Although Mexico is a fantastic destination, spectacular press coverage has given it a negative reputation. Kristin Addis of Be My Travel Muse offers safety information and recommendations in this guest post to assist women traveling alone in Mexico feel secure.The tastes, smells, sights, and sounds of Mexico are irresistible. It’s the first place I traveled internationally, and whenever I want a warm, welcoming adventure that’s easy and accessible, I think of Mexico.
But sometimes people with little to no Mexico travel experience will try to talk you out of traveling there solo. They’ve seen nothing but negativity on the news, and so that’s their impression of the entire country. After all, Mexico has an international reputation for having high crime. So yes, this is something you have to be aware of when traveling there, especially by yourself.
But let’s be real: lots of fantastic destinations — including many in the US — have a similar reputation. It doesn’t mean the entire country is “bad” or that you can’t have a great, safe time there. You just need to take certain precautions, just like you would in much of the world. That starts with being well informed.
To help you stay safe, here are my top tips for traveling safely in Mexico as a solo female traveler:
- Choose your destination wisely
I normally base my vacation plans on recommendations from other people or images I have seen and saved, mainly from Instagram. As a result, I went on road trips in Baja California, saw Tulum’s cenotes, went to a women’s retreat in Sayulita, and fell in love with Isla Holbox.
However, crime has recently surged in several areas of the Riviera Maya (mostly due to tourists’ thirst for drugs), and once-popular tourist sites like Acapulco are now more closely associated with cartels. Something is not necessarily a good site to visit now just because it was well-liked 10 years ago.
How are you aware of this? Do a fast Google search for the town and “crime” or “tourist crime” if you have a specific location in mind. Remember that the media has a tendency to exaggerate events. When accessible, I prefer to examine as many particular statistics as possible.
When making travel plans, I also enjoy posting on message boards (like TripAdvisor’s) to obtain the most up-to-date information. Facebook communities for local expats might also be beneficial. For instance, this one is especially for Tulum. You will have the opportunity to inquire about the experiences of others who are residing there. Nearly every significant region in Mexico (and the world) may benefit from this.
- Choose centrally located accommodations
Select a location near the zócalo, or main square, especially if this would be your first trip to Mexico or a certain city or town. These places are less appealing to criminals since they are often well-lit and have a large number of police officers. (Mexico City is an exception to this rule, as there are numerous neighborhoods outside of the downtown zócalo.)
While I have not made this error in Mexico, I have occasionally made it in other nations. I recall spending a few lonely days on the point of an island in the Philippines, shut off from everyone and everything, because I was so far away from all the activities and other tourists.
By coincidence, someone attempted to break into my bungalow at night at that identical moment. That was a lesson I had to learn the hard way: always read reviews thoroughly and have a solid grasp of what is close to your lodging.
- Learn some basic Spanish
Knowing a few crucial phrases might make your trip easier, especially if you are a lady traveling alone. If the cab driver does not speak English, you will be able to go home securely, make friends with locals, and recognize when someone is going too far in conversation.
What happens if you are ignorant? Well, I am not very good at Spanish. Despite growing up in Southern California, where Spanish would have been quite useful, I felt it would be cool to take French in high school! Therefore, all I know is based on what I have learned since then.
Nevertheless, Mexico is an excellent place to learn more, and the fundamentals are frequently sufficient. When someone tries to speak their language, Mexicans are typically quite forgiving and nice.
You are off to a terrific start even if you just pick up some fundamental greetings and phrases. For offline use, you can download Google Translate and use Duolingo.
Why not attempt speaking the language, even if it is not very good? It is a sign of respect and might help you get to know the inhabitants.
- Find travel friends to feel less alone
I love everything having to do with the ocean, so when I was in Baja California, I signed up to swim with sharks. On the boat, I randomly ran into a friend of mine with whom I’d swum with whales in French Polynesia! But even if I didn’t already know someone on the boat, I tend to make friends every time I do an activity, and that gives me a built-in group to have dinner with that night, or even hang out with and do more things with in the coming days.
Sometimes signing up for a retreat is also a good way to go. I usually find these through influencers I follow. I did this toward the end of my trip in Sayulita a few years ago, which gave me a good balance of time with people and also solitude before and after.
As a solo female traveler, this is my absolute favorite way to make sure that I meet other people. Do you love food? Sign up for a cooking class or even a food tour with great ratings on Google or TripAdvisor.
- Opt for rideshare apps when you can
Sometimes taxis can be sketchy depending on where you’re traveling to in Mexico. In Mexico City and Playa del Carmen, for example, riders have even been kidnapped and extorted. In other cities, however, taxis are totally safe. Mérida, Cancún, San Cristóbal de las Casas and San Miguel de Allende are all fine places to take taxis in.
Rideshare apps are generally a safer option, especially at night. These apps make it possible to hold drivers accountable for any misdeeds, making it far less likely that they would commit any crimes. Plus, no actual money is exchanged, and they’re less likely to add extra mileage to make the bill higher since you can see right on the app what the suggested route is.
Uber is available in some cities in Mexico, but not all. There is almost always some kind of taxi app (like DiDi, for example) or WhatsApp taxi service available in any significant city, but if you’re visiting a small town or village, these options likely won’t be available.
- Avoid being flashy
Wearing flashy jewelry and designer clothes will draw attention to you, almost anywhere you go in Mexico. One exception is Mexico City, where people generally dress up more in specific neighborhoods. Almost anywhere else, wearing extravagant clothing could make you a potential target for theft.
Although I own them, you won’t catch me with designer purses abroad, because I just don’t want to make myself the most attractive target.
The same goes for having your nice smartphone in hand on the street. There are two reasons for this: one, it can be a big distraction for you, and two, it’s something very easy to quickly steal out of your hand.
- Vet tour companies beforehand
There are hundreds of tour companies in Mexico, and not all of them are reputable or safe. I almost never book a tour directly from a seller or right off the street. I always want to look at reviews first.
If you want to go on a day trip with a particular tour company, see if you can look it up online and read actual reviews before you hand over your money. Next, I check if they have websites and social media, such as a Facebook page.
If you don’t have a specific company in mind, Google the activity you’re interested in and see which companies offer it and follow the same advice. Chances are there will be some Google reviews, and if someone has had a bad experience, they’ll probably leave one to warn other travelers. You can also check TripAdvisor.
Another great way to make sure a tour is legit before you book is to go through a third-party site, like Get Your Guide. On those platforms, you can see reviews from other customers and make a more informed decision on which tour is safest and worth your time and money.
Additionally, beware of a common scam in which sketchy tour companies rent equipment to customers and then blame them for extensive damages. This is most common with scooter rentals, segway tours, and even snorkeling equipment rentals. To avoid this, make sure to ask what the policy is for any damage to equipment to make sure you won’t be held liable. You should also take photos of anything you rent before using it. That way you can prove that you haven’t made any damages.
- Tell a friend where you are
If you’re traveling alone, tell a friend or family member at home your itinerary and with whom you can check in regularly. Before I started traveling internationally, I added my mom to my bank account, so that if it were ever locked while l was overseas, she could easily call and approve the charges. She has saved me many times, including when my bank tried to block my card repeatedly during an overland trip in Africa. There was no way I would’ve been able to call, but she knew that those withdrawals were made by me by quickly checking in with me.
Personally, checking in with someone every day or sharing my location with them would drive me absolutely bonkers, but so many solo female travelers have recommended this in comments on posts I’ve written over the years that I know that, for some people, the peace of mind is worth it
- Don’t indulge cat-callers
I know from personal experience how difficult it is to not snap back at a cat-caller who has disrespected me, but it’s not a good idea to pay any attention to them in Mexico.
In typical machismo fashion, a man who will cat-call you on the street could become aggressive or even violent if shown any kind of resistance. It’s a sad truth and one that pains me to say. But letting a disrespectful person know they’ve crossed a line does not always have the desired effect of making them stop what they’re doing.
- Be careful on dating apps
A lot of travelers use dating apps like Tinder and Bumble to meet people (even just as friends) while on the move. I’ve had friends rave about it in Europe and have run into people on the road who tell me that’s how they met. This could potentially be a cool way to see Mexico from a local’s perspective, but it also makes me nervous. What if they have expectations? What if you’re not on the same page?
There are a few ways you can vet someone before deciding to meet up. First, look at their social media for any red flags. Next, make your intentions clear from the get-go. If you just want to make a new friend and see the city, let them know. Then, agree to meet up in a public. You can also have a friend on standby to check in with you mid-date to make sure you’re alright.
There are also Facebook groups that you can use to meet up with others. I run one specifically for solo female travelers called BMTM Solo Female Traveler Connect. There’s also Meetup.com and Bumble Friend, which is specifically set up for platonic situations.
- Trust your gut when it comes to food
Let’s be honest, nobody wants to spend their Mexican vacation in a hotel bathroom. Sometimes getting even just a little sick in a foreign country is unavoidable, but there are a few things to look out for to keep your tummy in working order in Mexico.
I’m not suggesting that you avoid street food and stick to only restaurants. The worst food poisoning I’ve ever had was from a fancy restaurant in Mexico! Plus, I absolutely love street tacos there, and I’m always on the lookout for them. But I have some rules.
First of all, trust your instincts with street food. If a stall looks unsanitary, it probably is. On the other hand, If you’re unsure of where to eat, pick the taco stand with the longest queue. If there’s a huge line for a particular place, it’s probably because the food is great. Locals really know best on this one.
- Buy travel insurance
I never travel without insurance. You shouldn’t either. Not only can it save you a fortune, but it also provides peace of mind, which is worth every penny (especially if you have concerned friends or family).
If you’re on a budget, use SafetyWing. It’s super affordable. Insure My Trip is the best choice for travelers over 70.
