Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Costa Rica due to crime. Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica.”
Updated Thu, 02 Apr 2026
Full advisory →Is San José safe? 🇨🇷
Costa Rica · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, San José scores 67/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. San José is moderately safe for travelers, requiring increased caution due to prevalent petty crime and specific at-risk areas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
San José 🇨🇷
Costa Rica · Assessed 16 September 2026
67
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~68% of countries
What drives this score
Crime59/100FairCrime index 54.2 / 100
Sentiment63/100FairMixed
Advisories72Good
Stability80Good
Health64Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-05-19T10:42:25Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Costa Rica: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-09-09T09:13:42.4913163-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
55 / 100 (Mixed)
55
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
335k residents
79
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
17.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Costa Rica17.7Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
30
Robbery / mugging
ModerateRobberies occur, with an increase in incidents targeting tourists, especially after dark or in quieter areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePetty theft is common, particularly in busy areas, markets, and on public transport.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
63/100
Reported feel55Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
While many visitors find San José manageable with precautions, there are concerns about rising crime targeting tourists, leading to a mixed sentiment regarding day-to-day safety.
San José is moderately safe for travelers, requiring increased caution due to prevalent petty crime and specific at-risk areas.
While Costa Rica is generally a welcoming destination, its capital, San José, experiences higher rates of petty crime, including theft and robbery, particularly targeting tourists. Official advisories recommend exercising increased caution. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings, avoid certain neighborhoods, and take precautions against common scams.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026Costa Rican president signals openness to domestic US military operations to aid national security.— Al Jazeera
- Aug 2026Top drug trafficker 'Macho Coca' and cartel member 'Compadre' extradited to the U.S. from Costa Rica.— CBS News
- Jul 2026Costa Rica captures most wanted fugitive also sought by the US.— U.S. News & World Report
- Apr 2026U.S. raises caution for Costa Rica travel due to homicide, rip currents, and potholes.— masslive.com
Common scams
- Unofficial transport touts and fake ride-sharing services, especially around SJO Airport and within the city.
- ATM skimming and fraud.
- Taxi overcharging or route padding.
- Street and accommodation robberies, sometimes involving distraction techniques.
Full briefing
San José, Costa Rica, presents a safety profile that requires travelers to exercise increased caution. While the city is a gateway to the country's natural wonders and offers cultural attractions, it grapples with a notable level of petty crime, including pickpocketing and robberies, which have seen an increase in incidents targeting tourists. Official government advisories from the U.S., UK, and Canada all suggest a need for heightened awareness, with the U.S. State Department specifically advising to 'Exercise Increased Caution' due to crime.
The city's safety can vary significantly by neighborhood. Areas like Escazú and Santa Ana, located west of the city center, are generally considered safer residential areas popular with expats and tourists. Conversely, certain districts within San José and surrounding areas, such as Los Guido, Desamparados, Pavas, La Carpio, and parts of Alajuela, are frequently cited as areas to avoid due to higher crime rates. It's advisable to stick to well-lit, populated areas, especially after dark.
Recent reports highlight ongoing concerns about crime and security in Costa Rica, including extraditions of high-profile traffickers and discussions about international security cooperation, underscoring the broader context of organized crime. For travelers, common scams to watch out for include unofficial taxis and fake ride-sharing services, particularly around the airport and bus terminals, as well as ATM fraud and opportunistic theft. The U.S. Embassy has issued routine messages advising travelers to remain alert and secure their belongings.
To ensure a safer visit, travelers should prioritize using official transportation services and reputable ride-sharing apps. It is crucial to be vigilant about personal belongings, avoid displaying wealth, and be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded places or when withdrawing money. Limiting travel in less-populated areas after dark and staying informed about local conditions can significantly mitigate risks, allowing for a more secure and enjoyable experience in San José.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 San José districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the San José safety map.
La CarpioavoidInformal settlement with elevated violent crime and robbery risk; frequent incidents targeting foreigners reported in 2026.
DesamparadosavoidSouthern district with high rates of mugging, theft, and gang activity; U.S. Embassy notes increased crime targeting tourists here.
PavasavoidWestern neighborhood experiencing spikes in property crime and ATM scams; avoid isolated areas and nighttime travel.
Downtown San José (Centro)cautionHistoric core with colonial architecture; petty theft and pickpocketing common, especially in crowded markets and transit hubs after dark.
HatillocautionNorthern district with moderate robbery risk; exercise caution after dark, particularly near transit hubs and poorly lit streets.
EscazúsaferWell-patrolled upscale residential area west of San José with low crime reports, popular with expats and tourists.
Santa AnasaferSecure residential district west of San José, known for good lighting, regular foot traffic, and minimal petty crime.
Barrio EscalantesaferTrendy gastronomic zone with upscale restaurants and art galleries; generally safe during day and evening with active foot patrols.
07 · After Dark
Is San José safe at night?
44% of people in Costa Rica say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2018).
Robberies occur, with an increase in incidents targeting tourists, especially after dark or in quieter areas.
After dark, be most careful around La Carpio, Desamparados, Pavas, Downtown San José (Centro). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
San José safety FAQ
Is San José safe for tourists right now?
San José is moderately safe for travelers, requiring increased caution due to prevalent petty crime and specific at-risk areas. While Costa Rica is generally a welcoming destination, its capital, San José, experiences higher rates of petty crime, including theft and robbery, particularly targeting tourists. Official advisories recommend exercising increased caution. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings, avoid certain neighborhoods, and take precautions against common scams. (Assessed 16 September 2026.)
Which areas of San José should tourists avoid?
Field research flags La Carpio, Desamparados, Pavas as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in San José?
- Unofficial transport touts and fake ride-sharing services, especially around SJO Airport and within the city.
- ATM skimming and fraud.
- Taxi overcharging or route padding.
- Street and accommodation robberies, sometimes involving distraction techniques.
How does San José compare with other places in Costa Rica?
San José ranks #4 of 7 Costa Rica destinations we've assessed, scoring 67/100. See the Costa Rica safety overview for the full list.
How is this San José safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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