In our first post we mentioned how Costa Rica is safe for tourist, since we live and at some point some of our team members were also tourists, we can provide a real guide to make sure you’ll have a hassle free trip. As long as you use your common sense you’ll be as safe as in any U.S. or European city. No matter what your embassy’ website says Costa Rica is as safe as any other civilized country, just don’t look for trouble you should be fine.

As in any “big” city there are areas you should avoid the same way you would in your home country, the most known “dangerous” part of San Jose is called “La Zona Roja” (the Red zone). Some parts of New York are more dangerous than “La Zona Roja” so if get lost and find yourself in the “Red Zone” don’t panic, you won’t be in the middle of a guerrilla warfare, just try to avoid it, there isn’t anything to see there anyways. It is safe to walk almost everywhere else in Costa Rica, just use your common sense, avoid dark lonely places, don’t walk around with lots of valuables at night and everything will be “pura vida”.

Zona Roja (Red Zone) San Jose Costa Rica

Never leave any valuable at sight in your car rental! On your way to the beaches, volcanoes and natural parks you’ll see many spots that are picture worthy, if you decide to stop, make sure to leave you car somewhere with private security, most tours operators, restaurants and natural reserves will have one. The same applies when you drive to the beach, surfing, shopping or dining. We have never had anything stolen from our cars, but it is common to hear of careless tourists having all their things stolen after leaving their car rental in the middle of a public road with all their belongings in it. Everywhere worth visiting will have a private parking, a security guard outside or a gated parking lot nearby. Prevention is always better than cure!

Don’t change all your dollars/euros in colones and flash your cash stack around, you never know who is in line behind you at the bank! All major credit and international debit cards are widely accepted, if you rather use cash than make sure to change it at bank near your hotel so you can safely deposit what you don’t plan to spend in the security box.

Always use red colored taxi with the yellow taxi sign on the roof and ask them to use the “Maria” (taximeter). There are many non-licensed taxi (taxi piratas) that will overcharge you or even worst steal all your belongings and leave you in the middle of the road. At the airport the taxis are orange and if you didn’t reserve a pick-up service, you’ll see a taxi booth after you pick up your luggage where you can prepay for your trip based.

Costa Rica Red Taxi

We have recently heard that the “Flat Tire Travel Scam” has been occurring in some parts of the old road to the central pacific and around the airport, so always check your car rental before you start your trip and in the case you need to change your tire try do it in commercial parking lots or gas stations. There have been a few cases of the “Fake Policeman Scam” in Costa Rica but it isn’t common and are usually targeted to locals, just keep it in mind in the case you see something weird.

To have a safe vacation in Costa Rica is pretty basic, you won’t need to pack your bullet proof vest don’t worry! Be smart, use your common sense and you’ll be able to enjoy a great Costa Rica vacation.