San José, Costa Rica
Safe residential area with more local character and less tourist presence. Quieter than Escalante with some good restaurants. Less English but still comfortable if you want something more authentic.
Residential suburb about 2km east of downtown. More local feel than the tourist areas - you'll see families, professionals, and students (it's near the university). Tree-lined streets, peaceful during the day. Some good restaurants like Le Chandelier (French) and Sikwa (indigenous Costa Rican food). Weekends get busier with live music venues that pull younger crowds. Less English spoken than Escalante or Escazú - bring basic Spanish. Safe during the day, reasonably safe at night in commercial areas, but residential streets empty out. It's the middle ground between touristy and purely local - comfortable but you'll need to adapt more.
Daytime Safety
GoodNight Walking Safety
ModerateHarassment Risk
ModeratePublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
ModerateScam Risk
ModeratePolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
GoodEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
GoodDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
Good"Safe and local feel without being sketchy"
"Less English than Escalante but people are helpful"
"Good restaurants but need to know where to go"
"Quiet at night, felt safe but not much happening"
"Nice middle ground between tourist and totally local areas"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Quiet residential area with a big park. Safe during the day, convenient for the airport, but no nightlife. You'll need to taxi elsewhere for food and entertainment.
The safest, most comfortable neighborhood in San José with the best restaurant scene. More expensive than other areas but worth it if you value being able to walk around freely and eat alone without hassle.
Historic district with 19th-century architecture and boutique hotels. Good for daytime sightseeing but dead at night - go elsewhere for dinner.
Help other women stay safe in Los Yoses
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.