Usually thought of fairly actually a secure wager for an epic vacation of wonderful seashores, luxe resorts, and countless jungle excursions, based on each the U.S. State Division and, as of this week, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, it looks as if the Pura Vida life is probably not so ‘pure’ in any case…
Whereas crime is all the time a fickle topic since dangerous apples can come out of wherever, the U.S. State Division issued a regarding travel advisory in December 2024, adopted by the U.S. Embassy issuing a security alert on February fifth.
At the same time as Costa Rica continues its sizzling streak of record-breaking tourism numbers, with one more advisory being applied, it is solely honest to ask what on the earth is happening in Costa Rica?
Ought to You Fly Into San Jose, Costa Rica’s Most Well-liked Airport?
U.S. embassies do not launch journey alerts over nothing; there may be real-time knowledge to again up their issues for American vacationers.
On this case, piling on to the U.S. State Division’s latest advisory, there have been a number of incidents close to Juan Santamaría Worldwide Airport (SJO) in San Jose.
Excellent news is most vacationers usually merely use San Jose as a gateway to enterprise deeper into the nation, whether or not or not it’s lush rainforests, towering waterfalls, or beautiful coastlines.
The dangerous information is San Jose’s airport is probably the most well-connected for American vacationers, or any traveler for that matter.
Whereas the U.S. has taken over world headlines for quite a few flight mishaps, it is best to know safety issues aren’t flight associated, however moderately as soon as you permit the airport.
The Embassy particularly mentions Route 111 and roads resulting in Santa Ana, the place dangerous crimes have taken place.
In a single occasion, criminals threw rocks at automobiles in a botched theft try,t leaving autos noticeably broken.
In one other occasion, criminals had been profitable in getting a driver to cease by throwing stones, finally robbing them of their belongings, together with the car.
The Embassy recommends looking for alternate routes at the moment, and to proceed driving if you end up on this scenario — and 911 works identical to again residence.
Is Liberia (LIR) A Higher Gateway Into Costa Rica Proper Now?
When selecting to fly into Costa Rica, San Jose is often probably the most handy (and infrequently most inexpensive) choice.
Alternatively, Liberia sometimes serves vacationers seeking a calming seashore trip as this sprawling area of pristine coastal actual property is lined with high-end resorts and nonetheless lives as much as the infamous Pura Vida way of life.
All of it boils all the way down to the place you are heading. In the event you’re useless set on a calming seashore trip in Guanacaste, then Liberia fits you finest.
In the event you plan to stay round central Costa Rica, resembling Monteverde’s cloud forests, then you definitely may likelihood San Jose.
There’s actually no proper or improper reply, as hundreds of thousands of vacationers make it again residence unscathed, however there’s been sufficient felony exercise to no less than increase consciousness of San Jose’s present dangers.
For what it is value, SJO is a bigger hub, however Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós Worldwide Airport (LIB) presently serves these 16 U.S. cities:
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Houston
- Dallas
- Denver
- Minneapolis
- Chicago
- Miami
- Atlanta
- Charlotte
- Baltimore
- Boston
- Newark
- New York Metropolis
- Philadelphia
Are Crime Considerations Overblown? Tourism Numbers Indicate They Are
It is the State Division’s and Embassy’s job to do their finest to guard their residents, so when there are spikes in crime doubtlessly affecting Individuals, anticipate alerts and advisories to be issued.
Costa Rica presently stands at Stage 2: Train Elevated Warning on par with dozens and dozens of journey hotspots, so crime ranges may actually be worse.
A staggering 61% of Costa Rica’s 3 million guests in 2024 are Individuals, and the way uncommon is it to listen to of any foul play?
At worst, possibly a automobile accident, an unlucky wildlife encounter or my least favourite encounter (surfers who do not appear to know deodorant exists!).
The underside line is widespread sense says should you hold your wits about you, Costa Rica continues to be a dreamy getaway in 2025.
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Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the publish.