Costa Rica Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Costa Rica
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated April 2, 2026
Costa Rica recorded 17.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Costa Rica #25 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have risen 104% over the past decade (from 8.7 in 2013). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Costa Rica at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
17.8 /100k
Safety Rank
#171 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have risen 104% over the past decade (from 8.7 in 2013). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Costa Rica Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Costa Rica, the homicide rate for men is 12.0× higher than the rate for women — 33.1 vs 2.8 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Costa Rica:
Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to crime . Advisory Summary Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, also affects tourists. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Costa Rica. If you decide to travel to Costa Rica: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Costa Rica Population & Demographics
Population of 5,129,910, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Rica safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Costa Rica at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include crime. The homicide rate of 17.8 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has an intentional homicide rate of 17.8 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #25 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Costa Rica compare to other countries?
Costa Rica's homicide rate of 17.8 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.