El Guachiman or The Watchman On The Street



El Guachiman or The Watchman On The Street



Leaving your vehicle under the watchful eye of the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) while at the office, shoppning, or eating in your favorite restaurant is something that we all have done here in Costa Rica.  Most "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) are honest but there are the few that give them a bad name.

We have all done it and will probably continue doing so, paying the man 100 - 200 colones for the service of watching our vehicle.  The question many of us ask, is he doing his job?  That depends on what we perceive his job is.

Some of the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) do more of a service for you than others.  When parking where it is required to have a pre-paid parking ticket posted on your windshield some of the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) will provide these tickets and keep them up to date by putting a new ticket on your windshield every 30 minutes for a small fee.  These "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) are truly doing a service for you and making sure you don't get a large parking penalty.  Then you pay him when you are ready to leave, he will add a few colones per 30 minute ticket.

Remember the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) has no legal responsibility though.  Your car may not be where you left it you may have parking penalties.  If your car is missing or damaged the only thing you can do is question the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) if he saw anything and make a report to OIJ.

The best policy is to always park your car in a parking lot and if you have to park it on the street ask the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) his affiliation with the restaurant or whatever business he is working in front of.  Some of the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) and you grow to know and trust them but if a problem arises can you really expect them to stop a thief?  The answer is NO, the best you can hope for is the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) calls the police with the information about the thief and the stolen car.

If you decide to leave your vehicle under the watchful eye of the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) you should take the time to note the physical description of the man should you need to make a report.  I am sure there are times that the "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) is the one responsible for the theft or breaking into your vehicle but this is not normally the case.  The "guachiman" (the watchman on the street) is normally just trying to make some money so he can put some food on his family's table.