A rise in violence and theft in downtown Cartago is changing the way merchants do business, with some closing earlier, reinforcing storefronts and watching customer traffic fade in the afternoon and evening.
The concerns are centered in Cartago’s historic commercial district, near the Mercado Central, the Ruins, the old barracks area and the streets surrounding the city’s traditional shopping corridors. Merchants say robberies, armed incidents and the visible presence of unhoused people have altered routines in a city long viewed as quieter than San José.
The tension grew sharply after an armed attack on January 11 left two people dead near the Convento de los Padres Capuchinos, close to the city center. Police reports said the incident involved occupants of two vehicles and ended in gunfire and a fatal crash. The victims were identified by their surnames as Aguilar, 22, and Camacho, 21.
For many shopkeepers, the violence has become part of daily decision-making. Yessenia Ramírez, 53, who works in a shop near the Central Market, said the store now closes by 5:30 p.m., half an hour earlier than before. She said many regular customers have also changed their habits, choosing to shop in the morning rather than risk going out later in the day.
A few blocks away, a cellphone repair technician who asked not to be named for safety reasons said a 2025 robbery cost him close to one million colones. The loss pushed him to reinforce his doors and metal security shutters, a step more businesses in the area are now considering as the center of Cartago feels less predictable after dark.
The numbers help explain the unease. Data from the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) show that the Oriental and Occidental districts, which cover much of Cartago’s historic and commercial center, have recorded the highest concentration of reported crimes in the province between 2022 and 2026. In the Oriental district alone, authorities recorded 661 thefts, 519 assaults, 260 robberies and 294 vehicle-related crimes during that period. In Occidental, the same period brought 375 thefts, 353 assaults, 206 robberies and 190 vehicle-related crimes.
Cartago Mayor Mario Redondo has acknowledged the concern among residents and business owners, while framing the recent violence as part of a wider national pattern tied to disputes between criminal groups. He said the situation has eased in recent weeks through coordination among the OIJ, Fuerza Pública, Municipal Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Redondo has also pointed to economic activity as evidence that the area remains active. Between April 2025 and April 2026, Cartago issued 772 new commercial permits and recorded only four surrenders, according to municipal figures cited in local reporting. Still, empty storefronts have become more visible downtown, and merchants say insecurity may be one reason some properties remain vacant.
The Cartago story is not isolated. Costa Rica is facing a broader discussion about how crime is affecting its image among tourists, expats and foreign residents. The U.S. State Department updated its Costa Rica travel advisory this month, keeping the country at Level 2 and advising travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime. The advisory says petty crime is common and that violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault, also affects tourists.
Tourism professionals have also been watching how crime stories move online. Earlier reporting by La Nación found that travel forums and Facebook groups with hundreds of thousands of members have become places where visitors share accounts of theft, robberies, vehicle break-ins and rental-property incidents before those experiences ever reach formal police statistics.
That gap matters. Many tourists who lose, electronics, cash or luggage do not file full police reports before leaving the country. Some just replace documents, change plans and move on. The result is a reputational problem that can grow faster through Facebook posts, Reddit threads and review sites than through official data.
Last year closed with around 900 assaults against foreign tourists, with San José registering the largest number of complaints, according to OIJ data. The report described the pattern as a concern for Costa Rica’s international image, even as our country remains one of the region’s most visited destinations.
For visitors, the message is not to avoid Costa Rica, but to adjust expectations. Our country’s national parks, beaches, volcanoes and wildlife areas remain the foundation of our tourism brand. Many travelers still report safe and positive experiences, especially when using normal precautions. The pressure point, as Cartago shows, is increasingly found in urban commercial centers, bus-terminal areas, central markets and poorly lit streets after dark.
Tourists visiting San José, Cartago, Puntarenas or Limón should keep valuables in hotel safes, carry only what they need for the day and avoid walking at night in downtown areas. Rental-car users should never leave bags, cameras, passports or electronics visible in parked vehicles, since smash-and-grab theft remains one of the most common complaints from foreign visitors.
In Cartago, visitors planning stops at the Basílica de los Ángeles, the Ruins or the Central Market may be better served by going in the morning, the same way many local shoppers have adjusted their routines.
Costa Rica’s safety image was built over decades, and it has not disappeared. But in places like downtown Cartago, the daily rhythm of local life is changing. Shops are closing earlier. Customers are coming earlier. Merchants are adding locks, shutters and caution to the cost of doing business.
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