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Is it safe for a woman to travel alone in Mexico?

This is a question I get often and lucky the answer is YES! YES! YES!

Thanks to the media, Mexico has a bit of a reputation for being a dangerous place for women to travel.   Kidnappings, shootings, and drug cartels fill people’s minds despite the dangers to most travelers being minuscule.  So…..I want to change this narrative and talk about all of the safe places that solo female travelers can go to in Mexico.

Disclaimer:  I have spent the past 11 months in Mexico and have traveled extensively during this time.  I have NEVER felt unsafe.  I have found Mexicans to be extremely welcoming, courteous and helpful and I am grateful that I have gotten to spend so much time here. However, I have put this list together to help give other women some inspiration on where to go!

So here are MY tried and tested destinations that I highly recommend visiting!

  • Puerto Morelos
  • Puerto Escondido
  • Yelapa

For beach bums……

Puerto Morelos

Located on the Mayan Riviera but a world away from Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos is a quiet little beach community with neat streets and a welcoming beach.  There are a lot of older expats that live there so all the creature comforts you need are there.  Best of all, it is just a short bus ride from Cancun!

Yelapa

This gorgeous little town is just a one-hour boat ride away from Puerto Vallarta and offers the perfect place for people looking for a laid back vibe.  The town has no cars and people get around on foot, horse, donkey or ATV.  There are tons of great opportunities for hiking and the river offers some great swimming spots.  The beach is lined with restaurants and the population is a mix of locals and retired expats.  This is the perfect place when you want to get away from it all and get a little glimpse of life in rural Mexico!

Puerto Escondido

A haven for surfers, Puerto Escondido offers a string of beaches that range from quaint little coves to stunning wind-swept white sand masterpieces.   Many of the areas are unsafe for swimming but the town has a variety of beach clubs that allow you to view the breathtaking beach from the comfort of a pool!  Puerto Escondido is a bit harder to get to than either Yelapa or Puerto Morelos but you can get cheap flights from Mexico CIty or take a nauseating 7 hour bus ride from Oaxaca City.

  • Guanajuato
  • San Cristobal
  • Merida

For city slickers…..

Guanajuato 

For anyone who reads my blog, I am sure that you already know that I am OBSESSED with Guanajuato.  The state itself has a bad reputation but the city is safe and lovely.  Mariachi bands fill the squares and the student buzz surrounding Guanajuato University makes the town feel alive.  For the best sunset views, head up to Pilipa and wait as the colors of the city are replaced by twinkling lights as far as you can see.  Guanajuato is easily accessible from Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende. If you want to know more about my travels in Guanajuato, you can check out my blog article about a recent trip here!

San Cristobal 

This tiny mountain town tucked away close to the border of Guatemala is one of those places that is hard to leave.  On my first trip, I meant to stay 3 days and I stayed 14!  The laid back hippy vibe mixed with indigenous culture makes this a fascinating little place.  For nature lovers, there are loads of beautiful lakes and waterfalls nearby.  Best of all,  it is very cheap to eat and sleep there so you don’t have to pay the dreaded tourist prices that you find along Mexico’s coasts! You can read more about Chiapas and San Cristobal here!

Merida

Mexico’s safest city, Merida offers a ton of cultural activities for visitors and is an easy jumping off point for Mayan ruins, cenotes and beaches.  You can also easily get other smaller colonial towns.  Merida is a great alternative for people wanting to explore the Yucatan Peninsula but wanting to stay away from the party vibe of the coastal towns. You can read more about my time in Merida here!

Beyond this list, pueblo magicos are generally safe and they all have something unique to offer visitors.  In fact, you can travel for months through Mexico visiting these towns.   Read more about my travels in Mexico here and here!

So, what are you waiting for ladies?  Pack your bags, grab your passport and book that flight!  Mexico is waiting for you with open arms!

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7 Replies to “Safe Places to Travel in Mexico for Solo Female Travelers”

  • Thank you so much for writing this. I’ve been going to Mexico since I could walk, and I’ve always loved it, adored it and cherished. And yup, I have been robbed as a tourist (and with a guide in a “safe place”) BUT I still say it’s a safe, warm place and encourage anyone to go. It’s my favorite country out of 63 so far

    • I am so glad to hear it! India and Mexico are currently tied as my favorites out of 123 countries!

  • I’ve been in Mexico for the past 4 months and I would like to check out the country. I’m sure most of it is safe if you’re flying between resorts, but driving through Mexico to get to these places is the problem for me. Thanks for a positive post, though!

  • I’ve been living in Xalàpa Veracruz and really like it and find it safe. Coatepec, Xico and Naolinco are interesting and very nearby. Come down and I will show you around, after the vaccine, of course.

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