Is Costa Rica safe?

The short answer is yes—Costa Rica is so safe that in 2023, a record-breaking number of tourists entered the country. The country welcomed over 2.5 million visitors last year, and this year, the total number of visitors is on track to grow even more. This is partly due to the country’s high level of safety.

Over 400,000 other foreign residents call Costa Rica home, including myself and many from neighboring countries and the United States. 

I’ve lived in Costa Rica for five years after serving in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua. After my Peace Corps service ended, I found Costa Rica an exceptionally alluring, friendly, and welcoming country. 

When I first arrived, I traveled the country alone by bus, working for room and board at eco-farms and butterfly sanctuaries. After settling in La Fortuna, I became an international tour guide for groups from the United States. Along with Costa Rican peers, I led university study-abroad trips, all-female surf retreats, and high school student-learning groups.

I’ve had only positive experiences traveling the country and working alongside talented and knowledgeable Costa Rican colleagues. 

Eventually, I landed in Bahìa Ballena and was charmed by its dirt roads, local surf scene, and collection of international residents. 

My life in Costa Rica thus far can be characterized as a great adventure, an epic exchange of knowledge and cultures, and a marathon of meaningful relationship building—all made possible with the help and kindness of Costa Rican people. 

At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, we keep the spirit of the Peace Corps mission alive by working alongside our Costa Rican counterparts to serve our clients and our community.

The Good and the Bad

Costa Rica is approximately the size of West Virginia and home to about five million inhabitants. The third largest demographic living in the country is from the United States. 

Dense jungles, pristine beaches, and towering volcanos are just a few of the reasons causing international tourists and immigrants to flock to this peaceful nation. 

The country has a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere with a noticeable friendliness towards foreigners. The Costa Rican government protects almost a third of the country’s natural resources in national parks, relies 99% on renewable energy, and recently instituted a single-use plastics ban. In addition, Costa Rica abolished its army and has a stable democracy, a strong economy, and a robust social and cultural fabric. 

Its eco-friendly appeal and the government’s peaceful approach make Costa Rica’s international reputation sparkle.

However, like any country, Costa Rica also has its challenges. In the past few years, Costa Rica has experienced a growing cartel presence and, as a result, an expanding consumer market for illegal drugs. 

According to Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Organism, there were 907 total homicides in 2023—the most violent year in the country’s history—primarily attributed to narcotrafficking groups. 

The Costa Rican government maintains that the homicides are mainly carried out between members of criminal gangs fighting for territory, and typically occur in poor neighborhoods around San Josè where the drug markets are stronger, and in the province of Limón which serves as a narcotics transshipment point between South America, the U.S., and Europe. 

In addition, high levels of foreign investment combined with the tourist economy have increased the cost of living, and as a consequence, inequality is growing.  

The country also faces the challenge of navigating an unprecedented flow of migrants, primarily from Nicaragua, Venezuela, and other South American countries. Many of these migrants use Costa Rica as a stopover point on their journey toward the United States, where they will seek refugee status. 

These factors have pushed the Costa Rican government to increase security spending and increase the number of police officers in the last year. 

Even still, the most common crime against foreign tourists is non-violent petty theft. This means having valuables stolen from the beach, cars, or houses when the owners aren’t around. 

According to the Costa Rican government, the level of petty theft against foreign tourists has remained the same despite the increasing number of tourists overall.

Advice for Having a Safe Trip to Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, violent crime generally affects the capital, San Jose, its surrounding neighborhoods, and Limón, where the Port of Moin is located—areas tourists typically avoid. 

Violent crime is uncommon in smaller, rural communities; however, coastal communities and tourist areas are typically associated with petty theft and car break-ins. Remember that the best way to stay safe is to get to know the area and community you are visiting. 

Costa Rica is a culturally and geographically diverse country with unique opportunities and challenges facing different regions. The key to preparing for your trip is to find a hospitality or tour operator with good knowledge and strong ties to the local area. 

For example, Bodhi Surf + Yoga’s mission statement is: Educating, inspiring, and empowering our stakeholders to live more sustainably through surfing, yoga, nature immersion, and community engagement.

Part of our promise is to provide our guests with the resources and knowledge for you to get acquainted with our community of Bahia Ballena and about traveling to Costa Rica in general.

Maintaining Situational Awareness

Learning about the country and the local areas you are visiting is important for maintaining situational awareness. This is the ability to perceive, understand, and effectively respond to your surroundings. 

For example, avoid leaving valuables unattended on the beach, in cars, or in unlocked rooms. Other common-sense advice is to avoid carrying or wearing excessive jewelry, electronics, or large sums of money. 

It’s also easier to be aware of your surroundings in small groups, although I’d recommend not going out alone at night in unfamiliar areas. 

How to Get Help if You Are the Victim of a Crime

In over six years of living in Central America, I have never had anything stolen, nor have I ever had to report a crime on behalf of one of my students. If you are unfortunate enough to be the victim of theft, you can contact emergency services at 911 or report the crime to the local police by calling 506-2295-3000. 

Remember that Costa Rican authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime, which they will do only if you file a police report, called a “denuncia” in Spanish. 

The U.S. Embassy can assist you in filing a police report at +506 2519-2000 or [email protected]. The Embassy can also help replace a stolen or lost passport, provide a list of local attorneys or medical professionals, or help you find accommodation or arrange flights home in an emergency. 

For more information, visit the U.S. Embassy’s Costa Rica security report or the Tourism Institute’s safety prevention videos and tips for travelers.

General Health and Safety Information

Costa Rica has high health and safety standards, so the water is safe to drink, and food-borne illnesses are rare. You don’t need any special vaccines to enter the country. 

Driving is one of the country’s most dangerous activities, so always wear your seatbelt and ride with a trusted driver. If you don’t feel comfortable driving stick-shift over mountainous two-lane highways, hiring a driver is better!

Flooding can occur during the rainy season, typically from July until October, and flash floods and landslides can sometimes block roads or bridges. Don’t try to drive across flash floods or unknown rivers. Always ask locals what the best options for alternative routes are. 

Costa Rican beaches can have dangerous currents and most beaches lack lifeguards or warnings of strong currents. This is one of the reasons Bodhi Surf + Yoga teaches our guests how to identify ocean hazards and read a surf report.  

We encourage our students to become independent surfers and beach-goers by learning to read the ocean conditions without relying on a surf forecasting website. It’s also always a good idea to talk to surfers or locals nearby to help you identify any unseen hazards.

How Does Bodhi Surf + Yoga Keep Our Guests Safe?

Bodhi Surf + Yoga is located in Bahia Ballena, a rural beach town in the South Pacific side of the country. The community is a mix of local Costa Ricans, Costa Rican transplants, and international residents from across the globe. 

The town has several small organizations and non-profit associations that work together to promote environmental protection, youth education, and citizen security and well-being. Bahia Ballen’s residents are dedicated to making this place thrive! 

If you’re still nervous about traveling to Costa Rica, here are some tips to consider to feel more prepared:

• Learn some key phrases in Spanish! Being polite goes a long way.
• Research the areas and towns you want to visit. Learn if there’s anything you should know before you go. 
• Make sure your phone has a working Costa Rica SIM or international plan. Verifying the correct route on Google Maps or Waze before taking a taxi or shuttle is helpful. I always like to double-check routes for Ubers and buses to be sure I’m headed in the right direction.
• Explore the area alone only if you feel comfortable. Otherwise, ask a buddy to go with you to a new place. Try to avoid going out alone at night. 
• Try to leave your most expensive or precious valuables at home. You’ll be surprised what you can live without- and it feels good to have nothing to lose. 
• If you must travel with iPads, laptops, or expensive telescopes and cameras, consider purchasing travel insurance in case of an emergency or theft. 
• Remember, Bodhi Surf + Yoga picks up our guests from the airport for a seamless transition upon arrival. It’s always a good idea to have your first few days planned, including how you’ll get a ride at the airport.
• Always use reliable and well-vetted tour operators. If you’re unsure, just ask your tour guide or check online for other’s experiences and positive reviews.

Ultimately, our mission is to preserve and improve this place we call home. We invite our guests to engage with Bahia Ballena by encouraging walking, local tours, and meeting with residents.

These community-engaged experiences acknowledge that tourism works best when it works for everyone. We don’t keep our guests separate from the community but encourage them to discover more about the place and its residents. 

One way Bodhi Surf + Yoga tries to re-invest in our home is through Community Building Programs. We know tourism can act as a force for good to help a country develop equitably and sustainably. We also know that tourism can have the opposite effect if it is done without mindfulness.

Bodhi Surf + Yoga offers a different kind of vacation than is considered typical: our goal is to promote responsible tourism, embrace the concept of community, and bring guests closer to nature. We are also proud members of 1% for the Planet, voluntarily donating one percent of our gross annual sales to support environmental non-profits.

Yoga and surfing can be done anywhere in the world—the key is to find a country and a place to make it special. 

We know that a community nurtured from the ground up is a community that blossoms. We are proud of where we come from and believe that with your help we can accomplish even more to encourage this community to flourish. 

I’m proud of my Central American journey. I believe in the power of local Costa Rican businesses to help the country thrive.  

There’s a reason the expression “fear of the unknown” exists—we tend to fear what is foreign. Our goal at Bodhi Surf + Yoga is to help you feel at home. 

Find out more reasons why Costa Rica is the perfect place for your next family vacation.