The Global Expat Hub
Costa RicaSafety rating: 60/100 (mixed). It blends violent and property crime, political stability, road safety and how safe foreign residents report feeling. It's a national average; San José and Escazú can sit well above or below it.
Reading the number
- 85+: safety rarely enters daily decisions.
- 70–84: normal urban caution; some districts to avoid at night.
- 55–69: choose where you live carefully; petty crime is routine.
- Under 55: pick neighbourhoods with local advice and treat security as a real cost.
Neighbourhood footageDrone and street-level video of San José and Escazú: lighting, foot traffic, gated versus open streets.
Ask locals about
Scams aimed at newcomers, road behaviour, and whether police respond. Those three shape lived safety more than headline crime rates.
Official & reference sources
Starter content generated from the country data model. Replace with sourced, dated copy before launch. Last reviewed: not yet.