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I’ve been doing my Visa Runs in Nicaragua for over 5 years – that’s 4+ times a year. I’ve traveled solo on most of my trips – & I feel LOTS “safer” in Nicaragua than I do in CR overall (maybe it’s because of ALL the stories MANY have shared with me of things that have happened to them which happens because of my blog).

For starters – IF you see bars on windows or barbed wire – MAYBE it’s on the first level only. I have hardly ever seen guards with big guns standing in front of non-expensive stores let alone malls.

Heck, most people I know when they go on vacation trust their housekeeper or groundsman so much they leave them there to watch their house or pets! Even in the gringo community.

In San Juan del Sur MANY people leave their front door open to the street (kind an invitation to come on in) & they go about doing their thing – sometimes hanging out right there in the livingroom – sometimes going to the kitchen – but that door is often still left open.

2 years ago I left my cell phone on the arm of a sofa in a little cheapo hostal ON the main street as you enter town – door wide open. & when I returned the owner had moved it onto the coffee table – 2 HOURS later.

Sure there’s crime – there’s crime anywhere – but – I can just say for ME – a 57 years young female – I overall feel LOTS safer in Nicaragua when I’m traveling there & this year so far I’ve spent 2 months in total there & in ’13 – 3 months.

#1 way I’ve found to avoid being a “victim” (based on MANY people owning the truth when they got rolled) – don’t get drunk & stupid. Come on, MOST of us have done it at some time – especially on vacation. Admit it!

#2 – Keep your Street/Life Smarts about you (& you’re more of a book smarts than Life Smarts kinda – don’t have much Street/Life Smarts – hire a driver TO help keep an eye on you).

#3 – Don’t walk around with ANY watch or jewelry or designer clothes on – let alone flashy bling stuff – PERIOD!!! I don’t care if it’s “only” a $50 knock-off – it’s bling & has some value to someone – even if it’s just $5.

#4 – Don’t go “advertising”/boasting about ANYTHING you have – be it in your home country or where you’re living. That includes a $200 backpack & NorthFace hiking shoes, a nice car, a nice home, a good job, etc.

#5 – If you’re going to do a hooker, do NOT have her go back to your room where your stuff is (& where she can slip you a Mickey & take your things).

True, crime is EVERYWHERE in the world – but I think (from what MANY have shared with me with THEIR experiences), the BIGGEST difference between crime in the rest of the world & CR is it’s SOOOO RARE for criminals to even get caught in CR, let alone prosecuted, let alone put in jail. It sure seems that the cops hands are tied with the limits on what they can even do.