Costa Rica is known for being a country that promotes peace, one that decided 68 years ago on the abolition of the military and that has managed to do rather well without an army and that has instead focused those funds towards public education and social security; Costa Rica’s former president Oscar Arias also received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his involvement in ending the Central American Crisis.

Costa Rica is a stable democracy and visitors don’t have to worry about political, religious or ethnic violence; yet, Costa Rica seems to be losing a battle against crime; according to Costa Rica 2016 Crime & Safety Report, crime rate has steadily increased over the past few years. Thefts headline the list of most common crimes, and occur frequently in areas commonly visited by tourists; credit card theft/fraud and passport theft are some of the crimes travelers should watch out for.

Consider the following safety measures:

Avoid the downtown San Jose areas after dark.

If you are in a tourist hub such as Tamarindo in Guanacaste or Jaco in Puntarenas, keep in mind that especially during the high season these areas are a target of criminal acts.

Do not carry large amounts of cash with you.

Use the safety deposit box at your hotel to keep your valuables safe (passports and jewelry for example), make a photocopy of your ID or passport to carry with you if necessary; (include entry stamp pages).

If you have a rental car, do not live valuable items at plain sight. Keep a list of the electronics you are carrying with you, (computers, cameras, ipads, etc.) showing model and serial number and keep it in a safe place.

Always get feedback from locals or a concierge service before visiting an unfamiliar area.

Keep a low profile.

Costa Rica is still one of the safest countries you can visit, but just the same you must be careful and take some precautions in order to enjoy your vacation to the fullest and avoid any possible bad experiences.