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.
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Airport Red Zone Taxi Overcharge
Unlicensed taxis (piratas) outside Juan Santamaría Airport quote flat rates far above the official metered fare, targeting tourists unfamiliar with typical Costa Rican fares. Some official-looking orange taxis are also unmetered pirate cabs.
📍Red Zone (official taxi area) outside Juan Santamaría International Airport arrivals
How to avoid: 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.
This scam type is also documented in Willemstad and Havana.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
San José · Costa Rica · Central America & Caribbean
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in San José
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Airport Red Zone Taxi Overcharge
Red Zone (official taxi area) outside Juan Santamaría International Airport arrivals
Pickpockets in Central Market
Mercado Central and surrounding streets in downtown San José
Express Kidnapping by Taxi
Unofficial taxi areas outside Juan Santamaría International Airport
Fake Police Officer Currency Check Scam
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.
Airport Taxi Overcharge from Juan Santamaría
Outside Juan Santamaría International Airport terminal exits
Fake Tour Desk at Hotel Lobby
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.
Transport is the primary risk in San José
3 of 10 documented scams involve taxis or transport. Always use app-based rides (Uber, Grab, or local equivalent) and confirm fares before getting in.
How it works
Unlicensed taxis (piratas) outside Juan Santamaría Airport quote flat rates far above the official metered fare, targeting tourists unfamiliar with typical Costa Rican fares. Some official-looking orange taxis are also unmetered pirate cabs.
How it works
The Mercado Central and surrounding blocks in downtown San José are hotspots for pickpockets who work in groups, using distraction or the crowded environment to steal phones and wallets.
How it works
A rare but serious risk: passengers in unlicensed taxis are driven to ATMs and forced to make cash withdrawals before being released. This occurs most often at night in poorly lit areas.
How it works
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.
How it works
Unofficial taxi drivers outside Juan Santamaría Airport offer flat rates 3x above the official metered orange taxi rate. The official meter rate from the airport to San José center should be approximately ₡8,000–12,000.
How it works
Independent tour sellers position themselves in hotel lobbies or directly outside claiming to be affiliated with the hotel. Tours sold are often overpriced relative to booking directly with the operator.
How it works
Surf and adventure equipment rental operators in coastal day trips from San José document pre-existing damage poorly and then charge tourists for scratches or dings upon return.
How it works
Informal money changers ("coyotes") operating along Avenida Central in downtown San José offer exchange rates that appear competitive but use sleight of hand to deliver fewer colones than agreed upon. Common tactics include miscounting notes quickly, palming bills during the handover, or using a distraction to swap the stack. Some operate near legitimate banks to appear more credible. While street currency exchange is technically legal in Costa Rica, it carries significant risk and zero consumer protection.
How it works
Travel agents in San José sell Arenal Volcano and Monteverde tour packages at significant markups compared to booking accommodations and activities directly in those destinations.
How it works
Counterfeit Costa Rican colones are occasionally passed to tourists as change in busy market or street vendor transactions, particularly in the downtown area.
San José Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
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Filter scams in San José by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Central America & Caribbean region. Before visiting Montego Bay, San Juan, and Punta Cana, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
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 →