Is Costa Rica Safe? 10 Tips For A Safe & Pleasant Costa Rica Vacation
- Astha Garg
- May 28
- 6 min read
Updated: May 28
Costa Rica is a piece of heaven on earth. A perfect blend of nature, wildlife, adventure, and leisure, it’s no wonder that Costa Rica is one of the most sought-after destinations in Central America.
But, one question keeps haunting us!
Is Costa Rica Safe?
I often see people asking these questions in expat groups. Is Costa Rica safe? I am a female solo traveler, will I be safe? Is Costa Rica safe for kids? Is Costa Rica safe at night?
If I earned a dollar for every time I came across such a question, I would be a millionaire by now! Well, jokes apart! This is a valid concern for international tourists, owing to the bad reputation of many other Central American countries. But I can proudly say that Costa Rica is quite safe. In fact, it is one of the safest countries for tourism in Central America!
Having said that, you shouldn’t stop exercising caution on your vacation in Costa Rica. You would still need to take all the safety measures that you would as a tourist in any other country in the world.
Without further delay, let’s quickly get to the safety tips for your next Costa Rica vacation!
10 Tips For A Safe & Pleasant Costa Rica Vacation
Keep your guard up at all times
It goes without saying that as a tourist, one should exercise caution at all times in a foreign country. This not only applies to Costa Rica or any other country in Latin America but to all countries in the world.
Never let your guard down when roaming around in public places. Be vigilant of your surroundings, do not engage in conversation with strangers, and take basic safety measures that we will discuss in the points below.
Be careful while taking taxis from the airport and bus stations
As soon as you leave the airport or the bus station, the drivers waiting outside start calling you in their direction, sometimes even trying to grab your luggage. Beware of them! They may try to charge you exorbitantly or may even try to scam you.
Always book a cab through official channels. The official government taxis in Costa Rica are red and have a yellow triangle on the top. The official airport taxis are orange in color. You can also book a cab through mobile apps like Uber and Didi.
Do not leave your belongings unattended
Never leave your belongings unattended in public places. This includes restaurants, beaches, national parks, and bus stations.
When using a restroom at a bus station, do not ask a stranger to watch your luggage, or do not leave it unattended. Similarly, when taking a dip in the ocean at a beach, do not leave your belongings on the beach. Carry a dry bag with you and take your belongings to the ocean, or take turns and make sure one person stays with the stuff at all times.
Do not walk alone on the streets and in isolated areas at night
Do you have plans to go to a pub or a bar in the evening? Do not walk back to your hotel alone at night; make sure you have company! If you do not have company, ensure you don’t stay out late. Especially if you are a woman!
There have been incidents when women were walking back from a beach alone at night, and they were mugged or molested. Therefore, you must avoid walking alone in the dark and isolated areas.
Keep your valuable possessions with you at all times
It is not safe to leave your valuable belongings unattended on the beach, in the car, in the hotel, and at other places like restaurants, national parks, etc. If you need to use the restroom or are planning to go for a swim in the ocean, carry your belongings with you or have someone from your group watch them for you. I repeat, do not leave them unattended!
Do not flash your expensive belongings
When carrying expensive items like jewelry, cameras, drones, tablets, cash, etc, keep them in your bag at all times. Do not flash them publicly. Be very cautious with your passport. You can leave it at the hotel in a safe box and do not need to carry it around with you.
When you withdraw money from the ATM, take some time to keep the cash in your wallet/pocket/handbag first, and then walk away from the machine. Do not walk with your cell phone in your hands.
Do not carry a lot of credit cards and expensive items
Most of the restaurants in Costa Rica accept all types of credit cards. Some restaurants may reject payments via American Express (Amex) cards, but Mastercard and Visa cards work well. Therefore, there is no need to carry multiple cards. Just one good card is enough, and maybe one for backup.
Some items, like expensive jewelry and gadgets, are safer back home. Ask yourself- do you even need them on your trip? Do not overpack for your trip. Use our guide to the perfect packing list for your Costa Rica trip.
Always lock your car doors and roll up the windows
Car thefts are quite common in isolated areas and on beaches in Costa Rica. Do not park your car in isolated areas, especially at night. If you have plans to go to a beach, park at a safe, guarded place, even if that means having to pay a parking fee or a tip.
Do not leave valuable belongings in your car. If you do have to leave them, don’t leave them on the seats. Make sure you keep them in a place where they are not visible from the outside. Always roll up your windows before locking the car.
Stay alert when using public transportation
When taking public transportation in Costa Rica, always keep your bag/handbag close to you. Do not store it in the overhead compartment. It is easy for a thief to grab your bag when you are not looking and get down with it at the next bus stop.
When taking a bus for long journeys, be cautious when storing your luggage in the compartment under the bus. Do not keep anything expensive or valuable inside that bag. Keep your valuables with you at all times.
Cling on to your belongings tightly when getting on or off the bus. Ensure you do not doze off with your mobile or wallet in your hands.
Do not trust strangers and beware of scams
As a tourist in a foreign country, you should never trust strangers. Do not entrust a stranger with your bags or belongings, and do not go to an isolated place with a stranger for whatever reason.
Do not stop your car to help strangers on the street. I, of course, do not mean to say that you should not help someone in need. There have been cases when thieves have stopped the car in the pretence of asking for help, and have then robbed the drivers. So be very careful with whom you decide to help.
Beware of scams! Be alert when taking taxis from/to the airport or bus station, as the taxi driver may try to scam you. Some may even tell you that the bus has been cancelled and will offer to drop you off at your destination for a very hefty amount. Do not believe them until you check it for yourself.
If you are looking to exchange your country's currency for Costa Rican Colones, please be aware of the exchange rate beforehand. Do not believe them blindly. Always count the money carefully, as seeing large bills in denominations of thousands can be very confusing.
Do not participate in any games in the parks, streets, or beaches. Do not accept flowers, palm leaves, or anything else from kids on the streets. They will then ask you for money.
Do not book cheap tours off the streets. Book from certified and licensed tour operators after thorough research. Similarly, do not hire non-certified tour guides.
Final Thoughts
There is absolutely no need for you to sweat about your safety in Costa Rica. A bit of research, basic preparedness, staying vigilant, and traveling light will keep you out of trouble’s way. We sincerely hope these tips were useful and that you would apply them on your next Costa Rica vacation. Cheers!
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