is it safe to visit costa rica now

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Costa Rica Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 17, 2023, costa rica - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to  crime .

Country Summary:  While petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists in Costa Rica, violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault, occurs in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican government provides additional security resources in areas frequented by tourists.

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel to Costa Rica.

If you decide to travel to Costa Rica:

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• U.S. citizens should always exercise caution when traveling abroad.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook,   Twitter, and Instagram .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Costa Rica.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. 

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, costa rica map, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

• Meet the Team
• Work with Us
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Scandinavia
• Philippines
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Budget Travel
• Work & Travel
• The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
• Travel Resources
• How to Travel on $10/day

Home » Central America » Travel Safety

Is Costa Rica SAFE to Visit? (2024 • Insider Tips)

Feeling up for a Costa Rican adventure?

Solid choice! Prepare for the captivating beauty of the Pacific coast, lush beaches, to explore national parks, and encounter an array of fascinating wildlife. Costa Rica truly delivers the goods when it comes to both relaxation and heart-pumping adventure.

Now, let’s talk safety. Yeah, you might have come across some scary stories about violent crime and high murder rates, and it can be hard to hear such tales. It’s like there’s a whole other side to Costa Rica that’s not so picture-perfect, and it can be a bit of a hard truth, right?  

So, you’re probably wondering,

” Is Costa Rica SAFE to Visit?   “  

Fear not, my broke backpacker friend, for I’ve got your back! I’ve put together a comprehensive guide packed with invaluable tips and tricks to ensure your trip is as safe as can be.

Let’s dive in!

There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, as things change quickly. The question of “Is Costa Rica Safe?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on who you ask.

The information in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practice common sense, you will probably have a wonderful and safe trip to Costa Rica.

If you see any outdated information, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. Otherwise, stay safe friends!

Updated December 2023

Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!

Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox.

Is Costa Rica Safe Right Now?

Safest places to visit in costa rica, 19 top safety tips for travelling to costa rica, is costa rica safe to travel alone, is costa rica safe for solo female travelers, where to start your travels in costa rica, is costa rica safe to travel for families, getting around costa rica safely, crime in costa rica, what to pack for your costa rica trip, costa rica travel insurance, faqs on staying safe in costa rica, so, is costa rica safe.

While the country is home to certain issues, yes , traveling to Costa Rica is generally safe . Costa Rica had a total of 2,443,531 tourist arrivals last 2023 as stated by Instituto Costarricense de Turismo . Majority of travellers had no reported issue of their visit.

You may be surprised to know that Costa Rica is actually one of the most stable Latin American countries. Murder rates are significantly lower than most of its neighbors, and no army (abolished in 1949!) means funding goes to better things – like amazing healthcare.

With tourism contributing majorly to the country’s GDP, tourist dollars go some way to eliminate poverty (albeit slowly). The government is focused on making the country accessible and comfortable for tourists.

Sadly, robberies are reasonably common against tourists, and there is some level of gang-related violence, especially in larger cities.

On the whole, visiting costa rica can be trouble-free, and most tourists have a great (if not awesome) time. Costa Rica is an exceptional destination and one of the safest countries in Central America .

Like a variety of tropical Island nations, Costa Rica is subject to its fair share of natural disasters, especially hurricanes. Knowing what to do in these situations could be essential for making sure your visit is safe.

Check out our detailed where to stay guide for Costa Rica so you can start your trip right!

Costa Rica is a massive tourist destination and overall pretty safe. However, there are some areas that are sketchier than others. We’ve listed Costa Rica’s best places to stay below.

• Tamarindo : Tamarindo is an incredible Pacific coast beach town that is packed with everything you wanted from Costa Rica! It has beautiful beaches, a wild nightlife, and is actually a huge hub for surfers. While Tamarindo is definitely a popular destination to visit, it doesn’t attract as many tourists as other cities, so the safety level is still quite high. There are still some great beach houses though.
• Drake Bay : Drake Bay, also called Bahía Drake, sits on the coast in the southwest of Costa Rica. This city is a top choice for families! It is a remote village, not a crazy tourist hub, and is, therefore, one of the safest areas in Costa Rica. That means that you and your family won’t be fighting for a place to put your beach towel down! The main beach of Drake Bay is called Playa Colorada, which has a handful of restaurants and warm, peaceful water!
• Puerto Viejo : Puerto Viejo de Talamanca sits in the southeast of Costa Rica. It’s right on the gorgeous Caribbean coast and is renowned for the black sand beach and epic surf break! With awesome mangroves and close proximity to some of Costa Rica’s most epic national parks , this is a hard place to beat.

Places to Avoid in Costa Rica

As we’ve mentioned before, not everywhere in Costa Rica is a paradise. While it’s always smart to keep your eyes open and stay aware of your surroundings, the following areas are better avoided than explored.

• Areas in San José : While San José is Costa Rica’s most popular tourist city, there are areas that you should avoid. These include any sort of parks at night. Stay away from Los Guido, Desamparados, Pavas, La Carpio, Leon XIII, the El Carmen neighborhood in Cartago, and the “El Infiernillo,” (little hell) sector of Alajuela.
• Quepos (gateway) : Quite a few robberies have been happening in Quepos, a small town that acts as the gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park. If possible try to stay away or just keep your eyes open.
• Limon City : This port city is generally kept away from tourists and ex-pats. With one of the highest rates of organized crime and drug trafficking in the country, it’s better to give this city a miss. Especially La Cieneguita.
• Santa Rosa de Pocosol, San Carlos : Boasting a high concentration of Nicaraguans, even humanitarian workers have been threatened at knife point. Try and avoid this area.

There is a large rift between local Costa Rican society and the tourism industry. While tourism is great for some, it has been cited as a driver of high inflation and higher costs of living . Locals have been priced out of certain areas.

There is consequently a mixed view of tourists, and it is generally safer to stay within well-known tourist zones than to explore local districts.

Keeping your money safe in Costa Rica

 One of the most common things to happen to you whilst travelling is losing your money. And let’s face it: the most annoying way for this to actually occur is when it’s stolen from you.

Petty crime is pretty much a problem all over the world.The best solution? Get a money belt.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Whilst Costa Rica is generally safe, there is always more you can do to make sure you’re staying safe. Here are a few top tips for staying safe in Costa Rica.

• Inquire with the staff at the hostel/hotel you’re staying at – they’ll know best about the area.
• Make friends – exploring urban areas with a group of travelers deters would-be robbers.
• Don’t walk alone at night – avoid streets that look sketchy…
• Take a taxi instead of walking at night . – remember that licensed taxis are red (or orange). Anything else is illegal and risky
• Avoid people that want to ‘help’ with your bags – this is a scam.
• Always keep an emergency stash of cash – Never keep all your cards/ currency in one place. And hide it all from thieves with a hidden money belt .
• Split up your cash strategically – don’t put one huge wad of bills in your luggage!
• Carry a small amount of cash when you go out – if something happens it’s a small loss. Using a money belt is an excellent way to hide cash.
• Don’t wear expensive accessories – seeming rich makes you a target for thieves.
• You HAVE to carry your passport – but avoid losing it by copying it (ID page + Costa Rica visa) instead.
• Don’t hang your bag or purse on the back of your chair – this is easy picking for a thief.
• Don’t leave your bags unattended at the beach – this is a rookie-level mistake.
• Look busy at bus stations – looking lost is gold dust for scammers wanting a ‘tip’ for helping you.
• Don’t use the overhead lockers on buses – get a ticket for the luggage compartment under the bus.
• Use a flashlight or backpacking headlamp when walking at night in rural areas – you don’t want to step on something bitey!
• Take a good medical kit with you – you never know when you might need it!
• Speaking of which, don’t forget mosquito repellent! Costa Rican mozzies are relentless
• Stay away from drugs – it’s really not worth getting yourself mixed up in the gangs related to them. You’re not making the country any better by buying them.
• Know what to pack for Costa Rica – burning sun, annoying mosquitos… you have to be prepared!

Traveling smart is always the key to making sure your trips run smoothly, and there is no excuse for not doing the same in Costa Rica. That said, there is no point in ruining your trip by constantly worrying.

Keeping a balance between staying safe and having fun is the key to any top adventure!

Traveling in Costa Rica by yourself is totally doable and is one of the best ways to experience the amazing country!

Sure, it may be easy but that doesn’t mean it’s a breeze. Here are a few things you can bear in mind to make sure you optimize the safety-fun trade-off.

• Learn some Spanish . You’re in a Spanish-speaking country after all and it makes traversing the bus network much easier. Bus drivers aren’t famed for their English either. You can actually enroll in Spanish classes for a couple of days too.
• You’ll most likely want to meet other people on your travels, right? So unless you’re totally into your own company, then head to destinations where other travelers congregate. Some of the better places for solo travelers in Costa Rica are Santa Teresa , Nosara , Puerto Viejo, and Tamarindo.
• And a top tip for beating the solo traveling blues is just to get out and about – new experiences and people will never be too far away.
• Stay at one of Costa Rica’s hostels – it’s probably one of the best ways to get to know like-minded travelers and exchange stories and travel tips. Even if you want to continue traveling alone, it might benefit your safety!
• Go Scuba Diving with a reputable company and with proper training. It’s not to be missed so make sure you feel confident in your skills and companions when you hit the reefs.

Is it safe to vacation in Costa Rica for women? Unfortunately travelling solo female can often mean you have to be extra careful.

Here are some crucial things to keep in mind when you’re out in Costa Rica!

• Be confident, even if you don’t feel like it. Looking confused and lost is a good way to attract unwanted attention – anywhere in the world. If you’re really lost, walk confidently (even if you have no clue where you are) to somewhere that looks safe – a shop, a library, etc. – and find a member of staff to ask for help.
• That’s another thing: don’t be afraid to be direct and ask for help or directions. This will most likely be better than accepting help from someone who initiates the conservation with you.
• Avoid walking alone at night. Get a licensed taxi home or walk with a big group of friends from your hostel, but don’t walk home alone, even if the distance is short.
• Once you arrive in Costa Rica, make friends – women more than men are often targeted by criminals, and having a good crew with you helps to scare away attackers.
• Look at what the local women your age are doing  – what they’re dressed like, how they’re behaving.
• Cat calls do happen. If you don’t want that kind of attention, ignore them and move on.
• Know the emergency numbers! Seems simple but it’s easily neglected. Keep them on your phone at the top of the list.
• Let someone know where you’re going – Even if it’s just the staff at the hostel or a friend at home – it’s necessary.

You can do it!!! My first solo travel was to Costa Rica, and as a female solo traveler, I felt safe and on top of the world. Solo traveling is empowering and teaches you so much about the world around you.

Tamarindo is known for its stunning beaches and crazy nightlife. It’s also a paradise for surfers.

Costa Rica is a fun-packed place and a total playground for any adventure-loving family out there.

national parks and family-friendly beaches are great fun for you and your kids. Ask locals about where is safest to swim: riptides can be deadly. Go with a guide on hikes. They’ll spot dangerous wildlife way before you do.

Like anywhere, traveling with kids necessarily demands more of a safety-conscious approach. You can’t galavant around as you can as a solo adult. Remember that it is wayyy less stressful to book in advance, and to plan your trip carefully.

With your attention on the kids, you are more likely to be a target for petty crime, and as a family on holiday, your perceived financial status is usually quite high. Take care of your stuff!

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Costa Rica has a strong bus system, where the destinations are posted in the front window. Hiring cars is possible too, and quite a strong idea considering some roads and destinations can be relatively remote.

If you’re going to catch a bus from San José to anywhere else during holiday time you’re going to have to book ahead of time at a bus station. Again, basic Spanish would be helpful.

Theft from overhead racks on buses is actually a little rampant, so if you are traveling by public transport, either keep your stuff within reach or use the under-bus storage.

Are taxis safe in Costa Rica? My take is yes. You can pick up taxis pretty easily from major cities, and there is usually a taxi stand to be found. Taxis are a mix of regulated taxis, and piratas (pirate taxis). Despite the ominous name, these are relatively safe, although you may be asked to pretend to know the driver if pulled over.

Costa Rica is currently a level 2 rated country , according to the U.S. travel authorities. Robberies are a particularly common and nasty form of violent crime that is prevalent in the country, and Costa Rica has a murder rate of 11.19 per 100 000 (2020). This is comparable to the rate of Grenada, Namibia, and Suriname.

Costa Rican petty crime is worth watching out for as a tourist. Easy opportunities to steal possessions are taken, so just be smart about where you leave certain high-value items. There have been numerous break-ins to tourist vehicles, so be sure valuables are hidden if leaving them inside a vehicle.

Using your common sense will help you avoid a large quantity of trouble in Costa Rica, especially when going out, and walking at night.

Laws in Costa Rica

Costa Rican laws are generally pretty standard, but you should avoid removing architectural objects, and local fauna. If you are discovered on exit you could be subject to some serious payback.

Everyone’s packing list is going to look a little different, but here are a few things I would never want to travel to Costa Rica without…

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

Yesim stands as a premier eSIM service provider, catering specifically to the mobile internet needs of travellers.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

True Tale – While embarking on my epic solo adventure in Costa Rica, fate had a surprise in store for me. Picture this: me, cruising on my trusty moped, when suddenly disaster struck, and I found myself tangled up in a crash. I was whisked away to a foreign hospital. But here’s the twist: thanks to the genius decision of securing travel insurance, I was spared the agonizing headache of medical bills in a land far from home. Talk about a lifesaver!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

For a travel destination like Costa Rica, there are lots of different things you have to consider when it comes to safety. We’ve listed the most common question, answers, and facts to make your trip as easy as possible.

Is Costa Rica LGBTQ+ friendly?

We’d say as long as you stay respectful, you won’t have any problems with discrimination. Avoid public displays of affection in more rural areas to be on the safe side. Like a lot of Latin countries, catholicism is common, so liberal views can be harder to come by outside city areas.

Is there Crime in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has a level of crime that you should be aware of. As a visitor, you might experience petty theft or robbery, but both of these are statistically unlikely. Costa Rica is considered much safer than many of its Central American neighbors and has a lower crime rate.

Is Costa Rica safer than Mexico?

Yes, Costa Rica is statistically safer than Mexico. The US State Department considers Costa Rica among the safest countries for US nationals. As per its safety ranking, Costa Rica is Level One whereas Mexico is Level Two.

Are Costa Ricans Friendly?

Costa Ricans are generally very friendly. Most of the time this can be very genuine, but you should use your wits to discern whether you are about to be used as a cash cow or not. Hawkers can be very persistent, so don’t feel bad about walking away.

Is it safe to live in Costa Rica?

Living in Costa Rica is usually quite safe, but is often not super straightforward. Work visas can be tricky to apply for: you have to prove that you’re filling a position that a Costa Rican can’t. In rural areas, there can be power outages, and wildlife might get a little too close for comfort. Earthquakes and volcanoes can pose a risk wherever you’re situated, so knowing what to do when disaster strikes is very sensible!

Yes, traveling to Costa Rica is safe. Very safe if you’re using your common sense. A wealth of history, crazy good food, and literally amazing nature make it perfect for many different people. And that’s not even mentioning its stunning beaches , which are as popular for sunbathers as they are for surfers.

There are things to bear in mind, of course – taxis can be fraudulent, female travelers should exercise caution, and pickpockets are common.

Hopefully, this guide will have given you some great tips for staying safe in Costa Rica, so go on, enjoy it! (and don’t forget travel insurance)

Looking for more info on traveling to Costa Rica?

• Let me help you choose where to stay in Costa Rica
• Explore with the ultimate peace of mind with top-notch medical evacuation insurance
• Don’t forget to add an epic national park to your itinerary
• Check out my favorite Airbnbs in the centre of all the action
• Plan the rest of your trip with our fantastic backpacking Costa Rica travel guide!

Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!

Share or save this post

22 Comments

It is not safe. My boyfriend and I went to Quepos/ (near Manuel Antonio) for Christmas- new years this past year. We went out one day to hike and zipline and we were robbed day after christmas. The guy had a gun and he took 10k worth of stuff. Do not go to costa rica right now. IT IS NOT SAFE!! Pay attention, there are barbed wire fences everywhere you look. they don’t even park on the street the crime is so bad there. Everything is barred up everywhere you go. It’s not worth the risk!!

Great article, paints a pretty picture. I know all places have their issues. If I go anywhere I want to feel safe. I am looking to relocate from the US. I want to hear of everyone’s experience. I want to make an informed decision. Not one based on my fantasy or one person’s opinion. Based on some comments here and speaking with actual people that have been, I’m skeptical of CR

Looking to move to CR in the near future. Purchase some property and lay back. I have a friend doing that now he’s pretty happy

Male senior traveling solo. Being safe and limited money but would like to see the city by a trust worthy travel tour group of person. Mid Oct for about a week.

I have planned my trip to Costa Rica, staying at Marriott-Los Suenos. I reached out to a close friend who I knew had been going there for years. He stopped going 3 years ago (2019), as he was got badly mugged for his iphone and some cash on hand. He told me he would never go back, as it has deteriorated over the years and is not safe. Well, I’m a single female – he told me females are especially targeted and advised me not to go. I am heartbroken to hear all this. I visited back in 1999 with an eco tour group and had a fabulous time. Apparently, times have changed Costa Rica.

I’ve been researching on living in CR. From what I’ve read, it’s not to bad of a country. I have been all over Mexico and lived there for a bit. Loved all of it. The Caribbean and Europe plus Mexico, All have crime. Even here in the states. Where I am located, near Corpus Christi, there’s drugs, homelessness and places I do not want to be night or day. I suggest living there for a year without buying a house. Renting instead will give you an idea on everything. Michael

A girlfriend and I are planning a trip to one of Costa Rica’s all inclusive resorts. The Azura Resort. Is the resort itself safe? Is traveling from the airport to the resort safe? What airport do you recommend? Is there dangerous spots between the airport and the resort?

Hi there, my family and I have had a trip planned to Costa for some time now. I keep sticking it out, but every once in a while I start to worry about the advisories. If you were me, would you take your family to Costa Rica now? We are a family of 5, older kids 18, 17 and 16, traveling in July 2021. I want to have a great time, but overall safety is number one. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Funny how I listened to all the advice on the Internet and chose Costa Rica for my solo vacation based on those glorious reviews. Sounds like a lot of this Pura Vida stuff is sponsored by Costa Rican ministry of tourism. I did not feel safe in this country, neither I saw any happiness these promotional articles talk about. Costa Ricans are very poor, not just in material things – I haven’t seen a lot of playgrounds for kids, most people walk alongside the roads that don’t even have shoulders, forget about sidewalks, there is no music or dancing, no art scene, and in my two weeks traveling across the country I haven’t seen a single bookstore, or something like a yoga studio. I did feel tension and resentment towards me from the locals when I was simply purchasing things like water at gas stations or asking national parks clerks about their trails. About their healthcare system that’s better that the US – only someone delusional could suggest such an idea – I saw only one major medical center and it didn’t look very big or modern, and a few clinics housed in something the size of a garage. God forbid you have a medical emergency there- I didn’t feel based on what I saw that the help would be coming quickly or that it would be anything like the level of US healthcare with its helicopters and quick response. Police stations are located off unpaved roads and some of them don’t even have computers. I dealt with police there, their response time can be 4 hours (no wonder, it would take them 40 minutes just to drive to your location). Also police presence is very small, even in major tourist areas. Outside of a 3 star hotel in La Fortuna, which had a 24/7 guard and a gate (it annoyed me at the time) and plenty of staff, I didn’t feel safe anywhere. Other than my cell phone being stolen in broad daylight from a peaceful almost empty beach (they call it petty theft – not so petty if you have all your credit card apps, email, personal photos and memories, not to mention this being your only means of contacting help such as 911 and in my case figuring out where I was using maps) and being conned by a guy who sold me a pre-paid phone plan, — the desolate roads where I found myself driving alone for long stretches of time, the unpaved roads leading to world famous destinations and hotels that somehow got 9 points on Booking.com, where it was easy to damage your vehicle, and no services or gas stations for miles, the way locals stared at me getting out of my car, at my wallet when I stood in line at stores, when I walked alone in national parks, the near absence of developed areas, locals who sit around their shacks and shack like stores and watch you, people, both locals and tourists, refusing help when you are running around distressed without a phone asking somebody to let you use their phone to make a phone call- all of these things gave me a an unsafe uneasy vibe that ruined my vacation. When you have to constantly watch your back and your bag, you don’t enjoy nature so much. I don’t recommend Costa Rica for solo female travelers. I felt safer in Mexico and Peru. Read about all the crimes committed in Costa Rica, including armed robberies. P.S I’m posting this on other similar websites, as I feel I should warn solo female travelers.

You’re clearly an idiot, based purely on this – “there is no music or dancing, no art scene, and in my two weeks traveling across the country I haven’t seen a single bookstore, or something like a yoga studio” – How can you claim there is no music, no dancing, no art scene? You were obviously well out of your comfort zone and whilst I feel bad for you on that front it’s really immature to let your discomfort warp your impression of a country to such a degree.

This city is very dangerous- my daughter was threatened with her life – don’t go don’t go …..ps She thankfully had insurance….

Hi Andrew, which city do you mean? Was she robbed there?

Sadly the idea of Pura Vida is at odds with the petty theft and dishonesty that I witnessed. Doors and windows all have grills over them and are landlocked shut from the early evening because no one can be trusted. Taxi drivers scam regularly telling you your hostel is overbooked and taking you elsewhere at great cost.

After reading this article I am very motivated to have a focus on the area… My wife and I don’t mind about the weariness and would love to open a little shop welcoming people that can enjoy seafood. Lionfish tacos are what we would specialise with a local beer.

Go live your dream! Let me know when we can swing around for a beer! 🙂

Thank you so much for providing relevant and meaningful facts about traveling to CR. My son is interested in learning Spanish, helping out in the community and also likes the opportunity to live with a family and get to know the culture. There are so many language schools. He’s a highschool graduate and wants to be there Sept thru Dec. only if possible, would you be able to recommend two or three best Spanish schools with home-stay options. Thank you

Hi! I did a Spanish school with homestays in Peru that has a branch in Costa Rica as well. You can check out Máximo Nivel . They have volunteer programs too, but I recommend doing the courses and organizing a volunteer experience on his own once he’s on the ground. Viva las aventuras!

Costa Rica has gotten way too big for its britches. Super expensive and there is some sort of road closing strike every week. It’s not what you think it is. It’s not the brochure or flashy add you’re looking at. It’s not Pura Vida. It’s not even “Green” as they use more Round Up then anywhere I’ve ever been. 26 countries. I guess if you are filthy rich, arrive in your own jet and can afford $600+ a night you’re OK. But for the average guy it’s way past over cooked.

This is the most comprehensive information about who, what, and where. I specifically appreciate the breakdown for solo travelers, women, and families. Thank you.

FINALLY A WELL WRITTEN ARTICLE. COVERING MOST POINTS OF VIEW.

Are the mosquitoes particularly bad? In all areas?

Mosquitoes will abound. Arm yourself!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

• English (EN)
• Español (ES)
• Português (BR)

Is Costa Rica Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

• Costa Rica : Safety by City
• Manuel Antonio
• Puerto Viejo
• Santa Teresa

Costa Rica (officially known as the Republic of Costa Rica) is located in Central America.

It’s a small country sharing borders with Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

Costa Rica is known for being “the happiest nation in the world” as well as “the greenest country in the world”, which is no surprise considering its abundance of world-renowned beaches, both in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, its bewilderingly diverse culture, flora, fauna, and landscapes.

It also boasts several active volcanoes that can be visited within a safe distance.

It is, also, no wonder that Costa Rica is considered to be the most expensive country in Central America and perhaps in entire Latin America.

Everything there is to enjoy in this country, like wine, chocolate, coffee, national parks, everything is expensive compared to prices in Western Europe and North America.

But add to this its gorgeous beaches, tropical forests, high mountains, and marshy lowlands and you have got yourself a land worth the price.

• Warnings & Dangers in Costa Rica

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Costa Rica is generally safe, but you should take precaution on the streets of major cities, and after dark. Be wary of pickpockets and bag snatching and keep your valuables safely by your side. Never carry all your money in one place or leave your valuables in plain sight in a car or at a beach when swimming.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Public transport is generally safe in Costa Rica, but do be careful on buses and bus stops - especially those destined for San Jose - since that's where pickpockets and petty thieves operate. Be especially careful not to fall asleep, because you may wake up and find your valuables stolen.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpockets are a common occurrence on the streets of Costa Rica and tourists are recommended to remain vigilant at all times when on the street. Make sure you don't flash your valuable possessions on the street, be careful when withdrawing money from ATMs and of course, keep all your valuables in a safe place in your accommodation or safely by your side.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

As for natural disasters, the most common ones are earthquakes. Earthquakes are quite common in Costa Rica: there are small ones that occur daily and then there are strong earth tremors occurring a few times a year. The deadliest earthquake occurred in 2009, claiming 34 lives. Other minor natural threats come in the form of volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and occasional hurricanes.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Mugging is not altogether uncommon on the streets of Costa Rica. In such a situation, hand over all your possessions immediately and do not resist. Avoid poorly lit and deserted areas.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Although there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Costa Rica's recent history, they shouldn't be ruled out so remain vigilant at all times.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

Scams are very common in Costa Rica, so double check your change, never pay anything upfront and negotiate everything in advance. Watch out for the known robbery scheme where someone slashes your tires and when you stop to fix the flat tire, one or two "friendly" people stop to help you with that all the while picking your pockets or just simply grabbing everything you own and running away.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Traveling to Costa Rica is generally safe for solo women, but bear in mind that you should always hike in company, never alone, and the same applies for exploring any city. Stay away from poorly lit and deserted streets and areas and from people that are visibly intoxicated or under the influence.

• So... How Safe Is Costa Rica Really?

Costa Rica is mostly safe, with 1.9 million visitors annually making it a popular travel destination.

However, there are dangers that come with such destinations – mostly in the form of pickpockets and petty theft such as purse snatching, armed robberies, and carjacking, so tourists should exercise caution.

In larger cities, even muggings and robberies at gun or knifepoint happen, so be careful when walking alone along the streets of Costa Rica.

They quickly become deserted in the evening after the public buses stop circulating, so it can be extremely dangerous to walk around San Jose after dark.

It is advised for tourists to take a taxi in such situations instead of walking.

Visitors are advised to use common sense and not leave valuables in plain sight in a car, or at the beach when going into the water.

Another issue to bear in mind in Costa Rica is the traffic: watch out when crossing the street since pedestrians, in general, do not have the right of way.

Roads in big cities may be safe but in rural areas, they tend to have potholes, so be careful when driving.

Driving at night is not recommended.

What you should watch out for are the strong currents and rip-tides in some areas at Costa Rica’s coasts.

Although Costa Rica has some of the best beaches in the world, you should bear in mind that there are no signs marking unsafe beaches due to riptides nor are their lifeguards, so follow local advice on where it is safe to go swimming.

It would be best to learn how to swim out of rip tides, in case of emergency.

• How Does Costa Rica Compare?
• Useful Information

Many countries do not need a visa for Costa Rica, for any stays shorter than 90 days. Your passport must be valid at least 1 calendar day beyond the date that you enter Costa Rica. You may be asked to prove your financial means in order to prove you can cover your entire trip in Costa Rica.

The official currency in Costa Rica is the colón, a currency named after Christopher Columbus. However, US dollars are accepted almost everywhere and you can withdraw them from most ATMs, but carry colones for souvenirs, bus fares and rural shops. Credit cards generally accepted throughout the country.

Since Costa Rica is located between 8 and 12 degrees north of the Equator, it mostly has tropical climate year round. However, the climate in this country varies depending on elevation, rainfall and the geography of a particular region.

Juan Santamaría International Airport is the busiest, primary airport in San José, the capital of Costa Rica. It is located in the city of Alajuela, about 20 km west of downtown San José.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Costa Rica, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.

Costa Rica Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Costa Rica - Safety by City

Explore costa rica.

• 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Costa Rica
• Are There Snakes in Costa Rica? Should You Be Worried?
• 10 Best Beaches in Costa Rica
• 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Costa Rica
• 10 Best Zoos And Aquariums In Costa Rica
• Are There Alligators In Costa Rica?
• 10 Best Flea Markets in Costa Rica
• 18 Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica
• 10 Safest Cities in Costa Rica
• Are There Sharks in Costa Rica?
• 6 Marvelous Places in Costa Rica for Yogi
• Where to Next?

16 Reviews on Costa Rica

Had a lot of fun in costa rica.

Reading this article you would probably be scared of pickpockets but when I was there nothing of the sort ever happened. Of course, I was careful and never went into poorly lit areas but this goes for any other place in the world. I generally had a lot of fun in Costa Rica.

Costa rica is a tourist destination for many people. I would like to go their one day

Would give it a bigger safety index

Costa Rica is an amazing place and I’m glad I got a chance to visit it this year. While I was there someone did try to give me an incorrect change but I was paying attention and told them and they apologized so… I would give it a bigger safety index, maybe a 74.

As safe as you make it.

Just get out of San Jose as soon as you can. Other than that, most smaller or remote towns were full of friendly and helpful people. I had my guard up when first arriving, but let it down significantly once I was there for a day or so. I live in a very big city, so using my everyday common sense helped me stay safe, yet enjoy everything our trip had to offer. We are going back again this year!

You "forgot" to mention men's risks

You “forgot” to mention the travel risk for men. In the USA, men are violent crime victims twice as often as women are, but everyone ignores that fact. So are things any different in Costa Rica? I just won’t patronize your advertisers.

The article should have a clarification

This is a pretty good point. Men are more likely to be victims of crimes from other men. Generally, women are more likely to be kidnapped and sexually assaulted than men, though. The reason concern would be exclusive to women would be derived from sex related crimes and human trafficking crimes, but the article doesn’t convey that appropriately. There is no information clearly conveying that here.

The article should have a clarification, because that section doesn’t clearly speak to the primary concern women have about traveling across the globe.

The rest of the article is talking about all genders, the reason it has a part specifically to women is because there are more risks for women when it come to certain things. Don’t get so butthurt over the fact that there isn’t a part dedicated to men, the whole rest of the article talks about everyone.

Somewhat safe

Costa Rica is not very safe, I agree with the website index ranking. having lived there for many years, it’s easy to say “oh yeah it’s safe, don’t worry”, but things happen every day to tourists and locals alike, yes, the chances are low that something will happen to you specifically, it’s not like every person who walks in the street is going to get pickpocketed, but it happens too often if you ask me.

A very beautiful country

Costa Rica is a very beautiful country.

I actually found their prices to be decent compared to other, bigger countries which makes it easier to have a very nice vacation here.

Do your research and you can find good deals.

It’s indeed the greenest country in the world.

No bad experiences while I was here, no pickpockets or things of that sort.

It really depends on where you stay and what you do. If you avoid crowded areas and generally keep to yourself (focusing more on nature) you are a lot safer. That being said, I have gone a handful of times, and while it is a beautiful place with some amazing people and stunning nature… I have never felt completely safe.

Your two star review contradicts your “handful” of visits. Two stars implies your dislike and one wouldn’t go back to a place you only give two stars. TOTALLY contradictive!

Amazing getaway

I’ve visited Tamarindo in 2018 with a group of friends hoping to find a safe haven for surfing. It was just like we pictured, with excellent beaches and very friendly locals.

We decided on this location after getting positive feedback from a neighbor. Hoping this might help others, here are some of the recommendations they got from their local guide: 1. Don’t be too trustful. You might see kids walking in groups and approaching you, be vigilant as this seems to be a classic MO: they distract your attention and then go through your pockets. 2. If people offer to help you with your bags at the airport, in bus stations, taxis, just say no. If it seems too good to be true, chances are your instincts are spot on. 3. Make sure the taxi is metered, they like to overcharge as hell. 4. Avoid unmarked paths, unlit/poorly lit areas 5. Since we traveled in a bigger group we didn’t have to worry about our belongings when we went to the beach, one of us was always nearby. I would strongly suggest getting a waterproof phone pouch thingie. I get it, not the most attractive thing, but you can easily keep your keycard, phone, ID and cards in it.

If you decide to rent a car I would be super cautious when driving; the roads are poorly maintained and incredibly narrow. Add to this their appetite for speed and a total disregard for rules and you will get a general idea about driving a car in crowded Costa Rica areas. We rented one for two days only, it was a clear no from the start.

Streetwise I can’t say I felt super aware, having to constantly watch my back, if you just a bit aware of your surroundings you will be fine.

Should be higher in Rankings

Costa Rica is an Exceptional country with lots of wonders. The pickpocketing rate is not high at all and I did not experience any problems or witness them of my 2 week stay. This is what I would rank it

What this article says : 64

Yes, a 64, but this is mainly based on the measly San José which is a decent ranking for a 60 to a 65. Up the North West Coast of Costa Rica you would experience no problems with a ranking of I would say honestly a 85 – 95.

A Special Place.

Costa Rica is unique and exceptional country. I have been going off and on for over 20 years now, and have been to the CR at least 20 times and never once felt unsafe. I agree with the previous comments, other then San Jose, perhaps Puntarenas as well, there is very little crime, even in the larger cities which has petty crime. I have travelled from one end and back of this country, in rented vehicles and found Costa Ricans as lovely and respectful people. Other than a pair of expensive sunglasses taken , I have had on bad experience in CR. I have travelled there on my own a few times but mostly with my wife and 3 kids since they were young, now teenagers. We have travelled budget and off the beaten track to 5 star resorts, and I would say Costa Rica is ( by far) safer to travel to then Mexico and the USA sun destinations. Just my take and experience, and I have traveled a good part of the world. CR is a unique and lovely place, depending on what one is looking for. I/we have just returned from 15 days in CR and the secret is out, it in no longer a bargain destination and it is no longer off the beaten track, so that brings its own problems. But it is still our favourite vacation destination, by far for us.

Beautiful country

I went here in April 2022 as part of the Girl Scouts travel troop. It is a beautiful country and absolutely worth seeing. The San Antonio national park is one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited, as well as the La Fortuna waterfall. Delicious food and coffee too. Locals are friendly and there’s lots to do.

Very safe, just don’t throw caution to the wind

San José can be unsafe for people who like to party lates at night. Even so, I have gone out quite late at night but as long as one is careful about avoiding any seedy establishments, I have only ever had a great time there. Barrio Escalante is a vibrant restaurant and bar district worth a visit. In all, Costa Rica feels much safer to me than any large city in the United States, and no one is ever worried about being gunned down in a mall, church, cultural event, or especially NOT at school.

Share Your Experience Cancel reply

Your Review

Title of your review

Article Contents

• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

Popular Destinations

Safety Index

Recent reviews & comments.

• James on Gold Coast
• Mel on Evansville
• Anonymous on 16 Pros and Cons of Living in Green Valley, AZ
• Claire Gardner on 10 Safest Cities in Ethiopia
• Dee Parker on 10 Safest Cities in Ethiopia

Popular US States

• Pennsylvania

Is Costa Rica Safe For Tourists?

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that for any qualifying purchase you make through one of my links, I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. For more information, check out my disclosure .

Is Costa Rica safe for tourists? Costa Rica has always been considered one of the safest countries for travel in Central America. I have traveled to Costa Rica twice – once on a really recent trip with my sister, and never had any safety issues. In fact I found this to be one of the safest places I have ever visited.

While there’s sometimes volatility, Costa Rica has remained steady as one of the best countries in Central America for adventure vacations, beach holidays, and exciting spring breaks.

There’s been an increase in reported violence and theft in Costa Rica, however. For example, in March 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica released a statement advising against travel to San Jose and other parts of Costa Rica.

There are also more and more news reports surfacing about general crime and drug-related crime in Costa Rica , spreading a little more fear among travelers and backpackers.

So, even with all this commotion and discussion of rising crime rates, is Costa Rica safe for tourists? The simple answer is yes, Costa Rica is still safe for tourists.

As long as you know how to prepare and stay aware of your surroundings, you’ll have the time to explore the beautiful beaches, charming coastal towns, and the beauty of the rich jungle canopy.

After discussing whether Costa Rica is safe, in this post I will share my best Costa Rica safety tips for solo travelers.

Table of Contents

Is Costa Rica Safe?

Yes, Costa Rica is safe.

Costa Rica is incredibly diverse and has a little something for everyone. You can spend weeks enjoying the pristine white sand beaches and scuba diving in the calm waters.

But of course, there are always things to be wary of, and it’s essential to travel to Costa Rica with specific expectations.

According to MacroTrends , Costa Rica has experienced a consistent increase in crime rates from 1990 to 2024, except for a few dips here and there. This tool can also be used to compare crime rates between countries.

To put Costa Rica’s crime rate in perspective, it’s rated significantly lower than Colombia, Mexico, and Guatemala, all popular tourist destinations.

Even further, Statistica data ranks Latin American countries by homicide rate in 2022, and Costa Rica doesn’t even make the list of the top 12 highest homicide rates. Jamaica, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and others appear well before Costa Rica.

So, while Costa Rica has made headlines more often for crime and theft concerns, it’s still a safe place for tourists, especially when compared to safety concerns in Cartagena or even Playa del Carmen, Mexico, safety standards .

However, as always, you should be wary of possible Costa Rica safety precautions, scams, and dangerous neighborhoods before traveling to Costa Rica , regardless of the statistics.

Is Costa Rica Safe For Tourists? Actual Dangers And Annoyances In Costa Rica

Petty crime in costa rica.

Petty crimes and crimes of opportunity are the most common crimes against tourists in Costa Rica. These can manifest in many ways, from advanced pickpocketers to extra pushy hawkers to straight-up robberies.

Here are some tips on things you can do to avoid falling prey to petty crime in Costa Rica:

• Avoid wearing flashy jewelry that draws attention to yourself
• Don’t leave your belongings unattended
• Stay in populated areas and avoid dark alleys where crime can easily take place
• Don’t be out late at night, especially if you’re alone

You can’t 100% limit the risk of petty crime, but you can take precautions and stay aware of your surroundings to minimize the chances greatly.

Avoid ‘dangerous’ areas in Costa Rica

One of the best ways to stay out of trouble is to avoid those “trouble” areas. There’s no doubt some cities and towns are safer than others.

Here are some areas to avoid in Costa Rica, or at least be extra cautious if you plan to spend time there:

San Jose : This is the capital city and likely where you’ll fly into and out of. Unfortunately, it’s not the safest place in Costa Rica, but chances are you won’t be spending much time here. Many travelers don’t even stop there at all. I did and did not have issues. To keep safe, you should avoid going out at night and take guided tours when possible.

Despite San Jose not being the safest and most exciting tourist destination in Costa Rica, there’s still a lot to do in San José . As long as you limit activities to daytime and take a guided tour when possible, you should have a great experience in the cultural hub.

Limon : This is a gorgeous coastal city with a large national park , but it has also been under much scrutiny lately due to crime. If you go here, you should stay on guard as thieves specifically look for tourists to rob.

Puntarenas : This is another beach-side cultural city with great nature, beaches, and even museums. Unfortunately, crime against tourists has been on the rise, and it’s best to be safe if you travel here.

Liberia : This is yet another gorgeous beach town, but beach crime and robbery have also skyrocketed in recent years.

Staying out of these places won’t guarantee a problem-free trip, and it’s possible to visit these cities and have an amazing time without any trouble. However, it’s important to check your Costa Rica itinerary and know what to expect.

Transportation safety in Costa Rica

Public transportation around Costa Rica is safe and one of the best methods. That said, pickpocketing and bag snatching are two of the most common crimes against tourists, and it can be very easy on crowded buses.

If you’re taking buses, keep your belongings close at all times and pay attention to your surroundings. You should also follow your instincts, and if someone is too close to you, try to create some space.

Don’t let this deter you from taking buses or public transportation, though. As I said, it’s still completely safe and a popular method to get around. However, it’s always better to be extra cautious.

When taking taxis, only hop on licensed taxis and don’t fall for the broken meter scam. Only get in a cab if the meter is working; otherwise, they might try to overcharge you.

Driving in Costa Rica

Another great way to get around Costa Rica is by renting a car and driving yourself . This is also very safe in 99% of areas in Costa Rica. However, there are a few things to know.

You should never drive at night in Costa Rica. This Costa Rica safety tip is mostly due to the fact that roads have poor illumination, there are no pavements and there can be animals and even people on the street and you may not see them. This is the same precaution often touted in other Latin American countries, like when renting a car in Mexico .

Car theft and carjacking aren’t prevalent, but you should also avoid leaving anything in the car when left unattended. Just in case you don’t want to make your vehicle a target.

Make sure to read my post, What Is Driving In Costa Rica Like? , for a more detailed explanation of driving conditions and what to expect in the gorgeous country.

Nightlife in Costa Rica

When I last visited Costa Rica with my sister we tended to go to bed very early as we would spend the entire day exploring and would be exhausted at night, but that doesn’t mean there’s no partying to do in Costa Rica.

On the contrary, Costa Rica is known as one of the most fun party places for people of all ages and interests. The country tends to draw in springbreakers from the United States and Canada and young backpackers.

You’ll find a lot of fast-paced travelers here, the type of people who stay up dancing late into the night and wake up semi-early for surfing or a jungle tour.

If you’re interested in this type of fun, go for it! However, always be cautious when partying in any foreign country, let alone Costa Rica.

Don’t go out drinking alone, if you’re solo traveling then try to make some friends at a hostel to buddy up with for a night of fun.

Also, don’t stay out too late and walk home alone. Everyone’s heard the saying, “Nothing good happens after midnight,” and the same goes for the clubs in Costa Rica.

Also, never leave your drink unattended, and don’t accept drinks from strangers unless you watch it being made right before you.

Finally, if you’re ordering liquor, I’d recommend ordering a name-brand liquor rather than a Costa Rican brand or bottom-shelf quality to avoid alcohol poisoning.

Tap water and street food in Costa Rica

Crime and partying aren’t the only cause for concern in Costa Rica. Some people may have concerns about the food or water.

You can drink the tap water in Costa Rica. It’s one of the only countries in Central America where it’s safe to do so. The water is filtered and clean, and very few people have problems with this. We drank tap water everywhere, except in Tortuguero where we were advised not to, and never had any issues.

However, some people bring a filtered water bottle to be on the same side. I recommend this CamelBak LifeStraw Filtered Water Bottle if you want to come prepared.

The street food in Costa Rica is also usually safe to eat. It’s also delicious and cheap, so try not to let hygiene fears stop you from trying something new!

If you notice something looks undercooked, don’t be afraid to skip it. It’s not worth the trouble, and there’s no shortage of other good, fully-cooked street food vendors in most areas.

I always look for the most crowded places when I’m looking for the best local foods in town. Usually, crowds are a sign of good food and hygiene.

Zika virus and other mosquito concerns in Costa Rica

On the CDC website , Costa Rica is listed as a place with no current Zika outbreak, but there have been in the past. It’s also best to be over-prepared and prevent any mosquito-borne illness or infection.

And just because there aren’t any Zika cases right now doesn’t mean there’s nothing else out there that can damage your vacation.

I left Costa Rica with what I thought was a spider bite I had gotten on my first night in Manuel Antonio , which I later learned was so much more. It was a mosquito bite but the mosquito transmitted the eggs of dermatobia hominis (a bot fly), which was a real nuisance as it took weeks to finally understand what it was and get rid of it (I am fully recovered, don’t worry).

There’s also a risk of dengue fever, a nasty fever passed to you by an infected mosquito. According to the World Health Organization , there were 2,712 dengue cases, with 0 deaths in 2023.

To avoid the risk of mosquitos and insects, always wear a strong insect repellant , dress in thin layers and possibly long sleeves and pants (I got that nasty bite the one night I was wearing short sleeves and forgot to wear repellent), and keep your accommodation doors and windows closed to prevent them from getting to you while you sleep.

Swimming safety in Costa Rica

Relaxing at the beach is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica . You have warm waters and long stretches of white sand beaches all along the coast. Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful beaches in Central America.

But you should always be careful when swimming in the ocean. No matter where you are, it can sometimes be unpredictable and overwhelmingly fierce. And there usually aren’t any coast guards on the beaches in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a real surfers’ paradise, and that usually comes with strong currents and big waves. It’s essential to judge the ocean conditions before getting in. If it looks too strong or the waves are too big, skip the swim today.

Plenty of places have calm waters (for example Manuel Antonio beach in Manuel Antonio National Park ), and you don’t want to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Common Costa Rica scams to avoid

Taxi scams are some of the most common tourist traps you’ll come across.

The most common taxi scam is the “no meter” taxi. They tell you the meter is broken, so they’ll bring you a significantly higher price than the meter would read. If you find a cab with a broken meter, I’d recommend moving on to a different one.

Another taxi scam is the “detour” route. A taxi driver might go a very roundabout to your destination for whatever reason. And that route is usually much longer and, therefore, more expensive than the traditional way.

To avoid this, use Google Maps or another navigation app and follow along to make sure you’re going the best route.

Fake tour guide scam

Another Costa Rica scam you might find is the “fake tour guide” scam. This happens in ultra-touristy areas, where there are usually many locals strolling around trying to sell gifts, souvenirs, and tours.

A fake tour guide will try to get you to sign up for the tour, and it might be compelling. They’ll also offer you an excellent price. But remember, if it seems too good to be true, it likely is.

Once they’ve persuaded you, they’ll tell you you need to pay a deposit first. Once you pay them the deposit, they’ll disappear and never be seen again.

You can avoid this scam by not giving guides on the street the time of day – guides in Costa Rica are required to wear a badge anyways, and you can ask to see it. If there’s no badge, there’s no guide! You should only do tours with reputable companies and tour providers.

I always recommend GetYourGuide if you’re planning on booking any guided tours. This is the safest way to book a great adventure in Costa Rica and most other places worldwide. Take a look at my honest GetYourGuide Review for more information.

Pickpocket scams

Pickpocket scams are a little vague, but since they’re the most common theft against tourists in Costa Rica, they’re worth talking about.

Pickpocket scams can happen on crowded public transportation, while dancing at a club or walking on the street.

Sometimes, the pickpocket or an accomplice distracts you by spilling a drink on your shirt or bumping into you a little too hard. While recovering from this, you’ll get pickpocketed and not even realize it.

The only way to avoid this is to keep your money and valuables hidden. Don’t keep your phone or wallet right in your back pocket. If you’re going out for a night of drinking, only bring what’s necessary.

I recommend an under-the-shirt money pouch when you’re out and about in crowded areas. This effectively keeps pickpocketers at bay, as you’ll have all the good stuff safely hidden out of site.

My post What To Wear In Costa Rica points out other items that should not be missing from your packing list.

Travel insurance for Costa Rica

A good travel insurance is a must-have while traveling to Costa Rica.

While none of us want anything to go wrong on a trip, you never know what will happen. Whether it’s a sickness from a mosquito, an aggressive robbery, a run-in with a snake, or food poisoning, health insurance might save the day.

Medical care is relatively affordable in Costa Rica: I was quoted $70 USD for stitches after a bad cut I got while rafting near La Fortuna, but the doctor ultimately decided I did not need any stitches. You’ll want insurance anyways for those big expenses.

Some travel insurance plans will cover things like theft of your phone/wallet, canceled flights, or delayed flights.

I use Heymondo as travel insurance. I actually used them for my most recent Costa Rica trip too and when I needed assistance they were immediately responsive and helpful.

Is Costa Rica Safe For (Solo) Female Travelers?

If you are a solo travelers you are probably wondering: “is Costa Rica safe for solo travelers?” Yes, Costa Rica is safe for solo (female) travelers. I’d argue it’s one of the most fun places in Latin America for solo female travelers.

The country has had a big tourism industry for a long time, and many tourist towns and areas are built around tourism. This makes it very easy to get around and figure things out on your own.

Also, there are a lot of solo travelers around– so it’s very easy to meet other like-minded people!

Costa Rica safety tips for solo travelers

Join guided tours.

One of my top Costa Rica safety tips for solo travelers (for anyone, really!) is to join guided tours. You are in a country you aren’t so familiar with, and chances are you may not even speak the language (though pretty much everyone in Costa Rica speaks at least some English).

And if you’re a solo traveler, this is one of the best ways to meet others and share an unforgettable memory with others!

Meet other solo travelers

Before going out for a night of partying or even just walking around town, try to be open to meeting others. If you’re staying in a hostel, you’ll likely naturally meet others around the common areas. And you shouldn’t be drinking alone in most areas of Costa Rica, so it’s good to go out with a group.

Always be aware of your surroundings

The best way to prevent something from happening is always to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. This isn’t specific to Costa Rica, either.

Things like pickpocketing and scams can happen anywhere in the world and often occur in tourist places anyway. For example, Rome also has a problem with pickpockets and scams – my bag was stolen there!

You can pay attention to everything around you to prevent something like someone grabbing your phone right from your hand or snatching your purse while you loosen your hold.

Leave your valuables at home

The best thing you could do for yourself if you get pickpocketed or scammed is not to have much worth stealing anyway.

You don’t need to wear that expensive necklace to the jungle in Costa Rica ; you don’t need that fancy watch you’ll have to take off before surfing anyway. All of this can left behind, where it’ll be waiting for you on your return home.

If your hotel has a lockbox and security, you can leave much of your valuables behind on a day of exploring. For example, I only like to carry one credit card, just in case. That way, if something happens to the card, I’ll still have access to some money back at the hotel.

Share your location with people from back home

If traveling alone, you should always share your location with someone back home before going on a jungle expedition (for example in Corcovado National Park ) where you may not have phone reception or Wi-Fi for a few days, or for a day at the beach.

This way, if you don’t come back for whatever reason, someone can track you.

This is a worst-case scenario type and most likely not something that will ever actually happen in Costa Rica, but it also provides peace of mind to your loved ones back home.

Sharing your location only takes a second, and nobody must be overly worried.

Conclusion: Is Costa Rica Safe for Tourists?

So, is Costa Rica safe for tourists? Long answer short, yes. Costa Rica is safe for traveling.

It’s historically one of the safest places in Central America. And while it’s wormed its way into the news in recent years for crime and drug cartels, it’s still statistically one of the safer places in Latin America.

You might be a little concerned if you read through this entire guide. There’s all this talk of common scams, strong riptides, and nasty mosquito bites, but much of it is over-preparing.

Knowing what to expect and preparing for the worst is good, even though most travelers enjoy a Costa Rica vacation without even the most minor problems. It certainly was the case for me: I loved Costa Rica and would go back any time, and I can assure you the people of Costa Rica (Ticos, as they are called) are among the friendliest and most generous you’ll ever meet.

Pin It For Later!

Claudia Tavani

Claudia was born and raised in Italy, but she also lived in New York, Denver, and London. She's a professional travel blogger and certified travel designer who loves planning trips, sharing travel hacks, and packing lists so that you don't have to. Owner of My Adventures Across The World, solo traveler, cat mom to Minnie. Claudia has been featured by the Lonely Planet and the Huffington Post. She has visited more than 80 countries.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Is Costa Rica Safe to Visit?

Last Updated : 8/25/2023 | August 25th, 2023

Tropical jungles bursting with wildlife, mountainous landscapes extending into the horizon, picture-perfect beaches on both sides of the country, and a never-ending supply of fun activities no matter your budget.

Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise — and it’s one of my favorite countries in the world. It was the first country I ever traveled to and was the country that sparked my wanderlust.

The beaches feel like paradise, there’s great surfing, excellent diving, and plenty of places to get away from the hordes of retired Americans that live here. No matter what your interest, there are tons of things to do in Costa Rica without breaking the bank.

But is Costa Rica safe to visit?

The country was fortunate to escape the Cold War conflicts and brutal gang violence that impacted other countries in Central America. However, in recent years, Costa Rica has become more involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

Fortunately, the country is still pretty safe for tourists. In fact, it ranks as the safest in Latin America according to the Global Peace Index (Costa Rica ranks 38th, while the USA is 129th, for comparison) .

But while Costa Rica is one of the safest countries for travel and backpacking in Central America , that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. Petty theft is the main issue travelers face , so you’ll want to be are of your belongings and surroundings at all times. In this post, I’ll share some tips and advice to ensure a safe and stress-free visit.

Table of Contents

9 Safety Tips for Costa Rica

Scams to avoid in costa rica.

• Zika Risk in Costa Rica

Is Street Food in Costa Rica Safe?

Is the tap water safe to drink in costa rica, are taxis in costa rica safe, is costa rica safe for solo travelers, is costa rica safe for solo female travelers.

1. Avoid isolated areas – If you’re somewhere isolated, you’ll be at a greater risk of getting robbed, especially at night and in big cities. Try to stay where the people are. That’s the best way to avoid being singled out by potential muggers.

2. Don’t wear flashy items – Petty theft is common here, so remove any jewelry or watches before you go out and don’t wave your phone or camera around. Do your best to blend in, so you don’t become a target for pickpockets. If you happen to find yourself a victim of a robbery, follow the instructions of the robber and give up your valuables; these material items can be replaced but your life cannot.

3. Don’t leave your items unattended – If you are spending the day on the beaches in Puerto Viejo , Santa Teresa , or Manuel Antonio , do not leave your belongings unattended while swimming or walking along the sand; locals or tourists alike can easily take your valuables if you leave them around. Just take what you need with you and nothing more.

If you can, hit the beach with fellow travelers so you can each keep an eye on everyone’s things.

4. Be alert when using public transportation – Petty theft (including bag snatching or pickpocketing) is the most common type of crime you’ll face in Costa Rica. Most of the theft in Costa Rica occurs while taking the bus. Keep your bag containing valuables and identification on your lap and stay vigilant. When in restaurants, keep your purse or bag on your lap instead of hanging it on the back of a chair.

5. Always take an authorized taxi – Crimes against cab riders are infrequent here but it’s best you use a licensed taxi. Also, pay close attention to the meter and make sure it’s running properly. Cab drivers can turn the meter off and claim it’s broken (a common scam, see below).

6. Stick to the path – When out hiking, don’t stray off the marked trails. Not only do you risk getting lost, but there are lots of dangerous animals here (including tons of snakes) that can cut short your visit. Whenever possible, hire a guide (recommended not just for safety reasons, as they’ll point out birds and animals in the lush canopy that you otherwise would likely have missed).

7. Don’t bring valuables out with you – In general, it’s a good idea to lock up valuables at the hostel or in a hotel safe instead of carrying items like your credit cards or passports on your person while you’re out and about. It’s also smart to make copies of your documents and not carry all of your money on you in one place. When you head out for the day, bring one credit card and the cash you need for the day and that’s it. That way, if something were to happen you won’t lose everything.

8. Be careful in certain areas – San Jose is mostly used as a stop-over point as people travel the country. While it’s generally safe during the day, be careful at night. Specifically, avoid the areas of Desamparados, La Carpio, Los Guido, Pavas, El Carmen, and Leon XIII.

Puerto Viejo is a fun beach destination but crime and theft is on the uptick here so be aware and never walk around alone at night or leave things unattended on the beach.

Puerto Limon is where most drug activity occurs. While the area is generally safe as long as you’re not involved in anything illegal, it’s good to be extra cautious here.

9. Buy travel insurance – Travel insurance is especially important if you plan to join in on any of the adventure activities that make Costa Rica famous, including ziplining, white water rafting, or surfing. Travel insurance protects you against unexpected costs that could arise due to illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it. You shouldn’t either.

I recommend SafetyWing for travelers under 70, while Insure My Trip is the best choice for travelers over 70.

You can use this widget to get a quote for SafetyWing:

For more information on travel insurance, check out these posts:

• What Does Travel Insurance ACTUALLY Cover?
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies
• How to Buy the Best Travel Insurance

There are really only two common scams found in Costa Rica:

1. The Taxi Scam You hop into a taxi and realize the meter isn’t running. You mention this to the driver and their response is that the meter is “broken,” and quotes you a price that is outrageously high. Or you might notice that the meter is working but the fare is increasing incredibly fast.

Before hailing a taxi, get an idea of how much a ride should cost from your hostel or hotel staff. In my experience, if the cabbie tries to negotiate the rate, I use the rate quoted to me and if they refuse, I get out and find someone who will turn the meter on. If the meter looks as though it’s rising unusually fast, ask the driver to pull over and get out immediately.

2. The “Cheap Tour” Scam You’re exploring the sites and sounds of the city and a well-mannered, nicely dressed person approaches you and asks if you’re looking to go on a tour. They do a fantastic job describing the most unforgettable trip you’ll ever take in your life, and at a fraction of the cost of other tour companies. You’re sold and hand them a deposit. You wait the next day for them to pick you up, but no one shows up. You realize there was no amazing tour at 50% off. You’ve been tricked.

To avoid this scam, only use authorized companies when booking tours. Your hostel/hotel can always help you, and if you plan to book through a tour company check their online reviews ahead of time. Never trust someone trying to sell you a tour on the street who does not have an official office or storefront.

These scams are the most common ones you’ll face while in Costa Rica. If you’re worried about scams, read this post on travel scams to avoid . Avoiding travel scams requires a lot of common sense and a healthy dose of suspicion.  

Is there a Zika Risk in Costa Rica?

While there are no current reports of a Zika outbreak in the country , Costa Rica has had reported cases of the Zika virus. While risks are low, travelers are advised to take the following precautions:

• Use mosquito repellent on your body to prevent bites and sleep under a mosquito net to avoid getting bit while when you’re asleep
• Wear breathable garments that cover your arms and legs
• Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible to prevent mosquitoes from entering your room
• Pregnant women or couples considering pregnancy should consult a healthcare practitioner prior to travel

In Costa Rica, street food is safe to eat and not to be missed! I’ve had my fair share of empanadas, fresh fruits from open markets, and other local foods and have been perfectly fine.

That being said, if something doesn’t look cooked through (such as chicken) or has been out in the sun for too long, then trust your gut and don’t eat it. But I would encourage you to try the street food as it’s the best way to experience the cuisine and support local businesses (plus, it’s cheap!)  

The tap water in Costa Rica is safe to drink, however, it’s recommended that you avoid drinking the tap water in most beach destinations. The best way to make sure your drinking water is safe is to bring a LifeStraw reusable water bottle. They have built-in filters so you can purify your water so you don’t get sick.  

The taxis in Costa Rica are safe and reliable, though you’ll always want to make sure you’re getting in an authorized taxi. During the day, you can hail a taxi from the street safely, but make sure you pay attention that the meter is turned on and running properly.

If you’re taking a taxi at night it’s best to have your accommodation call it for you. That will ensure you get a reputable company. Never hail a random taxi at night.

As mentioned earlier, taxi drivers will occasionally try to take advantage of travelers by overcharging them. Always remain alert and if anything feels suspicious ask the driver to stop the cab and get out. Don’t take any chances with your safety.  

Costa Rica is a safe country to visit for solo travelers. As long as you stay away from isolated areas, don’t wave your valuables around, and don’t travel alone at night you will be able to avoid the most common dangerous situations.

Additionally, be sure to download offline maps and an offline language app (like Google Translate) so you can look up directions if you get lost or communicate with the locals in an emergency. If you can, try to learn some Spanish before you go too. Even a few key phrases goes a long way!  

Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Central America so if you’re new to solo female travel , Costa Rica is a great country to start with. However, you’ll still need to take some precautions of course. Always avoid isolated locations and don’t travel alone after dark. If you happen to experience catcalling or harassment from strangers on the street, be confident, avoid eye contact, and walk away.

Solo female travelers should remain extra vigilant at bus terminals, bars, and taxi stands where harassment is more common. If out at a bar, as with many places, it’s a good idea to watch your drink and never leave it unattended or accept drinks from strangers. When traveling around the city, ask your hotel what the safest route is and also which areas you should avoid.

By taking some precautions and planning accordingly, solo female travelers can have a memorable time in Costa Rica. Just make sure to follow the advice and tips above!

Here are helpful posts on safety written by our solo female travel experts:

• How to Stay Safe as a Solo Female Traveler
• 8 Myths About Solo Female Travel Debunked
• 10 Common Questions About Solo Female Travel
• Women Shouldn’t Be Afraid To Travel Alone

With any tourist destination, you’ll run into people trying to pull fast ones on visitors. By using caution, common sense, and following the tips above, you’ll be able to stay safe and healthy during your visit to Costa Rica . Pura vida!

Book Your Trip to Costa Rica: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay are:

• Arenal Backpackers Resort (La Fortuna)
• Rocking J’s (Puerto Viejo)
• Pura Natura Lodge (Manuel Antonio)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Costa Rica? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Costa Rica for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

Related Posts

Get my best stuff sent straight to you!

Pin it on pinterest.

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

Costa Rica has reopened to travelers. Here's what it's like to visit

Nov 19, 2020 • 10 min read

An empty footbridge in the forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica ©Maricel Quesada/500px

Soon after Costa Rica reopened to US tourists, Ali Wunderman visited to talk to the locals, learn the pandemic protocols and seek out a very elusive bird.

Twenty-one years ago, Costa Rica was the first country I had ever visited outside the United States. Since that first trip, I have been returning as a travel journalist and aficionado of the country. Arenal Volcano may not be spewing lava anymore like when I first visited, but I was still determined to come back after the borders reopened to tourists amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Being from Montana, I was just about last on the list of Americans that Costa Rica wanted to take in, thanks to a summertime spike in COVID-19 rates. In August, Costa Rica announced it would begin accepting tourists from well-behaved states in New England as soon as September, as long as they were willing to provide a negative coronavirus test result.

But by October, Costa Rica announced it would not only welcome all United States residents beginning November 1; no one would need to prove they were free of the disease. 

Booking my trip

As a United Airlines status holder, it made the most sense for me to stick with my airline so I could take advantage of their upgraded support phone line, should I need it. The roundtrip flight cost about $500 USD, and that price looks stable. Most commercial carriers have brought back their Costa Rica routes, though more are trickling in through the next few months.

In order to enter Costa Rica, it's mandatory to purchase health insurance that covers COVID prior to the trip. It’s easier to go through a Costa Rican provider like National Insurance Institute (INS) or Sagicor . To guarantee coverage for COVID-related illnesses up to $50,000 USD and lodging expenses up to $2,000 USD, it cost me $267 USD for a week-long trip. Filling out a health form is also required prior to boarding for Costa Rica.

While proof of a negative COVID-19 test is no longer required to enter the country, this decision came largely in response to American unwillingness to get tested. So, for my peace of mind, knowing I was doing everything I could to not spread the disease while still contributing to Costa Rica’s struggling economy and mental health crisis, I elected to take an easy test which cost $200. With cases rising in my state, I also chose to quarantine for six weeks prior to my trip, just to be sure.

I was frankly hesitant about traveling abroad at all, but after discussing a potential trip with locals in Costa Rica suffering from the sudden disappearance of income, it was clear that my desire to travel couldn’t begin to compare with their desire to get travelers back to their country. 

Costa Rica and the pandemic

There is a joke going around Costa Rica that thanks to all the hand washing, they can see the notes they wrote on their palms in 1st grade. The already-fastidious people of Costa Rica had no problem standardizing upgraded health protocols, including near-ubiquitous masking up, but beyond having a good sense of humor about things, they are inarguably struggling with the consequences of the pandemic.

Not so much when it comes to physical health. As of November 18, Costa Rica has had a total of 126,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since March 2 with 1578 deaths recorded. Given that the US is experiencing Costa Rica’s total number of cases over eight months on a daily basis, I certainly felt more at ease with the idea of being there.

But in researching this trip and speaking with friends born and raised in the country, it became clear that the lack of tourism has taken its toll.

“This was the worst year for mental health in the country,” said Serge Arias, founder of the Costa Rica Birding Board, professor of ecotourism at the University of Costa Rica, and owner of the birdwatching retreat Casa Tangara Dowii . He added that, “80% of tourism in Costa Rica is small businesses. All those people are struggling and running out of money,” noting that by the time tourists believe it’s safe to travel again, those small businesses may no longer exist. 

I would go on to find out that my guide, who has regularly shown celebrity and high-profile clients around the country, had to sell his van to make ends meet since COVID hit. And he’s not alone. Arias tells me that many birdwatching guides have had to pawn off their binoculars, scopes, and birding books, meaning that even when travel resumes, they won’t have the equipment needed to return to their jobs. “

They speak English, German, French, or more, and now they’re working in Amazon call centers,” Arias says.

Humans aren’t the only population at risk, however.

“Covid is not good for conservation,” Arias explains to me. “Without money from tourism running into small businesses and small reserves, the forests will be cleared for agriculture. And how could you blame them?” Indeed, why would a family with land and mouths to feed wait around for tourism to come back when they could cut and sell their timber to replace it with more immediately lucrative farmland?

In a country renowned for its access to lush nature, Costa Rica has a lot to lose to the coronavirus, and knowing this was a big driver in my decision to go.

Arriving in Costa Rica

My primary goal in visiting Costa Rica was a naturally socially distanced activity: I was in pursuit of the resplendent quetzal, a gorgeous emerald and ruby bird that I have been unsuccessful in encountering many times. Costa Rica is a birdwatcher’s paradise, and I felt secure in my choice to see Costa Rica from its most remote locales, reducing my interactions with other humans to almost none. But before seeing my bucket-list bird, I had to get into the country.

Coming from Montana , I had to stop in Denver and Houston to reach Central America. I never had to sit next to anyone else on the planes, but the United lounge in Texas was a disaster. Many travelers there seemed to behave as if lounge access granted them immunity from contagious disease, eschewing masks in favor of slow, unnecessary sips from cocktails, so ultimately I felt safer pretty much anywhere else.

Upon landing at the airport in San Jose , it was clear the Costa Rican government had every intention of being strict about their protocols. Several men aboard my plane from Houston, whom the flight attendant had to remind several times to put their face coverings back on, were immediately scolded by the folks at the temperature check, and even made to switch to more effective masks. She was steadfast in her refusal to let them through until they sheepishly complied.

After confirming I did not have a fever, I was allowed to enter the customs and border line, where another airport employee scanned the QR code travelers receive after completing their health form. Those with non-Costa Rican health insurance were removed from the line for additional screening.

Once I was deemed safe to cross the border, I met up with my masked guide, Luis Diego, who pumped a handful of sanitizer into my palms to adhere to what Costa Ricans are now cheekily referring to as “the protocols.”

Unintentional hotel takeovers and the quest for the quetzal

Although I would only be staying at boutique birdwatching hotels, it was immediately apparent that I would be the only guest at most of them, and if not, then certainly the only foreigner. My first stop was the Hotel Quelitales , in Cachí. There I had the full attention of the owner (and talented chef), José.

He explained that in 2020 he was hoping to add five bungalows to the property’s existing 10, but could no longer thanks to COVID. And while many smaller hotels like his were experiencing some domestic tourism over the weekends, there was basically no reason to be open during the week.

This sentiment was echoed at my next stops, the warm Hotel Villa Florencia and the elegant Casa Turire in Turrialba, an underrated region that offers just about everything one would visit Costa Rica for (minus beaches). It was between these two accommodations that I began my search for the quetzal – successfully, I might add! After an early wakeup (and temperature check) to drive up Turrialba Volcano, my 25-year search came to its decadent end.

Throughout my lonesome stays at empty hotels I experienced the full range of methods used to safeguard health. At Casa Turire, for example, they sanitized my luggage before it could be brought inside. At Paraiso Quetzal , my temperature was checked any time I went into the building from outside. It was there I also experienced the enforcement of reserving staggered meal times, only because it was the weekend, so domestic travelers were visiting as well.

But no matter where I went, the message I received was the same: please tell your friends and family to come to Costa Rica. 

Is it safe to visit Costa Rica?

Throughout the trip I was presented with a level of gatekeeping via health protocols that made me feel secure in my health and the health of those around me. Whether I was on a wildlife safari boat by myself in Sarapiqui or zip lining through the jungle in Turrialba, my temperature was checked beforehand, I was told to wash and sanitize my hands – and observed while I did, my equipment was cleaned in front of me, and I was masked, as was every other person I encountered. I can safely say I don’t know what anyone in Costa Rica looks like.

The only exception to mask-wearing was while whitewater rafting with Serendipity Adventures on the Pacuare River, because the risk of drowning is more imminent when you’ve spilled into Class 5 rapids and there’s a cloth over your mouth.

Once we were on the shore, however, it was masks on for everyone. I’ll admit it was immensely pleasurable to witness the joy these rafting guides felt in seeing each other and getting to be back on their beloved river for the first time in eight months by getting to see them smile.

The only time I felt remotely unsafe was when I encountered a group of birdwatching German tourists, the only other travelers I ran into besides a masked American couple also looking for the quetzal. The German group, however, wore no masks and paid no mind to maintaining space from me, a total stranger. I elected to leave rather than risk it.

So after spending 10 days in Costa Rica, it’s clear the biggest risk to my health remains other travelers. Personally, I wish Costa Rica would bring back mandatory testing prior to arrival. This extra level of gatekeeping drives away would-be visitors that falsely consider COVID-19 a hoax while maintaining a higher level of awareness about what’s coming into the country.

But even without testing, Costa Rican tourism stakeholders appeared so invested in enforcing health protocols that it’s difficult to imagine a scenario in which COVID could easily propagate. I asked every person I encountered the same question: do you want Americans to visit? Unequivocally the answer was yes. 

How to visit Costa Rica

While testing isn’t mandatory, I strongly urge every traveler to consider getting it done anyway. The pandemic has given us the opportunity to reevaluate our impact on the world, so why not move forward in a way that consciously involves those around us?

With that in mind, there are many airlines now flying to Costa Rica from around the world, with more slated to come shortly. From the US, the country is currently served by American, Alaska, United, Delta, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines. International airlines include Air Canada, Copa, Avianca, British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, and Air France.

There is no curfew and tourists can move freely about the country, though hiring a guide is a great way to navigate Costa Rica (especially if you’re looking for rare birds). 

And once you’re there, take advantage of what Costa Rica does best: get deep into the wilderness, away from all the people, and enjoy the incredible wildlife that calls it home. 

You might also like:

I went to Cuba after it reopened - here’s what you need to know Costa Rica’s Playa Hermosa is the next World Surfing Reserve Costa Rica is asking travelers to offset their carbon footprint

Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter .

Explore related stories

Wildlife & Nature

Mar 3, 2024 • 7 min read

Trying to decide where to go in Costa Rica? Don't miss these beautiful places.

Jan 31, 2024 • 6 min read

Jan 25, 2024 • 4 min read

Nov 1, 2023 • 7 min read

Sep 28, 2023 • 4 min read

Sep 23, 2023 • 7 min read

Sep 17, 2023 • 7 min read

Sep 11, 2023 • 6 min read

Apr 19, 2023 • 6 min read

Mar 2, 2023 • 7 min read

• Caribbean and Bahamas

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Costa Rica Right Now

Boasting some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, eco-friendly lodges, and rainforest retreats, finding pura vida has never seemed more necessary..

There's no place on Earth that encapsulates the spirit of Pura Vida (pure life) quite like Costa Rica. Believed to have been derived from a 1956 film of the same name, today that ethos is not only a reminder of living life to the fullest, but also a colloquialism that's exchanged as frequently and casually as a simple hello or goodbye.

It's just one of the many little things that makes Costa Rica so special, and after everything we've been through this last year, going in search of something, anything, as important as Pura Vida has never felt more necessary.

Wedged between Nicaragua and Panama and spanning both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, from the sun-drenched beaches and world-renowned surf towns along Guanacaste's Gold Coast to climbing the Arenal Volcano and zip-lining your way through Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica has long captured the imaginations of sun-seekers and adventure travelers alike. It's not only is it one of Central America's most prosperous countries, but one of its most progressive, too.

In 2019, Costa Rica was named by the UN as a ' Champion of the Earth ,' for its aggressive climate change initiatives and today, it boasts some of the best eco-friendly resorts and protected national parks in the world.

These days, though, Costa Rica has been channeling that progressive Pura Vida energy toward combating the pandemic, as it is one of the first countries to develop guidelines and receive a  Safe Travels stamp with the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Still, Covid-19 continues to pose a threat. The country has been aggressive in its approach to curbing the spread and remains committed to bringing travelers back as safely and responsibly as possible.

"Most of Costa Rica's tourism offerings are found in nature, which makes a physically distant and enjoyable experience in the country easy," Costa Rica's Tourism Minister Gustavo Segura tells us. "Visitors can experience our Pura Vida lifestyle in speaking to the locals, exploring small communities and cultural centers, and visiting our diverse landscape, such as rainforests, volcanoes, beaches and mountains."

But before you gallivant into that gorgeous Costa Rican sunset, there's still quite a learning curve to comprehend. From how to find the right medical insurance (a current requirement for travel here) to what hotels and tour operators are doing to ensure your safety to finding accommodation where social distancing is actually built into your stay, here's everything you need to know to plan a safe and successful trip to the land of Pura Vida right now.

You Don’t Need a Negative Covid Test to Travel…

You do, however, need a QR code. As of November 1, Costa Rica has allowed all countries in the world to enter by air, as long as they meet the Costa Rica's current visa and Covid-19 entry requirements . While you're no longer required to take a Covid test prior to entry, you must purchase travel insurance and fill out a Health Pass before you go.

There are three government approved insurance companies to choose from: Sagicor , Grupo INS , and BlueCross BlueShield . I opted to go with Sagicor , which is listed as the "preferred insurance" on Visit Costa Rica's website. Coverage plans specifically address Covid-19 related illness and covers up to $20,000 of medical expenses and prescription drugs as well as $4,000 of lodging expenses in the event that you do contract Covid while you're in country.

Plans can be purchased for an individual or family depending on the number of people in your party, and prices will vary depending on your age and length of stay. My partner and I selected the "Family Plan" for two people, which broke down to just over $11 per person, per day.

You Must also Complete a Mandatory Health Pass

Once you've purchased travel insurance you must then complete a mandatory Health Pass. It is important to note that you will need to include your 20-digit insurance policy number on the Health Pass form, so make sure to purchase the insurance before you fill this out.

You'll also need to have some basic airline information handy, including flight number, seat number, and departure date. It's recommended that you complete the Health Pass form within 48-hours of your departure time. Once you fill it out, you'll be emailed a QR code in a PDF and you'll need to scan at check-in. You might be asked to present this code to the Immigration officer upon arrival in Costa Rica so make sure you have you phone charged up and readily available when you land.

One more note about immigration: you might be asked, as we were, for the name, address, and phone number of your hotel on the ground in Costa Rica. Unless you speak fluent Spanish, you might find it prudent to have a printout of this information to hand them just in case.

You Don’t Need to Quarantine, but You Must Stay Vigilant

From the moment you touch down in Costa Rica, you'll notice masks are widely worn. There's no military (it was abolished in 1948,) so the government has stepped up and acted swiftly and proactively to curb the spread of Covid through the enforcement of social distancing policies and mandatory sanitary practices countrywide.

As a tourist, it's important to know your role and acknowledge that just because you're on vacation, you're still expected to wear masks, sanitize as needed, and act in accordance with these rules. Hotels have even gone a step further and implemented on-site Covid testing facilities and other safety protocols from temperature checks to sanitizing stations.

Before we were allowed to check in at The Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo , we had to scan our temperatures at the automated station just in front of the hotel lobby. These stations were also set up out front of every restaurant on-site—an example of one of many ways hotels are trying to regulate and preventing the spread of Covid.

You Must Test Negative in Costa Rica Before Returning to the U.S.

In complying with Costa Rican Ministry of Health guidelines , all travelers must fill out and complete a PCR SARS-CoV-2 test between 24-72 hours before returning back to the U.S. Prior to taking the test, you will be sent a questionnaire that has to be completed 24 hours prior, and all the information must match the information as it appears in your passport.

This form must be completed for each person (including kids ages two and older) and the results will be sent back to you via email no more than a period of three-days or 72-hours prior to your departure. You can find more information about getting tested here .

How to Schedule a Covid Test in Costa Rica

We arranged our test with our hotel concierge when we checked in at The Four Seasons and our test was performed on the patio of our hotel room within the 72-hour time frame before our departure. Many hotels in Costa Rica are now offering this concierge service or have testing facilities on-site. Testing doesn't necessarily come cheap though and it is not covered by your insurance.

My partner and I paid around $140 USD per person for the test, which was added to our hotel folio and paid upon check out. Results can take up to two full days to come back, so it's best to check with your hotel or local health care provider about optimal testing times.

You can find a complete list of participating laboratories currently performing PCR-tests in Costa Rica here . Otherwise, it's important to check with your hotel or accommodation host and plan accordingly.

Who has to Take the Test? What Happens if You Test Positive?

Any passenger over the age of two years and entering the U.S on a commercial, private, or charter flight, or in any transit, must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test before re-entering. The U.S currently accepts two types of tests: the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and the antigen test.

If you experience symptoms or if you test positive for Covid-19 while you're in Costa Rica, you will be required to comply with the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. This is what the insurance policy you purchased prior to traveling goes towards.

Getting around Town is Easier than You Think…

But you should still know where you're going

Most hotels will offer transportation to and from the airport; however, if you're really looking to get out and explore, renting a car is not a bad option. You don't need an international driver's license here, so if you're up for it, and you have a valid driver's license from your home state and a passport, it's well worth considering.

Word to the wise: outside of major cities like San José and Liberia, service can be spotty, so if you're planning on heading into the rainforest or anywhere off the beaten path, you should definitely opt for four-wheel drive and an old-school map or drop a pin of where you're going before heading out.

There are Additional Costs and Obstacles

There are additional costs and fees right now, but if you're seeking sunshine, or if you just need to get away, you really can't do better than Costa Rica. On our recent visit, we stayed at two hotels based on their proximity to nature, sustainability, and social distancing. The first place we checked into, ORIGINS , is one of many amazing eco-friendly lodges set deep in the rainforest.

With only six villas and a three-bedroom treehouse, each with its own fire-heated plunge pool, on-site farm, and Michelin-rated chef, we spent our days exploring the area on horseback, hiking to nearby waterfalls, and simply soaking the day away in our plunge pool. There's also a naturalist who lives on property and offers nature tours to explore the local flora and fauna, which was a major highlight.

After a few nights in the jungle, we made our way west to the beach where The Four Seasons offered a different slice of Costa Rican life. We enjoyed activities like touchless sound meditation (highly recommend) and yoga to paddle-boarding and swimming. The hotel uses QR codes for everything from ordering meals to room service, and every restaurant on property offers outdoor seating, which was a major draw for us. We also found the beaches to be pretty much empty throughout our visit.

"The phrase Pura Vida can be heard throughout Costa Rica, but it is more than just a saying to us," Segura says. "We view Pura Vida as a way of life, a philosophy on how to live life to the fullest, and connect to the essential values of life. Once you have visited Costa Rica, you will understand and feel the true meaning behind it."

Recommended

Search Smartraveller

Latest update

We now advise:

Exercise a high degree of caution in Costa Rica due to the threat of violent crime.

Costa Rica (PDF 710.16 KB)

Americas (PDF 3.25 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services.

Call 911 or 118.

Medical emergencies

Call 911 or 128.

Advice levels

Exercise a high degree of caution in Costa Rica.

• Violent crime, including carjackings and 'express kidnappings', is increasingly common in Costa Rica. Criminals often target tourist areas, resorts, transport hubs and public transport. Drink spiking with methanol is common and has killed people. Be aware of your surroundings. Plan to arrive or leave the airport during daylight hours. Don't leave your drinks unattended, especially in stores or bars.
• Petty crime is common. Avoid carrying valuables where possible. Use established tour operators and officially registered taxis.
• Credit card fraud is a risk. Street money changers often pass fake currency. Only change money at banks or official exchanges.
• Nationwide strikes and roadblocks have occurred. Public gatherings sometimes turn violent. Don't attempt to cross roadblocks or protests. Make alternative transport plans in case of disruptions.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Malaria is a serious risk in Limon and Puntarenas, including near the border with Panama. Consider taking anti-malarial medication if you're travelling to these areas.
• There's been cases of Zika virus reported. If you're pregnant, talk to your doctor about your travel plans.
• The risk of mosquito-borne illnesses increases during the wet season from April to November. Make sure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.
• Common waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases include tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis and rabies. Boil drinking water or drink bottled water. Get your vaccinations up to date before you travel.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long sentences in local jails.
• It's illegal to photograph public buildings in Costa Rica. Ask an official before you take photos if you're unsure about a site.
• Get permission before photographing anyone, especially women and children.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact your nearest Embassy of Costa Rica for the latest details.
• If you travel via the  US , ensure you meet US entry or transit requirements.
• Check travel requirements for children. You may need extra documents if only one parent or guardian is travelling with a child. Children with dual Australian and Costa Rican nationality need notarised written consent from both parents to leave the country.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  tells you what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help when you're overseas.
• Australia has a consulate in San José, headed by an honorary consul. This consulate provides limited assistance to Australians in Costa Rica. 
• You can get full consular help from the  Australian Embassy in Mexico City .
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the embassy's social media accounts.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Violent crime.

Violent crime is common in Costa Rica, including:

• armed robberies
• carjackings
• home invasions
• gang muggings

' Express kidnappings ' also happen, where criminals force you to withdraw funds from ATMs.

Travellers have been the target of armed robberies or drug-related crimes.

Criminals often target:

• tourist attractions
• bus stations and public transport
• harbours, especially Limon and Puntarenas ports

If you use an unofficial taxi, there's a risk of  robbery  and  assault .

Women are at risk of  sexual harassment and assault , particularly when alone on a beach or in a taxi.

Be alert to drink spiking with any drink bought in a store or bar. Don't leave drinks unattended. Make sure the brand is known, and watch your drinks being made. Drink spiking with methanol is common and has killed people. 

Take care in San José, particularly after dark. High-risk areas for theft include:

• the Coca-Cola bus station
• inner downtown areas
• public parks
• roads leading to the San José International Airport

Take care in other areas of Costa Rica, including:

• Manuel Antonio
• Tarcoles River
• Puerto Viejo, Puerto Limónand Cahuita

To protect yourself from violent crime:

• plan to arrive or depart San José airport during daylight hours
• don't camp on beaches
• only use officially-registered taxi

Petty crime

Petty crime is common, particularly pickpocketing and bag snatching. Thieves often target overhead compartments on buses.

Unattended vehicles are targeted:

• in downtown San José
• near beaches
• in national parks
• around tourist areas

To keep your belongings safe:

• use established tour operators and registered taxis
• be aware of your surroundings and personal security

Other crimes

Road-based crime is common. Criminals who target vehicles may:

• stage accidents and rob you when your car stops
• slash your car tyres and offer to help with repairs while a partner steals from the car

Carjackings happen, often at gunpoint. Criminals target stationary cars and rental vehicles for robberies.

In tourist areas, you can get help from the tourist police. See  Local contacts

Scams and fraud

Credit card fraud is a risk.

Street money changers often pass counterfeit Costa Rican and US currency.

To protect your money:

• keep your card in view when conducting transactions
• check your accounts for unauthorised purchases
• only change money at banks or official exchanges

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas  

Civil unrest and political tension

Demonstrations and protests

Nationwide strikes and roadblocks have occurred.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Civil disturbances may happen, including strikes. This can disrupt local public services, which may stop work.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• don't attempt to cross roadblocks or other protest actions
• be prepared for delays or disruptions to your travel plans
• have an alternative transport plan in case of public service disruption

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Swimming safety

Strong coastal currents and rip tides occur on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. These can make swimming dangerous.

You may not find lifeguards on public beaches. You also may not see warning signs for dangerous conditions.

Crocodile attacks have been reported on the Pacific Coast.

Get local advice before swimming.

Climate and natural disasters

Costa Rica can experience  natural disasters  and  severe weather , such as:

• hurricanes  and severe storms
• landslides  and mudslides
• earthquakes
• volcanic activity

To protect yourself in case of a natural disaster:

• know your hotel or cruise ship's evacuation plans
• identify your local shelter
• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• monitor local media and other sources
• contact your tour operator or airline
• keep in contact with family and friends
• National Hurricane Center
• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

Hurricanes and severe weather

The hurricane season is from June to November, although tropical storms and hurricanes can happen in other months. The direction and strength of hurricanes can change suddenly.

Landslides, mudslides and flooding can also occur, especially during heavy rainfall in the rainy season from May to November. The rainy season can sometimes extend to January.

If there's a hurricane or severe storm:

• you may get stuck in the area
• flights could be delayed or suspended
• available flights may fill quickly
• adequate shelter may not be available in some areas

Severe weather may also affect:

• access to ports
• road travel
• essential services, such as water and electricity

Monitor weather reports if you're travelling to Costa Rica during hurricane season or after a natural disaster.

If you choose to stay when a hurricane approaches, adequate shelter may not be available.

Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes

Costa Rica is in an active earthquake zone.  Earthquakes  and tsunamis can happen.

Costa Rica has several active volcanoes. Eruptions may occur at any time and can cause ash fall and vapours. Air travel may be disrupted.

• US Geological Survey
• Tsunami Warning System

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation: the Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Costa Rica. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases.

Malaria is a serious risk in Limon and Puntarenas, including near the border with Panama.

Preventative anti-malaria medication can help protect you.

The risk of contracting other insect-borne illnesses increases in the wet season from April to November. These include:

• chikungunya
• Chagas disease
• leishmaniasis  

To protect yourself from insect-borne diseases:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

Zika virus  is widespread in Costa Rica.

If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care recommends that you:

• discuss travel plans with your doctor
• consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

• tuberculosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

• Infectious diseases

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Public medical facilities are reasonable in San José but limited in smaller towns and rural areas.

Private medical facilities are available and well-equipped but expensive.

You'll usually need to pay cash upfront before doctors and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency. Doctors rarely agree to work with your travel insurer, meaning you may need to ask for reimbursement after paying cash for your treatment.

Decompression chambers are available in Liberia and Samara.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to a place with suitable facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for drug offences are severe and can include lengthy prison sentences in local jails.

• Carrying or using drugs

It's illegal to photograph official buildings in Costa Rica.

Strict laws protect native animals and plants.

To avoid inadvertently breaking the law:

• check with local authorities before taking photos
• speak with your tour guide to understand local laws

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

• Advice for dual nationals

Local customs

Locals may be suspicious if you photograph children and women or talk to children.

To avoid giving offence:

• ask the child's parents for permission before you photograph children or talk to them
• ask women for permission before you take their photograph

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Visa-free travel for short stays

On an Australian passport, you don't need a visa for a tourist visit of less than 90 days.

You might be refused entry if you can't show that you'll return home or travel onwards.

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the  Embassy of Costa Rica  for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Travel via the  United States

If you're  travelling through the US , ensure you meet all US entry or transit requirements, even if you're only transiting through Hawaii. Passengers arriving in or transiting through the US will need to show onward flight tickets from the US and any country that borders the US (i.e. Mexico and Canada). 

• Travel advice for the US

Travel via  Canada

If you're travelling via Canada, you'll need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for Canada. 

• Travel advice for Canada

Travel via Chile

If you’re travelling via Chile , ensure you meet all current entry or transit requirements.

• Travel advice for Chile

Travel with children

You may require extra documents if only one parent or guardian is travelling with a child.

Dual-national Australian and Costa Rican children need notarised written consent from both parents to leave the country. Contact the  Embassy of Costa Rica  to confirm this.

• Advice for people travelling with children

Border Measures

Yellow fever vaccination

Depending on which countries you have visited, you may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Costa Rica. Airlines may require you to show this certificate before departure.

• C ountries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 151KB)
• Returning to Australia  after exposure to yellow fever .

Other requirements

You must pay a departure tax to leave Costa Rica. This might be included in your airline ticket. 

At airports, you can pay with US dollars or Costa Rican Colones (CRC), in cash or by credit card.

At other border crossings, you can pay at Bancredito kiosks.

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

LGBTI travellers  

The local currency is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC).

You can't exchange Australian money in Costa Rica but you can exchange US dollars.

Credit cards are widely accepted.

Local travel

Tours and adventure activities.

Take care if you're taking part in  adventure activities , such as:

• whitewater rafting
• bungee jumping
• scuba diving
• jungle canopy tours

Adventure tour operators may not maintain safety gear or follow recommended safety standards.

If you plan to do an adventure activity:

• check if your travel insurance policy covers it
• ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts

If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

Driving permit

You can drive for up to 3 months with your Australian driver's licence. If your Australian licence allows, you can drive a car and motorcycle.

Road travel

Driving in Costa Rica can be dangerous. Hazards include:

• poorly maintained roads and vehicles
• local driving practices
• poor street lighting
• poor signage
• potholes and landslides
• serious traffic accidents

Serious traffic accidents are common.

If you plan to drive in Costa Rica:

• check you have adequate travel and car theft insurance
• avoid driving at night
• keep doors locked, windows up and valuables out of sight
• be aware of your surroundings when your car stops
• park in secured car parks where possible
• don't leave valuables in the vehicle

If you're in an accident, you must stay with the vehicle. Don't move it until the traffic police allow you to. You may be unable to leave Costa Rica until you settle any injury or insurance claims, even if you weren't at fault and have insurance. 

• Driving or riding

Official taxis are red and have a yellow triangle on their side panels.

Official airport taxis are orange. You can buy prepaid vouchers for airport taxis in front of the San José airport terminal.

If you use an unofficial taxi, there's a risk of  robbery  and assault.

To protect yourself and your money when taking a taxi:

• use official taxis
• don't ride in the front seat of a taxi

If you're female, don't travel alone in a taxi.

• Advice for women

Public transport

Travelling via public transport puts you at risk of theft. Don't put your passport and other valuables in luggage racks or under your seat.

• Transport and getting around safely

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  Costa Rica's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Tourist police operate in many tourist areas. You can contact them by calling 911.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia has a consulate in  San José , headed by an Honorary Consul. The consulate provides limited consular assistance to Australians in Costa Rica. The Consulate can conduct passport interviews and provide provisional travel documents for emergency travel to the nearest Australian embassy.  The Consulate can’t issue Australian passports. You can get full consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in Mexico City.

Australian Consulate, San José

Grupo Nueva, 1st floor

Avenida 5, General Cañas,

San José, Costa Rica

Phone: (+506) 40818008

Email:  [email protected]

Australian Embassy, Mexico City

Ruben Dario No 55 (Polanco) Col Bosque de Chapultepec., C.P.  11580 Mexico D.F. Mexico Phone: +52 55 1101 2200 Email:  [email protected] Website:  mexico.embassy.gov.au

Facebook: Australian Embassy Mexico

Twitter: AusEmbMex

See the Embassy website for details of opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Costa Rica?

Sign up to get the latest travel advice updates..

Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . 

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and see support for British nationals abroad for information about specific travel topics. 

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

English Version – Periódico Digital Centroamericano y del Caribe

U.S. Issues New Travel Advisory for Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a popular getaway given its close proximity to the U.S., with stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and welcoming locals.

These are just a few of the highlights of this Central American paradise.

What is normally considered to be a safe destination for travelers, Costa Rica has had an uptick in violent crime recently. As has been the landscape of world events over the past few years, what seems to be normal can change quickly.

U.S. Embassy Issues Warning

Some would say Rule #1 of traveling to a foreign country is to always be aware of your surroundings. Bad things can happen anywhere at any time, whether it’s petty pickpockets or more dangerous situations. So, it’s important to heed caution at all times. Getting too comfortable in an unfamiliar place can be a big mistake.

The U.S. government has a 4-level system to determine the outlook on safety for each country:

    Level 1 – U.S. citizens should exercise normal precautions

    Level 2 – U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution

    Level 3 – U.S. citizens should reconsider travel plans

    Level 4 – U.S. citizens should not travel

Earlier this week, the U.S. issued a Level 2 alert for Costa Rica, advising Americans to take extra precautions due to an increase in violent crime. There were no specific examples given as to what they have insider information on, but an alert like this should be taken seriously.

It was noted that most of the recent criminal activity has been taking place in the capital city of San Jose, which is home to the country’s biggest airport. San Jose is the main hub where most visitors begin their Costa Rica adventures. A recent report showed American tourists flocked to Costa Rica in droves, with more than 1.2 million visitors arriving by plane.

These are the guidelines provided by the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica:

• Be watchful when in a public area, specifically when exiting a store or venue.
• Be aware of your surroundings and immediately leave any area that does not feel safe.
• Do your best not to stand out in a crowd, and it is always best not to be alone.
• Do not be flashy – keep valuables such as electronic, jewelry, and money hidden from public view.
• It is best to walk around at night within a group on well-lit streets. Do not walk alone at night.
• Provide someone you trust with your contact information and let them know of your whereabouts, such as when and where you will be going.
• When leaving your home, hotel, or vacation rental, it is advised to always keep doors and windows locked. Turn on the security system (if applicable).
• When driving, it is advised to keep doors locked at all times. Even when doors are locked, do not keep valuables in sight, such as phones or jewelry.

The embassy always recommends its citizens enroll in STEP, a government program to inform travelers of the latest security alerts. If someone is in immediate danger, the Costa Rica emergency phone line is 911, just like the U.S.

Pushback from Costa Rica

Costa Rica relies heavily on tourism as there is so much to do for travelers to enjoy the Pura Vida lifestyle! When safety comes into question, this can damage their reputation and severely hurt their economy.

The Minister of Public Security, Jorge Torres, questions how the U.S. came to this conclusion of issuing a travel advisory. Seemingly caught in the middle of his own “irresponsible” government and his opinion of the embassy’s unjust travel advisory, he did admit there truly is an increase in violent crime. While the U.S. did not provide specifics, Mr. Torres believes drug wars between gangs are mostly to blame.

At present time, there is no update on what the plan is to alleviate this problem. Costa Rica has acknowledged the surge in violence but may be in the damage control stage until a better strategy is formed. Step one might be to start tapping into the hefty funds the U.S. donated just last month to assist in keeping people safe. (https://www.traveloffpath.com/u-s-issues-new-travel-advisory-for-costa-rica/)

Join the Conversation

Costa Rica may very well be seeing some uptick in petty crime — purse snatching and car break ins. That I’m not sure of but may be. But rest assured, Costa Rica is FAR more safe for Americans that their own country in most of it places. Guns are not rampant and Costa Ricans live a comfortable if not lavish life style. It’s a great place to live and to visit. Whatever the travel advisory is about is far from daily life for most people.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Breaking news
• Entertainment
• Headline News

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Costa Rica Travel Information

Costa Rica COVID Travel: What You Need to Know

July 1, 2023 By Sammi 236 Comments

If you plan on visiting Costa Rica, here is what you need to know about visiting during COVID-19. Read all about Costa Rica COVID travel, Costa Rica entry requirements, where to get a COVID test in Costa Rica and what happens if you test positive for COVID in Costa Rica.

As the COVID pandemic has been declared “over”, Costa Rica has not really updated any information about the situation in Costa Rica. We will only update this post if there are new updates.

Current Costa Rica Coronavirus Situation

Please click on this link, Costa Rica coronavirus to read the latest updates and statistics.

Costa Rica COVID Travel Restrictions and Border Opening

Costa Rica closed their borders beginning of March 2020.

On November 1, 2020, Costa Rica opened their borders to all countries in the world via air. On April 5, 2021, Costa Rica opened the land borders between Nicaragua and Panama.

Costa Rica Entry Requirements (COVID-19)

**As of April 1, 2022, all previous COVID entry requirements have been removed. Still valid on January 1, 2023.** Costa Rica does not require quarantine, a health pass, travel insurance, QR code or a negative COVID-19 test to enter. There are no COVID-19 sanitary requirements to enter Costa Rica. Entering Costa Rica is exactly how it used to be before the pandemic.

The only sanitary measures and requirements for tourists is some places may still require face masks, hand washing and temperature taking.

Traveling around Costa Rica is nearly exactly how it used to be before COVID. There are nearly zero restrictions.

Do I have to be vaccinated to go to Costa Rica?

No. You do not have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for Costa Rica. Costa Rica is not requiring tourists to be vaccinated against COVID. Fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated people can enter Costa Rica. You don’t need to have any booster shots to enter Costa Rica.

Costa Rica will not ask you for any COVID-19 vaccination information when you enter the country.

>> Get Exclusive Costa Rica Travel Tips and our Free Travel Guide Straight to You! <<

Yes, send me the tips

Costa Rica COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Tourists Need to Know About

When it comes to COVID restrictions in Costa Rica, the only ones pertaining to tourists are hand washing and temperature taking when required. Face mask wearing is 100% optional in all places except required in medical and health facilities.

There are no other restrictions – no driving restrictions, no curfew, etc. Costa Rican establishments do not require any proof of vaccination to enter.

Please check our post Costa Rica COVID to see details.

Do I Need to Wear a Mask in Costa Rica?

As of May 11, 2022, face masks in public spaces, open spaces and indoors have no longer been mandatory in Costa Rica except for health officials. However, individual establishments may still require them for their guests and people can still wear them if they wish.

Likewise, the face mask mandate may be reinstated at any point, particularly indoors and public transportation settings, so please be aware of this and bring at least one mask with you still.

My Experience Flying into Costa Rica

I flew into Liberia (Guanacaste) International Airport in October 2022 and into San Jose International Airport in June 2022. Since the previous COVID entry requirements were removed on April 1st, flying into Costa Rica was exactly like how it was pre-COVID. No negative test required, no quarantine, no health pass, no insurance, nothing was checked.

At immigration, the officer will ask how many days you are in Costa Rica, your first destination and occupation.

Then after passing immigration, it is normal procedure. Pick up luggage, go through customs and then exit airport. See what it’s like to go through customs and immigration in Costa Rica in our post.

**Please note due to the increase of flights arriving at the same time, immigration and customs has been taking much longer. P lease take that into consideration for your transportation plans when you land**

Where to Get a COVID test in Costa Rica

In case you need to get a COVID test in Costa Rica whether you are feeling sick or if you need one to re-enter your home country, nearly all labs, clinics and hospitals can administer COVID tests.

Please check your home country requirements to see what they require for re-entry. **The United States has removed its COVID test requirement on June 12, 2022. That means that air travelers entering the United States from abroad will no longer need to produce a 24 hour negative COVID test result.***

COVID tests in Costa Rica are done via a nasal swab.

Cost and Turnaround Time

The cost of a COVID test in Costa Rica varies between $55-300 USD per test. Antigen tests have an average of 1-8 hour turnaround time and are cheaper ~$50 USD. A PCR test is around $150 USD with a turnaround time of around 24-72 hours. Some labs may offer same day PCR tests for ~$300 and at home tests are now available. Results will be emailed in English or Spanish.

What Happens If You Test Positive for COVID in Costa Rica?

First, if you are feeling sick or believe you have COVID-19, isolate yourself and go to a clinic or lab to get tested.

If you need hospitalization, Costa Rica will not refuse anyone who requires COVID-19 hospital care regardless of their immigration and vaccination status.

Then if you are taking the test to re-enter your home country, airlines will not let you board with a positive test result. If your home country requires a negative test and you test positive, you will have to quarantine a given amount of days (usually 5- 14), which is determined by the doctor who attended you and the severity of the disease. You will have to comply with the entire duration of your stay at home order – even if you test negative during that period of time.

Tourists won’t be penalized if they overstay their tourist visa due to a stay at home quarantine order.

This is one of the reasons why we highly tourists to purchase a travel insurance, even though it is not mandatory. Many travel insurances will now cover COVID costs and it is especially important now since travel is still very messy with lots of flight delays and cancellations. Check our post for travel insurance recommendations for Costa Rica here.

What Is Open in Costa Rica Right Now During COVID-19?

Everything. It is exactly how it used to be pre-COVID. There are no restrictions at all.

Had to Reschedule Your Trip? Here Are Some Helpful Resources

Best time to visit Costa Rica

Costa Rica destinations guide (Best places to visit)

Costa Rica weather

Mytanfeet Costa Rica destination map

How to avoid crowds in Costa Rica

Disclaimer: Costa Rica border openings, travel restrictions and entry requirements are ever changing. We do our best to update this post with the latest information as much as possible. Please remember that the decision to travel is up to you and it is your responsibility to stay safe. Make sure to check the recommendations of your country when it comes to international travel.

Exclusive deals

CURRENT PRICES END MAY 12

Outside Festival feat. Thundercat and Fleet Foxes.

FROM JUST $44

Should I Travel to Mexico or Costa Rica Right Now? I’m Concerned About Safety.

After a recent shoot-out in Mexico that left two Americans dead, and a new alert warning of crime in Costa Rica, travelers are wondering if their spring-break plans to these countries should be put on hold

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Any number of concerns are on our radar as we plan our next trip, from serious issues like how destinations are working to mitigate tourists’ environmental impact to inconveniences like months-long passport wait times. In this column, our travel expert, Jen Murphy, will be addressing your questions about how to navigate the world.

I heard about the Americans who were kidnapped recently in Mexico near the U.S. border, and I’ve been reading a lot of news about an increase in crime in Mexico in general. Now I’m worried about my spring-break plans to Baja. I’ll probably still go—but I’m concerned. Is the media making a big deal out of a few isolated incidents? How risky is it to travel down there? —On the Fence

Spring Break season has officially kicked off, but like you, some Americans are rethinking their south-of-the-border travel plans after recent reports of border crime in Mexico and a new U.S. State Department warning for Costa Rica.

On March 3, four Americans on a medical tourism trip were caught in a drug-cartel shoot-out as they crossed the border from Brownsville, Texas, into Matamoros, Mexico. Two were killed and two were kidnapped but later released; they returned to the U.S. last week. The incident put a spotlight on violence that continues to happen in a country that attracted more than 33 million international tourists last year.

The State Department has a do-not-travel advisory (level four—its most severe warning) in place for six of Mexico’s 32 states, including Tamaulipas, where Matamoros is located. Seven states, including Guanajuato, where the Unesco World Heritage site of San Miguel de Allende is located, have level-three warnings, which advises Americans to reconsider travel due to local crime and/or the possibility of kidnapping.  

Although Baja California Norte is also listed as level three—worth noting for anyone who plans to drive from the U.S. down to destinations on the peninsula, including the Pacific surfing mecca of Ensenada (85 miles south of San Diego)—the southern Baja area of Los Cabos is listed as level two (exercise increased caution).

Jalisco, home to Puerto Vallarta and the nearby Riviera Nayarit, is also listed as level three, because the state is the center of operations for a cartel, although most violence here has occurred in the countryside, far from the gated Punta Mita community and the nearby surf town of Sayulita.

In greater Cancún, a frequented destination in the Caribbean-adjacent state of Quintana Roo, a level-two advisory warns of potential crime and kidnapping. This is also the case for Mexico City.

Zachary Rabinor, founder of the travel company Journey Mexico, says that Matamoros is a town known for drug-related gang violence, not as a vacation getaway, and that the State Department has long upheld its do-not-travel warning for the state of Tamaulipas. “Those Americans were not intended targets, but rather caught in the wrong place at the wrong time between two rival groups’ crossfire,” he says.

How Travelers and Tourism Experts Are Looking at Trips to Mexico

Although the recent tragedy occurred far from tourist areas—more than 1,000 miles from Los Cabos, in western Mexico, or Cancún, on the Caribbean coast—it still has some people spooked. Maureen Poschman, who owns a PR firm in Aspen, Colorado, has plans to go to Baja California Sur’s East Cape with her husband and two 17-year-old daughters over spring break and says she’s received worried calls from her mother and concerned texts from her neighbor in light of the news. But she has no intention of canceling. “Mexico is a big country,” she says. “And I always think you’re safer to travel right after some kind of incident. Security is heightened, and chances of another incident so soon are slim.”

Mexico is huge—it’s the 13th largest country in the world in terms of landmass—and can’t be generalized, says Rabinor. To help travelers answer the question of “Is Mexico Safe?,” his team created a comprehensive map, below, and state-by-state analysis of State Department advisories and where there are minimal travel restrictions, which include almost all major tourist areas.

Jacquelyn Sonner of Carmel Valley, California, intends to spend her spring break in San Miguel de Allende with her husband and two children, ages five and eight. The Pilates instructor rationalizes that despite the area’s level-three travel warning, travelers will be safe if they avoid being out after midnight and aren’t there to seek, sell, or consume drugs.

Pierre de Hail, the president of Janus Group Mexico, a risk-management company in Monterrey, Mexico, says he still cautions foreign travelers ahead of visits, even to seemingly safe tourist destinations. “There is a lot of corruption here,” he says. “Everyone is up for sale in Mexico—police, judges—so if you do get into trouble, don’t expect a fair shot.”

More recently, in January, the State Department cautioned tourists against taking app-based ride-share services like Uber in Quintana Roo, where Cancún and Tulum are located, amid a series of incidents where medallion taxi drivers were harassing, and in some cases attacking, ride-share drivers and travelers.

What a Recent Uptick in Crime Means for Costa Rica Travel

Costa Rica, on the other hand, has long been considered one of the safest, most family-friendly countries in Central America. However, on March 1, the U.S. Embassy issued a new security alert , citing “increasing levels of crime, particularly violent crime, in Costa Rica and specifically San José,” the nation’s capital. Despite the heightened alert, as of press time, the State Department still categorizes Costa Rica as level two—the same travel advisory it’s had in place since October 2, 2022. (For perspective, classic tourism destinations like France, Italy, the Bahamas, and Belize are also considered level two.)

Javier Echecopar, cofounder of the travel-specialist company Journey Costa Rica, believes the recent alert is specific to cities like San José and Limón, places most tourists don’t visit. “People come to Costa Rica to be in nature,” he says. “Most travelers fly into and out of San José, then head straight to the rainforests and beaches, which are as safe as ever.”

Hans Pfister, president of the Cayuga Collection, a group of sustainable hotels that has six locations in Costa Rica, says you can’t compare Mexico and Costa Rica when it comes to safety of travel. “Costa Rica is probably a lot safer than many U.S. cities at this point, says Pfister, who lives in San José. “The problem that I see is many tourists that come here get careless and just think, Pura vida , ” he says, referring to the country’s unofficial slogan, which loosely translates to “living life to the fullest.” “They  don’t even take the slightest precautions, as they would at home. One has to be smart.”

Nikki Warren, who works for an insurance brokerage firm in Denver, was in San José del Cabo, Mexico, in December with her family and says she felt safer there then she does in the Colorado capital’s downtown. She plans to return with her husband and two kids, ages eleven and seven, for spring break, and next week she’s traveling solo to Tamarindo, Costa Rica, for a wellness retreat.

“Costa Rica has been on my bucket list for years,” she says, noting she’s not at all daunted by the travel advisory. “You have to take the media headlines with a grain of salt and do your own due diligence.” Warren did online research about the safety of the area to confirm it had a low crime rate for incidents like pickpockets. “It all comes down to common sense,” she says. “Don’t leave your wallet on the beach while surfing, don’t leave your purse on the restaurant table if you use the restroom—all of the precautions you’d exercise at home.”

How to Be a Smart Traveler

Jenny Clise, a San Francisco–based yoga teacher, has either led or attended retreats in countries currently under travel advisories, such as Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, and Costa Rica. “A level-two warning, to me, is not cause for canceling travel plans but a call for deeper preparation,” she says. “If you do not have a local travel partner, I suggest sourcing a local contact from where you’re planning on staying who can either act as a guide or offer advice toward your travel plans.”

She also finds it helpful to familiarize herself with the culture and customs of a destination, she attempts to respect dress codes and learn basic phrases, and she always shares her travel plans with a friend or family or even the hotel receptionist.

“Whenever I think of the fear that people have about traveling to parts unknown, I am reminded of the time a local from Nicaragua expressed his fear to me of traveling to the United States,” she says. “It really opened my eyes to how limited my perspective on travel and safety is. My home is also a foreign place to other people and not always a safe place.”

“The problem that I see is many tourists that come here get careless. They don’t even take the slightest precautions, as they would at home. One has to be smart.”

De Hail of Janus Group Mexico recommends easing your fears by buying travel insurance in case of a medical emergency or theft. He also suggests making photocopies of your passport and leaving one with a family or friend at home. And when you’re in your hotel, leave your passport there in a safe place and take a copy of your passport out with you instead. (You never know when you’ll be asked to see it by an official, and if your wallet or purse is stolen, you  can breathe easier knowing your actual passport wasn’t taken and you can still get home.)

Out on the streets, don’t flash around money, fancy watches, or jewelry, De Hail advises. Some travelers go so far as to carry two wallets—one with expired credit cards and small bills, so on the off chance you get mugged, you can hand over that one.

When it comes to accommodations, avoid remote Airbnbs that lack security or neighbors. If you’re staying in a hotel, ask staff about security protocols and also whether it’s safe to take an Uber or a taxi, says De Hail. (You can also book a transfer through your hotel or a trusted travel company.) Avoid staying out late, especially alone, and ask a friend to keep an eye on your drink if you’re at a bar. Finally, if you’re someplace where a situation doesn’t feel right, get out. “No one ever dies of shame,” he says.

The bottom line, when it comes to any travel, is that you feel eager and excited for your trip—not worried. If you’re not feeling comfortable about your spring-break plans, and truly are on the fence,  consider rescheduling or choosing an alternative destination. “Vacation should be fun,” says Zachary Rabinor of Journey Mexico. “Comfort levels are very personal. Vacation isn’t the time to push your limits and be feeling nervous. You want to be able to relax.”

• Water Activities

Popular on Outside Online

Enjoy coverage of racing, history, food, culture, travel, and tech with access to unlimited digital content from Outside Network's iconic brands.

Healthy Living

• Clean Eating
• Vegetarian Times
• Yoga Journal
• Fly Fishing Film Tour
• National Park Trips
• Warren Miller
• Fastest Known Time
• Trail Runner
• Women's Running
• Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
• FinisherPix
• Outside Events Cycling Series
• Outside Shop

© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc

Is it safe to travel: Costa Rica

• 8 minute read

• July 2, 2021

Table of Contents

Costa rica is open to all travelers — no tests, no quarantine, travel entry requirements: everything to know, i’m unvaccinated, how much travel insurance coverage must i purchase, flying into costa rica: safety at juan santamaria international airport in san jose, movement restrictions and reduced business hours, capacity limits, use of face masks, museums in san jose, national parks.

Costa Rica is all about its culture of “pura vida” (pure life). With incredible cloud forests, volcanic landscapes, exotic wildlife, and lush national parks, it is the perfect destination for nature lovers and thrill-seekers who crave adventure far away from crowded cities and indoor places. The good news is that the country has opened up for tourism and eased restrictions for all travelers. Here, we answer the important question: “Is it safe to travel to Costa Rica right now?” Read on to learn about Costa Rica’s updated entry conditions and what you can expect on arrival.

This article has been updated based on information available as of November 11, 2021 .

⚠️ Due to the evolving nature of the pandemic situation, safety regulations may change without warning. This article should not be treated as legal advice — we recommend that readers check with local authorities for updates on COVID-19 protocols prior to making travel arrangements.

Border reopening: Who can travel to Costa Rica for leisure?

It’s exciting news that all travelers, including tourists, are now allowed to enter Costa Rica from any country! To make things easier, travelers no longer need to undergo COVID-19 testing or quarantine upon arrival .

Other than meeting standard visa requirements ( click here to find out if you need a visa to get into Costa Rica), here’s what you need to know before you fly:

• This must be completed within 72 hours of arriving in the country.
• A specific QR code will be provided after your application has been reviewed and approved.
• You will be asked for proof of your return flight upon your arrival at immigration.
• To qualify, you must have received an approved vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson).
• Your last dose must have been administered at least 14 days before entering Costa Rica.
• Your vaccination certificate/card must be attached to your Health Pass. The document must contain at least the following information: (1) your full name, (2) the date of each dose, and (3) the pharmaceutical house.
• US travelers may use their “COVID-19 vaccination record card” as proof.
• Note: From January 8, 2022, unvaccinated tourists 12 years and older will not be allowed to enter commercial establishments. This includes hotels and restaurants.

The type of travel insurance you buy matters. If you buy from a Costa Rican insurance company, you will only need to cover medical insurance of up to USD 20,000. For international policies, the requirement is set at USD 50,000. However, travelers may find it easier to purchase international insurance. We outline all requirements and differences below, with some recommendations for insurance options.

International insurance policies International insurance policies must meet the following requirements: 1. Policy must be valid for your entire trip duration in Costa Rica — it should match the dates of your plane tickets into and out of Costa Rica 2. Policy must cover a minimum of USD 50,000 for COVID-19 medical expenses 3. Policy must cover a minimum of USD 2,000 for quarantine lodging expenses You will need to obtain a certificate or letter from the insurance company (either in English or Spanish) that confirms the above details. You will need to upload this document when registering online for your Health Pass. Insurance cards are not accepted. Recommendations for international insurance plans Buying an international insurance plan can end up being easier and cheaper than buying Costa Rican travel insurance. Here is a list of insurance plans that are well-reviewed and specifically meet Costa Rica’s travel insurance requirements. Trawick International Safe Travels Voyager plan . This plan is available to US citizens and US residents. It can be purchased for trip costs up to USD 100,000 and includes USD 250,000 of primary medical coverage and USD 2,000 minimum coverage for potential lodging expenses. The policy meets Costa Rica’s travel insurance requirements and you will also receive a visa letter upon purchase that you can upload directly to Costa Rica’s Health Pass website. Trawick also offers the Safe Travels International plan and Safe Travels International Cost Saver plan for non-US travelers. Insubuy also has several US-based products that meet Costa Rica’s travel insurance requirements, including the Safe Travels Explorer plan , which provides basic travel insurance including USD 50,000 in secondary medical coverage that covers COVID-19, and USD 2,000 in quarantine lodging expenses coverage. You can also look at the company’s list of policies that comply with Costa Rica’s travel insurance requirements to compare quotes. All plans purchased will come with a downloadable visa letter that can be uploaded to Costa Rica’s Health Pass website. Can I check if a policy meets Costa Rica’s requirements? If you are unsure of the validity of the international policy you plan to purchase, you can email the Costa Rica Tourism Board at [email protected] to confirm if it meets the country’s requirements for entry. Costa Rican insurance policies The minimum medical insurance coverage required for Costa Rican insurance holders is USD 20,000. There are currently three insurance companies approved to offer COVID-19 travel insurance that meet entry requirements. These are: – INS – Sagicor – BlueCross BlueShield INS is a government insurance company, Sagicor and BlueCross BlueShield are both private companies. Which is better? Pros of buying an international insurance plan – International insurance plans tend to cover more for less money – Some Costa Rican insurance policies may only be available in Spanish, which might difficult to translate for accuracy Pros of buying a Costa Rican insurance plan – Should you need to file a claim, medical facilities tend to accept Costa Rican insurance more readily – With international insurance, you will most likely need to pay upfront and then be reimbursed later on

For more information, visit the Costa Rica Tourism Board website .

Most tourists who travel into Costa Rica fly into the bustling capital, San Jose. This means arriving through Juan Santamaria International Airport, the city’s primary airport. Juan Santamaria International Airport hosts direct flights to North America, Central America, and Europe. It also serves cities in South America and the Caribbean.

The airport has gone the extra mile to ensure visitors feel safe and comfortable. This includes: 

• Providing hand-washing and sanitation stations in all common areas
• Using thermal cameras for temperature checks
• Increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting, especially in high-traffic areas
• Limiting entrance into the airport to traveling passengers only
• Limiting capacity in shops and boarding lounges
• Ensuring travelers are wearing face masks within the airport
• Encouraging social distancing of 1.8 meters between passengers

Around Costa Rica: General health and safety measures

Life in Costa Rica is slowly returning to a relative normal. However, it is important to note that the country is gearing up to make things much safer for everyone by streamlining entry requirements into commercial establishments.

From January 8, 2022 , all commercial establishments including hotels, bars, restaurants casinos, shops, museums, and tourist attractions may only admit visitors that are fully vaccinated.

As of November 1, 2021 : The ongoing nightly curfew has eased slightly — movement and business operations may now take place between 5 am – 11 pm.

Starting December 1, 2021: All businesses will be allowed to open without capacity limits provided they have chosen to accept only customers that are fully vaccinated. Businesses that choose not to verify vaccine certificates may open at 50 percent capacity.

Starting January 8, 2022: All businesses may only accept customers if they are fully vaccinated.

It is mandatory to wear face masks in all indoor public areas or while using public transportation.

Visiting popular attractions

The majority of Costa Rica’s most scenic attractions are found in the great outdoors, meaning there is less of a need to worry about social distancing and mask-wearing requirements. In this section, we cover some of the country’s popular attractions and activities, and provide examples of some safety protocols in place at these locations.

San Jose is a beautiful city with plenty of stunning architecture, public art galleries, and museums. One of the best museums you can visit when you’re in San Jose is the National Museum of Costa Rica . Here, you can learn about the natural history, archeology, and culture of Costa Rica stretching all the way back to pre-Columbian times. 

The museum takes health and safety seriously — the following measures have been implemented:

• Visitor capacity is capped at 50 percent, both within individual exhibition rooms and within the building as a whole
• Visitors are encouraged to respect physical distancing rules
• Visitors are required to wear face masks and have their temperature checked upon entry
• Soap, hand sanitizers, and towels are placed in strategic areas
• Frequent cleaning and disinfecting at high-traffic spaces
• Temporary suspension of cloakroom services

Other museums around the city have also implemented similar health protocols to ensure visitors feel safe and comfortable. Another popular museum we recommend visiting while in San Jose is the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum , which houses one of the largest collections of gold artifacts in Latin America.

Costa Rica may not be a large country, but it holds an incredible five percent of the world’s biodiversity across its vast forests, volcanic areas, and Pacific and Caribbean beaches. About a quarter of the national territory is protected and preserved by the National System of Conservation Areas. Visitors can admire the biodiversity of Costa Rica through the many national parks in the country. 

These parks remain open at a 50 percent capacity. Outdoor activities mean visitors will not have to wear masks.

For anyone wanting to check out the geothermal wonders of Costa Rica, it’s worth visiting the Tenorio Volcano National Park , which sits in the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range. It is a lush treasure trove of cloud forests, lagoons, waterfalls, hot springs, and plenty of volcanic activity zones.

If you’d like to discover other national parks around the world, check out our article about Sri Lanka’s best national parks for wildlife encounters and our guide on five epic US national park road trips .

Costa Rica is also famous for its golden sand beaches. You’ll find the best of these in the northwest regions of Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula , and in the southern Caribbean in Puerto Viejo and Cahuita . These beaches offer warm tropical waters and great opportunities for surfing.

Curfew hours for businesses that operate in and around these beaches may currently be in effect. See the above section under “Movement restrictions and reduced business hours”.

Is Costa Rica on your travel bucket list? Check out our two-minute guide “Why travel to Costa Rica?” to discover the country’s best highlights! Do other parts of Central America intrigue you as well? We’ve got  a guide to Belize , too!

About TourHero

TourHero is a social travel platform that enables you to travel with like-minded people and fall in love with the journey. We work closely with handpicked local operators to ensure every experience curated is unique and exclusive to your travel group. Come with us on epic adventures and create memories that last a lifetime!

Post written by: Angela Goh

Get exclusive curated content right in your inbox!

• June 14, 2021

North America 5 Epic US national park road trips for your next adventure

• July 12, 2021

Travel Is it safe to travel: Mexico

You may also like.

• Destinations

Hosting a wellness retreat in Bali

Trekking in vietnam: top 5 hikes for an unforgettable adventure.

• 7 minute read
• North America

Fall Inspiration: 8 Beautiful travel destinations for viewing autumn foliage

• 5 minute read
• Social Distance Travel

Spain Travel Guide: Best day trips near Barcelona for every type of traveler

Must-eat greek food: a guide to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.

• 6 minute read

Is it safe to travel: Egypt

Home » Travel Planning and Inspiration » Is Costa Rica Safe? Travel Scams, Safety Advice & More

Is Costa Rica Safe? Travel Scams, Safety Advice & More

By Author Costa Rica Travel Life

Posted on Last updated: March 17, 2024

This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.

 Costa Rica is a small but gorgeous country full of lush rainforests, mountains, and pristine beaches, all of which attract visitors from around the world each year. Over the past decade, it has become one of the most popular destinations in Latin America due to its fantastic climate, friendly locals, and wildlife encounters. 

If you’ve never experienced traveling in Latin America, a trip to Costa Rica might seem intimidating and might leave you wondering if Costa Rica is a safe place to visit.

While it’s important to exercise common sense and good judgment during any trip abroad, travelers from around the world agree that Costa Rica is one of the safest countries to visit in all of Latin America. 

The economy of Costa Rica is highly dependent upon tourism, and many of the locals make their livelihoods from working in tourism and hospitality-related fields. The result is an extremely friendly attitude towards foreigners and increased safety measures in tourist hotspots around the country. If you’re still wondering how safe Costa Rica is, read on to learn about our own experiences in Costa Rica including safety tips to make your adventure worry-free!

Safety in Costa Rica Overview

Costa Rica is still growing and developing, especially economically. Like many places in Latin America, there is often a big wealth gap between tourists and locals. For these reasons, there is a chance that you might experience some crime like petty theft or getting scammed in some of the larger cities, but violent crime is rare. Overall, Costa Rica is extremely safe. It’s one of the safest countries in Latin America and is especially friendly for tourists. 

Even though Costa Rica is safe, it doesn’t mean you should totally let your guard down. It’s important to use common sense and keep your wits about you anytime you travel abroad, and Costa Rica is no exception. Keep a good eye on personal belongings, especially electronics – if you leave your IPad on the beach, there is a good chance it will get swiped. 

Another important thing to keep in mind when it comes to safety in Costa Rica is that not all danger comes from people. Costa Rica is a wild country with tons of species of animals that call the country home. The most dangerous things you will face in Costa Rica have nothing to do with crime. Many dangerous species are nocturnal – and if you’re in certain parts of the country or within the national parks, it’s a good idea to keep a flashlight with you at night to watch for snakes!

Don’t feed wild animals or try to pet them – they may seem super cute, and like they’re used to people, but they are wild animals, and if they feel scared or threatened, they will bite you, which can lead to nasty infections. 

Also, make sure you shake out clothes and shoes before you put them on so that you don’t get stung by a scorpion.

Wear shoes when swimming on rocky beaches so that you don’t get cut on sharp coral rocks. The tropics are ripe with bacteria, so cuts can become easily infected. Make sure you clean even small open wounds. 

Also, be sure to practice sun safety! Always wear sunscreen, look for shade, and keep hydrated.

Saftey in Costa Rica FAQs

Yes, public transportation in Costa Rica is safe and reliable. It is used by locals and tourists from all over the world and is one of the safest ways to get around. It is still a good idea to keep valuable items on your person and keep bags below your seat as opposed to the overhead bin. This is especially true if you think you might take a nap during the ride. 

Ubers in Costa Rica are safe and reliable, although they are usually only available in the bigger towns and cities like San Jose . When ordering an Uber, make sure you check the vehicle model and make as well as the auto plate number to verify that it is the driver you’re matched with. 

Yes, taxis are safe in Costa Rica. Make sure that you are using a legitimate registered taxi. In Costa Rica, these are red, and the safest place to get them is at a taxi stand. With that said, I recommend using Uber when you can. 

Costa Rica is extremely safe for locals and foreigners who call the country home. Many people from around the world choose to live in Costa Rica. 

Yes, Airbnb is safe in Costa Rica. There are occasionally scam listings so check reviews and messages with your host before committing. If things feel off – choose a different place to stay. 

Costa Rica is extremely safe for adventurous families – just make sure to keep a close eye on kids while they’re in the ocean or exploring the rainforest. 

Costa Rica is one of the safest destinations for female travelers in Central America. 

The roads in Costa Rica can get a little crazy. Overall, it’s a very safe place to drive. Just make sure to stay alert and go the speed limit. You should also avoid driving when it is dark.

15 Safety Tips for Costa Rica 

• Don’t leave your belongings unattended 
• Avoid walking around alone at night 
• Keep bags close on public transportation and at all times 
• Know some basic Spanish 
• Don’t wear overly flashy clothing or jewelry 
• Avoid carrying your passport 
• Avoid carrying large sums of cash 
• Lock up valuables at your hotel or vacation rental 
• Wear bug repellent to avoid insect-borne diseases 
• Walk with a flashlight after dark in the jungle 
• Lock vehicles when unattended and don’t leave any valuables in them
• Avoid illegal purchases 
• Check the license plate of your Uber or take an authorized taxi 
• Check in with friends and family, especially if you’re traveling solo 
• Stay in well-lit areas in larger towns and cities 
• Avoid becoming overly intoxicated 
• Travel with a cellphone that works in Costa rica (or buy a Costa Rica sim card to use during your travels)

Food and Drink Safety in Costa Rica 

The food safety standards in Costa Rica are in line with the rest of the world, and the street food is some of the safest in Latin America.

As a traveler, your body might not be used to some of the bacteria that can be found in the produce, so it is a good idea to peel fruits and veggies before eating them so that you don’t get an upset stomach on your trip. 

The water in Costa Rica is also widely accepted as being safe to drink. Most travelers never have any issues with the water. That being said, it is still a good idea to ask a staff member at your hotel, hostel, or vacation rental whether or not the water is deemed drinkable. 

I myself drink the water in every town in Costa Rica, including San Jose. To this day, I have not had any problems. In fact, I prefer the water in Costa Rica more than in Australia and Canada.

Safest Places to Visit in Costa Rica 

The safest places to visit in Costa Rica all have one thing in common – they’re tourist hot spots. Many of these communities thrive on tourism, and the locals make their living through working in eco-tourism and hospitality. They’re friendly places for travelers to visit and safe for everyone to enjoy. 

Nosara 

Nosara is known as an extremely safe place to visit and a great destination for families. The beautiful beaches and soft sand attract tons of travelers and expats who winter in Costa Rica or call it home year-round. There are also tons of beautiful hotels and holidays home to choose from in Nosara as well as plenty of trendy restaurants !

Samara is a safe place and a popular destination for solo travelers and solo female travelers. There are beautiful beaches and tons of fun activities and yoga classes. It’s also a family-friendly spot with very little drug activity, lots of hotels to choose from , and delicious local restaurants . 

Located in the Guanacaste Province , Tamarindo is a mid to large-sized town by Costa Rican standards. It has some great beaches and exciting nightlife without being quite as busy as other cities of comparable sizes. You’ll also find a huge selection of restaurants in Tamarindo to choose from! It is a lively place that is still super safe.  

Hot Tip: Read our blog about where to stay in Tamarindo before you go to stay in the best area!

Santa Teresa 

If you’re looking for a good balance of nightlife and beach vibes without sacrificing safety, Santa Teresa is a great option. This town features awesome surfing, and the crowd is younger, with a lot of European travelers on their gap year visiting for extended periods of time. It’s a small town, but it’s super lively with lots of bars and restaurants. You might experience pety theft, but generally, it’s all good vibes and surf culture.  

Related Read: There are some really amazing hotels in Santa Teresa that you should consider!

Montezuma is a laid-back bohemian beach town located in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica . It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for a blend of jungle and beach. It’s harder to get to, which means it is not as busy as some other spots making it even safer for visitors. 

Related Read: Check out the best hotels in Montezuma as well as our favorite restaurants !

Drake Bay is an extremely remote part of Costa Rica and is one of the safest places in the country due to the lack of people. On top of being an amazing place to spot wildlife and enjoy the natural side of Costa Rica, there is hardly any crime in this area.  Stay at one of the hotels near the beach for the best experience!

Puerto Jimenez 

Puerto Jimenez is a small town located on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica . It used to be a gold mining town and now offers a quiet retreat in one of the wildest places in Costa Rica. It’s small, and there isn’t much nightlife, which makes it super safe and a great option for families who are really looking to get up close and personal with nature. 

Hot Tip: Some of the best hotels in Puerto Jimenez are located outside of town in nature!

Uvita  

Uvita is a little town that is home to the famous Whale’s Tail landmark and beautiful beaches. The beach is regularly patrolled, which keeps crime to a minimum. It’s very relaxed and easygoing, with a good mix of locals, expats, and tourists. You’ll also find a good selection of hotels and restaurants in Uvita that are safe.

La Fortuna 

La Fortuna is one of the safest urban parts of Costa Rica. It’s a major hub for tourism and a jumping-off place for a lot of amazing tours. There is a decent nightlife scene, and most visitors feel very safe, even walking at night. You can wander around checking out the different bars and restaurants in La Fortuna without having to worry too much.

With that said, there is a drug economy in La Fortuna, so it’s best to avoid bars late at night. 

Related Read: Check out the best hot springs in La Fortuna while you’re there.

Monteverde is also known as the Monteverde Cloud Forest and offers a stunning natural retreat for hiking through the protected habitat. Monteverde itself is super tiny and is geared towards travelers with a sprinkle of small cafes and restaurants as well as hostels and lodges. It’s a quiet place without crazy nightlife and is mostly frequented by eco-tourism-minded visitors which makes it a safe spot to visit. 

Places to use more Caution in Costa Rica  

Although Costa Rica as a whole is incredibly safe for tourists, there are a few areas where it is appropriate to use a bit more caution. This is by no means an attempt to discourage you from visiting these areas – all of Costa Rica is incredibly beautiful, but these areas are often bigger and more traveled and have higher rates of crime than some of the smaller tourist hubs around the country. 

It’s good to use a bit more caution when visiting any of these spots during your trip to Costa Rica. In general, the Caribbean Coast is thought to be a bit more dangerous than the Pacific side of Costa Rica due to the larger towns and ports that focus on shipping and commerce. Again, don’t overlook it all together – the Caribbean side is home to some of the country’s best cuisine and music, so it’s well worth a visit. 

When visiting these areas, pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t leave personal items unattended, and consider leaving important items locked up in a safe at your accommodations. Pick-pocketing and petty theft are the main things you’ll run into, but there is also an increase in drug trafficking in women in these places, which can get seedy. Be aware, and take care! 

Puerto Limon 

Puerto Limon is the most violent province in Costa Rica. It is the center of the drug trafficking that happens throughout Costa Rica, which leads to huge upticks in violent crime. If you aren’t buying drugs – you should be okay, but there is also all of the other crime that sort of commerce brings into an area. In Limon, theft is common. Use extra caution to keep your personal belongings safe. 

San Jose is the largest city in Costa Rica and the nation’s capital. It’s a sprawling city within the Central Valley region and is home to more than a third of the country’s population. Most people just use San Jose as a stop-over point on their way in or way out, but it’s still worth visiting. There are cool museums and an emerging foodie scene that make it worthwhile.

Generally speaking, it is still a safe city to visit, but it’s important to know which neighborhoods to avoid. The areas to stay away from include Los Guido, Desamparados, Pavas, La Carpio, Leon XIII, El Carmen, and the El Infiernillo area of Alajuela . 

The crime rate has increased over the past few years, but most of it is petty theft. Keep your personal belongings safely strapped to your body to avoid becoming a victim of theft in San Jose. Avoid walking alone at night or down unlit streets. The city has many beautiful parks, but it is best to avoid all of them at night. 

Puerto Viejo

Crime is more of a problem in Puerto Viejo than in other similar beach towns in Costa Rica . Most of the crime is still limited to petty theft, but there have been increases in violent crime over the past several years, especially in regard to drug trafficking. 

Be extremely watchful of your belongings, and don’t walk alone after dark. Be cautious and careful if you visit this part of Costa Rica. 

I want to leave a special mention to female travelers. As a female myself, it is very important to be careful in Puerto Viejo. There have been rare crimes involving groups of men, and it is very important to travel in large groups if you can late at night. 

Although I still love Puerto Viejo, and it is one of my favorite towns in Costa Rica, I am extremely disappointed at the local authorities who have let crimes like this go unpunished. 

You can read more about a recent incident in Puerto Viejo here .

Hot Tip: If you do visit, check out our blog on the best areas to stay in Puerto Viejo for the safest and most touristic areas!

Jaco is a popular tourist destination on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, located just a few hours from San Jose by car. There is a pretty active nightlife in Jaco combined with the beachy vibes. It attracts throngs of tourists looking to party. While Jaco can be a lot of fun, it’s a busier city, and the party/drug culture means there is more crime. 

With that said, we both really enjoy Jaco. There are tons of activities to enjoy as well as top-rated restaurants , bars, as well as hotels and resorts !

Is Solo Travel in Costa Rica Safe? 

Solo travel in Costa Rica is extremely safe, as long as you use common sense. Most travelers and locals speak some amount of English, so even if you aren’t a Spanish speaker, you’ll still be able to get around relatively easier and find people to help you navigate during your travels. There’s a great infrastructure and a safe and reliable public transportation system throughout the country. 

Solo female travelers feel particularly safe traveling in Costa Rica. It’s one of the best countries for solo female travelers and even first-time solo female travelers. For one thing, it’s easy to get around and has a thriving hostel culture which makes it easy to make friends and find groups to go out with at night.

The whole country is set up to be tourist friendly and there are a variety of tours and experiences geared towards solo travelers available for solo females to book during their stay. Out of anywhere in Latin America, we would vote Costa Rica as the perfect destination for solo female travelers and especially first-timers.

Travel Scams to Watch Out for in Costa Rica

Like any tourist destination, you may run into some scams that are geared toward travelers during your trip to Costa Rica. It’s nothing to worry about, just be aware. Remember, if something feels off – it probably is. Trust your gut and watch out for some of these common travel scams. 

• Broken taxi meters
• Short changing or incorrect currency exchange 
• Car rentals that seem cheap but have huge fees for insurance 
• Fake vacation rentals online 

To avoid these scams, make sure that you have a good idea of the currency and what things cost, and do some research before booking rental cars and vacation rentals. 

Diseases in Costa Rica

Like many tropical destinations, certain diseases and illnesses are more common in Costa Rica . It’s a good idea to make sure you’re up to date on your routine vaccinations before you go as well as getting your Hepatitis shots if you haven’t already. 

Mosquito-borne illnesses like Malaria, Dengue, and Yellow Fever are more common in Costa Rica. It’s a good idea to wear a high-quality insect repellent, and if you are traveling to certain areas, you may want to consider taking a Malaria medication during your trip. Check with your doctor for suggestions.

Rabies is more common as well. If you’re bitten or scratched by a dog or another wild animal, it’s important to get a rabies vaccination right away.

To avoid pesky parasites, it’s a good idea to be cautious of contaminated water. When swimming in fresh water, make sure not to get any in your mouth. Agricultural runoff, including animal urine, often ends up in freshwater swimming holes, which can lead to parasites. If you do develop symptoms of a parasite, visit a doctor for treatment. 

Costa Rica Travel Insurance 

Always get travel insurance before you travel. This is especially true in Costa Rica because things are not very cheap here. Medical bills add up very quickly if you end up in hospital, not to mention, if you are a victim of theft, travel insurance will replace your items. Travel insurance isn’t just a piece of mind, but to us, it’s essential!

When we are going on a trip, the insurance provider we always use is SafetyWing . Their travel medical insurance is very affordable at only $45 USD per every 4-weeks. The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once you’ve left your home country – we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport.  

We’ve both personally used both SafetyWing for different trips, and we’ve been reimbursed for countless expenses when we’ve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive.)

It’s safe to say that travel insurance has saved us thousands over the years!

Getting Around Costa Rica

How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level. 

Renting a Car

Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.

One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.

Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.

Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.

You can  browse cars on Discover Cars here .

Book Shuttles

If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica , or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.

Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)

To get the best price, use the website  Bookaway . They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway! 

You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.

Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!  

The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!

It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.

The BEST Things to do in Costa Rica

While there are so many fun things to do in Costa Rica , a couple of specific attractions and activities stand out amongst the rest. They are:

Explore Volcanoes

There are some impressive (and beautiful!) volcanoes that you’ll want to check out while you’re here.

Poas Volcano is known for its bright blue crater lake. Poas Volcano is most commonly visited on a day trip from San Jose. This Poas Volcano tour from San Jose is one of the best you can do since it also includes a visit to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens as well as a coffee farm.

Arenal Volcano is also one of Costa Rica’s top attractions. Arenal Volcano is located closest to the town of La Fortuna. You can book this full-day tour from La Fortuna that takes you to the volcano to hike, the famous La Fortuna Waterfall and even a hanging bridge – it’s a full day of adventure!

Chase Waterfalls

La Fortuna Waterfall is one of our favorite waterfalls in all of Costa Rica. You can easily visit it on this full-day tour in La Fortuna that also visits hot springs.

Rio Celeste is another beautiful waterfall that is famous for its bright blue water. Rio Celeste is a popular attraction to visit from Guanacaste Province and this particular tour includes transport from there. Alternatively, you can book this tour from La Fortuna or this tour from San Jose .

See the wildlife

Costa Rica is the place for wildlife lovers! One of the best places to see lots of animals in their wild habitat is at Manuel Antonio National Park . With the help of a guide you will see plenty of birds, monkeys, and even sloths! This particular tour is super popular and also has amazing reviews, so you really can;t go wrong.

There are also lots of wildlife rescue centers around the country that are worth visiting. The Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo is one of our favorites as well as Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in San Jose where you can book this private tour.

So, is Costa Rica safe?

Hopefully, this article leaves you feeling confident about embarking on your adventure in Costa Rica. The tiny country is one of the safest places for tourists to visit in Central America, with reliable infrastructure, tourist-friendly locals, and low crime rates in most places.

 If you’re still left wondering whether or not Costa Rica is safe, remember that crime exists everywhere in the world. It’s important to stay aware and use common sense anytime you venture abroad, but out of all the countries out there, Costa Rica is one of the safest spots for everyone and anyone to enjoy! 

Rio Celeste visitor guide

Where to stay in La Fortuna

Guide to visiting Manuel Antonio National Park

How to Live Abroad

• The World's Best Places to Retire
• Travel—How, When, and Where to Go
• Real Estate Overseas
• Earn, Bank, Diversify, Invest
• Retirement Planning
• How to Move Out of the U.S.
• All Destinations
• Editor's Choice
• Daily e-Letter
• Our Experts
• Testimonials

Is Costa Rica Safe - Complete Travel Safety Guide 2022

One of the most important things to research when choosing to vacation or live overseas is safety. Costa Rica is ranked 38th in the 2022 Global Peace Index, out of 163 countries, and takes the top stop in Latin America. This ranking is based on factors like terrorism, threat to the ecology, access to guns, mass shootings, human rights, relations with neighboring countries, a well-functioning government, etc. Although Costa Rica is considered a very peaceful place, there are still some things you should be aware of.

Is It Safe to Live Costa Rica - Expat Safety

International Living writes about places that are considered safe for living or visiting. Many towns and regions we cover have large expat communities. Expats and locals work vigilantly to keep their neighborhoods safe. There are a number of Facebook and Whatsapp crime watch groups and even community apps that alert members to any criminal activity in the area. Chances are you are not going to hear about violent crime in the idyllic beach towns dotting the coasts or the quiet villages and farms perched in the mountains of the Central Valley . But crime does happen in Costa Rica, like nearly every country in the world.

Petty Crime in Costa Rica

Petty crime has long been an issue—especially in popular beach town areas and larger cities. For example, purse snatching off the back of a restaurant chair has been known to happen. A cell phone left on your table when you pop into the bathroom is also at risk of disappearing. Always keep an eye on your belongings. Keep your purse on your lap or use a fanny pack and gentlemen, place your phone/wallet in your front pocket. Always have someone looking after your items at the beach or waterfalls while swimming. And, of course, never flash large amounts of money or wear expensive jewelry. It just makes you a potential target.

Sometimes we drop our guard when on vacation in a place that feels so comfortable and friendly. But when common sense is used, occurrences like this are easily avoided.

Home Invasions in Costa Rica

Since COVID-19, Costa Rica has experienced a greater wealth disparity and increasing unemployment. Due to these circumstances, some higher-end and middle-class neighborhoods have experienced an occasional home invasion. The security experts recommend electronic security systems, cameras, bars on the first-floor windows, and/or guard dogs. Gated communities also offer a layer of security. This is not to say it is commonplace, but you do need to consider safety when purchasing or renting a home, especially if it is somewhat isolated.

Keeping your Money Safe in Costa Rica

Carrying a passport, credit/debit cards, and money are part of international travel. Keeping them safe takes diligence. Be sure that wherever you are staying a lockable safe box is provided. They are typical in Costa Rican accommodations, but be sure to ask. Keep extra cash and your passport there—not with you. It is good to have a copy of your passport in your wallet or purse and photos of it and your tourist visa (the 90-day stamp you receive from immigration at the airport) on your phone.

It is also good to have the phone number of your bank or credit card company in a safe place in case your card is lost or stolen.

Don’t withdraw money at an ATM at night if you can help it. During the opening hours of the bank, there is usually a guard on site for security. Don’t carry large amounts of money with you at any given time. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas.

Also watch out for investment scams. Although uncommon, if someone invites you to invest in something—a business, real estate, etc. and it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always consult a vetted local lawyer or accountant before committing to making any large purchases.

Get Your Free Costa Rica Report Here

Learn more about Costa Rica and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you a FREE REPORT - Explore the Old World in Laidback Costa Rica .

By submitting your email address, you will receive a free subscription to IL Postcards and special offers from International Living and our affiliates. You can unsubscribe at any time, and we encourage you to read more about our Privacy Policy .

Transportation in Costa Rica

Traveling around Costa Rica is considered safe—whether in a car, bus, taxi, or even on foot. Although, it is not recommended to travel after dark by car (unless it is a short distance and you are familiar with the route).

Regarding taxis, be sure you are in a licensed taxi with a meter. Some of the smaller towns do not have metered cabs, so be sure to negotiate the price upfront. If the driver makes you uncomfortable in any way, take a different cab. Uber is becoming a viable alternative. They have been operating in San Jose for many years, but are now expanding to many other towns. This mode of transport is always considered safe, dependable, and affordable.

Buses run all day and into the night covering nearly every town in Costa Rica. They are safe and cheap. Just be aware of your surroundings and your items on board. If you are in a car and will be parked for sightseeing, etc., be sure all items within the car are hidden. It is recommended not to have any valuables in your parked car, if it can be avoided. A parked rental car with a suitcase is a huge signal to thieves who think they will hit the electronics jackpot and maybe a few passports too.

Automobile smash and grabs do happen in popular tourist areas or on city streets. We have a small Costa Rican flag (available at souvenir stores) hanging from our rear-view mirror and a Spanish newspaper on our dashboard. This signals to people we are “locals.”

Nightlife Safety in Costa Rica

My Costa Rican attorney always tells me, “Nothing good happens on the streets after midnight.” This is good advice for the late-night party crowd. The same rules you would use going out clubbing or partying in your hometown would apply to Costa Rica. Ladies (and men), never leave your drink unattended. You don’t know when someone might slip something into it.

If you order a mixed drink, ask for an international brand of liquor. A few years ago, there were some instances of alcohol poisoning with local brands of Costa Rican liquor called guaro. The name brands cost more, but it is worth it for your safety.

Solo Female Travel in Costa Rica

Lately, there has been an increase in female travelers and female digital nomads to Costa Rica. Of course, women should take heed of all of the points covered above, but there are also some things specific to women that need to be addressed. Besides being aware of your surroundings, avoiding places not well-lit at night, and keeping an eye on your drink.

Costa Rican men are very charming and friendly. But, don’t get swept away with the allure of a stranger while under the influence of alcohol until you get to know them better. Never let a stranger know where you live or are staying, and do not let them know initially that you are traveling alone.

Have a phone that works in Costa Rica; whether you have an international plan or a local sim card. Be sure to have a phone number of a trusted local person—your hotel manager, a local Airbnb host, your neighbor, your realtor—someone you can call if you need help in an emergency. If you are walking from a club late at night, be sure you are accompanied by someone you know and trust.

Expat communities in Costa Rica host numerous events, from music to art classes, sports, volunteer opportunities, etc. Therefore, you can find many opportunities to meet other solo travelers. The best way to research events is to join a local Facebook group. You don’t have to dine alone either. Look for cooking classes to take or foodie tours to enjoy a dining community.

Be sure to route your map before you embark on an adventure by foot, bike, or in a rental car. People who look confused can be an easy target for someone unsavory.

Recreational Drugs in Costa Rica

The laws surrounding marijuana in Costa Rica are complicated, contested, and ever-changing.

Regarding recreational use, a court determined in 2018 that if a person grows cannabis in their homes, without it being used for trafficking or sales, it is permitted and is not a danger to public health. It needs to be grown and consumed in your home or on your private property. If you take it onto the streets you could find yourself in trouble with the law (although this is extremely rare). That being said, you will find marijuana sold almost everywhere in the country. If you want to partake, it is best to check in with a trusted local first, not some random seller on the beach, to make sure you are getting a good quality product. There is no refund policy!

You can also find hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, molly, etc. We recommend it is best to stay away from purchasing any illegal drugs. Not only for the health aspect but, trust me, one does not want to spend time in a Costa Rican jail and pay hefty fines, or be deported and prohibited to return to Costa Rica for any length of time.

Prostitution in Costa Rica

Prostitution is the world’s oldest profession and is legal in Costa Rica. However, many of the activities surrounding it are illegal. The law forbids promoting or facilitating the prostitution of another. Therefore pimping, brothels, or prostitution rings are illegal. Prostitution is practiced openly throughout the country, particularly in popular tourism destinations like Jacó , Playas del Coco , Tamarindo , and San José.

The government has enacted a voluntary registration for prostitutes. Those who register with the CCSS (healthcare system) carry an ID card and are entitled to a free health check every 15 days. Registration also allows them to receive support and assistance—making the profession safer for both workers and clients.

As mentioned with drugs, if you are going to partake, it is best to check in with a local or regular client for references or be sure the worker has a health ID card.

Swimming in Costa Rica

With nearly 800 miles of coastline, Costa Rica boasts over 300 beaches . Some are good for surfing; others have smaller waves and are family friendly, and even some are good for snorkeling. However, it is good to exercise caution if you are not familiar with the waters. Very few beaches in Costa Rica have lifeguards. It is beneficial to you to check with locals or others at the beach to understand the water conditions. Costa Rican waters are known for rip tides and can be a challenge for even the strongest swimmers.

It is best to try to keep your feet on the surface as much as possible if swimming in rough water. The experts share these tips if you do encounter a riptide:

Don’t Panic (easier said than done).

Do not try to swim back to shore if you get caught in a riptide.

Try to regain your footing, if possible, but don’t struggle with it, if you can’t.

Lie on your back and float, pushing your hips and face out of the water.

Expect to be pulled away from shore as much as 200 yards. A riptide will not drag you under water, but away from the shore.

When the current weakens you will be able to swim parallel to the shoreline and then into shore once outside of the riptide.

It can happen anywhere, but the particular beaches most commonly known for riptides include:

Playa Espadilla at Manuel Antonio

Dominical Beach

Playa Hermosa near Jacó

Playa Herradura on the Pacific Coast

Swimming in rivers also requires a bit of caution due to the possibility of freshwater crocodiles, and venomous snakes (although rare). Be sure to check with the locals or a guide before jumping in.

Remember, most swimming accidents occur due to unfamiliar territory or intoxication.

Areas to Avoid in Costa Rica

In the neighborhoods like los Cuadros de Goicochea near San José, El Infiernillo in Alajuela, or la Cieneguita in Limón province , there are some quasi gangs. Their activities are mostly centered around territorial disputes within their own neighborhoods, and the sale of drugs. You would most likely never consider visiting or living in these places, anyway.

But even in other towns that are considered “safe,” it is best to avoid certain places after dark—especially when alone. That would include dark alleyways, any of the beaches or parks late at night, and places where you see drugs exchanging hands.

Drinking Tap Water in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the few Latin American countries with tap water that is considered safe to drink from the tap without a filter. However, many expats use some sort of filtration system or purchase large refillable water dispensers. It is recommended for anyone who has a delicate digestive system or after a recent storm/area flooding to err on the side of caution. Bottled water is readily available all over the country.

By implementing a few practical precautions, your time in Costa Rica should be safe, peaceful, and carefree.

Related Articles

Costa Rica Facts to Tell Your Friends

Maps of Costa Rica: Best Beachside and Mountain Towns

Best Places to Live in Costa Rica: Five Top Expat Havens

Click here to see more results

FOR YOU, FOR FREE: 17 years' worth of firsthand Costa Rica trip planning and travel advice compiled into hundreds of articles, plus exclusive discounts. Created by a Costa Rican and a four-time published Costa Rica guidebook author. Welcome, amigos, and as we say in Costa Rica, pura vida!

Our 2023 Moon Costa Rica guidebook (third edition)

Our 2022 Moon Best of Costa Rica guidebook (first edition)

Our 2021 Moon Costa Rica guidebook (second edition)

Our 2019 Moon Costa Rica guidebook (first edition)

• Moon Travel Guides
• FREE DIY COSTA RICA ACCESS! Details here.

Our company is inclusive.  Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here.

NEW! Our awesome Costa Rica Destination Tool filters 66 destinations by nearly 150 criteria to help you quickly and easily decide where to go in Costa Rica according to your unique preferences, wants, and needs. Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here.

Costa Rica Safety Guide: Is Costa Rica Safe? Yes, If You Do This.

Home » Safety and Practicalities » Costa Rica Safety Guide: Is Costa Rica Safe? Yes, If You Do This.

Last updated on April 22nd, 2024 at 11:16 am GMT-6 (Costa Rica time)

Written by Nikki Solano

Get the Costa Rica info you need by browsing our article's TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Costa Rica is safe if you travel consciously, cleverly, and with common sense. Here’s how.

Keep an eye on your possessions, watch out for sticky fingers at the airport, avoid visiting the beach after dark, avoid visiting an atm machine after dark, don’t spend more time than necessary at destinations with high crime rates, take protective measures at your accommodation(s), avoid swimming anywhere when the water/surf/waves are rough, educate yourself on riptides, rip currents, and undertows, if you rent a car, avoid driving after dark, if you rent a car, purchase the maximum amount of car rental insurance, remember to lock your rental car and you keep your eye on your belongings while using transportation services, don’t take a taxi that’s not an official red taxi or an airport taxi, don’t become a victim of a car rental scam, bring a copy of your passport to costa rica with you, email yourself a copy of all important receipts, confirmations, and travel documents, browse online safely, have your credit card provider temporarily release any international travel spending bans on your account, don’t rely on traveler’s cheques, don’t purchase tours from street-corner salesmen, check (and double-check) your currency conversion, divvy up your cash and credit cards in your luggage, unless specifically identified as potable, avoid drinking tap water, keep a list of common spanish phrases and questions handy throughout your trip, especially if you have food allergies, sensitivities, or other dietary requests, keep a safe distance from all wildlife using this calculation, stay on marked nature trails, refrain from exploring costa rica’s natural areas with your fingers and hands, avoid swimming or wading in waterlogged areas, snake safety, crocodile safety, jungle cat safety, mosquito safety, get and remain organized, plan and pack for your tours/activities accordingly, pay attention to travel-planning details, don’t assume other people care more about your well-being than you do, remember, your costa rica trip is just a vacation.

If you’re asking yourself, “ Is Costa Rica safe? ” pat yourself on the back. Asking this question means safety is top of mind, and if you’re a traveler who prioritizes safety, you’re more likely to experience safe travels.

Our quick answer to your question is “ Yes, Costa Rica is safe. ” Is Costa Rica a utopia of purity and obedience? No, but what country is? Costa Rica isn’t problem-free , but it’s better than you’ve probably been led to believe, especially if your beliefs have been tainted by the struggles of other Central American nations.

Across all Central American nations, Costa Rica sticks out like a sore thumbs up. With nods in the directions of health care, education, environmental preservation, law enforcement, technological advancement, and tourism development, Costa Rica is a progressive second-world country. Costa Rica is also a travel destination that we feel comfortable recommending to travel groups, families with children, senior travelers, and independent backpackers, provided everyone acts responsibly.

Part of being a responsible traveler is knowing how to travel consciously, cleverly, and with common sense. If you could use some guidance in these areas, especially with respect to Costa Rica travel, familiarize yourself with our Costa Rica safety guide below. It outlines several ways to stay safe in Costa Rica.

Robbery and assault

Regardless of how you travel around Costa Rica and where you go, never leave your possessions unattended . Some common places where belongings are easily swiped include:

• Bus stations: Keep an eye on belongings near your seat at the station, in overhead bins on inside the bus, and in under-bus compartments outside of the bus.
• Beaches: Don’t bring valuable items to the beach unless a member of your travel group will stay within arm’s reach of them at all times. If you’re traveling alone and you wish to swim, consider bringing a small drybag to Costa Rica so you can take important items, such as hotel room keys and car keys, safely into the water with you.
• Airports: More on this below…

During Costa Rica’s high season, the exit gates at the SJO and LIR airports resemble mosh pits at heavy metal concerts. Swarms of professional drivers and hotel representatives flock to the airport exits to locate their clients, resulting in a crowd of Costa Ricans yelling out names, holding up signs, and asking travelers if they need a ride. Unattended luggage can quickly go missing amid the chaos. When you exit either airport, keep your luggage tightly in tow , and don’t stop walking until you’re on the other side of the crowd. Once you’re through the mass, you can stop, breathe in Costa Rica’s warm and humid air, gather your thoughts, and figure out where you need to go.

Every country has its good guys and its bad guys. Walking on the beach after dark, especially if you’re a woman and you’re traveling alone, is a big no-no . Common sense suggests that you can minimize your own vulnerability by not putting yourself in situations where you’re an easy target. Unfortunately, hanging out at any Costa Rican beach after dark (as peaceful and as calming as it sounds) is one of those situations.

Like nighttime trips to the beach, visiting an ATM after dark is a situation best avoided. Bluntly put, doing so puts you at risk for robbery and assault. Though plenty of people withdraw cash from ATMs after dark without problem, we don’t recommend trying your luck.

Obviously, crime can occur in any city, town, or community in Costa Rica, so being safe isn’t as simple as choosing some destinations over others. That said, there are pockets of places in Costa Rica that are markedly dangerous, especially for foreigners. Take note of the following list:

• The capital city of San Jose , mainly in non tourist-friendly areas that fall outside of the downtown core (a 12×10-block space) that we cover in our related blog post, 15 Things To Do In San Jose Costa Rica (And 3 Things To Skip Doing)
• The port city of Limon , on the Caribbean coast
• The town of Siquirres , between San Jose and Limon
• The town Guapiles , between San Jose and Limon
• The port city of Puntarenas , on the Pacific coast

Sometimes, Costa Rica travel plans require travelers to briefly visit or pass through one or more of the above areas. (For example, travel to Tortuguero typically requires passing through the Guapiles or Siquirres area, travel to popular southern Caribbean destinations like Cahuita and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca typically requires passing by Limon, and travel to destinations on the Nicoya Peninsula oftentimes sees travelers catching ferries from Puntarenas.) While we wouldn’t advise changing those travel plans (if you do, you’ll miss out on some key Costa Rican experiences!), it’s important to stay alert and minimize the amount of time you spend at any dangerous place . Suffice to stay, Limon, Siquirres, Guapiles, and Puntarenas are not places to make pitstops at. If possible, avoid staying overnight at any one of those places too.

This recommendation requires a disclaimer: Not once during my extensive travels in Costa Rica, which have seen me stay at hundreds of accommodations since the mid-2000s, have I ever been the victim of a break-and-enter or assault at a Costa Rican accommodation. That said, there are protective measures that I always take, regardless of where I stay, so it’s possible that my due diligence in this regard has contributed to, if not caused, this success. These are some of the protective measures that I take, and although some of them may seem extreme, I always err on the side of caution and prioritize safety whenever I travel:

• As soon as I enter a hotel room, I scan the entire room , including the closet, the shower, and under the bed, for intruders.
• I ensure all doors and windows have the ability to lock securely.
• I plug a handful of small nightlights into wall sockets around the room for use overnight (all of the plastic shields have been removed so each one is essentially a plug and tiny lightbulb).
• I set my portable, rechargeable, battery-operated lantern on the night table , within reach of the bed.
• I place my charged cell phone, which has a loud audio recording of an alarm saved on it (in the event that I ever need to sound off an alarm) on the night table, within reach of the bed.
• I set my portable doorstop alarm (pictured at the top of this article) to the “on” setting and position it under the front door.

Water safety (swimming and surfing safety)

This one should go without saying, but there have been far too many drowning incidents in Costa Rica to not explicitly state here that swimming in Costa Rica can be dangerous . Enter every body of water—whether it be the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, a river, a waterfall, a hot spring, a pool, and/or a swimming hole—at your own risk. Riptides, rip currents, and undertows plague Costa Rica’s coasts and should always be a concern no matter which beach you visit. This being said, the currents at some Costa Rican beaches are stronger than others. Several beaches are marked with signs that indicate if dangerous water conditions are present but this doesn’t mean that beaches without signs are safe to swim at. Always swim cautiously and keep little ones within arm’s reach at all times . No beach getaway is worth your life or the life of someone you love.

Panic is a leading cause of drowning. Before you travel, take a minute to familiarize yourself with the proper way of escaping a riptide/rip current (the internet has tons of information on this topic, simply search for “How to escape a riptide” or “How to escape a rip current”) so in the unfortunate event that you find yourself caught up in one during your trip, you’ll not only have the knowledge of how to get out but also you’ll have the confidence to execute that knowledge calmly.

If you’re unfamiliar with the terminology, know that riptides and rip currents are both strong currents that move water in a direction opposite the shore. (Riptides coincide with outgoing tides while rip currents can occur at any time.) In contrast, undertows typically run parallel to beaches and coincide with strong waves. All three water hazards can pull you deep into the water .

Transportation and driving safety

Not sure if renting a car in Costa Rica is the right choice for you? Don’t miss our related blog post: Renting A Car In Costa Rica: Should You Do It?

Sundown in Costa Rica is around 6:00pm . If you intend to rent a car in Costa Rica, plan an itinerary that doesn’t require you to drive after dark so you don’t need to deal with the following hazards that can be tricky to see or maneuver at night:

• Roads without streetlights
• Roads laden with bumps and/or potholes
• Roads with sharp curves
• Roads that edge cliffs and don’t have guardrails
• Ceda (yield) signs that require drivers to slow down, if not come to a full stop (in the event of oncoming traffic)
• Bicyclists and/or motorcyclists with dim lights on their vehicles, if any lights at all
• Individuals walking along the shoulders of roads without sidewalks
• Wandering nocturnal wildlife

In addition, Costa Rica’s roads and weather conditions—mainly rain and fog —can produce poor visibility and other unfavorable driving conditions. If you absolutely must travel after dark, consider hiring a shared shuttle service or a private transfer service to get you where you need to go. Professional drivers are better familiar with Costa Rica’s roads and they know how to adapt to the country’s fluctuating weather conditions.

As to be expected, some routes in Costa Rica are more difficult to drive than others . Although we stand true to our recommendation above to not drive at night if possible, the following routes are particularly challenging and should absolutely not be driven after dark:

• Highway 2 between Cartago and San Isidro de El General (Cerro de la Muerte)
• Road 702 between Bajo Rodriguez (45 minutes south of La Fortuna) and San Ramon
• Road 142 between the Lake Arenal dam (20 minutes west of La Fortuna) and Tilaran
• Road 160 between Nosara and Samara
• Road 160 between Carrillo and Cobano
• Road 145/Road 606 between Tilaran and Monteverde
• Road 145/Road 606 between Las Juntas and Monteverde
• Road 606 between Sardinal and Monteverde
• Highway 32 between San Jose and Limon

Travelers aren’t immune to car accidents, so it’s possible you might find yourself caught up in one if you drive in Costa Rica. Though there’s no way to guarantee you won’t get into a car accident, you can maximize your protection by purchasing full (optional) car insurance . Yes, in this case, the total rental cost will be much more expensive than if you select basic mandatory insurance. Consider the price difference payment for your peace of mind. For more information about car insurance, see our related blog post: Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance Information .

If you rent a car in Costa Rica, keep it locked at all times and parked in a secure and well-lit area. Don’t leave possessions in vehicles overnight. If you plan to use shared shuttle services or private transfer services to get around, keep your eyes on the vehicle if it makes a stop along the way. If you need to leave the vehicle (i.e., to eat or to visit the bathroom), take valuable possessions with you . Before de-boarding, check under and around your seat for any possessions that may have slipped out of your bags during the ride.

Unofficial taxi drivers, who are also known as piratas , use their own vehicles for transporting individuals around Costa Rica. They are unlicensed drivers and therefore don’t provide the same level of professional, regulated service as official taxi drivers. I’d be lying if I said that Ricky and I don’t use them (we’re friends with several unofficial taxi drivers in Costa Rica), but we would never rely on one that we’re not personally familiar with and you shouldn’t either. Stick to official red taxis (taxis that drive red cars with a yellow triangle on the door) or official airport taxis (taxis that drive orange cars and are parked outside the airport) unless you know and trust an unofficial taxi driver.

Some vehicle rental agencies in Costa Rica practice shady business. For more information about this, see our related blog post: How Not To Fall For Costa Rica Car Rental Scams .

Identification and document safekeeping

Everyone thinks they won’t lose their passport until they do. Bring a hard copy (or two) of your passport with you to Costa Rica and keep it on you throughout your trip . Some tour operators will ask to see it if you plan to participate in guided tours, primarily tours that take place near the borders that Costa Rica shares with Nicaragua and Panama. Meanwhile, store your original passport in a safe place (i.e., lock it in your hotel room’s safe or lock it in your luggage). If you’d rather carry your original passport on your person, use a discrete carrying device such as a thin waste belt or cross-body bag that you can hide under your clothes.

If traveling with a copy of your passport is a smart idea, it’s equally smart to email yourself an electronic copy of all important travel documents so you can retrieve them online in the event you lose your hard copies. Internet access is widespread in Costa Rica, so your electronic documents will never be far away.

Money and spending safety

Non-secure Wi-Fi signals (and in some cases, secure Wi-Fi signals) can put your electronic devices at risk of being hacked by people who are tapped into the same signal as you. Avoid logging into private accounts (such as your online banking account) or sending or opening confidential information when you are connected to a non-secure Wi-Fi signal in Costa Rica. Limit your internet use to necessary travel-related functions; for example, to verify online schedules, to communicate with individuals who are helping you coordinate trip details, or to review reservation confirmation details.

Some credit card providers place bans on international credit card purchases to help prevent fraud. Call your credit card provider to confirm whether an international spending ban is in place for your account and if so, ask them to temporarily lift the ban during the period you intend to travel. This should help you avoid a situation where you’re desperate and strapped for cash in Costa Rica.

Most hotels, tour operators, transportation service providers, restaurants, and stores in Costa Rica do not accept traveler’s cheques. A handful of all-inclusive resorts are the exception. If you don’t feel comfortable carrying a full vacation’s worth of cash during your trip and you don’t want to pay for items with a credit card to avoid abhorrent fees, you can bring traveler’s cheques to Costa Rica with the intent to visit a bank every few days to cash them in increments. At the bank, make sure the signature you draw on each cheque is an exact match to the signature provided on your identification . In the past, I was refused the use of traveler’s cheques at Costa Rican banks because my signatures varied ever so slightly. Not only did one bank deny me access to my own cash, but I was subsequently denied service at a second bank because my traveler’s cheques had already been signed elsewhere, leaving me without claim to my own money.

Tour salesmen gather on street corners in popular tourist towns in Costa Rica. Some are legitimate sellers, but others are scam artists who see you coming a mile away. Save yourself the doubt and a headache, not to mention the hassle and financial loss caused by fraudulent sales, and reserve your preferred nature and adventure tours online through reputable companies before traveling to Costa Rica . Alternatively, you may find yourself waiting at your hotel for a tour pick-up service that was never coordinated, or hunting down the street-patrolling salesman who walked off with your hard-earned cash.

The process of exchanging money between US dollars and Costa Rican colones is an opportunity for buyers to take advantage of purchasers. Make sure you know the going currency conversion rate and you understand the exchange between the currency types . You may find it helpful to create a small rate conversion cheat sheet and keep it with you throughout your trip ; our related blog post: Costa Rican Colones To American Dollars: Exchanging Money In Costa Rica provides a few to get you going. The cheat sheet will come in handy when you’re standing in a checkout line, hurriedly trying to calculate how many dollars you need to purchase an item priced in colones, or vice versa.

Have you ever experienced a moment of panic when you grab at your pocket and your wallet is nowhere to be found? Those few seconds are frightening and frustrating. While we can’t be sure you won’t lose your wallet in Costa Rica, if you split your cash and credit cards across your luggage before you travel, we bet you’ll be less likely to panic if you do. H ide your cash and credit cards in at least three separate pieces of luggage , assuming you have them. This way, if you happen to lose some during your trip, you’ll have at least two backup funding sources that you can rely on throughout the remainder of your vacation.

Food and drink safety

You may find that our advice here goes against that of other Costa Rica resources, who state that the tap water is fine to drink in most parts of Costa Rica, save for destinations on the Caribbean side of the country and remote, non-touristy communities countrywide. While we don’t disagree (as a born-and-raised Costa Rican, Ricky only ever drank the tap water and he’s perfectly fine), we’ve worked with travelers long enough to know that sometimes the local water just doesn’t agree with their systems, not because the water is notably unsanitary but because of body sensitivities. Saying that the tap water is clean (in most areas of the country) feels pointless if the tap water is still going to make some travelers feel unwell, so, in an effort to help every traveler feel as good as possible during their trip, we’ll say this: stick to drinking water from sources that specifically confirm the water is potable. Assuming the source can be trusted, we believe you’ll be less likely to react to that water than water from other taps, even if you’re at a destination where the tap water is generally thought to be potable. If in doubt, you can bring your own water filter to Costa Rica or purchase bottled water throughout your trip, although the latter option isn’t eco-friendly. 🙁

If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t fret! Most Costa Ricans who work in the tourism industry speak English , at least enough to get by while corresponding with travelers. You may find yourself in a situation, though, where you wish you could mutter more than “ Hola! “, “ Adios! “, and “ Una cerveza, por favor. ” Having a short cheat sheet of Spanish words or phrases on hand can help ; Google Translator can assist you in creating one. You never know when one of the following phrases might come in handy!

• ¿Cómo llego a ___? (How do I get to…?)
• ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?)
• ¿Dónde está el hotel ___? (Where is the ___ hotel?)
• ¿Dónde está el restaurante ___? (Where is the ___ restaurant?)
• ¿A qué hora es el ___? (At what time is the ___?)
• ¿Cuánto tiempo se tarda en ___? (How long does it take to ___?)
• Soy alérgico a ___ (I am allergic to ___)
• No puedo tener ___ (I cannot have ___)
• No puedo comer ___ (I cannot eat ___)
• ¿Tiene esto ___? (Does this have ___?)
• Me siento mal (I feel sick)
• Soy vegetariano/a (I am vegetarian)
• Soy vegano (I am vegan)
• Carne (meat)
• Lácteos (dairy)
• Sin gluten (gluten-free)

Wildlife encounters

Costa Rica’s wildlife population is diverse and abundant, and it’s likely that you’ll encounter a lot of it during your visit. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of Costa Rica’s resident wildlife is harmless to humans. Regardless, to optimize your safety and that of the local wildlife, it’s imperative that you do the following.

Conceptualize a “safe distance” as being no closer to the creature than 20 times its body length. So, if you’re admiring an ant that’s half an inch in length, do so from at least 10 inches away. If you’ve spotted a 1.5-meter-long jaguar in the wild, stay at least 30 meters away from it.

A large part of the Costa Rica experience is to get out into nature and explore it on foot. As such, the country has an extensive national park, biological reserve, and wildlife refuge system wherein nature trails are well-marked . As a Costa Rica visitor, you’ll have your pick of nature trails to explore —some are incredibly popular and others lay off the beaten path, some provide challenging hikes and others merely require a light stroll, some showcase rainforest or cloud forest ecosystems and others delve into the dry forest or wetlands, and so on— and the immense selection of routes means that there’s absolutely no reason for you to go rogue and start trekking off trails . Doing so is downright irresponsible , not to mention a slap in the face of the eco-conscious nation that trustingly welcomed you into its home with open arms. Beyond the reason that it’s the kind thing to do, stick to exploring Costa Rica on marked trails to ensure that you:

• Don’t accidentally encounter dangerous wildlife in their habitat , compromising your own safety.
• Don’t accidentally trek through a wildlife habitat that’s dangerous , compromising your own safety and that of any wildlife.
• Don’t negatively affect or ruin precious habitats or ecosystems , compromising the safety of the environment.
• Don’t negatively affect or ruin critical biological research that’s being performed in the area , compromising the safety of our future.

Some Costa Rican wildlife, including poisonous varieties of snakes, spiders, and insects, lurks in the darkness of crevices and holes in trees and on the ground . Other potentially dangerous wildlife, like poisonous frogs, sometimes hides under leaves and other forest debris . Exploring Costa Rica with your hands—running them over tree bark, turning over leaves, touching flowers, reaching into holes, and so on—is a big no-no. Doing so significantly increases your chance of being bit or stung. So, when exploring Costa Rica’s outdoors, act as you (hopefully) did on the playground when you were a child and keep your hands to yourself.

A lot of wildlife resides in and around water, and Costa Rica has plenty of it. Swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes, lagoons, streams, and estuaries all exist in Costa Rica, and in great numbers, creating countless places where surprise wildlife encounters can occur, including encounters with poisonous species. Exercise extreme caution when swimming, wading in, or relaxing by waterlogged areas, especially at those with next to no current or few rapids. Dangerous wildlife prefers still waters. (Don’t miss the section below about crocodiles and their fondness for estuaries.)

In addition to the general wildlife-specific advice above, below are some important ways to protect yourself from possible harm by some of Costa Rica’s most feared and stress-inducing wildlife species.

I’ve explored Costa Rica since the mid-2000s. You may be surprised to learn that, apart from tours that I participated in for the specific purpose of seeing wildlife, including snakes, I’ve only encountered snakes at random on a few occasions. (Most of those occasions were during deep-woods adventures and I had been exploring the outdoors after dark, when snakes are most active, so I had practically set myself up for the experience.) If you’re afraid of snakes and want to minimize the chance of seeing them during your trip, avoid participating in night tours, and when you explore natural areas during the day, do so alongside a tour guide. Tour guides are usually pretty good at spotting snakes, and they can lead you safely around snakes to avoid unwanted encounters.

Sadly, every so often we hear a report of an individual, typically a local, whose life was claimed by a crocodile. Usually, it’s the case that the individual was swimming in an area where crocodiles frequent, such as an estuary. I cannot stress this point enough: do not swim in any estuary in Costa Rica. Estuaries flow throughout the nation, but those in notably touristy regions include the estuaries you’ll find:

• Between Playa Grande and Tamarindo
• North of Playa Avellanas, south of Junquillal, near Marbella, and south of San Juanillo (between Tamarindo and Nosara)
• At Playa Nosara (north of Guiones)
• At Playa Buena Vista (west of Samara)
• At Playa Camaronal, Playa Bejuco, Playa San Miguel, Playa Coyote, and Playa Bongo (between Samara and Santa Teresa)
• At Playa Tambor, Playa Pochote, and Playa Organos (between Montezuma and Paquera)
• At Puntarenas, Tivives, Tarcoles, and Herradura (between Puntarenas and Jaco)
• At Esterillos, at Playa Bejuco, near Parrita, at Damas Island, at Dominical, at Bahia, and near Ojochal (between Jaco and Ojochal)
• Inside the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands, north of Drake Bay, at Playa Sirena, and at Puerto Jimenez (on the Osa Peninsula)
• At Playa Zancudo (south of Golfito)
• At Barra del Colorado, at Tortuguero, at Parismina, north of Cahuita, and at Playa Gandoca (on the Caribbean coast)

Encounters with jungle cats are extremely rare in Costa Rica. (Costa Rica is home to six species of jungle cats: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, oncillas, and jaguarundi.) Should you have an encounter, though, it’s important to stay calm and remain respectful of the cat’s territory throughout the experience. To ensure you don’t wander though a jaguar or puma’s home accidentally or disrespectfully, drawing the attention of the predatory animal, hire a tour guide to explore any areas of Costa Rica where jungle cats are believed to reside. Although jungle cats have the ability to reach any part of Costa Rica (it wasn’t long ago that we caught a segment on the local news about a puma that was wandering around the capital city of San Jose), the following destinations are more likely than others to produce jungle cat encounters because cats are known to reside there:

• inside the Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast
• inside the Corcovado National Park and elsewhere around the Osa Peninsula
• inside the Santa Rosa National Park and other nearby protected land areas in Guanacaste
• inside the La Amistad International Park and other remote, largely uninhabited areas in the southern inland region

More than snakes, crocodiles, and jungle cats combined, travelers ask me about mosquitos , probably because they assume that they’re more likely to get bitten by a mosquito than any of the other three perilous creatures during their trip. (And, they assume correctly.) To be frank, my advice regarding mosquitoes is to use insect repellent everywhere you go in Costa Rica, just to be safe. Dengue fever, the Zika virus, Chagas disease, and Malaria (at the time of writing this article, Malaria was present in the provinces of Alajuela and Limon only, with rare to no transmission in other parts of the country) are real concerns, and being proactive by wearing insect repellent is smart travel behavior. It’s also wise to avoid hanging out in areas with stagnant water ; they’re the preferred gathering place of hungry, human-blood-loving mosquitos.

Note that it isn’t necessary to load yourself up with insect-repelling sprays laced with chemicals 24/7. If you can afford to purchase a few different types of insect repellent, even a small bottle of each, you can alternate between repellents, jumping between light coverage and more protective coverage, or natural repellents and ones with DEET. I keep the following three insect repellent products on hand and use them throughout my travels in Costa Rica:

• A eucalyptus-oil-based insect repellent (pictured at right in the photo at the top of this article). This plant-based product is seemingly the least harmful to the environment and to human health, but it lasts the fewest hours and isn’t as effective at repelling mosquitos as other products. I tend to use it as an indoor insect repellent, in the event that I stay at an accommodation that has open-air walls or ceilings. It’s also the only insect repellent that I ever spray on my skin. (The two types of repellents listed below get sprayed onto my clothes and/or travel gear.)
• A DEET-based insect repellent (pictured at left in the photo at the top of this article). This product is the strongest (and the strongest-smelling) insect repellent. I use it whenever I head out into heavily forested areas on hikes, boat/safari/kayak/canoe tours, hanging bridge tours, zip-line tours, canyoning tours, horseback-riding tours, night tours, etc., and I also use it whenever I’m exploring the Caribbean coast outdoors, regardless of where I am or what I’m doing.
• An Icaridin (Picaridin)-based insect repellent (pictured in the middle of the photo at the top of this article). This product is my go-to product for most light outdoor excursions experienced in destinations around the country, save for the Caribbean. By light excursions, I mean tours that take place outdoors but that don’t typically involve deep-woods exploration, such as botanical garden tours, coffee/chocolate/sugarcane tours, volcano crater tours, and city tours.

Contrary to popular belief, which suggests that you should purchase insect repellent in Costa Rica, I recommend bringing insect repellent from home . You can get a run-of-the-mill insect repellent here (note that there aren’t many options for plant-based varieties), but it’ll be cheaper if you buy it from home, and doing so guarantees you get the kind(s) that you want . Be sure to purchase insect repellent that has a push top, not an aerosol top , to avoid conflict with your airline. (Some airlines take issue with or have specific policies regarding aerosols.)

General travel safety

Vacations are precious. You probably don’t get them all that often, you likely work incredibly hard to afford them, and they create opportunities for you and your loved ones to make once-in-a-lifetime memories. They’re your chance to learn, explore, indulge, and relax, and in a world where work likely consumes most of your days, vacations are your time to play.

But sometimes when people vacation, they forget about their vulnerabilities . They focus on the fun and miss all of the risk; they get caught up in the process of learning something new and let go of the tenets of common sense. They look forward to what lies ahead but often lose sight of what’s required to get there safely, and then back home again. I call this phenomenon travel brain. It’s a product of the anticipation, excitement, chaos, confusion, and nonstop stimulation that comes with vacationing, and its a safety hazard because its wildly distracting. Below are a few ways to maintain a level head while traveling , ultimately avoiding a classic case of travel brain.

A lot of people are organized travelers; they plan trips down to the last detail, make sure they have all the necessary travel documents before they leave home, and know their trip itinerary by heart. Then they exit the airport into the warm, tropical climate and life is  pura vida . They relax and tell themselves not to stress about anything, and then they lose their passport, have something stolen from them off a beach or a bus, or injure themselves on an impromptu nature trek. Somewhere between home and paradise they transform from type A to type laZy, and their overall trip experience suffers. To ensure that your vacation doesn’t set you up for disappointment or disaster, keep your wits about you throughout the entire trip . In other words, strike a balance between relaxing your mind when its completely safe to do so and keeping it sharp otherwise.

Costa Rica is a tropical country that delivers an endless supply of nature and adventure tours. If you know you’ll be active during your trip, bring the right equipment, apparel, and accessories from home to safely execute your desired activities. If you plan to hike, bring comfortable shoes, long pants, socks, band-aids, a hat, and insect repellent. (See above for repellent product suggestions.) If you plan to raft, zipline, or go canyoning, bring strap-on shoes (flip-flops are not permitted) and clothing you’ll feel comfortable wearing under equipment (e.g., waist harnesses, lifejackets, helmets). If you merely want to lay out on a beach, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a long-sleeve shirt, a towel, a reusable water bottle, and a waterproof container that you can use to carry valuables into the water with you. A lot of travel mistakes can be avoided by planning for activities and potential problems in advance, so make it a priority to pack mindfully and thoroughly for your Costa Rica trip.

For help deciding which items you should bring to Costa Rica, check out our related blog post: What To Pack For Costa Rica (And What Not To Pack)

Vacation-planning is relatively easy, but effective vacation-planning, which is more likely to produce safer travel experiences, is a far more complex, Tetris -like task. For example, anyone can choose a host of tours and activities to participate in during their trip, but effective planners also schedule enough hours of sleep and rest to avoid physical exhaustion. Furthermore, most travelers dedicate time to determining how they’ll travel from place to place (either in a rental car, a shuttle, a private transfer service, a bus, a taxi, a plane, or a boat), but the smartest travelers also consider the length and road condition of each route, which can inform several other decisions from whether motion sickness or antianxiety medication should be taken to whether it would be advantageous to have snacks at the ready. Maintaining your physical and mental health while on vacation is an important part of staying safe; we all know how poor our decision-making can get when we’re grumpy, hungry, and/or not feeling well.

In the decades that we’ve traveled around Costa Rica and operated our business, Pura Vida! eh? Inc. , we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with highly reputable hotels, tour operators, and transportation service providers who make the safety of travelers (and locals) a priority; they’re licensed where necessary, they employ trained and/or certified individuals, and they have the required insurances and/or permissions to carryout their operations in safe ways. All of that said, no one in Costa Rica will care for your well-being more than you. (The same can be said about the citizens you share your home country with.) You are responsible for yourself, both at home and while on vacation. Stay alert. Ask questions. If something doesn’t look or feel right, trust your instincts. If you don’t, and you’re not pleased with a particular outcome, you’ll regret not speaking up.

Your vacation may be the only time you visit Costa Rica, and I can understand the desire to want to make the trip memorable. But, as social media has shown us time and time again, vacationers often manifest misery in their efforts to create memorable moments . In my opinion, moments that rob people of their money, time, innocence, and/or life are never worth it, no matter how beautiful or rare the moments are. So, treat your Costa Rica trip for exactly what it is: a vacation (“a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation”, according to Merriam-Webster), not a challenge to be a standout, a hero, or more popular. Do be adventurous, explore, and try new things, but please don’t dangle off the side of a hanging bridge, jump from the top of a waterfall without the guidance of a trusted local, brave a dangerous wave, perch yourself on the edge of a cliff, or do anything else that’s undoubtedly risky. Your family, friends, coworkers, pets, and houseplants need you more than Instagram needs your selfies. 😉

QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: What other safety tips would you recommend to travelers visiting Costa Rica?

Hey, Costa Rica Travel Blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our blog! We're truly grateful for your time and preference.

Do you know that your spam-free reading experience is most important to us? Unlike some other Costa Rica blogs, we do not to sell your personal information, and we choose not to display ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing on our blog so we can keep your visit as distraction- and junk-free as possible. Because we prioritize your privacy, we don't earn money when you visit us, when you sign up for our e-course, or when you click on our links, which means the time and work we put into this blog—including its 300+ articles—is entirely voluntary! If you find our content valuable, and you'd like to thank us for making the trip-planning process easier and your Costa Rica vacation more enjoyable , please consider making a small donation ($1, $2, $3, or an amount of your choosing) to our blog. Doing so is a great way to pat us on the back if you feel we deserve it . 😊 Pura vida, amigos!

Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. (If you cannot see the PayPal button above, click here .) A PayPal account is not required to make a donation; credit and debit cards are also accepted. PayPal donations are confidential; we never see your payment details.

Tagged:  adventure , beach , costa rica , costa rica travel , costa rica travel tips , costa rica vacation , nature , rainforest , safety , tourism , travel , travel guide , travel tips , vacation

• Author Posts

The comment section of this article has moved! If you have a question or comment about our article above or Costa Rica travel in general, please post it in our Questions and Answers Forum on DIY Costa Rica , our sister website, where you can also access our private Costa Rica recommendations, our Costa Rica Destination Tool, and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map. See you there, amigos! 🙂

It is really important to have common sense. LOL 🙂

Hey bencepoy!

We agree! 😉

This is a wonderful list. We learned all these things while living for 8 months there in Manuel Antonio. It is nice to know things have not changed. We will be back soon!

Hi dweezer19!

It is great to hear from you again! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear about your travels when you make it back.

yes it’s safe and pura vida costaricapuravida.es

Hola albertespinola!

Thanks so much for commenting! 🙂

I think it all depends on how you handle yourself when you are at a new place. I have written a similar article from Indian point of view as many tourists would believe that India is a risky place to be, but there are some precautions that we can take and avoid such accidents. By the way, this was a great article. Informative and straight to the point. 🙂

Hi pathbreakingwriter!

Well said, and we agree: locals have a greater awareness and understanding of risk, which is why it’s important for foreign visitors to seek advice and gather information from reliable, local sources prior to traveling. We strive to be this source for Costa Rica travelers. Thanks so much for your compliments! 🙂

I would say this list holds true for any country, including the United States

Thanks so much for your feedback, Conroy! 🙂

True about Costa Rica! I am in love with this place as I recently shifted to this place with my family and all thanks to the Lake Arenal Real Estate & Construction who helped in buying the best accommodation in Costa Rica

Welcome! 🙂 Thanks so much for commenting.

You have great sense of humor. It was fun to read 🙂

Thank you, Saurabh!

Pura vida! 🙂

Always check your receipts when you go to the mall (make sure they give you one) went to Oxígeno Human Playground in San Jose, and was charged $35.00 USD for 1 scoop of ice cream at Yogurtini (no wonder staff was laughing at us) and also ripped off $160 USD for 2 expired Ofra Lipsticks at Republic Cosmetics. It is very unfortunate but a reality that a lot of the places we visited took advantage of us as foreigners.

Oh no, that’s awful! $35USD for a scoop of ice cream and $160USD for two lipsticks? Did you pay those prices, or were you able to catch and question the amounts when they were requested? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of examples of price gouging quite like that. Those amounts are outrageous, and I’m so sorry that was your experience here!

• The forum ‘Costa Rica Travel Blog Forum’ is closed to new topics and replies.
• Kale by LyraThemes.com.

We're Nikki and Ricky, and we're human!

Sadly, ai-generated costa rica blogs and guides are taking over the internet. thank you for choosing our authentic website and resources over others, for trusting our firsthand experience, and for preferring our human-backed recommendations 😀 other ways we are unique:.

✓ We choose not to display ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing on our blog. Because we prioritize your privacy, we don't earn money when you visit us, when you sign up for our e-course, or when you click on our links, which means the time and work we put into this blog is entirely voluntary. ✓ Ricky is a born-and-raised Costa Rican and Nikki (married to Ricky) has explored Costa Rica since the mid-2000s . ✓ We've operated our Costa Rica-based business, Pura Vida! eh? Inc. , for 16 years (and counting!) . ✓ Our Costa Rica guidebooks are published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides brand . ✓ We only ever write about experiences we know firsthand , and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere . ✓ We never copy or plagiarize other writers' content . How we wish other writers would show us the same respect! ✓ Unless stated otherwise, every photo displayed on our blog was taken by us, and with our own two hands. (Unlike some other bloggers, who rely on drones to travel and conduct research for them, we actually visit and explore the places we write about .)👍🏽 ✓ We're active in promoting Costa Rica around the world . We've written about Costa Rica for Wanderlust Magazine (UK), presented Costa Rica on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel Show and podcast/radio show (US), and served as a Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist (Spain). ✓ Our work is backed by hundreds of positive reviews and testimonials ( read some here ) ✓ We are not overly active on social media . Instead of fixating on our own popularity, we spend the majority of our time exploring and researching Costa Rica, updating our various Costa Rica resources, and working with travelers one-on-one. We're focused on the quality of your travel experience , not the quantity of our followers. ❤️ 

We hope you enjoy your visit to our junk-free blog as much as your time in Costa Rica. 😊

• Privacy Policy Overview
• Remember my preference

This website uses cookies to operate and provide you with the best user experience possible. To ensure you're aware of and okay with this and our other privacy-related practices, please review our  Privacy Policy, then click the button below to accept it.

If you do not accept the policy, we respect your choice 100%. Unfortunately, several of our website’s features, including our Questions and Answers Forum, rely on cookies to operate. Most are also run by themes, plugins, and other add-ons to our website that we do not and cannot control, which means the cookies you receive are mainly provided by third parties. Because simple actions like reading our articles, asking a question, and even visiting our website’s homepage require the use of cookies, it is not possible to explore or use our website without them. If you would prefer not to receive cookies, we kindly (and sadly) ask that you do not visit our website. (Alternatively, you can try setting your browser to remove or reject browser cookies before visiting our website, but you may find that our website doesn’t function properly without them.) By visiting or submitting information through our website, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies, and the use of third-party cookies. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Thank you for understanding!

In order for our site to remember that you accept our policy, please enable the Strictly Necessary Cookie.

If you leave the Strictly Necessary Cookie disabled, we will not be able to save your preference. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to accept the policy again.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to "About this site"

Language selection

Search travel.gc.ca.

Help us to improve our website. Take our survey !

COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Costa Rica travel advice

Latest updates: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)

Last updated: April 15, 2024 13:01 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, costa rica - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Costa Rica due to crime.

Back to top

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs frequently. Tourists are common targets for theft because they are perceived as being wealthy.

Crime against property, such as house burglary, theft from cars, and vehicle theft, is frequent. Passport theft is also extremely common and increases in frequency during the peak tourist seasons, from November to May and from July to August.

Thieves often work in teams, in which one thief diverts the victims’ attention while the other snatches their possessions. Thefts commonly occur: 

• in popular tourist areas, including viewpoints
• on buses, on trains, in bus and train stations as well as in airports terminals
• in hotel lobbies
• at restaurants, including on patios located near streets

While you’re in Costa Rica:

• ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• carry your passport, including the Costa Rican entry stamp received at the immigration entry point
• avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery
• avoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuables
• avoid isolated or deserted areas
• avoid walking alone at night
• be aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded and tourist areas
• be extra cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs
• San José

In San José, high-risk areas for theft include:

• the Coca-Cola bus terminal area, located between El Paso de la Vaca, Calle 12 and the Coca-Cola market
• the inner downtown area, located between the San Juan de Dios Hospital, the National Museum, Avenida 1 and Avenida 14
• the Mercado central areas
• public parks

Pacific Coast

In Puntarenas province, the following areas are of particular concern for theft:

• Jacó, including the crocodile viewing area along the Tárcoles River
• Manuel Antonio national park
• Cóbano area, including the small seaside towns of Mal País, Montezuma and Santa Teresa, as well as the port of Puntarenas

Caribbean Coast

On the Caribbean coast, the following areas are of particular concern for theft:

• Puerto Limón 
• Puerto Viejo

Residential break-ins

Residential break-ins occur. Burglars may target rental accommodations or houses and apartments owned by foreigners.

• Choose well-secured accommodation
• Make sure you lock doors and windows at night and when you’re away

Car break-ins and theft are very common throughout the country. Rental and luxury vehicles are a target of choice. Theft commonly occurs: 

• supermarkets
• restaurants
• national parks

If driving in Costa Rica:

• familiarize yourself with your route before starting the trip
• keep your windows and doors locked at all times
• keep your belongings out of reach
• use secure parking facilities, especially overnight
• never leave belongings unattended in a vehicle, even locked or out of sight in the trunk
• don’t stop to change a flat tire in an isolated area, and beware of strangers offering their help
• ensure emergency assistance and car insurance are offered by the rental agency when renting a car

Violent crime

Violent crime, including murders and armed robberies, occurs. Drug trafficking is common, and most incidents are drug-related.  The most affected provinces are:

• Limón

Although not frequent, violent assaults against travellers have occurred on the Caribbean coast in:

• Puerto Limón

If you are threatened, hand over your cash and valuables immediately without resistance.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with irregular or unusual features
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

• Be wary of accepting these items from new acquaintances
• Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers

Unregulated alcohol

Some people died after consuming adulterated alcohol in Costa Rica during the summer of 2019. Further incidents occurred in October 2020.

• Be cautious if you choose to drink alcohol
• Be wary of lesser-known or illegal brands
• Avoid buying alcohol from individuals
• Seek medical assistance if you begin to feel sick

Alcohol, drugs and travel

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Incidents of sexual assault against foreigners at beach resorts and by taxi drivers in San José have occurred.

Advice for women travellers

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place from time to time, particularly in San José. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Costa Rican law prohibits political activity by foreigners. Participating in demonstrations or activities may result in you being detained and/or deported.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Water activities

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Riptides are common. Several drownings occur each year.

Very few beaches are supervised by lifeguards.  There are no warning signs of dangerous conditions.

• Exercise caution when swimming
• Don’t swim alone, after hours or outside marked areas
• Consult residents and tour operators for information on possible hazards and safe swimming areas
• Monitor weather warnings

Useful links

• Tips for travellers - Costa Rica Tourist Board
• Water safety abroad

Adventure tourism

Outdoor activities, such as white-water rafting, scuba diving, bungee jumping, canopy touring and other adventure sports can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are rarely marked, and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer.

Safety features on small boats used in river and lake excursions are not always reliable.

Life-threatening fauna such as jaguars, pumas, wild pigs and poisonous snakes are common in the densely wooded areas.

If you intend to practice adventure tourism:

• never do so alone, and don’t part with your expedition companions
• obtain detailed information on your activity and on the environment in which you will be before setting out
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• avoid venturing off marked trails
• don’t camp or sleep overnight on beaches
• ensure that you’re adequately equipped and bring sufficient water
• stay informed of weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary
• refrain from using facilities or equipment if you have doubts on their safety

National parks

You must obtain a permit to access national parks.

Nation Parks – Costa Rica Tourist Board

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are generally poor throughout the country. Costa Rica has one of the highest traffic accident rates in the world.

Road conditions

Most roads are not paved and those paved are generally in poor condition. Driving conditions may be hazardous, especially during the rainy season, due to:

• sharp curves
• lack of traffic signs
• narrow or unpaved roads

Driving habits

Drivers don’t respect traffic laws. Motorists often drive without lights at night.

While driving:

• remain vigilant when stopped at lights or stop signs
• keep doors locked and windows closed at all times
• keep your valuables out of plain sight
• avoid travel at night

Public transportation

Public bus transportation is unreliable. Schedules and routes may not be accurate. Vehicles are often late due to traffic and road conditions. Itineraries may also vary from the ones originally announced.

Pickpockets often target tourists in public buses.

If travelling by public bus:

• keep your ID and valuables with you
• avoid placing your bags in the overhead compartment or under your seat
• avoid sleeping

Police checks of passengers on public transportation also occur. Officers often use those checks to determine if foreigners have overstayed the 90-day visa exemption period.

Always carry your proof of legal stay on your person.

Official taxis are safe. They are orange at the airport and red with a yellow triangle on the side elsewhere in the country.

• Use official taxis only booked ahead of time
• Never board taxis at taxi stands or flag taxis in the street
• Note the driver’s name and plate number
• Make sure the driver uses the meter
• Never use shared taxis

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Costa Rican authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 180 days Business visa: required Student visa: required

Length of stay

The immigration officer will determine the permitted length of your stay when you enter Costa Rica. As a tourist, you may be granted a stay up to 180 days.

If you intend to stay for more than 180 days, you must obtain a residency status from the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.

You may face deportation if you overstay the authorized 180-day period. Persons deported from Costa Rica will not be allowed to re-enter the country for 5 to 10 years.

• Immigration department – Costa Rica government (in Spanish)

Other entry requirements

Customs officials will ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Minors with dual citizenship

Costa Rica strictly enforces requirements for the departure of minors with dual citizenship.

The Canadian passport of a dual citizen child must have a Costa Rican departure approval delivered by the immigration authorities. The granted permission may be temporary or permanent and will be recorded in the Costa Rican immigration electronic system.

The approval must be requested jointly by both parents, prior to departure, to either of the following authorities:

• Costa Rica’s immigration department
• the Embassy of Costa Rica in Canada

Several cases of departure denials have occurred due to the lack of proper documentation.

Minors with dual citizenship who are travelling unaccompanied must also have legally certified written consent from both parents.

Useful Links

Children and travel.

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
• Dengue: Advice for travellers - 8 April, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. 
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are coming from a country   where yellow fever occurs , excluding Argentina and Panama, or if you are coming from Tanzania or Zambia.
• Vaccination is not recommended.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care provider.
• Contact a designated   Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre   well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that   country entry requirements   may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest   diplomatic or consular office   of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. Rabies treatment is often available in this destination. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease)   is a risk in this country. It is caused by a parasite spread by infected triatomine bugs. The infection can be inactive for decades, but humans can eventually develop complications causing disability and even death.

Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from triatomine bugs, which are active at night, by using mosquito nets if staying in poorly-constructed housing. There is no vaccine available for Chagas disease.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Mpox (monkeypox)   is a risk in this country. It is a viral disease that can cause serious illness in some circumstances. Risk is generally low for most travellers.

Mpox spreads in 3 ways:

• from animals to humans through direct contact or by eating or preparing undercooked meat of infected animals or coming into contact with an infected animal's body fluids
• from person to person through close contact, including direct contact with the skin lesions, blood, body fluids, or mucosal surfaces (such as eyes, mouth, throat, genitalia, anus, or rectum) of an infected person
• through direct contact with contaminated objects such as bedding and towels, or by sharing personal objects used by an infected person

Follow recommended public health measures   and avoid contact with animals such as rodents and primates to help prevent getting or spreading the infection.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Health care is very good.

Public hospitals offer very good services throughout the country but waiting times may be long. Doctors rarely speak English or French.

Private clinics and hospitals provide excellent health care. They are mainly located in San José. Services may be expensive. Doctors and hospitals typically require upfront payment.

Emergency services may be limited in rural areas.

Medical evacuation can be very expensive and may be necessary in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Medications

Some prescription medication may not be available in Costa Rica.

If you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining its legality in the country.

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you
• Always keep your medication in the original container
• Pack your medication in your carry-on luggage
• Carry a paper and an electronic copy of your prescriptions

Medical tourism

Canadian citizens have had serious health complications following cosmetic or other elective surgeries abroad.

Before leaving for medical travel:

• make sure you’ve done your research
• use reputable health-care providers only

Receiving medical care outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Costa Rica are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Costa Rica to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Costa Rican authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

If you violate Costa Rica’s laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.

Overview of the criminal law system in Costa Rica

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences or heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Child sex tourism

It's a serious criminal offence to have sex with minors in Costa Rica.

Conviction may result in a lengthy prison sentence.

Child Sex Tourism: It’s a Crime

Identification

Authorities may request to see your ID at any time.

• Carry valid identification at all times
• Keep a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp in case it’s lost or seized
• Keep a digital copy of your ID and travel documents

Photography

It is illegal to photograph official buildings.

Check with local authorities before taking photos.

Investments

Disputes related to property acquisition or other investments are costly and take time to resolve.

If you plan on buying property, or making other investments in Costa Rica:

• seek legal advice in Canada and in Costa Rica before making commitments
• choose your own lawyer
• avoid hiring a lawyer recommended by a seller

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Costa Rica.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Costa Rica, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Costa Rica.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Costa Rica, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Costa Rican court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Costa Rica to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

You can drive with your valid Canadian driver’s licence in Costa Rica for up to 90 days from your arrival. Even if you have been granted a longer stay, you will not be able to drive legally after the first 90 days.

You must also carry your passport when driving in the country. Photocopies are not acceptable. You may face a fine if you fail to provide proper documentation when stopped by a traffic officer.

The Costa Rican government may prevent you from leaving the country until all injury claims have been settled if you are involved in a road accident, regardless of which party is at fault or insurance coverage.  Local judicial resolution process may take several months.

In the event of a car accident:

• don’t move your vehicle until the authorities arrive
• remain at the scene
• call 911 to report the accident

There are camera monitoring systems in various locations. You may receive a speeding ticket by mail if you exceed the speed limit.

Traffic fines don’t have to be paid on the spot. You can pay a fine:

• at COSEVI (Costa Rican Road Safety Council)

If a police officer asks you for money, you may make a complaint to the Costa Rican Tourism Bureau.

• Costa Rican Tourism Bureau
• COSEVI - Costa Rican Road Safety Council  (in Spanish)
• International Driving Permit

The currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (CRC).

Credit cards are generally accepted.

It’s extremely difficult to exchange Canadian dollars in Costa Rica. U.S. dollars are more easily exchanged.

Cash withdrawals are possible with a 4-digit PIN only.

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:

• know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings  - United States’ National Hurricane Center

The rainy season extends from May to November, which sometimes extends into January.

Torrential rains and landslides occur frequently in the lowlands and mountainous areas along the Caribbean and in the Central Valley.

Seasonal flooding often causes power outages.  It can also hamper overland travel and reduce the delivery of other essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Costa Rica is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes and tremors occur regularly. Tsunamis are possible.

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.

There are several active and potentially active volcanoes in the country, including:

• Poás
• Rincón de la Vieja

Eruptions may occur at any time. They sometimes lead to evacuations of surrounding areas on short notice.

In the event of an earthquake or volcanic eruption:

• pay careful attention to all warnings issued for national parks
• monitor local media to stay informed of the evolving situation
• follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders 
• Earthquakes  - What to Do?
• Latest earthquakes  - U.S. Geological Survey
• Tsunami alerts  - U.S. Tsunami Warning System
• National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Response  (in Spanish)
• Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (in Spanish)

Local services

In case of an emergency, dial 911.

Consular assistance

Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Costa Rica, in San José, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

• Mexico Travel News
• Seaweed Updates

Is Costa Rica Safe To Visit Right Now? (Volcano Poas Update)

Travelers can feel reasonably safe in Costa Rica . The Global Peace Index lists it as the safest destination in Latin America.

Even though Costa Rica is among the safest places in Central America to visit, you should still need to exercise caution. The primary issue that faces travelers is petty theft, so you should always be aware of your surroundings and possessions. 

Table of contents

April 9: u.s. embassy in san jose issues travel alert over volcano poas, february 20 – costa rica has identified 36 places in costa rica where tourists are more likely to be at risk, february 19 – experts issued a warning about rising temperatures and increased uv radiation in costa rica, areas to avoid, u.s. travel advisory, canada travel advisory, costa rica crime statistics, safety tips for costa rica, latest news from costa rica:.

On April 5, 2024, the U.S. embassy warned U.S. citizens about increased volcanic activity at Volcano Poas. Local authorities announced the closure of Poas Volcano National Park until April 8.

A Green Alert was issued by The National Emergency Commission (CNE) for 6 areas. These are areas affected by the volcanic ash fall and the presence of gasses:  Alajuela Centro, Poas, Grecia, Sarchi, Zarcero, and Naranjo .

According to the local media source , the park was reopened again but it’s important to verify and stay informed before you decide to visit the Poas Volcano National Park.

The risky areas include the coastal towns and beaches of Jacó, Tamarindo, Quepos, Dominicalito, and Manuel Antonio.

Based on an analysis, Costa Rican security agencies said that tourist destinations like Garabito, Cahuita, Montezuma, Mal País, Santa Teresa, La Fortuna, Samara, and the Osa Peninsula require closer monitoring to prevent crimes.

Enhanced measures are being taken to reduce the high rates of crime that affect the nation’s most visited tourist locations. In recent years, the Costa Rican government has been repeatedly urged by the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) to prioritize visitor security.

Experts from the National Meteorological Institute (IMN) of Costa Rica have raised alarms over the expected rise in temperatures and an increase in ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels in the coming months.

Daniel Poleo, a climatologist at IMN, attributes this forecast to the Zenithal Sun phenomenon, which will cause the sun’s rays to fall more directly on Costa Rica during March and April, leading to higher temperatures and a more intense sensation of heat.

“This situation results in greater solar intensity, making these months even hotter. While Easter is typically associated with heat, it will be even more intense this year,” Daniel Poleo explained.

“We anticipate a higher intensity of UV rays, although it’s important to note that UV intensity is not directly correlated with temperature,” he added.

This period will notably experience a peak in UV radiation, especially between March 15 and April 15, with the most significant risk of exposure occurring from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Quepos, the gateway town immediately outside Manuel Antonio National Park is becoming dangerous. Exercise caution there . The same is true for Tamarindo and Jaco because of criminal activities (mostly robberies) aimed at tourists.

The Desamparados neighborhood in San Rafael, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, San Carlos, a rural area bordering Nicaragua, Matina, a small rural community along the Matina River in Limón province, Limón, Liberia, Pococí, Talamanca, and the district of Barranca, on the Pacific coast in the province of Puntarenas, are additional high-risk regions with violent crime rates considerably greater than the national average.

Official Travel Advisories

The U.S. State Department urges American nationals to exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to crime.

While violent crime, such as armed robberies, homicides, and sexual assaults, is rare in Costa Rica, minor crime is the main threat to tourists visiting the country. In tourist-heavy areas, the Costa Rican government has strengthened security resources.

Pickpocketing and purse snatching are examples of common petty crimes. Because they are thought to be wealthy, tourists are frequently the targets of burglary.

Property-related crimes are also common, including car theft, housebreaking, and vehicle theft. Additionally, passport theft is a very common problem that gets worse from November to May and from July to August, when traveler flow is at its highest.

(Data Source: Numbeo )

Follow these tips to minimize trouble anywhere you go.

• Remain vigilant in crowded settings, particularly when utilizing public transportation across Costa Rica.
• Exercise caution in tourist-heavy areas such as beaches, national parks, and downtown San Jose, as these are prime targets for thieves.
• Refrain from excessive alcohol consumption and drug use. 
• Due to an increase in theft from parked vehicles, opt for well-monitored parking areas, keep doors locked, windows rolled up, and avoid leaving valuables visible.
• Avoid drawing attention to yourself with flashy belongings or attire.
• Limit the amount of cash carried while outside.
• Ensure valuables are securely stored, even within your hotel room.
• When traveling by bus, refrain from stowing luggage in overhead bins to mitigate theft risks.
• In the event of a robbery, prioritize personal safety by surrendering cash and valuables. 

Is Costa Rica Safe To Visit?

C osta Rica is a quaint country within Central America that borders Nicaragua and Panama. Although many travelers mistake it for one, Costa Rica is technically not an island. On the west side of the country is the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea is located on the east. Costa Rica is an ideal location with a tropical climate and incredible natural beauty, alongside thriving biodiversity and vast landscapes that are quite impressive. This mountainous country is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

Travelers visiting the country will not have a dull moment. There is plenty for travelers to do in Costa Rica. Some of the top tourist attractions in the country include the Nicoya Peninsula, Ecotermales Hot Springs, Manuel Antonio National Park and Arenal Volcano. There are countless other natural attractions that travelers enjoy exploring. Although a lot of Costa Rica’s most popular attractions are naturally made, the country has metropolitan areas as well. Safety in metro areas can be somewhat questionable. This is especially true in situations where travelers face unfamiliar environments abroad. To establish whether or not Costa Rica is safe , we compiled all the important information on the country for potential visitors.

Best Travel Advisories

An important factor of traveling abroad safely is having information on the status of a potential travel destination. Travelers that are unsure about the safety level of their upcoming trip location should do their research. Seeking out reputable resources is wise so that travelers stay well informed. These are the top organizations that provide up to date safety information on travel destinations.

Crime Safety

The U.S. Department of State provides a well updated travel advisory. It has important information regarding the general safety of different countries and their regions. Costa Rica, for example, is categorized by the department of state as a level two destination. This means that travelers should exercise increased caution when traveling there. This caution is due to crime in the country. The types of crime are described in the safety and security portion of the travel advisory. Costa Rica’s tourism website is a good place to start for travelers with concerns for their safety. There travelers will find information about tourism and safety. To access the most secure information, online platforms like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are appropriate. The World Factbook on the CIA’s website describes the country’s history, U.S. Embassy contact info , local customs and travel safety tips. These pieces of information could offer travelers an opportunity to secure a safer environment while traveling.

Health Safety

Health safety is just one part of a travel destination’s overall safety level. But personal health is incredibly important for all travelers. This is especially true when tourists are traveling to a particular destination for the first time. It is important for travelers to stay informed about their potential travel destination and prepare accordingly. There are different online platforms that provide helpful information concerning the health status of locations abroad.

One of the top resources for travelers is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC’s traveler’s health page presents travel health notices, available medications, preventable illnesses and specialized travel tips for particular countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) is another reputable resource that will help travelers assess the health safety of their potential travel destination. On Costa Rica’s official country webpage, travelers can find a profile for the destination, location specific travel advice and health statistics. There is even contact information for the WHO offices in Costa Rica.

Is Costa Rica Safe for Tourists and Solo Travelers?

Yes, Costa Rica is a relatively safe destination for travelers. It is pretty well known by the tourism community as a safe country for solo and family travel. The country is considered secure. Technically Costa Rica is among the few countries in the world without an active army. The money that does not go to the military is for public healthcare and education. This serves as a testament to the safety level of Costa Rica. But that does not mean that crime does not occur in the Central American country.

Costa Rica does experience some crime, even though the majority of tourists feel safe there. Tourists are not disproportionately impacted by crimes in the country, but crimes do occur mostly in populated areas. Some of these may include areas frequented by tourists. The most common crimes in Costa Rica impacting tourists are petty. These include pickpocketing and theft. Generally, travelers that exercise basic travel precautions avoid being targeted by criminals.

How to Stay Safe in Costa Rica

Exercising a baseline of travel safety precautions is a wise way for travelers to secure their safety. Some of the basic precautions include staying alert in crowded areas, never leaving valuables unattended, maintaining awareness and avoiding isolated or poorly lit areas. It is also important for travelers to know the contact information of local emergency services. This ensures that they are well informed of precautionary and preventive measures that may impact their overall safety abroad.

Travelers often rely on public transportation while abroad. In Costa Rica, the bus system is the most common way that both locals and visitors get around. So, it is important to know the best ways to stay safe on public transport while in unfamiliar surroundings. Travelers should at the very least be sure to stay alert while in public spaces, secure their personal belongings at their accommodation and avoid flaunting valuables or expensive things. Additional security measures while riding public transportation in Costa Rica include verifying driver’s certifications and confirming fares before entering vehicles.

Where to Stay

Costa Rica is quite vast and overall safe, so travelers have plenty of options for where to stay . But there are some options that stand out as the top selections for travelers. Tamarindo, Drake Bay and Atenas are some of the safest places for travelers to stay in. Tamarindo is located on the Pacific coast and is a popular destination in Costa Rica. Despite its popularity, Tamarindo does not have swarms of tourists in the area. The town is popular for water-sports, nightlife and culinary experiences. Drake Bay is a southwestern coastal area that offers travelers a family friendly environment. The slight privacy and peaceful ambiance of Drake Bay make it one of the safest areas of Costa Rica. Atenas is another option for travelers that stands out due to its tranquility. This small town is considered to be one of the safest areas for families or travelers that prefer to be out of all the hustle and bustle.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Costa Rica is dependent on the preferences of travelers but should be considerate of the weather conditions. The weather varies by region, but travelers can premeditate the weather conditions with forecasts before their trip. The dry season is the most popular season due to the pleasant weather. From around December to April travelers can enjoy the most ideal amount of sunshine. The characteristics of the dry season also mean that travelers should expect crowds and higher prices. If travelers do not mind rain or warmer temperatures, visiting in the rainy season or during summer may be best. The rainy season is between May and November and the highest temperatures occur during June and July.

People Also Ask

Is Costa Rica safe to live in? Yes, Costa Rica is actually one of the safest countries in Central America to live in.

Are tourists safe in Costa Rica? Tourists are perfectly safe while in Costa Rica as long as they exercise some basic travel safety precautions.