Crime is a problem in the Central Pacific, and residents must be smart and cautious. The new Tourism Police have helped clean things up somewhat in Jacó, as has increased police presence overall, but enforcement remains spotty and the judicial system is in dire need of reforms. Home invasions, car breakins, muggings, and petty theft are not common, but not unusual either.

If you want to own a vacation property but don’t have the time to find house sitters or renters, look for a gated community or a condominium. These are certainly options, as in this part of the country there are plenty under construction, and most come with some sort of security.

Jacó is a small town, and the streets aren’t really dangerous. But the bad guys are around, and it’s not a safe place to let your guard down by waving around lots of cash or getting seriously intoxicated in public. Don’t leave things unattended on the beach, in your car, or in a restaurant. And think twice before you pick up a prostitute. They regularly rob their customers using a variety of approaches.

Both men and women out on the town should watch their drinks, as thieves have been known to spike them with drugs. It’s happened even in supposedly classy areas like Manuel Antonio.

As with every discussion on crime in this book, the stories are not meant to scaremonger, they are to keep you aware and avoid problems. This is a developing country and crime is often dealt with privately (especially in rural areas) because the legal system and government haven’t taken an aggressive approach to the crime problem. You don’t have to be at any severe risk, however. With a few precautions, you and your property are likely to be safe. But you can’t afford to make many mistakes, and if you do become a victim, you have little recourse to justice.