San José, Costa Rica
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.
Built around Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, the city's biggest park at 72 hectares. Sabana Norte (north side) is more upscale, Sabana Sur (south) is more middle-class. The park is nice during the day - joggers, families, sports - but don't go after dark when security drops off. The surrounding area is residential and quiet with families, not much nightlife. Hotels, restaurants, and banks line the park edges. It's 15km from the airport, so convenient if you're just passing through. Good if you want green space and quiet, but you'll need Uber to get to restaurants and nightlife in other neighborhoods. The area goes dead at night.
Daytime Safety
GoodNight Walking Safety
ModerateHarassment Risk
ModeratePublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
ModerateScam Risk
ModeratePolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
GoodEvening Venues
ModerateSolo Dining
GoodDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
ModerateGetting By in English
Good"Great for morning runs in the park but avoid after sunset"
"Quiet and residential, good for relaxing between trips"
"Needed Uber to get to restaurants and nightlife"
"Felt safe during day but streets empty out at night"
"Good location for airport access"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
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.
Historic district with 19th-century architecture and boutique hotels. Good for daytime sightseeing but dead at night - go elsewhere for dinner.
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.
Help other women stay safe in La Sabana
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.