The US State Division has investigated this travel advice for Costa Rica, urging vacationers to train extra warning because of crime.
The company notes that petty crime is now widespread throughout the nation. However that is not all; Violent crimes akin to armed theft, homicide and assault also can happen, often affecting vacationers.
To extend security, guests are inspired to stay alert, particularly in city areas the place crime is extra widespread or throughout nighttime hours.
As soon as thought-about the most secure nation in Latin America, Costa Rica is now underneath scrutiny for a pointy enhance in murder charges.
In response to information from the Costa Rican Judicial Investigation Company (OIJ), the nation recorded greater than 900 murders by 2023making it the deadliest yr in historical past.
One issue contributing to this disaster is the dearth of a nationwide military in Costa Rica.
After a civil battle that ended within the Forties, President José Figueres Ferrer made the historic resolution to abolish the navy. The assets beforehand allotted to protection had been diverted to training, healthcare and infrastructure.
“Costa Rica, as , is a rustic that has not had a military since 1949 and has been a particularly peaceable nation ever since, so there’s a nice social impression because of the enhance in murders, and final yr we had 906 murders in a inhabitants of 5.2 million inhabitants,” stated Mario Zamora, director of the Ministry of Public Safety.
It is price noting that most killings have been linked to drug trafficking teams and didn’t particularly goal vacationers.
Costa Rica has been acknowledged for many years as a impartial and peaceable nation, avoiding regional conflicts and receiving worldwide recognition for its dedication to democracy.
Sadly, this status is altering because of a brand new inflow of unlawful medicine from South America, which has created new smuggling routes all through the nation.
On the identical time, the nation is dealing with unprecedented migration flows, a separate problem that has introduced harmful human trafficking teams into the combo.
To make issues worse, drug trafficking teams have began paying native ‘logistics providers’ with cocaine as an alternative of money. This apply has made the drug extra accessible to native shoppers and simpler to export to the U.S. and Europe, U.S. Embassy officers stated.
Is the Costa Rican authorities addressing the issue?
It’s. Nevertheless, Costa Rica faces vital challenges within the struggle in opposition to gangs and the rising Nicaraguan and Venezuelan drug trafficking organizations.
In response to Randall Zúñiga, director of the OIJ, the nation has solely 4.2 law enforcement officials per 100,000 inhabitants, which equates to fewer than 5,000 officers in the complete nation – and no military to assist them.
To deal with these challenges, authorities are working to go new legal guidelines within the Nationwide Meeting to additional strengthen penalties for varied crimes, together with the creation and membership of prison gangs, in addition to simpler extradition of international criminals.
This yr, the nation added 900 further law enforcement officials to its drive. However the quantity continues to be inadequate to handle the nation’s rising safety challenges.
Is Costa Rica nonetheless a protected place to go to in the course of the holidays?
The quick reply is sure. The US Division of State ranks the nation Stage 2: Be additional cautiousthat means it’s thought-about as protected as Spain, Italy or Britain
Though most crimes happen in areas with a powerful gang presence, the US company advises residents to comply with these suggestions for a safer journey:
- Keep away from distant or dimly lit seashores, streets or neighborhoods.
- You do not have to indicate off your cash: depart costly watches or jewellery at house.
- Do not attempt to withstand robberies.
- Draw up a security plan within the occasion of an emergency.
- Keep updated with native information.
- Final however not least, register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain alerts and permit U.S. officers to find you if essential.