Puerto Viejo Satellite - Safety: Water Safety, Avoiding Crime

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Beachfront on Playa Negra

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Keeping Yourself Healthy and Safe in Costa Rica

Water Safety

Our beaches can be tricky. Some are very calm and safe -- some have riptides and big waves. And sometimes these vary seasonally so a beach which might be easy swimming one day may not be the next so don't assume!

Some water safety tips:

Ask locals or at your hotel about the conditions before getting in the water.
Remember that other than the beach at Playa Cocles our beaches are not patrolled by lifeguards.
Go with a buddy!
If you get caught in a riptide or current that is taking you out, swim parallel to the beach until you've past the current and then make your way in to the beach. Whatever you do, don’t panic and exhaust yourself — if you can’t get in, stay calm and try and attract the attention of someone on shore. This page has lots of great detailed information on rip tides and how to escape one if you get caught.

Don't be a Victim of Crime

This is mostly common sense but remember you're visiting an area where what to you are simple indulgences (an iPod, a nice watch) may look like food on the table (or drugs unfortunately) for a local who could never afford such a thing.

Here are some tips:

Don't bring any valuables to the beach -- please, bring nothing, even if it's something you're prepared to lose, if thieves find a beach has "easy pickings" they'll be back.
Don't walk alone at night on unlit roads or beaches, have a local business call you a taxi instead
Keep your belongings with you at all time. Someone we knew put down his carry-on for 10 seconds after he got off the bus while he went to fetch his luggage that was stored on the bus, when he turned around his bag (and his passport, money, camera, etc) were all gone.
Carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times -- it is Costa Rican law that you have identification with you at all times but unless you are driving or crossing borders a copy is generally adequate. Leave the original behind in the safe at your hotel.

This page has lots more good tips on safety in Costa Rica.

Health

Travel Insurance

Country of residence

Policy start date

Length of cover

You can always extend your policy while you are away.

Type of cover single family

Accidents and Travel Medical

Accidents can happen anywhere, especially when you are unused to local road conditions and driving manners (crazy at times!). So although medical care in Costa Rica is generally decent, remember that here in Puerto Viejo we're a long way from a large hospital. There is a clinic in Hone Creek, about 5km from Puerto Viejo.

You should check whether you have travel medical coverage with your current insurance provider and with your credit cards (sometimes the credit you book your travel on will have some limited coverage).

It is worth noting that medical care in Costa Rica is much cheaper than in the USA and cheaper than in Canada and European countries. So the expense of a minor accident or even a broken bone probably won't break the bank. But in the case of a major accident or illness the expenses could certainly run into the thousands of dollars or more, if you need to be evacuated back home, for example.

In Costa Rica, there are two parallel medical systems - public and private. Both are accessible to foreigners in an emergency. The quality of care is quite reasonable in the public system but there may be a wait to access services so many people choose to use the private system even though it is at a substantially higher cost. Costa Ricans themselves are required to enroll in the public system through a salary deduction and in turn get free care.

If you need medical evacuation back to your own country, you could also be looking at a substantial expense.

If you're going to be participating in any sports activities while you're in Costa Rica (surfing, whitewater rafting, etc) make sure your policy doesn't include a waiver for those activities or, if it does, you may need to buy additional coverage.

Use the form at the right for a free travel insurance quote.

Tropical Diseases

The main worry here is Dengue Fever, which is a mosquito borne illness which does occasionally have outbreaks in the area. Unfortunately there is no vaccination for this. Your best protection is to minimize the number of mosquito bites you get by applying bug repellent and/or sleeping under a mosquito net.

Costa Rica is listed as a risk for Malaria on some travel advice websites. However, this is primarily a risk if you are planning hikes deep into the forests. Taking malaria pills is not generally needed for here but check with your doctor.

Additional comments from our visitors about Puerto Viejo Health and Safety

Mary from italy April 07, 2010

I am wondering about the availability of medications in puerto viejo, specifically the pain killers and anxiety medications. I have read they are over the counter, versus needing prescriptions. Does anyone know? thx

Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica April 07, 2010

Many medications which would need a prescription elsewhere don't in Costa Rica, you just need to consult with the pharmacist. But there are many that still are restricted and need a prescription. This would include anything classified as a narcotic or any medication which is often abused (Oxycontin for example).

But again, if you know what you want just talk to the pharmacist first. Sometimes there is actually a doctor on staff at the pharmacy who can write a prescription if it is needed or he can refer you to someone who can.

dentists Rob February 13, 2010

Does anyone know if there are dentists in Limon?

Colin from Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo February 13, 2010

There is a good dentist office right beside bus station in Limon. It has all latest equipment. Do not know name of it. It is easy to find.
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As for prescriptions, whatever they do not sell over the counter, you can most likely get a doctor to write you a prescription.

prescriptions Rob February 13, 2010

Are prescription drugs like Xanax and blood pressure lowerers available over the counter from pharmacies in Limon?

Kim from Wisconsin January 13, 2010

Just got our vaccinations. Doctor only recommended Typhoid & Hyp A. Said unless we were spending significant time in the forest in the north of Costa Rica there wasn't much call for Malaria vaccination, San Jose and Perto Viejo were safe.

Colin from Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo February 13, 2010

Here is some good information regarding the issue of vaccinations before traveling to Costa Rica. www.therealcostarica.com/health_education_costa_rica/disease_costa_rica.html

Janice from Ottawa, Canada January 12, 2010

I am planning a trip in the beginning of March to Puerto Viejo and have been doing my reserach. I looked at many websites including Health Canada and the lists of vaccines for Costa Rica seems long. They mention Hepatitis A and B, Malaria, Typhoid, Yellow Fever etc... Is all of these necessary or are they overdoing it. I certainly don't want to ruin my trip by getting sick, but also don't want to get sick for all these vaccines. Any advice is much appreciated!

Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica January 12, 2010

In my opinion and that of others i've talked to, Health Canada is being way overcautious. You really don't need those vaccinations unless you are going into the deepest jungle in Costa Rica. The biggest risk (albeit very small) is Dengue Fever but there is no vaccine available for that one anyway. I've never heard of anyone getting Malaria but if you were to spend several months volunteering in a remote jungle location it would be something to consider but not as a regular tourist. Hep A and B is not a bad idea - these vaccinations can protect you from poorly prepared food or water anywhere in the world and they last for many years so if you travel much you might consider this. Personally in all my years traveling to Costa Rica I've never got any special vaccinations although i did get the Hep A/B for general travel protection not Costa Rica specific.

Gustavo Coronado from Cartago, Costa Rica January 12, 2010

Im surprised to hear about some of this vaccinations. Costa Rica is free from Yellow Fever, and actually the local Health Ministry is requiring people that come from some countries that do have Yellow Fever to have their international vaccination certificate ready.
Malaria cases are so limited and most are from foreigners that come to Costa Rica, already with it. The only real problem that I can see are diseases like Dengue Fever, but if you experiment flu like symtomps with bone pain go to a doctor.
Right now the local hospitals and the health ministry is on alert because of H1N1 we got a peak a few months ago, and we have 47 proven deaths because of A type flu. Recomendation are the same as if other diseases, basicly keep your hands cleans, use alcohol gel and wash your hands. One thing that i see with some tourists is they eat anywhere. Eat at restaurants, they have to go through checkups from the Health Ministry to be open, and they have to clean running water, most water in towns and cities is under supervision. If bathrooms are in the best condition have a roll of higienic paper in your bag and soap.
I have never had any problem with water from the faucet anywhere, but if you want to be sure of water buy bottled water is almost anywhere.
Yes crime, and mostly oportunistic crime is an increasing problem, be streetwise.

Jerry from Montana March 06, 2009

The only real down side of our whole trip was getting a bag stolen while riding bicycles to Manzanillo. Fortunately nothing of value was in it except my wife's glasses, but she had contacts and sunglasses to wear. But wanted warn people about that hill along the road where most people have to slow down and walk their bikes for a short distance. A man jumped from the bushes and then ran back into the woods.