Traveling in Costa Rica: Crime and Safety
What are the levels of safety in Costa Rica? The Serendipity team is based in-country and has the latest insights and recommendations when it comes to keeping safe while traveling so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience.
Crime in Costa Rica
Yes, like many countries around the world, we have lots of “petty” theft — things stolen from parked cars, things stolen by pickpockets in markets. That’s the bad news. The good news, however, is we have very little violent crime in Costa Rica (except related to drug trafficking, but even this is still less frequent, and less violent, than in Detroit, Dallas, or San Francisco, to provide some perspective). When you hear about crime in Costa Rica in the press, stop for a minute to remember that the rarity of the act is exactly what makes it newsworthy to the public. Another piece of good news: Costa Rica really doesn’t suffer from the vandalism — no profane graffiti, no smashed-out windows of abandoned buildings, no spray-painted monuments.
Safety in Costa Rica
How safe are you in your car, hotel, bar, or restaurant? Using the same standards for selecting where you’d drive, eat, drink, or sleep in Costa Rica as you do at home will assure the same level of safety, if not better. With our expertise, there’s a lower chance of making errors about hotel selection, etc. because you aren’t familiar with the “territory” (some really beautiful hotels online are, in fact, in the middle of higher crime or red-light districts). Since we live here, we really know which areas to avoid. Serendipity Adventures chooses hotels and activities in areas with low population density, which tends to avoid the areas where you are more likely to encounter crime.
Top Tips for Traveling Safely in Costa Rica
- -Make copies of your passport and other important documents. In case you lose your passport, or it gets stolen, having a copy can help you prove your identity when dealing with local authorities or when trying to obtain a replacement passport from your embassy or consulate.
-Keep your belongings secure at all times, especially in crowded areas. Do not leave valuables in your car if you stop for a break or on the beach if you decide to go for a swim. - -When using taxis, especially at airports or bus terminals, use licensed taxis or reputable ride-sharing services.
- -If you are heading out at night, take sensible precautions such as sticking to well-lit populated areas and being aware of your surroundings.
- – Our in-country team is here to support you throughout your vacation. Our Emergency Phone number is available to you 24/7. To see who will be taking care of you during your trip in Costa Rica, visit our team page.