Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in San José, Costa Rica

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid unmarked taxis and negotiate prices beforehand to prevent overcharging.

Unlicensed Drivers: Risk of dealing with unregistered drivers.
Price Manipulation: Drivers may inflate prices for unsuspecting tourists.
Lack of Meter Use: Some taxis do not use meters, increasing the potential for overcharging.

Beware of street vendors selling counterfeit goods, such as branded clothing and electronics.

Poor Quality: Counterfeit items often lack the quality of authentic products.
Legal Issues: Possession and sale of counterfeit goods can lead to legal consequences.
Health Risks: Counterfeit electronics may pose safety risks due to substandard materials.

Use ATMs located inside banks or shopping centers to avoid skimming devices attached to unsecured machines.

Card Information Theft: Skimming devices can steal your card information.
Identity Theft: Thieves may use stolen card information for fraudulent activities.
Financial Loss: Loss of money from unauthorized transactions.

Avoid giving your belongings or money to individuals claiming to be police officers unless you are certain they are legitimate.

Impersonation: Criminals may pose as police officers to rob unsuspecting tourists.
Intimidation: Victims are often intimidated into handing over their belongings.
Theft: Stolen items may never be recovered.

Research accommodation prices online and negotiate with landlords to avoid overpaying for subpar accommodations.

Price Gouging: Some property owners may charge excessive prices for accommodations.
Substandard Quality: Accommodations may not meet expectations due to inflated prices.
Location: Overpriced accommodations may be located in undesirable areas.

Choose street food vendors that are busy and follow proper food handling practices to avoid foodborne illnesses.

Unhygienic Preparation: Unsanitary food preparation can lead to foodborne illnesses.
Contaminated Ingredients: Ingredients may not be stored or prepared properly, increasing the risk of contamination.
Allergic Reactions: Undisclosed ingredients can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Book tours through reputable companies to avoid unlicensed and potentially dangerous tour guides.

Safety Risks: Unlicensed tour guides may lead tourists into dangerous situations.
Lack of Knowledge: Inexperienced tour guides may not provide accurate information about attractions.
Overcharging: Tour guides may inflate prices for unsuspecting tourists.

Stick to well-known bars and restaurants to avoid being overcharged or served watered-down drinks.

Watered-Down Drinks: Bars may dilute alcoholic beverages to increase profits.
Overcharging: Tourists may be charged more for drinks than locals.
Theft: Pickpocketing and theft are common in crowded bars.

Exchange money at reputable banks or exchange bureaus to avoid receiving counterfeit bills.

Counterfeit Bills: Criminals may provide counterfeit bills during exchanges.
Unfavorable Exchange Rates: Some exchange vendors may offer unfavorable exchange rates.
Theft: Exchange locations can be targeted for pickpocketing and theft.

Buy bus tickets from the driver or official ticket vendors to avoid being fined for traveling without a valid ticket.

Fines: Traveling without a valid ticket can result in fines.
Unauthorized Collectors: Some individuals may pose as ticket collectors to ask for payment or demand fines.
Theft: Buses can be targeted for pickpocketing and theft.

Negotiate the price before entering a tuk-tuk and ensure it is a metered vehicle to avoid being overcharged.

Price Manipulation: Tuk-tuk drivers may inflate prices for unsuspecting tourists.
Lack of Meter Use: Some tuk-tuks do not use meters, increasing the potential for overcharging.
Theft: Tuk-tuks can be targeted for pickpocketing and theft.

Give to reputable charities and avoid individuals soliciting money on the street.

Fraudulent Solicitation: Individuals may claim to be collecting for a charity but keep the donations.
Lack of Verification: It is difficult to verify if the solicitor is legitimate without proper research.
Theft: Pickpocketing and theft are common when interacting with individuals on the street.

Rent cars from reputable agencies to avoid receiving vehicles with hidden damages or being charged for additional fees.

Hidden Damages: Vehicles may have undisclosed damages that can lead to additional charges.
Additional Fees: Rental agencies may charge for unnecessary services or fees.
Lack of Insurance Coverage: Some rental companies may not provide adequate insurance coverage.

Avoid purchasing gold jewelry from street vendors and opt for reputable jewelers instead.

Counterfeit Gold: Street vendors may sell counterfeit gold jewelry.
Overpriced Items: Gold jewelry may be overpriced compared to its true value.
Lack of Guarantee: There is no guarantee of quality or authenticity with street vendors.

Avoid drug use and associated activities to prevent legal issues, robberies, and violence.