I am still confused!!! One post tells you not to go beyond the crusie ship compound and the next tells you that you can walk in to town. How safe is it to walk in to town?
I don't know about you, but I would rather err on the side of safety; if someone thought enough to post that it might be dangerous, that's enough for me.
If I'm not mistaken, it was Limon where cruisers were even robbed on a shore escursion not too long ago--although one of the robbers paid with his life.
Posts: 3323 | Location: Costa Mesa, California | Registered: November 16, 2006
Different people have different levels of comfort as far as venturing out - hence the varying comments in our port review. As I recall the robbery f-mattox mentioned was a tour bus where the fool was tackled and choked to death by a retired U.S. Marine who happened to be one of the tourists.
That robbery story was quite a tale and that old retired Marine was a real hero. But, I believe it happened in Lima, Peru which is not the same place as Limon, Costa Rica. As to Limon, its a pretty dumpy town but we never had any safety concerns. In fact, my wife and I had no problem having a driver take us over an hour from Limon to a jungle resort called Almonds and Corals where we did some ziplining. Probably the only safety concern we had was slipping on a banana peel (they grow lots of bananas in this region).
We were there a few years ago, it was pretty dumpy at the dock. There was a make-shift flea market with everyone wanting you to buy something and I don't remember any shops at all there at that location. I did buy several bags of the Costa Rican coffee at this flea market. It was only $2 a bag and was packaged and sealed as it would be in the U.S. Seemed safe. It was the BEST coffee. Wish I had bought more. Went on a private tour to a banana plantation and around the area. Was good.
We were there last year, our third time in fact, and we ventured out of the gates and across the street into the shops, where aren't much better than the flea market they have set up. Anyway, as we were looking thru a store, a local man came over to DH and told him to take his jewelry off, because there were some "men" outisde looking him up and down and it has happened before where people were robbed. We are retirees so that wasthe last time we will venture past the gates unless on a ships tour. As stated the flea market does have great coffe and rpices. We bought some lovely hand made things also at very reasonable prices. Just take your time looking around first and then make your decision otherwise you'll have the sellers getting a little pushy.
Not to make light of what happened, but what in downtown city would you ware your jewelry? Especially in a foreign country you know nothing of. The only thing we ever ware is an inexpensive waterproof watch worth about $15 from Kmart.
It was not a down town city, it was across the street from the flea market, not a bunch of traffic and plenty of people from our ship. As I said we were there on other occasions also without a problem. He had on a gold bracelet that he has worn for years and we never had any problems before. But believe me that has taught us both a lesson. Wearing any jewelry is not done now. Its too bad because it keeps us from helping their economy.
We were there 3 weeks ago . Yes you can go outside the compound go in daylight ...if you do a tour just ask the driver to take you to the supermarket. There is one it is a couple of blocks from the port if you want to walk it.
Hi Dave. Thanks for showing us that news item on the robbery in Purto Limon, Costa Rica. All the more reason to take a ship recommened tour!! At least the drivers and guides of these tour buses are reliable. When you just hire some one hanging around the pier you never know if they arranged for their friends to meet at a remote place and then the robbery takes place. Guess this one backfired with the ex-marine on board. This should clear up all the questions about ship tour verses do it your self. How much is your life worth?
