Costa Rica has launched its “Safe Holidays Police Operation,” a nationwide security effort aimed at increasing surveillance during the Christmas and New Year season, the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) announced.

This year, the holiday period runs from Wednesday, Dec. 24, through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. However, police will continue heightened patrols through Jan. 7, 2026.

The operation is intended to deter burglars and thieves, who typically rise as people carry more cash for holiday spending.


During this season, workers receive their Christmas bonus, known locally as the "aguinaldo," which many use for shopping, New Year’s celebrations or family vacations. The holiday break traditionally spans the last week of December through the first week of January.

 

The start of the holiday period also marks the beginning of Costa Rica’s high tourism season. More than 6,000 officers are being deployed across highways, national parks, tourist hotspots and key entry and exit points of the country.

Police presence will be significantly increased in areas with heavy foot traffic, including streets, boulevards, ATMs and shopping centers.


The operation covers land, sea and air, with coordinated participation from all police divisions: the National Police, Tourist Police, Mounted Police, Bicycle Police, Air Surveillance Service, Coast Guard, Traffic Police, Immigration Police and Municipal Police, according to the ministry.

These units will work alongside park rangers, National Emergency Commission officials, Red Cross paramedics, Costa Rica Firefighters, Judicial Investigation Organization agents and the 9-1-1 Emergency System team.

Authorities are urging the public to take basic safety precautions, such as avoiding the display of cash in public, keeping personal belongings out of sight, refraining from wearing jewelry in crowded areas, avoiding isolated locations and not leaving vehicles parked on the roadside.

Police ask residents to report any robbery or suspicious activity to the 9-1-1 emergency line.

The MPS is the government organization responsible for maintaining public order, training police units, and coordinating national anti-crime efforts.