Hotel Arenas Del Mar, Hotel Gaia, Hotel Si Como No and Hotel El Parador have joined the La Mansion Inn and Hotel Kamuk in the Travelers Aid Program initiated last year by Costa Rica’s Chamber of Commerce Security Committee.

Being robbed or assaulted while on vacation is traumatic. Not knowing what to do in a foreign country, who to call (with language and communication problems), losing information, cash, credit cards, passports, and having to call family, etc. all compound the experience. In more developed countries, governmental institutions and NGOs are on hand to help handle these negative experiences more professionally than in Costa Rica.

For that reason the Chamber of Commerce of the Canton de Aguirre, through its Security Committee, initiated a Travelers Aid Program for the Greater Manuel Antonio area. Participating hotels and members are willing to provide food, beverages, emergency shelter and communication means to help travelers in need.

To qualify, victims must be referred by a governmental law enforcement institution such as the Policia Turistica, Fuerza Publica or O.I.J. The idea of the program is assist travelers and to minimize public relations fallout. Affected travelers would be asked for a voluntary donation for any expenses incurred once they return to their place of origin.

Harry Bodaan, President of the local Chamber Commerce, Industry and Tourism said, “I am very proud of my colleagues who represent the best hotels in the area and who recognize the importance for such a program. It is not important that these visitors stay in other hotels. What is important that we have a “safety net” that minimizes the impact of a negative experience in the Manuel Antonio area. I hope that others in the Canton de Aguirre and other areas of Costa Rica will follow our example. ”

Information on joining the program is available from the Chamber office in Costa Rica.

La Mansion Inn, www.lamansioninn.com