In general, Costa Rica is safe for women traveling alone, but it is still prudent to be careful. If you are touring the country, be aware of your surroundings and be thoughtful of your stuff. Solo female travelers in Costa Rica should avoid being caught alone in unfamiliar or deserted places.
There are a few tips to rememeber if you're traveling to Costa Rica solo as a female:
- More urban areas usually have higher crime rates. If you're in San Jose, be especially careful.
- Ask your hotel/hostel about the area. If you’re thinking about leaving at night alone, always ask reception if it’s safe. You can also ask them for any additional Costa Rica safety tips or recommendations for the area.
- Meet fellow travelers for a night out One of the best Costa Rica safety tips is to try to meet fellow travelers where you’re staying, and invite them out with you!
- When coming home late, take a taxi instead of walking. If you’re in a town or a more urban area, and the bar isn’t right next to your hotel, it’s never a bad idea to pay the extra few dollars for a cab back instead of walking, expesically if you're alone.
- Take the official red taxis in San Jose. It's safer.
- Buses are completely safe! Don't be afraid to take them even if you're traveling alone.
- Instead of carrying your passport with you, carry a copy. You might need it and you don't want to accidentally lose the original.
- Trust your gut. This is not only one of the most important Costa Rica safety tips, it’s important for anyone traveling anywhere. If you feel like a situation is unsafe, or something is off but you can’t quite put your finger on it, listen to yourself! You might be wrong, but it’s better to not find out.