Tourist Scams in Central America

When cruise ships dock at the Fort Street Tourism Village, dozens of unofficial guides and transport operators swarm the exit, intercepting passengers with hand-drawn signs, aggressive pitches, and false claims that official excursions are sold out. Excursions sold this way are typically uninsured, use unregistered vehicles, and may have no connection to the destination advertised.

How to avoid: Book shore excursions in advance through the cruise line or through registered operators vetted by the Belize Tourism Board. If booking independently in port, ask to see the operator licence issued by the Belize Tourism Board before paying. Ignore any person who approaches you unsolicited at the terminal exit.

At Juan Santamaría Airport, unofficial drivers and some licensed red taxi (colectivo) drivers solicit passengers before the official taxi stand and either cover the meter, claim it is broken, or negotiate a flat rate far above the legal fare. The legal metered fare from SJO to central San José runs CRC 20,000–30,000 (approximately $35–55 USD), while unofficial drivers routinely demand $60–100 or more. This is one of the most consistently reported scams against arriving tourists in Costa Rica.

How to avoid: Exit the terminal and walk to the official TAXILOGIC red taxi queue at the designated stand — do not accept rides from anyone approaching you inside the terminal or on the curb. Insist on the meter (called "la maría") being activated before moving. Alternatively, book Uber from the arrivals hall using the airport Wi-Fi, which typically costs $15–25 to the city center.

The Mercado Central (Central Market) on Avenida Central between Calles 6 and 8 is San José's most visited indoor market and one of its highest-risk areas for pickpocketing and bag snatching. The narrow, crowded corridors create ideal conditions for distraction theft — one person bumps or engages you while another removes your phone, wallet, or camera from a bag or pocket. Incidents are also common in the surrounding streets, particularly on Calle 6 approaching the market.

How to avoid: Carry only the cash you need for the visit in a front pocket, and leave passports, extra cards, and valuables at your hotel. Use a crossbody bag worn in front of your body. Be alert to anyone who bumps into you or creates a distraction. Avoid displaying phones or cameras openly while navigating the market corridors.

Panama City's taxi system uses zones rather than meters, and many drivers quote tourist fares significantly above the zone rate, especially from Tocumen International Airport. A legal airport-to-city fare is around $25–30, but drivers often quote $50–80.

How to avoid: Use Uber (available in Panama City) or confirm the exact zone fare from the official rate card before getting in.

Taxis in Belize City operate without meters and charge negotiated rates. Drivers regularly quote tourists two to four times the standard fare and may take longer routes to the international airport or water taxi terminals to inflate the price further. The airport run is a frequent target, with drivers quoting 60-80 USD for a journey that should cost 20-25 USD.

How to avoid: Ask your hotel or hostel for the current going rate to your destination before hailing any taxi. Agree the price explicitly before getting in the vehicle. For the international airport, the official rate is posted at the airport taxi stand — use it as a reference.

Street money changers known as cambistas operate illegally around Avenida Central, Parque Central, and near the central post office (Correos de Costa Rica) on Calle 2, offering USD-to-colones exchange rates slightly above the official bank rate to attract tourists. Common techniques include short-counting the colones handed over, switching bills for lower denominations during the count, or passing counterfeit colones mixed in with legitimate bills. The transaction happens quickly and in public, making it difficult for tourists to recount accurately.

How to avoid: Never exchange currency with street vendors — it is illegal and systematically exploitative. Use Banco Nacional, BAC Credomatic, or Scotiabank branches on Avenida Central for official exchange, or simply withdraw colones from an ATM at the interbank rate. USD are accepted at most tourist businesses at a fair rate anyway, making street exchange unnecessary.

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.

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.