Hotelmaster theme file not found.{"id":6507,"date":"2021-02-26T10:29:36","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T10:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laterrazab-b.com\/?p=6507"},"modified":"2021-02-26T10:29:36","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T10:29:36","slug":"is-it-safe-to-visit-in-costa-rica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laterrazab-b.com\/archives\/6507","title":{"rendered":"Is it Safe to Visit in Costa Rica?"},"content":{"rendered":"
People always ask if it is safe in\u00a0Costa Rica<\/a>. The facts will help your visit a little more stress-free.<\/p>\n Just as in any country, some places are \u201csafer\u201d than others, and there is always the risk of something happening just about anywhere. If you are looking at\u00a0retirement in Costa Rica<\/a>, the places about which\u00a0International Living<\/em>\u00a0writes are the safest havens.<\/p>\n If there is a community of expats, they work vigilantly to keep their hometown clean and free of crime.<\/p>\n There is petty crime such as purse snatching off the back of a restaurant chair or beach bags disappearing while you go for a dip in the ocean\u2014especially in the high tourist areas. Occurrences like this are easily avoidable. Keep an eye on your belongings and do not invite attention by flashing fancy jewelry, wads of cash, or keeping expensive items given your parked car, etc.<\/p>\n Traveling around Costa Rica is safe\u2014whether in a car, bus, taxi or even on foot. I do not recommend traveling after dark by car (unless it is a short distance and you are familiar with the route). Many roads are dark and isolated, which can invite the wrong sort looking to seize an opportunity.<\/p>\n Regarding taxis, be sure you are in a licensed taxi (FYI, 10% tip is fine, and be sure to negotiate the price upfront if they do not have a meter). In San Jose, they also have Uber as an alternative. Buses run all day and most of the night and are safe and cheap. If you are in a car and will be parked for sightseeing, etc., be sure all items are hidden.<\/p>\n Smash and grabs do happen in dense tourist areas or on city streets. We have a Costa Rican flag on our rear-view mirror and a Spanish newspaper on our dashboard. This signals to people we are \u201clocals\u201d and most likely have nothing worth stealing on-board.<\/p>\n My Costa Rican attorney always tells me, \u201cNothing good happens on the streets after midnight.\u201d This is a good rule of thumb for the late-night party crowd. Yes, there are illegal drugs in Costa Rica. Just like there are in almost any other western city in the world. Sadly, as long as the demand is there, the suppliers will exist.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes, there is prostitution in Costa Rica. Please note that it is a legal activity. Which, in turn, makes it a safer, cleaner profession compared to where it is illegal. The places where you will find drugs and prostitution are where the demand exists. Cities like\u00a0San Jose<\/a>, Playas del Coco,\u00a0Tamarindo<\/a>, and\u00a0Jaco<\/a>\u00a0come to mind immediately. Does that mean you have to avoid these places? Not at all. I live in Tamarindo. I find it vibrant and international. I just do not spend as much time out after midnight.<\/p>\n There are some more impoverished neighborhoods like Los Cuadros de Goicochea near San Jos\u00e9, El Infiernillo in Alajuela, or la Cieneguita in Lim\u00f3n province quasi gangs, but their activities are mostly centered around territorial disputes within their own neighborhoods and the sale of drugs. You would most likely never consider visiting or living in these places, so don\u2019t worry.<\/p>\n When you research online and see homicide numbers in Costa Rica, these are typically the places it is happening.<\/p>\n Is Costa Rica safe? In a word, s\u00ed.<\/em><\/p>\n Travel the world!!<\/p>\n<\/div>\nIs it Safe to Travel in Costa Rica?<\/h2>\n
Is Drug Use Allowed in Costa Rica?<\/h2>\n
Is Prostitution Legal in Costa Rica?<\/h2>\n
What Areas Would You Avoid in Costa Rica?<\/h2>\n