Exercise a high degree of caution in Costa Rica due to crime. Back to top. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs frequently. Tourists are common targets for theft because they are perceived as being wealthy. Crime against property, such as house burglary, theft from cars, and vehicle theft, is frequent. Passport theft is also extremely common and increases in frequency during the peak tourist seasons, from November to May and from July to August.
Thefts commonly occur:. Residential break-ins occur. Burglars may target rental accommodations or houses and apartments owned by foreigners. Car break-ins and theft are very common throughout the country. Rental and luxury vehicles are a target of choice. Theft commonly occurs:. Violent crime, including murders and armed robberies, occurs. Drug trafficking is common, and most incidents are drug-related. The most affected provinces are:. Although not frequent, violent assaults against travellers have occurred on the Caribbean coast in:.
Overseas fraud. Snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery. There are reports of casualties due to the consumption of unregulated and adulterated alcohol containing high levels of methanol. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time.
They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Costa Rican law prohibits political activity by foreigners. Mass gatherings large-scale events. Very few beaches are supervised by lifeguards. There are no warning signs of dangerous conditions. Outdoor activities, such as white-water rafting, scuba diving, bungee jumping, canopy touring and other adventure sports can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are rarely marked, and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer.
Life-threatening fauna such as jaguars, pumas, wild pigs and poisonous snakes are common in the densely wooded areas. Road conditions and road safety are generally poor throughout the country. Costa Rica has one of the highest traffic accident rates in the world.
