Tourist Scams in Central America — Safety Guide 2026

Private and shared shuttle services from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Tamarindo should cost $15-25 USD per person on a shared van, but unlicensed drivers at the airport quote $50-80 USD. From San José, the established Interbus and Grayline shuttles run for $55-65, while informal operators quote $100-150.

How to avoid: Book shuttles in advance through Interbus or Grayline for San José routes. For Liberia Airport, use the official taxi cooperative (TAXARIS) with posted rates, or pre-arrange transfer with your accommodation. Confirm the price in USD before loading luggage.

La Fortuna has a spectrum of hot spring facilities ranging from free roadside springs to premium resort pools charging $80-120 USD. Tour operators in town sell "hot springs access" at mid-range prices ($30-50) but deliver access to low-quality or overcrowded facilities that differ from what was shown in promotional photos.

How to avoid: Book hot springs directly with the facility (Baldi, Tabacon, Eco Termales) rather than through intermediary tour operators, who add a commission and sometimes substitute venues. Ask specifically which hot spring facility your ticket admits you to.

Surf schools on Playa Tamarindo advertise 2-hour beginner lessons at $35-50 USD that shrink to 45-60 minutes of actual water time once equipment preparation and walking to the break are factored in. Some schools overbook groups, giving each student minimal instructor attention despite claiming small group sizes.

How to avoid: Ask explicitly how much of the lesson time is spent in the water versus on the beach. Confirm the maximum group size before booking. Well-reviewed schools like Witch's Rock Surf Camp and Tamarindo Surf School have consistent reputations that smaller operators may not.

ATV rental operators in Tamarindo use the same damage claim tactic common across Costa Rica — pre-existing damage is identified at vehicle return and cash payment demanded immediately. Some operators run ATVs with known mechanical issues that fail during the rental period, then bill the renter for repairs.

How to avoid: Photograph every surface of the ATV before departure including all existing damage. Send photos to yourself timestamped. Test brake function and mechanical condition before accepting the vehicle. Use operators with physical addresses and verifiable business registration.

Vacation rentals in Tamarindo advertise "beachfront" or "ocean view" properties where beachfront means a five-minute walk through mangroves and ocean view means a glimpse from the second-floor balcony. VRBO and Airbnb listings use photos taken from angles that maximize the apparent proximity to the beach.

How to avoid: Ask the host directly: how many meters is the property from the beach, and is the path direct? Use Google Maps satellite view to verify the property's actual position relative to the shoreline. Request video of the view from the specific room booked.

Tamarindo beach has documented theft from unattended bags and clothing left on the beach while tourists swim. Organized teams work the beach during busy afternoon hours, and rental vehicles parked near beach access points are also broken into.

How to avoid: Never leave valuables on the beach unattended. Use a beach locker (available at some surf shops) or leave valuables at your accommodation. Do not leave anything visible in a parked rental car near beach access points.

Tour operators sell "Arenal Volcano night tours" promising clear views of lava flows and volcanic activity. Arenal has been in a resting phase since 2010 and visible lava flows do not exist, yet some operators imply active volcanic spectacle. On cloudy days, the volcano is not visible at all, and no refund is typically offered.

How to avoid: Understand that Arenal is not actively erupting and visible lava flows are not part of any legitimate tour. Book tours with an explicit weather-contingency refund policy and read recent visitor reviews mentioning actual volcano visibility.

Shared shuttle services from San José to La Fortuna should cost $35-55 USD per person, but some operators in San José and at the La Fortuna end quote $80-120 per person for the same route, claiming "private" or "direct" service that is standard. Return shuttles are similarly inflated.

How to avoid: Book shuttles through established companies (Interbus, Grayline, Gecko Trail) directly. Compare quotes for identical routes — any significant deviation from the $40-55 USD range should be questioned.