The Central Valley’s increasingly urban nature means that crime is becoming more common. Pick-pocketing, petty theft, and car break-ins are increasingly common not only in the center of San José, but in the surrounding suburbs. Unless you are living in a secure gated community, you are at risk of a break-in. For more information on avoiding becoming a victim of robbery, see Chapter 17, Crime and Security. In the Central Valley most residences have bars on the windows, as well as high gates and razor or barbed wire protecting the roofs.

Break-ins and robberies are becoming increasingly common across all regions in Costa Rica, and Costa Ricans have begun voicing concern over the issue. The government has been slow to act in any substantial way. Rising crime threatens to hurt tourism and the real estate market as crime becomes more and more a part of life. If you live or do business in the Central Valley, crime will add an additional cost to your budget, in the form of payments for security guards and security equipment.