🌎✨ Carpe Diem — Costa Rica: Paradise, With a Pause

Costa Rica covers just 0.03% of the Earth’s surface, yet it contains 5% of the planet’s plant and animal species.

But lately… safety’s been lagging.

I love Costa Rica. Truly. Years ago, I was lucky enough to spend time near Corcovado National Park, at Lapa Rios Lodge—1,000 acres of private reserve perched on a jungle ridge, overlooking the ocean on the Osa Peninsula. One of those places that permanently rewires your brain in favor of wonder.

This tiny country—about half the size of Kentucky—somehow packs in:

• 🦋 2,000+ species of butterflies

• 🌸 Over 1,000 varieties of orchids

• 🐦 Nearly 1,000 bird species (yes, more than the U.S. and Canada combined)

Back then, Costa Rica felt like one of those rare places: wild, welcoming, and relatively safe. The kind of destination where “Pura Vida” wasn’t just a slogan—it was a way of breathing.

Which is why reading this news hits hard.

Earlier this week, U.S. surfer Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old longtime resident and respected figure in the surfing community, was found murdered in his apartment in Cahuita, Limón. Authorities say it followed a violent break-in. Another person survived the attack. No arrests have been announced yet.

It’s tragic. And it’s also part of a broader, uncomfortable trend.

Over the past few years, Costa Rica has seen a sharp rise in crime, including violent crime, with 2023 and 2024 marking record homicide rates—largely linked to organized drug trafficking. While many tourist areas remain relatively safe, petty theft, armed robberies, break-ins at rentals, and vehicle theft have become more common, and in rarer cases, far more serious incidents have occurred.

Let’s be clear and fair:
The areas I visited—and many of the classic eco-lodges, surf towns, and national parks—are not near where this crime happened. Costa Rica is not “suddenly a war zone.” Millions of people still travel there safely every year.

But it is no longer the carefree, low-risk paradise many of us remember from 10 or 20 years ago.

🌴 The Reality Check (Without the Panic)

Here’s what travelers are being advised in 2026:

• 🚗 Don’t leave valuables in cars—even locked ones

• 🌙 Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar or isolated areas

• 🏠 Verify the security of Airbnbs and rentals

• 👀 Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid flashing wealth

• 📄 Report incidents to local authorities (OIJ in Costa Rica)

Some areas—like Escazú, Santa Ana, Atenas, Tamarindo, and Nosara—are still often cited as more secure. But “more secure” doesn’t mean “risk-free.” It means: be smart, be prepared, and don’t travel on autopilot.

🧭 Carpe Diem, But With a Seatbelt

This isn’t about fear. It’s about clear eyes.

Travel is still one of life’s greatest joys. Nature is still breathtaking. Costa Rica is still biologically one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. None of that has changed.

What has changed is the need for better judgment, better planning, and better situational awareness.

So here’s the Carpe Diem version of the message:

Seize the day.
But don’t ignore the map.
And don’t pretend the road has no potholes.

If you’re planning a trip:

• Check official travel advisories

• Choose reputable areas and accommodations

• Build buffer and caution into your plans

• And listen to locals—they usually know what’s changed before headlines do

And if Costa Rica doesn’t feel right right now for you? That’s okay too. The world is big. Paradise isn’t just one country.

🌊 The Bottom Line

Costa Rica remains stunning.
Costa Rica remains special.
But like many places, it’s going through a tougher chapter.

Wonderful trips are still out there.
And wonderful, in 2026, starts with safe.

Carpe Diem. Always.
Just… eyes open, heart open, and passport firmly zipped inside the bag.