U.S. Department of State
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to crime. Advisory Summary Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica.
Full advisory →Personalize Report NowTailor this report specifically to you and get the latest and most valuable insights with one click.US Level 2 6 assessed
Is Costa Rica safe? 🇨🇷
Americas · Updated
As of August 2026, Costa Rica scores 65/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index (average across assessed destinations). The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Of the 6 Costa Rica destinations assessed, Monteverde scores highest (69/100), while Manuel Antonio scores lowest (61/100).
01 · Official Guidance
Government advisories
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)
Level 1No advisory against travel
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.
Full advisory →Government of Canada
Level 2Exercise a high degree of caution
Canada's official risk level for Costa Rica: exercise a high degree of caution.
Full advisory →02 · Destinations
Costa Rica destinations by safety score
#1🇨🇷MonteverdeSafe · updated 29 July 202669#2🇨🇷San JoséModerate · updated 28 July 202667#3🇨🇷CartagoModerate · updated 23 August 202665#4🇨🇷La FortunaModerate · updated 29 July 202665#5🇨🇷TamarindoModerate · updated 29 July 202663#6🇨🇷Manuel AntonioModerate · updated 29 July 202661
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03 · Evidence Signals
Costa Rica safety data
| Indicator | Value | Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government travel advisoryUS State Dept · Canada | Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution · 2 govts | 50 | US State Dept · Canada |
| Homicide rateWorld Bank Open Data · 2023 | 17.7 / 100k | 30 | World Bank Open Data (2023) |
| Feel safe walking alone after darkUN SDG Global Database · 2018 | 44.4% | 41 | UN SDG Global Database (2018) |
| Physical assault (past year)UN SDG Global Database · 2018 | 5.6% | 74 | UN SDG Global Database (2018) |
| Political stability & no terrorismWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024 | 86/100 | 86 | World Bank Governance Indicators (2024) |
| Rule of lawWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024 | 68/100 | 68 | World Bank Governance Indicators (2024) |
| Road traffic deathsWHO Global Health Observatory · 2021 | 15.5 / 100k | 52 | WHO Global Health Observatory (2021) |
04 · Questions
Costa Rica safety FAQ
Is Costa Rica safe to visit right now?
The U.S. State Department currently rates Costa Rica Level 2 of 4 — Exercise Increased Caution. On our composite index Costa Rica averages 65/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 23 August 2026.)
What is the safest place to visit in Costa Rica?
Of the destinations we've assessed, Monteverde currently scores highest at 69/100 (Safe). Manuel Antonio scores lowest at 61/100.
Where does this Costa Rica safety data come from?
Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.