Short answer. In Costa Rica, 9-1-1 is the single number for all emergencies. It is run by the Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1, attached to the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) 3. The national emergency commission (CNE) tells people to report any incident there 1. The CNE switchboard, (506) 2210-2828, answers on weekdays during office hours and is not an emergency line 2.
Which numbers should I save?
| Number | Use |
|---|---|
| 9-1-1 | Single number for all emergencies: report any incident here 13 |
| (506) 2210-2828 | CNE switchboard, Monday to Friday 8:00 to 16:00; not an emergency line 2 |
The CNE puts it plainly: "Ante un incidente, debe hacer el reporte a la Sistema de Emergencia 9-1-1 para que atiendan la solicitud" (in case of an incident, report it to the 9-1-1 Emergency System so that the request is handled) 1.
Who does what in an emergency?
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE), https://www.cne.go.cr/ | National emergency and risk agency; declares alerts 2 |
| Comité Municipal de Emergencias (CME) | Cantonal level, through the municipality, coordinated by the mayor 1 |
| Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1, https://www.911.go.cr/ | Emergency call centre, attached to ICE 3 |
The CNE coordinates risk management and emergency response nationally, through municipal and community emergency committees 1. For local questions, such as where an evacuation shelter would open, contact your municipality's emergency committee (public shelters).
Is there an app?
The 9-1-1 system has its own app for requesting help; its website publishes the app's terms of use 3. It is not an alert channel. For alerts, see alerts.
What contact list should my family keep?
The CNE emergency case includes a list of family phone numbers and first-response institutions 4. Write it on paper, since phones can run out of battery or lose signal. Add:
- 9-1-1;
- your Municipal Emergency Committee's contact;
- the albergue location from your family plan 4;
- for anyone with a medical condition, the laminated ID card the CNE recommends, listing allergies, illnesses, blood group and medicines 4.
See /guides/family-plan and /guides/important-documents. The full CNE case list is on the kit page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the emergency number in Costa Rica?
9-1-1, for all emergencies 13.
Can I call the CNE in an emergency?
No. The CNE switchboard, (506) 2210-2828, works Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 16:00, and is not an emergency line. Call 9-1-1 2.
Who runs 9-1-1 in Costa Rica?
The Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1, attached to the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) 3.
Sources
- Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE) — Preguntas frecuentes — https://www.cne.go.cr/contactenos/preguntas_frecuentes.aspx (accessed 2026-10-20; read via Web Archive capture of 19 June 2024)
- Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE) — Alertas — https://www.cne.go.cr/preparativos_respuestas/alertas.aspx (accessed 2026-10-20; read via Web Archive capture of 19 Feb 2024)
- Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 (ICE) — Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 – La llamada más importante de su vida — https://www.911.go.cr/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE) — Guía para la Elaboración del Plan Familiar de Gestión del Riesgo (Plan Familiar de Gestión de Riesgo) — https://moravia.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/plan-familiar-17-19-CM.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20; CNE 2019 edition hosted by the Municipality of Moravia)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Costa Rica, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE) · Preguntas frecuentes checked 2026-10-20
- Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE) · Alertas checked 2026-10-20
- Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 (ICE) · Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 – La llamada más importante de su vida checked 2026-10-20
- Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE) · Guía para la Elaboración del Plan Familiar de Gestión del Riesgo (Plan Familiar de Gestión de Riesgo) checked 2026-10-20