Each time I update this page I struggle to figure out how to get people to take crime seriously without making Costa Rica sound like a war zone.

What the tourist board wants everyone to know is that “Costa Rica has the lowest crime rate of any Central American country“, but this a dubious distinction at best.

Unfortunately illegal drugs, gangs, racketeering and money laundering exploded in the region.  Mexico is a killing field, El Salvador’s murder rate is highest in the world, and refugees are fleeing the violence in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua by the thousands… but Costa Rica is safer than that.

Why Is Crime on the Increase in Costa Rica?

As other routes have been shut down, Costa Rica’s porous borders and hundreds of miles of unguarded shores have proven attractive to traffickers moving drugs north from Columbia. While nothing like the tragedy in Mexico, execution style killings occur monthly in San Jose and bodies occasionally wash up on tourist beaches.

Besides becoming a smuggling corridor Costa Rica is also dealing with a rapidly growing problem of drug abuse within her borders.  Since most addicts don’t hold down regular jobs this contributes significantly to the recent increases in crime against tourists.

Perhaps the most tragic reason for the increase in crime is the large numbers of Costa Ricans being driven into severe poverty by the relentless concentration of wealth at the top.  One out of five Costa Rican families now lives below the poverty line with a household income of less than $300 a month.  The Patagonia rain jacket a tourist casually tosses in the back seat before walking away from his rental car may have cost more and is a tempting target.

Crimes Against Tourists – Petty Theft

It’s tough to tell travelers who are all excited about the vacation of a lifetime that there are criminals around every corner and hiding under every rock but I suppose that’s one reason that travelers end up as such easy targets.  Rick Steves commented on crime in Europe “your baggage is never really safe” and half jokingly “there’s a thief on every train (union rules).”

One of the most common questions is What should I do with my stuff while I’m on the beach? see our suggestions.

The vast majority of crimes against tourists in Costa Rica are non-violent theft from parked cars, belongings left on the beach, luggage bins in buses and rental houses or hotel rooms while the occupants are out.

Everything seems so tranquil that people let down their guard.  Hikers find it hard to imagine there’s anyone around for miles when they set their camera on a rock to take a dip in pool under a perfect waterfall in the rain forest. Honeymooners are surprised that it’s not a good idea to leave their bungalow windows open when the wine and moonlight entices them off the terrace for a stroll on the beach.

Crimes of opportunity are on the rise; the U.S. embassy in Costa Rica files more stolen passport reports than any other embassy in any country in the entire world.

Fortunately you’re reading this so you don’t have to become a victim.  Use common sense, use the locks on your doors, use the safe in your room, don’t flash wads of cash, don’t leave valuables in the car, don’t hang your bag on the back of a chair in a restaurant, and don’t even bring your jewelry.

Indirect Dangers of Theft

Other thefts can impact tourists indirectly.  The popular tourist destination of Arenal was recently left without internet service for an extended period because someone stole miles of fiber optic cable linking the region to the main lines.

On the roads thefts range from annoying when highway signs are pilfered and sold as scrap metal (they had to replace them all with a plastic composite which has no value at the scrap yard) to quite dangerous when manhole covers and storm drain grates disappear leaving open pits that can snap axles and cause accidents.

Anything and everything that’s unattended or unsecured anywhere could be stolen.  During the Turrialba volcano eruptions that were closing down SJO airport in 2015 someone stole the seismic and gps remote monitoring equipment from the early warning station.

I’m not exactly sure what you do with a volcanic remote monitor station…probably re-sell it to someone as a vibration detector for part of their home security system…

Quiebravidrios – Glass Smashers

Quiebravidrios target vehicles stopped in traffic, smash a window and grab whatever small valuables are within reach on the passenger or back seats.

So far no tourists have been victimized.  To date all of the incidents have occurred in the greater San José area and 100% of the victims have been Costa Rican women driving alone.

To avoid quiebravidreos – don’t drive alone near San José and keep small valuables like phones, purses, wallets and backpacks out of sight.

Window Knockers

Recently a traveler reported that they were robbed while sitting in their car in a fenced guarded parking lot of a supermarket near the airport.  They knew better than to leave their belongings unattended so one went in while the driver waited in the car.

A passerby knocked on the rear drivers side window and started pointing animatedly under the car.  The driver open his door, leaned out and down to look while the passerby jabbered incoherently.

The driver sat back up just in time to see his small backpack disappearing across the parking lot through the open rear passenger side door.  The banging and yelling was just enough of a distraction so the passerby’s partner could snatch whatever was on the seat.

Keep your windows up and doors locked at all times

Flat Tire

There is one attack that first became common in 2006 and despite warnings about it in every rental car agency is still relatively prevalent in Costa Rica in 2015.

If you pull out of the airport, hotel, rental agency, or a gas station and get a flat tire in the next mile or so, the guy that magically appears to help out is really distracting you while his buddy empties your trunk or back seat. Change it yourself, or drive on the rim to a service station, or back to the airport, rental agency or hotel.

According to the U.S. embassy this is still the second most common way for passports (along with most or all of the other luggage) to be stolen. The most common way is from parked cars.

Fake Injuries – Taking a Dive

In late 2017 around San José women started throwing themselves in front of moving vehicles and pretending (or incurring) injuries.  When drivers stops and open the door to check on the “victim” they are assaulted by multiple accomplices and robbed.

Other Tips for Preventing Theft While Traveling

While violent crime is rare, petty theft, especially from tourists is common. The most likely places for things disappear from are cars (locked or not), beaches, bus luggage compartments, and hotel rooms.

Leave your valuables at home.  If you don’t bring it you don’t have to worry about it.  If you have to bring it leave it locked up.

Don’t leave anything of value inside your car or in the trunk.  Some locals recommend that you leave it unlocked so thieves don’t have to break an expensive window or handle to discover that there is nothing of value inside. Probably not the greatest idea since they may just take the whole car if you make it too easy.

If you can’t bring your backpack onto the bus, keep an eye on the luggage compartment at stops to make sure it isn’t “accidentally” unloaded. Don’t leave things lying on the beach.