Costa Rica Safety for Retirees: What the Numbers Show

Costa Rica advertises itself as one of the safest countries for retirees, but the homicide numbers tell a different story. In 2025, Costa Rica recorded 876 homicides per 100,000 people, placing it in the middle of the Latin American/Caribbean region. Only 20 of the 873 victims were aged 65 or older, meaning that the risk of homicide for retirees is much lower than the national rate suggests.

The Global Peace Index, which ranks Costa Rica 62nd out of 163 countries in 2026, combines crime and internal safety indicators with measures of ongoing conflict and militarization. This score indicates that the country is relatively peaceful but not among the safest. In comparison, El Salvador has a homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people, making Costa Rica about thirteen times more dangerous in terms of homicides.

While the national homicide rate may be concerning, the majority of these crimes are concentrated among younger men involved in drug trafficking disputes. Of the 873 homicides in 2025, only seven to eight in ten victims were men, and many were involved in "ajuste de cuentas" (score-settling) or collateral damage. This means that the risk of violence for retirees is much lower than the national statistics might indicate.

To become a resident in Costa Rica, there are three residency options: Pensionado, Rentista, and Inversionista. The Pensionado route requires a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 per month from the Social Security system or a corporate/military pension. The Rentista requires 24 months of guaranteed passive income of US$2,500 per month or a US$60,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank.

The Inversionista route requires a US$150,000 investment in real estate or a business. All residency options grant renewable temporary residency, with permanent residency available after three continuous years.

Healthcare in Costa Rica is provided through the Caja public healthcare system, which requires residents to contribute to the sliding-scale health and pension funds. For a Pensionado declaring an annual income of US$1,000, the healthcare contribution is estimated to be around US$65 to US$70 per month. Living costs in Costa Rica vary, with estimates ranging from US$1,600 to US$2,000 per month for single retirees in the Central Valley, and US$2,500 to US$3,000 for couples. These estimates are approximate and not official benchmarks.

In summary, while Costa Rica is marketed as a safe retirement destination, the homicide rate and Global Peace Index ranking suggest that the actual risk is lower than the national statistics might indicate. Most violent crimes are concentrated among younger men involved in drug-related disputes, not older residents. For retirees, the practical risk of violence may be more related to petty theft and burglary than homicide.

However, living costs in Costa Rica should be taken into consideration, with estimates ranging from US$1,600 to US$3,000 per month depending on the location and lifestyle preferences.