When Paradise Attracts Crime: How Foreigners Are Testing Costa Rica’s Laws
Costa Rica is world-renowned for its natural beauty, peaceful culture, and relaxed way of life. With its rich biodiversity, stable democracy, and friendly population, it has long been considered a sanctuary for those seeking a slower, more meaningful existence. Unfortunately, the country’s reputation as a safe haven has attracted not only retirees, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs—but also a growing number of foreign criminals who mistakenly believe Costa Rica is a soft target for illegal activity.
Drawn by the same factors that appeal to law-abiding expats—minimal visa restrictions, relatively lax oversight in remote areas, and a legal system that can often be slow and overwhelmed—these individuals see an opportunity to exploit the system. They assume that Costa Rica’s peaceful reputation equates to weak enforcement. In reality, while Costa Rica enjoys a lower crime rate compared to its neighbors, it faces persistent challenges in safeguarding its borders, protecting its natural resources, and keeping up with the complexities of transnational crime.
Over the past several years, Costa Rican law enforcement has uncovered a troubling rise in serious crimes committed by foreigners. As much as 10% of annual crime in Costa Rica is being committed by foreign nationals. What once may have been isolated incidents have evolved into full-scale operations involving:
Recent Cases: Foreign Crimes in Costa Rica
November 2024 – Canadian and U.S. Nationals Arrested for Drug Trafficking
Two foreigners were arrested in a large drug trafficking operation, suspected of violating Law 8204, which targets narcotics, psychotropics, and money laundering. (AM Costa Rica)March 2023 – Canadian Citizens Busted for Marijuana Cultivation
A pair of Canadian nationals were detained for operating a clandestine cannabis grow operation, directly violating Costa Rica's strict anti-narcotics laws. (AM Costa Rica)2023 – Credit Card Fraud in Guanacaste
Two Canadian citizens were arrested in Playas del Coco for running a credit card cloning scheme, facing charges under Article 217 of the Penal Code, which covers financial fraud. (The Costa Rica News)
January 2024 – Belgian National Arrested for Femicide
In a shocking case, a Belgian citizen was arrested on suspicion of femicide following the death of a woman in Santa Teresa, a popular beach town. Femicide is a particularly serious charge under Law 8589, which enhances penalties for gender-based killings. (AM Costa Rica)December 2024 – German Citizen Accused of Environmental Crimes
Authorities arrested a German man accused of committing crimes against Costa Rica's protected ecosystems, including unauthorized development in restricted zones, in violation of Law 7554 (the Organic Environmental Law) and wildlife protection statutes. (AM Costa Rica)February 2025-Luxembourgian Citizen Accused of Fraud
Authorities are investigating a couple in Guanacaste for violating Articles 216–221 of the Penal Code. Accused of falsifying records, documents, money laundering, and bribery.
Why Do These Criminals Target Costa Rica?
Many foreign criminals see Costa Rica as an easy mark, due to:
Perceived weak enforcement of laws.
Corruption loopholes in local governance.
Slow judicial processes that can delay trials for years.
High volumes of transient tourists that provide cover for illegal operations.
Laws Commonly Violated by Foreign Offenders:
Law 8204 – Narcotics, Psychotropics, and Money Laundering.
Law 8589 – Criminalization of Femicide and Gender Violence.
Law 7554 – Environmental Protection and Land Use.
Articles 216–221 of the Penal Code – Financial fraud, identity theft, and cybercrimes.
Immigration Law 8764 – Illegal residency and visa abuses.
Time to Strengthen the System
The pattern of criminal activity by foreigners in Costa Rica has become impossible to ignore. What may have once been dismissed as isolated incidents are now part of a clear, disturbing trend. From high-level drug trafficking operations and large-scale financial fraud to environmental destruction and violent crimes, foreign nationals are increasingly appearing at the center of some of Costa Rica’s most serious criminal cases.
While Costa Rica remains an overwhelmingly peaceful nation—treasured worldwide for its commitment to democracy and social stability—these high-profile cases are sounding an alarm. They make it clear that the government can no longer rely on its historic reputation alone to safeguard the nation. Instead, proactive steps are needed to protect the country from those who seek to exploit its hospitality and relative legal flexibility. To address this growing threat, Costa Rica must consider the following urgent reforms:
1️⃣ Tighten Residency and Visa Vetting Procedures
Costa Rica's generous residency programs have long been a draw for retirees, remote workers, and investors, but they have also unintentionally opened the door for individuals seeking to use legal status as a cover for illicit activity. Stricter background checks on applicants, especially those from countries with high incidences of organized crime, are essential. This includes deeper collaboration with international law enforcement databases such as Interpol and Europol to flag those with criminal histories before they gain legal status in Costa Rica. Increased scrutiny of business investments, shell companies, and unusually large financial transactions tied to visa applications can also help prevent the abuse of the residency system.
2️⃣ Increase Resources for Environmental Protection Enforcement
Costa Rica’s greatest asset—its natural beauty and biodiversity—is under constant threat, not just from corporate interests but increasingly from foreign individuals engaging in illegal development, poaching, and land exploitation. Crimes like unauthorized construction in protected areas, illegal logging, and destruction of wildlife habitats are often carried out quietly in remote regions, making enforcement difficult. More funding for agencies like SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas) and MINAE (Ministry of Environment and Energy) is critical. These agencies need personnel, technology (like drones and satellite monitoring), and legal backing to detect, stop, and prosecute environmental crimes, no matter the nationality of the offender.
3️⃣ Accelerate Judicial Processes for Serious Crimes
One of Costa Rica’s most persistent challenges is its slow-moving judicial system. Major criminal cases, especially those involving property fraud, environmental crimes, and organized crime, can take years to resolve. In the meantime, accused individuals—many of whom are foreigners—have the time and resources to flee the country, tamper with evidence, or continue their operations. Establishing specialized fast-track courts for high-stakes criminal cases involving foreigners, along with expanding prosecutorial teams focused on transnational crime, would significantly reduce delays and prevent manipulation of the legal process.
4️⃣ Enhance International Cooperation to Track Repeat Offenders
Many of the foreign nationals arrested in Costa Rica are not first-time offenders. Some are part of broader criminal networks that operate across borders, shifting from country to country to evade law enforcement. Costa Rica must prioritize bilateral agreements and real-time intelligence sharing with partner nations, particularly those with high numbers of expat residents in Costa Rica, like Canada, United States, Germany, France, Spain, and Belgium. Strengthening extradition treaties, enhancing joint investigations, and creating blacklists of individuals barred from re-entering Costa Rica after deportation are crucial next steps to stop career criminals from using Costa Rica as their next safe haven.
Preserving the True Pura Vida
Costa Rica's identity is built on peace, sustainability, and community. But allowing it to become a playground for international criminals risks that legacy. By holding foreign offenders accountable and reinforcing its legal frameworks, Costa Rica sends a clear message: No one is above the law—local or foreign. If Costa Rica fails to act decisively, it risks becoming known not only as a paradise for tourists and retirees but also as a loophole destination for organized crime. Protecting the nation’s peace and ecological treasures requires modern, aggressive reforms that show the world—and those seeking to exploit it—that Costa Rica is not for sale, and it is not to be played.