Is Puerto Viejo safe in 2023?
Puerto Viejo has its safety challenges for solo female travelers, there is no doubt. But that is no reason to miss this enchanting place! This guide covers everything I wish I knew before coming to Puerto Viejo. I spent a secure and exhilarating month here in October 2023. With these precautions in mind, your adventure will be both safe and empowering!
Should I go to Puerto Viejo?
Yes! Puerto Viejo’s turquoise waters and emerald jungle hold a certain magic. It is ideal for those seeking good surf, rowdy nightlife or even a healing wellness experience. Puerto Viejo is the embodiment of the pura vida lifestyle, with a laid-back feel.
Many travelers return to Puerto Viejo time and time again, some even choosing to live here for part of the year! The magic of this place has a way of drawing people in.
Is Puerto Viejo a party town?
You can find a rowdy party in Puerto Viejo! Dance-y bars Salsa Brava, Johnny’s Place and Chaman Mercadito are the best places to go out. After 10:30pm to 11:00pm, these places start to get really packed. The crowd is mostly locals and backpackers.
Salsa Brava and Johnny’s Place have more of a beach bar feel while Chaman Mercadito is slightly more upscale. The music at all three is a mix of afrobeat, reggae and reggaeton.
Also, you can easily avoid the party scene all-together if its not your speed! Puerto Viejo is so much more than a party town.
How to get to Puerto Viejo?
Car
Driving from capital-city San Jose to Puerto Viejo takes about four hours on a good day. The roads are generally in good condition and drivers are not typically very aggressive. However, there is only one road. This means that the drive can be extended to as long as eight hours if there is there is an accident or mudslide that covers the road.
Shuttle Service
A shuttle service from San Jose to Puerto Viejo will set you back about $60 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 —
MEPE Bus
I took the government-owned MEPE bus, which set me back ₡8,000 colones or $15 USD. It took about 5 hours. There was one stop in Limón, where passengers could use the bathroom. You can’t buy tickets online, but there was plenty of space. I bought the ticket at the San Jose bus stop just minutes before my bus departed.
Plane
There are small charter flights that go from San Jose to Limón, which is about 45 minutes drive north of Puerto Viejo. They will set you back around $100 and take around an hour from takeoff to touchdown.
Is Puerto Viejo safe for solo female travelers?
Puerto Viejo can be very safe for solo female travelers. However, there are some serious safety risks solo female travelers should keep in mind such as petty theft, robbery at gunpoint, or even cases of sexual assault. Knowing which walking paths to take, how long to stay out and where to stay will help solo female travelers stay safe while visiting beautiful Puerto Viejo.
Is Puerto Viejo a good for new solo female travelers?
Puerto Viejo is beginner-friendly. People are kind, fellow travelers are friendly, and the natural beauty is unparalleled. Especially if you have a car, the area is really easy to navigate. Knowing a few tips and tricks ahead of time allows new solo female travelers to feel safer while navigating the area.
The area holds a certain magic that makes it ideal for self exploration, cultural expansion and deep reflections on one’s own life. These elements make it ideal for solo female travelers looking for a journey of self discovery.
Puerto Viejo Safety Overview
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 Puerto Viejo, which bodes well for the city’s standing that it was not singled out as a crime hotspot. However, Puerto Viejo has seen an increase in crime in the past few years.
What Do Statistics Say?
Robbery rose 80% from 2021 to 2022. A big jump! This can be felt throughout the city, as many locals claim the city has become much more dangerous.
According to Numbeo’s online surveys, locals are primarily concerned about home break-ins with every participant marking it as a concern. The second-highest safety concern was with people using or dealing drugs, with 90% of responders flagging it as a common occurrence.
What Solo Female Travelers Should Expect
Is there catcalling in Puerto Viejo?
Unwanted comments are a daily occurrence in Puerto Viejo. Idle men often call out to you, commenting on your appearance. In my experience, this commenting rarely escalates into following women home or propositions. In some cases, the comments are not always sexual. Men often warn groups of women to “be careful” while walking around at night.
Is Puerto Viejo safe to walk at night?
Personally, I walk around downtown after dark. Just never alone. Larger groups are the best way to ensure your safety. If you are alone, I highly recommend calling a Tuk Tuk to port you where you need to go. Ask your hotel, hostel, or AirBnb host to recommend a trusted Tuk Tuk driver.
Where to stay as a solo female traveler?
Puerto Viejo is full of stunning hotels, sweet AirBnbs, and youthful hostels. For solo travelers, I always like to recommend shared living spaces that foster a strong sense of community: such as adult-only hotels or co-living spaces.
Hotel recommendations have been vetted for 24/7 security guards, respectful staff, and no recent safety incidents.
Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel – $$$
A visually-stunning smaller hotel with a close-knit feel. This beachfront hotel has wellness offerings and exercise classes, which makes it the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway.
Hotel Banana Azul – $$
This adult-only hotel is luxury at its finest. With a variety of themed rooms, a stunning pool, and an adjacent beach club, you have everything you need on-site.
La Tribu Hostel – $
This women’s-only hostel offers an escape from masculine energy. La Tribu is elevated, with a stunningly modern common space. The dormitory-style accommodations allow solo female travelers the east to make friends quickly.
Selena Puerto Viejo – $
My favorite hostel chain, Selena, has a place in Puerto Viejo. 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 Cocles Beach, the most beautiful in Puerto Viejo in my opinion.
Can solo female travelers easily make friends in Puerto Viejo?
I have met lifelong friends in Puerto Viejo. Quite a few solo female travelers make their way to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, making it the perfect for making friends. The best way to do so is through shared activities.
Activities In Puerto Viejo to Meet Friends —
- Spiritual retreats
- Dance classes
- Yoga retreats
- River rafting
- Fire dancing
- Volleyball
- Surfing
How to Navigate Puerto Viejo’s Party Scene Alone
Find Friends
Making friends is not just fun. It can be a safety mechanism. There is power in numbers and the more people you have looking out for you, the better.
In my experience, it is best to make friends at daytime activities. Then, go out dancing all together. This ensures that you get to know the person before agreeing to spend the evening together. Making friends while out is possible, but just a tad harder with the loud music.
Romantic Expectations
Puerto Viejo is the perfect backdrop for a vacation romance! Follow these guidelines to stay safe while pursuing a connection in Puerto Viejo —
- Don’t go home with anyone unless you want a sexual encounter. In many cultures, sex is an unspoken expectation when both parties agree to moving to a private location — especially in the nightclub scene. So if you don’t want anything physical, insist on staying in public.
- Don’t let them pay for everything. Some men view footing the bill as a debt to be paid later. Leading to unwanted advances later on. Careful with who you accept generosity from, there may be strings attached.
- Keep sexual health in mind. If you think there is even a small chance you’ll be having sex, be sure to buy condoms ahead of your trip. Being prepared is better than being pregnant!
Maintain Awareness
Shootouts occasionally happen. Bars and restaurants are prime locations for a dispute to break out. A dispute between multiple parties will lead to guns being used in bars and restaurants. In May 2022, a woman bystander was hurt during a targeted shootout in a restaurant in Puerto Viejo.
Being aware of your surroundings is crucial in life or death situations. When you enter an establishment, note all the potential exits. Note anybody that seems sketchy. Immediately leave the establishment if you notice that someone is carrying a firearm or other type of weapon.
How To Get Around
Rental Car
Having a car in Puerto Viejo makes exploring a lot easier. You’ll be able to visit natural waterfalls, nearby beach towns and have access to better hiking trails. The only downside is that traffic in the town center can get backed up for thirty minutes to an hour, leaving those with cars not much choice but to wait it out.
Tuk Tuk
Though technically illegal, Tuk Tuks are commonly used in Puerto Viejo. They are small enough to weave in and out of traffic, getting around quicker than cars in some cases. Always call a trusted Tuk Tuk driver and ask the price of the fare before departing.
A guide for Tuk Tuk prices —
- From Puerto Viejo to Cocles Beach: ₡2,000 colones or $3.75 USD
- From Puerto Viejo to Punta Uva: $4,000 colones or $7.50 USD
- Anywhere within Puerto Viejo: ₡1,000 colones or $1.80 USD
Bike
Bikes are a wonderful way to get around, if you have the stamina. Bikes and cars often share the road. This can be dangerous for bikers as cars sometimes like to cut corners. Friends have also reported increased catcalling while on their bikes, likely due to the shorter encounter.
Bike rentals shouldn’t set you back more than ₡5,000 colones or just under $10 per day.
Walking
You can easily walk town center! There are no sidewalks, but most walk along the edges of the street. The street area can be chaotic with cars and bikes and Tuk Tuks all getting around so be alert!
Puerto Viejo also has a stunning walking path connecting to Cocles beach that runs along the water. This is stunning during the day! But, there have been robberies at night so avoid this path after dark. The entrance is just beyond the bar Salsa Brava.
Beach Safety
Are there riptides in Puerto Viejo?
Cocles Beach and Manzanillo Beach both have dangerous riptides according to the U.S. State Department. I have felt it firsthand. The current was so strong, but I wasn’t moving anywhere for minutes on end while on Cocles beach.
Most beaches have lifeguards. But they only patrol a small sliver of the beach. My advice is to swim directly in front of the lifeguard station.
Is theft common on the beach in Puerto Viejo?
Robberies occasionally happen on beaches near Puerto Viejo. Never leave your belongings out of sight. If possible, always have someone guarding your things on public beaches. This is the same for swimming holes, waterfalls and the like.
Are Puerto Viejo beaches safe after dark?
It depends, populated beaches like Cocles can be safe after dark. People congregate on Sundays to watch fire dancers, eat dinner or even just continue their beach day into the night. But other days, Cocles can be bare of people. In these cases, I would not recommend being on the beach alone after dark.
Other nearby beaches like Punta Uva and Manzanillo clear out after dark most days. You don’t want to be caught there alone. A rule of thumb is to stay around a crowd of people
Conclusion
Puerto Viejo is ideal for solo female travelers. There are a few key safety concerns, which can be decreased by avoiding certain behaviors. But overall, women should visit Puerto Viejo if they feel pulled to it or to Costa Rica.