Is Costa Rica Safe for Families? Statistics, Scams & Tips

Is Costa Rica safe for families? - Police car parked on a Costa Rica tourist beach/ Playa Hermosa, the safest beach in Costa Rica

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

As parents and caregivers, there is nothing more important than keeping our kids safe. So it’s entirely natural that you want to make sure Costa Rica is truly safe for your family. In this guide, I break down the important statistics and safety rankings, scams you need to avoid, and some important tips to stay safe in Costa Rica. Even if you’ve traveled extensively before, do not skip reading this section.

See my Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Costa Rica for Families to get more helpful info on planning every detail of your trip.

Important Safety Statistics and Facts

Costa Rica is currently the safest country to visit in Central America. Petty crimes like theft are common but avoidable if you take common sense safety precautions. The vast majority of visitors return home incident-free. Here are some important statistics to help you make your own assessment:

  • Travel.state.gov which is run by the U.S. Department of State currently rates Costa Rica as Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution. This is one of the most common levels assigned to countries around the world. Examples of other popular destinations also at Level 2 are UK, France, Bahamas, Sweden and Dominican Republic
  • Global Peace Index ranks Costa Rica at 58th out of 163 countries in 2024. It is less peaceful than Iceland (#1) and Ireland (#2) but more peaceful than countries like France (#86), Panama (#96) and even the US (#132).
  • Petty Crimes such as pickpocketing and car break-ins are common in Costa Rica. According to Numbeo.com, which surveys locals on their perception of crime, this is the most notable safety concern in tourist areas. Simple safety precautions will vastly improve your chances of staying safe. Keep reading to see my tips to stay safe in Costa Rica.
  • 3 million tourists visit Costa Rica every year. This is higher than any other country in the region including Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua and Belize. Costa Rica is a top choice because of its safety and tourism infrastructure.
  • The government is highly incentivized to keep tourists safe. 13% of employment and 8% of the GDP is reliant on tourism. The government has a dedicated police force called Policía Turística just to keep tourists safe.
  • Children and families fare well in Costa Rica compared to other countries in Latin America. Because of its universal free education, 96% of kids are enrolled in school. Locals are especially warm and friendly to families with kids.

Always Check Before you Go

Despite Costa Rica’s safety record, conditions can change any moment. Volcanic activity, hurricanes and political protests are examples of safety risks that can occur last minute. You can use these websites to help you keep an eye on the news as you get closer to your trip. You can buy travel insurance that will cover any expenses if your trip is cancelled due to last-minute events.

Travel.State.Gov – Check for travel advisory and Alerts for important updates
US Embassy in Costa Rica – Alerts and contact information
Gov.uk – Travel advice from the UK government
smarttraveller.gov.au Travel advice from the Australian government
Tico Times – Costa Rica’s biggest English language newspaper

Health Concerns

With kids, the most important thing to do is to avoid taking risks with food and water. However, despite best efforts, kids (or parents) can get sick on vacation. Luckily Costa Rica has really good medical facilities and pharmacies. Before you go, read my full article on How to get emergency medical help in Costa Rica so you are prepared for any last minute emergencies.

  1. Water Quality: You can drink the tap water in Costa Rica. It is what most locals drink. Many restaurants will provide tap water by default unless you specifically request bottled water. Ice cubes in beverages will also be made from tap water. If you want to play it safe, bottled water is also easily available everywhere, but it’s pretty expensive ($1 – $4 or more). Bottled water is slightly cheaper at grocery stores if you want to stock up.
  2. Food Poisoning – This can happen anywhere and parents should always be prepared. Avoid street food or food that has sat out too long. Hot tropical weather can spoil food and milk much more quickly when it’s sitting out. You can easily get medicines or antibiotics at local pharmacies if necessary.
  3. Mosquitoes – As in all tropical countries around the world, Malaria, Zika and Dengue Fever is present but confined to more remote areas. Your pediatrician might recommend taking anti-malarial medicine before travel as a precaution. I opted not to get it for my kids and instead chose to use repellent. We also only stayed in air-conditioned accommodations at lower elevations (which is most places except Monteverde). Compared to other tropical destinations, we encountered very few mosquitoes and bugs in Costa Rica
  4. Bugs and Insects – Biting insects like spiders, ants and scorpions can be found all over Costa Rica. Wear full length sleeves and pants when visiting forest areas, especially if you are going on a night walking tour. Always carry hydrocortisone cream for itchy bites – kids are especially prone to these and scratching can make them much worse than they need to be.
  5. Harmful Algae blooms (HAB) – These occur in oceans around the world and last from a day to two weeks. If you see a red or brown tint in the water, avoid swimming.
  6. Hot Springs – Make sure that you and your kids avoid putting your face in the water when visiting hot springs. Though the mineral content in the water is great for your skin, there is a small risk of amoebic meningitis if it enters your nose or mouth

Drug Trafficking

This is a topic that has been on the news more recently and may give you cause for concern. Yes, it does happen in Costa Rica, but less than in other countries in the region. The government heavily relies on tourism and puts a lot of emphasis on keeping the main tourist areas safe. Any use of illegal drugs has extremely severe penalties. Trafficking routes normally go through very remote areas of the jungle – hundreds of miles away from anywhere you have any business being. If this is of concern to you, completely avoid off-the-beaten-path locations in your itinerary. Examples of these locations are Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero and Puerto Veijo de Talamanca.

Tourist Scams

Here are some common scams you should avoid

  1. Parking – In many parking lots across the country, and most notably in Manuel Antonio, scammers will pose as parking attendants and try to guide you to unofficial parking lots or charge a parking fee. Sometimes it’s really hard to tell them apart from the real deal. Worst case is you might pay $10 bucks for parking when it’s actually free. If you think that might have happened to you, just let it go and don’t stress it. To avoid this hassle altogether, do your research or book tours with tour guides.
  2. Taxis – They are generally safe to use and a good way to get around without a car. Be wary if the taxi doesn’t use a meter. Have your hotel call the taxi for you or verify the price before you start your ride.
  3. Scam tours – It is best to book tours online, in advance, through reputable, vetted tour operators that have multiple user reviews confirming their authenticity. If you buy tours in person while you’re in Costa Rica, watch for scammers who will take your money or deposit in advance, but never show up to pick you up. Another trap to watch for is when you book directly with tour providers, it can be challenging to get a refund if you have to cancel. It is safer to book through third-party aggregators like Trip Advisor, Viator or Get Your Guide because they process your refund directly if there is a cancellation.
  4. Money Exchange – Always only change money at a bank or reputable money exchange agency preferably at an airport. Avoid street exchange vendors who will give you poor rates or miscount change.
  5. Vacation Rental Bait-n-switch – Be really careful if you choose to go with a vacation rental instead of a hotel. Scammers sometimes advertise fake properties that look nothing like their listing page, or sometimes don’t exist at all. If you have to book a rental, only choose ones that have a minimum of 20 recent 5-star reviews that sound varied and authentic.
  6. Roadside assistance – In this scam, a seemingly helpful bystander might ask you to stop your car to show you a flat tire or some kind of damage. While you’re distracted, they might try to steal your valuables from the car. Be sure to stay vigilant and have one adult always remain in the car with any children. Use your rental car’s roadside assistance phone number rather than relying on ‘helpful’ strangers.

Tips for Families to Stay Safe in Costa Rica

  1. If there is an emergency, call 911. This is the local emergency number in Costa Rica. Read my Guide to Medical emergencies in Costa Rica for families.
  2. Buy travel insurance with at least $50,000 per person in primary medical coverage. Do not skip this step or you might get stuck with a medical bill for thousands of dollars.
  3. NEVER leave valuables in the car or your hotel room. Always take passports and cash with you in a money belt or waterproof cases. Passport theft, pickpocketing and other crimes are common. Invest in a good wearable travel pack.
  4. Rental cars are easy targets for break-ins. If you have luggage in your car, make sure you hide it in your trunk. Any belongings that you leave on the seats should be covered in blankets or kept out of view as best you can. Never leave iPads, phones, handbags, or other expensive-looking items in your car.
  5. Download Whatsapp to your phone. This is an app that a lot of hotels, tour operators and even government agencies use to send texts and make phone calls. It’s free and runs on data or wifi so you don’t need a local cell phone number to contact or call someone for emergencies or information.
  6. Use car seats for your kids. If possible, bring your own car seats. You can check them in for free with every airline. This avoids any risk of ill-fitting car seats or a rental car company running out of them.
  7. Be back in your hotel with your kids by nightfall. Start long road trips first thing in the morning and avoid night driving. Try to get dinner at your hotel or somewhere nearby if it is getting late. If you have to spend an evening in San Jose before or after your flight, avoid leaving your hotel after dark.
  8. Teach your kids your phone number and your hotel name. Have them memorize it and repeat it to you every morning. Go over safety protocols with them so they are prepared.
  9. When swimming at beaches, always check for dangerous currents. If swimming in rivers or swimming holes, look for crocodiles or other wildlife. Only use swimming holes in highly frequented tourist locations. Don’t put your head in the water, especially when visiting Hot Springs due to a small risk of amoebic meningitis.
  10. Always lock doors and windows, take valuables with you or lock them in a safe. Resorts and hotels are usually safer than vacation rentals. Vacation rentals, especially in remote areas are an easier targets for break-ins when you are out and about.

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