Highest Crime in Costa Rica

Top 79 cities ranked by highest crime

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Costa Rica

Highest Crime — Costa Rica

1 Heredia 04 17.8 per 1K

2 Chacarita 07 17.8 per 1K

3 San Juan 08 17.8 per 1K

4 Mercedes Norte 04 17.8 per 1K

5 Guadalupe 08 17.8 per 1K

6 Aserrí 08 17.8 per 1K

7 San Rafael 08 17.8 per 1K

8 San Felipe 08 17.8 per 1K

9 Patarrá 08 17.8 per 1K

10 Tejar 08 17.8 per 1K

11 Cartago 02 17.8 per 1K

12 San Pablo 04 17.8 per 1K

13 Calle Blancos 08 17.8 per 1K

14 Cañas 03 17.8 per 1K

15 Guápiles 06 17.8 per 1K

16 Siquirres 06 17.8 per 1K

17 San Diego 02 17.8 per 1K

18 Colima 08 17.8 per 1K

19 Esparza 07 17.8 per 1K

20 San Juan de Dios 08 17.8 per 1K

21 San Vicente 08 17.8 per 1K

22 San José 08 17.8 per 1K

23 Limón 06 17.8 per 1K

24 San Francisco 04 17.8 per 1K

25 Alajuela 01 17.8 per 1K

26 Liberia 03 17.8 per 1K

27 Paraíso 02 17.8 per 1K

28 Puntarenas 07 17.8 per 1K

29 San Isidro 08 17.8 per 1K

30 Curridabat 08 17.8 per 1K

31 Nicoya 03 17.8 per 1K

32 San Vicente de Moravia 08 17.8 per 1K

33 San José 01 17.8 per 1K

34 Purral 08 17.8 per 1K

35 Turrialba 02 17.8 per 1K

36 San Miguel 08 17.8 per 1K

37 San Pedro 08 17.8 per 1K

38 San Rafael Abajo 08 17.8 per 1K

39 Quesada 01 17.8 per 1K

40 Ipís 08 17.8 per 1K

41 Atenas 01 17.8 per 1K

42 San Rafael 04 17.8 per 1K

43 Sarchí 01 17.8 per 1K

44 Santiago 08 17.8 per 1K

45 Santa Ana 08 17.8 per 1K

46 Quepos 07 17.8 per 1K

47 San Juan 01 17.8 per 1K

48 Tilarán 03 17.8 per 1K

49 Corredor 07 17.8 per 1K

50 Guácimo 06 17.8 per 1K

51 Colón 08 17.8 per 1K

52 Cot 02 17.8 per 1K

53 Golfito 07 17.8 per 1K

54 Llorente 04 17.8 per 1K

55 Miramar 07 17.8 per 1K

56 Tamarindo 03 17.8 per 1K

57 Orotina 01 17.8 per 1K

58 Santo Domingo 04 17.8 per 1K

59 Salitrillos 08 17.8 per 1K

60 Mercedes 08 17.8 per 1K

61 Escazú 08 17.8 per 1K

62 San Rafael Arriba 08 17.8 per 1K

63 Desamparados 01 17.8 per 1K

64 Concepción 02 17.8 per 1K

65 Alajuelita 08 17.8 per 1K

66 Sabanilla 08 17.8 per 1K

67 Sabalito 07 17.8 per 1K

68 Granadilla 08 17.8 per 1K

69 Santa Cruz 03 17.8 per 1K

70 San Josecito 04 17.8 per 1K

71 Pocora 06 17.8 per 1K

72 Naranjo 01 17.8 per 1K

73 Buenos Aires 07 17.8 per 1K

74 Cariari 06 17.8 per 1K

75 San Antonio 04 17.8 per 1K

76 San Ramón 01 17.8 per 1K

77 Tres Ríos 02 17.8 per 1K

78 Daniel Flores 08 17.8 per 1K

79 Río Segundo 01 17.8 per 1K

Cities with the highest crime rates in Costa Rica face public safety challenges that affect residents' quality of life and economic development. Heredia has 17.8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.

High crime rates are often linked to economic factors including poverty, unemployment, income inequality, and limited access to education and social services. Addressing crime effectively requires tackling these underlying root causes alongside traditional law enforcement approaches.

Many cities on this list are actively implementing comprehensive safety strategies including community policing, violence intervention programs, youth mentorship, and economic development initiatives aimed at reducing the conditions that contribute to criminal activity.

Did You Know?

1. The violent crime rate in Heredia is 4.4x the national average.
2. Crime rates have been declining nationally for decades — even cities on this list have generally seen improvements over time.
3. Violent crime is heavily concentrated in specific neighborhoods — most areas within these cities are considerably safer than the citywide statistics suggest.

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Costa Rica — By Region

Alajuela Province Cartago Province Guanacaste Province Heredia Province Limón Province Puntarenas Province San José

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