San José

Is San José, Costa Rica safe?

It is safe enough for a short stay if you are careful, but Costa Rica's capital is not the calm city many visitors expect. The OIJ, the judicial police, counted 142 homicides in the canton of San José in 2025, the most of any canton in the country. On the 2022 census population of 354,025, that is about 40 per 100,000, more than double the national rate of 16.7 and higher than Bogotá.

Two things soften the picture for a visitor. Half of the canton's killings were in Pavas (39) and Hatillo (34), residential districts that few tourists visit. And Canada says most violent incidents in Costa Rica are linked to gangs and drugs, not to crime against foreigners. Still, the trend is bad: by late August 2025 the canton already had 85 homicides, against 57 a year earlier, and the municipal council declared a cantonal emergency over insecurity. We score San José 48.

Theft downtown

The crime a visitor is most likely to meet is theft. Canada's travel advice says petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching happens frequently, and names San José's high-risk areas:

• the Coca-Cola bus terminal area, between Paso de la Vaca, Calle 12 and the Coca-Cola market
• the inner downtown between San Juan de Dios Hospital, the National Museum, Avenida 1 and Avenida 14
• the Mercado Central
• public parks

Thieves often work in teams, one distracting you while the other grabs a bag. On buses, keep bags on your lap rather than overhead. Canada also warns of burglaries at rentals owned by foreigners and of tampered card readers.

If you rent a car, the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary warns about a known trick: thieves slash a tyre, then offer to help while an accomplice takes your bags. Do not stop for strangers waving you down, and never leave luggage in a parked car, even in the boot.

After dark and in taxis

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary advises against walking alone in poorly lit or remote areas at night, and says rapes and sexual assaults have increased, some apparently aimed at tourists. Canada reports sexual assaults by taxi drivers in San José. Gallup's 2025 survey found only 53% of Costa Ricans feel safe walking alone at night, close to Mexico and below Panama's 63%.

Taxis are the main way around at night, so choose them carefully. Official taxis are red with a yellow triangle, orange at the airport, and should show the driver's ID and run the meter. The FCDO recommends radio-dispatched taxis and warns against unlicensed "piratas". Bars carry their own risk: the FCDO reports spiked drinks and deaths from methanol in cheap spirits, including guaro.

The roads

San José's roads are among the most dangerous in the country. The road safety council, Cosevi, counted 50 deaths at crash scenes in the canton in 2025, more than any other and about 14 per 100,000, and that count leaves out people who died later in hospital. Nationally, motorcyclists were 263 of the 572 dead. Canada says drivers often ignore traffic laws and many drive at night without lights. Private cars may only enter central San José on certain weekdays, depending on the last digit of the number plate, so ask your hire company before you drive in.

Earthquakes, volcanoes and rain

Small earthquakes are frequent and quakes above magnitude 6 occur from time to time, but the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says buildings and services are well prepared and quakes seldom have widespread effects. Poás volcano has had a series of significant eruptions, and ash plumes can affect air quality for people with breathing problems. The rainy season from June to November brings floods and landslides that close roads.

Health care is a strength. The FCDO describes medical care as generally of a high standard, although only initial emergency treatment is free for visitors, so carry insurance. IQAir measured 7.0 µg/m³ of fine particlesPM2.5Tiny airborne particles 2.5 micrometres across or smaller. They reach deep into the lungs and are the air pollutant most linked to early death.More in the glossary nationally in 2024. Dengue and Zika are present.

How to stay safe in San José

• Take official red taxis, radio taxis or ride apps, especially at night.
• Avoid the Coca-Cola terminal area and the inner downtown after dark.
• Keep bags on your lap on buses and in sight at the terminals.
• Buy spirits only from reputable bars and shops.
• If driving, never stop for strangers and leave nothing in the car.

For beaches, volcanoes and the Caribbean coast, see our Costa Rica page. Travelling on through Central America? Compare Panama City.

How we scored it

Health (74) and natural hazards (65) are the strongest factors: care is good and quake preparedness is high. Violent crime (28) is the weakest, with a canton homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary of about 40 per 100,000, though much of it is in districts tourists rarely visit. Road deaths (40), frequent downtown theft (45) and the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary's night warnings (55) pull the score down further.