Costa Rica: The Rip Current Crisis Most Tourists Don’t Know About
Of all the dangers flagged in the Costa Rica advisory, the rip current risk at the country’s beaches may be the most underappreciated. The State Department’s warning specifically notes that dozens of U.S. citizens die annually in Costa Rican coastal waters — a staggering number for a country that markets itself as a beach paradise. Many of the country’s most stunning beaches have no lifeguards, no warning flags, and no infrastructure to assist swimmers in distress.
The advisory also highlights a sharp rise in property crimes targeting tourists. Rental properties — particularly short-term vacation rentals like Airbnbs — have been increasingly targeted by organized burglary operations. Travelers are advised to choose accommodations with robust security features, avoid leaving valuables visible in rental cars, and keep doors and windows locked even when present.
Colombia’s Level 3 Warning: What It Means on the Ground
Colombia’s Level 3 advisory is the most severe designation currently applied to any popular tropical destination in the Western Hemisphere. The threats are multifaceted: violent crime, terrorism carried out by armed groups, kidnapping — including targeted abductions of foreigners — civil unrest, and the risk of natural disasters in a country that sits on an active seismic zone.
Three Colombian departments — Arauca, Cauca, and Valle del Cauca — carry the highest possible Level 4 “Do Not Travel” designation, meaning U.S. government personnel are restricted from traveling to these areas. Travelers who proceed to Colombia should confine their movements to well-monitored urban areas like Bogotá and Medellín’s tourist districts, register with the STEP program, and maintain constant situational awareness.
Essential Safety Tips for Tropical Travel in 2026
If you are traveling to any destination under an active advisory, the following precautions are strongly recommended by the State Department and travel safety experts:
💍 Don’t Flash Wealth
Leave expensive jewelry, watches, and designer items at home. Displaying wealth in high-crime areas makes you a target. Use a basic phone for navigation when possible.
🔒 Secure Your Accommodation
Keep doors and windows locked at all times, even when inside. Check that rental properties have functioning security systems before confirming your booking.
🌊 Only Swim With Lifeguards
In Costa Rica especially, only swim on beaches with posted lifeguards and safety flags. Rip currents kill dozens of tourists annually — many on unguarded beaches.
🌙 Avoid Poorly Lit Areas at Night
Stick to well-lit, populated streets after dark. Deserted beaches and poorly lit streets are primary locations for robbery and assault in all four flagged destinations.
📋 Research Before You Go
Check the State Department’s travel.state.gov for the latest advisory level for your specific destination — and check again in the days before departure, as conditions change.
🚑 Get Travel Insurance
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation. In countries with limited emergency infrastructure, evacuation coverage can be life-saving.
✅ Enroll in STEP — It’s Free and It Could Save Your Life
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov allows U.S. citizens to register their trip with the nearest American embassy or consulate. Enrollment means you’ll receive urgent safety alerts specific to your destination, and that the U.S. government knows to look for you in an emergency. It takes five minutes and costs nothing — there is no reason not to enroll before any international trip.
Travel Smart — The Warnings Are There for a Reason
The U.S. State Department does not issue travel advisories lightly. When officials designate a beloved tropical destination as Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” — or flag a Caribbean island for armed robbery and murder — those warnings reflect documented, ongoing threats backed by real incidents involving real American travelers. None of this means you can never visit Costa Rica, Colombia, Grenada, or the Bahamas. It means you must go in with open eyes, prepared for the risks, equipped with the right insurance, enrolled in STEP, and following every precaution available. The beaches are beautiful. The dangers are real. Travel informed.