La Fortuna is very safe for solo female travelers. There are some reports of petty theft and hiking prices for tourists. But, there are no reports of life-threatening incidents impacting solo female travelers.
Safety Overview
Is La Fortuna safe in 2023?
La Fortuna is a very safe town overall. It has a strong security presence, due to the high degree of tourists. I spent a week in the majestic mountain town and it is one of the places I have felt the safest in Costa Rica.
Pro Tip: While La Fortuna is generally safe, its still smart to pack travel safety essentials. My favorite is the Birdie Personal Safety Alarm!
What does the U.S. Department of State say?
The U.S. State Department has labeled Costa Rica as Level Two “Exercise Increased Caution.” It is in good company, other countries with the same rating include the United Kingdom and Germany. The State Department warns that, “travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime.”
The State Department website does not specifically mention La Fortuna. This is a good sign, it means the city was not singled out as a crime hotspot.
What areas of La Fortuna are the safest?
The safest option is to stay in a resort hotel, such as Tabacón. Resort security is a force. Many have multiple guards stationed 24/7, cameras to ensure good behavior, and serious protocols for guest safety.
For those looking for a more local experience, stay in the city center. Anywhere around La Fortuna Park should be relatively safe to walk around. I felt comfortable exploring the town alone during the day.
I personally would not stray more than two blocks away from the city center alone. I also wouldn’t go down side streets or alleyways as there have been reports of theft.
Where should women travelers stay in La Fortuna?
La Fortuna’s hotels are stunningly beautiful. Hotel recommendations have been vetted for 24/7 security guards, reports of respectful staff, and no recent safety incidents.
Tabacón – $$$
Tabacón is the definition of luxury. With its in-hotel spa, multiple room offerings and private hot springs, Tabacón is ideal for travelers looking for serious relaxation. There are multiple security guards on-site, including on pathways nearby the hotel.
Suwa Villa – $$
Suwa Villa is a great option for La Fortuna’s hotels. It is a sweet boutique hotel near downtown. There are four rooms and a comfy common space that is perfect for meeting fellow travelers.
Selina La Fortuna – $
My favorite hostel chain, Selena, has a place in La Fortuna. Women have the option of a female-only dorm, mixed-bed dorm or a slightly more expensive private room. It is just a five minute walk from the downtown area. They also offers several experiences such as zip-lining and waterfall excursions.
How to get from San Jose to La Fortuna?
Travelers can either take a car, the bus or a shared shuttle from capital-city San Jose to La Fortuna.
Car
Driving from San Jose to La Fortuna can be rocky journey. This is mostly due to potholes and unfinished streets. Stretches of road are very windy and the middle divider is not well marked. This can lead to car crashes as drivers try to cut corners. It is best to avoid moving into oncoming traffic and to be especially careful during the rain.
Bus
I took a bus, which set me back ₡10,000 colones or $18.80 USD. It took about 5 hours. Once you reach La Fortuna, you can safely walk the block distance to the La Fortuna Park. Most hostels and hotels are around the perimeter of the park.
The only direct bus leaves the 7-10 terminal in San Jose at 8:30 am. But you can also take the hourly bus to San Carlos and then switch buses to La Fortuna. You can’t buy tickets online, but it is easy to pick up a ticket once at the bus terminal.
Shuttle Service
A shuttle service will set you back about $70 USD. It is convenient, picking you up directly from the airport or your hotel. Because there are multiple people on the shuttle, the journey may take a little while longer as everyone is picked up in different locations. On these shuttles, you can request a bathroom break or stop for snacks.
Some companies I have had success with include —
Is La Fortuna worth visiting?
If you like outdoorsy activities like river rafting, exploring hot springs, and trekking up volcanos then La Fortuna is the place for you. It is a stunning mountainous area that offers a reprieve from Costa Rica’s beach towns. However, if you’ve come to Costa Rica purely for surf and sand, I would skip La Fortuna as it does not have large bodies of water.
Is La Fortuna a party town?
La Fortuna is not a party town. Travelers wake up early to scale mountains or river raft. So, nightlife is limited. For those looking to party, both Magma Club or Charlie’s have great latin dancing on the weekends. But the clubs are not packed like other parts of Costa Rica. For the most part, people do not visit La Fortuna to party.
What Solo Female Travelers Should Expect
Is La Fortuna safe for solo female travelers?
La Fortuna is overwhelmingly safe for solo female travelers. Occasionally, there are reports of petty theft and scams. But overall, these instances are rare and do not pose physical harm to women who are traveling alone. Rather, they are somewhat of an inconvenience.
In fact, the only online reports I found of tourists being in trouble with the law in La Fortuna were instances of tourists attempting to steal sloths. It goes without saying: leave the wildlife alone.
Is it safe for new solo female travelers?
La Fortuna is perfect for women who are new to traveling alone. It is both safe and walkable! It is also a great for meeting other solo female travelers. Overall, I highly recommend the town (and Costa Rica in general) for women who are new to traveling alone.
Is there catcalling?
I did not get catcalled once.But, locals and foreigners reported the rare catcalling incident but overall there was far less catcalling in La Fortuna than there was in other parts of the country such as Puerto Viejo or Santa Teresa.
I did receive some stares and funny looks. But, I chalk that up to my long skirts being out of typical Costa Rican fashion. Most locals don’t bat an eye at tourists.
Is La Fortuna safe to walk at night?
I felt safe walking short distances in La Fortuna alone after dark. My main trip was to the grocery store and pharmacy on the corner from my hostel. I felt safe making that journey anytime before 10pm. That being said, I would not recommend walking long distances after dark.
Taking an Uber or taxi is much preferred, especially if alone.
Can travelers easily make friends in La Fortuna?
La Fortuna is a magnet for people who love outdoors activities and a slower pace of life. Sound like you? You’ll find your people here! Group activities such as zip-lining, chocolate tasting, and chasing waterfalls offer a great opportunity to meet new friends.
Oftentimes, people are traveling alone and are willing to grab dinner or a drink after the excursion. La Fortuna draws people from all over the world, but most can at least hold a conversation in English.
How safe are zip lines?
Tour operators take risks. Don’t let those risks cost you your life. When zip-lining, bungee jumping or participating in any similar adventure activities, take note of the safety precautions.
Ask about the materials used. Steel wire or synthetic fibers are the safest options. You should always be in a harness and helmet while participating in the activity. The U.S. Overseas Advisory Council warns to carry identification and always warn others of your location when doing these adventure activities. I would go a step further and say to give tour operators your emergency contact.
Do I need to worry about the volcano?
Keep an eye on volcanic alerts. La Fortuna is in the shadow of the Arenal volcano, which is active. The last time there was a serious eruption was in 2010, so the city remains fairly safe.
Be sure to check Costa Rica’s volcanic activity meter before your trip to La Fortuna. Just to be safe!
Conclusion
Women who love outdoors activities, the jungle, or even just relaxing in hot springs should not let safety concerns keep them from La Fortuna. Overall, I highly recommend visiting the gorgeous mountain town.
Visiting other areas of Costa Rica? Check out our Central America guides, which includes how to navigate the more dangerous Puerto Viejo.