Re: [Leica] Costa Rica Travel

[Mark Cohen <markc@creativephoto.com>]

Bill, 

You bring up some interesting points, do you know if the security risks
are solely in the airport and San Jose? What about other parts of the
country?

Im flying to San Jose and then transfering to another flight to cross the
country into a smaller backwoods type of place... (Not sure where yet, I
don't have the itinerary from the girlfriend.)

Being away from my Leicas for a week just sounds too difficult! *you know,
when you're married to your cameras and all*

- -Mark


On Wed, 30 Jun 1999, wvl wrote:

> Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 16:49:58 -0700
> From: wvl <wvl@marinternet.com>
> Reply-To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: [Leica] Costa Rica Travel
> 
> > 
> > Im planning a trip to Costa Rica in July.. Ive never been that far south
> > before.. so, I was wondering I should expect when I get there. Should I be
> > concerned about high humidity and bring dessicant? For any of you that
> > have been there, what is good to shoot down there?  
> > 
> > Im bringing 2xM6 and a 35 Summicron 35 ASPH and a 90 Summicron F2.8 (Both
> > new)
> > 
> > - -Mark
> > 
> 
> 
> You should be concerned about high humidity and bring deodorant! On the
> coasts it can be very hot and humid.I don't know how long you would have
> to stay in the humid regions in order to need camera dessicant. San
> Jose, the capital is in the mountains and enjoys a temperate climate all
> year.
> 
> My experience two years ago was with a SLR and 28, 50, and 105 lenses. I
> spent too much time changing lensed and decided that next time I would
> either get a zoom or carry two bodies; a wide and short tele combo.
> There are a lot of animal photos to be made and great senic landscapes
> too. A wide and a tele should do it.
> 
> Having said the above, however, I would have serious reservations about
> bringing such valuable equipment to Costa Rica. Like many popular
> tourist destinations it has a high incidence of property theft from
> tourists. IMO you will be a target walking around with two Leicas worth
> the annual income of several families in Costa Rica. The theft hazard
> starts right at the airport. My son studied in San Jose for a year. The
> University of California program staff handouts included the warning
> that thieves loiter at the output side of the carry-on x-ray conveyer
> and walk off with camera bags and laptop computers while the tourist is
> being body searched by security in the line. Forget about putting it in
> your baggage. My friend had an  five foot aluminum fly rod case
> disappear right in the terminal. My son was robbed at gunpoint in broad
> daylight in the center of San Jose. The thief took his jacket, shoes and
> cash. BTW, don't expect effective help from the police.
> 
> Nevertheless, the majority of Ticos are very friendly, English is widely
> spoken, many expatriates from North America and Europe live there, and
> it is a beautiful country. San Jose was destroyed by earthquake 90 years
> ago and a ban on adobe buildings was implemented. Consequently, the
> architecture is not very charming. There are virtually none of the
> colonial style districts found elsewhere in Central America. Roads are
> so bad that one paper features a "pothole of the week". Rental cars are
> available, four wheel drive being required to see the rain forrests in
> the mountains. Intercity buses are very inexpensive and feature exciting
> slalom driving through the pothole obstacles. Food is very inexpensive
> and most meals feature rice and beans plus an entree. Dinners can be had
> for two to four dollars. Get the Lonely Planet Guidebook, have a great
> time, leave the Leicas at home, and relax.
> 
> Bill Lawlor
>