The country of Costa Rica receives more than two million visitors per year, and it is because of having beautiful coasts and lush rainforests, this country also offers a stable government and a high level of living to offer its residents. Costa Rica has even received a "Level 1" travel advisory from the United States State Department, the lowest rating a country may receive, meaning it is quite safe to visit.
In fact, If everyone behaves properly, locals and even travelers, Costa Rica is a holiday location that is actually recommended by a lot of travelers to groups of people traveling together, families traveling with children, seniors traveling alone, and independent backpackers. Here are some of the reasons why Costa Rica is perfectly safe for travelers.
10 With No Military And A Low Poverty Rate, Costa Rica Has A Lot To Offer
Costa Rica is now ranked 39th on the Global Peace Index 2021, which is also the 1st place regionally, being the most peaceful country in Latin America. In fact, as a result of the country's tranquil nature, it has not maintained a standing army since the 1940s. Costa Rica also has one of the lowest rates of poverty in Latin America, according to the World Bank. Aside from that, Costa Rica has a long history of presidential support for nonviolent conflict resolution and peacekeeping operations. Oscar Arias, a former president, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, believes that negotiation is the most effective means of avoiding confrontation. Also, despite the ongoing violence in surrounding nations, Costa Rica has maintained its calm status.
9 Reducing Crime Rate Is The Government's Top Priority
Costa Rica's economy is primarily reliant on tourism, and the country has made significant investments to safeguard this sector. Recent fundraising efforts by the Costa Rican Tourism Board have raised cash for two more national police stations in major tourist spots. In addition, there are more new tourist police officers who will be solely responsible for the safety of travelers.
8 Numerous Lifeguards Are On Duty Across Costa Rica Beaches
Costa Rica, in contrast to many other Central American countries, has a large number of lifeguards. However, this does not imply that they will be present on every beach when you want to go swimming, but it is good to know that they have a lot of lifeguards, especially since their beaches are popular with tourists.
7 The Airport Has Gone Above And Beyond To Safeguard The Safety And Well-Being Of Its Travelers
During this pandemic, the Costa Rican Airport has gone above and beyond to ensure that travelers and locals will be safe and comfortable inside the country. This includes the following:
- Making it a point to have hand-washing and sanitation facilities in all public spaces
- The use of thermal cameras to check the temperature
- Limiting access to the airport to only those who are traveling
- Limiting the number of people that can fit into businesses and boarding lounges
- Checking to see that travelers are using face masks while in the airport
- Encourage their passengers to maintain a social distance of 1.8 meters between them
- Intensifying the frequency with which cleaning and disinfecting are performed, particularly in high-traffic areas
6 Costa Rica Is Safe And Became A Welcoming Destination For LGBTQ+ Travelers
LGBTQ+ travelers are generally safe and welcome in Costa Rica. In fact, Quepos and Manuel Antonio are two of the most popular LGBTQ-friendly vacation locations in the world. Aside from that, Costa Rica is progressive when compared to other Latin American countries, although it is not nearly at the same level as North America or Europe in terms of development. Having said that, travelers in the community can be reassured that they will find friendly faces.
5 There Aren't Many Extreme Weather Events In Costa Rica
Major weather events are relatively infrequent in Costa Rica, but the country is prone to earthquakes, floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The country is also susceptible to cyclones and hurricanes.
4 Tap Water In Costa Rica Is Safe To Drink
There are no restrictions on drinking water straight from the tap in Costa Rica. In fact, there are just three countries in Latin America whose healthcare systems have received the stamp of approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which includes Costa Rica.
3 They Ensure Strict COVID-19 Requirements For Travelers Entering The Country
All international tourists are permitted to enter Costa Rica via air, land, and marine transportation systems and they must comply with visa restrictions, if any, as well as any other conditions imposed by the government in response to the outbreak of the virus. Aside from that, the Costa Rican government does not require tourists arriving by air, land, or sea to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, nor does it require them to undergo quarantine upon arrival. Also, travelers visiting Costa Rica are asked to adhere to the hygienic regulations in place when participating in tourism activities throughout the country, particularly in rural areas.
2 They Have Stricter Rules For Unvaccinated And Partially Vaccinated Travelers
Tourists who have not been vaccinated or have only been partially vaccinated for COVID-19 must acquire travel insurance that covers their whole stay in Costa Rica. Travelers must prove that they have obtained compliant travel insurance coverage that covers their lodgings in the event of quarantine and medical expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19 disease. This ensures the safety of both travelers and locals inside the country.
1 Most Of The Locals In Costa Rica Are Vaccinated
Travelers can assure their safety against COVID-19 as 75.1% of Costa Rica’s population are fully vaccinated (at the time of writing). Although there is some vaccine hesitancy in Costa Rica, it is generally considered to be insignificant. For all intents and purposes, Costa Rica boasts among the highest immunization rates in the world. Also, the government is putting a lot of effort into encouraging its citizens to be vaccinated through the media and social media. They have been conducting mass vaccination efforts in public places such as malls, as well as car-based immunization programs in some locations, in an effort to get more people to participate.