Travel advice for Costa Rica

Australia advises a high degree of caution for Costa Rica.

Security level 2 applies nationwide, with theft and armed robbery, especially passport and credit card theft. Take particular care in San José, Limón, Puntarenas, tourist centres such as Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, and the areas between Jacó and Quepos and around Moin and Limón. Avoid beaches after dark, do not resist armed attackers, keep valuables and luggage secure, and use ATMs only in daylight.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Costa Rica because crime is frequent, including petty theft, passport theft, vehicle theft, violent crime, burglary, and fraud. Take extra care in San José and areas of high theft in Puntarenas province and the Caribbean coast, and avoid walking alone at night. Secure documents and vehicles, choose ATMs in banks, beware of spiked food and drinks, and buy alcohol from reputable establishments.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Costa Rica because of rising violent crime, petty theft, methanol poisoning, dangerous beach conditions and crocodile encounters. Pay particular caution in Puntarenas, Limon and San José, use official taxis, avoid remote or poorly lit areas, and consult locals before swimming. Monitor hurricane and volcano warnings, and expect possible disruption at Liberia Airport.

Pay attention, there are safety risks in Costa Rica. Armed drug violence, robbery, sexual assault and burglary are risks, while drug offences bring severe penalties. Travel by day, use only official taxis, do not resist robbery, choose secure accommodation, avoid demonstrations and follow local authorities during storms, floods and volcanic activity. Dangerous rip currents affect the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, while San José bus stations and remote areas need care.

Use increased caution due to crime, armed robbery, dengue, landslides and volcanic hazards. Avoid unpopulated areas on the Nicaragua and Guanacaste borders, the University of Costa Rica surroundings, and coastal areas at night. Be careful in central San José, where petty crime and drug dealing occur, avoid walking alone at night in poorly lit or remote places, and use mosquito protection in Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón during the rainy season.

United States advises a high degree of caution for Costa Rica.

Normal precautions apply nationwide, but take sufficient care in San José city, Goicoechea, Alajuela and Desamparados, as well as in Limón and Puntarenas cities and the rest of those provinces. Killings linked to drug organisations are increasing, robbery and theft are frequent, and clashes between drug organisations can occur anywhere at any time, sometimes involving bystanders. Stay alert throughout your stay.

Travel to Costa Rica is generally safe when usual precautions are followed. Ensure you have sufficient emergency funds, travel insurance and international healthcare coverage, including repatriation. Petty crime, including identity document theft, is frequent and increasing, while violent crime linked to drug trafficking is also rising. Keep valuables out of cars and do not resist if threatened.

Take normal precautions in Costa Rica and follow local authorities' instructions if a hurricane approaches during the June to November hurricane season. As Estonia has no embassy there, consult other countries' travel information. Entry requires a passport valid throughout the stay, an onward or return ticket, and at least USD 100 per month in funds. Estonian citizens may stay visa-free for up to 180 days per entry, subject to the border official's decision.

Germany advises normal precautions for Costa Rica.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for Costa Rica.

Normal precautions are advised because Costa Rica is generally considered safe, although crime and drug trafficking have increased, and individual travel outside organised group tours may be risky. Monitor hurricane forecasts and official warnings, especially from early July to late November, as tropical cyclones may bring destructive winds, torrential rain, coastal flooding and landslides. Follow all official safety instructions.

Exercise normal precautions in Costa Rica. Be alert to theft, do not walk alone after dark, use official taxis and reputable guides, and do not resist if robbed; carry identification and a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp page. Drug offences carry heavy penalties; consult a doctor about vaccinations and buy comprehensive travel insurance. Earthquakes, volcanic activity and hurricanes from June to November are possible, so monitor local news and follow local authorities.

The UK advises normal precautions in Costa Rica. A passport must be valid at least one day after departure, and visits up to 180 days are visa free at immigration officers’ discretion. A yellow fever certificate is required when arriving from listed transmission risk countries. Overstaying can cause fines and entry refusal; declare taxable or prohibited goods and cash of 10,000 US dollars or more, and have insurance for treatment.