Car theft is also very frequent, so make sure that you parked your vehicle in locked fence areas. © 2020 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. In comparison to other cities in Costa Rica, San Jose has a higher rate of crime. Information about crime in San Jose, Costa Rica. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. Gridlocked traffic, gigantic potholes, noise and smog are unavoidable components of the San José experience. Because it is such a large city, tourism services are the most extensive in the country. The city is the site of the University of Costa Rica (1940), the oldest and most diverse of San José’s four public universities. ). I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Violent crime is extremely rare in Costa Rica, but theft is a concern. While the city is not a top destination for visitors, San José has a few attractions for visitors to consider, as well as numerous restaurants, museums, outdoor markets, and p… You just need to pay attention to your clothing and showing off the expensive electrical gadgets. Neighborhoods covered by Lonely Planet are generally safe during the day, though you should be especially careful around the Coca-Cola bus terminal and the red-light district south of Parque Central, particularly at night. The most common offense is opportunistic theft (eg pickpocketing and mugging). Never let luggage or bags out of your sight, and store small valuables in your hotel safe. Uber is illegal and there have been attacks on Uber cars by taxi unions as well as cars impounded by police. San Jose is the capital city and the largest city in Costa Rica, and with a population of about 288,000, is home to over a third of the country's population. Keep a streetwise attitude, leave your car empty of valuables in a guarded lot and never put your bag in the overhead racks on a bus. Be careful walking streets, especially at night, and always take the same precautions you would in any big city. Covid-19 Costa Rica Travel Restrictions and Border Opening Also, the area around the Coca Cola Bus Terminal is very deserted and risky. San José is the capital of Costa Rica but tends to be treated as a way station. Be skeptical of touts and taxi drivers who try to sell you tours or tell you that the hotel you’ve booked is a crime-infested bordello. Though Costa Rica has the lowest crime rate of any Central American country, crime in urban centers such as San José is a problem. Many of them will say anything to steer you to the places that pay them commissions. Costa Rica’s political and economic situation is stable and strong, and the country was actually voted the “happiest nation” in the world! Currently, the area with the most cases is the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) which includes San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago and Heredia. 18 Mar, 2019 in Costa Rica tagged Costa Rica / Edificio Central de Correos y Telégrafos / Museo de Jade / San José / Travel blog by Benjamin White San José, capital city of Costa Rica, has a rather unusual founding story – at least it does in comparison to other Central American capitals. Shows how much people think the problem in their community are property crimes (home broken, car theft, etc. It has become a modern, cosmopolitan city and is presently home a third of the country’s entire population. Petty crime is most frequent in the capital city of San Jose, where pick pocketing, mugging, and purse snatching occur. Much better to get out and about and see some of CR in that time. Pay close attention to your surroundings in crowded locations, particularly when using public transport. The Simon Bolivar Zoo: While the zoo showcases a whole host of Costa Rica’s endemic animal species, it’s no match to seeing them in the wild. However, no country can be absolutely perfect. San Jose is the most populous city and its population is probably half of the whole Costa Rica. It is worth noting that San José is not as safe as most other destinations in Costa Rica. Even if you are an experienced driver, driving on unfamiliar and ill conditioned roads in Costa Rica can be a challenge. Some of the most visited museums are Museo de Oro Precolombino and Museo del Jade. Safety In San José. In Escazu you’ll find great bars, restaurants, shopping, and medical care. It is in the centre of the country, in the mid-west of the Central Valley, within San José Canton. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Machismo is still dominant in Costa Rica, so just do not pay attention to shouting or whistling and try to ignore them. However, on your way to Costa Rica, San Jose is a likely stop before you head off to other destinations such as Monteverde (which is beautiful by the way! Visiting San Jose, Costa Rica. or Museo de Nino as it is known. All rights reserved. You can book couples massage, Thai massage, sports massage, hot stone massage, relaxing massage, Swedish massage and many more. I would say that San Jose downtown is a safe city just avoid to stay in hotels near the Costa Rican Center of Science and Culture. Answer 1 of 3: More concretely, my plan is to walk from hotel to the bus station early in the morning (5-10 minutes' walk around 6 in the morning), will that put me in particular danger? Costa Rica’s Response to COVID-19. San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and found in the Central Valley. Why, with a whole 5 days, are you wasting it in SJO? Gang-related crime is on the rise, but it mostly occurs in and around San Jose. Located in the center of Costa Rica, San Jose is the epicenter of government, economic activity, cultural events and is the major transportation and education hub of Costa Rica. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Costa Rica. The capital city of Costa Rica is located on a plateau at 1200 m elevation, surrounded by mountains and valleys. Crime is a very serious problem and tourists need to keep a watchful eye on their personal belongings. He offers tourists miscellaneous cultural, architectural and historical venues with numerous museums, galleries, parks, and markets. If you find yourself the victim of a crime, you’ll have to file a report in person at the Organismo de Investigacíon Judicial in the Supreme Court of Justice building on the south side of downtown. It is usually packed with tourists during the day and it is a generally safe city, but the situation gets worse during the night. Tours . Check the … Costa Rica has divided the country up in two areas: Orange and Yellow Alert. Good evening, San Jose is an interesting City, I lived there for six weeks, no tourist stuff, I had a job, rode the buses to work, had a job, moved in with a younger guy ( Who I met my 4th day there) rented a room in his Moms house. Answer 1 of 11: Going to Costa Rica next week , staying in the San Jose city for one whole day, is it safe to walk about in day and go walk bout and out for dinner at night? San José is Costa Rica's seat of national government, focal point of political and economic activity, and major transportation hub. How to stay safe in San Jose - don't go to San Jose, it's a fool-proof solution!! The museum is pretty nice, unfortunately it is not located in a very safe area. As in most tourist destinations, travelers are targets for pickpockets. Click here to get an offer for travel insurance. After getting comfortable there I also walked home a few times alone at midnight. Having in mind the fact that recent history has no records of terrorism in San Jose tourists can feel free and safe. (About 30 minutes away) There is lodging of all sorts and all prices and you can easily do some exploring of the surrounding area, do a coffee tour, visit Zoo Ave, head for Braulio Carrillo National Park, go to Poas Volcano, etc. Escazu is a suburb of San Jose in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. If you carefully watch your belongings and do not show off your wealth, you will not attract attention and will not become a possible prey. Answer 1 of 3: More concretely, my plan is to walk from hotel to the bus station early in the morning (5-10 minutes' walk around 6 in the morning), will that put me in particular danger? It is usually packed with tourists during the day and it is a generally safe city, but the situation gets worse during the night. 2. ), violent crimes (being mugged or robbed, being attacked or insulted), corruption and other crimes. However, suspicious activity is always possible, so remain attentive. San Jose, Costa Rica is often the forgotten destination of this beautiful country known for its lush jungles and amazing beaches. Costa Rica has lifted stay at home orders and resumed some transportation options and business operations. Be extremely careful when in public transport and crowded areas in front of the monuments. © 2020 Lonely Planet. More than three million tourists enjoy Costa Rica each year. A lot of people are currently wondering how safe is San Jose Costa Rica – if you do visit, we recommend staying in a nice San Jose hostel or a backpackers lodge. Orange is for areas with more confirmed coronavirus cases. Also avoid carrying around valuables, backpacks or other items that invite pickpockets. San Jose gives endless opportunities for adventure and it is considered a paradise of Central America. The majority of them experience no troubles while traveling in the country. Togeth… Keep a streetwise attitude, leave your car empty of valuables in a guarded lot and never put your bag in the overhead racks on a bus. These officers can be helpful in the event of an emergency since most of them speak at least some English. Once you need to take a taxi, use only those that are red or orange and bear in mind that it is safer to call them than to stop them on the street. In the city itself there is maybe half a day to a day's worth of stuff to do. That's not something I recommend but I'm alive to talk about it today. Driving in Costa Rica is a topic that is often discussed in the planning stages of a Costa Rica Escapes’ itinerary. Keeps your wits about you and you can enjoy everything it has to offer. San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and the capital of the province of the same name. Downtown San José, Costa Rica is a lively city. Traffic in Costa Rica is risky, and pedestrians are not respected, so it is advisable to cross the street in a group. State Department – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 Joking aside, same thing strikes me as did Hattie. However, it’s still important to take certain precautions to minimize your chances of encountering any natural or crime-related threats. Most central hotels are subject to street noise, no matter how nice they are. Also, tourists need to watch out their credit cards. Costa Rica Golf Day Tours (Tours to Valle del Sol, Cariari and Marriott Los Suenos), ☎ (732) 917-0177, . The most common offense is opportunistic theft (eg pickpocketing and mugging). However have not heard of any issues to passengers from Uber drivers. Costa Rica's graceful, modernist 35,000-seat national soccer stadium, constructed with funding from the Chinese government and opened in 2011, is the venue for international and national Division 1 fútbol (soccer) games. Very rarely do we recommend or suggest that our clients handle their own driving, and if we do, the traveler(s) have asked us about the practicality of renting a car for their trip. That’s not to say you won’t feel safe everywhere. Popular places to live include Escazu and Santa Ana, on the west side of the city. Visiting Escazu Costa Rica. Costa Rica is mostly safe, with 1.9 million visitors annually making it a popular travel destination. Be advised that adjacent neighborhoods can vary greatly in terms of safety; inquire locally before setting out. Otherwise I spent two months in San Pedro/Zapote which are suburbs of San Jose and both places were extremely safe. Assistance: U.S. Embassy San Jose, Costa Rica +506 2519 2000 (after hours as well) ACSSanJose@state.gov. The Government of Costa Rica is investigating the situation and the Embassy remains in contact Costa Rica authorities regarding the ongoing investigation. It is home to one of the best shopping malls in San Jose, the Multiplaza Escazu, the modern Hospital La Cima and several high-end hotels. Tourists need to practice the same kind of behavior as in any other city, even though San Jose authorities are doing its best to improve the security of foreigners by introducing constant police surveillance. Be aware that prostitutes are known for sleight-of-hand, and that they often work in pairs. This is where the airport is located and is much much nicer and safer than San Jose. Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica: Founded in 1897, San José’s National Theater is one of Costa Rica’s grandest architectural attractions. Costa Rica’s stability and democratic reputation attract sizable numbers of foreign students to these universities and to the numerous private universities scattered throughout San José. Petty crime is the biggest risk in Costa Rica, particularly in San Jose and on public transportation throughout the country. It’s important to keep your valuables on you in transit and keep them locked up when at your accommodation, ideally in a portable safe . Petty crime and car theft are very frequent and the area to be avoided is Hatillo, a district full of drug dealers. San José transitions from a commercial block of department stores, chic cafés, and fast-food establishments to the haphazard residential areas characteristic of Latin America. High-level strategies when stealing, like spilling something on you, is applied on the streets of San Jose. Taxi drivers are constantly trying to overcharge the negligent passengers. In general, Costa Rica is an incredibly safe country to travel through. That's it. Caribbean and Pacific white sand beaches are also extremely popular and among top holiday destinations. In comparison to other cities in Costa Rica, San Jose has a higher rate of crime. Road safety. You'll think differently after checking out the best things to do here in this lively city. Exercise caution when walking around at all times, and take taxis at night. Always make copies of your passport, credit car… 20 Tips for Staying Safe in Costa Rica. Due to its location and climate, San Jose is prone to flooding and landslides during heavy rains, hurricane risks from June to November, as well as volcanoes and extreme weather conditions. Massage and Spa San Jose Costa Rica offers different professional massage therapy in and around San Jose. Uber is only present in San Jose metropolitan town areas.. A good option is as suggested above is arranging private drivers for longer trips and asking the hotels for transfers locally. As long as you bear in mind the economic situation and machismo in San Jose, and practice common sense, you will remain safe while in the city. The establishment in 2007 of the policía turística (tourist police; you’ll see them patrolling in pairs around San José, on foot, bicycle and even horseback) has helped prevent petty crimes against foreigners. Though Costa Rica has the lowest crime rate of any Central American country, crime in urban centers such as San José is a problem. San José Canton's population was 288,054 in 2011, and San José's municipal land area is 44.2 square kilometers (17.2 square miles), with an estimated 333,980 residents in 2015. The question pains me a little for implying that San Jose either ought to be entertaining to visitors who likely know little about the country or isn’t worth seeing. When solo female travelers are in question, it is safe to travel to Costa Rica. However, there are dangers that come with such destinations – mostly in the form of pickpockets and petty theft such as purse snatching, armed robberies, and carjacking, so tourists should exercise caution. 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