All The Tips You Need For Solo Female Travel In Puerto Viejo

So you’re ready to plan your trip to Costa Rica. First of all, great choice. It’s a very popular destination for solo female travel and am amazing place to unwind and connect with nature. However, it’s not without problems and there are some things you need to be aware of. Here’s my guide on solo female travel in Puerto Viejo with practical tips to help you prepare for a fun (and safe) vacation.

All The Tips You Need For Solo Female Travel In Puerto Viejo

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Emergency numbers for Costa Rica

Any emergency: 911

Basic solo female travel safety tips

Here’s my guide on solo female travel safety tips, and many of those tips come in handy no matter where you travel.

Now we will cover some solo female travel tips that are specific to Puerto Viejo.

How to get around Puerto Viejo as a solo traveler

It’s very easy to get around Puerto Viejo as a solo female traveler and you have a few options available to you, though there are a few important caveats for safety. Here are some tips for each.

Walk

This was the main way I got around Puerto Viejo because I love to explore on foot when I am traveling.

It was easy to navigate because there’s one main road to follow. I was either walking towards town or Manzanillo which was pretty simple to keep track of.

There weren’t any footpaths on the side of the road and instead you’ll be walking on dirt or gravel type rocky terrain. I thought I’d be wearing sneakers all day but it was way too hot for that. I wore my Luna Sandals most of the time and they were a lifesaver. They were super comfortable, durable, and could go from walking around town to hiking to waterfalls easily.

The most important tip I have for you is to avoid walking at night or early morning when it’s dark, even on beaches. It’s not a safe destination for that and best to simply avoid it.

When you walk during the day, stay aware of your surroundings and walk out in the open.

Cycle

Puerto Viejo is a great spot for cruising and another option is to rent a bike and cycle around.

You’ll find bicycle rentals all around town and most offer a daily and weekly rate. I rented mine from the hotel I was staying at for convenience and it was $9 for the whole day rental and a lock.

You’ll be sharing the road with cars while you’re cycling so just remember to cycle close to the edge of the road so they can pass as needed.

Taxi or Tuk-Tuk

Lastly, you can also get around by taxi or tuk-tuk.

The term ‘taxi’ seemed a little relaxed and much less official compared to many other places – more like someone with a car as opposed to an official taxi business if that makes sense.

This opens up a potential safety issue, particularly for solo female travelers because official taxis aren’t easily recognizable.

My biggest tip is that I don’t recommend getting into random taxis or tuk-tuks. As you walk around town or the beaches, there will be plenty of people waiting by a car and asking if you need a taxi – avoid these.

If you want to use a taxi, stay at a reputable hotel and ask them for a taxi recommendation or get a recommendation from another traveler.

Most restaurants have wi-fi and WhatsApp is commonly used. While you’re out at dinner, you can contact the driver to arrange your pick up.

Catcalling

As I was walking around, I noticed catcalling was quite common and there were plenty of long stares. Nothing too crazy but something to be aware of.

I have a video on how to handle street hassle if you’d like more tips, but basically just keep walking and don’t engage.

Language

Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica, though English is fairly widely spoken.

Most people spoke English or at least a little conversational English, and I was able to get by with that and hand gestures.

It’s a good idea to learn some Spanish phrases before you go. I usually learn a few phrases on my first day in the destination because it’s always been a good way to connect with people who live there. However, it felt like there was an expectation of at least knowing a little Spanish (since most Americans do and I live in America.)

It wasn’t a big deal, but I wish I had been prepared for that expectation.

Be aware of petty crime

Petty crime is fairly common in Puerto Viejo. In terms of how it impacts you as a solo female traveler, you’ll definitely want to take extra precautions to protect yourself, particularly against theft.

I recommended being proactive with your belongings at all times and staying alert and aware of your surroundings.

Here’s a few examples:

• Stay in a reputable hotel and secure your valuables in the room safe before you leave the room.
• Use a bag that cannot easily be pickpocketed and if you use a purse, wear it across your body.
• Don’t leave your bag unattended (e.g. on the floor) when you eat.
• Be discreet with your belongings and aware of what people can see. E.g. are you flashing a wad of cash when you pay for things? Are you flashing expensive camera gear?
• Don’t walk around with your phone or wallet in your back pocket.

Those are fairly common precautions that are a good idea to follow wherever you travel. I also have this guide on how to avoid pickpockets while traveling for more tips.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind that are specific to Puerto Viejo:

• If you are cycling and put your bag in the front basket, secure it to the basket. I used a 10L dry bag as my day bag and clipped it to the basket.
• When you visit the beach, don’t leave your valuables on the sand while you swim because there’s a high chance of theft. A small dry bag like this is a great option so you can swim with your phone, wallet etc.

What to wear in Costa Rica

There’s no specific dress code to follow when visiting Puerto Viejo.

It’s a beachy town so pack your swimsuit, cover ups, dresses, and flip flops. Light, flowy, breathable fabrics are your best friend in the Costa Rican humidity.

In terms of not standing out too much as a solo female traveler, keep it fairly casual. It’s not a place where you need to dress up a lot or wear a lot of makeup or anything like that.

Protect against the elements

Lastly, let’s talk about the other main priority for you as a solo female traveler in Puerto Viejo – the elements.

The heat and humidity is no joke so you’ll want to be proactive about hydration. The great thing is that there are fresh fruit stands on the side of the road all over town. Most sell fresh ice cold coconuts for about $1USD.

Other than that, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. I also try to eat a little more salt when I’m in hot climates and sweating a lot and eat more bananas to help prevent cramping.

There are a lot of mosquitoes so you’ll want to bring some bug spray.

I visited in early May and I noticed a few of the beaches were red flagged while I was there due to strong rip currents. There were still plenty of people swimming each day though. I’d recommend that if you’re not a strong ocean swimmer or comfortable in waves, just stick to the shallower areas.

Where to stay

I stayed at Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel and would absolutely recommend it for solo female travel in Puerto Viejo.

It’s close enough to the center of town that you can get there easily, but far enough away to have some peace and quiet.

I think it’s especially fantastic for solo travelers because:

• It’s a secure hotel with 24 hour staff, in room safe, and security cameras.
• They conveniently offer a range of amazing tours.
• You can chill out with a cocktail at the cool beach club across the road.
• They offer free classes that are fun and a great opportunity to chat to other travelers.
• It’s got a great location with lots to do nearby.

I have a detailed review of the hotel here if you want more information.

One of the pools at Le Cameleon Hotel

Other posts you might enjoy

• The Best Hotel In Puerto Viejo For Solo Travelers – Le Cameleon Review

• How To Book An Incredible Horse Riding Tour In Puerto Viejo

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