Embassy of Costa Rica in Montevideo, Uruguay; address Circunvalación Durango 1389, Oficina 502, Edificio Jardín de Zabala, 11000, Montevideo; phone…
Head of mission: Ms. Irinia María Elizondo Delgado, Ambassador (confirmed in the diplomatic list of Costa Rica, 29 Nov 2024)
Costa Rica is an appealing destination for many Uruguayan travelers due to its rich biodiversity, vibrant culture, and welcoming atmosphere. With 2.2 million Uruguayans traveling internationally each year, a portion of this group may find Costa Rica particularly attractive, given its diverse tourism offerings that cater to both adventure enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation.
Costa Rica is generally considered a relatively safe destination for tourists, including those from Uruguay. According to the Global Peace Index, Costa Rica ranks 56th out of 160 countries, while Uruguay is slightly higher at 51st. In terms of crime statistics, the murder rate in Costa Rica is 11.4 per 100,000 people, compared to Uruguay's 8.9. However, female murder rates are similar, with Costa Rica at 2.2 and Uruguay at 2.3. The Global Organized Crime Index indicates that Uruguay performs better in several categories, such as mafia presence and state crime, while Costa Rica faces more challenges with organized crime and drug trafficking. For instance, Costa Rica has higher indices for mafia groups (6.5) and cocaine trade (7.0) compared to Uruguay (1.5 and 5.0, respectively). Overall, while Costa Rica has some crime concerns, it remains a popular tourist destination and is comparable to Uruguay in terms of safety. Travelers should exercise standard precautions as they would in any foreign country.