I am sometimes asked, “Is Mexico safe for solo female travelers?” However, I couldn’t really say, as I haven’t been there yet! I am so glad then, that a fellow blogger volunteered to write this post. So, if you are a solo traveler planning to visit Mexico, bookmark this page!
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Mexico does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety, but as travelers, we all know that you can’t believe everything you hear on the news. Sometimes you do need to take things with a grain of salt.
The short answer to this question is yes, Mexico is safe for solo female travelers. As a matter of fact, it is safe for any solo travelers.
There are some locations within Mexico that can be a little more dangerous for solo travelers no matter your gender. However, there are far more safe destinations in Mexico than there are unsafe ones.
In this post, you will find some of the best destinations to visit in Mexico and some places to avoid for solo female travelers. This guide will give you everything you need to know to have a fun and safe vacation!
Best Mexican Destinations for Solo Female Travelers
Below you will find some of the best places to visit in Mexico for solo female travelers. This is all based on Amy’s personal experience of traveling solo around the country for 3 months. Other travelers may have a different experience.
Cancun
Cancun receives very mixed reviews from travelers as to whether it is safe to visit or not. There are some small parts of Cancun that are best to avoid but if you’re sticking to the touristy areas, you won’t have a problem.
Any issues that arise in Cancun tend to involve illegal substances. As long as you’re not messing around with these and provoking the people selling them, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Cancun is one of the best destinations for solo female travelers because it is such a touristy place to visit in Mexico. For this reason, you will find there are a lot of other travelers you can make friends with.
There are also plenty of female-only dorms in Cancun hostels, so you will have the peace of mind that you will only be around females if you choose to do so.
One thing to keep in mind when visiting Cancun is that it is not authentically Mexico. As long as you remember this and are happy with that then it is definitely worth visiting Cancun.
Hostels for Solo Female Travelers in Cancun
Activities for Solo Female Travelers in Cancun
Isla Mujeres
While traveling solo to Mexico, Isla Mujeres was certainly one of the highlights. There is something about this stunning island that just sucks you in and demands you to relax.
There isn’t as much to do in Isla Mujeres but that is what makes this island perfect to visit on a day trip from Cancun. You can relax on Playa Norte, enjoy some snorkeling or diving, and listen to some live music in the evenings.
The crime rate in Isla Mujeres is very low so you will feel perfectly safe wandering around the island even at nighttime. Most travelers tend to stay at Nomads Hostel but it is a little further out the way from downtown, so Selina is another really good option.
Like any other destination, there are some things that you need to be careful of when visiting Isla Mujeres but you will feel perfectly safe wandering around the island.
Just remember that it is still not very authentically Mexican. For that reason, if you’re traveling solo for the first time, this is one of the best destinations in Mexico to start with.
Hostels for Solo Female Travelers in Isla Mujeres
Activities for Solo Female Travelers in Isla Mujeres
Palenque
For any solo female travelers who want to step off the beaten track a little more when visiting Mexico, Palenque is a great place to start.
It is quite a safe destination for solo travelers and there are a lot of things to do in and around Palenque. You will be able to explore the Mexican jungle from Palenque and even stay in the jungle if you wish to do so.
Most travelers visit here to explore some of the beautiful waterfalls nearby such as Agua Azul and Robertos Barrios. You will feel completely safe exploring around this area if you’re an experienced solo traveler.
However, if you’re still quite new to solo travel, it might be a little overwhelming being in the middle of the jungle. It is such a wonderful place though, so if you feel confident, absolutely go for it!
Hostels for Solo Female Travelers in Palenque
Activities for Solo Female Travelers in Palenque
Oaxaca
This is one of the best places in Mexico to experience a more authentic side of Mexico. In particular, if you’re looking for trying some of Mexico’s incredible traditional food, this is the best place to go.
Oaxaca is a very safe location for solo female travelers and a great place to widen your mind and learn more about Mexican culture.
It is also one of the most popular cities to visit during Semana Santa so you will want to visit during this time which is the last week of lent and just before Easter. This is an incredible experience for travelers and a great way to meet new people during one of Oaxaca’s busiest periods.
Hostels for Solo Female Travelers in Oaxaca
Activities for Solo Female Travelers in Oaxaca
Mexico City
Partying, culture, great food and plenty of activities is what Mexico City has to offer solo travelers. If this sounds like you then this is one of the best destinations in Mexico to visit.
When you plan to visit Mexico City, you may only book to be there for a few days if you’re backpacking. However, it is worth considering staying at least 4-5 days because there really is so much to do.
For solo travelers, staying at Casa Pepe Hostel is one of the best things you can do because it has such a sociable atmosphere. This is where you will meet a lot of people and be able to go on different day tours with them too.
There are some parts of Mexico City that can be unsafe but for the most part, it is a very safe location to visit. As a solo female traveler, try to avoid walking around alone too late at night as sometimes there are some unsavory characters.
Most of the time you won’t have any issues but as Mexico City is so large, this is something that you should be cautious about. This is why it’s a good idea to try and stay in hostels to meet new people so you can still experience Mexico City at night without worrying about going back to your hostel on your own.
Hostels for Solo Female Travelers in Mexico City
Activities for Solo Female Travelers in Mexico City
For a more in-depth guide on the city, read Solo Travel Tips: Mexico City.
Merida
Merida will most likely surprise you as it seems as though it is going to be incredibly touristy but in actuality, it is not. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico and also one of the safest destinations to visit as well, especially for solo female travelers.
There are a lot of different things to do in Merida but before you leave, make sure that you try some cochinita pibil tacos. They are the tacos popular in this particular area and they are absolutely delicious!
Hostels for Solo Female Travelers in Merida
Activities for Solo Female Travelers in Merida
For a more in-depth guide on the city, read Solo Travel Tips: Merida, Mexico.
Mexican Destinations to Avoid for Solo Female Travelers
Even though there are a lot of safe places to visit in Mexico for solo travelers, like any country you travel to, there are some places best to avoid.
Some of the examples below are based on personal experience and some are based on other travelers’ reports. It is best to try and avoid these areas so you don’t have to face any safety concerns.
Villa Hermosa
While Villa Hermosa doesn’t come up too much as an unsafe place to visit in Mexico, it does have a reputation that it is not very welcoming for tourists and solo female travelers.
After visiting Villa Hermosa for 2 nights, Amy felt she was very limited in places to eat in the evening. There was something in the area she was staying where it just didn’t feel safe.
Walking around, you need to keep an eye on your belongings at all times and be careful of any potential unsavory characters which unfortunately there are quite a few of.
Chihuahua
Chihuahua is actually one of the most dangerous places to visit in Mexico and it is not recommended to visit as a solo traveler.
It is one of the cities with the highest level of homicides and has a high crime rate too. From theft, violent crimes, illegal substances, and concerns with safety of walking around both during the day and night, it is a place best to avoid.
Tijuana
This is another place in Mexico that has a very high crime rate and it is recommended to avoid visiting as a solo traveler no matter what your gender is.
There is a lot of gang activity and violent crimes so it is best to save yourself the hassle and avoid this as much as possible. Even though a lot of tourists still visit every year, it is best not to put yourself at any risk where possible.
Acapulco
One of the most spoken about locations in Mexico is Acapulco but it is actually one of the most dangerous cities to visit in Mexico. In fact, it was ranked as the 18th most dangerous city to visit in the world in 2023.
It is renowned to have issues with gang crime, violent crime, and kidnapping. As a solo female traveler, this is really not something that you want to get involved with.
Similar to Tijuana, there are still a lot of tourists that visit so if you do end up deciding to go then please take extreme precautions when you’re out exploring and keep your safety in mind at all times.
Verdict: Is Mexico Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
In short, yes, Mexico is absolutely safe for solo female travelers. No matter where you’re traveling to, you need to take safety precautions regardless and most of this usual information is still relevant in Mexico.
There are some places in Mexico that you should avoid because they really are not safe for tourists at all. However, the number of destinations to visit that are safe really outweigh the unsafe ones.
Before traveling to Mexico, check your local governments warnings for the particular destinations you’re planning to visit. Make sure that you let your friends and family know where you are at all times and don’t carry a lot of cash or valuables.
If you follow the advice in this article and stick to well-known safe destinations for travelers, you will definitely have a wonderful time. Mexico is one of the most beautiful places to visit (especially during the Day of the Dead!) and when you get chatting to the locals, you’ll realize that Mexico is not as dangerous as everyone makes out.
Yes, there are some dangerous areas of Mexico but that doesn’t mean that the whole country should be tarnished with the same brush. It is a truly beautiful country with an interesting culture and not to mention one of the most delicious cuisines too!
