Yes, Costa Rica is safe to visit with increased caution, but you must stay alert to opportunistic theft, violent robberies, and severe ocean currents. At Safe to Go, we track warnings from the US, UK, and Canada every day, translating government guidance into practical trip decisions.
None of the three governments advise against travel to Costa Rica. The UK FCDO does warn that muggings and theft are a problem, particularly on the Atlantic coast, and that gang shootings have become more frequent in urban areas, including some places popular with visitors.
Where the Warnings Concentrate by Region
Government advisories do not restrict travel to any broad territory in Costa Rica, yet specific locations carry concentrated warnings. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warns that muggings and thefts represent significant problems on the Atlantic coast.
Urban environments present different hazards, as the UK FCDO notes that gang-related violence, including shootings, has grown more frequent in cities and reaches areas popular with foreign visitors. The capital of San Jose also enforces strict driving restrictions, barring private vehicles from entering on certain weekdays depending on the last digit of the license plate. If you want to see how these localized conditions compare with neighboring nations, review our regional summary on the safest countries in Central America.
Pacific beach communities bring hazards linked directly to nature and coastal waters. The UK FCDO identifies regular crocodile sightings along Pacific beaches popular with surfers, running from Playa Azul down to Playa Esterillos, with attacks recorded in recent years. Meanwhile, airport operations in Guanacaste require vigilance, as services at Liberia Airport (Daniel Oduber International) experience periodic disruptions that impact arrival schedules.
Crime and Water Hazards Visitors Face in Costa Rica
Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica, according to the US Department of State. Thieves frequently target bags left unattended on beaches, luggage on public buses, and wallets handled at automated teller machines (ATMs). Thieves have also slashed tyres and offered to help change them while an accomplice steals from the car.
Violent crime affects visitors as well, including armed robbery, sexual assault, and homicide. The UK FCDO notes that rapes and sexual assaults have increased, with some attacks appearing targeted toward tourists, alongside reports of spiked drinks in bars. Methanol in alcoholic drinks has caused deaths and serious illness in Costa Rica, and the UK FCDO says criminal gangs have apparently used it to make cheap local spirits, including vodka and guaro (cane liquor).
Environmental conditions and physical activities also carry severe dangers. Drownings are the second most common cause of accidental death in Costa Rica, averaging 50 to 60 a year in recent years, a third of them tourists. Rip currents are very common and there are often no lifeguards, so seek reliable local advice before you swim. Water sports and adventure safety standards are variable, with several small boat incidents in Tortuguero, including a fatality from a falling tree. When considering alternatives across the region, evaluate our guide on whether Belize is safe or see if Guatemala is safe to compare local safety profiles.
- Never leave bags in parked cars, whether visible on seats or locked inside the vehicle boot.
- Refuse unsolicited assistance from strangers if you have a flat tyre, as an accomplice may steal from the car.
- Take care when buying spirit-based drinks and cheap local spirits due to documented cases of lethal methanol poisoning.
- Seek reliable local advice when swimming, and take extra care near beaches between Playa Azul and Playa Esterillos where crocodiles are sighted.
- Hire experienced guides for jungle excursions, and stay out of restricted conservation areas to avoid fines.
How the Three Government Advisories Compare
The US and Canada both ask for extra caution in Costa Rica, and the UK FCDO advises against travel to no part of the country. The live panel above shows today’s level from each.
The US Department of State highlights that violent crime touches foreign nationals directly, warning visitors about armed robbery, sexual assault, and homicide alongside common petty theft. Canada advises a high degree of caution for the whole country. Neither government publishes a regional red list advising against travel to specific provinces.
The UK FCDO provides operational breakdowns, publishing clear guidance on gang shootings in urban districts, drink spiking, and counterfeit alcohol. The British government also details specific adventure travel risks, including unauthorized jungle access, small boat incidents around Tortuguero, and crocodile encounters along Pacific beaches. For a broader look at worldwide conditions, check our complete index to see is it safe to travel to every country.
| Government Agency | Core Stance | Specific Warnings Highlighted |
|---|---|---|
| US Department of State | Exercise Increased Caution | Common petty crime, armed robbery, homicide, sexual assault |
| UK FCDO | No areas advised against | Mugged tourists on Atlantic coast, gang shootings, methanol poisoning, rip currents, crocodiles |
| Canada | Exercise a high degree of caution | Not published |
Practical Precautions Before and During Travel
American citizens should register their trip through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before traveling. You should also confirm that your travel insurance policy covers hazardous sports like zip-lining, surfing, and quad biking, which general policies routinely exclude.
Costa Rican law requires foreign nationals to carry ID; local police usually accept a printed copy of your passport, provided you keep the original available somewhere safe. Avoid all involvement with illegal drugs, as drug possession and trafficking trigger mandatory minimum prison sentences of 8 years.
Avoid unofficial taxis (taxi piratas). Official taxis are red (orange at the airport) with a triangular sticker and a roof box showing the company name and number, and the UK FCDO says radio-dispatched taxis are best. Check that the driver’s ID is on the dashboard and the meter is running. If you rent a car, you can use a valid UK photocard driving licence for up to 180 days, but never import or operate right-hand drive vehicles, which are illegal and uninsurable under local law. Before departure, print our free travel safety checklist to organize your emergency numbers.
Handling Traffic Accidents and Weather Disruptions
The UK FCDO says the standard of driving in Costa Rica is lower than in the UK. Drivers cause accidents by speeding, overtaking irresponsibly or ignoring traffic lights, and bridges often narrow the road to a single lane. Main roads are generally in good condition, but heavy rain in the rainy season can cause potholes and landslides that block roads.
If you get into a car crash where someone suffers an injury or the other motorist disputes blame, do not move your vehicle until the authorities arrive. You must immediately call the traffic police, known as transito, at 2222 9330 or 2222 9245, and summon the insurance investigator (INS) at 800 800 8000. If you think a collision was a deliberate act by another driver to make you stop, drive on until you reach a safe place like a police station or garage.
June to November is both the hurricane season and the peak rainy season in Costa Rica, and flooding and landslides may close roads. Monitor the National Hurricane Center and World Meteorological Organization forecasts throughout your trip, and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.
What Would Change the Costa Rica Verdict
Independent solo travelers who plan to walk unlit urban streets at night or visit remote, unguided jungle reserves should reconsider their plans. The UK FCDO says a number of foreign nationals, including one British national, have gone missing in recent years, some in incidents related to criminal activity.
Our assessment would turn negative if criminal gang activity expanded into direct targeting of resort properties, or if governments elevated their advisories to advise against all or all but essential travel.
Before booking, review the latest advisory changes to confirm whether new warnings have appeared.