Cancun Solo Travel: Tips on How to Visit Cancun Safely as a Solo Traveler

Planning your solo trip to Cancun, Mexico?

You’ve landed on the best Cancun solo travel guide! I live in Mexico, not far from Cancun actually, and I have traveled all over Mexico by myself since 2018.

In this article, you’re going to get all my best Cancun travel tips and tricks, so you have a fun and safe solo Cancun trip.

Cancun is one of the best destinations in Mexico, popular with solo travelers, families, spring breakers, honeymooners, backpackers, and everyone in between.

It’s a smaller-sized town, so it’s easy to meet people and make friends when traveling to Cancun alone.

⚠️ For peace of mind on your Cancun trip, you need a policy with SafetyWing Insurance. This is the company I use, and you can get your FREE quote here. Policies start at $2 per day.

Personally, I consider it one of the easiest and best destinations for solo female travel in Mexico.

However, if you’ve never traveled alone, or never done any solo travel in Mexico, you’ll want to learn as much as you can so your first trip to Cancun goes smoothly.

In this article you’ll learn everything you need to know about traveling to Cancun alone.

From how to get to Cancun, where to stay in Cancun, all the best things to do solo in Cancun, how to get around, and the best Cancun safety tips for solo travelers; it’s all right here.

Ready to discover all things Cancun Mexico?! Let’s dive in, beginning with the #1 question when it comes to Cancun solo female travel — Is Cancun safe for travelers?

Is Cancun safe for solo female travelers?

For the most part, Cancun is safe for the majority of visitors — and its biggest threats are hurricanes, hangovers, sunburns and mosquitoes.

However, since no place on Earth is 100% safe, you’ll need to observe the same general travel precautions you would when traveling anywhere.

If you stay aware of yourself, your surroundings and your belongings, you should likely have a very safe Cancun vacation.

Remember to watch your alcohol consumption, and never take a drink from a stranger (even a cute one), or leave a drink unattended with one.

Is Cancun safe at night?

Cancun is a pretty small town, so walking alone at night isn’t too dangerous. However, always listen to your intuition, meaning that if it feels safer to take a taxi ride instead of walking, do that.

While there’s not really Uber in Cancun (more on this later), Cancun cabs operate all day and night.

One quick Cancun Mexico safety tip is that Downtown Cancun is not well lit in all areas.

If you’re staying downtown, or plan to spend a lot of time there at night, many people bring a head lamp to help them see, or you can use your phone flashlight as long as it’s charged.

Is Playa del Carmen safer than Cancun?

Many want to compare nearby Playa del Carmen to Cancun, or wonder Is Cancun safer than Cabo? There’s no way to give a definitive answer to these questions.

As some of the top Mexico resort towns, they all have good and bad points — and they are safe for most visitors, though not all.

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Is Mexico safe for travelers?

Planning to take some Cancun day trips to enjoy the things to do near Cancun in the Yucatan Peninsula?

Then you’re likely wondering about general Mexico travel safety.

There’s some great information in this article, but for a deep dive, check out Is Mexico Safe for Visitors?

Mexico gets a bad wrap in the mainstream media, and I can’t say it’s not somewhat deserved. There are both safe places to visit in Mexico and unsafe places in Mexico.

However, by and large, all the top Mexico travel destinations (like Cancun) are safe for visitors.

Still, you may have been warned not to do solo travel in Mexico.

One suggestion I can make is to consider the source of who’s giving you the warning.

If it’s someone who’s never been to Mexico, or someone who’s never traveled solo — they frankly aren’t a credible source.

The reality is there are many amazing solo travel destinations in the world.

For the best advice, ask your solo female traveler friends; bonus points if they’ve been to Mexico.

The best solo female travel tips and info will come from women who have done it, and for those who have, they’ll likely encourage you to go travel to Cancun, Mexico and beyond!

Crime in Cancun Mexico

As with most tourist towns in the world, petty theft isn’t uncommon in Cancun.

This isn’t a huge problem, and if you don’t leave your valuables unattended and stay aware of your surroundings, you likely won’t be a victim of petty crimes in Cancun.

Shootings in Cancun Mexico

In recent years, there have been a few reports of shootings in Cancun Mexico. As with most violence in Mexico, it mostly has direct ties to the cartels.

However, these types of things will jar anyone’s sense of safety, especially innocent bystanders.

In late-2021, there was a shooting in the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancún Resort between rival gang members, where two people lost their lives.

While I can’t say definitely this won’t happen again, I can say it’s a rare occurrence — and largely related to the cartels, which you should avoid.

Drugs & Cartels in Cancun

The Mexican drug cartels cast such a dark shadow on an otherwise amazing country. As I live in Mexico, I know first-hand what a meta topic this is, and will try to navigate it carefully.

What I do know is not buying drugs in Cancun is the best way to avoid the cartels, and not support them.

I’ve lived in a few places in Mexico, including Tulum and Playa del Carmen, both located just south of Cancun.

There is definitely a cartel presence in these areas, as well as in Cancun, as these are three of the biggest Mexico party towns.

How safe is Cancun Mexico? If you want to check for an official Cancun travel advisory, the U.S. State Department website keeps updated information on Mexico travel safety. 

On a personal note, I have never been approached to buy drugs as much as I have in Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

With a simple no gracias, I was always left alone. In places where I was approached by multiple people in a row, I took it upon myself to find another place to hang out.

This is the best advice I can offer for Cancun safety:

Avoid anything related to the cartels, don’t buy drugs off them, and stay as far away from them as physically possible — and you’re well on your way to safe travels in Cancun Mexico.

Where is Cancun Mexico?

You’re likely wondering How to get to Cancun?!

This section is all about finding Cancun, and how to get to Cancun by plane, and then by ground transportation.

The safest way to get from Cancun Airport to your hotel is this private shuttle from Cancun Airport Transportation.

🗺️ Cancun Map

If you’re a visual person (like me!) you might be wondering, Ok, so where is Cancun Mexico exactly? This map of Cancun above should help locate this popular destination in North America.

What state is Cancun in?

Cancun is located in Quintana Roo state, in the southeastern Mexico.

It is one of the three states that make up the Yucatan Peninsula, along with Yucatan state and Campeche state.

Of these, Quintana Roo is the most visited, with places like Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Cozumel.

Quintana Roo is a long, thin state. It spans the entire eastern side of Mexico that sits on the Caribbean Sea.

If you’ve ever heard this part of the Yucatan Peninsula called the Mexican Caribbean, now you know why!

Quintana Roo has some of the best beaches in Mexico, and the second largest lake in Mexico, Bacalar Lagoon, AKA the Maldives of Mexico.

There’s also Mayan Ruins including Chichen Itza and Coba Ruins, Mexico cenotes (natural jungle pools), beautiful beach resorts, and more.

What’s the closest Cancun Airport?

The closest airport to Cancun is actually in Cancun — the Cancun International Airport (code: CUN).

This is one of the biggest airports in Mexico, so you’ll easily find direct flights and cheap flights to Cancun from cities all over the world.

✈️ Search flights to Cancun now!

• Cancun Airport to Cancun Hotel Zone distance: 14 miles (23 km)
• Cancun Airport to Cancun Hotel Zone drive time: 30 minutes in normal traffic
• Cancun Airport to Downtown Cancun distance: 11 miles (18 km)
• Cancun Airport to Downtown Cancun drive time: 20 minutes in normal traffic

How do I get from Cancun Airport to my Hotel?

Cancun Airport transportation is pretty straightforward; in fact, you’ll really only travel on one road, Highway 307.

For getting to your Cancun hotel safely, I highly recommend booking the private shuttle service with Cancun Airport Transportation, but you do have other options.

Private Shuttle to Cancun Beach Hotels

Book now with Cancun Airport Transportation and your friendly driver will be at Cancun International Airport waiting for you with a greeter sign.

The safest, fastest, most stress-free and best way to get from Cancun Airport from to the hotel zone is private transportation.

You’ll get picked up curbside outside the airport, your luggage will be packed up, and you’ll be driven to your Cancun accommodation — while you sit back and relax!

• Cost: $65 USD for round trip service for 1-3 passengers, $70 for 4-6 passengers, and $80 for 7-8 passengers
• Time: 30 minutes each way
• Book now with Cancun Airport Transportation

Shared Shuttle to Downtown Cancun

If you’re a solo traveler on a budget, the shared shuttle is a great way to save some money. This is a semi-private transfer for up to 12 passengers.

It does take longer than the private shuttle, as it makes stops at all four Cancun Airport terminals, but you’ll save some cash.

• Cost: $30 USD for round trip service
• Time: 1 hour
• Book now with Cancun Shared Shuttle

Cancun Airport Car Rental

RELATED ARTICLE 🚗💨 Renting a Car in Cancun: Everything You Need to Know

I only recommend this if you’re planning to take a lot of Cancun day trips to visit the Mayan Ruins near Cancun, nearby cities like Valladolid and Izamal, and Cancun cenotes.

If not, skip the rental car because driving in Cancun traffic is no fun, and parking costs really add up fast.

If you do want to rent a car in Cancun, I recommend and also personally use Discover Cars.

They search international companies and local Mexico car rental companies so you get the best rate. I always get their full coverage insurance as well, which averages just $10 USD per day.

• Note: You legally need Mexican insurance to rent a car
• Cost: $30-45 USD per day (including insurance)
• Time: It usually takes 30 minutes to get the car, then 30 minutes for the drive to Cancun Beach
• Book now with Discover Cars

ADO Bus from Cancun Airport

ADO is Mexico’s largest bus company, with a fleet of luxury class buses that have reclining seats, AC, outlets to charge your phone and a bathroom on board.

You can take ADO buses from Cancun Airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone or Downtown Cancun for about $3-5 USD each way. 

• Note: The bus services Terminals 2, 3 and 4; Check here to see what terminal your flight lands in.
• Cost: $6-10 USD for round trip tickets
• Time: 1 hour
• Book now with Bookaway

Taxi from Cancun Airport

While this is an option, please know I do not recommend taking a taxi from Cancun Airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone unless you have no other options.

You can read all about why here, but in short, taxi drivers in Cancun (and any tourist destination) are known to rip off visitors.

Most end up paying as much as a private shuttle, which would be safer and more comfortable, so I recommend just booking the shuttle.

• Cost: $30 USD (approx.) for one-way service
• Time: 30 minutes

🚗 Uber from Cancun Airport

We’re going to get to Cancun Ubers in a bit, but for now just know that it’s illegal for your driver to pick you up at the Cancun Airport — so you can’t Uber from Cancun Airport to your hotel.

Since I personally don’t use taxis, I recommend this private shuttle or this shared shuttle.

Colectivo (Shared van for budget travelers)

Much like the taxis, I don’t recommend the colectivo to Downtown Cancun.

While it’s the cheapest way to get to Downtown Cancun, it’s also the longest and most uncomfortable route. In the end, you only end up saving a few dollars versus the bus, which is much more convenient and comfy.  

• Cost: $2 USD (approx.) for one-way service
• Time: 1 hour

Where to Stay in Cancun (Best Neighborhoods in Cancun)

When determining where to stay in Cancun, know that this city has two main areas — the Zona Hotelera, or Hotel Zone on Cancun Beach, and Downtown Cancun.

These are both safe neighborhoods in Cancun, though most visitors prefer to stay right on the beach, unless you’re traveling to Cancun on a budget.

Zona Hotelera: Cancun Hotel Zone (Cancun Beach)

Cancun Beach is the part of Cancun you’ve seen on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

This is where you’ll find all the best Cancun resorts and boutique hotels, lively bars and clubs, chic restaurants, spas and holistic healing centers, and of course, the Cancun beaches, are located.

📍 How far is Cancun Airport from Cancun Beach? The distance from Cancun Airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone is about 14 miles (23 km), and about 30 minutes of drive time.

Cancun Centro (Downtown Cancun Mexico)

For those who have a smaller budget, you’ll want to stay in Downtown Cancun. Here, you’ll find the best cheap hotels in Cancun, and best hostels in Cancun.

Besides the hotels, everything costs a bit less in downtown compared to the beach, including restaurants, bars and shops.

How to Get Around in Cancun Mexico

Taxis in Cancun Mexico

Cancun isn’t a huge city, but it is spread out, and with the hot weather year-round, you won’t want to walk very far. For this reason, the best way to get around Cancun is by using taxis.

Make sure you agree on the fare before getting in, as Cancun taxis don’t have meters. To do so, let the driver know where you are going, they will tell you the fare, and you can agree to it, or not.

🚙💨 You can of course book a rental car in Cancun, but I only recommend this if you’re taking a few Cancun day trips. If you’re just staying in Cancun itself, skip the rental.

Is there Uber in Cancun?

Sort Of — The answer to this question is tricky, because though Uber is legal in Cancun, it’s rarely used (even by Cancun locals).

Note: Uber can not pick you up from Cancun Airport, which is why I recommend this private shuttle.

In 2019, a court ruled Uber can operate in Cancun, but to say Cancun taxi drivers weren’t thrilled would be an understatement.

In fact, there are sometimes clashes between groups, and most locals and visitors simply stay away from Cancun Uber for this reason.

Should I rent a car in Cancun?

If you’re only traveling for a few days, staying only in Cancun itself and not planning to explore any of the surrounding area, skip the rental car.

As Cancun is so popular for Mexico travel, the Cancun traffic is no fun to sit in, parking is limited, and parking fees aren’t cheap anywhere you go.

For those who want to do some day trips from Cancun, a car might be the best option if you don’t want to take any Cancun tours.

As Cancun Airport has many more options than Cancun Beach, and you’re flying into Cancun Airport anyway, if you do want a car, get it at the airport.

To rent a car in Mexico, all you need is a valid driver’s license and a credit card. Cancun car rentals average about $30-40 USD per day, with full coverage insurance.

I always rent from Discover Cars because they offer the best rates, both for cars and insurance. 

Best Things to Do in Cancun Mexico

Visit the Mayan Ruins in Cancun

There are Mayan Ruins in Cancun, though they may not wow you the same as some of the Mayan ruins near Cancun, like Chichen Itza.

However, that’s not to say you should skip them, only that they are smaller sites you can explore in about 1-2 hours.

🗿 Best Cancun Mayan Ruins

• El Rey Ruins
• Yamil Lu’um Ruins
• El Meco Ruins
• San Miguelito Ruins, located at the Museo Maya de Cancun (Cancun Maya Museum)

Hit the Best Beaches in Cancun

Cancun sits right on the bright blue Caribbean Sea, and has some of the best beaches in Mexico.

You really can’t go wrong with any beaches in Cancun, but don’t miss these visitor favorites: Playa Delfines, Playa Mujeres, Playa Chacmool, Playa Langosta, Playa Marlín and Playa Punta Nizuc.

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Laguna Nichupté, Cancun Lagoon

While most know Cancun as a Mexican beach town, that’s only half the story.

Just across from the beaches, there’s Nichupte Lagoon, a natural area with more than 7,400-acres (30 km²) and seven lakes. Laguna Nichupte is perfect for water-sports, swimming, snorkeling and more.

Swim in the Cancun Cenotes

No visit to Cancun is complete without swimming in the best Cancun cenotes (pronounced sen-no-tays).

Cenotes are swimmable sinkholes with freshwater that flows from a river located underneath the Yucatan Peninsula — the longest underground river on Earth, Sac Actun.

There are about 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatan, and some of the best cenotes in Mexico are outside of Cancun

Located near Puerto Morelos on Highway 307, there’s the Ruta de Cenotes, where you’ll find Cenote Sol y Luna, Cenote Verde Lucero, Cenote Zapote and Cenote La Noria.

🏝️ Xcaret park

Zip line through the jungle at Xcaret Park, enjoy the famed nighttime dance show, and more.

Among the best things to do in Yucatan Mexico, Xcaret is a water park that uses the beautiful native environment instead of swimming pools.

Cancun Travel: Frequently Asked Questions

You now have all the details on how to get to Cancun, as well as the best places to stay, eat and play in Cancun Mexico.

Here are just a few more Cancun travel tips to keep in mind so you have an amazing Cancun vacation.

🏝️ Cancun Slow Season

You will definitely get rain during the Cancun rainy season from May to October, as it typically rains for a few hours each day.

Also, June 1 to November 1 is Atlantic Hurricane Season, and as it’s located right on the Caribbean Sea, Cancun hurricanes do happen.

🏝️ Cancun Shoulder Season

The shoulder season is that magical time when the weather in Cancun is still nice, the prices are still somewhat low, and the crowds are small.

Personally, I enjoy visiting Cancun most from November to early-December, and from late-January to early-April.

🌡️ Cancun Weather

If you’re checking the yearly weather in Cancun before your trip, remember to add about 5-10°F (2-3°C) to all temperatures to account for the humidity.

It is much more humid in the summers compared to the winters, but you can expect some humidity in Cancun year-round.

Is it easy to meet people in Cancun Mexico?

Cancun is a great place to travel alone because it’s easy to meet fellow travelers and make new friends with the locals.

If you’re a bit shy to talk to strangers, consider joining some Cancun Facebook groups, like Cancun Expats and Cancun Expats & Friends.

My Final Thoughts on Cancun Solo Travel Tips

Cancun sees many solo female travelers each year, and with basic “travel common sense,” you’ll have an amazing first solo trip to this special place.

There’s so many solo travel adventures in Cancun you can have, and I hope this Cancun travel guide gives you the confidence you need.

If you want to continue on with your Mexico solo travel journey, check out this article with the 20 Best Solo Travel Destinations in Mexico.

In it, solo female travelers discuss their favorite places in Mexico, like San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City, Isla Mujeres and Puerto Vallarta.

How do I convince my family solo travel is safe?

Still have friends and family members wondering, Is Cancun safe to travel? or How safe is Cancun Mexico?

Direct them to the U.S. State Department website to check for any current Cancun Mexico travel advisory warnings — because there usually aren’t any!