Q COSTARICA – The holiday season in Costa Rica is almost here. It’s that time when many people leave the city behind, chasing sunshine, beach days, mountain breezes, and the laid-back feel of resorts. But while everyone’s out enjoying themselves, some sneaky folks see it as the perfect chance to sneak into empty homes.
That’s why the Theft and Robbery Section of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ for short) urges everyone to take some simple steps to avoid becoming a victim—and just another crime statistic.
A few quick tips: don’t leave your garage door wide open while you’re loading up the car. Take a good look around your driveway before you pull away. Pause any newspaper delivery and ask a trusted neighbor or friend to grab the pile of flyers stacking up at your doorstep or mailbox. And whatever you do, don’t leave trash bins sitting out for days—that’s an obvious sign your place is empty.
Security systems matter—alarms, cameras, even razor wire can all add layers of protection. Most break-ins happen when thieves spot an easy target. Make your house less appealing; if it looks like too much trouble, they’ll likely move on.
Community counts too. Neighbors working together, knowing who’s home and who’s away, is a huge help. Check on each other and keep an eye on unusual activity.If you decide to stay put during the holidays, staying safe means being alert. Before you open the door, check who’s outside.
People asking for directions can sometimes be a trick to get you to open up or come outside. Watch for suspicious cars or people hanging around—slow-moving cars with a couple of young guys inside are worth a second glance. And always, triple-check before raising your garage door or gate.
Don’t open it from far away, and if something feels off—a strange car parked nearby or someone tailing you—don’t take chances.
Keep the lights, the TV, or the music on when you’re out to make it look like someone’s home. Avoid a routine schedule for coming and going, and don’t always take the same route.
Dogs can be a great deterrent, too.
Have the local police number handy.
Some neighborhoods have guards with direct lines to the police, who have been stepping up community patrols lately.
This article is a repost of one we originally published back in January 2015.