Eight months after a political crisis nearly swept the country into civil war, conditions have returned to normal here. Given how tense the situation was during the first half of 2002, it is remarkable that there has been little civil unrest since then. The country has put the crisis behind it and moved forward. Americans are widely welcomed and crime is low. Most crime is non-confrontational, such as pick-pocketing and grab-and-run snatchings. Petty crime is the most common threat to travelers, and the police, in most instances, will be of little help because they have so few resources. It is advisable to avoid night travel outside the cities because of poor roads and inadequate lighting.
