Knowing that I live in this beautiful country, I have had a few people ask me online lately, “Is Costa Rica safe?” And lately there is a second layer to that question: “Is it safer than Mexico?”

Fair. Many travellers are choosing between the two. So instead of opinions, let’s line up the numbers and see what they actually say.

Below are recent national-level statistics from official reporting agencies and international databases. Numbers are rounded for clarity.

National Crime Rates (per 100,000 people)

Country	Homicide Rate (Violent Crime Indicator)	Property Crime / Theft Rate (Petty Crime Indicator)
Costa Rica	~17 per 100,000	~2,500 to 3,000 per 100,000
Canada	~2.2 per 100,000	~2,500 to 3,000 per 100,000
United States	~6 to 7 per 100,000	~2,000 per 100,000
Mexico	~24 to 26 per 100,000	~1,500 to 2,000 per 100,000

Now let’s break that down without the drama.

Violent Crime Comparison

Canada remains the lowest of the four at roughly 2.2 homicides per 100,000 people.

The United States sits around 6 to 7 per 100,000 nationally, though certain cities run far higher.

Costa Rica’s rate recently climbed to about 17 per 100,000, which is a record high for the country and well above its historical average. The increase has largely been linked to organized crime and drug trafficking disputes. Much of that violence is concentrated in specific areas, particularly parts of San José and certain trafficking corridors. Rapid-growth regions like Tamarindo have also seen concerns, often tied more to nightlife and opportunity than to random attacks on tourists.

Mexico’s national homicide rate is higher still, averaging in the mid-20s per 100,000 in recent years. Like Costa Rica, much of Mexico’s violence is connected to organized crime. However, the scale is larger and more geographically widespread, depending on the state. Some resort areas are heavily policed and relatively calm, while other regions experience far higher levels of violence.

So if we rank strictly by national homicide rate from lowest to highest, it goes: Canada, United States, Costa Rica, then Mexico.

That is not fear-mongering. That is math.

Petty Crime and Property Crime

Here is where things flatten out.

Property crime, theft, car break-ins and opportunistic stealing are far more common everywhere than violent crime.

Canada reports roughly 2,500 to 3,000 property crimes per 100,000 people annually. The United States is around 2,000 per 100,000.

Costa Rica’s theft-related offences fall into a similar range, depending on the year and region. Visitors are far more likely to encounter a car break-in or a stolen phone than a violent incident.

Mexico’s property crime reporting varies by state and by how offences are categorized, but nationally it falls broadly within the same general range, though underreporting is sometimes cited as an issue.

In practical terms, if something happens to a tourist in any of these four countries, it is most likely to be petty theft. Not a dramatic headline. Just someone taking advantage of carelessness.

How to Lower Your Risk

The advice does not change by country.

• Hide valuables before you park
  Do not leave any valuables in plain view in your vehicle. Move items into the trunk before arriving. Do not put on a public show in a parking lot.
• Keep cash discreet
  No need to flash a thick roll of bills. Quiet transactions attract less attention.
• Limit visible jewellery
  Expensive watches and chains send a signal anywhere in the world.
• Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas
  Especially on secluded beaches and in parts of larger cities, whether that is Toronto, Los Angeles, San José or elsewhere.
• Get a waterproof bag
  When going to the beach or on excursions, bring the minimal with you. Put your phone and passport in a waterproof bag and carry it with you. Items left unattended on beaches often disappear.
• Avoid confrontation
  Smile. Stay calm. Let small things go. Pride is rarely worth the price.

So, Is Costa Rica Safer Than Mexico?

On a national homicide level, yes. Costa Rica currently reports a lower homicide rate than Mexico. And that was before the war on Mexican cartels even started. But it is still higher than Canada and the United States.

That said, statistics are national averages. They do not reflect the street you are standing on.

Both Costa Rica and Mexico have regions that are calm and welcoming, and regions that are more troubled. Both are dealing with organized crime pressures tied to drug trafficking routes. Both have thriving tourism industries that depend on safety and stability.

So the real answer is not just about which country looks better in a table. It comes down to where you are going, how you behave, and whether you use the same common sense you would at home.

Remember that many of us become a visible minority and in every country where that’s the case, you will find people who simply don’t like gringos.

Lock your doors. Stay aware. Do not advertise wealth. Respect the community.

Common sense works in Canada. It usually works in the United States. It works in Mexico. And it works in Costa Rica.

Paradise is not perfect. But it is rarely as reckless as the headlines make it sound.