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Costa Rica
24 scams
If you are looking for expansive jungles, romantic eco lodges, cloud forests, rolling surf, beaches, volcanoes, coffee haciendas and colonial architecture, Costa Rica has it all for you.
However, rising crime rates (though much of it is gang warfare) and tourist targeted scams are a cause of concern.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency hotline: 911
- Fire: 118
- Ambulance: 128
Travel resources
Unlicensed tour operators in Costa Rica
7 0How it works: Opening: at tourist attractions, you may encounter touts who offer a very cheap tour. However, to secure your position, you have to pay upfront. Version 1: when…
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Price quote scams in Costa Rica
6 0How it works: It is common in Costa Rica for tourists to be expected to pay higher prices than locals. This is possible as goods at markets are not labeled…
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Playa Coceles surfboard damage in Costa Rica
6 0How it works: At Playa Coceles, there have been reports of operators renting out soft foam/badly fixed boards which break easily when you use it. An inflated fee is then…
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Arenal Volcano interception scams in Costa Rica
6 1How it works: Scam 1: at the bus station to board the 8am bus to Tilarán, there’s a tout who will intercept you by shouting “Parque Ecológico”. This is not…
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Unofficial guides in Costa Rica
6 0How it works: At national parks, you may encounter touts who offer to bring you around. Some may be good, but what generally transpires is a low quality and/or unsafe…
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Fake border crossing agent in Costa Rica
6 0How it works: Version 1: being charged to use a free custom/immigration form. Version 2: someone offers to assist with the immigration process. He tampers with your documents and forces…
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Departure/exit tax scam in Costa Rica
4 0How it works: Situation: in the past, when leaving Costa Rica, you have to pay an exit tax in cash at a counter in the airport. Today, most airlines have…
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Gas station scams in Costa Rica
4 0How it works: Situation: in 2014, a major newspaper did an investigation and found that at 70% of the gas stations they visited, they were subject to one scam or…
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Taxi scams in Costa Rica
3 2How it works: Version 1: all drivers are required to use a meter, but many will tell you that the meter is broken or do not have one. An inflated…
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Taxi piratas in Costa Rica
3 0How it works: Version 1: unofficial taxi touts who claim that there is no more bus or that buses are not operating today, and that you should take their taxi….
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Unofficial parking attendants in Costa Rica
3 0How it works: Version 1: unofficial parking attendants claim that there is no parking space left and get you to park a distance away from the real carpark. A fee…
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Restaurant scams in Costa Rica
2 0How it works: Situation: Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest. Set-up: Version 1: serving you…
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Corrupt traffic police in Costa Rica
2 0How it works: Corrupt officers who work at checkpoints will stop you, accuse you of an offence and ask you to pay a fine on the spot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYcNHJUJ1Fk Places to…
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Slashed tires in Costa Rica
2 0How it works: Situation: this is uncommon, although both tourists (near the airport) and locals (men over 55 driving older cars) have reported such cases. Set-up: bandits will slash/puncture your…
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Pickpockets in Costa Rica
2 0How it works: They work in a gang – one onlooker, one blocks, pushes, distracts, or engages you, one grabs and the final hides the loot under a cover (e.g….
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