Here Are Some Of The Safest Places To Live In Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a popular expat destination, particularly for US citizens. Costa Rica attracts not only retirees, but also younger people with freelancing work or young families, due to its low living costs, excellent private healthcare alternatives, beautiful weather, and hospitable and kind locals.

Some may question if Costa Rica is a secure place to live, or if there are certain spots favored by expats that are the safest to visit or settle.

Crime and Personal Safety in Costa Rica

While Costa Rica has a high official crime rate, the majority of the crime is classified as “opportunistic theft.” Costa Rica is ranked 32 out of 163 nations in the 2020 Global Peace Index for overall peace. It is regarded the safest country in Central America to live in, although it is still a Third World country, with the impoverished outnumbering the middle and upper classes.

That being said, Costa Rica is a safe destination for expats when compared to its neighbors, but you should use common sense and personal safety standards to secure your safety at all times. Historically, the Caribbean coast has had more crime than the Pacific coast.

One smart safety tip is to buy a safe and store your belongings, including your passport, in it. Passport theft is a serious larceny crime in Costa Rica that targets visitors and non-locals. It is usually a good idea to create a photocopy of your passport or Costa Rican ID card.

Places to Avoid in Costa Rica

Another tip is to be cautious at night in locations known to be dangerous: this could be parks or poorly lit alleys at night, but it could also be districts notorious for pickpocketing or other crimes. Los Guido, Desamparados, Pavas, La Carpio, Leon XIII, the El Carmen neighborhood in Cartago, and the “El Infiernillo” section of Alajuela, for example, are considered hazardous districts in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital.

Finally, memorize the local police numbers: 911 and 128 as well as learning some basic Spanish to get by or even how to cry for aid if you ever need it.

Tip: You should shout “fire” or “fuego” to get people’s attention in a stressful situation.

Top 5 Safest Places in Costa Rica for Expats

We started with a few words of caution, however, Costa Rica can be an amazing and happy place to move to, and that being said, safe. Here’s a list of the top 5 safest places to live in Costa Rica.

1. Heredia

Heredia is the capital city of the same-named province. It is located just outside of San Jose and provides a slower pace of life as well as a lot more green space than Costa Rica’s main city. If you work in San Jose, Heredia is about a 15 to 20-minute drive away, giving it an attractive quieter choice with convenient access to hospitals and the airport if necessary.

The American International School (AIS) is located in Ciudad Cariari in Heredia, making it an ideal location for expats with children. Heredia, in fact, is one of Costa Rica’s oldest cities, as evidenced by its 18th-century architecture.

It’s no surprise that Heredia has attracted plenty of expats. They appreciate that the town is affordable; the average cost of living in Heredia is $716. In addition, amenities like high-speed internet are easily accessible.

2. Tamarind

Tamarindo offers one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches in Costa Rica. The city is located on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and is considered a safe location in the country. Because it is a tourist town, be alert of the usual, previously mentioned pickpocketing – so be cautious! Tamarindo is popular among expatriates because it provides a diverse range of daily activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, sportfishing, surfing, sailing, and other sea-related sports. Tamarindo also has a plethora of restaurants and pubs, making it simple to maintain a social life.

Given Tamarindo’s popularity, living there is more expensive than in other places of Costa Rica. Tamarindo’s average monthly cost of living is $1118, which is less expensive than cities with similar populations in other affluent countries. If you want to live near the sea, however, Tamarindo is the place to be. Tamarindo is one of Costa Rica’s most costly cities, yet the cost of living is still incredibly low when compared to cities in North America and Europe.

3. Atenas

Atenas is halfway between San Jose and the Pacific Ocean. As an agricultural village, it is a small town where life moves slowly. It is regarded as a very safe community, ideal for families seeking a small-town environment. There are already a few established expat communities in town, which makes it easier to accept newcomers. Atenas is located around 35 minutes from San Jose and its hospitals, airport, and other amenities that large cities can provide. Atenas is also known for having the “perfect temperature” year round, with no extremes of hot or cold weather.

The great weather and proximity to the volcanic soil make this place ideal for growing coffee, so expats coming here can anticipate fresh and tasty coffee every day! In addition, there are a few good restaurants in Atenas, as well as the Farmer’s Market on Fridays.

Every year, many expats and retirees flock to Atenas because, aside from its natural beauty, it is extremely affordable. The cost of living in Atenas varies depending on lifestyle, rental cost, and other factors.

Rent in Atenas ranges from $750 for an unfurnished home or apartment to $1100 for a furnished rental. However, Atenas also has opulent options, with stunning and regal mansions costing $3500 or more each month.

4. San Jose – Escazu

While San Jose has the greatest risk of pick-pocketing from the list above due to its popularity as a tourist destination, the posh neighborhoods of Santa Ana and Escazu can provide luxurious and – at least during the day – safe living circumstances. Escazu is one of San Jose’s wealthiest suburbs, with many structures in a gated community. Aside from that, Escazu has everything a person might want: a nice shopping mall, beautiful properties, pubs, and restaurants, and it’s only a short drive from downtown San Jose.

Moving to another nation is a life-changing decision that is never simple, especially if you are concerned about your safety. Knowing which areas to avoid and using common sense are typically enough to live happily in Costa Rica.

Escaz has grown in popularity in recent years, and the cost of living varies based on your lifestyle. Rent in Escaz can range from $1,000 to $10,000 per month for premium properties. Escaz’s average monthly cost of living ranges from $2,400 to $7,600 USD.

It is often more expensive than other Costa Rican cities due to its proximity to San Jose, although it is still extremely affordable when compared to sophisticated cities in the United States or Europe. While Escaz is a good option for budget-conscious expats, it is also noted for its luxury accommodations and premier living for those seeking a more opulent lifestyle in Costa Rica.

5. Arenal

Arenal is well recognized for its gorgeous lake and volcano, but it is also noted for its rural and safe lifestyle. If you decide to relocate to this mountainous region, Arenal has a sizable American-expat community, so you may feel at ease right away.

The Arenal volcano is still active, which could pose a risk; nonetheless, in terms of crime, Arenal is a safe city to reside in in Costa Rica, with only tourism-related small thefts. Arenal will be a terrific spot for those who appreciate nature and adventure, as the area has several hiking routes, volcano hot springs, zip-lines, and kayaking and paddle-boarding on the lake.

6. Cartago

Cartago is also the name of the province’s capital city. This city is located in Costa Rica’s beautiful Central Valley, which is an elevated plateau. Cartago’s elevation of 4,720 feet provides residents and visitors with spectacular vistas and cooler temperatures.

Cartago, Costa Rica’s capital for centuries, was founded in 1563. Unfortunately, earthquakes damaged much of the city’s early architecture, but churches and other historical structures remain. Cartago also includes museums and botanical gardens to visit, as well as the Costa Rica Institute of Technology, one of Central America’s finest engineering institutions.Cartago, with a population of slightly more than 150,000 people, offers a wide range of activities, from shopping to nightlife. If you need more excitement, you can take the bus to the larger city of San José. Traveling to San José Airport takes around an hour, so you can quickly catch international flights and greet visitors.

Cartago, like the rest of Costa Rica, has a low cost of living. Despite being one of Costa Rica’s larger cities, Cartago remains one of the most affordable areas for expats to live in the world. Cartago is the Costa Rican city with the third lowest cost of living. If you’re looking for urban living at a low cost, Cartago might be the place for you!

7. Limón

Limón is located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, which receives less tourism than the country’s Pacific coast. Limón receives more rain than other sections of the country, as is typical for its Caribbean position. However, the eastern coast is still a wonderful place with spectacular natural settings, and living there will allow you to enjoy Limón’s Afro-Caribbean culture.

Limón International Airport, despite its name, now solely serves domestic flights. San José is the nearest international airport. It takes around four hours to get from Limón to San José, making that city inaccessible. Limón has amenities such as shopping and medical clinics, but if you require specialty medical care on a regular basis, you will most likely need to travel to San José. However, if you’re looking to get off the grid in an affordable location, Limón might be the right choice for you!

Limón can provide low-cost monthly living expenses. A couple living in Limón can live comfortably for less than $2400 per month on average. Limón is an excellent choice for expats seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy metropolis while taking in Costa Rica’s stunning scenery.

8. Dominical

Dominical is located in Puntarenas province, in Costa Rica’s Southern Zone, which borders Panama. Dominical offers an exquisite combination of comfortable conveniences and less-developed natural appeal.

Dominical boasts beautiful vistas and an excellent surfing beach. It too has gravel dirt roads, although it’s only 40 minutes away from Quepos, which has a domestic airport, hospital, and other amenities.

Dominical is a small fishing village in Costa Rica’s southern zone. As Dominical is a little seaside town off the usual road, imported things will be more expensive.

Rental properties in Dominical are reasonably priced, ranging between $900 and $1200, while the typical monthly cost of living is between $2,000 and $4,000 USD. However, Dominical rentals can be tough to come by, especially now that many expats and retirees have set their sights on this small town.

Take away: We recommend you reach out to local expat communities before moving to Costa Rica to obtain first-hand information before deciding to move there. Good luck!