Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the Central American country of Costa Rica is a popular vacation destination for American visitors.
The 1.5 million U.S. citizens who arrived in Costa Rica last year represented 53 percent of the country's international arrivals.
Most come in search of lush rainforest home to hundreds of rare bird species and pristine beaches on both sides of the country, whether driving from the capital San José or to an exclusive beach resort.
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Honduras and Costa Rica are also growing in importance as gastronomic destinations.
There are new State Department warnings for Costa Rica and Honduras (this is why)
Although Costa Rica is generally considered to be being a much safer destination than many of its Central American neighbors, the US State Department recently raised its travel rating for the country to Level Two “Exercise Increased Caution” due to rising crime rate.
“Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica,” reads the government agency’s description of the country. “Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault, also affects tourists.”
The level two notice is also assigned to countries like France and Germany due to the increased risk of terrorism in their capitals.
Costa Rica used to be in the category where one should feel as safe or safer than at home, but last year there was a slight increase in incidents of pickpocketing and some violent crimes in areas frequently frequented by tourists.
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Honduras, another Latin American country separated from Costa Rica by Nicaragua, is not as popular among tourists due to its high crime rate, but it still sees some who come as part of a cruise ship or to see beaches like West Bay and Little French Key.
The country has long been classified as a “Reconsider Travel” level three due to high rates of local gangs and drug-related criminal activity, but the State Department recently sent out a new travel advisory for the southern region -is Gracias a Dios in particular. .
The easternmost state borders Nicaragua and, as a result, experiences a high rate of drug traffickers moving across the border – the State Department classifies the region as a “Do Not Travel” level four.
Related: Country Just Abolished Visas for Visitors with Any Passport
State Department of Tourists: “Resort areas are better monitored”
“Local authorities may lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents,” the notice states. “Around the resort areas of the Bay Islands, which include Roatán, Utila and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources and these areas are better monitored.”
Although some arrive by air independently, the vast majority of U.S. visitors who come to Honduras come to the country on a cruise stop. Ports popular with lines such as Royal Caribbean (RCL) include the islands of Roatán and Limón.
Related: US State Department Warns Against Visiting 2 Popular Cruise Ports
Those stopping are advised “not to display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry” and “not to take public transportation, including white taxis.”
Wandering the streets at night, especially when unaccompanied by another traveler, is also strongly discouraged as there have been reported cases of kidnappings of US citizens.
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