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We’re taking about 10 days to visit some spots on the east and west coasts of CR this summer. I’m seeing on the internet that prostitution and drugs are common in beach areas. Can someone suggest the SAFEST places on the coasts to stay for a couple of days with kids? We’re also renting a 4×4. A place where it won’t likely get stolen would be preferable!! !
Thanks,
TerriDrugs and prostitution are everywhere as you know but there’s certainly far less consumed in Costa Rica per capita than in the #1 illegal and legal drug consuming nation in the world – the USA.
That’s not said as an insult, it’s simply fact so, please take whatever precautions you would take in visiting a touristy place on the beach in the US.
Your Biggest Danger at the Beach in Costa Rica:
Please also remember that far more US citizens die of drowning (including two more this week [ http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/05/boston_mans_dro.html ])than any other cause….
Please also see: Costa Rica Beaches – Riptides take the lives of two more young Americans at [ https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/450.cfm ]
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCstaRica.comnScott – Off the record I need to vent with you. This is the 2nd time I have been slammed down by you from a post that concerned families and kids. Why can’t you just allow people to respond to me without slamming me down right off the bat? The first time was when I was looking for families to discuss their moves to CR and now this. You had to question just what it is I was looking for. Apparently you are not a family / child friendly site. I am on a cr yahoo group and have gotten quite a few responses telling me the best places to go with kids and the worst – Dominical for one. I am a conservative homeschool mother who cares about the evil outside influences in this world no matter what country. Our Spanish is next to none and I’m sure there are places – like the Caribbean coast I’ve been told – where they speak Jamaican influenced English – which might be a better place to go. I appreciate your comment on rip tides, however, it just seems to me that you have no sensitivities to mothers looking for other families to meet up with or looking for advice on the SAFEST place to go with kids.
I had no intention of slamming you and don’t honestly know what that word means, I was trying to help you by pointing out that drowning is most definitely the #1 danger for anybody at any beach, anywhere.
I have spent many happy days at various beach locations on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts with my own children over the past ten years (now 19 and 16) and my #1 concern at all times has been the water conditions and, we are all powerful swimmers but we must all have a very healthy respect for the water.
This is only my own personal experience but the Caribbean waters seem to be safer than most Pacific waters but having said that, you’ll see plenty of people on the Caribbean coast smoking their funny cigarettes…
Scott Oliver
Family-friendly, off the beaten bath–Playa Minas, Pirate’s Bay and south end of Playa Conchal. Away from the big resorts, and among my favorite beaches for children, as I have one myself. Located in the northwest region of Guanacaste on the Pacific Coast. These are not surfing beaches either and have typically calm waters with plenty to see. Reminds me of Costa Rica 20 years ago.
You should not be bothered or even notice much, if any, drugs and prostitution during the day light hours, at any of the beeches in CR. Be more careful at night though.
I agree with Kimball as far as the influences. We’ve been all over Tamarindo, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, etc. with our kids & no one messes with us. We are generally in by 8 p.m. so I think we miss the trouble (plus we aren’t looking for any trouble, so trouble doesn’t find us).
Jessica
There’s a new article out on Costa Rica’s Best Caribbean Beaches in the Conde Nast Traveler which you can see at [ http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/blogs/80days/2009/05/costa-rica-best-beaches.html ]
Scott
I live in Miami where we have warm, very gentle waters. The Pacific beach in Costa Rica that I visited scared the beJesus out of me. The waves and tides were fierce. I watched nervously as my son surfed the waves on his little boogie board. Later, after a rain storm had passed by, my wife was knocked down by a wave while she was standing many, many yards away from what she thought was the reach of the water. I was Maytagged in my kayak as well. It is easy to break a neck there.
Don’t get me wrong. I had fun…but you absolutely must be sure of your swimming abilities and be vary cautious with rip tides.I have seen unaccompanied Tico children playing in the fast, ferocious rivers in Costa Rica with a 12 foot croc sunning on the muddy beach not far away. I am constantly amazed at how little concern the Ticos show for these dangers. Maybe I am just a typical overly fearful gringo.
Edited on May 12, 2009 16:21
Edited on May 12, 2009 16:22
Manuel Antonio has some very nice beaches and the added bonus of being at the park. The private beach at Tulimar resort is great for swimming and is in a protected cove. Also some of the beaches in the park are wonderful! Guanacaste in general seems to have more beaches that are swimmer friendly.
Drugs and prostitution at night in Jaco, but during the day it’s fine. Even when we go there for dinner early evening it’s not been a problem, it’s the wee hours of the morning when it gets a little wild.
I was talking about the Tulemar cove beach where the waves and tides were impressive. Manuek Antonio had scores of surfers on the beach which tells me that the waves can be rather big.
Also, a friendly reminder at the beach or anywhere in CR…don’t leave anything of value unattended in your car. Speaking from experience on this one.
Posted in the wrong place and reposted here by Scott
Posted May 13,2009 11:08 AM pauldthomas
We have taken our children ages 15 years down to 2 years to the Matapalo, Manuel Antonio, all the beaches along Uvita and Dominical. The beach in Dominical was too dangerous for children. We never saw any drugs or had any concerns. We had one person sit with our things and the others swam, surfed and boogie boarded. We have always felt very safe. Just make sure all your children are good swimmers and make sure they stay in the same area together when they are in the ocean.
If you don’t mind the “dark sand” –we have enjoyed Playa del Coco for the past four years with never any worries of strong rip tide or large waves. we have two boys who love the water and now are 14 and 9. I always like to be “further out” then the boys especially at the beaches around Flamingo due to the larger tides. be aware and all should be safe. as mentioned by others, during the day all is well, at night, stay to the main streets and you will also see little of the other stuff. we have a condo in the las palmas complex and feel very safe there even at night when we go for a late night stroll. down town Coco (like many other towns) gets pretty busy after 8pm and lots of night life –but there are many areas here in toronto, that i would not venture at any time of day. we go in to town for dinner and a walk but are back to the complex by 8ish. we have never experience any trouble or been bothered by anyone out and about. again blend in and be aware of your surrondings and you will have a great time in CR.
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