Central America·Costa Rica·Updated May 3, 2026

San José Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Costa Rica)

San José sees taxi overcharging from Juan Santamaría Airport, counterfeit currency, and fake tour operators selling inferior zip-line and volcano packages.

Risk Index

6.2

out of 10

Scams

13

documented

High Severity

2

15% of total

6.2

Risk Index

13

Scams

2

High Risk

San José has 13 documented tourist scams across 8 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated moderate. The most commonly reported risks are Fake Police Officer Currency Check Scam, Express Kidnapping by Taxi, Airport Taxi Overcharge from Juan Santamaría.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travellers Should Know About Scams in San José

San José has 13 documented tourist-targeted scams in our database, concentrated around taxi & transport (3 reports). The most consistently reported individual pattern is Fake Police Officer Currency Check Scam — In San José, scammers posing as plainclothes police officers approach tourists and claim they are conducting a counterfeit currency investigation. Travellers familiar with Belize City or San Juan del Sur will recognise the broad shape of the risk environment in Central America, though the specific local variations in San José are what catch first-time visitors out.

Specific documented risk areas include Avenida Central pedestrian boulevard between Calle 0 and Calle 6, the area surrounding Parque Central and Parque Morazán in downtown San José, and near the Mercado Central entrance on Avenida 1.; Unofficial taxi areas outside Juan Santamaría International Airport; Outside Juan Santamaría International Airport terminal exits. A separate but related pattern is Express Kidnapping by Taxi: A rare but serious risk: passengers in unlicensed taxis are driven to ATMs and forced to make cash withdrawals before being released. The single most effective protection across these patterns: Real police officers in Costa Rica never ask to inspect your cash or wallet on the street. If approached by anyone claiming to be a police officer demanding to see your money, firmly decline and ask to go to the nearest police station (OIJ or Fuerza Pública office). Request to see official credentials and write down the badge number. Contact the actual police (911) if pressured.

How It Plays OutHigh Risk

Fake Police Officer Currency Check Scam

In San José, scammers posing as plainclothes police officers approach tourists and claim they are conducting a counterfeit currency investigation. They ask to inspect the victim's wallet and cash "to verify authenticity," then either swap genuine bills for counterfeits or pocket money while returning the wallet. This scam is well-documented in Costa Rica and specifically targets visitors on Avenida Central and in tourist-dense areas of downtown. Legitimate Costa Rican police never ask to handle a civilian's money.

Avenida Central pedestrian boulevard between Calle 0 and Calle 6, the area surrounding Parque Central and Parque Morazán in downtown San José, and near the Mercado Central entrance on Avenida 1.

How to avoid: Real police officers in Costa Rica never ask to inspect your cash or wallet on the street. If approached by anyone claiming to be a police officer demanding to see your money, firmly decline and ask to go to the nearest police station (OIJ or Fuerza Pública office). Request to see official credentials and write down the badge number. Contact the actual police (911) if pressured.

This scam type is also documented in Belize City and San Juan del Sur.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in San José.

Fake Police Officer Currency Check Scam

Street Scams

Avenida Central pedestrian boulevard between Calle 0 and Calle 6, the area surrounding Parque Central and Parque Morazán in downtown San José, and near the Mercado Central entrance on Avenida 1.

Express Kidnapping by Taxi

Taxi & Transport

Unofficial taxi areas outside Juan Santamaría International Airport

Airport Taxi Overcharge from Juan Santamaría

Taxi & Transport

Outside Juan Santamaría International Airport terminal exits

Pickpockets in Central Market

Street Scams

Mercado Central and surrounding streets in downtown San José

Airport Red Zone Taxi Overcharge

Taxi & Transport

Red Zone (official taxi area) outside Juan Santamaría International Airport arrivals

Fake Tour Desk at Hotel Lobby

Tour & Activities

Hotel lobbies in downtown San José and along Paseo Colón

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for San José

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Real police officers in Costa Rica never ask to inspect your cash or wallet on the street. If approached by anyone claiming to be a police officer demanding to see your money, firmly decline and ask to go to the nearest police station (OIJ or Fuerza Pública office). Request to see official credentials and write down the badge number. Contact the actual police (911) if pressured.
  • Never get into an unlicensed taxi. Use pre-booked official transfers or the Uber/DiDi apps. Share your location with someone you trust when traveling alone at night.
  • Use only official orange TAXI AEROPUERTO (airport taxis) from the authorized rank outside arrivals. These use meters. Alternatively, book a reputable shuttle service from the many hotel desks inside the terminal.
  • Use a money belt in markets and keep phones in a zippered front pocket. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
  • Use only orange official TAXI (with the official Ministry of Public Works logo) or pre-booked hotel shuttles. Ask for the meter to be running.

FAQ

San José Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in San José?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in San José are Fake Police Officer Currency Check Scam, Express Kidnapping by Taxi, Airport Taxi Overcharge from Juan Santamaría, with 2 classified as high severity. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in Belize City and San Juan del Sur.
Are taxis safe in San José?
Taxis in San José carry documented risk for tourists — 3 transport-related scams are on record. Never get into an unlicensed taxi. Use pre-booked official transfers or the Uber/DiDi apps. Share your location with someone you trust when traveling alone at night. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is San José safe at night for tourists?
San José sees taxi overcharging from Juan Santamaría Airport, counterfeit currency, and fake tour operators selling inferior zip-line and volcano packages. 2 of the 13 documented scams here are rated high severity. After dark, extra caution is advised near Avenida Central pedestrian boulevard between Calle 0 and Calle 6, the area surrounding Parque Central and Parque Morazán in downtown San José, and near the Mercado Central entrance on Avenida 1.. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of San José should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in San José is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Avenida Central pedestrian boulevard between Calle 0 and Calle 6, the area surrounding Parque Central and Parque Morazán in downtown San José, and near the Mercado Central entrance on Avenida 1. (Fake Police Officer Currency Check Scam); Unofficial taxi areas outside Juan Santamaría International Airport (Express Kidnapping by Taxi); Outside Juan Santamaría International Airport terminal exits (Airport Taxi Overcharge from Juan Santamaría). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in San José?
The best protection against scams in San José is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Never get into an unlicensed taxi. Use pre-booked official transfers or the Uber/DiDi apps. Share your location with someone you trust when traveling alone at night. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

San José · Costa Rica · Central America

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Editorial note: Scam warnings for San José are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →