Costa Rica
Common tourist scams in Costa Rica and how to avoid them
The most common Costa Rica scams are rental-car insurance add-ons, unmetered taxis, card skimming and distraction theft at beaches and bus stations. Pay by card in shops, agree taxi fares or use an app, photograph the rental contract, and keep nothing valuable on the sand. Report fraud to the police and your bank the same day.
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GuideCosta Rica
Key facts
- Top risk
- Rental-car insurance and deposit disputes, unmetered taxis, card skimming, beach and bus-station theft
- Taxi rule
- Official taxis are red with a yellow triangle and use a meter (maría); agree the fare before you get in if there is none
- Rental car
- Mandatory local insurance is added at the counter; deposits of US$1,000–5,000 are blocked if you decline the company's collision cover
- Cards
- Keep the card in sight; use bank ATMs inside buildings by day
- Emergency numbers
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance; 800-8000-645 tourist police line
- Report window
- Report card fraud to your bank immediately; a police report (denuncia) is needed for most insurance claims
Details
Costa Rica is a low-violence destination for most visitors, but the money scams follow the tourist trail: San José bus terminals, Jacó and the Guanacaste beaches, Liberia and San José airports, and rental-car counters. Almost all of them are avoidable with two habits: never hand over a card you cannot watch, and never accept a price you did not agree first.
Rental cars are the single biggest source of disputes. The online rate usually excludes the mandatory local third-party insurance (often called SLI), which is added at the counter and can double the daily price. If you decline the rental company's collision cover, expect a deposit of US$1,000–5,000 blocked on your credit card — check your limit before you book. Photograph the car, the fuel gauge and the contract, and keep the return receipt.
Taxis: official cars are red with a yellow triangle and a meter (maría). In San José the meter is normal; at beaches and airports drivers often quote a flat price instead. Agree the number before you get in, or use a ride-hailing app where it operates. Airport taxi touts who approach you inside the terminal are not the official queue.
Cards and ATMs: skimming happens on standalone machines and at small shops. Use ATMs inside banks or malls during the day, cover the keypad, and decline dynamic currency conversion — pay in colones, not your home currency. In restaurants, ask for the terminal to be brought to the table rather than letting the card leave your sight.
Beach and bus theft is opportunistic rather than confrontational: a bag left on the sand while you swim, a backpack on the overhead rack, a phone on the table. Carry a dry bag or leave valuables in the hotel safe. If someone bumps you or spills something on you in a crowd, check your pockets immediately.
Common smaller tricks: the 'closed' attraction where a helpful stranger offers a tour instead, the parking 'attendant' who demands a fee for a public space, and the rental or tour deposit taken in cash with no receipt. Pay by card where you can, and ask for a receipt every time.
Summary table
| Scam | Where it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Rental insurance and deposit add-ons | Rental counters, airports | Read the total before signing; photograph the car; check your card limit |
| Unmetered or overquoted taxi | San José, beaches, airports | Agree the fare first or use an app; official taxis are red with a yellow triangle |
| Card skimming and double charging | Small shops, standalone ATMs | Use bank ATMs by day; keep the card in sight; pay in colones |
| Beach and bus-station theft | Jacó, Guanacaste, San José terminals | Leave valuables in the safe; keep bags on your lap or in a dry bag |
| Fake 'closed' attraction or unofficial guide | Park entrances, tour desks | Buy tickets at the official window or a licensed operator |
| Cash 'parking fee' or deposit with no receipt | Beaches, viewpoints | Pay by card or ask for a receipt; public parking is often free |
2026 estimate; patterns change, so treat this as a checklist rather than a fixed list.
Tips
- Save 911 and your bank's international collect number before you fly.
- Carry a photocopy or phone photo of your passport, not the original, on beach days.
- Split cash and cards between two places; never keep everything in one bag.
- Ask your hotel to book taxis and shuttles; the price is agreed in advance.
- If a deal is much cheaper than every other quote, it is the scam.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What are the most common tourist scams in Costa Rica?
Rental-car insurance and deposit add-ons, unmetered or overquoted taxis, card skimming and double charging, and distraction theft at beaches and bus stations. Smaller tricks include fake 'closed' attractions and cash parking fees with no receipt.
Is Costa Rica safe from pickpockets?
No. Theft is opportunistic and concentrated on the tourist trail: San José bus terminals, Jacó, Guanacaste beaches and airports. Keep valuables in a hotel safe, watch your bag in crowds, and carry only what you need for the day.
What should I do if I am scammed in Costa Rica?
Call your bank immediately to block the card, then file a police report (denuncia) — most insurers and rental companies ask for one. Keep receipts, photos and messages. For emergencies dial 911; the tourist police line is 800-8000-645.
Deep dive
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