Is Costa Rica safe for Black travellers?
Popular and easy to travel, with a small Afro-Caribbean community on the coast
Why this rating
Costa Rica is straightforward for tourists, but homicides have risen to about 17 per 100,000 (873 in 2025) and the FCDO flags muggings on the Atlantic coast. Afro-Costa Ricans are a small minority concentrated in Limón, and a 2022 UN-backed study found about 34,000 anti-Black hate-speech posts online; there is little documented targeting of Black visitors.
Vibe check
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC (Colón)
- Language
- Spanish
- Best time to visit
- Dec-Apr
- Visa
- Visa-free for many nationalities up to 90 days.
- Health
- No specific vaccines needed.
- Emergency
- 911
- Plugs
- Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz
- Driving
- On the right
Know before you go
- FCDO reports rising gang-related armed robberies and assaults, including on tourists
- Atlantic coast singled out by FCDO for muggings and theft
- Reports of spiked drinks and methanol-contaminated spirits
Border & airport: San José and Liberia airports efficient.
SafeRoute tip: Visit Limón province and Cahuita for Afro-Caribbean food and calypso; use official taxis and keep valuables hidden on the Atlantic coast.
Travelling to Costa Rica?
Join SafeRoute free to share your experience of Costa Rica, post travel reports and find Travel Twins heading there. No paywall, ever.
Create a free accountBlack-owned in Costa Rica
- Soul Life Travel · Puerto Viejo
Costa Rica's first Black woman-owned travel agency, running Afro-Latin trips on the Caribbean coast — farm-to-table dining, chocolate making and Cahuita National Park.
Black-owned · Sadie Jordan · Source · Website - Conga Boutique Hotel · Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Seventeen-room Afro-Caribbean-inspired hotel in a jungle garden near Playa Cocles, with a saltwater pool, breakfast included and a tour desk. Rooms use work by local artisans.
Black-owned · Vani Schouten (owner) · Source · Website
Ownership checked Sep–Oct 2026 · confirm details with each business.
Costa Rica: common questions
Is Costa Rica safe for Black travellers right now?
SafeRoute rates Costa Rica 72/100 (watch: mixed picture), last reviewed Sep 2026. Costa Rica is straightforward for tourists, but homicides have risen to about 17 per 100,000 (873 in 2025) and the FCDO flags muggings on the Atlantic coast. Afro-Costa Ricans are a small minority concentrated in Limón, and a 2022 UN-backed study found about 34,000 anti-Black hate-speech posts online; there is little documented targeting of Black visitors.
What is the official travel advice for Costa Rica?
US Level 2 (Dec 2024); FCDO: no advise-against areas. Advice changes, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice or travel.state.gov before you book.
Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
Visa-free for many nationalities up to 90 days. Rules depend on your passport and change often, so confirm with the official embassy or e-visa site.
What should Black travellers know before going to Costa Rica?
Visit Limón province and Cahuita for Afro-Caribbean food and calypso; use official taxis and keep valuables hidden on the Atlantic coast. San José and Liberia airports efficient. Key warnings: FCDO reports rising gang-related armed robberies and assaults, including on tourists; Atlantic coast singled out by FCDO for muggings and theft; Reports of spiked drinks and methanol-contaminated spirits.
Can I share my own experience of Costa Rica?
Yes. Create a free SafeRoute profile to post a travel report on Costa Rica, rate how you were treated and find Travel Twins heading there. It is free, with no paywall.
Editorial summary, not an official safety rating; conditions, visa and health rules can change without notice. Check official advice before you travel, e.g. GOV.UK foreign travel advice or travel.state.gov.