Is Manuel Antonio safe?
A well-visited tourist area. Theft from cars and beach bags is the main problem; Quepos has some drug-related crime at night.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-04-01.
- Homicide rate in Costa Rica: 17.7 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Costa Rica: 14.8 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 911.
Safety in Manuel Antonio at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Smash-and-grab theft from parked cars at beaches and the park, beach bag theft, and occasional street crime in Quepos after dark. |
| At night | The Manuel Antonio road is dark and winding, so take a taxi. Quepos waterfront is fine in the evening but quieter streets are best avoided. |
| Solo women | Solo women usually travel comfortably here. Watch drinks in bars, avoid empty beaches after dark and use taxis for the hillside road. |
| Other risks | Strong rip currents at Playa Espadilla; Slippery rainforest trails in the park; Manchineel trees with toxic fruit and sap |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Parking 'guards' demanding fees on the road to the park
- Unofficial tour agents selling park tickets at a markup
- Monkeys and raccoons stealing food from bags, not a scam but a real loss
Take care
- Leaving anything in parked cars near Manuel Antonio beaches
- Quepos back streets at night
- Swimming at Espadilla without checking flags
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry your passport or a copy with the entry stamp; police check documents.
- Feeding wild animals is illegal and fined.
- Drug offences carry a minimum eight-year prison sentence.
How Manuel Antonio compares in Costa Rica
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| La Fortuna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manuel Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Santa Teresa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Monteverde | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nosara | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uvita | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San José | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Tamarindo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puerto Viejo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Jacó | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Manuel Antonio safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women usually travel comfortably here. Watch drinks in bars, avoid empty beaches after dark and use taxis for the hillside road.
Is Manuel Antonio safe at night?
The Manuel Antonio road is dark and winding, so take a taxi. Quepos waterfront is fine in the evening but quieter streets are best avoided.
What is the crime rate in Manuel Antonio?
Smash-and-grab theft from parked cars at beaches and the park, beach bag theft, and occasional street crime in Quepos after dark. Nationally, Costa Rica records 17.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Manuel Antonio?
All emergencies 911.
More about Manuel Antonio
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- SINAC national parks
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.