1. Don’t carry a lot of money on you. This shouldn’t be much of a problem as ATMs are easy to find in most areas of Tamarindo and credit cards are widely accepted. If you decide to carry cash keep it in a money belt, neck wallet, or a secure place in a bag with a zipper.
2. Keep your passport in a safe place like a hotel safe. Photocopy the first page of your passport (with your name, photo, etc.) and the page with your stamp allowing entry into Costa Rica, and carry that with you instead.
3. Never hang a purse or bag on the back of your chair at a restaurant.
4. If you’re traveling with a laptop, tablet, phone, etc. keep it locked in the hotel safe when you’re not using it.. As a precaution, you can install tracking software like the Prey Project.

1. Keep any valuables you have on you or in a small bag at your seat. Buses have an overhead compartment that is fine to use for most things, but you wouldn’t want to keep anything valuable up there as someone could easily grab the bag and then exit the bus.
2. Avoid people trying to “help” you at the bus station.

1. Legal taxis are red and have a triangle as a stamp on the doors. Legal taxi has a meter or “maria” which should be turned on when you enter the taxi, but keep in mind, that taxi drivers in Tamarindo don’t use the meters in their cars, so set the price before you even get in the car. NEVER get into a cab, tell them where you are going, and expect to get a fair rate upon arrival. Remember, almost all taxis are negotiable, so if they give you a high price, don’t be afraid to offer them a lower one, there are plenty of other taxis that will take you where you want to go.

• For the most part, you don’t have to worry about crime at hotels. If you’re staying in an area that has problems with theft, the hotel will most likely have a guard on duty.

• Even with security measures, it is always good to be vigilant and keep your belongings locked in the hotel safe.

• Vacation rentals present a unique problem. They usually don’t have the same level of security, and thieves often know which houses are vacation rentals. They also know that tourists don’t always take the necessary precautions.

• If you are concerned about crime in the area you’ll be visiting, pick a vacation rental that has security measures in place. A guard, security system, gate, deadbolt, safe, etc. all go a long way towards keeping a property secure. Even when you are home, don’t leave valuables in sight from windows and especially within arm’s reach of screened windows since they can be easily torn or cut.

• Whenever you leave or are sleeping, always be sure to lock the house’s windows and doors.

One of the most common crimes that occurs in Costa Rica is bags being stolen from the beach.  Never leave your bag unattended while you swim, as thieves are often not far away, and will grab your bag then run off on a nearby beach trail. If you’re traveling with more than one person, take turns swimming and be sure that someone stays up on the sand with the bags. One way to avoid this problem altogether is not to bring anything valuable with you. If you only have a towel, sunscreen, and flip-flops, there is nothing of value for anyone to take.

Here are some cool safety gadgets you can get on Amazon:

If you’re planning to go to the bars and clubs at night, stay in a group. Take a cab home or drive yourself, don’t walk, and specially avoid the beach at night.