The Ultimate Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Guide
With lush jungles with canopies for ziplining, tall mountains in the clouds, and sandy tropical beaches on two coasts, Costa Rica really is all it’s cracked up to be.
Because Costa Rica has been without a military since the 1940s, the country also enjoys some of the highest quality of living in Central America because of increased investment in healthcare and education. Costa Rica is also incredibly safe, making traveling Costa Rica solo just perfect for a female traveler!
From my time spending two full months traveling every corner of the country, I put together this ultimate Costa Rica solo female travel guide. With this guide, you can find out all about Costa Rica solo female travel with the best places to visit in Costa Rica and the best times to visit Costa Rica, as well as how to get around Costa Rica, staying safe as a solo female traveler in Costa Rica, the cost of a trip to Costa Rica, and my recommended Costa Rica tours.
So whether you’re a nature-lover and adventurer, prefer just to bum on the beach, or all of the above, Costa Rica definitely will not disappoint. This country of paradise belongs on every solo female traveler’s bucket list! So what are you waiting for? Keep reading to discover the amazing country of Costa Rica!
Click below for destination-specific posts & guides!
The Ultimate Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Guide: Page Contents
- Best places to visit in Costa Rica for solo female travel
- Top things to do in Costa Rica
- What to expect in Costa Rica: climate, language, money, and more
- Is Costa Rica safe to travel alone?
- How to stay safe in Costa Rica as a solo female traveler
- Costa Rica trip cost
- How to get around Costa Rica
- Costa Rica tours & activities I recommend
- Essential gear for a trip to Costa Rica
- Favorite Costa Rica booking resources
- Latest & most recent Costa Rica posts
The Ultimate Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Guide:
Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica
Read more: Adding Monteverde to your itinerary? Check out my top 10 things to do in Monteverde as a solo female traveler.
Top Things to Do in Costa Rica
hrones. There’s a good reason this city was chosen – between the historic city walls and surrounding. Interested in hiking in a group? I recommend this highly-rated guided hiking tour combining La Fortuna volcano, waterfalls, and hanging bridges!
Related: Ready to book your flight to Costa Rica now?! Search now using the tool from one of my favorite flight-booking search engines, Skyscanner!
The Ultimate Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Guide:
What to Expect in Costa Rica
as a solo female traveler
What Language is Spoken in Costa Rica?
The official language in Costa Rica is Spanish.
Spanish is spoken in all of Costa Rica. Generally, the Costa Rican dialect can be difficult to understand unless you’re used to it. Don’t be afraid to ask locals to slow down.
Money in Costa Rica
💱 What is the currency of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican Colon (CRC). 1 USD = 668 CRC in 2022.
💳 Do I need cash in Costa Rica?
In many larger and more developed restaurants, credit cards are accepted. However, most hostels don’t accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay cash for your stays. You’ll also need cash for a lot of local food and grocery stores. I always carried around a change purse to organize all of my cash.
Click here for my favorite 0% foreign transaction fee credit cards you can use in Costa Rica, including one that got me a free flight there. Bonus: they come with some sweet travel rewards!
Costa Rica Plug Type
Costa Rica uses the same Type A/B 120 V plugs as North America. You don’t need a plug adapter unless you come from outside of North America. Get my favorite universal plug adapter here!
What is the Climate in Costa Rica?
There are two distinct seasons in Costa Rica: the dry season and the wet season. The dry season runs from December-April and has daily average temperatures from 70-95 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s generally lots of sun and very little rain. The wet season runs from May-November and has daily average temperatures ranging from 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of 20 rainy days/month, depending on which coast you’re on.
The dry/wet season distinction matters more on the west coast than on the east coast. You can visit the west coast of Costa Rica (e.g. Jaco, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo) during the dry season and still experience plenty of rain when hopping over to the east coast (e.g. Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo).
Pro tip: Generally, it’s very humid in Costa Rica, with humidity levels frequently ranging from 80-90%. It was so humid there that the entire motherboard of my Macbook had to be replaced because the humidity condensed on it and ruined it from going in and out of the AC. Learn from my mistakes and protect your laptop from the humidity with a waterproof laptop sleeve!
Read more: Be prepared for anything the weather throws at you while traveling Costa Rica solo with my 13 travel essentials that will change your life.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
Generally, January-April is the best time to visit Costa Rica. You’ll have many long, sunny, hot days. However, expect a lot more crowds than the rainy season. If you want to avoid more crowds while sacrificing some (but not all) good weather, then April/May and November are good times to visit, too.
The Best Costa Rica SIM Card
I always recommend getting a local SIM card at your destination to save money on roaming fees. Alternatively, you can get an eSIM easily online before leaving! This saves so much time so you don’t have to bother finding a shop in town once you’re in Costa Rica. Just download the app, purchase the eSIM card, activate it, and you’re good to go! No having to fiddle with physical SIM cards and pins to remove them.
If you’re still interested in getting a physical SIM card, the best Costa Rica SIM card to get for traveling Costa Rica solo is a Kolbi prepaid SIM. Load it with at least 5000 colones to start. You can recharge it later if need be.
The Kolbi network is the best in Costa Rica so you’ll (almost) always be connected. A Kolbi stand isn’t available at the airport at the time of writing, so go to a local store in any town to get a SIM. These stores will have a Kolbi sign out front – there are many of them. Make sure to bring your original passport with you as they’ll need this to issue a SIM card.
Is Costa Rica safe to travel alone?
Yes! Costa Rica is very safe for female solo traveling. In fact, traveling in Costa Rica is safer than the United States. Costa Rica is actually the safest country in Latin America and one of the safest countries in the world. Landing 39th on the Global Peace Index, Costa Rica has a rating of 1.74 as of 2021. In comparison, the United States ranks 122 out of 163 countries, with a rating of 2.34. To put this in perspective, the safety of the United States is ranked on par with countries like El Salvador. Violent crime is rare in Costa Rica. Petty theft is the most common type of crime.
The Ultimate Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Guide: Costa Rica Travel Safety
As stated above, Costa Rica solo female travel is generally very safe. Overall, if you simply practice the same precautions that you do back home, you will stay safe in Costa Rica. However, there are still some basic precautions you should take. Most of these apply for all solo female travel in general, not just in Costa Rica!
Avoid walking around alone at night
Make friends at your hostel and go out with them. Stay in a group when it’s dark to avoid any unwanted attention or trouble.
Keep your wits about you
When you’re unfamiliar with where you are, it’s just not a good idea to get too drunk. This is especially true when you’re solo traveling, and especially especially true when you’re a solo traveling woman. If you choose to drink on your Costa Rica solo female travel tour, always make sure you’re alert and aware. You want to be able to respond appropriately and remove yourself from a situation if something goes wrong.
Keep an eye on your drink
Keep an eye on your drink at all times. It’s uncommon, but just like anywhere, your drink could be “spiked” with drugs or other unknown substances by other partygoers. If you’re really concerned about this, watch the bartender pour/make your drink.
Use the buddy system
If you’re out at a bar or club, go to the bathroom with a buddy. This will make sure you both have an eye on each other and no one gets lost.
Take care in San Jose
Gang-related activity has somewhat increased in San José over the past few years. So, if you stay in San José, make sure to stay in a good area and avoid walking alone at night. I skipped San José altogether on my travels since I wasn’t there for cities, but I know plenty of women traveling Costa Rica solo who had a great time checking out the art and nightlife there.
Keep your passport locked up
Don’t ever bring your physical passport with you unless you’re traveling to another country at that moment (like, you’re going to the airport) or you’re getting a SIM card. Your passport is much more likely to get stolen on you than it is to be stolen from or damaged in your accommodation. If you really need to have your passport photo page with you, carry a photocopy instead.
Don’t carry large amounts of cash
It’s just not smart to have a bunch of physical money on you. Split your stash and only bring what you need. Keep the rest in your hotel or hostel. Likewise, only bring the credit and debit cards you need when you go around town. I try not to carry around cards with direct access to my bank accounts unless I’m planning to withdraw cash on that particular excursion from my accommodation.
Carry a flashlight in rural areas
If you’ll be staying in smaller villages or more remote areas of Costa Rica, bring a headlamp or flashlight. If you’re walking home at night when it’s dark, you’ll be happy to have one. Not only will it make you more visible to oncoming drivers, but it will also help you avoid stepping on anything you’d rather not – like snakes!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Coming from a girl who is naturally terrible at asking for help, do not be afraid to ask for help from a local, or anyone, especially if you’re in immediate danger. Be confident and assertive.
Ask accommodation staff for important notes
Sometimes where you’re staying is perfectly safe, but there might be a nearby attraction that is locally infamous for robberies (true story for a hiking trail near Puerto Viejo). To make sure you’re properly informed, ask your accommodation staff if there’s anything important to know regarding the safety of the area you’re staying in.
Ignore catcalling
Like many places in the United States and abroad, catcalling can happen in Costa Rica. Just ignore it and keep walking. It’s very rarely a real threat to your safety – just an annoyance.
Read more: Many solo female travelers make Costa Rica their first solo trip. I met so many first-time solo travelers and most of them were women. So don’t be afraid to have Costa Rica on your itinerary when you take the plunge and go solo! And if it’s your first time, I highly recommend reading my complete guide to traveling alone for the first time.
The Ultimate Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Guide:
Costa Rica Trip Cost
The Ultimate Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Guide:
How to Get Around
🚍️ Public transportation
To save a lot of money, I almost exclusively took public transportation over the 2 months I spent traveling Costa Rica solo. This is the best option if you have more time than you do money. Below are some frequently asked questions about public transportation in Costa Rica.
Is public transportation safe in Costa Rica?
Public transportation in Costa Rica is very safe. I was often the only “gringa” on the bus and even as a solo female traveler, I never felt unsafe. However, make sure to always keep your valuables on you and never put any of your bags in the overhead compartment above the seats. Additionally, if your backpack is on board with you instead of under the bus, make sure to keep it within eyeshot. Stay vigilant, as always, and you’ll be absolutely fine.
How easy is it to find public transportation in Costa Rica?
Public transportation is widely available across Costa Rica. There are both smaller, intracity buses and larger, intercity buses that frequently run throughout the country.
What is the cost of public transportation in Costa Rica?
With most bus rides costing less than $2, and long-distance rides to or from San José for less than $10, traveling with public transportation is the best way to save money in Costa Rica.
How do I find the bus schedules in Costa Rica?
There are websites that list some bus schedules. Luckily for you, there are way more online resources for this now than even when I was a first-time Costa Rica solo female traveler just a few years ago. My favorite secondary resource these days is Costa Rica Guide. However, your best option is always to ask the reception at your accommodation. Ask for the current schedules and how to get to your next destination. Local staff are usually the best source of information.
Do I need to speak Spanish to use the public transportation in Costa Rica?
Speaking Spanish is definitely helpful, but it’s certainly not necessary. Learn a few basic phrases in Spanish before you go. Worst comes to worst, never underestimate the power of charades and just saying the name of the place you want to go to.
🚐 Private shuttle
For a higher price, private shared tourist shuttles are also commonly available around the country. Transport in one of these shuttles typically costs $30-60 for a one-way trip. If you’re short on time and/or have the money, these shuttles are the best option for getting around. However, in my opinion, they’re an easy way to waste a lot of money that could otherwise be saved by using public transportation. More money for food!
🚗 Uber
If you’re in a larger city like San José or Jacó, Uber unofficially operates. It’s cheaper and more reliable than local taxis. However, in most other cities, Uber doesn’t run.
It’s worth noting that Uber is the best way to get to San José from the airport, and vice versa. It will cost only about $15, as opposed to twice as much or more with a local taxi. Additionally, local taxis are known for taking inefficient routes in order to charge unaware tourists more.
🚘 Car
While not the cheapest option, a rental car is hands-down the most convenient way to see Costa Rica. Cars are especially useful for exploring more rural areas (which, in my opinion, are the areas really worth exploring in Costa Rica) and taking as many photography stops as you want. If you’re an avid hiker and most of your time in Costa Rica will be spent seeing national parks, I highly suggest a rental car. It will make things a lot easier. Just consider that gas costs at least $5/gallon in Costa Rica in 2022. Diesel is cheaper than gas in Costa Rica, so diesel cars are more common. Keep this in mind when you fill up at the pump!
Other helpful tips for renting a car in Costa Rica:
- The majority of cars outside the U.S., including in Costa Rica, are manual. If you can’t drive manual (like me), make sure to check that the car you book is an automatic. Unfortunately, this usually costs more.
- Consider your style of travel and destinations. All things considered, Costa Rican roads can be pretty decent. However, some roads are in absolute disrepair or even nonexistent. If you’re really planning to get off the beaten track (e.g. the Osa Peninsula or the tip of the Nicoya), consider a 4-wheel drive off-roading vehicle. Just keep in mind the larger the car, the more gas it will guzzle.
- Always book with a reputable rental company with good reviews. And make sure to actually read the fine print before you drive the car away. It’s just not worth doing a cheaper, shady deal to save a few bucks. I am embarrassed to admit I did this in Saint Martin, and it became a legal and logistical disaster when our bags, and then rental car, got stolen at the beach. I’m lucky I had travel insurance or else I would have been left to pay $1,000’s for the rental car damage in addition to replacing my stolen camera!
Rentalcars.com has a great interface for finding and booking the best deals on rental cars all over the world from reputable companies! I recommend using them as a starting point for booking your rental car in Costa Rica.
The Ultimate Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Guide:
Tours & Activities I Recommend
The Ultimate Costa Rica Solo Female Travel Guide:
Essential Gear for a Costa Rica Trip
Read more: Interested in putting Monteverde on your Costa Rica solo female travel itinerary? Check out my guide to the top 10 things to do in Monteverde for solo female travelers.
Favorite Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use while traveling in Costa Rica. They consistently return the best deals and user experience. I’ve mentioned some of these already above, but have condensed them into a one-stop-shop list for your convenience here:
Flight booking tools
- Skyscanner – a great tool for finding the cheapest flights with lots of filter options.
- Kiwi.com – one of my favorite flight search engines, especially when you’re really flexible with the dates you travel. Kiwi allows you to choose specific dates, date ranges, or length of travel to multiple destinations at once so comparing prices is easy. Their Nomad tool is also handy if you’re planning multiple flights in a row and aren’t sure about the cheapest order in which to do things!
- Google Flights – I’ll often start with this tool to get a broad overview of flights available. Their discovery map tool is also helpful.
Accommodation booking tools
- Agoda – Agoda has got some fantastic deals lately. Using their booking system, I was able to stay in a presidential suite at a 4-star resort in Mauritius for practically half the price offered on most other sites!
- Booking.com – a gold standard in accommodation booking. If a hotel is anywhere, it’s probably on Booking.com. I also really love Booking’s loyalty program Genius, which has allowed me to score some pretty sweet deals in some of my favorite Costa Rica solo female travel destinations.
- Hostelworld – also a gold standard in accommodation booking, but for hostels. If you want to get the best, most comprehensive reviews of hostels from travelers just like you, check Hostelworld first. Then see whether Hostelworld or Booking.com gives you a better deal with loyalty rewards.
Transportation tools
- Rentalcars.com – the most comprehensive rental car search tool to price compare between the top reputable companies.
Guide- and attraction-finding tools
- GetYourGuide – if you’re interested in finding guided tours at your destination, GetYourGuide is the way to go. From food tours to private walking tours, you’ll definitely find something you’re interested in. Seeing reviews from other travelers and booking is easy.
- Intrepid Travel – if you want to go on a group tour in Costa Rica, Intrepid Travel offers the best. Their tours are small, intimate groups led by local guides and with a small ecological footprint.
- Viator – Viator has tons of activities, experiences, and tours available for thousands of destinations around the world. They’re a great way to add a fun activity onto the itinerary.
- TripAdvisor – TripAdvisor has loads of travel booking tools, but my favorite use for them is looking up top-rated restaurants by other travelers. Their tour/activity recommendations can be decent. However, their lists of top attractions at certain destinations might not be more than “which attractions will be the most crammed with tourists?”
Favorite $0 foreign transaction fee travel rewards credit cards
- Chase Sapphire Preferred – my first travel rewards card, this $0 foreign transaction fee card has mighty rewards for the frequent traveler. At the time of writing, meet the $4,000 spending minimum within the first 3 months and get 80,000 bonus miles worth at least $800 to put towards flights, hotels, and more! In addition, this card has excellent insurance to cover expenses if your flight gets delayed or cancelled, or your baggage gets delayed or lost.
- CapitalOne Venture Rewards – my current favorite travel rewards card with $0 foreign transaction fees. Besides their price prediction and protection travel booking portal, I love their comprehensive car rental insurance. At the time of writing, earn 60,000 bonus miles worth over $600 when you meet the $3,000 spending minimum in the first 3 months.
Costa Rica travel insurance tools
- World Nomads travel insurance – after getting covered for the thousands of dollars in rental car damage and my stolen camera after thieves stole my belongings on a beach in Saint Martin, I never travel without it. Sh*t happens sometimes when you travel. Don’t risk it.
