| A question often asked is, "Is Costa Rica safe?" The | | | | parks late at night. |
| answer, to a great extent, is yes. | | | | * Steer clear of deserted side streets, properties, or |
| The crime rate in Costa Rica is the lowest in Latin | | | | undeveloped land. |
| America, and Costa Rica is, without a doubt, the | | | | * Watch your luggage, never leave it unattended, and |
| safest country in Central America. Over one and a | | | | write your name on it. |
| half million tourists, most of them Americans, visit Costa | | | | * Do not hand your luggage to any stranger except |
| Rica every year, and they feel as safe as ever | | | | the airport porters who carry an official identification. |
| exploring the country. The Ticos on the whole are | | | | * Lock your doors and your luggage when staying at a |
| very friendly and warm people by nature, and they live | | | | hotel. |
| a simple life devoid of all its excesses. There are no | | | | * Do not carry a lot of money or flash big wads of |
| acts of terrorism in Costa Rica, and recreational drugs, | | | | money, and remember to keep your wallet in a safe |
| other than tobacco and alcohol, are illegal. And Costa | | | | place. It is also recommended to wear a money belt. |
| Rica has no standing army, and unlike all other | | | | * Make sure that your personal belongings (keys, |
| countries in Latin America, the country has not | | | | laptop, cell phone, credit card(s), etc.) are within reach, in |
| experienced any political strife since 1949. | | | | a secure place, and never out in the open. |
| With the single exception of robbery, the crime rate in | | | | * As a foreigner, your passport is your ID. Keep your |
| Costa Rica is very low compared to other countries. | | | | passport in a secure place, and always keep several |
| For the purpose of comparison, according to the | | | | photocopies of your passport as well as your Costa |
| United Nations' Seventh Annual Survey on Crime, | | | | Rica airline ticket and insurance policy. |
| crimes recorded in police statistics show that the crime | | | | * Do not make yourself a target for thieves and |
| rate for all index crimes (murder, forcible rape, robbery, | | | | pickpockets - do not wear flashy jewelry or |
| aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor | | | | expensive watches. |
| vehicle theft) in Costa Rica was 1208.2 per 100,000 | | | | * Do not hold expensive equipment, such as cameras, |
| inhabitants in 1999, comparing very well with 1529.75 | | | | all the time while walking. |
| for Japan (country with a low crime rate) and 4184.24 | | | | * Guard yourself against car theft - always lock your |
| for the U.S. (country with a high crime rate). | | | | car, and do not leave your keys or anything of value in |
| The crime in Costa Rica is generally much lower and | | | | your car even if you run into a store or supermarket |
| less violent than that in the States, and the crime here | | | | for a few seconds to buy something. |
| tends to be opportunistic as opposed to violent. In | | | | * Do not park your car on the street - use secured |
| other words, rapes and murders in Costa Rica are | | | | private parking lots whenever possible. |
| very few, almost unheard of, compared to those in the | | | | * Use your common sense, do not trust anyone who |
| States, but petty theft, car theft, and pick-pocketing | | | | approaches you and wants to act like your tour guide, |
| are not uncommon here, especially in downtown San | | | | and do not get separated from your tour group. |
| Jose and on the beach. In smaller towns, the crime | | | | If you fall victim to any crime, please report the incident |
| rate is much lower. | | | | to the local police and contact the nearest U.S. |
| It's always best to exercise caution at all times, not | | | | Embassy or Consulate for assistance. |
| only when visiting Costa Rica, but also when visiting | | | | Be not afraid! Remember that traveling to any country |
| any other foreign country. Traveling to any country is | | | | in the world is not without some risk, and you should |
| not without some risk. The good news is that you can | | | | follow these safety precautions anywhere you go. |
| very much enjoy a safe and wonderful stay in Costa | | | | With some common sense, no crime will ever happen |
| Rica by following the simple common-sense safety | | | | to you and you will find Costa Rica a safe and |
| tips outlined below, which also apply to any other | | | | wonderful country to visit or stay. Most of this advice |
| foreign country you may want to visit. | | | | is well taken in the States. |
| * Be careful when stepping into the wild, going off a | | | | We have not suffered any crime that we are aware |
| beaten path, or roaming national parks. Pay attention to | | | | of in the last two years (knock on wood), but that can |
| warning signs, and always check with your guide if | | | | happen in just about any community in the world. |
| there's any danger ahead. | | | | Remember, the crime rate in the U.S. is about 4 times |
| * Be very wary of dangerous trails, volcanic areas, | | | | as high as it is here in Grecia. And in Dallas, TX, I had |
| riptides, and waves. | | | | my Chevy Blazer stolen twice (only to steal the radio) |
| * Do not swim into the ocean. There are few | | | | and had the house burglarized once, so things like |
| lifeguards, so always stay near other bathers. | | | | these can happen here, in the U.S., or anywhere else. |
| * Do not walk alone in secluded areas or go into public | | | | |