment shared by numerous locals in response to the video.
In a separate incident, authorities in Puntarenas ordered nine months of preventive detention for three suspects—identified as Ruiz Cano, Pérez Escalante, and Cordero Chacón—who allegedly abducted and robbed three foreign tourists, including a minor.
This arrest follows a reported incident on May 26, where the suspects intercepted the victims while they were in a rented vehicle, forcibly taking them to the area of Caldera, where they were detained for approximately two hours.
During this time, their personal belongings were reportedly stolen.
This incident increases concern within the context of a rising trend of crime targeting tourists in Costa Rica.
Data from the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) indicates that over 6,300 tourists have become victims of crimes in the past five years, primarily involving theft, vehicle break-ins, and robberies.
Despite these figures being relatively low compared to the overall volume of international visitors—reported by the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)—the impact of such crimes can significantly affect tourists' perceptions and experiences.
On social media forums dedicated to tourism in Costa Rica, users frequently share warnings and reports of thefts.
Comments from users indicate a growing sense of insecurity; for instance, one individual reported their distress after being robbed and losing their identification and wallets during their travel.
As tourism remains a vital component of Costa Rica's economy, the growing concerns surrounding safety and crime could present challenges for the sector and affect the experiences of both current and potential visitors.