Protecting your home in Costa Rica! (with crime on the rise 😖)
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
- Email me if you'd like to get connected to Rob to discuss your home security needs in Costa Rica!
This is a topic you may not see others discuss, but you know that I like to provide FULL information about living here, the good and the negatives to be aware of... Knowledge is power!
sarah@lasarahelena.com
If you're relocating and need 1:1 expert assistance head over to my website and book a free call with me!
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I have two guns about a year ago someone came on the property (farm) in the middle of the night try to steal a used chemical sprayer we shot off three shots haven't seen anyone ever since.Every one in a while we shoot off a few shots in the middle of the night when the dog barks.Preventive maintance. 😅
I used to watch a great show on Discovery channel called To Catch A Thief and learned so much. I have been in Costa for 27 years and have had a few issues when I lived in Jaco bch. But now in Perez I have none because I have multi layer security. I bought a Tico style house in a Tico neighborhood and have some info on my channel about what I do. I have agave around the fence on the outside ,then big guard dogs and also a few cameras. Bars on the windows and the windows without bars have hurricane glass that cant be shattered. Also nice iron gates on the doors. Lights on outside all night long also really helps. We don't leave anything outside that we want to keep and a great trick was to always walk the dogs around the neighborhood. That way the people could see them. If you have guard dogs you must by law post signs around your place to warn thieves about them. Every little bit helps. Pura Vida🌴
That's not living
That's imprisonment in a guilded cage
Lived until recently in San Ramon. Burglaries and armed home invasions occurred a lot in the gringo communities. Even homes were stripped down to the wiring, doors, appliances. One couple woke up to guys with a gun in their faces. So now there’s razor wire, monitored home security, better doors and windows. But…skylights and tin roofs are a weak point. New smart home- hackable, locks and lights can be turned off remotely, along with security systems. Your gate remote? The one in your car? They can capture the signal. Bottom line, if they want in, they’ll find a way. Just making harder for them as a deterrent. We recently bought a home in another Central Valley community, and have a contractor coming today to look at windows….After watching this great video, we’re having him look at the doors too! Thanks Sarah Elena! You’re the best.
Very helpful. The takeaway is: be cautious but don't be afraid.
Everyone should understand that crime happens everywhere. The problem in Costa Rica right now is the police are doing absolutely nothing to help the situation.
Exactly… this is noted in the video.
That is nothing new the Police have never done anything you have to protect you own property you are not in Kansas any more things are different here.Some just don't adjust ,catch on then they leave .
The irony is don't look at Costa Rica as you see it in the 'peaceful time'
See Costa Rica as a collapsed state like what happened to Venezuela.
Mexico/Central America at its best is marginally stable. We all know world wide we are on the cliff's edge of social collapse.
Central America will turn into a killing field, especially for expats
I would never consider living in South America after the stories my dad has told me. He lived in Brazil, Argentina and Costa Rica and traveled extensively. He had some friends who went to CR to build their dream home near the coast, only to have it burned to the ground by jealous people. There is so much poverty there but the worst part are the governments and how the police will not help you or protect you. He said unless you are super rich and can afford your own around the clock security (which many do) you are never safe.
For the most part, you are correct. However, the exception would be Uruguay.
Costa Rica has MANY problems now with: Venezuelans, Colombians , Nicaraguans, Salvadorean and Honduran "gangueros."
Costa Rica is now a drug trafficking staging area. 30 years ago, it was paradise. Not anymore. You have to live in a guard-gated community. If not, AYOR!
Thank You, as always you have all the good stuff
My pleasure!
My car's key fab was duplicated just like Rob mentioned, I didn't realize it till I got home and noticed stuff missing. This happened in Jaco on the street outside Jaco Walk.
Great video. I live in a very safe rural area of the UK. I don’t even know where my door keys are. I leave the keys in the car ignition and my bike unlocked. The weather’s terrible, the landscape’s bland and the people are a bit cold because of it. I’d love to live in Costa Rica, but living with bars on my windows and worrying about these things all the time would do my head in. I think I’d have to live in an apartment block with entry guards. Having said that in about a year altogether in Costa Rica I’ve never had anything stolen or any bad experiences at all, and I’m certainly not a careful person.
Feel the fear and do it anyway. It's a beautiful country
It also sounds like you don't attract that kinda vibe so if you continue to not be afraid it's really unlikely it will happen to you.
@@anabellegamboa1094 I like your positivity. Planning to head back this winter, just have to see what happens.
Here in the US we evaluate crime by the number of homicides rather than robberies and break ends. And not just the big cities like Detroit and Chicago. I live in a smaller city of 160,000 and we average over 6 homicides a week. A few days ago a man went to his parents house and killed his mother and his father. A couple of weeks ago a man was just release from jail for disturbances at his grandparents house where he lived. He went back home killed his grandparents, one of their friends, and his older brother. Plus we have the drive-by shooting too.
This is very helpful! I'll reach out when the time comes.
Was in Samara area in December and our friends car was broken into and after reviewing the grocery store video the thieves were gringos…just an FYI
Yikes 😳 that’s terrible!
I live on Oahu , catch & release is the normal. I lived in Napoli many years. They even steal the bedsheets. I love my 2 dogs.....Aloha
Dogs, and location are important. We are in a safe neighborhood where we all look out after each other. We don't live in Expat communities. All our friends/ neighbors are locals and our friends. We are fenced and always keep our dogs indoors at night and when we leave to go shopping or etc. Location is very important. Criminals are in Every Country and USA is more Dangerous than CR any day. We live here Permanently for 2 years now. Common sense like anywhere you live in any Country.
Ms. Sarah E. I may also be able to help re: security feed. Forensics Psychiatry, necrophiliacs, puedophiles etc. I appreciate your police officer share; and your experience as a social worker with your logical bent. Should you want, I do have a couple Claro local numbers. My friend got robbed of all her belongings, and thank God she didn’t get raped, as she’s a slight framed lady. So whatever I can do to help, let me know.
The home invaision may be anywhere in the world, but not the police response or lack there of. No one is prosecuted and if they are they are out of jail in 60 days. It is the hidden truth about CR that is not covered enough. I have lived in CR for 10 years. The security issues get tired.
Most of the alarm systems I know of have battery backs ups , do not advertise on social media about your plans and get two German shepherds or big dogs are the most deterrent they will move to east target
I would only buy an above ground level condo in CR in a gated community with security. Still no guarantees but Way too much risk to buy anything else in a country with a high % of poor citizens and where theft is an endemic.
Last time I was in Samara, some stole my daughter’s 2 year old $10 Walmart heel worn flip flops from the beach. It made me realize just how desperate people are there.
Also, allow me to add, if someone hasn't yet...after living inside of Reserva Conchal for 1 year, leaving things around, bicycles, etc...Gated communities, Gated communities, Gated communities, Gated communities. Gated communities !
Protect your own property because no one else will.
Beware in the day, like any city. nothing good happens after ( dark). Than have a plan and plant your butt in a safe place. don't wander , you will make yourself a target! Simple if you don't' feel safe your not.
Would a Hobbit house be safer up in the mountains? Great Interview! TY
Always beneficial to have expertise advise.👮♀️👮♂️
How hard would it be to get a safe to store my camera equipment in?
very easy, there's a few places where you can buy a safe, depends on the area.
This country is beautiful and crime is everwhere in the world
Great info ! Would like to use his service. Contact info?
I hope it rages out of control! Puravida😅😅
You cant put everything on the police for your safety.
In reality, no matter where you are, you can't put ANYTHING on the police.
Totally disagree. Without police there would be chaos. Protecting yourself is a lot easier said than done.
Not being a resident of Costa Rica , we`re told to always carry a passport , not a copy . replacing a passport is more hassle than giving up money . any suggestions ?
@Tim, who says to carry your original passport? Police are fine with paper copies. Take some pics for your phone too.
@@barco581 I was told that by local gringo residents , googled it as well - ditto . i like your answer better , Thanks
Don't believe the hype. Copy is fine and a few phone pics never hurt. The cops don't hassle the tourist to much because they understand how important you are to the economy. Pura Vida 🌴
Thieving in Costa Rica is AWEFUL !!!!.
What a shame its such a beautiful country who wants to live like that???
I personally don’t live fearing that my house or personal safety is an issue. I think it’s just due to where I live in a neighborhood with very close neighbors but I think it’s just good info for anywhere anyone is as unfortunately crime is on the ride worldwide.
We never live in fear here either. We have a great neighborhood with our Local Friends. Location is very important.. I felt fear living in USA. Living here 2 years permanently has been a great life for us !!
@@sandrabedard7848 agreed. I feel the same.
This guy talks as if Tom Cruise in mission impossible will rob your house in the jungle, I’m costa rican and it’s nowhere near what he paints it as unless you live in la carpio or leon 13, and even then calling it “organized crime” is a cosmic stretch
its fear mongering. they are treating costa rica like the US which it is not.
You can call them boarder crossers from up North, but can't deny that theft and B&S are super common. With that said, I love CR and want to move back to live there ASAP and never felt unsafe when I was living there
There are a lot of deportees (individuals who were deported due to criminal convictions) from the United States that have moved down to Costa Rica. There are also rise in cartel activities from South America and Mexico within Costa Rica. The Costa Rican government keeps failing to protect its own citizens including expats.
You are not in your home country things work differently here.Things will get worse before they get better.There is no good action plan.
Thats why owning self defense fire arm is what you should have
It’s difficult to get a permit here to own a gun. You have to have residency at least for sure and then I believe there are lots of other hoops to jump through if you want to do it legally.
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife yes you have to have residency, but the process is not hard. It's just a waiting game, takes about a month until you can pick up your firearm. But if you feel unsafe and need something quicker, it's very easy(and cheaper) to pick something up on the street
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife just get a firearm, worry about the permit later. If your gun saves your family’s life, you won’t even remember that you didn’t have a ‘permit’. Nobody is going to be punished for ending a criminal in their own house or property, trust me on that. Your house, your castle; this is not the UK.
How do you know crime is on the rise? Surely that’s just a perception of reality based on fear
Would love Robs info can you send it to me please. Thanks
Cheap housing but high crime rates, give and take I suppose.
Housing isn’t super cheap anymore unfortunately. But there’s still something for everyone’s budget depending on where
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife yeah it isnt because foreigners have inflated prices greatly.
thank you for coming here and making our small 3rd world country more expensive to live in for us.
My god, 8 minutes of b.s. before the first advice on security. What a waste! Why not just begin the video when the advice starts?
funny, to watch those privileged people talk about the issue of crime, its the rich who have made it what it is, poor people are victims all the time, there is no solution to crime other than equity, and access to opportunity, in Costa Rica ,New York city or anywhere in the world.
Um, ya know, um, ya know, um, ya know... lol.... good info tho, just slow execution of the info... um,ya know..
Best thing you can do is become a citizen and buy a gun. The cops wont help you but they also wont do anything about a dead thief as well.
Sort of common sense
Move to Costa Rica? Ha yea right. Been there. Done that. WAY OVER RATED.TOO EXPENSIVE. TOO HOT. TOO HUMID. TOO MUCH CRIME. And that was over 8 years ago. No thank you went futher south. Much better now.
No one has guard dogs down there? I guess I should of waited until the end 😁
Of course they do. They get poisoned. Happened in my neighborhood in 2022.
@@Charles-qt4hq well spend the extra money and get a dog that can be trained not to just eat anything. They're out there.
@@chuck26241 i heard it’s actually safer to keep your guard dog inside the home for that reason. So our dogs stay inside at night.
Also one small yappy dog to alert the bigger one
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife and frogs, scorpions, picacaballos, ect...My dog almost died after messing with a Bullfrog
What's that ole saying. Out of site out of mind.
rob looks dodgy. hide your children from him, he gives that vibe.