What to Avoid in Costa Rica: 9 Things to Steer Clear of

When visiting Costa Rica, avoid flashing valuables in tourist areas, leaving belongings unattended at beaches, taking unofficial taxis after dark, swimming without checking for rip currents, driving rural roads after sunset, exchanging currency with street vendors, ignoring volcanic alerts, falling for “friendly stranger” scams, and traveling without thorough insurance. These common mistakes have affected thousands of travelers in recent years. Learn these essential safety precautions to ensure your tropical adventure remains paradise rather than predicament.

Key Points

• Avoid flashing valuables in tourist hotspots like Jacó or Tamarindo, as theft can occur in seconds, especially at beaches and rental cars.
• Never swim without checking for rip currents, which cause 80% of Costa Rica’s annual drownings with few beaches having lifeguards.
• Don’t drive on rural roads after sunset when fatality rates increase fivefold due to poor visibility and wildlife hazards.
• Steer clear of unlicensed taxis, especially after dark, opting instead for red cars with yellow triangles or prearranged transportation.
• Avoid currency exchanges with street vendors, as counterfeit bills and hidden fees are common; use banks or authorized bureaus instead.

Flashing Valuables in Tourist Areas: A Recipe for Theft

Despite Costa Rica’s beauty, flashing valuables in tourist areas puts you at serious risk of theft. Over 6,300 travelers have been victims of crimes in the past five years, with most cases involving theft and robbery.

Costa Rica’s natural splendor masks a harsh reality: display valuables at your own peril, as thousands discover annually.

Tourist hotspots like Jacó, Tamarindo, and Cahuita have become prime hunting grounds for criminals. Keep your belongings secure, especially at vulnerable locations like gas stations, isolated beaches, and crowded marketplaces. Rental cars are frequent targets. Travel safety advice includes staying vigilant and avoiding isolated areas, particularly after dark.

Don’t display expensive jewelry, electronics, or large amounts of cash. The consequences of Costa Rica’s rising crime rate include a 15-20% drop in tourism and increasing international travel warnings. The country’s safety reputation has become increasingly concerning with drug trafficking cartels expanding their presence in popular tourist destinations.

Use reputable transportation, follow local safety advice, and stay informed about high-risk areas to protect yourself from becoming another statistic.

Leaving Belongings Unattended at Popular Beaches

Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches attract thousands of visitors, but they’re also prime spots for theft when you leave belongings unattended. Thieves can snatch your items in under 30 seconds, particularly at crowded tourist beaches like Samara where seasonal police increases are necessary.

Never assume vendors will watch your stuff. Instead, use waterproof pouches for essentials while swimming and store valuables in hotel safes before heading out. The 294 active officers dedicated to tourist safety conduct regular surveillance in recreational areas and beaches throughout the country. San Jose travelers should be especially vigilant as the capital city has higher crime rates compared to coastal areas.

For groups, designate a lookout to supervise belongings at all times.

Remember that stolen passports and electronics create major travel disruptions requiring embassy visits and police reports. Don’t be fooled by daytime safety—most thefts occur during crowded daylight hours.

Beach parking lots are especially vulnerable to smash-and-grab thefts, so keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle.

Taking Unofficial Taxis After Dark

When darkness falls in Costa Rica, unofficial taxis become a serious safety risk worth avoiding. These “taxis piratas” operate without regulation, increasing your vulnerability to robbery, assault, and price gouging.

Identify legitimate taxis by their red color with yellow triangles (or orange at airports), visible government licenses, and functioning meters.

Official Costa Rican taxis are distinctly marked—red with yellow triangles, displaying valid licenses and working meters.

Pirate taxi drivers often aggressively approach travelers at bus stations and airports, refuse to use meters, and may demand exorbitant fares once they’ve secured your luggage.

Protect yourself by prearranging rides through your hotel, using reputable apps like Uber, or sticking to official taxi stands. Though technically Uber is illegal in Costa Rica, it remains a popular and generally safer alternative to unmarked taxis. If you’re visiting the cloud forest region of Monteverde, transportation safety becomes even more important due to the remote locations of many eco-lodges. Never accept rides from drivers soliciting passengers on the street.

Text the taxi’s plate number to a trusted contact and keep your belongings secure. Your safety depends on choosing regulated transportation, especially after dark.

Swimming Without Checking for Rip Current Warnings

Swimming in Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches without checking for rip current warnings could cost you your life. Rip currents cause over 80% of the country’s 150-200 annual drownings, with most occurring at just 30 high-risk beaches.

Less than 3% of Costa Rica’s beaches have lifeguards, and warning signs are often missing. Don’t trust calm-looking waters—rip currents can be be deceptively tranquil. These dangerous currents can flow at speeds of up to seven miles per hour, outpacing even Olympic swimmers. The Central Pacific beaches like Jacó are particularly dangerous.

If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore rather than fighting against it. Alternatively, float and conserve energy until the current weakens offshore.

Before swimming, check local forecasts, look for narrow channels with discolored water, and avoid alcohol consumption. Many top surfing lodges in Costa Rica have staff who can advise you about daily water conditions and the safest times to swim. Your safety depends on awareness, not overconfidence.

Driving on Rural Roads After Sunset

Traveling Costa Rica’s rural roads after sunset can be deadly, with fatality rates five times higher than in the United States. Poor visibility combines with insufficient street lighting, unmarked hazards, and increased drunk driving incidents to create dangerous conditions.

Mountain routes feature steep drops without guardrails, while single-lane bridges appear unexpectedly. You’ll encounter pedestrians and cyclists sharing narrow roads with minimal reflective gear. According to comprehensive road safety data, Costa Rica struggles with infrastructure challenges that particularly affect rural areas. Wildlife crossings increase at night, creating additional collision risks.

If you crash in remote areas, emergency response may take hours, with limited trauma facilities available. Rural zones often lack cell coverage to call for help.

Opt for daytime travel whenever possible. If night driving is unavoidable, use a high-clearance 4WD vehicle and maintain slower speeds than you’d consider reasonable elsewhere.

Exchanging Currency With Street Vendors

Beyond the dangers of Costa Rica’s rural roads lurks another risk to travelers: street currency exchange vendors. These unlicensed operators often scam travelers through counterfeit bills, misleading rates, and hidden fees. Without regulation, you’ll have no recourse if cheated. The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón, symbolized as ₡ and issued by the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

Instead of risking your money and safety:

Protect your vacation and wallet by choosing secure, legitimate money exchange options.

1. Use official channels – Banks, authorized exchange bureaus, and hotel services offer secure transactions with transparent rates.
2. Rely on cards – Credit and debit cards reduce your need for cash exchanges and provide protection against fraud.
3. Research current rates – Before exchanging money anywhere, check the day’s official exchange rate online so you know what to expect.

For travelers on a budget travel itinerary, this caution is even more important as unexpected losses can significantly impact your planned expenses.

Remember that supporting illegal currency vendors not only puts your finances at risk but also contributes to unregulated economic activities in Costa Rica.

Ignoring Volcanic Activity Alerts

Costa Rica’s active volcanoes demand your respect and attention, especially when official alerts are issued. At Poás Volcano, alert levels can shift rapidly—as evidenced by the March 2025 Orange Alert escalation to Red Alert in April due to increasing phreatic eruptions and ground deformation. The volcano has experienced intense activity with frequent phreatic eruptions ejecting material up to 50 meters high, particularly at Boca C.

Never disregard closures or restricted areas. When authorities implement Red Alerts, the danger is imminent, not theoretical. Phreatic explosions can launch debris 50 meters without warning, while toxic gas concentrations exceed safe thresholds near vents. While many travelers visit Costa Rica for its stunning beach destinations like Jaco, it’s crucial to balance leisure activities with safety awareness when near volcanic areas.

Don’t assume standard face masks provide adequate protection against volcanic emissions. Specialized respirators are required. Remember that unpredictable eruptions, ashfall, and dangerous gases can spread quickly, and rescue during unauthorized access may be delayed or impossible—potentially resulting in legal penalties under Costa Rican law.

Falling for the “Friendly Stranger” Distraction Scam

While volcanic dangers threaten from below, human-orchestrated scams pose risks throughout your Costa Rican adventure. The “friendly stranger” distraction scam is particularly common, where seemingly helpful locals approach you with excessive friendliness before executing their scheme.

Protect yourself by following these essential precautions:

Stay vigilant, trust cautiously, and protect yourself with preparedness when traveling through Costa Rica.

1. Verify credentials – Anyone offering assistance should have official identification. Don’t trust uniforms alone, especially at border crossings.
2. Decline unsolicited help – Legitimate guides don’t randomly approach travelers. If someone’s overly eager to assist, maintain healthy skepticism.
3. Recognize warning signs – Be alert when strangers create artificial urgency, offer unrealistic deals, or try to separate you from your group.

At borders between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, be particularly careful of unofficial helpers who may take your passport and demand payment for services that are normally free. Common mistakes for first-time visitors often include being too trusting of strangers who initiate contact.

Report any scam attempts to local authorities by calling 9-1-1 and book services through reputable companies before arriving.

Traveling Without Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Traveling to Costa Rica without extensive insurance coverage puts you at substantial financial risk if emergencies arise. Local healthcare costs for uninsured travelers can be staggering, with many facilities requiring cash payment.

Your domestic health insurance likely won’t extend to Costa Rica, leaving you responsible for all expenses. Medical evacuations from remote areas can exceed $20,000, while adventure activity injuries from surfing or hiking often require specialized care.

Secure a policy with at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation benefits, and 24/7 assistance services. Don’t overlook coverage for trip disruptions, lost baggage, and adventure sports.

Consider the uneven healthcare quality in rural areas and potential language barriers when selecting insurance. While no longer mandatory for entry since April 2022, travel insurance is recommended for all visitors to protect against unexpected situations.

Remember that dental emergencies, theft-related losses, and natural disaster disruptions create additional financial risks if you’re underinsured. Most travelers are permitted a 90-day visa upon arrival, but having proper insurance coverage is crucial regardless of your intended length of stay.

The Sum Up

While Costa Rica ranks as one of Central America’s safest destinations with a crime rate 77% lower than neighboring countries, don’t let your guard down. You’re not immune to theft, scams, or natural dangers. Always check rip current warnings, avoid unofficial taxis at night, and never leave valuables unattended. Thorough insurance is non-negotiable. Enjoy paradise, but stay alert—your safety depends on smart decisions.