{"id":34161,"date":"2017-03-20T15:11:52","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T15:11:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=34161"},"modified":"2026-10-20T22:43:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T22:43:05","slug":"safest-places-to-visit-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/safest-places-to-visit-in-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Solo Female Travel In Mexico Isn\u2019t As Crazy As It Sounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cYou\u2019re going on your own?? Are you crazy?\u201d When I announced that I would be taking my first ever solo trip this year, my friends and family were concerned. When I told them it would be to Mexico, they were downright alarmed. But the funny thing is, only people who have never been here think solo female travel in Mexico is unsafe.<\/p>\n

\"Coconut The locals and fellow travelers I\u2019ve met on my trip don\u2019t bat an eye. Why? Because they know what the rest of the world doesn\u2019t seem to: Mexico is an amazing destination for your first solo trip. Yes, even as a woman. \"Solo At 29, I\u2019d done my fair share of backpacking, but it still took a lot of courage to go it completely alone. But I’m so glad I finally took the plunge. I\u2019ve been here for nearly two months now and it’s become my favourite solo travel destination yet. Whether you\u2019re looking for stunning beaches, rich culture, incredible (vegan!) food or wild parties, Mexico has something for everyone. In this blog post I’ll aim to answer all the questions and doubts you might have about solo female travel in Mexico, though please do leave a comment below if there’s anything I’ve missed ?<\/p>\n

Editor’s note: we updated this guide in October 2026 with the latest official safety advice from the US State Department and the UK Foreign Office, plus a new FAQ on where is safe to travel in Mexico. Advice can change quickly, so always check both before you book.<\/em><\/p>\n

Is Mexico Safe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Safest For my friends and family, the number one concern seemed to be that Mexico was not a safe place to travel to at all, let alone on my own. You might have encountered similar advice when considering a trip here, so I want to address this one right away: In my experience, I\u2019ve felt completely safe my entire trip, and I haven\u2019t had any issues. As with any country, some areas are safer than others and you need to use your common sense. When I\u2019d get to a new area, I\u2019d check with fellow travellers or at the hostel reception to see if there were any neighbourhoods I should avoid. I didn’t get stupidly drunk or wander off on my own in the middle of the night. I didn’t take unsafe transport (more on that below). But provided you take some basic precautions, there’s no need to feel overly paranoid about your safety as a single woman in Mexico.<\/p>\n

That said, it’s worth knowing what the official advice says. As of October 2026, the US State Department rates Mexico as a whole at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution<\/a>, and stresses that conditions vary widely from state to state and even within a state. It advises against travelling between cities after dark, recommends app-based rides (like Uber or Cabify) or taxis dispatched from regulated stands rather than taxis hailed on the street, and suggests avoiding travelling alone in remote areas. The UK Foreign Office (FCDO)<\/a> advises against all but essential travel to parts of 11 states, including all of Zacatecas, most of Guerrero, Michoac\u00e1n, Colima, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Chihuahua, and parts of Baja California, Guanajuato, Jalisco and Chiapas. None of the places I recommend below are in those areas.<\/p>\n

The FCDO also flags a few things every solo woman should know: women travelling alone on public transport have been harassed and assaulted, sexual offences have been reported in tourist areas (so take extra care after dark), and drinks have been spiked in bars. Never leave your drink unattended, and use ATMs inside shops or malls during the day.<\/p>\n

Safest Places To Visit In Mexico<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"There The country’s reputation for drug cartels and violence is not unjustified. But what most people don’t realise is that the worst of it is concentrated in specific states and regions, many of them well away from the main traveller trail. The places most visitors head to, from the Yucat\u00e1n Peninsula to Mexico City and Oaxaca, sit outside the areas the UK Foreign Office advises against. For the most part, Mexico is a great destination for solo travel if you plan ahead. A tougher question would be: what are the best places to visit in Mexico? Because there are SO many amazing things to see here. To help you narrow it down, I’ve listed a few of the highlights of my trip below, plus some overrated places that you can easily skip. My one piece of advice is that Mexico is so much more than Cancun and beaches. Even if you’re mainly looking for sun and sand, there’s so much variety even among the beaches, and plenty off the beaten track spots. For a bigger-picture route, see our ultimate guide to backpacking Mexico<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tulum<\/h3>\n

\"Exploring You\u2019ve probably seen photos of Tulum splashed all over Instagram. It\u2019s easy to see why; the beaches here are incredible and the town is full of yoga spots, chilled cafes, and fun beach bars, plus it ranks high on the list of safest places to visit in Mexico. I spent two weeks here and could have stayed longer. Make sure you block off some time away from the beach to explore the Yucatan Peninsula\u2019s many cenotes. These underground swimming holes are amazing, and were one of my favourite parts of the whole trip. One update worth knowing: the FCDO asks visitors to be very cautious after dark in downtown Tulum, Cancun and Playa del Carmen, and to stick to well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones. Find more ideas in our guide to the best places to visit in the Yucatan Peninsula<\/a>, or browse hostels in Tulum<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mexico City<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I had no idea I would love Mexico City as much as I did. I planned to spend four days here and ended up staying for over two weeks. My favourite neighbourhoods are Roma Norte, La Condesa, and Polanco. They\u2019re all full of gorgeous stores, restaurants, parks, and cafes and have beautiful tree lined streets. San Angel, Zona Rosa, Coyo\u00e1can, and Juarez are also all great areas to check out if you have a bit longer in the city. Base yourself in one of these neighbourhoods by browsing hostels in Mexico City<\/a>, and keep an eye on local news: the FCDO notes that demonstrations are common, including protests against gentrification in central and tourist areas since July 2025.<\/p>\n

Sayulita<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Sayulita The cutest little hippie beach town, I absolutely loved Sayulita. It’s full of travellers, but doesn\u2019t feel at all like a tourist town in the way that somewhere like Cancun does. Go here for amazing smoothie bowls, cheap street food, surfing, and an overall chill vibe.<\/p>\n

Isla Mujeres<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A gorgeous little island just north of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a great spot to get away from the tourist insanity of Cancun and Playa del Carmen (my opinion is to skip both!). It’s still not exactly a hidden gem, but the beaches are beautiful and the island has a very laid back vibe. For a similar island paradise vibe with fewer tourists, try Isla Holbox.<\/p>\n

San Miguel de Allende<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"San A beautiful town four hours from Mexico City, it manages to be full of expats while retaining a very authentic Mexican feel. I could not stop taking photos here, the buildings and city views are stunning, which makes San Miguel de Allende an obvious choice for the list of safest places to visit in Mexico.<\/p>\n

Puerto Escondido<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"People This surf town and the surrounding beaches are the perfect place to relax. You won\u2019t get the white sand beaches and crystal waters of the Caribbean, but you will find a less touristy, more rustic atmosphere that\u2019s perfect for combining beach time with authentic Mexican food.<\/p>\n

M\u00e9rida<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Editor’s pick:<\/em> if feeling safe is top of your list, the Yucat\u00e1n capital deserves a spot on your route. In Mexico’s national urban safety survey (INEGI’s ENSU) for June 2026, 38.2% of adults in M\u00e9rida said they felt their city was unsafe, compared with a national average of 59.8%<\/a>. Expect colourful colonial streets and easy day trips to cenotes and Mayan ruins. Browse hostels in M\u00e9rida<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But Won’t I Be Lonely If I Travel Mexico Alone?<\/h2>\n

\"DealingOne of my main concerns when I was planning this trip was whether or not I\u2019d meet people. Just because I was travelling alone didn\u2019t mean I wanted to be alone the whole time! My worries were quickly put to rest when I got here though because there are so many travellers, expats, and friendly locals that it’s so easy to meet great people. I obviously met new friends in my hostel, but I also met people in cafes, restaurants, the beach… I\u2019ve been to some places in the past where it felt like every traveller there was a 19 year old on their gap year looking to get wasted, but in Mexico you get such a mix of ages and backgrounds. I did meet the young party animals, but I also met lots of expats, digital nomads, and people of all ages on vacation. So whatever you’re feeling up for, you’ll find someone to do it with!<\/p>\n

Want to make new friends on the road and find out about all the best events at your hostels? Check out the video below:<\/p>\n