Perhaps there is less crime in the parts of the country where retired anglo people live.

I heard that crime got rather bad around 1990 and afterwards in the northern part of the country, after the demobilization of the Nicaraguan contras.

>Hi Bret,
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>That's interesting. I wouldn't call it crime-free though unless a lot has changed since I was there in 1990. At that time, tourists were the primary target for muggings and assault. It was a daily occurance. That is true of almost any tourist spot though so not unusual. However, I think people get a 'false sense of security' when traveling there because the chance of any terrorist threat there is so small. It is beautiful but one still needs to be prepared as when going to any tourist location. As to the water, the water is cleaner in Panama but the crime in Panama is so much worse. In Costa Rica, while the water is clean and vegetables are grown in clean irridated water, the bacteria in the water is not the same as here in the states so it is still a good idea to only drink bottled water if you are only going for a visit. Not only is dental care very good there, but Costa Rican plastic surgeons are considered among the best in the world.
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>>Quite a few Americans go to Costa Rica for dental work, to save money. My father has thought about it for some work he needs doing, but he would have to make repeated trips, or stay down there for months.
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>>I guess that they have settled on Costa Rica because it has a third world cost of living, but fairly low crime and mostly clean water.
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>>Quite a few Americans go there to retire, also.