The Truth about Costa Rica 🇨🇷 San Jose
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.ค. 2024
- Costa Rica, San Jose: if you are traveling or moving to Costa Rica, you need to know the truth. And if you will visit San Jose, it's not going to be safe.
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Costa Rican here, the center of San Jose is a shit hole, I avoid going there as much as possible. But if you are visiting or moving to Costa Rica you will go to beach towns and national parks, or find a nice neighborhood to live in. If you visit or go live in the US you don't choose Compton.
It’s just that coming from Europe I’m used that the capital is great and downtown is the best part of the city, here instead is the opposite.
@@MichelePonte oh yeah, no, we are poor here haha
@@MichelePonte Comparing Europe to Latin America my dude? 🤣 Sorry you had such a shitty time
I agree with danielqv ...is a sad, dangerous place! Nothing in Costa Rica is like in Europe...go to Spain, Portugal or Puerto Rico. Michele, get out of that country!!!
@@mayace9785 oh trust me, there are really nice places in CR, better than any of those countries you mentioned, but you will not find them in a cheap $10 Red Zone hotel in San Jose.
Costa Rican here, and proud Josefino that actually knows San José.
San José is one of the most beautiful place to go if you know where to go.
If you go to LA, would you walk around the Skid row? No, right? Same here.
Most Costa Ricans don't even know the attractions San José has because they don't take time to get to know them.
Do you know that Costa Rica has the biggest Jade museum of the whole world?
The biggest Pre-Colombian Gold Museum of the whole continent?
San José has several butterflies and exotic plants gardens inside the city, which is something no other city has.
Some of the best cafeterias of the whole world and so on, and so on.
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of bad things happening in the city, but if you only go to the bad places looking for free "adventures", what do you think is going to happen?
But hey, maybe it's just me and my unconditional love for country I call home.
I just got back from CR, and I loved San Jose. For a few dollars more per night, he could have stayed in a bit safer neighborhood.
We have lived in Costa Rica for 5 years in Samara and take many trip to San Jose, Central Ave is cool. This weekend we are heading to Bario Escalante, we will visit Bario Chino and we will be heading to Santa Ana and Escazu. Check our channel for those videos coming up! Pura Vida
What’s a safe place to stay for the night ? Planning on driving 3-4 hrs to the coast
@@deeohh6384 Escazu, Santa Ana, Escalante or Alajuela are good options
I’m from Detroit. Downtown Detroit is far nicer and safer than downtown San Jose and Detroit is universally known as America’s armpit. The only thing that explains Costa Rica’s capital being a slum is that it’s politicians put businesses and their own self interests above the people.
Micheal this is a great video, as someone thinking of moving down to cr this was eye opening, thank you and subscribed
You’re welcome and thanks for subscribing. Go check out the other parts of CR, they might look much different
Nice Video!! Highly recommended ❤🍻
Great video Michele!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much, Ken!
Scratch this place!
@@THEDEADBLACKRAT 🙂
Great spontaneous video with surprises. More!
Thank you!
Thanks for honest and real videos
You’re welcome
Hey Salami can one cross to Panama then back to CR on bus or shuttle? Is the border open to foot crossing?
Guys let's give Ponte some love, likes ND subs. He deserves it guyz
Thank you so much, Tombi!
I just came home from spending 2 weeks in San Jose, and not once did i feel unsafe....and i say this as a swiss, who literally has NO idea, what "dangerous" even means regarding to safety in cities. MY truth is: San Jose has incredibly welcoming and open minded people, a lot of small subcultures and cultural events, it's a city who is definitely knowing its worth and what makes it beautiful. I really can't agree very much to what you explained in this video, but i totally respect that your impressions are vastly different to mine.
Hi, what is the cost per month cheap accommodation and food, thank you for answer...
enjoyed this one :)
Thank you, Mark!
We were missing you in the live chat!
@@MichelePonte work is really mental at the moment man
I imagine
Thanks for the video! I am planning on visiting San Jose next March for a week and I plan to stay around the Del Rey hotel area. Is it that a safe area? and are there nightlife activities around to check out? This is my first time visiting Costa Rica and as a first timer I always like to stay in a good area and stick to it as this gives more peace of mind.
I stayed at Del Ray. The area around it is a shithole. I went looking for a pharmacy around 8pm and found myself walking back on a deserted, dirty, scary city. Be careful. Consider Nicaragua. Cheaper, nicer and safer
Glad you made it through Costa Rica Michele! I've always heard the beach towns are better than San Jose. Food looks amazing! Cheers!
Thank you, Dane
I feel very safe in beach towns. I just don't stay out too late in places like Jaco or Tamarindo. I love small towns like Playa Samara and Montezuma
Always great you tuber
Thank you so much!
Hi Michele, I just got home from Stockholm. Nice to see you, I enjoyed your street walks with friendly people but the drugs are very disturbing which ruins many lives. Thank you for sharing your happy moments, delicious food, I will soon see your latest videos as well. Be safe my friend. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏
Faisal, I’m happy you found time to watch this video!
Have a great night!
MicheleThank you Michele, I will always have time for you.:-)
Your awesome and your telling and showing the truth
Thanks Andrew
I’m going San Jose tomorrow for the first time and watched this 😳😳oh boy
Good luck 😁
I am going tomorrow lol
@@jetplane10 hit me up ım at del ray :-)
Such a cool and chilled out cop. 4:05
Yes, amazing person
"maybe the culture is completely different between Latin america countries"
Well no shit Sherlock
I’m new to this area of the planet, mr
Man san josé was the worst place we ever visited in our lives! Infact costa rica in general was just a rip off tourist trap it's a shame really
I’m happy someone agrees with me. People are writing me messages that I visited the wrong places, but I just went where every normal tourist visiting the capital would go
worst place you ever visited?... How so?
Where The hell did u go
I love when people write this stupid comments and they think that we are going to believe it. Go to Rio, Go to the bad parts of Bogota and Medellin. You have never been anywehre if you are writing this
@@andreanavarro2341 I've been to those places... The people there were kind, hospitable and didn't rip me off as a foreigner lol
From 🇺🇲to michele not Miguel 👍👍👍👍👍i appreciated your ‼️ honesty ‼️
Thank you so much!
I love Costa Rica. Im half tica ❤️
My bf and I and my daughter and grandson went to Costa Rica in 2019 we stayed in San Jose for a a month we have family all over the country we felt safe and had a good time we travelled all over. Just have to use common sense.
Enjoyed watching and your honest opinion of the place. Weed dealers don't scare me, but the guys selling other things tend to be dangerous.
Thank you, Keith!
what have you guys heard about crime in Puerto Viejo area on the Caribbean side?
So sorry Michele , I'm living in Belgium,i like Italy and one time I visited Italy but honestly, Italy is not much better
Where have you been in Italy?
You can’t even compare the 2 countries
There's no tip needed in Costa Rica. San José has a lot more neighborhoods. Try Barrio Escalante
But they write it in every restaurant bill
@@MichelePonte its included in the price but it's the same price you see on the menu. All items must come with taxes and service included
This didn’t happen in the places I went, included the one I showed in this video and another restaurant I showed in another video
I was just there by the La Casona restaurant at night with my family. Good thing nothing happened.
Most tourist go to beach towns, and only go to San Jose for the shopping if they can’t find it in the small towns
As with anywhere else in the WORLD...you get what you pay for. That part of town where he stepped out from is a area where locals will even advise you to be careful. Again, you get what you pay for 🤷🏽♀️
when are you going back to El Salvador? Can you do a video about what wallet you are using for Bitcoin? What happened to the Girl?
Okay, I’ll answer both questions from there 🙂
How do you get back to America if you lost everything?
USA embassy will give you a temporary passport
@@MichelePonte got a friend there who got snagged and married a gal who isn't what he thought. Now he is broke with brokenness and needs to leave there. He doesn't realize how bad it is yet because he wants to keep the dream alive.
"Welcome to centroamerica, welcome to paradise, aqui de todo hay, welcome to Costa Rica"... like the song...
U r right. It is super expensive. I had the most expensive sushi roll in my life in sans Jose😂. I regretted that I did not check the price because I assumed that it would be a moderate price. Always check. 😂
$50?
Glad you gave people a warning about the city.
Shocked didn't know it got that bad there.
Hope other areas are better and have active tourist police.
Wonder if police will help if given a cash tip.
No
This isn’t what Costa Rica is like at all. Don’t believe anything this guy is saying. There’s crime and bad places all around the world. San Jose is relatively safe. Costa Rica is doesn’t even have a military which will tell you how safe it is. Visit Costa Rica and you will fall in love with it.
@@ahuete71 yes I agree with you Alex. It is a lovely place. Unfortunately around 20 days ago Costa Rican government have asked for US support due to Russian military on their border in Gutamala.Big mistake that, independence is much better. Associating with the US paints a target on Costa Rica's back.
Still good here anyway 🙂
@@jetplane10 oh no!!! I hadn’t heard about that. I was going to travel to Costa Rica next week to look for property. That’s not a good sign. Do you live in CR?
@@ahuete71 yes I do. Costa Rica is good. I can't see what you are respinding to, when you say 'oh no' lol. I can't see what answer goes with what comment sometimes sorry 🤣
I was planning to visit SJ, Costa Rica but it seems not safe especially at night!
Muchas gracias y bendiciones 🙏 desde Arabia Saudí🇸🇦
You’re welcome. One day I’ll visit Saudi
Costa Rica has some marvellous places. The capital San Jose has a problem, fortunately the rest of the place is much nicer. Check out Manuel Antonio.
Don’t go by what this guy is saying. He has no idea what he’s talking about. The capital of San Jose doesn’t define Costa Rica. Visit the country like Guanacaste peninsula , La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Arenal Volcano and you will completely fall in love with this country
@@MichelePonte where are you from?
Who said Costa Rica 🇨🇷 isnt safe😂😂 it’s much safer than US Uk even Europe and most of Asia and Middle East I’m not even Costa Rican but living here more than 2 years I never had any problem like this guy saying I have been San Jose many times even I’m living in heredia btw local peoples are so friendly helpful ❤ just you have to take care of yourself as any other country on the earth 🌎
I'm from Costa Rica and while this video clearly depicts mainly the metro area of San Jose, I can agree that the city does not represent what the whole country stands for.
San Jose is definitely the place to avoid in Costa Rica if you want to leave with nice memorable moments from your trip.
Hi Michele, this video was useful insight to me. I imagined Costa Rica was quite good place and it's people had a better life than neighbouring countries. It seems not at all. We only hear about the efforts made for the natural environment and how it is a paradise for wildlife. Guess this is what tourists are shown. Such a shame the capital city is in such a dire situation. Nice you still managed to find a few good locals as always. Please stay safe and hope we get to enjoy the more beautiful locations through your eyes at some point.
I’m sure in the coast because of the oceans and nature looks better, but it is sad that the capital is like that
Way better than Kiev at this moment, that I can assure you.
Tomorrow I’ll publish a video about Kiev before the war
CR is good. It is a law abiding place for all tourist destinations. It is safe and people are good. San Jose is yucky in many parts, some is still good, it is the large capital city here. Bits of London get messy.
@@jetplane10 exactly, we havelived in Costa Rica for 5 years and have been to San Jose many times. Just like the city we lived in in Canada there are places you avoid. We'll be filming in San Jose this weekend.
I've always wanted to visit Costa Rica! Last week I cried a lot because one of my co-workers has been selected to go there on a work trip. Now, this video is greatly helping me feel less miserable that I'm not going! Thanks!
If you are going to talk about how bad certain areas of a country are, I would like you to do one about NY Brownsville
The capital simply surprised me because as a European usually is the best part of the country, with downtown being a place where tourists want to rent and enjoy their time. But here was a bit different...
LMAOOOO YO BROWNSVILLE IS ODE
Dude not even costaricans like to walk where you walked! At least not me... San Jose city is just for extremely necessary reasons
Amanda, the thing is that as a tourist you wouldn't expext downtown of the capital to be like this: in most countires is the best part!
@@MichelePonte Of course I totally understand that and 20 years ago maybe it was safer, or I was more irresponsible LOL, but you are right specially if it is a city of a country that is sold to the international community as green, ecofriendly and all that stuff that happens only in certain areas, I assure you though there are cities nearby san jose that you can enjoy a lot and feel safe, as a last comment you are right San Jose should be safer and nicer
@@MichelePonte didn't you do some research like "what places to avoid in costa rica"? I always do that when i travel anywhere.
"I imagine you live in a perfect country, if so, don't come to mine to criticize."
It can be helpful for visitors to know that San Jose isn't at all a tourist location, nor would most locals recommend visiting it. These areas are not reflective of Costa Rica as a whole or even all of San Jose. What you are seeing is basically the worst part of the country, and the worst part of the greater San Jose area. It's dirty, unpleasant and unsafe there but there are lots of much nicer and relatively safe places even in San Jose. While you could find those nicer areas in and around San Jose, there isn't much reason to hang around San Jose as a traveller compared to the many gorgeous places throughout the country. And yes, most of the places a tourist would want to go are relatively safe (not necessarily as safe as many places in USA, Canada or Europe, but nothing even close to what you see in downtown San Jose slums).
Yes indeed. San Jose is a place that is unlike the tourist destinations. International tourists enjoy Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Uvita and Domincal.
Hey Michele i missed the livestream. That country is not that safe at all. No where is safe anymore. Everyone just have to be alert all the time. Glad you didn’t get your phone stolen. You make me laugh when you explaining things/events.
Very good video Ponte
Thank you so much, Yvonne!
I have been to all of Central American and Costa Rica is definitely overrated. I’m not saying is that bad, there are beautiful beaches and forests. It is very expensive.
CR is quiet and pretty mostly. Prices everywhere in the world are increased of course. As the wealthiest central american country the benefits of good health care, hospitals and good cheap buses are a plus.
Looks like great comparison for Costa Rica,really so much Chinese stuff and yes danger lies in every country,but yes drug dealers are celebrities there
Celebrities?
Costa Rica is nice.. But its just over rated.. People expect much more than what it really is...
It is boring and quiet. I am up for that.
😎👍
Hi Son 🙂
@@MichelePonte You have a son ?
@@eddenoy321 ahahah, absolutely not!
l ever cant believe in that latin people are not able to founder happiest,most walfare country in the world.
sj se volviô una sombra de lo que era. ahora da miedo y es peligroso, sucio y maloliente. es una tristeza
When you speak Spanish you sound Argentinian haha
Thanks, probably cause many Argentinians come from Italy 🙂
Next time visit the nice places as well. I bet you we have a lot. Name a city that doesn’t have these same problems you found there. Congratulations for showing people the bad side of CR. You did it really well.
I've been to lots of nice places, but the videos are not online anymore cause I was with my ex girlfriend
🍺🍺🥃🥃🍻
Dude literally every big city in Latin America has these issues. Drugs, Shoplifting, etc…
2 things.
Costa Rica is expensive. And it is not a secret.
If you don’t travel there to check the landscapes and biodiversity what else are you looking for?
If you want a fancy elegant city go to Europe or something.
Managua and San Jose are like night and day. Managua is clean, friendly and safe. San Jose is dirty, scary and unwelcoming. It’s a great comparison between socialist and capitalist attitudes.
You mean managua as the socialist one? San José has its pretty places, but yeah its ugly
@@dani-4107 I’m from Detroit and San Jose scared me. I was walking to my hotel at dusk and found myself on a totally deserted street with all shops closed. A car drove up and stopped just in front of me. It was only a mother picking up her daughters. I realized that you really need situational awareness there. Managua only took common sense. Never walked anywhere day or night that felt dangerous
@@timesupgr.8471 Where were you located? Im a local and ive lived in San José most of my life. Downtown San José can be dangerous (luckily nothing bad has ever happened to me), but there are other places that are safe. If you ever want to come back to Costa Rica, i'd recommend to go to other places (like Guanacaste, La Fortuna, Limón, mountains of cartago). These places are way more beautiful and tourist spots so they are safer, but always keep an eye open bc you never know. If you want to go to SJ again, id recommend Escazu or Barrio Escalante. Unfortunately, costa rica has become dangerous lately, this year is where there have been more homicides (mostly in SJ). It sucks because we were so peaceful before.
@@timesupgr.8471 Weird bc I passed through Detroit airport and it was scary asf, even inside the airport. Now you are going to tell me that SJ is worse than Portland and San Francisco. Puta idiota
Lol so funny this guy is comparing CR with Europe! Lol 😂 😂😂
I did enjoy this video. Funny and enlightening in many respects. I know that Costa Rica is a popular tourist place for travelers who seek the natural beauty of the land, and it’s amazing wildlife. I question if places within the country that cater to tourists with amazing scenic views and nature, are actually any different than San Jose. Obviously the Capitol of Costa Rica offers different amenities for the tourists, such as drug addicts, dealers, crime, counterfeit watches, and urine in every outdoor corner. This is a cancer that the Costa Rican government needs to address before it spreads countrywide. If not, tourism will fall, along with the country’s most important asset - tourism.
Randy, I always appreciate you and your comments. For sure Costa Rica must have great tourists spots on the beach sides, but the capital for sure needs work to be done
Unfortunately one of the downsides of Costa Rica is the long trek you’ll have to take to get out of san jose .. typically around 5 hours is the distant for where most people stay. Though I must say Costa Rica is my favourite country I’ve ever been to:) went a month ago
Yes most of the coastal towns are nice with next to no issues. Costa Rica is welcoming to tourists in all the out of city localities and no crime that is visible.
Your are very inparcial...
1)Water is expensive because nobody buys bottled water. You can drink water from the tap, its potable.
2)The place where you took your video first is 4 blocks from the most dangerous neighborhood in San Jose (zona roja). There are much nicer and safer neighborhoods in San José if you would only have researched where to stay.
2)Bus station do your homework.. Moovit Site includes all companies, telephone, price, schedule for all Buses.
3)the lottery is state owned and the profits goes to welfare.
4)your favorite restaurant and have been once?? Lol you are a joke
5)Most people would leave bad reviews from Costa Rica if so much people were robbed...
Carry extra cash in your shoes
nice tip :)
Yes a good tip anywhere you go.
I saw people putting cash in the socks
@@MichelePonte I would have emergency $ stashed on me just in case the banking systems are disrupted bcuz of what’s happening in Russia/Ukraine. Your EU banks have left people without access to cash in the past.
I mean if you want to go to the bad places with a camera and record everything bad and stay on the most ugly places of course it will paint that picture. But even in the ugly places there is people helping you. I was in Rome and I saw this ugly side of Rome as well, and Sicily is even worse, but both are beautiful places with nice people. Great video and advice but don’t make yourself the victim, you know exactly what you are doing.
I didn’t know the capital was the worst place in Costa Rica
Every country has its crappy areas I’m sure in your country you have plenty of crappy areas too. I am from the United States and I can tell you we have plenty of cities with drug attic‘s thieves, and all types of really bad people. Costa Rica is not unique there are some bad areas, but For the most part you are going to be safe, so I’m not really sure what your point is here. I hope you’re not discrediting this country and you are creating some narrative. That is not true you need to have common sense OK you need to have common sense when you go to any country. I don’t care where you’re going if you don’t have common sense, you are going to have a miserable time no matter where you go because you’re constantly doing stupid things.. be smart!!
Also, everyone visit Costa Rica. It’s a beautiful country. It’s totally fine. Just have common sense and be aware of your surroundings you’ll never have a problem.
welcome to latino america amigo jaja
There is soo many beautiful places there but vyou went to the worse
I made other videos in Costa Rica, not just this one
Yes I heard that
@@MichelePonte i tried looking for ur other videos of Costa Rica and can’t find them. Just this video thought that was wired maybe it’s TH-cam?
Mi bello país pura vida
Siempre pura vida
cheap travel is exactly that, cheap travel, that tip this guy left the waiter is about a 2 cents (US) value.... what type of review can you expect?
I left 40 cents USD, and this is not the USA, nobody is expecting a tip, especially if you eat in a market.
Oh man, San Jose is not for tourists, locals barely survive there. Believe or not, it’s gotten better, it used to be worse, I was almost robbed twice the same day. San Jose is dirty and has a lot of issues but I have seen some efforts to rescue the city and make it greener and better. Btw you think there is a lot of homeless in San Jose? 😂 go to San Francisco or LA, they are hold my beer.
R u talking about San Jose in Costa Rica or in California?
Mae ni un minuto pasó, manda huevo
get all of this best meat.. 7:48.. then a church ....mardi gras parable... carne levera, revel revel oonnn ..🙏 ... watchout this huge pigeon 27:06... peaceout!
🙂
I’ve been there it’s typical Latin America Third World
Well, good thing there’s no violence or homelessness in London or NYC, or San Francisco….. and of course Sicilily is known for its lack of violence.
For a guy with a broken back who couldn’t help in the staged robbery, you did pretty well for half an hour walking around such a dangerous city obviously filming yourself quite unmolested.
San Jose, like any other large city in any country wether Europe or in the Americas will often times share these characteristics.
My takeaways from your video was contrary to what you said. Overall things looked pretty calm and nobody seemed to bother you.
Maybe you should’ve staged a mugging to make your point. Not that that’s ever been done before here in the United States.
My sense is that you’ll find issues with any country you choose to go to. Good luck dude.
No, Ben, I don’t find issues everywhere: my surprise was this happening in the tourist area of the capital.
Usually in Europe it is the best place where to me.
Anyway, the rest of Costa Rica is beautiful and I suggest to visit it
PS: in Sicilia there is no violence, the mafia doesn’t want to scare away tourists
I don't understand this video at all. What truth about Costa Rica is this? You are obviously not in a tourist area and obviously also not in any area that any person would care to visit (or live) if they were from another country. Are you trying to tell visitors that a country in Central America is underdeveloped? That Latin America is not as safe as Europe, or wherever you came from? If they need to to be told to not go to dangerous and unattractive places ok their vacation, then they are idiots. And you are trying to go for views based on controversy. I'm sorry everyone, but you're being lied to, this 27 minute video is obviously not the truth about a whole country.
This is downtown, every tourist is here
The video is not about the entire country, I agree. The capital is a mess, but the costline is beautiful
@@MichelePonte no buddy, there's no real tourism there, your whole premise is incorrect