driving to costa rica, shooting for several kayak companies

I'm working at a rafting company as a photographer in colorado. we have a bunch

of costa ricans that work here also. actually one of them is costa rica

national champion 1998 and 2005. a couple of them are planning on starting a

kayaking school in costa rica. they came to work this morning with a bus and 25

kayaks in the back. they asked if i would go with them to document their

travels and the school. they have offered to pay my way. including gas food

shelter and a plane ticket back in a month. i would also be taking photos for

jackson kayaks as well as liquidlogic. so some of my shots would be in

magazines. this sounds like an unbelievable opportunity. but i am a little

nervous of travelling through central america with $50,000 in equipment. he

actually said he has been stabbed on the side of the road before. is the danger

worth the opportunity. has anyone on here ever driven from the US to costa

rica. let me know what you guys think.

What an awesome opportunity! Wow, only you can decide what to do with this, but if I was at a time in my life where I could pick up for a month, travel, be paid for it, and get my photos into magazines and corporate marketing pieces, I would do it - no questions asked (well, a lot of questions asked). That is, if I wanted to stay in photography as a career.

 

I was born and grew up in Ecuador. I moved to Mozambique in high school and traveled all over the world throughout my life. I've been in places I'd rather not return to and have seen sides of the world that are very different from the US. So, if you go, go with absolutely no expectations, carry only as much gear as you can run with (you can run with a tripod), have some gear back home ready to be mailed if the worst happens, and don't ever flaunt it, your wallet, or anything else. Dress to blend in, keep your gear in bags that look like poor, crappy bags (I've carted SLRs all over the world in a plastic shopping bag), and keep stuff well locked up or on you at all times.

 

Oh, and stick close to the people you know and always go out in public with one of costa ricans. That always helps. I would also suggest traveling with less expensive gear - try a kits costing $5g. It will let you worry a lot less. All in all, traveling in central america isn't all that dangerous - just be super aware of who is around you and be really conservative (and don't get drunk :-) ).

 

Anyway, those are my initial thoughts. Let us know what you decide.

Ship some stuff?

<p>

 

Go.

Hi - I live in Costa Rica and over the years, I have encountered quite a few travelers who

worked their way down the entire continent - including the stretch you mention. While

none of them have traveled with as much equipment as you would, many do travel with

motorhomes that are likely equal in value, especially if they are planning to go all the way

to the tip of South America. I have not yet met a single such traveler who told tales of

being held up. It seems that those who are a little more afraid find each other along the

way and sometimes travel together. I don't know if doing so truly increases security, but it

certainly enhances these people's sense of security.

 

You should keep in mind that not all countries pose the same dangers and that many

people will approach you with curiosity rather than maliciousness. The trick is always to be

understated in you personal appearance and to be sensitive to the cultures you encounter.

 

Like all people, you DO know when you are around others who don't seem quite alright.

Simply avoid them and stay away.

Go, but have back up stuff ready to be shipped you just in case. And keep the amount of gear you take with you to a minimum. Too much stuff tends to get in the way of making photographs anyway.

do it. get some life insurance and holga insurance.