Is San José, Costa Rica Safe? One Traveler Weighs In

This post was written by Emily Becker, a Costa Rica-based freelance writer.

When I visited San José for the first time in 2022, I arrived with a chip on my shoulder after having read article after article about how dangerous the city is. Now that I live only 30 minutes away, my opinion has changed dramatically. While many travelers — especially solo women — avoid Costa Rica’s capital, I think they’re missing out by skipping it.

If you want to experience San José, these are my top 10 safe ways to do so, including where to stay, transportation tips, and more.

1. Leave your flashy jewelry at home.

You might be surprised how many times I’ve seen thieves snag gold chains and flashy earrings off people in San José. This doesn’t have to happen to you if you leave your shiny jewelry at home. If you decide to bring it anyway, I suggest locking it in your hotel’s safe while you explore San José.

There are other places in Costa Rica where you can wear all the bling you want, just not on the streets of San José.

2. Use your cards instead of cash.

Carrying large amounts of cash stresses me out when I travel. If I don’t have to carry bills, I don’t. Since Costa Rica uses both the colón and the dollar, it’s both easy and cost-effective to pay with a US debit or credit card. Plus, most places take cards. I only ever use cash at the weekly farmers’ market.

If you decide to go as cash-free as possible, make sure to let your bank know you’ll be traveling to Costa Rica. If possible, also bring a backup debit or credit card in case one gets lost or stolen.

3. Wear your backpack on the front.

In downtown San José, I see ticos (Costa Ricans) wearing their backpacks on the front of their body to avoid pickpockets. If ticos do it, so should you! This is especially necessary in big markets like Mercado Borbón or Mercado Central, where pickpockets are common.

4. Stay away from large crowds.

Avoid large crowds or crowded places as much as possible. Some sites on your San José itinerary, like the big markets, may be exceptions, but if you see a sea of people gathered anywhere downtown, it’s best to steer clear. I don’t see this happen often, but occasionally, there may be marches or protests. These have sometimes gone awry, and they can be unpredictable or volatile.

Also, pickpockets choose large crowds, because it’s easier for them to snatch someone’s phone or wallet without being noticed. As a visitor, there’s no reason to engage with these large gatherings anyway, so if you see one, I suggest going elsewhere.

5. Map out your walking path.

San José isn’t a city I recommend exploring on foot without a plan. Sure, there are plenty of places in Latin America where wandering the streets can be fun, exciting, and even magical. Sadly, this isn’t one of them. Even in areas like Barrio Amón, Otoya, or Escalante, it is easy to take one wrong turn and end up somewhere you may not feel safe.

Download an offline map of San José and know your destination if you’re heading out to walk somewhere. Some routes are great for a stroll during the day, including the entirety of Paseo Colón (from the pedestrian street to La Sabana), the few blocks around Parque Francia near Barrio Escalante, or the pedestrian streets near the Teatro Nacional.

The areas in green on the map below are the safest in San José to explore on foot:

6. Opt for Uber instead of taxis.

Uber is the easiest and safest way to get from place to place in San José. Taxis are also safe, but drivers will often overcharge foreigners, so I always take Uber (which can also be cheaper). Choosing Uber over taxis is a general travel safety rule for me, because I like that I can report a driver if anything strange or inappropriate happens; they also know they will be held accountable for their actions and are less likely to try anything dicey. Plus, with Uber, you always know what you’ll pay to get from point A to point B. Taxis can be unpredictable and end up asking for more than what you bargained for.

7. Don’t engage with scammers.

There are a lot of common scams in San José to watch out for. People will often approach travelers and ask them for money or help with directions (in English) while an accomplice takes advantage of the distraction to rob them. I’ve seen this happen before, in the middle of the day, near the Teatro Nacional.

Even if it feels rude, I always ignore random people who try to stop me in the street in San José. It doesn’t always feel good, but there are too many scammers out there. Not everyone who approaches travelers on the street is one, but it’s impossible to know. Ticos outright ignore them, so they won’t be fazed if you do too.

8. Stay in at night.

I don’t love writing this, but I don’t recommend walking around at night in San José. The only exception to this is Barrio Escalante, which is well lit and mostly has restaurants, bars, and shops. This area (see the map above) is a hub for college students and young professionals and is quite lively in the evening, so it feels safer than the rest of the city.

When in doubt, hop in an Uber. There are so many great restaurants to go to for dinner (or take a food tour!), and you shouldn’t have to miss out on them. Even if it’s only a few blocks away, it never hurts to spend a couple of bucks on an Uber for some peace of mind.

9. Only use ATMs inside a bank.

This is a rule of thumb for anywhere in the world. ATMs inside banks in San José usually have a guard, which makes taking out cash much less stressful. The ATM fees in Costa Rica can be outrageous, however, as much as $10 USD per transaction. Some banks have higher fees than others, and the lowest one I’ve found for taking out colones is Banco Popular, which has three locations within the green walking zone on the map above.

10. Organize airport transportation ahead of time.

Taxi scams run rampant at the San José airport, so I recommend organizing transportation before you land. One option is to order an Uber, though taxi drivers will often heckle travelers while they wait for their car to arrive. Another option is to arrange a shuttle, which will likely be more expensive yet much easier and safer. You can book a shuttle through Viator here.

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When people ask me, “Is San José safe?” I often don’t know how to respond, because it’s more complex than a yes-or-no answer. Yes, San José can be a safe place to visit for solo female travelers, but no, it’s not the safest place in Costa Rica. Petty theft is the most common crime travelers encounter here, but it is easy to avoid. If you stay safe by following the advice above, you’ll have a positive experience in San José.

If you’ve been here, what do you think? Did you find San José safe?