Costa Rica Guide

travel information and maps

  • Vacation Planning
  • Discount Codes
  • Costa Rica
    • Top Ten
    • Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
    • Things To Do in Costa Rica
    • Maps
    • Transportation
      • Rental Cars
        • Advantages of Driving
        • Disadvantages Driving
        • Code of the Road
        • Navigation & Drive Time
        • Rental Insurance Explained
        • Can’t Get There
      • Airports
        • Flights Worth Taking
        • LIR or SJO
        • Airfare Deals
        • Domestic Airlines
        • Domestic Air Tips
      • Taxis
      • Bus Schedule
    • Food
      • Typical Menu
      • Batidos & Refrescos
      • Gallo Pinto
      • Tamales
      • Ceviche
      • Ensalada Palmito
      • Sopa Negra
      • Vinagre Chilera
    • Weather
      • Seasons in Costa Rica
      • Current Storms in Costa Rica
    • Regions
  • Nature & Wildlife
    • National Parks
    • Wildlife Refuges
    • Ecozones
    • Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica
  • Practical Info
    • Health & Safety
      • Health Tips
        • Altitude Sickness
        • Chikungunya
        • Natural Disasters
      • Crime
        • Cons & Rip-offs
        • Corruption
        • Violent Crime
    • Will My Phone Work?
    • Packing List
    • Passports & Docs
    • Money – How To?
    • How Much Does it Cost?
    • Travel Tips
  • Stories
    • Photos
    • Trek Across Costa Rica
    • Sendero de Oro
    • Quebrada Gata
    • Bicycle Touring
    • About Us
  • Move to Costa Rica
no obligation custom trip plan & price quote

1-866-816-0197

· Copyright © 2026 ·

Traveler Health & Safety in Costa Rica

Travel in Costa Rica is generally very safe but there are a number of things that are probably different than your home country. Taking a few minutes to learn about rip-currents or even altitude sickness could make the difference between a health happy trip and a miserable or even disastrous one,

Altitude Sickness in Costa Rica

Shaded Relief Map of Costa Rica Showing Elevations

A number of popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica are at high enough elevations that Acute Mountain Sickness and Altitude Sickness are a concern.  Some are even high enough that potentially fatal High Altitude Pulmonary Edema and High Altitude Cerebral Edema are possible. There’s no … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Coupons

Real Estate Fraud & White Collar Crime in Costa Rica

Big scams involving real estate, investments, contract bribery, and banking are rampant in Costa Rica, but do not typically affect tourists. However if you’re thinking about moving there know that the U.S. department of State rated Costa Rica as one of the worst places in the world for protecting … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Coupons

What If You’re a Victim?

In reality most foreigners who are victims of crimes, fraud, scams or just plain bad service shrug it off and go home. Tell the Police If you’re the victim of a crime in Costa Rica you should report it to the local police. Even if there is nearly no chance of an arrest, conviction or recovery … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Coupons

Justice in Costa Rica

Not so Much If you’re a criminal and considering relocation, Costa Rica is a very attractive destination.  Residency laws are favorable, the standard of living is high and it’s unlikely you’ll be caught, less likely you’ll be prosecuted and almost impossible to be convicted. The rights of the … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Coupons

Crime Against Costa Ricans

The Dark Side of Pura Vida Costa Rica works very hard to prevent crimes against tourists and for the most part does a very good job.  Unfortunately the same cannot be said when it comes to protecting her own population. There are many reasons Costa Ricans are tens if not hundreds of times more … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Coupons

« Previous Page

toll free Costa Rica travel desk!
1-866-816-0197

CONTACT US

Health & Safety

Health & Safety
  • No Driving at Night in Costa Rica
  • Self Test for Travelers Returning to the U.S.
  • NO Covid Vaccination for Costa Rica
  • Traveler’s Health Tips
  • New Instant Covid Viral Test – $30, FDA Approved
  • Coronaviris & Covid19 in Costa Rica
  • Corruption in Costa Rica
  • Preventing Theft
  • The Most Dangerous Thing in Costa Rica
  • National Parks & Reserves Under Siege
  • Safe Healthy Travel
  • Natural Disasters in Costa Rica
  • Unexpected Expatriate
  • Crime Tips for Photo, Video & Content Pros in Costa Rica
  • Con Artists and Rip-offs in Costa Rica
  • Violent Crime in Costa Rica
  • Terrorism in Costa Rica
  • Scientific Perspective on Zika Virus
  • Zika Virus in Costa Rica
  • Chikungunya New Mosquito Threat



Costa Rica Guide on facebook
Costa Rica Guide on Facebook