The closer I got to my solo trip to Mexico, the more I realized that the panic around me was not as much about a “solo female” trip – but it was more about a solo trip “IN MEXICO”. As most of the world sees it – Mexico today has managed to attract a fair amount of criticism owing to all its drug mafia and narcotic tales we often watch on Netflix and the likes; along with a serious stereotyping of being unsafe for various reasons be it corruption or blatant prostitution. But I have been forever fascinated by Mexico’s culture, art and history since I was a child. Somewhere I believed that Mexico had so much more to it than all the things it is now infamous for – and I wasn’t wrong. Mexico is truly a world of its own.Â
Is traveling to Mexico alone safe? YES it is. Go for it. But, whatever said and done – truth is, a solo trip to Mexico needs a lot of pre-planning. And if you are a solo female – even more than ever. While I did plan my trip like a pro backed with important research – there were a lot of things that I learned and discovered while in Mexico – points that were important for my safety and my overall Mexico experience. So here I go – sharing my wealth of research to help you plan your solo trip in Mexico city and beyond a little better and wiser:Â
- Avoid wearing skimpy clothes. For the entire one week that I was in Mexico I hardly spotted any women wearing anything revealing. Yes, as a tourist you will catch people’s attention and in my opinion there is no harm in being extra cautious by dressing modestly while traveling solo in Mexico – why to attract any more attention than you need anyways?
- Pack light and buy a backpack. Don’t carry huge suitcases to Mexico and attract unnecessary attraction. Mexico is famous for its backpackers culture and it’s wise to mingle into that crowd than to look like a happening tourist with fancy stuff.
- Research your neighborhoods. Even though many neighborhoods have famous local markets and a few must do’s – you should still have a plan well- researched. Make sure you stay in the right neighborhoods which are also safe to travel alone during the day and not only in the night. I learnt this point a little later during my trip – when I was already off to a famous local market in Mexico City called Mercado La Merced. Even though the market is listed as one of the top ten things to do in Mexico city – it is also known locally for prostitution and the nearby slums being extremely dangerous. Thank god for my cab driver who refused to take me there – saying it would have been a lot of risk, specially with the fancy camera I was carrying around with me that day.
- Be nice to the locals. Smile a lot in Mexico and talk to the local people nicely. Being an outsider – the local people in Mexico will get you by anything and everything – only if you ask them nicely. Mexicans are pretty proactive about pointing out the safe vs unsafe areas and also help you understand when you don’t know much Spanish.
- Wear your backpack on the front at all times while taking your tours in the city. Mexico is famous for pick-pocketing and the locals will always stop to advice you to wear your bag in the front for safety. Be extra cautious about loosing your wallet while traveling on the subway.
- I always prefer carrying my passport with me – but if you have a locker back in your hotel/hostel – leave your passport behind in a safe place. Once again you don’t want a pick-pocket to steal you off your passport during a day tour or during a drunk night partying.
- Book your tickets in advance be it international or domestic flights for affordable options and keep enough window of time in-between your domestic connections (they often get delayed). Mexico is a cheaper destination to travel from the USA, but if you are booking from other asian countries or specifically India – use these Cleartrip coupons for extra savings.Â
- Take Uber everywhere in Mexico City and Cancun. Uber is a lot safer than the authorized pink taxis. Additionally make sure you choose Uber X over an Uber pool for safety. Uber in Mexico is really cheap and taking an Uber X is only a few pesos more per ride.Â
- This one is old school – but buy your own drinks in Mexico and make sure you keep them in your hand. You don’t want to be drugged in Mexico.
- Carry cash – Mexican pesos, as most places in Mexico hardly accept plastic money. Also a 15% tip is expected in restaurants.
- Drink only filtered water, or buy bottled water. Local tap water will make you fall sick in a matter of minutes.
- Carry an external charger with you at all times. During the day you will find yourself walking and exploring the city for long hours and a handy charger will give you a better chance of having enough battery for your Uber app, pictures and google maps.
- If you don’t know Spanish – don’t worry. Make sure you tell the people you meet that you don’t speak Spanish and be nice to them. They will help you understand most of what you need to know. Keep google translate handy in case you really need to make a conversation – I used it a few times when I really needed it.
- Walk around with a confident body language. Don’t act like a privileged tourist and don’t be a like a scared chicken too while in Mexico. Wear confident clothes with comfortable and apt footwear for touring all day long in the city. Act as if you know your shit and own your solo trip!
- Ask people around for pictures. People are nice to tourists and they will click a few pictures for you with happy smiles, so don’t leave a chance of documenting your trip in those photographs just because you are shy to ask.Â
- Don’t give out hints about being solo in Mexico – and make sure you are confident at all times. Lie if you have to, tell people you are traveling with your friends or your spouse – and that they are not around as they wanted to do something else on that particular day.
- Give yourself deadlines. End your days early. And start early. Even though the touristy neighborhoods are safe to walk around in the night – Mexico is still not a place to be solo in the night. Most touristy museums and marketplaces to visit close by 5 pm, so you can easily start your days early and come back to your accommodation by 9 pm as your daily deadline.
- Don’t go crazy about seeing everything. Mexico is sooooo big – it’s impossible to fit everything in your itinerary. Make a plan that suits your tastes and traveling style the most – and stick to it.
- Book tours to visit the historic destinations like Coba, Teotihuacan, and Chichen Izta. These Mayan ruins and pyramids have so many mysteries behind them that only a certified tour guide can help you understand the real meaning of all that is lost and discovered here. Even though taking a local bus and visiting these places would be much cheaper – but I still recommend spending a bit more and opt for a tour even from the safety point of view.
- Experience and understand Mexico. Love Mexico – and don’t just visit it. Mexico is a place of deep local culture – and it’s only wise to experience it than to just check it off your bucket list as a tourist. Stay back in your hostel and talk to the locals all night if you have to. Don’t push yourself to see more, but try making new friends, listening to some good Spanish music and understand there lifestyle more through the locals.
Great article! I would love to visit Mexico and Cuba but I’ve been nervous due to not speaking Spanish and being alone.
Nice tips. I was always under the impression that Mexico is unsafe. This gives us assurance.
P.S. – Who clicked your candid photos? đ
I’m going in November and will use these tips for sure!
You have together such great advice! I do agree that its important to get back home early as you dont want to be walking alone at night.
I always wear a backpack when I travel! It’s much safer than a purse.
Wow your tips are useful and nice. I’m sure travelers like me can apply them in other countries too. But I salute to your bravery!
These are great tips. although, I am still not persuaded I would like to visit Mexico alone. On the other hand it is one of my favorite countries on the planet.
I think these tips are excellent advice for so many places, and for men and women. I think it’s especially good to research in advance and book tickets in advance.
This is such great advice! I’ve been to Mexico, but never on my own! It’s always a good idea to do your research and these tips are super helpful to staying safe on the road.
I think Mexico is safe and fun for me (although I am not a single female), but I love the culture and friendliness of the people there. I hope everyone could stay safe and have heaps of fun when they are traveling there! @ knycx.journeying
Great tips! I need to make it to Mexico so bad, I am definitely considering doing it solo style and these tips i am sure will be useful!
My daughter travelled to Argentina on an exchange last year and she was told by her host family on how to be safe while living there. I feel like several of the rules you pointed out, such as confidence and not being out late at night, could be applied anywhere in the world.
Thank you for all these tips. I literaly bookmarked it because I am going next year and I would need all these tips.
Uber is safer? I will definitely use that then.
These are fantastic tips and ones I already use but a few I will in the future! Pre planning has always been a big one for me but I’ve never thought about taking an uber.. I always take taxis! So thanks for the advice!
Excellent tips. I don’t do much solo travel, but a lot of this is very smart—especially ending your days early.
These are really great tips. Some of them can be applied to more places than just Mexico. I’ve been wanting to backpack in Mexico, but I’ve not made it yet. I’ll keep these tips in mind when I do though. Keeping your drink in your hand is super smart, as is walking with confidence. Own that girl power, chica!
These are amazing tips. Wearing your backpack on the front is a good idea in many parts of Latin America. Great advice!
Really great tips here – I truly believe even the countries with the worst safety reputations can be safe if you use common sense, and research the norms before you leave so you blend in. Great point especially on the backpack over suitcase – I’ve heard that in Mexico muggings don’t target backpackers because they’re seen to be cheap with no money anyway. So it’s a great way to blend in with the culture of tourism and not paint a target on your back.
Aww I stayed at Hostel Home too and loved it! These are great tips but I will disagree one point – I prefer to go out during the day with an across the shoulder bag more than a backpack, precisely because wearing it on your front screams tourist. Yes, we stand out anyway but anything to make us look more ‘street savvy’ helps. And I did go to la Merced – but without the big camera đ Either way, I LOVED Mexico & after 6 months there will be going back for more soon!
I think you are quite brave! But thanks for the tips, they are most useful!
I did Chichen Itza with a tour group. #16 is a great idea that not too many people think of! Someday, I want to see Mexico City!
im not a great solo traveller – great tips
Thank you for all those useful tips! I’m definitely going to apply them in my trip to Mexico in two months:-)
A lot of travelers I have met have told me that Mexico was unfairly stereotyped. Hopefully, a checklist for safety measures will make people more confident about visiting Mexico.
Hey! I am traveling to Cancun in May and it just hit me.. I am going to Mexico by myself ! How did you stay connected while in Mexico?
Great article and very good tips! Thank you for sharing. I have travelled quite a bit on my own and I like your point about making sure others donât know youâre solo and lie if you have to. Iâve used that approach quite a few times and itâs a good one, especially when speaking with men or if men ask you the question âwho are you here with?â Thanks again!
I think you are quite brave! But thanks for the tips, they are most useful!