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 →Is Costa Rica safe? 🇨🇷
Americas · Updated
As of July 2026, Costa Rica scores 66/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index (average across assessed destinations). Of the 1 Costa Rica destination assessed, San José scores highest (66/100).
01 · Official Guidance
Government advisories
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
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03 · Evidence Signals
Costa Rica safety data
| Indicator | Value | Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government travel advisoryGovernment of Canada | Level 2 — Exercise a high degree of caution | 72 | Government of 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) |
04 · Questions
Costa Rica safety FAQ
Is Costa Rica safe to visit right now?
On our composite index Costa Rica averages 66/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 28 July 2026.)
What is the safest place to visit in Costa Rica?
Of the destinations we've assessed, San José currently scores highest at 66/100 (Moderate).
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.