20 some years ago when I went back to school at my old age for some Spanish classes, my professor was from Costa Rica. Someone in the class asked her why she didn't live there and she shook her head and said "It's too violent"
This is all unsettling. I was wondering actually why there would be a security guard at the AirBnB she was staying in. Who wants to live like that? Even more so, who wants to vacation like that? My feelings of course...I'm not as brave as I used to be.Just to comment from my one visit to Costa Rica, Escazu is an uncrowded suburban area outside the capital, close to the airport. Popular place for expats and middle-class locals to live. But massive security is a way of life: high walls with razor wire, steel doors that come down at night, steel bars on the windows, guard dogs, security guards with machine guns outside the banks. It's just what you do when you are well off.
So I can't imagine it was someone who broke in.
This is all unsettling. I was wondering actually why there would be a security guard at the AirBnB she was staying in. Who wants to live like that? Even more so, who wants to vacation like that? My feelings of course...I'm not as brave as I used to be.
Link to the American teacher who was just found murdered there in or near Copper Canyon.For a graduation from high school, a bunch of my friends and I went to central Mexico for a month, took the train to Copper Canyon, sleeping out in tents, great trip! Over 40 years ago! No way would you let a bunch of young kids go hiking and camping in central Mexico now!
I should have emphasized, the security is to deter theft, rather than assault. The risk of break--in is high, being near the major city. It's not an area so much for tourists, as for people who live in luxury homes and apartments.This is all unsettling. I was wondering actually why there would be a security guard at the AirBnB she was staying in. Who wants to live like that? Even more so, who wants to vacation like that? My feelings of course...I'm not as brave as I used to be.
I just got back this evening from a solo trip to Havana, Cuba. I’m a young woman. I stayed in Airbnb’s there, including one that didn’t have many reviews but looked gorgeous (it was lovely). I feel that I need to temper the rampant fear on this thread with my own experiences. I had the time of my life traveling solo in Cuba and can’t wait for my next solo trip. If I were too fearful to use Airbnb’s, my life would be much less amazing. Carla did nothing wrong, and nothing that many, many young women in the US haven’t done. If she is the victim of foul play, that is tragic, but it will be an anomaly in a country that is incredibly popular with tourists and expats.
I just got back this evening from a solo trip to Havana, Cuba. I’m a young woman. I stayed in Airbnb’s there, including one that didn’t have many reviews but looked gorgeous (it was lovely). I feel that I need to temper the rampant fear on this thread with my own experiences. I had the time of my life traveling solo in Cuba and can’t wait for my next solo trip. If I were too fearful to use Airbnb’s, my life would be much less amazing. Carla did nothing wrong, and nothing that many, many young women in the US haven’t done. If she is the victim of foul play, that is tragic, but it will be an anomaly in a country that is incredibly popular with tourists and expats.
I did my fair share of traveling alone. Mostly throughout France since I’m a language teacher and it was fun and necessary. Nowadays I doubt I would. Common sense and defensive awareness have become my mottos of late, even when out and about locally. Websleuths has certainly influenced that a bit.Rampant fear? No, but common sense. And Cuba is probably much safer than Costa Rica right now, as if that isn't crazy enough! The world is changing faster than we can keep up.
I am glad that you are enjoying traveling, but I would suggest that having a friend travel with you.
Yes, (tongue somewhat in cheek) there's a few things I've learned could be dangerous, mostly from spending too much time on websleuths.I did my fair share of traveling alone. Mostly throughout France since I’m a language teacher and it was fun and necessary. Nowadays I doubt I would. Common sense and defensive awareness have become my mottos of late, even when out and about locally. Websleuths has certainly influenced that a bit.
ETA not blaming this young woman in any way. Hope she’s found safe.
She described the AirBnb as sketchy. Was this her first night there? Did her SIL stay there too? I have to say the whole thing sounds sketchy to me. The place is no longer listed and had s poor review. Racking my brain for a reason she’s missing that’s not negative.
A comment in the Heavy.com article linked above says she has been rescued in good condition. I sure hope this is true, but I could not find MSM verification. IMO
Family Of Missing South Florida Woman Who Disappeared In Costa Rica Seeks Answers
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Relatives have spoken to the owners of an Airbnb, an Uber driver, and security guards. They all told relatives Stefaniak left early Wednesday morning around 5 a.m. and got inside an unknown car.