Looking to head overseas for some winter sun?
Statistically, it’s likely that a week in Mexico is one of the first things that springs to mind.
But actually, there’s another destination that’s proving popular with American travelers. The Central American Paradise of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has experienced soaring visitor numbers over the past year. The country has seen a 15% increase in visitors in 2024 when compared to 2023.
What’s more, every 3 out of 4 visitors who arrive in Costa Rica are from North America. And visitors from the U.S. dominate this list with 61% of travelers in Costa Rica coming from the United States.
Here’s why Costa Rica is soaring in popularity with travelers despite a U.S. travel advisory.
Is Costa Rica Safe Right Now?
In December the U.S. State Department issued a new travel advisory for Costa Rica, prompting some travelers to ask ‘is Costa Rica safe right now?’

The travel advisory for Costa Rica was updated to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. There are 4 advisory levels ranging form Level 1: exercise normal precautions to Level 4: do not travel.
So a Level 2 advisory means you should increase the precautions you take when you travel, but it’s still safe to visit the country.
What you do need to be aware of is that the risk of falling victim to crime has increased in Costa Rica.
According to the update, petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, also affects tourists.

There are things you can do to protect yourself while traveling in Costa Rica, and many of these apply to almost all travel destinations!
Keep a low profile by not wearing designer labels and flashy jewelry. Don’t walk alone at night if your route involves walking on poorly lit streets or beaches. And remain aware of your surroundings. Following these simple rules should minimize your risk of being a victim of crime.
Why Costa Rica Remains Popular
Despite its new travel advisory, Costa Rica is still an incredibly popular destination, particularly for American travelers.

The most popular destination in the country is the capital city of San Jose, which is a melting pot of cultures and is where most people will land when they fly into the country.
Although most people will visit the city, many only spend a couple of hours here before heading off to the beach or the rainforest for their adventures. After all, it's the rainforest and the incredible wildlife within that Costa Rica is most famous for.
But actually, San Jose is well worth visiting in its own right.
It has a rich culture and vibrant nightlife and is packed full of museums where you can learn more about this fascinating country.
Start by visiting the Costa Rican Art Museum. This is a free-to-visit museum that has an indoor exhibit space packed full of important works by local artists and an outdoor sculpture garden.
From here, explore the Jade Museum and the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum. Although similar, they’re both worth visiting in their own right.

The Jade Museum is home to the world's largest collection of pre-Colombian jade artifacts, and the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum has the largest collection of Pre-Colombian gold in the Americas. Both are beautiful and awe-inspiring sights well worth taking time out for.
Entry to the Jade Museum costs $16 per adult and entry to the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum costs ¢8,400 colones ($16.71) per adult. These are the rates for foreign visitors: rates are significantly reduced for Colombian nationals.
Don't forget to save some energy for partying the night away. San Jose has a reputation as a place for party people and you'll find the best upmarket bars in the Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) of the city, which is just to the west of the most well known Downtown.
Picture Perfect Beaches
San Jose is the perfect place for a city break, but if you don’t feel like you’re on vacation until you see the beach then don’t worry, Costa Rica has plenty of those on offer too!

The nearest beach to San Jose is Jacó Beach which has a bustling nightlife scene, beautiful golden sand, and is a popular spot for surfing and other water sports.
Jaco Beach is around a 1.5-hour drive from San Jose, so you could take a day trip, or why not plan a 2-center trip where you combine the excitement of the city with the relaxation of the beach?
If you’re happy to travel a little further afield then Malpais is highly recommended. This is a well-known surf spot that attracts watersports enthusiasts from around the world.

It sits on the Nicoya Peninsula and is best known for its white sand and tidal pools which have univeral appeal for visitors of all ages.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.