Costa Rica Travel Scams Guide - Stay Safe

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Unmetered Taxi Overcharges

Broken Meter Scams

common

Taxi drivers, especially at airports and bus stations, claim their meter is faulty and quote inflated prices in colones or dollars; for example, a ride from Juan Santamaría International Airport to downtown San José might be quoted at 15,000 colones (about $25 USD) instead of the metered 5,000-7,000 colones, taking advantage of tired tourists arriving late at night.

How to Avoid This Scam

Use official orange or red taxis from authorized stands and insist on the meter; if refused, switch to a different driver.
Download apps like Uber or Easy Taxi, which are prevalent and regulated, to avoid haggling over fares.
Exchange currency at the airport for colones and know approximate fares, such as 1,000 colones per 5 km in urban areas, to spot discrepancies.

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Fake Tour Operator Frauds

Abandoned Tour Scams

occasional

Operators in tourist hubs offer discounted trips to places like Arenal Volcano or Manuel Antonio National Park via social media or street promotions, collect payment upfront (e.g., 50,000 colones or $85 USD per person), then fail to show up or drop tourists in unsafe areas without services, often operating from informal stalls in San José's markets.

How to Avoid This Scam

Book through licensed agencies like those affiliated with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), and verify with their website.
Pay with a credit card for chargeback options rather than cash, and check for ICT certification stickers on vehicles or offices.
Research operator reviews on TripAdvisor and avoid deals under 20,000 colones for a full-day park tour, as they are suspiciously cheap.

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ATM Skimming Schemes

Skimmer Device Placement

occasional

Thieves install skimming devices on ATMs in busy areas like San José's Avenida Central, capturing card details and PINs; victims might withdraw money and later find unauthorized charges, with losses up to several hundred dollars, often targeting tourists who use ATMs at night without covering their PIN.

How to Avoid This Scam

Inspect ATMs for loose parts or skimmers before use, and prefer machines inside banks or hotels.
Use ATMs during daylight and cover the keypad when entering your PIN, as local banks like Banco Nacional have more secure locations.
Monitor your bank app frequently and set up alerts for transactions over 50,000 colones.

🛍️

Market Pickpocketing

Distracting Thief Teams

common

In crowded spots like Mercado Central, groups of locals create distractions, such as spilling items or asking for directions, to pickpocket wallets or phones from tourists; a typical loss could be a phone worth 100,000 colones or cash up to 50,000 colones, especially near the Jade Museum.

How to Avoid This Scam

Wear bags across your body and keep valuables in front pockets while navigating Mercado Central's stalls.
Stay aware of your surroundings and politely decline unsolicited help, using phrases like 'No gracias, estoy bien' to deter distractions.
Visit during off-peak hours, like early morning, and consider guided tours from reputable companies that monitor for such activities.

🛒

Counterfeit Souvenir Sales

Fake Indigenous Crafts

occasional

Vendors in San José's Central Market sell imitation indigenous handicrafts, like counterfeit Boruca masks, claiming they are authentic and charging 10,000 colones each, only for buyers to discover they are mass-produced imports upon closer inspection.

How to Avoid This Scam

Buy from certified cooperatives or stores with 'Hecho en Costa Rica' labels, and ask for authenticity certificates.
Haggle politely but research fair prices, such as 5,000 colones for a genuine small mask, to avoid overpayment.
Shop at government-endorsed markets like those in the National Museum area for verified goods.

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Beach Equipment Overcharges

Rented Gear Non-Returns

occasional

At beaches near Liberia, like Playa del Coco, rental operators for surfboards or snorkel gear demand double the deposit (e.g., 20,000 colones instead of 10,000) when returning items, claiming damage that wasn't there, targeting tourists unfamiliar with the area.

How to Avoid This Scam

Inspect gear before renting and take photos as evidence; choose operators with fixed-price boards at established shops in Liberia.
Pay with credit card for disputes and get a written receipt detailing the deposit and return conditions.
Rent from hotel-affiliated services, which often charge fair rates like 5,000 colones per hour without hidden fees.

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Unofficial Park Guide Extortions

Forced Tip Demands

common

At Manuel Antonio National Park, unauthorized guides offer 'free' tours but then demand excessive tips, such as 15,000 colones per person for a short walk, or block paths until paid, preying on visitors near the park entrance trails.

How to Avoid This Scam

Only use official guides with ICT badges, available at the park entrance for about 5,000 colones per group.
Enter the park early in the morning to avoid crowds and insist on agreeing to tips upfront with a set amount, like 2,000 colones.
Follow park rules by sticking to marked trails and reporting suspicious guides to rangers on site.