How Safe Is Living In Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has become a haven for many ex-pats, offering the splendors of beautiful beaches, surfable waves, and lush vegetation teeming with fascinating wildlife. Many retirees find themselves moving to Costa Rica, as well as individuals looking for a calmer life closer to nature. Being the tropical paradise that it is, it isn’t difficult to see why Costa Rica draws newcomers each year and keeps locals around for a lifetime.
If you have ever considered making the move yourself, you might have found yourself wondering: is it safe to live in Costa Rica?
Short answer: Yes!
Like most places, living in Costa Rica requires you to have a little bit of common sense. While crime isn’t non-existent in Costa Rica, it certainly isn’t as prevalent as the conditions in nearby countries and is typically petty theft rather than violent crime. In many cases of violence, the victims resisted attempted burglary.
With this in mind, here are a few ways you can keep yourself safe living in Costa Rica:
- Keep valuables hidden
- Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or openly carrying expensive items (i.e. purse, smartphone)
- Pay attention to your surroundings
- Stay out of dense crowds
- Don’t put valuables in your pockets
- Stick to areas you are familiar with or get shown around by a local you know
- Do not leave items unattended
- Do not fall asleep on public beaches unattended
- Walk in groups at night
If you reside in one of the many small, rural beach towns that dot the country’s coastline, chances are low that you’ll ever encounter crime in Costa Rica. Most theft is committed in high-tourist areas, so should an individual ever confront you for your belongings/money, do not resist and file a report later with local authorities.
So, let’s review. To stay safe in Costa Rica, you will need to pay attention to your surroundings, avoid flashing wealth and follow basic safe practices like being alert in public and not leaving items alone. If you follow these tips, you’ll soon feel the safety of home in Costa Rica.
