No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsCrimeDrug Trafficking Threatens Costa Rica's Reputation as Safe Tourist Haven

Drug Trafficking Threatens Costa Rica’s Reputation as Safe Tourist Haven

Costa Rica’s tourism sector has voiced concerns about the country’s rising violence and its impact on the international image. A recent New York Times article highlighted how Costa Rica, once seen as a paradisiacal tourist destination, has become a magnet for drug trafficking. For years, the country avoided the fate of many other Latin American nations plagued by crime and killings, but the situation has changed.

The article sparked reactions from various sectors, with many expressing concerns about how the issue was portrayed. However, the government downplayed both the report and the country’s state.

Rubén Acón, president of the Limón Chamber of Tourism, stressed the need for stronger measures from the authorities to address the issues of murder and drug trafficking.

“The country must understand that to solve this, we have to declare war on drug trafficking. It cannot be handled as it has been; the drug traffickers have unlimited resources,” he said.

Though violence related to drug trafficking has not yet significantly impacted tourist arrivals, industry leaders warn that if the situation isn’t controlled, the trend could reverse, and Costa Rica could lose its appeal as a top tourist destination.

“Something so media-driven must be taken seriously. We need to know how to respond, because this is a crisis. It’s real and it’s affecting tourists,” added Tadeo Morales, president of the Arenal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

President Rodrigo Chaves acknowledged the drug trafficking issue but asserted that the government’s response has been the strongest in Central America.

Tourism Minister William Rodríguez noted that, despite the security concerns, the number of visitors continues to grow, with no direct impact on tourism so far.

“It hasn’t had an impact because tourism is growing more than it did last year, which was our best year. We are 13% above the 2023 numbers. There’s no negative effect, but it’s still too early to predict what may happen in the future,” he said.

While the government seems to downplay the issue, those in the tourism industry hope for swift and effective measures to protect Costa Rica’s primary source of income and development.

Trending Now

Learning Spanish in Costa Rica: Lessons Beyond the Textbook

Learning a new language later in life requires patience, perseverance, and the understanding that, no matter how fluent you become, you'll probably never reach...

Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Jannik Sinner in Epic French Open Comeback

Carlos Alcaraz saved three championship points as he produced an astonishing fightback from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner in a French Open...

Panama-Costa Rica Railway Set for 2026 Construction Start

Panama will break ground in January 2026 on a railway linking Panama City to Paso Canoas on the Costa Rica border. This 475-kilometer, $4.1-$5...

Costa Rica Video Footage Reveals Strange Deer-Bird Interaction

The best part about camera trapping is the moment you pull the SD card out of the camera and stick it in the laptop...

Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras Advance to Final Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras advanced early this Saturday to the final round of the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 North American World Cup,...

Costa Rica Volcano Update: Poás Glows Red, Alerts Shift

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano has been putting on a fiery show, with its crater glowing red from burning sulfur and molten rocks. Scientists from...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica