High season begins in Tamarindo and more happenings

By Tamarindo Community Reporter, Liisa Vexler

November 14th, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) October’s low season was tough, as it always is, for some businesses, property owners and individuals in Tamarindo. Some businesses chose to close their doors for renovations or vacation while others remained open to serve the local residents. October also brought with it an increase in crime on property and dengue cases in the area.

Robberies in late October

Four robberies were reported to police on the evening of October 29th, 2014. They included break-ins in two condos in one complex and two private homes. According to a source who prefers to remain anonymous, the police believe the robberies were all committed by the same group of individuals who are known to them. Though they know the gang’s vehicle and their identities, the authorities have not yet been able to apprehend the thieves.

A large part of the inability to make any arrests stems from a lack of manpower in the Tamarindo police department. In the evening there are three officers on duty, one of whom is not permitted to leave the station. On the evening of the robberies, the Tamarindo police car was not available for reasons of unknown origin.

Residents of Tamarindo are calling for better and more robust policing in order to improve community safety and security.

Increase in dengue cases the last week of October and first week of November

Reported cases of dengue increased dramatically in Tamarindo in the last week of October and first week of November according to doctors and medical clinics in the area. Clinics serving the greater Gold Coast area report that cases reported and treated have primarily been in individuals living in Tamarindo and the adjacent community of Refundores. The surrounding beach towns have not been as hard hit.

Overall, cases of dengue are down from last year, but residents still complain that there is not sufficient fumigation by the Ministry of Public Health to keep the population healthy or to begin eradicating the mosquito-borne disease from this community.

With sunnier days and summer’s imminent arrival, the community expects the rate of newly diagnosed cases to slow down.

And with summer, comes high season

A string of sunny days and busy town streets signal the beginning of high season in Tamarindo. Businesses have once again open their doors and board-short and bikini-clad tourists carry surfboards around town from dawn to dusk. There are several new businesses planning to open their doors this month, and next week’s community report will focus on what is new in Tamarindo for high season 2014-15.

Liisa Vexler

Liisa Vexler is the author of The Family Freedom Project: A Step-By-Step Guide to Living Abroad with Kids. From Dream to Plan to Reality.

On their honeymoon, Liisa and her husband fell in love with Costa Rica. They designed their lifestyles so it could eventually become their home. She now speaks and writes about their experience in addition to managing her busy medical writing business.

Liisa lives with her husband and two sons in Tamarindo where she is currently working on her second book. Connect with her on Twitter, on Facebook, or on Google+.