Costa Rica Wilderness Safety

Staying warm, dry, and well-hydrated is key to a happy and safe wilderness experience. For any hike, prepare yourself for an emergency by packing a first-aid kit, a reflector, a whistle, high energy food, water, rain gear, a hat, and mittens. For warmth, wear wool or insulating synthetic materials designed for the outdoors. Cotton is a bad choice— it dries slowly and doesn’t provide warmth. On any hike, you should pack equipment to keep you alive should a disaster occur.

Check weather forecasts often and pay attention to the skies when hiking, as weather patterns can change suddenly. Be especially wary during the rainy season, when rivers swell and daily afternoon rains can make trails dangerous. Always let someone (a friend, your hostel owner, a park ranger, a local hiking organization) know when and where you are hiking. Know your physical limits and don’t attempt a hike beyond your ability. Park rangers and locals should know about the local conditions, so if you’re unsure, ask. See Safety and Health about outdoor ailments and medical concerns.

Wildlife

Snakes. Snakes usually don’t attack unprovoked, and only a small number of Costa Rica’s snakes are venomous. It’s very unlikely you will have any close encounters. The best way to prevent snake bites is to hike with a guide, wear hiking boots and long pants, stay on trails, and keep your eyes open. Don’t grab branches without looking for snakes, and keep your bags closed.

The most dangerous snake, the fer-de-lance, known to the locals as terciopelo, is named for its triangular, pointed head, and is a highly venomous pit-viper that lives in the forests and agricultural lands of Costa Rica. It grows up to two meters long and is well camouflaged with a grey-and-brown coloration and a large diamond pattern on the top of its back.

Venomous coral snakes have a red, black, yellow, and white coloration. It is difficult to identify coral snakes due to the large number of variations and sub-species. On average, they are 60cm long and live in a wide variety of habitats. Fortunately, they are rather shy, so you are not very likely to encounter them.

If you are bitten by a snake, don’t panic. Try to figure out what the snake that bit you looks like, but avoid more bites: keep your distance and don’t try to kill or capture it. Don’t do anything to the bite wound; don’t cut, suck, or ice it. Immobilize the bitten area and put on a bandage two to four inches above the bite, but don’t cut off the blood flow (you risk losing your limb). It should be loose enough to slip a finger under the bandage. Keep the bitten limb lower than your heart. Most importantly, get to a hospital immediately.

Spiders. Spiders and scorpions are overall much less dangerous than people think, although some species’ bites can be rather painful and may require medical attention. Bites are best avoided by checking your shoes and clothes before putting them on, by not going barefoot, and by checking under toilet seats. Make a habit of closing bags when not in use, and of keeping clothes and other belongings off the floor. Avoid reaching into dark places and crevices.

Crocodiles. The large American crocodile kills about one person per year in Costa Rica. Rangers and guides know the habitats of crocodiles, and uncomfortably close encounters with these creatures are easily avoided by not swimming in waters where they are known to live.