Crime is down in Puerto Viejo and the rest of Costa Rica's south Caribbean coast, police and residents say, and it's safer here than in some other popular tourist destinations. So why does a 2-year-old U.S. travel alert remain in place?
Many residents of Costa Rica's south Caribbean coast say that in the area surrounding Puerto Viejo crime is no worse than anywhere else. So why is there still a travel alert about armed robbery from the U.S. Embassy?
Powerful waves and rip currents started hitting beaches in the Pacific province of Puntarenas on Friday and will continue throughout the weekend. Oceanographers forecast a new stronger swell likely will bring even bigger waves to Puntarenas starting next Thursday.
A noticeable decrease in rainfall prompted National Emergency Commission officials on Thursday to give the green light for hundreds of families in six shelters to return to their homes in the northern and Caribbean regions of Costa Rica.
