Is Costa Rica Safe To Travel?

Published On : 04 Sep 2024

However, it is quite safe to say that Costa Rica is one of the safest countries to visit in the whole of Central America. Famous for its pure life, natural beauty, and ecotourism, more than 3 million tourists visit it annually. But no sanctuary is free from crime or risk. Here is all the information you should know about safety in Costa Rica.

Overall, Costa Rica is considered safer than the other countries in the region. It has a more stable political climate and does not have the drug-related crime or violence that afflicts countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras. These figures indicate that homicide rates in Costa Rica are a quarter of what they are in those countries.

Nonetheless, minor offenses such as theft within tourist areas and other crowded places cannot be entirely ruled out. It is advisable to take the usual precautions when traveling. Avoid keeping valuables in the hotels’ safes, do not dress ostentatiously, avoid talking to strangers, and avoid large amounts of money. It is also advisable not to walk alone at night, especially in the dark areas. Be careful also with personal belongings at beaches, bus terminals, and trailheads of national parks where some thieves might be lurking around.

As for the violent crime, it is important to note that the occurrences are rare. However, foreign visitors have sometimes been subject to attack or theft while trekking in the wilderness. Even failing in such activities alone can reduce risks considerably It simply means that abstaining from such activities can help in reducing risks. Some parts of the town are rather dangerous especially at night, and some areas in San José are known to have high rates of crime during the night. How to stay safe in the capital city? You should address this question to your hotel concierge.

Regarding scams, locals including taxi drivers, tour guides, and rental agents are known to overcharge unsuspecting foreigners. Ask reputable hotels or well established companies to organize shuttles, tours and rental cars. In an airport setting, it is advisable to stick to official taxi operators and finalize the prices in advance if possible.

Other than safety hazards, travelers sometimes experience some hurdles because of infrastructure development in Costa Rica. Road networks are not always developed or maintained, thus the traffic congestion. Hence, the elderly and people with medical conditions should be cautious, as some rural towns have few clinics. That said, Costa Rica is slightly more developed than most of Central America in terms of infrastructure.

Regarding general health safety, the HTGA (Highway Tourism & Advisor) scores Costa Rica satisfactory for food/water safety and cleanliness. The standards in most of the hotels and restaurants are well enough especially those targeting the tourists. However, it is safer to only consume bottled water and well-cooked food to minimize instances of having a sensitive stomach.

Regarding natural disasters, it is noteworthy that Costa Rica is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire which means that the country is at high risk of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. For the most part, earthquakes are not very intense, and care is taken to avoid regions with active volcanic activity. Flooding can be experienced in areas prone to landslides especially during the rainy season. This is important in such scenes as it is recommended to stick to the alerts from the authorities.

Costa Rica also has many venomous snakes, but almost all of them avoid contact with people and bites are very uncommon. Be careful when hiking and refrain from touching the animals. As for lethal bugs, malaria is no longer a problem in Costa Rica but Zika virus occurs in the country from time to time. As a result, travelers should take appropriate measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Just remember when calculating risk, that a million plus Americans visitors travel to Costa Rica every year and most do not end up in the ICU. So if you are careful enough, you will be able to avoid the dangers and have a wonderful journey. Some key tips:

Keep money and other valuable items in safe places, and avoid ostentatious display of riches.
Do not flash money around and do not walk alone at night.
Organize their transportation through well established companies
Always hire only licensed taxis and do not always believe in people you meet on the road.
Be cautious when it comes to property left in public places
Closely watch weather conditions and follow official disaster warnings

Of course, there are no completely safe countries and cities, however, Costa Rica has good tourist facilities and has a relatively low crime level. Travel wisely and you are ready to have a great time discovering this wonderful country by rainforests, volcanoes, and beaches. The pura vida lifestyle will sweep you off your feet if you decide to fully embrace it.

Pura vida! Be reasonable, observe the environment and people, meet welcoming Ticos – and Costa Rica may well surpass your expectations of a thrilling and safe travel destination.