| Official Name: | Republic of Costa Rica |
| Official Language: | Spanish |
| Area: | 51,100 km2 (19,700 sq mi) |
| Population: | 5,000,000 |
| Time Zone: | UTC−6 |
| Capital City: | San José |
| Elevation (San José): | 1,172 m (3,845 ft) |
| Currency: | Colón (CRC) |
| Main Cities: | San José, Alajuela, Cartago |
| Main Port: | Puerto de Caldera |
| Required visa for entry: | Nationals from Australia, Canada, EU countries, the UK, and others DO NOT require visas. Click here for more information concerning visa requirements. |
| Required vaccination for entry: | Yellow fever. Travelers from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and endemic countries must vaccinate 10 days before entering Costa Rica. (Review epidemiological alerts by clicking here). |
Main Risks:
Theft, robbery, kidnapping, extortion, rape, drug and human trafficking, fraud, vehicle assault.
Executive Summary
Costa Rica features medium risks. Security risks increase considerably in remote and border areas beyond the main urban areas, as well as in impoverished neighborhoods of San José. For business trips, we recommend procuring secure transportation services. For high-profile trips, we further recommend hiring executive protection services.
General Risk Level: MEDIUM.
The risk generally remains stable throughout the country. That said, travelers should avoid non-essential travel through high-risk areas, including remote and jungle areas, and impoverished neighborhoods in urban areas with little police control. Although it is not necessary to study a security plan before traveling to San José, it is convenient to review security considerations before traveling to other sites in Costa Rica.
Crime and Security
The main threat to those visiting Costa Rica stems from opportunistic low and medium level crime. Although violent incidents are more likely to take place in impoverished neighborhoods and remote areas, crime is also recurrent in relatively safe areas. Criminals in the cities often operate on motorbikes and assault vehicles at a standstill and distracted passersby. Theft in resort areas is common, even in tourist frequented beaches, including Puerto Limón in the Atlantic coast, and Puntarenas and Jaco in the Pacific.
The risk posed by organized crime increases while traveling by road through the countryside and minor localities. However, foreigners are not typically threatened by gangs. At any rate, travelers should avoid non-essential travel to jungle and/or sparsely populated areas.
It is necessary to review the status of volcanoes in the country before traveling to Volcán Turrialba and Volcán Toas National Parks. The parks might be closed due to volcanic activity. Finally, please bear in mind that Costa Rica has a hurricane and tropical storm season between June and November. Adverse weather can lead to security risks, especially in seaside areas, and may lead to travel disruptions and deficiencies in basic services.
Security in San José
Criminal acts are liable to be witnessed across the city. That said, as a rule of thumb, the risks stemming from crime increase in impoverished and peripheric areas, especially in the northeastern and northwestern parts of the city. Although there are no significant risks in the Historic Center and its surrounding neighborhoods, it is necessary to stay alert and exercise vigilance. The safest sites to lodge and carry out business and transactions are the Escazú, Santa Teresa, and La Asunción neighborhoods. These areas concentrate the upper-middle classes in the country. They are perceptibly safer due to higher police presence and protection from private security elements. The main hotels can also be found in these areas. It is also feasible to stay in the Escalante and Guadalupe neighborhoods, closer to the city center. In any case, to mitigate the risk posed by crime, we advise avoiding non-essential through the city during dark hours.
Two airports are servicing San José. The Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) is close to La Asunción and Escazú and neighborhoods and mostly serves regional and domestic routes. In turn, the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is the most important gateway into the country. It mostly serves regional and international routes to the Americas and Europe. It is about 40 minutes from the center depending on traffic.
Transportation
For security reasons, in Costa Rica, public transportation should be avoided. For business and high-profile trips, we advise procuring reputable private transportation services. For the latter, we further advise hiring executive protection services. Generally speaking, it is possible to use smartphone-based ride-sharing apps. Regular taxis can be used provided they are recommended by the prominent hotels. That said, please be advised that some taxi drivers might attempt to take advantage of foreign passengers to inflate the price of the trip.
Although land routes are generally in good condition, traveling through sparsely populated areas with adverse topography entails security risks, especially during the night or under conditions of poor visibility. Therefore, if traveling by land, do not deviate from primary thoroughfares or highways. It is best to avoid secondary routes removed from central localities and which remain in poorer circumstances.
If travel to Costa Rica involves visiting locations outside San José, whether for tourist or business trips, make sure to plan the route in advance under the supervision of local security professionals. Educated assessments should enable the security contractor to determine the safest route and avoid unilluminated or otherwise dangerous paths.
Health and Sanitary Conditions
Costa Rica is vulnerable to tropical storms. Travelers should pay attention to meteorological conditions and avoid touristic trips during the hurricane and rainy season.
Travelers coming from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and yellow fever endemic countries (review epidemiologic alerts clicking here) should present a vaccination certificate upon entry. In any case, it also recommended vaccinating against tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. Taking into account the tropical weather, it is very important to wear protection against bugs and avoid leaving body areas uncovered to mitigate the risk of suffering insect and mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, the Chagas disease, and the Zika virus. These precautions should be followed at all times while entering remote and jungle areas. The quality of tap water in San José and the main urban areas is relatively high but this is not necessarily the case in remote and rural areas that lack adequate sanitary infrastructure. It is therefore recommended to drink sealed bottled water while visiting or staying in such areas.
It is not advised to travel without international health insurance covering emergency medical evacuation to the country of origin.
Take essential health precautions to mitigate the risk of contracting diseases or viruses. Carry masks in crowded places such as airports and maintain rules of social distance and avoid contact with surfaces of common use in public places. Always carry hand sanitizer.
Tactical Recommendations
Exercise vigilance and situational awareness throughout the trip to Costa Rica, especially in urban areas vulnerable to low and medium-level criminal activity. In San José avoid venturing into high and critical risk areas.
We recommend procuring private transportation services for business and high-profile trips, and itineraries involving travel to the countryside. For high-profile trips, we further recommend hiring executive protection services. For security reasons, do not use public transportation. If required, use only taxis vetted by the main hotels and ride-sharing apps.
Avoid carrying large sums of cash or valuables during the trip. We advise against wearing or carrying items in public that may give the impression of economic affluence and which could attract unwanted attention from criminals.
Avoid traveling through the country in sport or luxurious cars which could attract unwanted attention from criminals and corrupt police officers.
Do not resist armed robbery attempts. We recommend to always carry a few 20 thousand CRC or 20 USD bills for duress cases, specifically to appease criminals looking for easy money.
For security reasons avoid travel during night hours, including in San José.
We recommend lodging in reputable establishments and hotels with private security. In San José, it is best to stay in the Escazú, Santa Teresa, and La Asunción neighborhoods.
If travel by route through the countryside is required, avoid all detours, especially while traveling through sparsely populated rural or jungle zones. If possible, plan routes and stopovers ahead with the support of a local security contractor.
Avoid the vicinity of every kind of political demonstration or rally in urban areas. Peaceful protests can be infiltrated by violent elements.
Take all necessary precautions to mitigate the risk posed by insect and mosquito-borne diseases. When visiting remote locations drink sealed bottles if the quality of tap water is questionable.
Emergency Contacts
Police: 911 (112 from mobile phones)
Ambulance: 911 (112 from mobile phones)
Fire: 911 (112 from mobile phones)
WSO Global Command Center: +1 956 467 4858 / gcc@wso-security.com
Security advice and assistance over WhatsApp: +593 99 461 1128 / +521 81 1511 3166
