Many people are concerned about their safety while traveling in Costa Rica, so let me highlight a few important areas of concern.
Your Health
Unless you are traveling to some extremely remote regions of Costa Rica, there in no need to take anti-malaria pills, which in themselves are hard on your body. There are outbreaks of dengue fever occasionally in Costa Rica, caused by tiny mosquitoes in the low lying beach areas. It is wise to cover your feet and legs from dusk to dawn, and wear bug repellent. If you do get stung, don't panic, the chances of contracting dengue are still rare.
Water can be drank from the tap in Costa Rica without making you sick, however, like nearly anywhere these days, small traces are chemicals are in the water, so consumption of bottled or filtered water (or beer, yea!) are recommended.
When choosing a restaurant, consider the ones with the greatest volume, especially when ordering any meat. Many Ticos are poor and are thus hesitant to throw out food that isn't completely fresh.
Crime
Costa Rica is considered on of the safest countries in Central America. But exotic as it is, Costa Rica is still a Third World country, meaning the poor far outnumber the middle class and rich. Though you probably won't see them on your regular travels, there are poor barrios around San Jose where even the police are hesitant to venture at night.
Very simple, don't attract attention to your relative wealth or leave yourself vulnerable. Travel in pairs, take with you only what you need, leave the rest in your room safe. Photocopies of your passport are all you ever need to carry.
If you are held up, do not resist, a desperate crack addict with a gun has little rationality. Lock your car, even if you are leaving it for only a few seconds, and leave nothing of value visible inside. Before getting into a taxi, remember or record the taxi number found on the door, if there is no number, don't get in. Sit in the back seat.
Excellent Website
I have taken years compiling a travel safety website, which could potentially save your life. It talk about scams, theft, who to trust, single men travelers, single women travelers, diseases, driving, car jackings, terrorism, natural disasters, rip tides, the safest modes of transport, what to pack, etc. Though it is written about the Third World in general, many Costa Rican examples are used.
Why Adventure Inn is One of the Safer Options
- 24/7 on-site receptionists
- 24/7 security guards
- We are in a well-policed upscale neighborhood
- We are on a dead end street with street security guards
- We have 9 security cameras posted throughout the hotel
- Guest rooms have secure locked windows
- Well-lighted corridors and entryways
- Fire extinguishers and emergency exit signs are posted throughout
- Adventure Inn has been built to withstand severe earthquakes
- We have an emergency power source
- All guest rooms have safes ($1 per day)
- In room phones
- We have a semi-retired Chicago nurse on call
- Private secure parking free to guests
- Nearby police, ambulance and fire services
- Guest information remains private at all times