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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.<\/p>\n
Costa Rica<\/a> is a nature lover\u2019s paradise \u2014 and it\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n The beaches feel like paradise, there\u2019s 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<\/a> without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n But is Costa Rica safe to visit?<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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)<\/a>.<\/p>\n But while Costa Rica is one of the safest countries for travel and backpacking in Central America<\/a>, that doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1. Avoid isolated areas<\/strong> \u2013 If you\u2019re somewhere isolated, you\u2019ll be at a greater risk of getting robbed, especially at night and in big cities. Try to stay where the people are. That\u2019s the best way to avoid being singled out by potential muggers.<\/p>\n 2. Don\u2019t wear flashy items<\/strong> \u2013 Petty theft is common here, so remove any jewelry or watches before you go out and don\u2019t wave your phone or camera around. Do your best to blend in, so you don\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n 3. Don\u2019t leave your items unattended<\/strong> \u2013 If you are spending the day on the beaches in Puerto Viejo<\/a>, Santa Teresa<\/a>, or Manuel Antonio<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n If you can, hit the beach with fellow travelers so you can each keep an eye on everyone’s things.<\/p>\n 4. Be alert when using public transportation<\/strong> – Petty theft (including bag snatching or pickpocketing) is the most common type of crime you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n 5. Always take an authorized taxi<\/strong> \u2013 Crimes against cab riders are infrequent here but it\u2019s best you use a licensed taxi. Also, pay close attention to the meter and make sure it\u2019s running properly. Cab drivers can turn the meter off and claim it\u2019s broken (a common scam, see below). <\/p>\n 6. Stick to the path<\/strong> – 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). <\/p>\n 7. Don\u2019t bring valuables out with you<\/strong> – In general, it\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s it. That way, if something were to happen you won\u2019t lose everything.<\/p>\n 8. Be careful in certain areas<\/strong> – San Jose<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Puerto Viejo is a fun beach destination<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 9. Buy travel insurance<\/strong> – Travel insurance<\/a> 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\u2019s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it. You shouldn’t either. <\/p>\n I recommend SafetyWing<\/a> for travelers under 70, while Insure My Trip<\/a> is the best choice for travelers over 70. <\/p>\n You can use this widget to get a quote for SafetyWing: <\/p>\n\n\n
9 Safety Tips for Costa Rica<\/h3>\n