Travel safety comparison · Latin America & the Caribbean

Costa Rica vs Nicaragua: safety comparison

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Costa Rica vs Nicaragua: side-by-side safety comparison. Risk scores, FCDO + US State advisories, drug law, women's safety, LGBTQ+ status.

· How Warnely scores risk →
Costa Rica carries a materially lower safety risk than Nicaragua on the composite Warnely score: 26/100 against 57/100, a gap of 31 points. The biggest single category gap is in terrorism, where Costa Rica scores 1/5 against Nicaragua's 2/5. The US State Department currently carries a Level 2 advisory on Costa Rica and a Level 3 on Nicaragua. Women's-safety rating differs: Costa Rica is Generally Safe and Nicaragua is Exercise Caution. Drug law diverges sharply: Nicaragua carries a tier-severe regime against Costa Rica's more permissive framework.
🇨🇷Costa Rica 🇳🇮Nicaragua
Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) 26 / 100 57 / 100
Risk tier Exercise Normal Caution High Risk
UK FCDO advisory No active advisory No active advisory
US State Department advisory Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) Level 3 (Reconsider Travel)
Global Peace Index rank #54 #111
Drug law Strict Severe (long sentences)
Women's safety rating Generally Safe Exercise Caution
LGBTQ+ legal status marriage legal
Tap water n/a n/a
Currency CRC NIO
Full guide

Is Costa Rica safe to visit in 2026?
Full guide

Is Nicaragua safe to visit in 2026?

Costa Rica vs Nicaragua: common questions

Is Costa Rica or Nicaragua safer to visit?

Costa Rica has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 26/100 vs 57/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.

Is Costa Rica or Nicaragua safer for solo female travellers?

Costa Rica is rated Generally Safe for women's safety; Nicaragua is rated Exercise Caution. Read the full guides for city-level detail.

What do FCDO and US State Department say about Costa Rica and Nicaragua?

Costa Rica: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State). Nicaragua: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) (US State).

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Planning the trip? Check Costa Rica visa requirements and Nicaragua visa requirements.

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