Last Updated on October 2, 2023
For a woman on a budget traveling alone, there are many things to do in Costa Rica…
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
By Carla Marie Rupp
Many travelers to South America head for such household names as the Galapagos, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon.
Unwittingly, en route there they pass Costa Rica, a phenomenal country with many things to do for many travelers. And it’s an especially welcoming place for those on a budget, ever more so for a female solo traveler.
But first of all, just where is Costa Rica? In Central America between Nicaragua and Panama, it’s a Latin American country at peace. It’s also where you meet travelers from all over the world and find friendly locals who welcome you. (See the map of Costa Rica below).
It’s a safe place to travel, so on my Costa Rican adventure I went budget. Leaving the big city of San Jose, I went to small, fun towns I heard about along the way.
Costa Rica is fine for solo traveling but you need to keep your wits about you, as anywhere. Still though, surprises and amazing moments await at nearly every turn.
Airports in Costa Rica
The airports in Costa Rica are Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) in San José, and Liberia Airport (LIR) in Guancaste. Both airports accept international flights.
I started my solo travel in lively San Jose (see the map of Costa Rica below), where my lodging reference had come from a friend. I spent a few days there before moving on to four or five smaller, easy-to-like, lovely and friendly towns.
A few days there was a good introduction to the country since it gave me an understanding of the beautiful Costa Rican urban culture and its special Latin and international flavor. I strolled about the city visiting its museums (there’s even a museum for gold) and lingering in coffee shops watching people strolling every which way, just absorbing the culture.
Map of Costa Rica: Where to Go
This map of Costa Rica depicts the tour taken by the author by public bus. It is interactive; press +/- to enlarge it or make it smaller. It can also be viewed, and the route followed, on your smartphone.
Things to Do in Costa Rica
After a few days I decided to move on to some little towns out in the country. Solo travel, in Costa Rica or anywhere, allows you not to be tied to a rigid schedule. My travel adrenaline was in high gear and and I soon found there are many things to do in Costa Rica, no matter what your interest. I was loving every minute of it, just serendipitously finding things to do.
I usually took public bus transportation (the map of Costa Rica shows the bus routes taken) although tour vans can be purchased for more money. Also, I walked a lot and traveled without hotel reservations, finding rooms as I went.
I found that sometimes the low-cost little hotels have their touts who surround you as you get off the bus. But I learned to give them a chance and they worked out fine. Some even peddled low-cost tours to jungles, horseback riding, spas and trips to waterfalls, and volcanoes.
Cute Montezuma
After a bus ride from San Jose, I arrived in cute Montezuma, a town full of galleries and little shops. In one shop I found a perfect, cool traveling dress and some shirts I couldn’t resist buying.
I never wanted to leave this small town since it was filled with fun-loving people of all ages. There was so much to do here, including horseback riding on the beautiful beach. Some restaurants even offered movies in the evening, and I enjoyed relaxing in one that did. In the mornings I would have breakfast at a favorite cozy cafe. There I would sit on the deck and watch the monkeys play in the tropical trees.
Other adventures included several boat trips, and one a day-trip to an island with, of course, swimming on a pristine little beach and eating a delicious fish lunch. Another time I took a speedboat (unfortunately) to another town and beach near Jaco Beach across the way.
I soon found a resort with a great brunch and took in more of the seashore. In the water, a few Costa Rican families chatted with me, sharing their holiday experiences. We took pictures of each other.
Things to Do In Costa Rica
Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or in a group, I don’t think visitors ought to leave Costa Rica without hiking in the forest. I, for one, couldn’t resist the combination of beach, butterflies, bird watching and lush jungle vegetation, and when I learned about Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park I had to go there for at least a few days.
Quepos turned out to be the most economical town for finding a little guesthouse (perfect for a solo traveler) near the beach and Cost Rica’s national park. I loved my sweet room, strolling around the town, which is known for its sport fishing and plenty of friendly people. It’s even a great spot for finding gelato of all kinds!
The world-known Manuel Antonio National Park is only a short public bus ride away from town. I blissfully enjoyed everything the park had to offer, including its amazing blue butterflies and the spectacular landscapes in the forest and on the beach.
I admired the European bird-watchers who had traveled here with all their gear. They were in heaven and they even let me view some birds through their lenses, a thrilling experience.
Zip-Lining Through the Jungle
Today in the forests and jungles around the world zip-line canopy trips – “flying through the trees” from platform to platform above the canopy of the forest – are very popular and I did a number of them around Costa Rica.
When I first tried it in Quepos I hardly knew what it was, except that it was something I’d be brave enough to try. I totally loved the canopy ride since it made me feel so alive, and the tour included picking me up at my little budget low-rise hotel. There are also trips across the jungle in ski-lift type chairs.
La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano
Finally, it was on to the town of La Fortuna, famous for its view of the Arenal Volcano, which I endlessly enjoyed looking at, even at sunset. As a woman traveling solo in Costa Rica, I found it to be a fun town to walk around, meet new people, and take lots of tours. If you go, don’t miss the spa just outside the town with the hot springs soaking pools.
I ended up staying longer in La Fortuna to experience more walks into the jungle since I loved looking at all the wildlife. (I even admired the beauty of cows in a field on one nature tour, I was delighting in the animals so much.)
The sightings of iguanas provided even more exotic enjoyment. A walk to a waterfalls and horseback riding (and you guessed it, another canopy zip-lining ride) completed my visit here before moving on.
In Playa Hermosa Guancaste (there are actually two Playa Hermosa towns), I was just walking along a lovely stretch of beach and signed up for a snorkeling trip on a boat. What a dream time it was, a fantastic trip with others laughing and joking. Plus I saw plenty of pretty, colorful tropical fish and was able to explore a little island we visited. There’s also some good diving there.
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Making Friends
I made friends with several different Americans and a Canadian who stayed and made lives for themselves in this pleasant part of Costa Rica, opening a dive shop (I took a refresher course!), a hotel, and a restaurant. If you’re a solo traveler in Costa Rica it’s worth visiting the area and relaxing on the rarely crowded beach.
Seeing the spectacular sunset gave me one of my last memorable views of a country I’d come to love after having a travel adventure in Costa Rica, so easily taken solo as I did. Costa Rica can be a paradise of pleasure in sports, hiking, taking joy in wildlife and fauna and meeting people.
Being there made me feel so alive. I’ll certainly go back one day – and fly through the air again on another canopy ride! Costa Rica, I miss you…especially the small towns I shared with the enchanting attractions all around them.
beautiful descriptions! photos are awe-inspiring, as well ….
Donna
Thank you very much Donna for your compliments on my writing! What I wrote is all true…and being there is even better. You’ll write home and your loved ones will praise your descriptions, too.
Wonderful writing as always Carla! I would love to see costa Rica “some day” although after reading your story I feel like I just went there.
Thanks for such a great story.
I always feel like I am with you as you travel these exotic places.
Maybe someday?
That would be great to meet and travel!
Thanks Donna and Candace for the compliments on the article. I enjoyed writing it so much, and Jim Ferri, the editor, is great with photos, too.
Sounds like a great adventure. You make it sound so inviting. Never wanted to go to Costa Rico before now!
Glad you want to go to Costa Rica now after reading my story!
How long were you there for? I have never traveled out of the country by myself and I am trying to find time around Christmas!
I stayed for several weeks. I hope you have a really good time when you go to Costa Rica! Best wishes.
I am going in March alone. Nice to read a story that does not dwell on the “don’t walk at night” part of CR.
My problem is I don’t want to take local buses but I can’t find transportation to some locations unless you are two or more travelers.
I have to admit I took some local buses, which were very inexpensive. The first local bus I took was in San Jose, and you need to keep watch on your belongings for sure. It was interesting stopping in the little towns to see people get on and off. I also noticed there are tourist vans as well for visitors to the country.
Hello!
I’m thinking about going to Costa Rica this April alone. I’m a single girl and I want to know if you felt safe? Also, where do recommend me staying? And please provide any other tips. Thanks!
Hi!
Just reading the thread, did you ever get to Costa Rica? Im planning on going alone in January, my first real travelling experience.
Am i going to be able to cut it alone? An English girl in Costa Rica. Thanks 🙂
I just read this as well, and also traveling to Costa Rica in January…. My first solo international trip, very excited.
I’ll be going solo in January as well
I am traveling in January solo as well. I am very excited. Maybe our paths will all cross? lol
Same! January 😀
I’ll be going in January for a month. Spending a week in San Jose since so many tours pick up from there. Though I’ll try to be brave enough to take a bus and explore like the writer did.
Yes! Maybe! January 12-23
Still going??!
I hope this trip turned out great for you!
I really enjoyed your article!
I’ve been to Costa Rica, also. I visited some of the same places you went to: San Jose, of course; La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano, including Tabacon Springs; Montezuma — the best!
I hope to return there and produce a short “travel video” of the experience. I’m also just beginning to create a WordPress blog site, which is how I (somehow) found your article.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you very much for finding me and this story. Good luck in your excellent work, too!
LOVE this article. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I’m heading solo to Costa Rica this summer and am SO excited. I’d love if you could share names/addresses/contact info of the places your lodged at throughout the country. Seems like you found some really special places!
I am leaving for CR towards end of Feb. and am also traveling alone. I’m thinking of starting off the trip with Envision Festival then staying for bal of 90 days backpacking around the country.
I find this really helpful! I just found out my friend might not be able to travel with me to Costa Rica and I’ve never traveled alone before and was feeling quite freaked out and scared but this gave me hope and made me excited for my journey to come!
I’m leaving in like a week and ending with envision 0.o
I am travelling solo to San Jose CR this weekend and have found all of this information to be extremely helpful and informative. I look forward to sharing my adventures upon my return.
Have a great trip, Danielle! I’d like to hear about your adventures when you return.
I look forward as well.
I am 21 years old & am going March 7. I’ll be doing a 1 week volunteer program in San Jose, then i want to backpack around. I definitely want to go to Montezuma, I have been there before but always with family. I want to go to other nearby places like that as well. How did you set up and plan how to get from place to place? Where are all of the places that you went to?
I need help figuring this out, its alot to think about and plan on my own.
Hi Gabbi,
I’ll try to track down Carla Marie Rupp, the author of the article, and ask if she could answer your questions. I’m certain you’re going to have great and exciting trip!
Jim
I’m happy to start with advice. Ask your family if possible since you went with them before. The Costa Rican Tourism Board would be helpful. I didn’t book ahead in these small towns. I just walked around and picked a place. That’s part of the excitement. You will make new friends along the way; just trust your instincts! I stayed in mostly family-run places that are more budget if you get them when you arrive in the towns mentioned. Good luck and write again. Your adventure will be yours!
Yeah i was planning on just going with the flow- How did you get from city to city? Did you take a boat or bus or did you fly to the peninsula that Montezuma is on? Im not planning on booking anything before hand, I was just going to pick a place and go but i dont know what the best way to go about it is. When i go with family we usually stay at a house that is on the beach in the middle of nowhere. So this will be very different.
Just come back. From. Costa. Rica great place felt very. Safe solo female the locals were very respectful towards. Woman would go back. Again
Hello,
I really loved how you described your trip! I am thinking of going there by myself as well.
My only concern: is it safe for a girl to go there alone?
Thanks a lot 🙂
Hi Laya, did you end up going by yourself? If so, how was it? Did you feel safe? I’m going there alone in August and am worried about safety – but I hope it will be worth it 🙂
If you want to go to Costa Rica have 6 days want to do snorkeling , enjoy the jungle with monkeys and river … being away from City but close enough to restaurant and beach… where would your stay?
I hope you go to Costa Rica and let me know about it! Very happy to hear from you.