Is Nosara safe?
Calm and mostly safe. Theft from rentals and beaches happens; the real risks are surf, ATVs and dark dusty roads.
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 Nosara at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft from beach bags, unlocked rentals and parked bikes; break-ins occur at empty villas. |
| At night | Roads are dark and unpaved; use a taxi after dark. Most of the community goes to bed early, so streets are quiet. |
| Solo women | A popular choice for solo women thanks to the yoga and wellness crowd. Use taxis at night and lock bikes and doors. |
| Other risks | Rip currents and large surf at Guiones; Dust from unpaved roads; ATV and scooter accidents |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Inflated taxi or shuttle fares quoted to newcomers
- Rental properties advertised online that don't exist
- Unofficial parking attendants asking for money
Take care
- Leaving belongings on the beach while surfing
- Riding ATVs or scooters on unlit dirt roads
- Rental scams: send money only to verified hosts
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 Nosara 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 Nosara safe for solo female travelers?
A popular choice for solo women thanks to the yoga and wellness crowd. Use taxis at night and lock bikes and doors.
Is Nosara safe at night?
Roads are dark and unpaved; use a taxi after dark. Most of the community goes to bed early, so streets are quiet.
What is the crime rate in Nosara?
Petty theft from beach bags, unlocked rentals and parked bikes; break-ins occur at empty villas. Nationally, Costa Rica records 17.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Nosara?
All emergencies 911.
More about Nosara
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
- Ostional Wildlife Refuge
- 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.