Q TRAVEL (Forbes.com) With its strong tourism infrastructure and welcoming people, Costa Rica serves as an ideal sanctuary for female solo travelers who flock here to experience all that this Central American country has to offer.
Solo travel retreats often center around individuals searching for an enlightened approach to their everyday existence, and the focus can be on relaxation, wellness, adventure, stress management or perhaps romance. Solo travelers report that traveling alone can enhance one’s sense of self-awareness and inner tranquility.
Search for solo travel is up 145%, according to Pinterest, while several studies report that over 70% of women have either already experienced or would be interested in pursuing solo travel.
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Susanne Höller of Austria, who often writes for Solo Traveler, visits Costa Rica regularly. She says, “Costa Rica is a very safe place to travel as a solo female traveler. I have been coming here for more than six years now and never ever experienced a dodgy situation. Nevertheless, I follow certain rules and use my common sense. I don’t drive at night, I leave the beach shortly after sunset before it gets pitch dark. I don’t wear flashy items when walking the beach. I learned to speak Spanish in order to get in touch with locals.”
According to Höller, visitors don’t need to speak Spanish if they frequent the obvious tourist spots. “However, if you venture a bit off the beaten track it is very helpful to know some basic Spanish,” she advises. “I actually learned it here by speaking with locals. Not being afraid of making mistakes and just enjoying being able to communicate with these lovely people.”
Meg Jerrard of Solo Female Travelers Tours, explains, “It’s definitely helpful to know a bit of Spanish before traveling here, but most people know at least a bit of English, so you can easily get by without the language barrier being a problem. Don’t expect English fluency everywhere, and we always believe it’s respectful to try and learn a little bit of the local language. However, you’ll have no problems if you don’t speak Spanish.”
Jerrard adds, “Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for solo female travelers. Tourism is a huge part of the Costa Rican economy, ecotourism specifically, so everything is easy for international travelers. There’s a very strong tourism infrastructure, and everyone is extremely welcoming and friendly. For instance US Dollars are accepted everywhere, so you don’t need to worry about things like exchanging currency, and the experiences here are all based around the outdoors and nature, which means it’s a very chill, laid back lifestyle, and nobody cares about what you look like, so you don’t need a lot of clothes.”
Safe Solo Travel In Costa Rica
Of course, safety is always a concern for female solo travelers. According to the Solo Female Travelers Safety Index, which ranks countries on their safety for women based on real time data and direct reviews, Costa Rica is among the safest countries in the world for things that matter specifically to women. The index considers the U.S. and U.K. travel advisory ratings, the Global Peace Index, risk of theft and harassment for women, attitudes towards women and risk of scam. It also has reviews from women who have recently traveled to the country with their thoughts and experiences on traveling there alone.
Meeting Locals While Traveling Solo In Costa Rica
Want to meet the locals? Jerrard says, “Don’t be afraid to start a conversation, even if they only speak very minimal English. Local Costa Ricans and international travelers here alike are very friendly and welcoming, and always genuinely interested in having a conversation and saying hello. While there may not be a huge level of fluency in English among the local population, they tend to always know a little and will genuinely engage with you if you give it a go. Approach with a smile and say hello.”
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Tara Cappel, founder of FTLO Travel, a group travel company for solo travelers in their 20s and 30s, says that Costa Rica is a fantastic choice for female travelers wanting to dip their toe into solo travel. “As a destination, Costa Rica offers a wide range of experiences, so travelers will have many options to fill their time,” she explains. “Additionally, the country is considered one of the safest in Central America and has a well-established tourism industry so there are plenty of organized activities and tours from reputable providers that solo travelers can join.”
If you’re brand new to solo travel, she recommends looking into a group tour for solo travelers or sticking to one of the more established coastal towns like Tamarindo, Nosara or Santa Theresa. She adds, “If you go on your own, pre-book a couple of activities or day trips to add some structure to your time. This can also help you meet other travelers who may end up becoming new friends you can hang or travel with. I recommend always reading recent reviews of tour and activity providers before booking.”
Costa Rica is one of the top countries for solo travelers with 29.9% of visitors traveling alone according to the latest statistics from the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT). It is also considered a very safe country. The Global Peace Index 2020 has ranked Costa Rica as the most peaceful country in Latin America. Additionally, Costa Ricans pride themselves on welcoming and looking after their visitors.
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The Costa Rican Tourism Board recognizes the unique danger to traveling solo as a woman, and has implemented certain measures to create an environment that is welcoming and responsive. The ICT, in partnership with the National Institute of Women and the National Tourism Security Commission, launched the RED SOFIA program to promote gender equality in the tourism industry, eradicate and prevent violence against women and create safer environments for solo travelers in Costa Rica.
Pedro Belmar, General Manager of Hotel Belmar in Monteverde says, “Costa Rica has always been known as a destination for wellness, and as the wellness trend has evolved into more than just about spa treatments, we have seen a steady increase in solo female travelers. Hotel Belmar is located in a safe area, and with so many nature-based wellness experiences offered onsite, on our farm and at our nature reserve, we make it easy for women to relax and focus on self-care. From the very beginning Hotel Bemar has always provided a safe environment for women travelers. We strongly believe that women should feel safe while traveling by themselves, and our hotel is in the process of joining RED SOFIA.”
Becca Forward, Chief of Staff at Silvestre Nosara Hotel & Residences, adds, “Costa Ricans are some of the most generous and welcoming people I have met, making it a fantastic travel destination for solo female travelers. Everyone is helpful, accommodating and friendly which makes for a very comfortable travel experience while on your own.”
Must See Destinations
No visit to Costa Rica is complete without seeing its attractions. Corcovado National Park located at Costa Rica’s remote southeast corner, is one of Central America’s most unique ecosystems, with shallow lagoons, marshes and mangrove swamps, as well as rivers, wet forest and low-altitude cloud forest. There are 46 kilometers of sandy beaches to explore. Wildlife viewing is stellar, including scarlet macaws, tapirs, jaguars and crocodiles. Hiking in the Corcovado National park is a perfect activity for solo travelers who enjoy staying active, although it is necessary to enter with an authorized guide.
Carara National Park offers fully inclusive tourism with a universal access path allowing for ready access for those with physical disabilities. This park is a birdwatchers’ paradise, with parrots, toucans and fiery-billed aracari as well as the prized scarlet macaw. The park is also home to diverse types of monkeys, including capuchin, spider and howler. Caño Island Biological Reserve, a spectacular marine biological reserve, is the ideal place for lovers of the beach and the sea. It is a must for solo travelers seeking sea kayaking, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. This reserve contains the most extensive coral reef formations of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. It is also an occasional home to humpback whales.
The quaint village of Manzanillo is a Caribbean paradise immersed in the jungle of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Mixed Wildlife Refuge. Manzanillo is the ideal place to get away from the crowds and have an authentic experience. This protected area includes ecosystems such as tropical rainforests, swamps and lagoons, as well as coral reefs and beds of undersea plants. It is home to species such as sloths, monkeys, pumas and endangered animals including sea turtles and manatees.
Santa Ana is the perfect town for travelers who want to explore the urban side of Costa Rica. Located in the San José province in the Central Valley, this little town is home to some fantastic traditional Costa Rican cuisine and a bustling nightlife. Santa Ana is a tourist destination growing in popularity and is known for its production of ceramics decorated with mineral-based patterns and images — an ideal place to pick up quality souvenirs. Santa Ana also houses the Santa Ana Agricultural Technology History Museum.
Pamela Holt, Host of “Me, Myself & The World: The Art of Solo Travel” on GoTraveler and Amazon Prime Video, says, “Costa Rica is an excellent destination for solo female travelers for its vibrant mix of adventure and relaxation. There are ample opportunities for surfing the perfect waves, ziplining through the treetops and unwinding at yoga retreats. There is a diverse community of travelers, eco-tourism spots to explore and all the rejuvenating, yet affordable, downtime you could want. Costa Rica is the type of destination where every traveler, especially women on their own, can find something thrilling and new while feeling safe and welcome.”
Original article published at Forbes.com.
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