Information aggregated automatically. Verify all dates, locations, and pricing on the official conference website before making arrangements.
PWNEDCR is Costa Rica's cybersecurity and ethical hacking conference, returning for its ninth edition across two days in San José. The event is built to bring together leading security professionals and enthusiasts from Central America and the wider Latin American region in a single technical forum. Held at venues in the Costa Rican capital including the National Auditorium at the Museo de los Niños, the conference occupies an unusual position: a serious technical security event in a country whose technology sector is better known for nearshore services than security research. That has made it a gathering point for practitioners across the isthmus. The programme covers both offensive and defensive security, spanning cloud infrastructure attacks, IoT security, digital forensics, DevSecOps practice, and the rapidly expanding intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Sessions favour demonstrable technique over vendor positioning. For security engineers, red teamers and defenders working in Central America, PWNEDCR provides regional access to material that would otherwise require international travel.
San José in mid-September sits deep in Costa Rica's green season: mornings are typically clear and warm, with reliable afternoon rain that clears by evening. The conference venues cluster around the city centre near the Museo de los Niños, an area walkable to Barrio Amón's coffee-era mansions. At around 1,170 metres, the Central Valley is noticeably cooler than the coasts, which surprises visitors expecting tropical heat.
Juan Santamaría International (SJO) is in Alajuela, roughly 20 kilometres northwest of the capital and typically 30 to 45 minutes by road depending on traffic. Official orange airport taxis and ride-hailing apps both serve the route. Within the city, central San José is compact enough to walk; for anything further, taxis and apps are straightforward and buses radiate from downtown terminals to the rest of the country.
Skip the taxi queue — pre-book a fixed-price airport transfer with Kiwitaxi. Exploring beyond the city? compare rental cars on Localrent.
Mobile data works well throughout the Central Valley, though coverage thins quickly once you head into the mountains or toward either coast. Setting up an eSIM before departure means arriving with working maps and messaging rather than hunting for a SIM counter. Set up an eSIM with Airalo before you board and you're online the moment you land.
Museo del Oro Precolombino. Beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, this underground museum holds an outstanding collection of pre-Columbian goldwork alongside displays on the societies that produced it. Compact and well-labelled in English, it needs about ninety minutes and sits directly in the conference district.
Teatro Nacional. The 1897 opera house is San José's architectural centrepiece, built with coffee-export wealth and lavishly decorated inside. Guided tours run through the day and take under an hour. The attached café is a reliable spot for a break between sessions.
Poás or Irazú volcano. Both active craters lie within a two-hour drive of the capital and make a realistic half-day trip. Clouds usually roll in by late morning, so early departures give far better odds of a clear view. Access can close at short notice depending on volcanic activity. Tickets on Tiqets →
Barrio Escalante. A short taxi ride east of the centre, this residential neighbourhood has become the city's dining quarter, with independent restaurants and coffee bars concentrated along Calle 33. It is the most comfortable option for an evening out and busy from around seven onwards.
How do I get from SJO airport into the city?
Official orange airport taxis and ride-hailing apps both cover the 20-kilometre journey in roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Traffic into San José is heaviest on weekday mornings.
Will it rain during the conference?
Mid-September is the green season, so expect clear mornings followed by heavy but usually short afternoon rain. Plan outdoor sightseeing before lunch.
What currency and payments should I expect?
The Costa Rican colón is the local currency, though US dollars are accepted in many tourist-facing businesses. Cards work widely in San José; carry some cash for smaller establishments.
Travel notes written for PWNEDCR 0x9 attendees. Links marked above are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Verify schedules and opening hours on official websites before you travel.
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