Costa Rica travel safety is easy, with a stable and functioning democracy and the one of the most sophisticated capitols in Central America, Costa Rica is a relatively safe place to visit. Costa Rica travel safety tips are similar to precautions you would want to take while visiting any foreign country and the following Costa Rica travel safety and health tips will help you to be fully prepared for a safe and stress free vacation.

Costa Rica Travel Information

Costa Rica has a general reputation as the safest nation in Central America. The country doesn't have a military, and has a long history of remaining natural towards neighboring country's wars and scrimmages. But because so many travelers head to Costa Rica every year non-violent crimes against tourists such as pick pocketing and petty theft, are frequent. And while violent crimes are rare they are not unheard of, each year there are very few reports of violent robberies against tourists.

Police coverage in Costa Rica is better and more modern than that of other Central American countries, and within the past few years Costa Rica has established a Tourist Police force to assist with reporting crimes that would normally be difficult to report due to language barriers and bureaucratic difficulties.

For police emergencies, dial 911
To call the police directly, dial 117
To call the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, dial (506) 519-2000, or (506) 519-2280 after hours

Costa Rica Travel Safety

• Do not wear flashy jewelry or display expensive electronics, such as high end cameras, mp3 players, laptop computers, etc. Use cameras or other electronics only when needed and promptly put them back in your bag when finished.
• Carry as little cash as possible keeping your traveler's checks and ATM/credit cards in a money belt, not a "fanny pack", and maintain a small cash reserve separate from your primary stash. If you find it necessary to exchange currency always do so within banks, never through street changers.
• Do not carry your passport, travel documents/tickets, and other important documents on your person. Instead carry photo copies and keep the originals locked in a safe along with copies of with your traveler's checks, credit card/ATM, and bank account numbers.
• Do not leave your belongings or luggage unattended in public or hand them over to anyone other than officials or police.
• Be cautious when using public transportation. Theft of baggage from overhead compartments on buses is common.
• Avoid leaving drinks unattended in bars and night clubs. There have been reports of "spiked" drinks resulting in assault and theft.
• Only take official taxis, which are red with a yellow triangle on the door and will always have a meter. Official taxis are regulated by law. Official airport cabs are orange in color and only operate from airports; they do not have a meter and are authorized to charge a flat fee. When getting into a taxi, ensure that the driver's identification number, name and photograph are clearly visible on the dashboard.
• If you have a rental car in Costa Rica don't leave anything of value in the vehicle, even if it is locked. Never park your car in the street in urban areas, instead use a pay parking lot when available, as theft of and from rental cars is common.
• If someone spills food on you, bumps you, etc. keep your distance as pick pocketing schemes commonly begin this way.

Costa Rica Health Safety

A common misconception of Costa Rica is that it is unsafe to drink the water this is far from the truth. Municipal water supplies in Costa Rica are excellent and water purification standards are similar to those followed in North America and Europe. However, as in most places in the world, water from rivers and streams is not safe to drink without purification as free running water contains parasites and bacterial pathogens.

There are no vaccination requirements for traveling to Costa Rica, however a visit to your primary doctor 4-6 weeks before traveling is recommended. Your primary care physician will be able to assess your health requirements to determine if you will need any preventive vaccines or medications.

Malaria and Dengue Fever are fairly common in Costa Rica and both diseases are carried by mosquitoes. Take preventative measures towards avoiding mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and long pants in infested areas, sleep under mosquito netting if needed, and use an effective insect repellent containing DEET. If you expect to spend considerable time outdoors especially along the coasts where mosquito infestation are higher consult your physician about a course of malaria prophylaxis before you travel.

Sunburn, dehydration and heat stroke are the most common health problems in tourists. The tropical sun is especially intense, and the high levels of humidity make the natural process of regulating your body temperature difficult. To avoid these complications wear plenty of sunscreen and protective clothing while in the sun and stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Travelers who are taking regular medications should have them properly labeled and enough quantity to last for the duration of the trip. Prescription or over-the-counter medications may be difficult to find in local stores or pharmacies, so any prescription medications which need refills should be taken care of before traveling.

Health insurance is recommended for all travelers. Health care in Costa Rica is very good and standards of health and hygiene are among the best in Latin America. There are many clinics and hospitals, both public and private available to visitors, and they are considerably less expensive than comparable care in the United States.