It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a traveling newbie; one of the first things you should do before you book those plane tickets to any new destination is check the U.S. State Department website.
The U.S. State Department issues key travel advisories for every country based on safety and security conditions.
These change regularly.
Meaning that countries that were once considered safe might suddenly need a little more caution and planning
The U.S. State Department has issued a new travel advisory for Costa Rica. Here’s what you need to know.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory For Costa Rica
The travel advisory for Costa Rica has been updated to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
According to the update, petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, also affects tourists.
There are things that you can do to minimize the risk that you’ll become a victim of crime. In truth, these are the same precautions you should take when you walk anywhere, including in your hometown.
They include being aware of your surroundings. Don’t walk alone at night if your route involves walking on poorly lit streets or beaches.
If you are the victim of a robbery, don’t resist this. And when you’re exploring the country, avoid any obvious displays of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches, jewelry, or designer labels.
Is Costa Rica Safe?
It’s worth noting that although this update might sound scary, as a general rule, Costa Rica is a safe destination.
There are four travel advisory levels. These are level 1: exercise normal precautions, level 2: exercise increased caution, level 3: reconsider travel, and level 4: do not travel.
That Costa Rica has been given a level 2 safety rating means that it’s considered just as safe as visiting France or Belgium, the Bahamas, or the Dominican Republic.
A level 2 advisory rating means that you should be aware of heightened risks to safety and security when visiting a destination.
There are no serious risks to safety and security and certainly no life-threatening risks (these are the risks associated with level 3 and level 4 advisories)
In short, a level 2 advisory doesn’t mean that you need to reconsider your travel plans!
This is good news because there are plenty of reasons to visit Costa Rica right now.
Why Visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a great spot for some winter sun.
Its stunning natural beauty and biodiversity make it one of the fastest-growing destinations in the world.
You can choose from beaches on either the Caribbean, Atlantic, or Pacific coasts because Costa Rica is fringed by all three.
The Caribbean Coast is the best choice for picture-perfect white-sand beaches, while the wilder Pacific Coast, with its peninsulas, gulfs, and bays, is packed with incredible landscapes.
The Pacific coast is also a great choice if you enjoy water sports and surfing. The iconic Tamarindo has a bustling tourist scene with plenty of hotels, bars, and restaurants.
But it is also home to some of Costa Rica’s most epic surf.
Away from the beaches, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise, and the winter is the best time of year to explore the rainforests, wildlife, waterfalls and even volcanoes.
Don’t miss the Arenal Volcano National Park, which covers a huge area of 29,692 acres. It is made up of 16 nature reserves between the Tilarán and Guanacaste mountains and is an outstanding and beautiful place.
Tickets to enter the park independently cost $16.95 per non-resident adult, but if you want to hike several of the trails available here then you might want to consider booking a tour with a guide instead.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
