is costa rica safe for solo female travellers -our honest 2027 guide from gals who have been
sloths hanging out in the trees, ziplining through the clouds, soaking in volcanic hot springs, sunset surf sessions… okayyy costa rica is basically a real-life nature documentary, and we are OBSESSED 🦥🌋🏄♀️
it's one of our favourite trips to run, and one of the questions we get asked most in our DMs is: is costa rica actually safe if i'm going solo? so let's get into it!!
so, is costa rica safe for solo female travellers?
yes!! costa rica is one of the best places in latin america for a solo female trip, and a brilliant first taste of the region. tourism is a huge part of life there, the locals are so welcoming, and getting around is easy.
like anywhere, a bit of street-smarts goes a long way. keep an eye on your stuff, look after your drinks on nights out, and respect the ocean. do that and you're set for the trip of a lifetime!!
why costa rica is perfect for a solo gals trip 💚
- it's made for travellers. eco-lodges, surf schools, hot springs, guided hikes… everything is set up so you can just turn up and enjoy.
- it's the ultimate intro to latin america. if central or south america has been on your list but felt a bit big, costa rica is the perfect place to start.
- you'll spend most of your time in nature. rainforests, cloud forests, waterfalls and beach towns, which are the most chilled, happy places to be!
- it's SO social. beach towns like santa teresa are full of solo travellers, surfers and yoga girlies, so making friends is easy. even easier if you come with 19 of them 😉
- pura vida is a real thing. it means "pure life", and you'll hear it everywhere. the whole country runs on good vibes!
our gal-to-gal tips for a smooth trip
- look after your stuff 👜
- the most common thing travellers deal with in costa rica is petty theft, so a few simple habits keep you sorted:
- keep your bag close on buses and at busy spots
- take the bare minimum to the beach (or take turns bag-watching with the gals!)
- don't leave anything in a parked car
- carry a photocopy of your passport. you're meant to have id on you, and a copy is usually fine, so the real one can stay locked away safe
nights out, the smart way 🍹
- costa rica's beach bars and sunset drinks are elite!! just do what you'd do on any good night out: keep your drink with you and never accept one you haven't seen being made
- choose beers, wine or cocktails from reputable bars over super-cheap local spirits (there have been issues with dodgy bottles, so it's worth being picky)
- grab a taxi home rather than walking back alone on dark roads
- stick with your gals and look after each other. honestly the best bit of a group trip!!
getting around 🚕
- official taxis are red (orange at the airport) with a yellow triangle on the side. check the meter's running and you're good to go
- uber works in san josé but isn't fully official, so drivers might ask you to sit up front. share your trip with a friend either way
- for the longer journeys, shuttles make life easy. on our trip, all transport is by private van, so you can just nap, snack and stare out at the volcano views
respect the ocean 🌊
- costa rica's pacific coast has some of the best surf in the world, which also means the currents can be strong, and lots of beaches don't have lifeguards. easy fixes:
- ask locals or your guide where the good swimming spots are
- take a surf lesson (santa teresa has amazing surf schools, and it's such a fun group activity!!)
- save the swimming for daytime and before the cocktails
- if you ever get pulled out by a current, don't fight it. swim parallel to the beach until you're free
check your insurance before the fun stuff 🪂
ziplining, atvs, rafting and canyoning are a HUGE part of the costa rica magic, but lots of basic travel insurance policies don't cover them. check yours does before you fly, and always go with established operators.
pack for the jungle 🌿
- insect repellent is your new best friend
- a small torch is handy for evening walks (costa rica's wildlife loves a night out too!!)
- a light rain jacket, especially from may to november
- check TravelHealthPro for any vaccine advice before you go
what's each stop like? our place-by-place guide
san josé 🏙️
the capital is where your adventure kicks off! it's a lively city with markets, museums and cool cafés. like most capitals, it's best explored in the daytime; grab a taxi between places at night. on our trip, we pick you up from the airport and take you to a central hotel, then it's straight to the welcome dinner to meet the gals!!
la fortuna & arenal 🌋
costa rica's adventure capital, with volcano hikes, hot springs, waterfalls and the gorgeous el salto swimming hole. it's a friendly, relaxed mountain town where you'll feel totally at home.
monteverde ☁️
cloud forests, hanging bridges and ziplining through the treetops. it's small, peaceful and seriously magical, plus the night safari is a must for spotting sloths, frogs and all the cute critters (always with a guide!!).
santa teresa & montezuma 🏄♀️
our personal favourite!! if you've been to bali, think of santa teresa as costa rica's canggu: surf, yoga, smoothie bowls and the dreamiest pacific sunsets. it's laid-back and super social. just walk home with the gals after dark, as some roads aren't lit. montezuma is a colourful, bohemian little town with jungle waterfalls and howler monkeys. obsessed.
when's the best time to go?
december to april is dry season: sunny days, blue skies and peak beach vibes (it's also popular, so book early!). may to november is green season: lush, quieter and cheaper, with afternoon showers that make everything look extra jungly.
our costa rica trips run from november to june, so you can pick your perfect season. check the latest dates on the trip page!
your costa rica checklist ✅
- save the emergency number: 911
- copy your passport, and keep the original locked away
- sort insurance that covers ziplining, surfing & atvs
- download offline maps and a translation app (a little spanish = so many smiles!)
- use official red taxis, or share your ride details
- keep your drink with you & choose reputable bars
- beach bag = bare minimum
- ask where the good swim spots are
- check the uk government (FCDO) travel advice before you fly
- pack bug spray and a sense of adventure!!
solo or with the gals?
lots of women travel costa rica solo and absolutely love it. but if you'd rather skip the planning, it's where a group trip really shines. we sort the transfers between regions, the trusted activity operators, a crew for nights out, and a local who knows all the best swim spots.
on our gals who travel costa rica trip, it's all included:
- a local tour leader the whole way
- private transport between stops
- hand-picked stays, including a local homestay with a costa rican family who'll show you how to cook traditional dishes
- 10 days of rainforests, volcanoes, cloud forests and beaches with a group of amazing gals!!
nearly 90% of our gals join solo, and you'll be in the group chat before you even land.
our gals always tell us the local guides make the trip. they rave about guides who know every fun fact about the food, culture and wildlife, and who make everyone feel at home from day one. [GWT TEAM: add a real one-line quote from a Costa Rica traveller or guide here, with permission]
see the costa rica itinerary & dates
costa rica solo travel FAQs
is costa rica good for first-time solo travellers?
yes!! it's one of the most beginner-friendly places in latin america, with easy routes, great tourism infrastructure and super friendly locals. a few simple habits around your belongings, drinks and swimming are all you need.
is costa rica safe at night?
the beach and mountain towns are lovely and relaxed in the evenings. just grab a taxi or walk with your group rather than wandering alone on dark roads, especially in san josé, and keep an eye on your drink.
what's the safest area of costa rica?
nature-focused towns like monteverde and la fortuna feel super calm and easy-going. in bigger cities like san josé, just use a bit more city-smarts, like you would anywhere.
is it safe to swim in costa rica?
yes, in the right spots! currents can be strong and lots of beaches don't have lifeguards, so ask locals where to swim, stick to daytime swims, and take a lesson if you want to surf.
is uber safe in costa rica?
uber is popular in san josé but isn't fully official, so drivers may ask you to sit in the front. official red taxis are the regulated option. either way, share your trip with a friend.
do i need a visa for costa rica from the uk?
uk passport holders can currently visit visa-free for up to 180 days, with the exact length decided by immigration on arrival. your passport needs to be valid for your whole trip. always double-check the FCDO entry requirements before you go, as rules can change.
is costa rica expensive?
it's one of the pricier countries in central america, especially for activities, and solo travellers can't split costs. a group trip with transport, stays and activities included makes budgeting sooo much easier.
can i join a costa rica group trip on my own?
absolutely!! our 10-day trip goes from san josé to santa teresa via a local homestay, arenal, monteverde and montezuma, and nearly 90% of our gals come solo.
okay gals, this is your sign!! costa rica is wild, green, full of adventure and pure good vibes. go prepared, trust your gut, and get ready for the best trip of your life. and if you want the plans, the transport AND the friends sorted… we'll see you at the welcome dinner in san josé 💚🦥
