posted by Shelley | last updated January 5, 2021
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Mexico solo travel safety on your mind?
Even if you’ve never traveled to Mexico, I’m sure you can imagine the top question on everyone’s mind is some variation of: “Is Mexico safe for travel?“
This is by farrrr the # 1 question I’ve received asked since beginning my Mexico solo travel journey back in April 2018!
My short answer to “Is Mexico dangerous?” is: No(t any more dangerous than most travel destinations). See what I did there?! 👀 In all seriousness, this answer to “Is Mexico safe?” is quite complex; but from my experience as a solo female traveler in Mexico — It has been quite safe for me.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: But… Isn’t Mexico statistically dangerous?
Well, that depends on the statistic, how it is presented & who’s interpreting it — that’s simply the nature of statistics! They can actually prove or disprove anything, if you think about it.
Now, I’m not telepathic or anything, but I still know what you’re thinking: But... Aren’t some parts of Mexico dangerous?
Ok, you got me there. Yes, some parts are dangerous, and some parts are very dangerous — just like in every other country on Earth. I suppose Mexico has been safe, for me, because I avoid those notoriously unsafe places — and so should you! Luckily, they are easy to avoid.
As tourism is Mexico’s largest industry, anywhere marketed to visitors and tourists (ie. anywhere you’re probably considering traveling to) is quite protected by the Mexican federal police, as well as local state police. Some very popular tourism areas, like Centro Historico in Mexico City, even have a special unit called the Mexico Tourist Police.
RELATED BLOG 🇲🇽 150 of Mexico City’s Best Things to Do, See & Eat
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Is Mexico solo travel safe?
Since it’s probably now quite obvious that “Is Mexico solo travel safe?” can’t possibly have an officially official answer, I’ll say that from my experience throughout my years of solo travel in Mexico… I haven’t been in any situation where I felt unsafe.
Have I just been lucky? Maybe. But I’d also like to think I’ve been a smart and aware traveler who, didn’t take too many unnecessary risks (while still having fun, of course!)
Below are the top 5 ways I believed I stayed safe during years of Mexico solo travel… and how you can too. Prefer your Mexico solo travel safety info in audio form? Check out the podcast below, one of the most downloaded episodes in the history of the Dream To Destination podcast.
Related podcast:
Ep. #03 | My take on solo female travel safety in Mexico
Rated 5 Stars on Apple Podcasts! Dream To Destination is Solo Travel Podcast -meets- Mexico Travel Podcast.
Avoid risky situations
As this concept relates to solo travel safety, risk mitigation means lessening (AKA mitigating) the amount of unnecessary risks you take.
Let’s be honest though: Travel is a risk. Driving a car is a risk. Leaving the house is a risk. Everything is, at least kind of, a risk! So how do we figure out which ones are necessary, and which aren’t?
One word: Intuition.
Your inner voice (your higher self, your better judgement) knows what risks you absolutely need to take and which ones are you don’t. (Truthfully, so does your conscious mind, but we often chose not to listen to our own better judgement. I digress!)
For example, when do most crimes occur? At night. So I allowed my better judgement to guide me… and here’s what she said: “Hey girl, hey. Never walk home alone at night. That risk isn’t worth taking! If something bad happens, you’re going to wonder forever why you didn’t just Uber home.”
RELATED BLOG ✈️ Afraid to Travel Alone? These 5 Powerful Tips Will Help
Take an Uber home
Taking an Uber home literally Every. Single. Night. was a commitment I made to my own safety.
To be clear: “Every. Single. Night.” included nights when I felt like I was being overly-cautious or uncool by Uber’ing. It also meant nights when the weather was nice and I actually felt like walking; nights when my apartment was pretty close by; nights when whatever.
As a solo female traveler, not walking home alone at night was the closest I could get to a guarantee that nothing bad would happen to me at night. This is one example of how to mitigate risk while traveling solo.
💡 Pro Tip: The amazing news for international travelers in Mexico is that Ubers are really inexpensive, as well as more convenient, faster, and generally safer, than public transportation. While prices will vary, figure about $4 for a 30-minute Uber ride.
Travel Insurance
Want extra solo travel peace of mind? Then don’t take any chances with your health and belongings while overseas. For this, I can’t recommend travel insurance enough! World Nomads is one of the most well reputed and used companies in the world for travel insurance.
Policies cover a range of circumstances, including medical and dental care, luggage loss, emergency evacuation from your destination & even certain adventure sport activities. For more information on travel insurance, I have a whole page dedicated to this topic. If safety is on your mind, get your free quote now!
11 General solo travel safety tips
1. Trust and listen to your intuition; its purpose is to keep you safe.
2. If you feel unsafe with the person you’re around or place you’re in, get away immediately. Don’t try to make a polite or politically correct exit — just get to safety.
3. Invest in an anti-theft travel book bag 🎒 or, use a cross body bag instead of a shoulder bag.
4. Don’t keep your phone in your back pocket.
5. Take your purse or book bag into the bathroom with you, rather than asking a café/bar neighbor to watch it.
6. Don’t ever leave your drink unattended in a bar, and don’t ever ask an acquaintance to watch it for you.
7. Try not to pull your phone or wallet out in a giant crowd.
8. Keep some cash in your pocket so you don’t have to pull your whole wallet out every time you need to pay.
9. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at any time, take a second to regain your composure. Head to a park, or even duck into a cafe, buy a water, and wait a bit until you feel better.
10. Don’t wear designer clothes, designer sunglasses, expensive jewelry and/or flashy clothes. Keep in mind, Mexican are relatively modest dressers.
11. Register for this STEP Program. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, allows U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico to document your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Talk to the locals
“Asking around” includes other travelers, friendly locals you’re chatting with in the park, store, museum or cafe, your Airbnb host, hotel or hostel staff, servers and bartenders, etc.
When a few people told me a certain place was unsafe, or I should avoid somewhere altogether, I’d avoid it. No questions asked.
Again, because a few people say a place is dangerous, that doesn’t make it so! However, I took it as a sign from the Universe that several people happened to mention this one particular place.
Is that logical?
Admittedly: Nope! But then again, there’s no logical answer to the entire topic of this blog… (Side Note: Why do we place so much importance in logic over intuition!? I digress again 🤣🤣)
Asking locals isn’t an exact science. However, locals for sure knew better than the internet, and they certainly knew better than I did because I had zero knowledge!
Mexicans are super friendly
In my experience, Mexican people are welcoming and warm. In fact, quantifiable studies of happiness say they are among the happiest people on the planet! I have found, after years of solo travel, Mexicans love sharing their culture, country and especially, their food.
RELATED BLOG 🌮 50 of the Best Tacos in Mexico City + Free Map
The expression Mi Casa, Su Casa (My House is Your House) is a way of life in Mexico, more so than a phrase sewn on a throw pillow. While the casa in the expression does literally mean a house, this hospitality also applies to the country itself.
Now, please don’t take that to mean drop your guard and go solicit advice from any breathing person. There are great people in Mexico and not-so-great people. Again, your intuition will help you select a good info source.
Take a group tour
Solo travel doesn’t have to mean being alone the entire time!
If there’s somewhere you want to go that doesn’t have the best reputation for a solo female traveler, take a group tour. In fact, nearly all day trips I took to pueblos (small towns) and sites outside of the big cities, were with groups. While yes, they are pricier than DIY traveling… they also have worthwhile benefits!
Some of the benefits include that group tours are great for meeting other travelers, they save you the time and hassle of planning and coordinating, and of course, that there’s safety in numbers.
Do an Airbnb Experience
I have really grown to love Airbnb Experiences — but I’ve also found not many people know about them. They are tours, or experiences, led by locals who are experts in whatever they’re giving the tour/experience about. Examples I’ve seen of experiences include everything from Xochimilco boat cruises in Mexico City, to underwater photoshoots in Tulum cenotes.
Airbnb Experiences are also one of the easiest ways to meet people while traveling! I personally love, and do, them frequently.
Airbnb Experiences are also great because:
- You’re directly supporting a local and the local economy.
- They are usually smaller groups, which means a more personalized experience.
- You can instantly book them online, so you won’t have to spend your precious travel time finding a tour company.
- Like with an Airbnb stay, the guide gets rated at the end, motivating them to do a great job.
- They are a great way to meet other solo travelers!
Never done an Airbnb Experience?
Click “Experiences” in the blog below, input your travel dates and city, and see what unique things there are to do where you’re headed!
Don’t join a cartel
This flowchart below has made the rounds on social media and in Mexico travel forums — and it’s funny! — but it’s also true.
In all seriousness, the vast majority of the Mexico crimes you see on mainstream American news are linked to the drug cartels, and cartel-on-cartel violence. The cartels are a huge problem in Mexico, and there’s no way to spin that aspect of the country in a positive direction, so I won’t even try.
Also: Don’t buy drugs
Staying away from the cartels doesn’t just mean not hanging out with someone from a cartel. It also means this: NOT buying drugs from them.
This goes back to risk mitigation & the question of Is this a necessary risk? Think of it like this: Two of the worst case scenarios of buying drugs off a random cartel dealer means jail time or a hospital stay. For me, I wanted nothing to do with either of those places, so I avoided any & all things related to the cartels — and stayed safe.
Drugs in Quintana Roo State
Out of all the states I’ve visited, the one with (by far) the most overt cartel activity was Quintana Roo — where Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya are located.
These are some of the country’s biggest party towns, so expect that you’ll get approached to buy drugs. A simple “No, gracias” and I was left alone though, so dealing with them wasn’t too big of a deal.
Learn some Spanish
I personally experienced a huge shift in my solo female traveler confidence when I started to learn Spanish.
It is commonly known among travelers that you get more respect and leeway from locals when you at least try to speak their language. Locals especially appreciate when you make an effort to know the everyday basics and casual niceties.
In short: Knowing a little Spanish goes a long way!
Quite honestly, many Mexicans speak (at least) some English. This is especially true of workers in the service industry, people who live in bigger cities, and anyone working in Mexico’s most visited areas like Tulum and Merida in the Yucatan Peninsula. When you venture off the beaten path and into the pueblos (small towns), do expect fewer English speakers.
Regardless of where you’re traveling in Mexico, it is definitely seen as a sign of respect when you know some Spanish. By some, we’re talking about 30 or so words/phrases, which you can learn over a few weeks on the free Duolingo App, or even the Duolingo Podcast.
Your FREE basic Spanish list
If learning Spanish just isn’t in the cards for you, #NoJudgement. In fact, here’s a pretty infographic you can pin on Pinterest for later, and also save to your phone as an image, so you can access it even if you’re off-WiFi.
Have any great Mexico solo travel safety tips to share with fellow travelers?
Join the conversation in the comments down below.
Enjoy these related blogs!
- How to Travel Alone for the First Time: 10 Useful Tips
- 111 of the Most Inspirational Solo Female Travel Quotes by Women
- 5 Reasons Mexico is the Best First Time Solo Travel Destination
PLEASE JOIN ME ON THIS SOLO TRAVEL + MEXICO TRAVEL JOURNEY…
I traveled to Tulum by myself last year even though my loved ones were admittedly very worried, I felt extremely safe the entire time! Your tips are spot on. I hope to see more of Mexico in the future. 🙂
Tulum was a good choice, as far as safety goes. I’ve never heard of anyone feeling unsafe there, so I’m glad that applied to you also!
I lived in Puerto Vallarta for a little over 2 years with my husband who was a long time local. I always felt safe until something happened towards the end, and it wasn’t anything that I did wrong it was just an unfortunate situation that was happening in my neighborhood. Before that I think I was a little unaware of what could happen and now that I think about it I did put myself in some risky situations. But, like you said some places are a little dangerous, some are worse, and some are probably fine. My best advice is to always be aware and don’t put yourself in situations that you wouldn’t do at home of course, and like you said, obviously don’t get involved with drugs, etc. Thanks for sharing this!
First off, I am very sorry anything bad happened to you. I think you said something so wise…. “My best advice is to always be aware and don’t put yourself in situations that you wouldn’t do at home.” I know people want to just release all their cares & unwind completely & shut their mind off while on vacation, but I think that’s how many bad situations seem to occur. You have to stay as aware as when you’re back home!
Wow. What a comprehensive post! I agree with your introduction. Avoid unsafe parts!
Yeah, it seems so simple… right?! Just avoid the bad parts & bad stuff likely won’t happen!!
This is really useful, Thankyou! I’ve always wanted to go to Mexico…hopefully it won’t be too long before we’re allowed again!
Yes, we’re all crossing our fingers about the “soon” part 🤞🤞
I LOVE Mexico but have so much left to see having only been to DF still. Such great tips here, it can be scary to travel alone but it’s so worth it.
DF is a great start…. it’s actually my favorite city in the whole world. The rest of the country almost feels like a different country when you compare it to DF. I hope you get to explore more of MX soon!
I love all of your tips and suggestions (and the funny flowchart). I was there about 15 years ago and I still miss it. I was traveling with a couple of people I met on the plane and then by myself for a while. It was such a great adventure!
Sounds like it was a great adventure! I wish I could have experienced the Mexico of 15 years ago… I bet it was so wild & free.
These are great suggestions! We’ve been travelling to Mexico regularly since 2008 and I LOVE the people – everyone is so friendly (on and off resort). My goal for our next trip is to stay at an Airbnb and really immerse ourselves. I’ve taken public transport with my husband before but have never felt unsafe in all of our time there. I think that’s a big misconception about Mexico for a lot of people – and your cartel chart made me giggle! I can’t wait to go back 🙂
“but have never felt unsafe in all of our time there.” So happy when I read stuff like this!
I’d love to explore more of Mexico
I hope you do! It is an amazing & diverse country, with something for everyone.
Definitely agree about learning Spanish, just a little goes such a long way and locals really appreciate the effort! Absolutely loved Mexico and never felt unsafe!
LOVE THIS “Absolutely loved Mexico and never felt unsafe!”
You are so right, Mexico is not any more dangerous than any other country. Your tips are so spot on. Avoid the places that are known for undesirable behavior and always be smart in your decision making. We love Mexico and visit several times a year. The people are so nice and the country is so beautiful and full of history! This is a great post!
“The people are so nice and the country is so beautiful and full of history!” I couldn’t agree more!!
I love this, so many great tips! I visited Mexico twice and I felt safe. I think everywhere in the world if you are respectful to the local culture and learn the do and dont’s before you visit, chances are great that you will be safe. Just don’t join a cartel..LOL…love it!
Just don’t join a cartel!! 😅😂🤣 I didn’t make the infographic, but it is hilarious.
LOOOVEEE this post! so much great info here! Im glad that you picked up about safety as this has always been my concern with traveling to Mexico! I don’t feel enough people talk about this point! fantastic. Saving for later
I sincerely how you consider Mexico… I have never felt unsafe here in any of the 14 states I’ve visited. Mexicans are incredibly warm & friendly.
Such great tips. Safety is always my number one concern no matter where I travel but if you’re smart and do what you can like taking an uber instead of walking then you’re right, Mexico is no more dangerous than anywhere else
This is so true: “Mexico is no more dangerous than anywhere else” 🇲🇽
This is certainly one of the useful posts I have seen so far! I haven’t been to Mexico, but I am.sure your post will be useful when I go there. Pinning it for my future travel.
I am so glad this blog was useful for you! Please do visit Mexico, it’s one of the best & most misrepresented places on Earth.
This is SOOO detailed!!! I’d never considered going to Mexico alone but now I just might! Thank you for sharing!
SOOO glad to see you changed your mind about Mexico as a solo trip. I feel super safe here as a solo female traveler.
OMG all of these tips are perfect! I wish I would have known all of this prior to visiting in 2018. I agree with the Airbnb experience (I did both a resort and an Airbnb so I got to experience both!) Also, I think it’s a no brainer that. you shouldn’t put your phone in your backpocket, but some people still don’t know that! haha
I’m so glad the tips resonated with you! I’ve only done a handful of AirBnB experiences, but they have all been super cool.
You’re so right that intuition plays a big role in keeping safe when travelling. Using Uber at night is a good idea. I’ll definitely use these tips for my trip to Mexico.
🙌Glad the tips were helpful for you!
Thank you for sharing such detailed tips on solo travel in Mexico! I have been to Mexico a number of times, but never alone! This has definitely inspired me to consider a solo trip there one day 🙂
I’m so happy to inspire that 🧡
Great tips that I wish I had known before I went to Mexico. I liked the photos also.
Well, now you have a reason to return!
I can’t wait to visit Mexico! It’s so high on my list but I also had some security concerns. This article is definitely so helpful!
You should, of course, have security concerns about Mexico… but they should be the same ones you have when traveling anywhere else in the world!
Great post! Mexico is #1 on my travel list for when we can travel internationally again.
You’re going to LOVE Mexico!
I was traveling solo in Mexico when the pandemic hit. I can’t wait to go back and explore more. I really liked reading your tips and I agree that everything is a risk, you just need to be smart! Asking the locals is always good too. In the US the people who have never left the country always have the most “advice” to give on the safety of various places around the world….drives me crazy!!
It does seem the people who have the least knowledge, also have the most opinion 😂😂😂