Costa Rica is the most popular destination in Central America. The country is heavily focused on eco-tourism with more than a quarter of the nation being a zone of national parks and reservoirs. Not only that but the country is the only in the world to have 98% of its power being supplied by renewable energy sources. Although Costa Rica sounds like an incredible country is has certain hazards that visitors should beware of.

Travelling info

All visitors travelling to Costa Rica are required to have a valid passport. Certain nationals may enter without the requirement of obtaining a visa however duration of their stay may not exceed 90 days or less depending on the nationality. (list of requirements per nationality in sources). Visitors who drive in Costa Rica will be required to have a valid license. Although an international driving permit is not required it may make communication with local police easier. The right-hand side of the road is used for driving.

Travelling hazards

Road conditions vary. Major highways are generally well maintained however signage may still be poor, only recently in 2012 the country began using traffic signs. Other major roads are well kept although roads of lesser importance and rural roads may be in terrible condition. These are usually riddled with potholes if paved, traffic signs are scarce or non-existent. Bridges even on heavily travelled roads are often only single lane meaning that vehicles travelling in one direction must give way. It is important to drive defensively as the traffic laws are commonly ignored by the locals.

Environmental hazards

Over a quarter of Costa Rica is zoned as nature parks inhabited by many different animals of which some may be dangerous for humans. Two large species of large cats roam Costa Rican jungles. Jaguars and cougars may attack and kill a human however such occurrences are rare and visitors are unlikely to see either as these hide deep in the jungle. The American crocodiles are present in the Tarcoles river and surrounding bodies of water. Attacks by these reptiles are usually fatal however they occur very rarely. Poison dart frogs are also present in the country however pose no immediate danger. These amphibians only harm when touched due to the highly toxic venom on their skin. There are several species of snakes including pitvipers, Central American rattlesnake and the coral snake. All of these are dangerous and have venom potent enough to kill a human. Bull sharks are found in both fresh and saltwater. It is important to stay vigilant while swimming, bull sharks are responsible for most shallow water attacks. These creatures are known to attack unprovoked. Swimming, especially after dusk, is not advised as these are nocturnal creatures. Other dangerous marine creatures include jellyfish and sea urchins. These will not attack however direct contact with either usually ends up in very painful stings. Swimming on the western coast of Costa Rica requires some experience as the ocean undertow is very strong and might be overwhelming for an inexperienced swimmer.
Costa Rica is lying in the ring of fire meaning the country is full of volcanoes of which 6 are currently active. Earthquakes are also a common occurrence. Costa Rica lies within the hurricane alley however the hurricane season only lasts from September until October.

Health hazards

Every visitors travelling to Costa Rica from a country with a risk of yellow fever must present proof of yellow fever vaccination. There are several other vaccines that are not required but recommended. These are the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccine. There is a risk of contracting malaria through mosquito bites in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, there is no approved vaccination against malaria. There is however medicine on prescription which should be available to anyone after consulting their local general practitioner. Visitors are also advised to use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets. The health system is among the best in Latin America and ranks quite high in the world. Both private and public systems are well staffed, well equipped and supplied. Costa Rican hospital can deal with any emergency meaning medical evacuation is not a necessity.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

Crime is one of the top concerns of Costa Rica. Homicide rate although high is one of the lowest in the Americas. Tourists are rarely affected by violent crime however theft, robberies, pickpocketing and mugging are quite common. To reduce the risk of being a victim of crime there are few steps to take. Wandering around at night increases the risk of theft or even armed robbery. Staying vigilant at night is vital, it is best to avoid secluded places at night and day and stick to tourist areas. Wearing flashy jewellery and exposing wealth highly increases the chances of unwanted attention. Wearing money belts is a great way of keeping money out of sight and to avoid being pickpocketed. Costa Rican drug laws state that distribution or cultivation of any sort of narcotic is illegal however possession of cannabis for personal use is not a criminal offence.

Summary

Costa Rica and its people live by the rule of Pura Vida which means relaxed life. This can be seen at almost every step in the country giving it a very unique atmosphere. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/costa-rica
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291
(Drug laws)
https://costaricalaw.com/costa-rica-legal-topics/criminal-law-in-costa-rica/marijuana-cannabis-in-costa-rica/