1) Be sure to lock your gearshift with the supplied lock each and every time you leave the car, even if just for a moment. A stolen car will certainly ruin your vacation.

2) Local drivers may seem more ‘aggressive’ than you may be used to. The best advice is: if they want to pass you, let them.

3) Do not leave anything of value in your car at any time, not even pocket change. It will be missing when you return, along with a smashed side window.

4) If you get a flat tire on one of the many potholes, DO NOT STOP. The latest scam involves someone trying to ‘help’ a stranded tourist. While the tourist is distracted, the accomplice steals everything of value in the car. If you have a flat, drive on it to a gas station, a police station, or other suitably crowded area. We will not charge you for the damaged tire or rim.

These tips were on a sheet that I had to sign before the rental car company would let me drive off the lot in our rental car, a fantastic 2005 Suzuki Shitera 4×4.

After reading all these warnings throughout our first day in Costa Rica, I turned to Fiona and said, “Wow. That’s more warnings than the military gave us in Iraq last December!”

Which begs the question – what have we gotten ourselves into here?

The first installment of the Costa Rica Adventure can be found here.

Author: frenchy