I want to go to Costa Rica this summer to study Spanish and do service. How safe is the country?

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Kristina L

I go to Costa Rica regularly and I feel safer there than I do at home. It is probably the safest of all the Latin America countries. The violent crime rate is almost non-existent and the most common crime is theft. If you use a little common sense you'll be as safe as houses.

San Jose is the "big city" in Costa Rica and they do have typical "big city" issues. You don't want to walk around here after dark and you don't want to wander around in areas you aren't familiar with. San Jose makes me very uncomfortable, but no more uncomfortable than any big city in the US.

If you are going with one of the service programs or school programs you'll be extremely safe. You'll probably have an itinerary, guides, etc. If you are going down on your own, be sure to go somewhere cool to study like La Fortuna (close to Arenol) or Manual Antonio - both places are incrediable and have Spanish Schools. Don't go to Spanish School in San Jose, because if you are going to spend the money to go down, you'll want to go somewhere nice, safe, and fun to be at.

Good luck, I hope you can go. It's an amazing opportunity and shouldn't be turned down lightly. I wish I'd had the opportunity to do that when I was your age. Good luck! Feel free to email me if you have specific questions I can answer for you.

ms bell

It's a safe place to travel. Just be careful of pickpockets and don't wear expensive jewelry. Here's a link for more safety information:
http://www.infocostarica.com/travel/safety.html
Happy Travels!

dytica

theres a few reason why Costa Rica is the # 1 place to visit in central & south america.
a big reason is that its soo safe.
Since you are going in a group, that's even better. I promise it will be a great experience for you, both educationally and to have fun.
if you are looking for a group to do service with look up Boy With A Ball in costa rica
i have friends with them and they are an awesome group.
i hope you take this chance to go to CR. its an awesome place! and you'll have an awesome time!!

just dont go anywhere alone, esp at night.
dont carry any unnecessary items, like large jewels or tech stuff.
know where you are going before you start going somewhere.
but dont let these things worry you. if you think about it, these are things you would follow going anywhere in the world. :)

have fun dude!
pura vida.

dougger

Your fairly safe in CR but you are already setting yourself up to be ripped off by these service / language places. I suppose a few of them may by worthwhile but the several I have seen overcharge terribly, have their clients wasting their time doing idiotic public service and then leave them at loose ends in there spare time. Much cheaper just to come as a tourist with some friends and learn SPanish by brute force and necessity. The so-called schools seem to hold back people trying to learn the language.

maria a

NO, better go to Ecuador for sure....it is awonderful place to go, it has alot of places to visit, the people are so nice and helpful, and they try to make you feel at home, and there is alot of beautiful places to visit, and the night life, the place to party are so beautiful not only the quality of the places but the people that go there too........the beaches are clean beautiful and surrounded by hot people the culture is amazing and so diverse that you wont get tired of it......and for sure is alot safer and more beautil that honduras or peru, it is a wonderful place to live too and is warm and nice all the time.
please listen to me I am sure you are gonna love it. and I ma sure your family will too, becasue not only you will have fun but you will be sure that no one is gonna kidnap you or steal something from you

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