Peter, I know we are on the same side, Your Numbers on buffalo are A little of that was just that one bull that went that much,You can get A very good bull for
R200 000. I will not argue the point with you I can just tell you this, I invested in buffalo 5 years ago and it paid of BIG TIME! Even If the prices fall 50% over night we will still be making good money.Once again I am not trying to get anybody to invest in A game farm but it worked out for me and is living my dream. Thanks for A nice chat ON AR I am new to this.

Phillip

Careful what you say mate. They'll be bleating about the high profit margin on game and rising trophy fees etc!



Ho Hum..... Sorry about that chaps. My hair trigger sense of humour had an A/D!

STEVE, GREAT TO KNOW ATLEAST THERE ARE STILL HUMOUR IN ALL OF THIS! ALWAYS ENJOY YOUR THOUGHTS. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Here again is the old story---DO YOUR HOMEWORK--don't come crying when you fail.

quote:

---DO YOUR HOMEWORK--don't come crying

Amen to that! My wife and I were extremely close to putting a 30% down payment on a Cairo apartment in late December 2010. As is common in that part of the world, these are made in cash when papers are signed and (due a delay by the real estate agent) we still had the money in our apartment when the revolution really heated up on January 28 of that year. Flying out of Egypt in early February with all that cash literally in our pockets and absolutely NO property in the country felt just fabulous I can tell you that! We are back in Egypt, but have decided that renting and saving is better than holding property here. I suspect that most people who jump into real estate transactions on the continent get caught up in the romance of it and don't spend the time to think it through. We had been in Cairo nearly seven years back in 2010 and STILL almost got caught. Moral: Take a decade to think it over!

It is wonderful to see the passion that many feel for their country and its past.

I am asking a legitimate question that I really would be interested in getting the perspectives of South Africans on -- I am not trying to stir up controversy. My question for those that are the optimists when it comes to the future of South Africa, what distinguishes South Africa from a number of other countries in Africa that have less than stellar histories when it comes to stability and majority rule. To keep it simple, let's focus on the comparison between Zimbabwe and South Africa. For a South African to see the road that Zimbabwe has gone down, going from the bread basket of Africa and one of the economic powers in Africa, to its present situation, what distinguishes South Africa and makes one believe that the same thing will not happen in South Africa? Why will populist policies that have ruined other African countries, not produce the same result eventually in South Africa? Sounds like many believe that South Africa is in some way different or unique and is not destined to repeat the mistakes or go through the same pains of other African countries, I am just trying to appreciate why they feel that way and what truly distinguishes South Africa and gives them reason to believe it will not go the direction of so many of its neighbors.

Thanks.

Mike there can be no easy answer to that. I am marginally this side of 50, lived in Rhodesia for 11 years before moving to SA in 1976. Still remember the people who stayed with us in Salisbury (Harare) when they fled Tanganyika (Tanzania) and the ones who left Zambia in an awful hurry.

There can be nothing that will prevent SA from going down the same road IMO. It will take longer because we have many minerals the rest of the world depends on, we have more whites than Rhodesia ever had and just maybe because it is meant to be that way.

Deteriorating service delivery specially in rural towns will escalate to violent protestations again within the next 6 - 12 months. My parents-in-law live in a small Free State town where they cannot drink the tap water for the past 11 years, yet the municipal authorities spent $ 1,5 mil on new traffic cop cars year before last. Potholes in the roads, public areas where the lawn is not mown add injury to insult and there is absolutely no reason to believe it will become better in the near future.

Normal inter-provincial roads are becoming toll roads overnight so that responsibility is now again shifted to someone else. Admitedly most roads (intertstate roads) are amzing to travel on but we are paying for it additionally, over and above our normal taxes. And the road concessions are allocated to cronies who become instant millionairs.

The president spent an estimated $ 5,3 mil on the upgrading of his personal residential home. He said it was not from public funds but from personal sources. Well now, really. The issue is still not resolved.

Anybody wondered where the Oppenheimer family who USED to own De Beers are? Sold out and left.

In spite of all this I aim to stay till I'm a nuisance to the government. In fact, I'm living to become their nightmare. I am an Afrikaner.

quote:

In spite of all this I aim to stay till I'm a nuisance to the government. In fact, I'm living to become their nightmare. I am an Afrikaner.

I like your spirit Pieter Kriel. I feel the same way as I am a Californian!

yep, California and RSA- the same socialist pile of shit in different locations...

Giving some reply to MJines' question? This is really looking for trouble! I know, and I will take the full blame for what I will say.

In today's world one can get away with a lot of things. Unethical hunting? You can get away with it. Shooting a trophy from a helicopter? No problem! Hunting with a searching drone? No problem. The list is endless. People on this forum are understanding and forgiving, fun loving hunter folk! Taking a stab at our host about being a Muslim? No problem at all! Sure you can get away with a lot. But never you dare to make any racist remark! You WILL BE CRUCIFIED! And drawn and quartered. Anything that remotely looks, sound or smells like racist is absolutely taboo! The world over, and also here on AR!

Now I make a statement: South Africa has a “Black Government”. Does anyone here see that as a racist remark? It is the truth! It does contain the word “Black”, so it must be racist?

Let me make another statement: The Government is making a FU of the great potential future of this lovely and high potential country. This happens to be, most unfortunately, also a true remark. We are going downhill fast! This is NOT a racist remark as there is absolutely no reference to any race in this remark!

If you want to combine the two statements and make it into a racist remark – it is you who are doing it! Not me!

Now a question, if I may ask one? Who keeps on voting for the ANC Government who is running this great potential country downhill so fast? Need I remind anyone about the demography of the South African population? A vast majority being Black. Not racist, just a fact! The vast majority - no mention to race here - just numbers of votes counted - votes for the likes of Zuma and his cronies. Again and again. Why?

Why does the vast majority in South Africa keep on voting for an ANC Government that is running the country downhill so fast? Why, in Heavens name, why? Why???????

Do they, this vast majority – not mentioning their race, just the fact that they are a majority – not see and realize that the people that they vote for are running the country into the ground? No, they don’t. In South Africa we have a quite free press, newspapers of all sorts, Government controlled TV, many radio stations with news services and freely available Internet with it’s own news services. Don’t the vast majority see, read and hear the news and from that conclude that the ANC is running the country downhill? No, they don’t! Like I do, they do hear the radio news, see TV news, some read newspaper news and some even read Internet news services, Facebook, Twitter and newspaper Internet news, but all the information they gather is simply not correctly thought about to come to the conclusion that I come to.

Can it possibly be me that is all wrong? The majority is, after all, usually right and the minority wrong? At least that is what we learn about democracies. Fact is, that in a democracy the majority decides and rules, irrespective of who is really right and who wrong.

But to get to the fundamental question: Why do I, and many others like me, who sees, hears and, in the case of some of the majority who can read, reads the same news as the vast majority come to such diametrically opposed different conclusions about the good or bad of the ANC running or ruining the country? How come, same input, but different output? My logic tells me that it must have something to do with the brain used to think about the input!

What is the difference between the minority brain as compared to the majority brain? Size? Efficiency? Training in really objectively thinking and making conclusions? We are really talking about intelligence in the broader context here. My view is that the majority simply does not have the collective intelligence to correctly convert the input from news and self observation to the conclusion that the ANC is running the country downwards. Fast!

Is there any hope of improving the thinking ability of the vast majority in South Africa? Unfortunately the honest reply to this is a No! Sure we have more minerals and more whites, and more illegal immigrants than many countries to the north of us, but we also still have a majority who simply cannot think properly. The really bad news is that there is nothing that can be done about that!

But while I live I'll be proud to say "I am an Afrikaner and a hunter!"

Sad, but true!

Andrew:

Some smartass socialist is bound to turn around and tell you that its their land to do as they please and it is the fault of your forefathers who created this situation - you and I are just the spawn of the colonial invaders and we have no rights or claim over the land or its governance whatsoever. Basically we should just pack our bags and piss off; a bit like Zim.

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:
Andrew:

Some smartass socialist is bound to turn around and tell you that its their land to do as they please and it is the fault of your forefathers who created this situation - you and I are just the spawn of the colonial invaders and we have no rights or claim over the land or its governance whatsoever. Basically we should just pack our bags and piss off; a bit like Zim.

Sad. But true!

http://news.iafrica.com/sa/841222.html

AfriForum's youth branch at the North West University's Potchefstroom Campus on Wednesday laid a hate speech complaint against SA Students' Congress (Sasco) campus chairperson, Jason Mfusi.

Mfusi allegedly commented on his Facebook page that "a good farmer is a dead farmer", Beeld reported.

Kiewiet Scheppel, spokesperson for the university, said AfriForum had lodged the complaint with the human rights committee on campus, and that it was being investigated.

AfriForum said after receiving a complaint on Sunday, it had subsequently verified that Mfusi had commented on his social networking page: "My grandfather says 'a good farmer is a dead farmer'."

Professor Herman van Schalkwyk, chancellor of the Potchefstroom campus, said the university expected everyone to respect the fundamental rights and values enshrined in the Constitution.

"The NWU's human rights committee functions under the chairmanship of an independent legal expert and consists of 12 people who represent the university community... they don't have the authority to take disciplinary action, but they may make recommendations to management about possible disciplinary steps," Van Schalkwyk said.

Things that gives me hope:
1)sitting at a athletics meeting and seeing kids of all races playing and taking part communicating in each others language without any pre conceptions
2) uneducated people starting to see the effects of corruption and starting to act against it.
3)teenagers and students communicating and finding their own way of doing things , these are our future leaders and their actions will affect our future

this may take time but what did we expect at least we did not have a full scale war and yes there was casualties , sometimes you have to go backwards to go forward.

a Strong brand can only stay a strong brand if they live up to their promises and if they dont it can either deteriate fast or slower but down it wil go down

the truth wil set you free you can only fool some people for sometime not al the people al the time

have posted an advert for a Game Farm in Botswana in the Forum.

quote:

Originally posted by Safaris Botswana Bound:
have posted an advert for a Game Farm in Botswana in the Forum.

It is in the Classified forum.

No for sale items allowed on this forum.

quote:

Originally posted by Andrew McLaren:

Why does the vast majority in South Africa keep on voting for an ANC Government that is running the country downhill so fast? Why, in Heavens name, why? Why???????

Andrew the answer is actually not too hard, it's a matter of space trying to put things into perspective.

It has to do with the way you see things in life, essentially how you were raised. This is race unique and is culturally specific. A race of people is the same as an animal breed: ie, (and I know monkeys and baboons govern us thanks ) on terrier dogs you have certain sub-breeds like Scottish terrier, Fox terrier and so on.

With humans we associate ourselves with anybody who has the same values and outlook in life as we do. This is called culture. You and I are both white South Africans and Afrikanners just like there are white English speaking South Africans. This can be subdivided into many different categories.

Looking at the black people who have their norms, values and worldly outlook they are essentially what we are, just completely different! As Europeans we have forever believed in bartering a deal and then signing a contract to endorse what we said. Moving to southern Africa where reading and writing never was prior to the arrival of the Portuguese (like Steve, I think ) and the Dutch, everything was done verbally. The elders of a community can recite up to 3 generations ago.

We were forever governed by a democratically elected institution (sometimes not democratically elected) or body whereas the African tribes served under Kingdoms. The King is the ruler and succession is bestowed upon the most senior son of the most senior wife. Should the King die before this son reaches coming of age a regent is appointed to govern on his behalf. Next level down from the King would be the Chief. Same form of succession applies here except this is now at micro level and not macro level. When I need a portion of land to build my house I approach the Chief who will, with a good reference, supply me with a portion of land which immediately buys my loyalty to the Chief. When tilling the fields, we all help to till the Chiefs' fields first, then we plant his fields and only then can we till and plant our own fields. Come harvesting time we harvest the Chiefs fields first, then ours. Well, actually, the women till and plant the fields. Us guys have very important work to do like talk politics, drink beer and make war. The Chief, because of his position is permitted to have more than us. In the event of a drought nobody has food except the Chief who then shares his extra food with everyone.

Remember when your servant came to you and said: my uncle died, please give me something? This is where it stems from. The Chief, or the person in command must supply in times of "drought". Same today and that's why we are a silly state giving everything away to anybody who does not want to work. My house maid's daughter is 21 yo and has 3 illigitimate children but can afford to stay at home, clothe and feed them because of your government giving her a subsidy...per child. All 3 kids do not have the same father either.

Your question about why they vote for the same thing: because the Chief promised things will go better if you vote for him. And of course the good bbq of 7 oxen and 100's of free T-shirts a week prior to elections.

Taking back farms from whites cannot be wrong because the whites stole it from the blacks in the first place. Not being paid proper compensation for improvements is seen as a rent you paid for being on their land.

Our only help? Two-fold: The younger generation of blacks getting educated and seeing what is wrong and secondly the older Robben Island old boys club must depart.

I have officially typed myself thirsty and for those who took the time to read, hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
As pissing contest go on AR this one is fairly mild.

Thanks to all that replied, looking for a place to retire and buy a farm.

Australia is by and large too much money, and gun laws suck. Spent 3 years there, great 3 years, but about financially broke us.

New Zealand is great, gun laws suck, but developers and their customers are turning it into someplace I don't really want to live. Still expensive, but cheaper than Australia.

I need a mild dry climate because of a degenerative muscle disease I was fortunate enough to inherit.

Wyoming is wonderful, but damn January is hard.

As I understand the current law in South Africa, you as a non-resident or temporary alien can not own guns. I could be wrong on this, because I haven't researched it recently, but I sure as hell wouldn't count on taking my collection with me.

There are other considerations as well. For instance hunting on your own land as a non-resident without a PH is probably illegal.

I think SA is a beautiful country and I seriously looked at buying a game ranch some years back. The gun and hunting problems mentioned above coupled with the above average risk dissuaded me. It might have worked but I didn't want a situation requiring intensive management. There are undoubtedly many fine ranch managers in South Africa. I've met and hunted with several of them but I also have heard the nightmares that a bad one can create.

Finally, if you want warm and dry land. I would seriously suggest parts of West or SW Texas or Southern NM. Arizona and Nevada have possibilities as well. However if you think you're going to make a living off that land, you had better plan on some slim eating.

I happen to like desert or arid country and there are some nice places available for less than $350 and acre BUT it takes a LOT of acres for a cow.

Texas has no state income tax, reasonable gun laws (but not nearly as reasonable as some would think), and friendly people to those who don't tell us how we are doing it all wrong.

FIY:

1. There is a way to legaly have the use of your own firearm in South Africa on a permanent basis (LEGALY)

2. You can hunt without a P.H. in S.A. (LEGALY)

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
It is wonderful to see the passion that many feel for their country and its past.

I am asking a legitimate question that I really would be interested in getting the perspectives of South Africans on -- I am not trying to stir up controversy. My question for those that are the optimists when it comes to the future of South Africa, what distinguishes South Africa from a number of other countries in Africa that have less than stellar histories when it comes to stability and majority rule. To keep it simple, let's focus on the comparison between Zimbabwe and South Africa. For a South African to see the road that Zimbabwe has gone down, going from the bread basket of Africa and one of the economic powers in Africa, to its present situation, what distinguishes South Africa and makes one believe that the same thing will not happen in South Africa? Why will populist policies that have ruined other African countries, not produce the same result eventually in South Africa? Sounds like many believe that South Africa is in some way different or unique and is not destined to repeat the mistakes or go through the same pains of other African countries, I am just trying to appreciate why they feel that way and what truly distinguishes South Africa and gives them reason to believe it will not go the direction of so many of its neighbors.

Thanks.

Mike, because we have no where else to go, and despite all the hardship, and despite what is been said here, WE BELIEVE that God will look after us. I'm not under the arm preaching, I honestly believe.

Let me tell you this, and my head will probably be chewed off for saying, but a very wise old warrior from the Angolan Bush war said something very true not long ago: "we just traded one bad government for another". Now that the "black" government rules over the "white" people, and not the other way round, now suddenly it's different?

Please do not get me wrong, my heart is in the right place, but I am VERY objective and realistic. It is my hobby to study modern Southern African politics, anyone that has shared a campfire with me and walked down this dirt road, knows it.

Andrew, I concur with most of the "clever" people. South Africa will see two more generations before it truly chances. I cannot believe the questions you ask though? Raining to much in the Free State so that you have time to work on this That's why I'm sitting here!

This forum however, is MUCH to grand for us to debate our messed up politics here!

I hope no-one minds me correcting them slightly on this issue.

Any person staying in RSA on a temporary work permit or own business visa etc CAN apply for a firearms permit for the duration of their visa.

It's called a SAPS526, Temporary Authorisation To Posess A Firearm. You can only apply for it once you have your visa/work permit and it's only valid for the duration of the visa/permit.

To many scary parallels in this whole conversation. I wish more Americans had the South African optimizm and determination you guys are showing.

As long as there is a gun in my hand and breath in my lungs, Africa is my home too...

Read "The Zanzibar Chest" by Aiden Hartley a journalist that covered many conflicts in Africa.

Africa as a continent has been in a cycle of poverty, war and hardship for decades but when you read what he was exposed to when he covered wars (Bosnia/Serbia) in Europe it is even more horrific. Looking back in history it is almost as if the more advanced and "intelligent" a society is, the more horrific and desperate the result when it unravels or involves itself in war.

I for one am very glad that my ancestors got on a ship and had the courage to seek out a new life. Yes it is hard here, can be dangerous and probably a lot more risky than parts of Europe, the US and Aus. But we live a great and full life and like Charl i believe that God is in control

after watching Miracle Rising the sa Story last night on history channel it just made me more optimistic.

to see what we achieved and all the things that nearly went wrong it shows that anything is possible

No dont buy thats the bottom line.Why firstly its hard enough for our south african citizens keeping our ground secondly there is a new law coming out non residents that have land and dont utulise it in FULL will be first for ground reforming.That is my two cents worth.

The next thing this ugly guy wont ever leave this country its where my roots are yes i will look after my children and sent them away but im not going not even if the goverment is pink white grey black We the african boer made this place and we will look after it.

Luan

quote:

The next thing this ugly guy wont ever leave this country its where my roots are yes i will look after my children and sent them away but im not going not even if the goverment is pink white grey black We the african boer made this place and we will look after it.

That's what our friends in Zim said. Unfortunately there will come a time when all odds will be stacked against you and there will be nothing you can do about it.

No doubt whatsoever that the Boers made huge sacrifices & created a paradise...... and I admire them immensely for that.

No doubt either that the west betrayed them in the basest of ways and that if they'd still been running the continent (let alone the country) that it'd be vastly superior to the stuff up it's now become and I don't blame them at all for being willing to fight for their rights.

Africa, esp South Africa could and should be the most successful continent/country on the planet. It has everything it needs. It's got endless minerals, a cheap labour force and good entrepreneurial skills..... hell, RSA is even one of the world leaders in alternative fuel technologies but despite that, the entire continent is a basket case that needs perpetual rescue, finance & bailouts from the west and the cold, hard truth is the blame for that lies solely with it's politics, corruption & leaders and it was the west that (indirectly) created that situation.

All that said and getting back to the original question. I've also no doubt that it wouldn't be a good idea for someone from overseas to invest their money in a game ranch etc anywhere in Africa nowadays.

Steve , as you know , we have a saying here in Africa , Africa is not for sissies , but there is no denying the world has turned their back on the carnage in South Africa , we moved to Botswana which has far less crime and appreciating land value ( not just saying that because we have one of our game ranches on the market). Namibia is following the same path of land appreciation and my opinion is Zim is not far now from growing back to its stature of greatness. Africa is like its cycles in nature , times of drought , famine and disease but once the rains have come - its a land without equal in terms of wildlife grandeur.
But a friend summed up his move to New Zealand when he said having a road side break down is a mere inconvenience not a life threatening experience.

Steve,

I tend to disagree but agree that South Africa is a bit wobbly at the moment. Currently there are many African countries on the rebound and who offer attractive conditions and investment opportunities. Mozambique and Uganda to name two.

Zambia has a history of stability and attracts investment in Banking, Mining and Tourism.

Like someone mentioned these countries have there ups and downs. When they are up there is not a better place to be.

Remember also that South Africa was not entirely built by the Boers alone. Many Brits fought on our side and lest we forget the 1820 Settlers who left England to take up their own land were really tricked into coming here. They too have a legitimate claim to building up SA.

A number of Americans, specifically from Philadelphia, walked, illegally rode on trains and took a ship to help the Boers fight. A few Russians also helped out and how many are aware of the concentrations camps the Brits erected to "accommodate" blacks? Just East of Bronkhorstpruit is the closest one to me.

However, Africa as a whole is an interesting country to want to invest in. Soon as you think you know the right people either a coup or a change in goverment can negatively influence your investment.

I appreciate that others also contributed to the development of the continent, not least amongst those others, the Brits but the Afrikaaners were (IMO) the main developers.

I am not 100% sure on this, coreck me if I am wrong, but besides the Tuli block in Botswana land belongs to the goverment and can be least on A long term also in Namibia you need to have A 51/ 49% split in ownership with A Namibian, as I said not 100% sure hope there is sombody that knows more.

Maybe this helps your decision:

Foreign ownership of land to be barred?

Every so often I have a friend/client who mumbles something about purchasing land in Africa, here is my families story;

1970 we bought about 45 000 acres in Matetsi, in 1974 Ian Smith decided to seize Matetsi and Nationalise the land, in hopes that this would satisfy the British Government that there was a higher percentage of land in Government control, than in private ownership. Yes we got paid out approximately 20% of that day value.

2000 we owned 20 000 acres in Doma, Zimbabwe and lost that.

After I have told those two stories, my friends seem less keen to go on a land buying spree.

It is only my opinion, but I would say there are better places to put your money than in rural land anywhere in Africa. Nevertheless come out and enjoy safaris and rural recreation, then go home and know your money is safe and not at risk.

Therefore leasing is preferable to the cost of purchase?

quote:

Originally posted by Pieter Kriel:
Remember also that South Africa was not entirely built by the Boers alone. Many Brits fought on our side and lest we forget the 1820 Settlers who left England to take up their own land were really tricked into coming here. They too have a legitimate claim to building up SA.

A number of Americans, specifically from Philadelphia, walked, illegally rode on trains and took a ship to help the Boers fight. A few Russians also helped out and how many are aware of the concentrations camps the Brits erected to "accommodate" blacks? Just East of Bronkhorstpruit is the closest one to me.

However, Africa as a whole is an interesting country to want to invest in. Soon as you think you know the right people either a coup or a change in goverment can negatively influence your investment.

Pieter, I agree but all credit to the brits went over board when they imported the first Land Rover into SA!

On a more serious note, we have to wait until the so called "born frees" are running the country. I assume that things will only change to the positive then! Till then...hang in there!

quote:

Originally posted by kamaatu: Pieter, I agree but all credit to the brits went over board when they imported the first Land Rover into SA!

How could I have forgotton that?

Costa Rica.... Paradise ?

Here what the super politically correct UK tells its folks about visiting this paradise.

"Safety and Security - Crime
There has been a steady increase in crime in recent years, including incidents of violent crime and against tourists. Opportunistic theft of personal belongings, passports and travel documents is the main problem. Gang muggings and armed robberies can occur even in daylight on busy streets. Eight foreign nationals (including one British national) have gone missing in the last few years, with some related to criminal activity.

You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim:

Do not wear jewellery or carry large amounts of cash. Avoid street money-changers. And avoid stopping in poorly lit or low-populated areas to make telephone calls or seek directions.
Watch your belongings carefully at all times and in all places.
Be particularly careful of your belongings when staying in hostels and hotels. It is important that you lock valuable belongings, passports and travel documents in hotel safes where possible. You should only leave your belongings in a safe for which you retain control of the key. Keep the key on your person.
You should be vigilant when using buses. Theft of bags from overhead compartments inside buses is an increasing problem and efficiently carried out. Thieves have simple but effective ways of distracting a target.
Be particularly watchful of your valuables at the beach and in popular tourist destinations.
Avoid leaving unattended drinks in bars and places of entertainment. There have been reports of "spiked" drinks resulting in assault and theft.
Only take official taxis. Avoid using unofficial taxis – ‘taxi piratas’ - as several violent incidents involving tourists have been reported. Official taxis are red with a triangular sticker and plastic box on the roof with the name and number of the taxi company. Where possible use radio-dispatched taxis. When getting into a taxi, ensure that the driver's identification number, name and photograph are clearly visible on the dashboard, and ensure that the driver indicates the meter.


Personal attacks, including rape and other sexual offences, are still infrequent in Costa Rica, but there have been increasing occurrences in recent years. You are advised to maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK We strongly advise lone visitors, in particular, never to accept lifts from strangers or passing acquaintances at any time. For more general information see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad.

Theft of, and from, cars is common. Be particularly careful about leaving your valuables in hire cars and avoid leaving your belongings visible from outside the car. It is a good idea to park in paid car parks, which have an attendant watching your vehicle. Otherwise, park in well-lit or busy areas. Use the car alarm, if fitted.

There have been incidents where slashed tyres have given thieves the opportunity to "assist" in changing tyres, while an accomplice steals from the car. There has also been an increase in armed attacks on tourists leaving the airport in hire cars. There has also been an increase in the number of short-term and opportunistic kidnapping, called "express kidnapping", occurring in Costa Rica. Victims, who are predominantly local nationals, are normally selected at random and are forced at gunpoint to withdraw money from ATMs. Once the ransom is paid the victim is usually quickly released."

Note the word INCREASING appearing over and over.

Then there are the neighboring countries who have agressive military establishments ..... Costa Rica has had none since 1949. You think Obama will come and involk the Monroe Doctrine ?

Probably safer than St Thomas USVI, but not by much.

Enjoy your dream while you can, as the political winds in South and Central America are not blowing toward constitutional Republics.

Ok, I'll ask the question because I look at the real estate sites in Africa and am wondering the same thing.

What would renting something be like?

quote:

Originally posted by artshaw:
Costa Rica.... Paradise ?

Here what the super politically correct UK tells its folks about visiting this paradise.

"Safety and Security - Crime
There has been a steady increase in crime in recent years, including incidents of violent crime and against tourists. Opportunistic theft of personal belongings, passports and travel documents is the main problem. Gang muggings and armed robberies can occur even in daylight on busy streets. Eight foreign nationals (including one British national) have gone missing in the last few years, with some related to criminal activity.

You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim:

Do not wear jewellery or carry large amounts of cash. Avoid street money-changers. And avoid stopping in poorly lit or low-populated areas to make telephone calls or seek directions.
Watch your belongings carefully at all times and in all places.
Be particularly careful of your belongings when staying in hostels and hotels. It is important that you lock valuable belongings, passports and travel documents in hotel safes where possible. You should only leave your belongings in a safe for which you retain control of the key. Keep the key on your person.
You should be vigilant when using buses. Theft of bags from overhead compartments inside buses is an increasing problem and efficiently carried out. Thieves have simple but effective ways of distracting a target.
Be particularly watchful of your valuables at the beach and in popular tourist destinations.
Avoid leaving unattended drinks in bars and places of entertainment. There have been reports of "spiked" drinks resulting in assault and theft.
Only take official taxis. Avoid using unofficial taxis – ‘taxi piratas’ - as several violent incidents involving tourists have been reported. Official taxis are red with a triangular sticker and plastic box on the roof with the name and number of the taxi company. Where possible use radio-dispatched taxis. When getting into a taxi, ensure that the driver's identification number, name and photograph are clearly visible on the dashboard, and ensure that the driver indicates the meter.


Personal attacks, including rape and other sexual offences, are still infrequent in Costa Rica, but there have been increasing occurrences in recent years. You are advised to maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK We strongly advise lone visitors, in particular, never to accept lifts from strangers or passing acquaintances at any time. For more general information see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad.

Theft of, and from, cars is common. Be particularly careful about leaving your valuables in hire cars and avoid leaving your belongings visible from outside the car. It is a good idea to park in paid car parks, which have an attendant watching your vehicle. Otherwise, park in well-lit or busy areas. Use the car alarm, if fitted.

There have been incidents where slashed tyres have given thieves the opportunity to "assist" in changing tyres, while an accomplice steals from the car. There has also been an increase in armed attacks on tourists leaving the airport in hire cars. There has also been an increase in the number of short-term and opportunistic kidnapping, called "express kidnapping", occurring in Costa Rica. Victims, who are predominantly local nationals, are normally selected at random and are forced at gunpoint to withdraw money from ATMs. Once the ransom is paid the victim is usually quickly released."

Note the word INCREASING appearing over and over.

Then there are the neighboring countries who have agressive military establishments ..... Costa Rica has had none since 1949. You think Obama will come and involk the Monroe Doctrine ?

Probably safer than St Thomas USVI, but not by much.

Enjoy your dream while you can, as the political winds in South and Central America are not blowing toward constitutional Republics.

i repeat my previous question. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THERE?? DON'T THINK SO! and the advice about avoiding being a crime victim APPLIES ANYWHERE ON THE ENTIRE PLANET. another internet expert expounding opinions about a subject he knows NOTHING about. Costa Rica is already a constitutional republic with a higher literacy rate than the US. check out the CIA country by country website- you might learn something, although i doubt it. it ain't heaven but it beats the hell most other places. sorry for the highjack but armchair "experts" with no local knowledge piss me off.