Is Costa Rica Safe? 17 Tips for Safe Travel

Are you planning a trip to Costa Rica and wondering if it is safe?

Costa Rica was the first country I ever visited – and my first time on a plane. After 12 years of traveling to this country, and over a year of living there, I can tell you that Costa Rica is totally safe to visit. While my experience is as a straight white woman who speaks some level of Spanish, I have also worked with dozens of diverse students who also found the country to be safe to travel in.

Keep reading for some important details regarding safety in Costa Rica.

Physical Safety and Crime

Pickpocketing and petty theft are the most common crimes that tourists will face in Costa Rica. It is very rare for anything more nefarious to happen in my experience. I have personally never even been pick-pocketed or robbed, but many have.

To lower your risk of these common thefts, don’t leave your items unattended, especially at the beach or on a public bus. Keep your phone and wallet in your front pants pockets, and keep any bags in front of you, especially in urban areas like San Jose. Don’t put anything in outside pockets and keep everything put away when not in use.

Leave your rental car locked up with items out of sight. Consider leaving items at your hotel whenever possible.

☎️ Call 911 if you need to report an emergency in Costa RIca

Is Costa Rica safe for solo female travelers?

Yes, Costa Rica is a safe destination for solo female travelers, and women in general. While there is always an unfortunately inherant risk being a woman, I would say it is not any more unsafe in Costa Rica. I have always felt safe traveling here myself.

Before I visited Costa Rica for the first time, I read a guide about the country from Frommer’s which had me absolutely terrified that I was going to be taken advantage of by Costa Rican men.

On one of my first nights out in Costa Rica as a study-abroad student, we met some locals who told us we HAD to try a chiliguaro – the unofficial Costa Rican shot. They are made with local sugarcane liquor called Guaro, and a chili sauce.

I followed that man all the way to the bar to just make sure everything was above board and I could see the drink go from the bartender’s hands to mine. He thought I just didn’t understand him when he told me to wait there, and he was genuine, but it was my first time out in my first time abroad, so I just wanted to make sure I was safe!

Driving safely in Costa Rica

The way that Costa Ricans drive will probably make people a little nervous unless you are from a bigger city. It certainly makes me nervous! Here are a few things to look out for that will make driving in Costa Rica safer.

Be aware that, especially in bigger cities like San Jose, locals don’t usually fully stop at stop signs and sometimes even red lights. That being said, from 10pm to 5am red lights can be treated as stop signs.

I will often see people honk their horn as they drive through a green light just to make sure no one hits them.

On that note, honking is a way of communicating, so don’t be alarm if someone honks at you. It isn’t used in the same way as in the US. Usually, Costa Ricans will honk to get your attention in a variety of scenarios, including if the traffic light just turned green, if they want you to let them over, to say thank you for letting them over, to warn you not to hit them as they pull out, etc.

Car jacking isn’t prolific, but it is probably best to avoid driving late at night.

The main highway is paved, but as you get to more rural areas, like going to see waterfalls, you may come across dirt or poorly maintained roads with potholes.

If you get into a car accident

• Call 911 if anyone is injured
• Contact your rental car company
• Be weary of anyone not involved who comes up to “help” – this could be a scam
• For the most part, do not move the vehicles until a Transit Police Officer arrives at the scene and advises it is okay to do so.

Costa Rica recently changed its law on moving vehicles after an accident. Before, it was illegal to move vehicles under any circumstances. Now, there are a few situations in which it is ok, but it is most likely that you will be told not to move it until they arrive.

Driving with bad weather

It rains for more than half the year in Costa Rica, and the rains are intense. Roads can often be washed out or flooded. Make sure you have directions downloaded offline in case of bad service, and confirm the weather forecast before you drive.

If it is raining very heavily, consider holding off until the rain calms down. If you have to drive in the rain, make sure your headlights are on and that you are driving with plenty of space between you and any cars in front of you.

Don’t drive through standing water. You never know how deep it is and flooding could potentially sweep the vehicle away.

If you plan to drive beyond where “good roads” are to more rural roads, rent a vehicle with higher clearance or book your transportation instead.

Common scams in Costa Rica

Unofficial taxis, called pirate taxis, are common especially in San Jose. All official taxis in Costa Rica are red, except for at the San Jose airport where they are orange. They are licensed and operate under an agreement. The red official taxis have a yellow triangle on the side and are supposed to run a meter to determine the cost of the ride.

Sometimes unofficial taxi drivers will hang out in popular areas and try to convince you to ride with them, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Uber is also available in Costa Rica but it is technically illegal.

Self-appointed parking lot attendants will sometimes post up at popular tourist attractions and claim you must pay them a fee to watch your car. This is an honor system, as you will have no recourse if anything does happen.

Avoid losing money on fake tours by booking your tour online, with your hotel, or through a reputable company.

Weather

Regardless of what plans are on your Costa Rican itinerary, you should bring some reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin in the tropical sun. This is not the Florida sun. This is near the equator and the sun is stronger. Please wear reef-safe sunscreen!

If you do get sunburnt, protect your skin and don’t keep going out in the sun. Wear a sunshirt and keep your sunburnt skin covered. It is also a good idea to bring a hat to help protect your face, where skin is more sensitive.

Costa Rica experiences hundreds of earthquakes every year but they are rarely ever dangerous and most tourists don’t even notice them. There were 3 substantial earthquakes during the 3 months I studied abroad, and I only barely felt one of them.

Of course with tropical rainforests comes lots of rain, but other than driving this doesn’t pose much risk for travelers.

Nature

There are so many incredible plants and animals in Costa Rica, and yes, unfortunately, a few of them do sting a little. You will most likely only encounter a few.

Wear shoes and bring a flashlight when walking around at night in more rural areas (so, outside of San Jose) to avoid stepping on scorpions which are common in some parts of Costa Rica.

Mosquitos are abundant, so bug spray will come in handy for your trip to Costa Rica. They are especially relentless in lowlands outside of the central valley, and in the rainy season (May to November). Mosquitos can carry some illnesses in Costa Rica, including Malaria, Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya, though most of these are rare with the exception of Dengue.

🦟 Bring bug spray with you, as it is expensive in Costa Rica.
CLICK HERE to shop our favorite DEET and non-DEET bug sprays.

Is hiking in Costa Rica safe?

When hiking you will want to stay on the path and wear closed-toed shoes. Some snakes in Costa Rica are venemous, including the eyelash pit viper which is likely not going to bother you, and the fer-de-lance which might if you happen to miss one (unlikely).

Plants to look out for are the Stinging Nettle which is not all that uncommon in the US, the black spike palm which is exactly what it sounds like, and more. Basically, stay on the trails and you will be fine!

Swimming safety in Costa Rica

Some Costa Rican beaches have a strong current that is unsafe even for very strong swimmers, and it is not common to see life guards on most beaches. A good rule of thumb is that if you don’t see anyone else, especially the locals, in the water then you shouldn’t go in past your knees either.

Once, in the Caribbean, a local came up to a group of us girls and told us to be careful in the water. He pointed out the steep slope of the beach and said the current is strong, and not to go out past our knees. He was so nice to look out for us, as everyone could probably tell we weren’t from around there and wanted us to be safe.

Rip tides can also occur, and often look like calm water that can swiftly pull you out to sea. Read this post about how to spot and avoid rip currents.

Food Safety

Are you wondering about navigating your food allergies in Costa Rica?

I recommend you bring a laminated card with your allergies that is translated into Spanish.

Key phrases to communicate common allergies or preferences:

• I am vegetarian = Soy vegetariano/a
• I am vegan = Soy vegano/a
• Do you have anything without _____ ? = Tiene algo que no tenga nada con _____?
• Meat = Carne
• Animal products = animal, usually specific to meat and not dairy
• Dairy = Lácteos
• Gluten = Gluten (same as in English)
• Nuts = Nueces (usually tree nuts)
• Peanuts = Maní
• Shellfish = Mariscos (also means seafood in general)

Learn some fun slang words in Spanish for your trip to Costa Rica

Is the water safe to drink in Costa Rica?

Yes, most of the time. There are some places in Costa Rica where it is not advisable to drink water, such as in the Caribbean, but in most parts of the country it is safe to drink right from the tap.

If you are still concerned, consider bring a Lifestraw water bottle with you, which comes with a built-in filter.

Can I eat fresh fruit and washed produce?

Fresh fruit should be safe to eat, especially at produce markets! Anything that is cut or washed you will want to make sure is prepared in a sanitary environment, otherwise maybe skip it.

Is street food safe?

As in most places, always look for food vendors that look relatively clean and sanitary, with people actively eating there. That will ensure there is a faster turnover with food items and minimize your risk of getting sick.

Also, as a general food safety rule, it is best to avoid anything that should be refrigerated and hasn’t been, especially meat, dairy, or anything mixed with mayonaise like slaw.

Medical safety in Costa Rica

If you experience a medical emergency in Costa Rica, call 911.

It is is a good idea to have a laminated card with information about any medicines you take and their dose in your wallet, as well as any medical conditions and important allergies like penicillin.

Be sure to note where the nearest hospital or health clinic will be to your destination, and save the number in your phone in case you need it.

Public clinics and hospitals are funded by the free healthcare in Costa Rica, so it should be extremely affordable. In fact, people often travel to Costa Rica for medical care because the trip and the healthcare together are cheaper than just the healthcare in the US.

Download an eSIM before your trip to make calls from Costa Rica

Are any vaccines required to enter Costa Rica?

Yes, but it depends. Costa Rica requires anyone coming from a country with risk of Yellow Fever to have the vaccine and carry a card with your vaccination information.

If you are traveling from the United States and are up to date on your routine vaccines, then you will not need anything else specific to visit Costa Rica.

The CDC does recommend additional vaccines, including Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and COVID-19 but these are not required.

Malaria may also be a risk if you are traveling to certain areas of Costa Rica.

See the full CDC guidelines for vaccinations and Costa Rica travel.

In my personal experiences, Costa Ricans tend to care a little less about sharing germs than I am used to back home in the US. There were so many times I was super sick, or a friend was, and they said that’s okay, and still leaned in for the air kiss greeting.

If you are traveling in very touristy areas and staying in resorts, this probably won’t affect you. However if you are studying abroad, staying in a homestay, or backpacking in Costa Rica you might notice yourself getting sick a bit more often than usual with a common cold or the flu.

How to be safer when traveling in Costa Rica

Before you go:

• Purchase travel insurance
• Make a plan for your trip and send it to someone not traveling with you
• Look up important phone numbers and keep them in your wallet. Key numbers include your local embassy, the nearest hospital, and potentially the hotel you are staying with.
• Keep a copy of important documents with you, such as your passport and driver’s license. Leave an addional copy at home.
• Make sure you are up to date on all recommended vaccines
• If possible, learn some Spanish so you can understand and communicate more clearly

🏥 Check pricing for travel insurance 🏥

During your trip

• Don’t walk around alone at night
• Do not bring flashy, expensive items like jewelry and tech
• Leave expensive and important items locked in your room safe, if available
• Carry small amounts of money with you at a time
• In urban areas, keep your bag in front of you with your hands on it
• Don’t leave personal items unattended, even at the beach
• Keep your bags with you when traveling on public transportation, unless you can check your bag under the bus
• Only take official taxis, and ask them to run the meter (ponga la maria por favor)
• Book tours online, through your hotel, or with a reputable company
• Bring a flashlight for walking around at night
• Wear closed-toed shoes on hikes and wear protective sandals in rocky beaches

Final thoughts on safety in Costa Rica

Overall, Costa Rica is a really safe country to travel to for all types of tourists. Keep these few things in mind to have a smoother trip experience, and you will be golden!