Costa Rica has long become one of the preferred travel destinations for men, women, and families. People from all over the world visit the small Central American country for its wildlife, biodiversity, and adventure activities. Statistics by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT in Spanish) show that tourism in the country grew by 7.7% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Given the roaring surge in tourism happening in Costa Rica, questions begin to arise. Is it expensive? Is it safe? And most commonly: Is Costa Rica safe for solo female travelers? The short answer to this question is yes, it is safe. However, the question requires us to break it down with real facts, practical tips, and what to expect on the ground.
Therefore, let us take a better look at how safe Costa Rica is for female solo travelers.
Given the roaring surge in tourism happening in Costa Rica, questions begin to arise. Is it expensive? Is it safe? And most commonly: Is Costa Rica safe for solo female travelers? The short answer to this question is yes, it is safe. However, the question requires us to break it down with real facts, practical tips, and what to expect on the ground.
Therefore, let us take a better look at how safe Costa Rica is for female solo travelers.
Solo Female Travel Statistics
Before digging into Costa Rica, we should begin with some solo female travel statistics to be able to differentiate.
According to a report from Skift, the majority of female solo travelers are those aged 55 or older, with up to 25% of them taking solo trips. In contrast, only 7% of women aged 34 or younger travel alone.
According to the 2025 Solo Female Travel Survey, the biggest concern for women, all ages alike, is personal safety, where 66% of women say it’s their primary concern. That said, 87% of women say they choose to travel alone due to how flexible it is, as they don’t need to wait on someone else, compromise their schedule or preferences, and they can relax and just care about themselves and not others. Then, a staggering 74% of women travel alone to challenge themselves.
Through these stats and data, we can see that most female solo travelers are aged 55 or older, and they care mostly about their own safety, as well as looking for both flexibility in their schedule and a personal challenge.
So, given all that, let’s now look at data concerning safety for women in Costa Rica.
According to a report from Skift, the majority of female solo travelers are those aged 55 or older, with up to 25% of them taking solo trips. In contrast, only 7% of women aged 34 or younger travel alone.
According to the 2025 Solo Female Travel Survey, the biggest concern for women, all ages alike, is personal safety, where 66% of women say it’s their primary concern. That said, 87% of women say they choose to travel alone due to how flexible it is, as they don’t need to wait on someone else, compromise their schedule or preferences, and they can relax and just care about themselves and not others. Then, a staggering 74% of women travel alone to challenge themselves.
Through these stats and data, we can see that most female solo travelers are aged 55 or older, and they care mostly about their own safety, as well as looking for both flexibility in their schedule and a personal challenge.
So, given all that, let’s now look at data concerning safety for women in Costa Rica.
Is Costa Rica Safe For Women?
The Solo Female Travelers Safety Index, rates Costa Rica with a 1.9 out of 4, with 1 being the safest and 4 being dangerous. Based on that research, Costa Rica ranks as a safe country for solo female travel, ranked better than countries such as France or Chile, ranked the same as Spain, and ranked better than any other country in Central America.
As to other statistics and data, the Peace And Safety Index ranks Costa Rica as the 4th safest country for women in Latin America and ranked 60th worldwide.
Add to that the fact that Costa Rica is a country that lives off tourism, has no army, with a population that generally speaks basic English, and you can consider it as safe for women in general.
Not just that, but the Costa Rican government is being proactive in providing care and safety for women through the Female National Institute (INAMU in Spanish) in alliance with the ICT launching the famous Red Sofia, a program designed to literally protect female travelers and tourists. The aim of “Red Sofia” is literally to promote gender equality in the tourism industry, by encouraging safety measures for solo female travelers in the country, so they can feel safe, secure, free, happy, and at peace.
Of course, caution is always recommended, Costa Rica isn’t perfect, nor is it the safest country in the world. Crime does exist, petty crimes do happen, and all women should be urged to take precautions.
As to other statistics and data, the Peace And Safety Index ranks Costa Rica as the 4th safest country for women in Latin America and ranked 60th worldwide.
Add to that the fact that Costa Rica is a country that lives off tourism, has no army, with a population that generally speaks basic English, and you can consider it as safe for women in general.
Not just that, but the Costa Rican government is being proactive in providing care and safety for women through the Female National Institute (INAMU in Spanish) in alliance with the ICT launching the famous Red Sofia, a program designed to literally protect female travelers and tourists. The aim of “Red Sofia” is literally to promote gender equality in the tourism industry, by encouraging safety measures for solo female travelers in the country, so they can feel safe, secure, free, happy, and at peace.
Of course, caution is always recommended, Costa Rica isn’t perfect, nor is it the safest country in the world. Crime does exist, petty crimes do happen, and all women should be urged to take precautions.
Solo Trip To Costa Rica As A Woman
Data, statistics, and programs show that Costa Rica is a fairly safe country, for all travelers alike, but also women. However, we don’t want to stop there, instead, we also wanted to provide more information from the reviews of recent solo female travelers, to get the most up-to-date context on what a solo trip to Costa Rica as a woman looks like.
According to forums and Reddit, Costa Rica is considered to be a “very safe place to travel as long as you are smart about it and follow general travel safety norms”. Other users agree with that remark, as well as adding: “saw a lot of female travelers (even at night), people are generally nice and helpful”.
As you can see, it’s common to meet other women traveling, and why not even connect with them? Many hostels and eco-lodges have communal areas where you can meet fellow travelers, and social media groups for solo female travelers in Costa Rica can be great for finding travel buddies or getting tips from those who have been before.
Learning some basic Spanish phrases can also be helpful, especially in more rural areas where English may not be widely spoken. Locals appreciate when travelers make an effort to speak their language, even if it’s just simple greetings or asking for directions.
Above all, trusting your instincts is key. If a situation doesn’t feel right, remove yourself from it. Solo travel is about confidence and awareness, and taking the right precautions will help ensure a smooth experience. Speaking of safety and awareness, let’s dive into some tips.
According to forums and Reddit, Costa Rica is considered to be a “very safe place to travel as long as you are smart about it and follow general travel safety norms”. Other users agree with that remark, as well as adding: “saw a lot of female travelers (even at night), people are generally nice and helpful”.
As you can see, it’s common to meet other women traveling, and why not even connect with them? Many hostels and eco-lodges have communal areas where you can meet fellow travelers, and social media groups for solo female travelers in Costa Rica can be great for finding travel buddies or getting tips from those who have been before.
Learning some basic Spanish phrases can also be helpful, especially in more rural areas where English may not be widely spoken. Locals appreciate when travelers make an effort to speak their language, even if it’s just simple greetings or asking for directions.
Above all, trusting your instincts is key. If a situation doesn’t feel right, remove yourself from it. Solo travel is about confidence and awareness, and taking the right precautions will help ensure a smooth experience. Speaking of safety and awareness, let’s dive into some tips.
Costa Rica Solo Travel Safety Tips
- Stay In Locally Recommended Areas & Well-Known Accommodations – Depending on your age and interest you might want to stay in either hotels, hostels, or Airbnb’s. A great recommendation is to look for those areas, neighborhoods or towns to be considered the safest. For example, Puerto Viejo in Limon is considered one of the safest areas for female solo travelers, having quite a few women only hostels. Make sure to read reviews of areas where you’re going, of the accommodation you’re booking, and one at the place, asking locals to give recommendations on where to go, and where not to go.
- Use Rideshare Apps or Trusted Taxis – Costa Rica is very safe and public transportation is too. However, petty crimes do occur on public buses or trains. In San Jose, it’s safer to use Uber, or the red taxis, which are the officially licensed ones. If you ride with a taxi, just make sure that they aren’t overcharging you in price, they have a taximeter which Costa Ricans call “la María”, so make sure that’s the price you’re paying. You will have a better price with Uber than with a taxi. In other areas of Costa Rica, there is no Uber service so it is better to rent a car or travel with a trusted shuttle company. Contact me to advise you on the best ones depending on the area.
- Blend In and Walk With Purpose – Most Costa Rican coastal towns and tourist areas are very safe. San José, the capital city, is a lot more hectic and can feel chaotic. Wherever you walk, as a female solo tourist or traveler, you might get catcalled. The recommendation is to walk with purpose, head high, show confidence, and avoid engaging with either cat callers or people your gut feeling tells you not to. Remember, Costa Rica is the safest country in Central America and one of the safest in Latin America, but it still has some minor crime.
- Limit Night Travel – Night travel or walking alone at night is never recommended anywhere in the world. Avoid it even in the most touristy places. Order an Uber, taxi or shuttle, and limit any public transportation after dark.
- Secure Your Valuables Everywhere– Avoid showcasing any wealth, jewelr,y or electronics. Petty crimes do exist in Costa Rica. Don’t leave your backpack, luggage, or valuables alone at the beach, park, or just unattended. Keep an eye on them. Again, petty crime is the most common crime in the country. Also, secure valuables even inside your accommodation.
- Be Mindful Of Wildlife – Safety isn’t just crime, it has other factors to consider, such as wildlife, which is present pretty much everywhere. Wildlife and animals in Costa Rica aren’t really viewed as dangerous, but they can surprise you. If you go to more wild regions such as Corcovado or Monteverde, you will encounter wild animals everywhere, so be mindful and respectful of them. The same applies to swimming in the ocean or rivers, the riptides and currents are very, very strong, so be mindful. In general, I would not advise swimming in rivers or near river mouths as there might be crocodiles living there.
- Drive Carefully – Road safety in Costa Rica isn’t the best. The roads and highways aren’t first-world, and the weather can get rough, especially if raining. Therefore, whenever you are going to drive, be extra careful as the road can have unpleasant surprises.
Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Itinerary
There are so many places that you can go to and should try to go to in Costa Rica, that we’d need to write another whole article about it. However, no matter your age or interests, it’s ideal to plan between two to three weeks to visit Costa Rica.
When it comes to the best places to see, plan accordingly and take into consideration that it does take quite some time to move from one place to another by car or bus. If you choose to fly, you save a lot of time, but it does cost more.
Some of the top solo female travel destinations in Costa Rica are:
Of course, there are many other places to see, such as Playa Avellanas, Corcovado, Bajos Del Toro, Dota, Tortuguero, and many more. Ideally, even if you’re traveling on your own, you want someone to help you build your own Costa Rican travel itinerary.
If you feel you need help, you can contact us at Bespoke Travel, we are a woman-owned travel agency where you can get travel itineraries and even travel packages. This way we can organize a trip for you with fun activities that will allow you to meet the local community.
When it comes to the best places to see, plan accordingly and take into consideration that it does take quite some time to move from one place to another by car or bus. If you choose to fly, you save a lot of time, but it does cost more.
Some of the top solo female travel destinations in Costa Rica are:
- Puerto Viejo, Limon
- Monteverde
- La Fortuna
- Nosara
- Santa Teresa
- Manuel Antonio
- Uvita
Of course, there are many other places to see, such as Playa Avellanas, Corcovado, Bajos Del Toro, Dota, Tortuguero, and many more. Ideally, even if you’re traveling on your own, you want someone to help you build your own Costa Rican travel itinerary.
If you feel you need help, you can contact us at Bespoke Travel, we are a woman-owned travel agency where you can get travel itineraries and even travel packages. This way we can organize a trip for you with fun activities that will allow you to meet the local community.
Costa Rica Solo Travel Packages For Women
When it comes to the best Costa Rica solo travel packages for women, the best thing to do is to research online and see which tour packages you can find. It’s easy to travel around and meet other female solo travelers in hostels and have more of a laid-back and “as it happens” trip. You get to meet other girls at hostels and decide where to go next.
But maybe you don’t want to stay at a hostel, or maybe you like to have some travel packages and tours booked in advance. Especially because some national parks run out of slots, or local tour operators might overcharge you.
If you’re looking for safe travel packages, priced fairly, that ensure you excellent logistics and unforgettable adventures, you can contact us at Bespoke Travel, and we will offer you the best Costa Rica solo travel packages for women.
But maybe you don’t want to stay at a hostel, or maybe you like to have some travel packages and tours booked in advance. Especially because some national parks run out of slots, or local tour operators might overcharge you.
If you’re looking for safe travel packages, priced fairly, that ensure you excellent logistics and unforgettable adventures, you can contact us at Bespoke Travel, and we will offer you the best Costa Rica solo travel packages for women.
Let’s Wrap It Up
In conclusion, Costa Rica is a very safe country to travel to, even as a female solo traveler. The local people are friendly and welcoming, in most touristy areas people speak good English, and according to all statistics and data the country is considered safe for women to travel alone.
Of course, there are safety tips and guidelines to consider, being street smart and mindful are some of them. However, Costa Rica can be an unforgettable destination full of exotic wildlife, breathtaking views, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
Of course, there are safety tips and guidelines to consider, being street smart and mindful are some of them. However, Costa Rica can be an unforgettable destination full of exotic wildlife, breathtaking views, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
