Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.

If you become a victim of crime:

Report the crime to the OIJ* police, and if you need victim’s assistance, report to the American Citizens Services Section of the U.S. Embassy at 2519-2590 (from the U.S.: 011-506-2519-2590), or by email to: acssanjose@state.gov. If your U.S. passport is stolen, please call 2519-2000 Monday-Friday 8am to 4:30pm to report and replace it. This allows the Embassy to make the necessary notifications that may help catch criminals, including terrorists, who try to buy or use the passport.

*In Costa Rica, there are several kinds of police. Those in uniform are La Fuerza Pública. Their role is crime prevention. OIJ, plain clothes police, are in charge of investigations. We recommend that you file a police report with the OIJ police, as they are the only agency that can take reports and investigate crimes.

Please review the following pages for more information:

• The threat from crime
• Natural disaster preparedness
• Become a warden