Violence in Costa Rica.
The rise in crime over the past few years has challenged Costa Rica’s long-standing reputation for peace and safety. The good news is that homicide numbers in 2026 are lower than they were during the same period last year—an encouraging sign for the Pura Vida nation.
As of September 30, 2026, Costa Rica’s year-to-date homicide rate averages 2.05 killings per day, equivalent to 14.4 per 100,000 people. The figure reflects the country’s security trend for the year.
So far, the rate is lower than the country’s 2025 finish, when the homicide rate closed at 16.8 per 100,000 people, suggesting an improvement during the first five months of 2026.
Costa Rica still faces significant security challenges tied to drug trafficking and organized crime. Despite those pressures, homicide levels declined in 2024 and 2025 and appear on track to fall again in 2026.
| Year | Total Homicides | Daily Homicide Rate | Homicides per 100,000 Inhabitants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 *September | 561 | 2.05 | 14.4 |
| 2025 | 873 | 2.39 | 16.8 |
| 2024 | 880 | 2.41 | 17.0 |
| 2023 | 907 | 2.48 | 17.7 |
| 2022 | 628 | 1.72 | 12.8 |
| 2021 | 588 | 1.61 | 11.4 |
Regional Distribution of Homicides
The province of San José has recorded the highest number of homicides so far this year, with 150 cases—a decrease of 66 compared to the same period in 2025. The province of Limon follows with 145 cases, and Puntarenas ranks third with 94.
| Province | 2025 | 2026 | YTD Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | 291 | 150 | -141 (-48.5%) |
| Limon | 172 | 145 | -27 (-15.7%) |
| Puntarenas | 130 | 94 | -36 (-27.7%) | Guanacaste | 79 | 54 | -25 (-31.6%) |
| Cartago | 62 | 53 | -9 (-14.5%) |
| Alajuela | 103 | 51 | -52 (-50.5%) |
| Heredia | 36 | 14 | -22 (-61.1%) |
| Total | 873 | 561 | -312 (-35.7%) |
As of the end of September 2026, Cartago and Limon were the only provinces to report more homicides than during the same period in 2025. Cartago recorded the largest percentage increase, with homicides rising by 23.3%, or 10 additional cases. Meanwhile, Limon experienced a 9.8% increase, equivalent to 13 additional homicide compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Heredia posted the largest percentage decline, reporting 14 fewer homicides than during the same period last year—a 50% decrease.
| Province | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartago | 43 | 53 | 10 (23.3%) |
| Limon | 132 | 145 | 13 (9.8%) |
| Puntarenas | 100 | 94 | -6 (-6.0%) |
| Guanacaste | 63 | 54 | -9 (-14.3%) |
| San Jose | 216 | 150 | -66 (-30.6%) |
| Alajuela | 76 | 51 | -25 (-32.9%) |
| Heredia | 28 | 14 | -14 (-50.0%) |
| Total | 658 | 561 | -97 (-14.7%) |
From a Safe Haven to Rising Crime
Once regarded as one of the safest countries in Latin America, Costa Rica has recently experienced an alarming rise in violent crime. El Salvador has taking first place as the country with the lowest homicide rate in Central America.
The record number of homicides in 2023 was a wake-up call for the Pura Vida country; it showed that Costa Rica’s longstanding reputation for peace and safety was starting to change.
Conditions improved slightly in 2024, with 27 fewer murders, and the decline continued in 2025 with seven fewer homicides. The downward trend has carried into early 2026, offering cautious hope despite ongoing concerns.
