Costa Rica: crime data in hand

Crime in Costa Rica exists. This is a fact, it would therefore be unthinkable to believe that in the Central American country there are no crimes and thefts like in the rest of the world. You may have read our article on safety in Costa Rica where we reassure travelers and, with this article, we do not want to contradict ourselves.

Italy is also a rather safe country, but it is also true that it is one of the states with the greatest presence of organized crime in the world. It would therefore be appropriate to make some distinctions, since Costa Rica is in any case one of the safest countries in Central and South America.

In this post we will see the data released by the Costa Rican national observatory, relating above all to domestic violence, homicides and feminicides, thefts and robberies. Some data collected dates back to 2023, while others are less recent. The fact remains valid that during our stay in Costa Rica we never encountered any illegal acts.

Crime in Costa Rica: murders and feminicides (voluntary)

Since 2010, the number of homicides in Costa Rica has fluctuated on an estimated monthly average of 46 victims, regardless of gender, age and profession. The month of April 2023 highlights a worrying peak, as there were 84 documented victims, thus bringing the number of murders in the first six months of 2023 to almost 400.

From the graph it is clear that in any case the trend of homicides has been growing in the last two years, as it is always above the monthly average mentioned previously. The highest percentage of murders was carried out through the use of firearms, reaching 81% in the first half of 2023. This was followed by victims of stabbed weapons, or in any case bladed weapons, with a percentage of 11%. and finally, with 8% in 2023, other methods: blunt force, poisoning, etc.

The trend of motivations linked to voluntary homicides in Costa Rica has undergone a drastic change over the last 13 years. In fact, if in 2010 over 40% of crimes occurred following brawls or fights, in 2023 behind a murder was mainly a vengeful intent, probably for professional reasons or to settle scores. This data indicates a significant undergrowth, as it suggests the rise of criminal organizations which, as is known, are particularly accustomed to settling accounts.

Victims of brawls or fights in 2023 were reduced by over 50% compared to 2010, standing at 19%, while unintentional homicide stood at 8% together with undetected motives.

As regards feminicides, the number of victims is decidedly lower, for example compared to Italy, even if the population density of Costa Rica compared to the Italian peninsula must be taken into consideration. Compared to previous years, fortunately the trend is declining, without prejudice to the unfortunate number of victims for 2022 which amounted to 20.

Thefts, assaults and robberies

Obviously, thefts and attacks on people and property must also be taken into account among the factors that affect crime in Costa Rica. As we will see in the following graphics, compared to a minimal quantity of domestic aggressions, there is a high level of thefts and aggressions (outside the home), even of a verbal nature. The numbers are high, but if we take into consideration that Rome (similar population to Costa Rica) has seen 26,000 complaints for theft alone, we cannot say that Costa Rica is prohibitive.

From the graph it is clear that thefts (hurto) have consistently been above 1000 reports, reaching peaks in 2019 of almost 2000. Particular attention must be paid to the trend lines of the latter and of the attacks (asalto), in fact it can be seen how the oscillations go practically hand in hand. Robberies at home, buildings (banks and shops) and vehicles have maintained practically the same trend over the years, as have assaults at home, which in the four-year period 19-22 were close to 0.

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is a very unpleasant topic to deal with, if we consider that worldwide there are estimated victims of almost one billion, of which 760 million are female. The data is often controversial and, sadly, also includes minor victims. This type of crime is one of the few that has persisted at almost the same pace for years, whether in cutting-edge countries (so much for cutting-edge) or less developed nations.

Even in Costa Rica, sexual violence, in the four-year period 2019-22, maintained the same trend: an exception must be made for 2019. The victims most affected are female and cases have also been recorded on males, including pedophilia crimes in all cases.

From the graph we can see how 2019 was a drastic year (not that the others are better) with 533 cases recorded against female people. Given that in the following three years it at least dropped to around 350 recorded crimes. However, the trend has been reversed with regards to reports of crimes aimed at other sexes and/or never identified, since from the 30 cases recorded in 2019, there has been an almost fivefold increase with 137 cases in 2022.

Crimes against males have always remained below the threshold of 100, going from 69 in 2019 to 41 in 2022. These reports obviously do not count the numerous unreported/identified crimes, which undoubtedly hides a well-defined estimate higher than that presented by the Costa Rica Violence Observatory.

Is it safe to live or go to Costa Rica?

These data on crime in Costa Rica, although horrifying, should not lead you to draw the wrong conclusions. If you take a look at the crime data from countries like the United States, Italy or Brazil there is nothing so sensational about the numbers we just saw. Suffice it to say that in nearby Panama (4.5 million inhabitants) voluntary homicides and feminicides reached 1,200 victims in 2021.

Costa Rica can be as dangerous as any other state in the world, but the recent spikes in crime are due to disputes over the area surrounding the port of Limón, a preferential route for drug traffickers for the export of cocaine to the old continent. Each analysis should be done with due considerations, for example keeping in mind that in tourist areas crime is not as high as in the hinterland.

The main rule to follow when traveling always remains the same: caution and head on your shoulders, wherever you go.