How safe is Cartago?

Question

I've been looking into volunteering abroad next spring/summer with Cross Cultural Solutions. My first choice of the locations they have available is Cartago, Costa Rica.
Does anyone know how safe Cartago is? I mean, are there high crime rates? Are tourists and out of towners targeted? My mother claims that it isn't safe to go ANYWHERE outside of the USA because of so many other countries hating Americans and because of the way things are these days, but I don't believe that to be entirely true. I'm sure some places are unsafe (just like some places in America), but not all. So, that's what I'm wondering. How safe is Cartago for a 19 year old American girl? (I wouldn't be on my own. The organization sends several people at a time; lodging, transportation, everything provided.)
My 2 other choices would be Salvador, Brazil or Guatemala City, Guatemala. Anyone know how safe these places are?

I'd appreciate any info or insights! :)

Answer 1

Maybe Cross Cultural Solutions has some statistics that you could check out on the Internet to see if you get other sources of them as well? I don't think many of us have been there. Statistics might give you an idea of what sort of precautions tend to be the most important on average.

Take good precautions wherever you go because no matter how statistically safe a place is, there might always be that one unfortunate encounter. Unfortunately it might even be someone you thought you knew well.