Costa Rica News – Although there are many laws that are on the books in Costa Rica most of them can be side stepped with knowing who needs to be paid off and how much makes the problem go away. Whenever you travel to a new country you should research about laws relating to tourists. If there is a law that for some specific small infraction, you will end up in jail for 5 years you should know about it. There are three laws I would like to point out that apply to visitors to Costa Rica and are actually enforced if caught.
Costa Rica has a rich history and diversity. There are archaeological sites throughout the country that are yet to be processed by professionals. Act No. 6703 National Law of Archaeological Heritage states that all objects found in or around archaeological sites belong to the government of the country. If you happen to stumble upon an ancient object please hand it over to be kept in the National Museum and do not take it home with you. Even if you find it unlikely that you will be caught in the airport with it, please respect the laws of the country you are visiting and it’s history.
Wildlife Conservation Law 7317 mandates that you do not remove any plant life nor engage with any wild animal by feeding them or removing them from their habitat. Feeding animals leads to an unhealthy dependence on humans and hurts the animals. They have become attracted to cars because they have learned people may feed them. Many have been killed accidentally by cars because of this.
Act 7899 is extremely important and should be obvious and observed even if it wasn’t an official law. It is the Law Against Sexual Exploitation of Under Aged Persons. It would be best if no one comes to Costa Rica for sex tourism. If you come for this reason, please be extremely cautious in regards to the girls’ ages. Ask for ID and if it seems it is fake or it seems she is younger than 18 please look elsewhere. Protect the rights of Costa Rican and foreign children.
So remember if you are a tourist or expat living in Costa Rica do not steal archaeological artifacts, steal plants or animals, or sell underage girls or sex. If you get in any other type of trouble ask a local and they usually know who you can slide a few twenties to make it go away. Pura Vida Mae!
3 comments
Lets be honest, none of these laws are vigorously enforced here.
The one that has seen the greatest change over the last 20 years is that of the wildlife enforcement. People used to have monkeys as pets here. But I believe that change has happened more through public education rather than a fear of enforcement.
As for underage sex. Again the government talks a big game but if you look at the stats last year they convicted zero people for rape of a minor. Crazy but true. Especially when you consider all of the molestation that takes place here within families/friends. The think that will really make a difference here would be a change in the mindset of the locals that sex with kids is wrong. Hard to do when they are getting married at 16.
Stephen they are not really enforced, but if you are caught, you will most likely be doing time.
.At least three hours ! The nation is a joke……on coke !