Central America · Capital San José
Each opens that government's own advisory for Costa Rica — the authoritative version, updated far faster than this page.
Costa Rica is the safest mainland country in Central America and built for independent travel, but its risk profile has shifted: homicide has risen sharply with drug-trafficking disputes, and petty theft from vehicles and beaches is very common.
The natural hazards are real — rip currents drown more visitors here than any crime, and the country is seismically and volcanically active.
Checked by hand against all five government advisories in July 2026: no part of Costa Rica currently carries a warning against travel. The colour shows the general caution level only.
This map reads stronger than the world map's colour, and both are right. The world map shades Costa Rica by its Atlas Risk Score — 32, Low — which blends government advice with crime, health, roads and natural hazards. This map shows the advice alone, and the strongest level anywhere in Costa Rica is “travel with caution”.
Overseas territories, shown separately so the main map stays readable
Advisories change without warning. Check the official one for your own nationality — linked at the top of this page — before you book.
Each pillar is scored 0–100 against every other country. Longer bar = more risk.
Biggest factor here: natural hazards. Earthquakes, floods, cyclones, drought and tsunami exposure.
The things worth knowing before you land.
Average daytime high and nightly low for San José, over 2010-2019. Bars are rainfall; the colour band is how hot the days get.
Mildest and driest around December to April.
Patterns reported repeatedly by travellers and local police. None of this is about individual businesses — it's about set-ups you can learn to spot in seconds.
Rental cars are identified and windows smashed within minutes at national park car parks and beach access points.
How to avoid it: Leave nothing in the car, ever, including in the boot. Use guarded parking where available — it costs a few dollars.
Sources Costa Rica tourism board safety r/CostaRica theft threads
Mandatory liability insurance is not in the online price, multiplying the cost at the counter, and pre-existing damage is charged on return.
How to avoid it: Budget for compulsory insurance. Film the car in detail at pickup and return, including the undercarriage and windscreen.
Sources Costa Rica consumer protection
Unregistered operators run rafting and canyoning trips without insurance or safety equipment; there have been fatalities.
How to avoid it: Use operators certified by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) and confirm guides carry current certification.
Sources Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT)
Specific places that come up again and again — either in government advisories or in traveller reports. Everywhere else in Costa Rica is not automatically fine, but these are the areas worth a plan.
The leading cause of visitor deaths. Playa Jacó, Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio all have dangerous days.
Drug-trade violence has driven the national homicide rate up sharply; concentrated away from the main tourist routes.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for foreign visitors to Costa Rica. Many Pacific beaches have powerful rips and no lifeguard. Ask locally which beaches are safe on the day, and if caught, swim parallel to the shore rather than against the current.
Vaccinations, malaria and outbreaks. This atlas does not give medical advice — it is personal, it changes, and it is the one thing worth getting from a doctor. Both national services publish current advice for Costa Rica:
Check the official advisory before you book. This page reflects data as of August 2026. Advisories change without warning, and only your own government's advice affects your travel insurance.
