A question that is often asked is: “Is Costa Rica safe?” The answer, to a large extent, is yes.
The crime rate in Costa Rica is the lowest in Latin America, and Costa Rica is undoubtedly the safest country in Central America. More than one and a half million tourists, most of them from the United States, visit Costa Rica each year and feel as safe as ever exploring the country. Ticos in general are very friendly and warm people by nature, and live a simple life devoid of all its excesses. There are no acts of terrorism in Costa Rica, and recreational drugs, in addition to tobacco and alcohol, are illegal. And Costa Rica does not have a standing army and, unlike all other countries in Latin America, the country has not experienced any political conflict since 1949.
With the sole exception of theft, the crime rate in Costa Rica is very low compared to other countries. For comparison purposes, according to the Seventh Annual United Nations Crime Survey, recorded crimes in police statistics show that the crime rate for all index crimes (murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, theft, theft and motor vehicle theft). robbery) in Costa Rica was 1,208.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1999, comparing very well with 1,529.75 in Japan (a country with a low crime rate) and 4,184.24 in the United States (a country with a high crime rate). ).
Crime in Costa Rica is generally much lower and less violent than in the United States, and crime here tends to be opportunistic rather than violent. In other words, rapes and murders in Costa Rica are very few, almost unheard of, compared to those in the United States, but petty theft, carjacking, and pickpocketing are not uncommon here, especially in downtown San José and on the beach. . In smaller cities, the crime rate is much lower.
It is always better to exercise caution at all times, not only when visiting Costa Rica, but also when visiting any other foreign country. Traveling to any country is not without risks. The good news is that you can greatly enjoy a safe and wonderful stay in Costa Rica by following the simple, common sense safety tips outlined below, which also apply to any other foreign country you may wish to visit.
* Be careful when going out into the wild, going off the beaten path, or touring national parks. Pay attention to warning signs and always check with your guide if there is any danger ahead.
* Be very careful with dangerous trails, volcanic areas, rip currents and waves.
* Do not swim in the ocean. There are few lifeguards, so always stay close to other swimmers.
* Do not walk alone in secluded areas or enter public parks late at night.
* Stay away from deserted side streets, properties or undeveloped land.
* Take care of your luggage, never leave it unattended and write your name on it.
* Do not hand over your luggage to any stranger except airport porters carrying official identification.
* Lock your doors and your luggage when you stay in a hotel.
* Do not carry a lot of money or display large bundles of money, and remember to keep your wallet in a safe place. It is also recommended to wear a money belt.
* Make sure your personal belongings (keys, laptop, cell phone, credit card(s), etc.) are within reach, in a safe place and never out in the open.
* As a foreigner, your passport is your DNI. Keep your passport in a safe place and always keep several photocopies of your passport, as well as your plane ticket and insurance policy from Costa Rica.
* Do not become a target of thieves and pickpockets: do not wear flashy jewelry or expensive watches.
* Do not hold expensive equipment, such as cameras, at all times while walking.
* Protect yourself against car theft: Always lock your car and don’t leave your keys or anything of value in your car, even if you are in a store or supermarket for a few seconds to buy something.
* Do not park your car on the street; use secure private parking lots whenever possible.
* Use your common sense, do not trust anyone who approaches you and wants to act as your tour guide, and do not get separated from your tour group.
If you are the victim of a crime, please report the incident to local law enforcement and contact the nearest US embassy or consulate for assistance.
Do not be afraid! Remember that traveling to any country in the world is not without risk, and you should follow these safety precautions wherever you go. With a little common sense, no crime will ever happen to you and you will find Costa Rica to be a safe and wonderful country to visit or stay. Most of this advice is well received in the United States.
We haven’t experienced any crime that we know of in the last two years (knock on wood), but that can happen in almost any community in the world. Remember, the crime rate in the US is about 4 times higher than here in Greece. And in Dallas, TX, I had my Chevy Blazer stolen twice (just to steal my radio) and my house was stolen once, so stuff like this can happen here, in the US, or anywhere else.