Traveling Safe in Costa Rica

Overall, Costa Rica is a pretty safe country if you are an experienced traveler and know how to stay safe. All it takes to stay safe in Costa Rica is a little bit of common sense, some street smarts, and local knowledge. Here are some of our tips on how to stay safe while traveling in Costa Rica.

Bus Rides – Buses are a tourists best friend and this is widely known. Because of this, thieves, pickpockets, and corrupt cab drivers will target buses and bus stops. Check out our post on bus traveling tips for information on how to stay safe and comfortable on buses.

Taxi Rides – Most of the crimes involved with taxis are simply getting ripped off by the driver. To make sure you get a good price, ask the cab to turn on the meter if they have one. It is also a good idea to ask your hotel receptionist how much it should cost to get to a particular destination via taxi. This way, you know if you are getting ripped off or not. For more information about taxi rides, check out our post on taxi tips.

Walking Around at Night – Use some common sense when walking at night.

• Don’t carry bags or purses when walking around at night.
• Don’t carry your passport, carry a copy of it.
• Don’t walk on secluded beaches.
• Stay off trails in the jungle or woods.
• Don’t get belligerently drunk in town and then walk back to your hotel, get a cab.