Are There Any Travel Warnings for Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Central America, with no major travel warnings. The US State Department rates it Level 2 ("exercise increased caution"), the same rating as France, Germany, and the UK. Standard travel precautions apply.

The "increased caution" advisory relates primarily to petty theft, which can happen in any tourist destination worldwide. In practice, this means: don't leave valuables visible in a parked car, keep an eye on your belongings at the beach, and use common sense in unfamiliar areas. Violent crime against tourists is rare.

Nosara specifically is a small, tight-knit community where everyone looks out for each other. The town has no history of the issues you might encounter in larger cities. We walk around freely at night, leave our doors unlocked during the day, and feel completely safe letting our kids roam the neighborhood. It's one of the reasons so many families choose to visit - and many end up moving here.

A few practical safety notes: riptides are the biggest real danger in Nosara. Always swim at beaches with lifeguards and learn to identify rip currents before you get in the water. Road conditions can be challenging during rainy season - some river crossings flood temporarily. And wildlife encounters (monkeys, iguanas, the occasional snake) are common but almost always harmless if you give animals their space.

Bottom line: Costa Rica has welcomed millions of tourists safely for decades. Nosara is exactly the kind of peaceful, nature-focused destination that makes the country so popular. Use the same awareness you'd have traveling anywhere, and you'll have a wonderful, worry-free trip.