Costa Rica Named to Top 5 Safest Destinations for Women
In its July special report called Women’s Travel, www.smarter… SmarterTrav… named Amsterdam, Ireland, Costa Rica, India and Vietnam as the safest places for women to travel. According to the report, “Women are the leading consumers in the travel market. Now women, young and old alike, are forging their independence, trying out new activities, and gaining a stronger sense of self through travel. Not coincidently, women-only tours and travel experiences are on the rise.” According to the web site, women-only tours are popular for several reasons:
- It’s a great way try out challenging activities in a non-competitive environment
- It’s a safe and affordable choice for women traveling by themselves:
- It’s a way to celebrate milestones and rejuvenate after major life events
- There’s a special type of bonding that takes place in women-only groups
- You get to focus on yourself, not your family or work.
In the report was a an article entitled: ” The best (and worst) destinations for women worldwide” The article started with a disclaimer that “as avid travelers, it’s hard for either of us to say which countries are *good* or *bad* for women to visit… since so much of traveling is what you put into it. For every horror story, there’s one of jubilation and acceptance”In the first part of the article, staffer Jessica Labrencis outlines five places that have a reputation for being women-friendly, while in the second, RaeJean Stokes looks at five regions where women should use extra caution. This is by no means a finite list, as terrible things can happen in safe places all over the world, and vice versa.
Jessica Labrencis stated that ” In every part of the world, there are cities and countries that are safe for women to visit. In compiling a list of destinations, I spoke with several women’s travel experts about their favorite places, and spotlight some of their recommendations here. Although the destinations I detail are generally considered safe, remember that there are risks wherever you go. Even when you’re in a *safe* place, it’s important not to let your guard down and always use common sense as you’re sightseeing, shopping, and dining. Following is the Cost Rica portion of the article.
Costa Rica
Much of Latin America has a bad reputation as being unsafe for women, with tales of “forward” men, pick-pocketing, and harassment prevalent. However, Costa Rica has been increasingly popular with Americans, and it’s considered one of the safest Latin American destinations, particularly outside of San Jose, the capital.
Editor-in-Chief of travelgirl magazine, Stephanie Oswald, recommends Costa Rica based on two visits to the country. Before she and a girlfriend left for Costa Rica on one of her trips, other friends were concerned about the two women traveling without other companions. But the trip went smoothly, with Oswald and her friend driving both the city streets of Quepos and unpaved, mountainous roads to Monteverde, without incident.
Oswald says that she found the locals to be friendly, and had a particularly positive experience that might have turned out differently in another country. At a restroom stop, Oswald left her wallet behind, complete with at least $100 and her passport. When she contacted the U.S. Embassy, the wallet had already been returned and the person who returned it also included a small handcrafted wall hanging. “I have it hanging in my kitchen to remind me of how nice the people are,” Oswald says.
Costa Ricans have adopted the motto “pura vida” or “pure life,” which has various meanings, but roughly translates to “living the good life.” Many locals with this attitude seem very laid-back, and go out of their way to help visitors. In April 2005, I had several positive experiences with locals, and one in particular has stayed in my memory. In La Fortuna, as my friend and I descended a steep hill on a hot day, a man in a pick-up truck pulled over and offered us a ride. In the U.S., I never would have accepted the ride, but I felt so safe in Costa Rica that I hopped in. The man dropped us off a few blocks from our hotel with a wave.
Costa Rica is also a good destination for women on a budget. Comfortable, safe accommodations are available for less than $40 per night, and Costa Rica has plenty of ecotourism and luxury accommodations as well. Shared vans shuttle small groups of tourists around the country so you don’t have to rely on public buses or a rental car.