Is solo feminine journey in Mexico secure? Listed here are some scams to pay attention to and my expertise visiting the 32 states alone

Hola! My identify is Trisha and I began solo feminine journey in Mexico in 2018. I’ve visited all 32 states of Mexico alone and fast-forward to as we speak, I’ve a everlasting residency and on the way in which to Mexican citizenship! This text provides you with an summary on what’s it prefer to journey totally different locations in Mexico alone as a lady.

Comic story – I didn’t wish to do solo feminine journey in Mexico. I initially wished to go to Syria and the Center East. I at all times write security is goal as a result of I consider each lady touring on this world has a sure degree of touring. It’s not a race or a social forex however most of the time, our security depends upon how we navigate ourselves in our travels.

For instance, when my buddy from Hong Kong traveled to Syria by herself, I used to be slightly shocked at how she pulled it off. Don’t get me fallacious, I’m not underestimating this buddy however for somebody like her introduced up in such a standard small nation tradition, it was fairly wonderful to know that ladies like her don’t relent.

I lately reached out to her for tales about her expertise touring in Syria. She instructed me that earlier than coming, she deliberate the journey accordingly by ensuring she is aware of locals in Aleppo. She handed me that contact (which can also be a lady) with slightly warning that Syria isn’t for everybody. She requested me if I’m to return to Syria, I shouldn’t write about it prefer it’s rainbows and unicorns.

Syria remains to be slightly unstable and solely feminine vacationers who’ve expertise will be capable to pull it off. I felt very privileged that she regarded me as somebody with the gold star expertise. However did notice that no matter gender, the degrees of the journey expertise are distinct for each human being.

So this expertise introduced me to start out my solo feminine journey in Mexico. Listed here are my real-life experiences within the place I used to concern, however now I name residence.

In a rush? Listed here are my high suggestions to your journey to Mexico:

🇲🇽 Mexico Journey Planner: I have been dwelling in Mexico since 2018 and I will help you intend your journey by means of a 1-1 chat. You might e book a name with me right here.

🏄 Issues to do in Mexico: Use the code PSIMONMYWAY10 to get a ten% low cost on actions in Mexico!

🛏️ Lodging: I solely e book lodging on Reserving.com since they’ve an choice to pay on the property. This manner, I can verify if the lodge reservation is a rip-off or not.

✈️ Low-cost flights to Mexico: I exploit WayAway due to the perks of getting a cashback on each flight I e book!

🚗 Rental vehicles in Mexico: Driving in Mexico is enjoyable and secure! You may hire a automotive right here for as little as $25 per day!

🚌 Busses in Mexico: Busses in Mexico are comfy and cheaper than home flights. When you have time and wish to save on price, purchase bus tickets on-line!

🛜 Mexico E-SIM: Buy an E-SIM for Mexico for as little as $6 per day. You may customise your knowledge plan right here.

🚑 Mexico Journey Insurance coverage: Don’t journey to Mexico with out insurance coverage. I exploit Ekta Touring for Mexico journeys not longer than 10 days and SafetyWing for month-long journeys.

Is solo feminine journey in Mexico secure?

Mexico, I suppose, when it comes to security is within the mid-level. I’ve been right here earlier than, at a very tranquil time, however many have instructed me that as we speak is sort of totally different. Getting ready to return to Mexico is slightly painful. There are quite a lot of issues you’ll learn on the Web about how unsafe Mexico is.

It will both break you (cancel the plans) or make you (go for it). In my case, having visited Mexico earlier than, I didn’t really feel very pressured, however I did really feel my limitations. These limitations got here within the type of an Uber driver in Mexico Metropolis. When he knew the place I used to be staying, he warned me that the place my lodge is situated isn’t actually a secure zone.

“You’re in an unsafe zone. Watch out.” the Uber driver mentioned as he dropped me at my lodge in CDMX.

“Aren’t all locations unsafe?” I requested with a roaring doubt in my head.

I’m scared. I’m actually scared. For the previous few years, I’ve been inside my consolation zone, dwelling in Tel Aviv and Subic Bay, the place issues are too secure and too acquainted.

I returned to that second once I first visited Mexico 6 years in the past — what was totally different?

Solo journey reminds you that it’s not merely a vacation spot or a set itinerary that transforms you—it’s your private responses to the surprising twists alongside the way in which. Each solo journey is an evolving journey, the place the way in which you deal with challenges, navigate loneliness, or enjoy newfound freedom reshapes who you’re.

The traveler you embody as we speak is likely to be worlds other than the one you have been in your first solo journey, and each new solo journey journey has the ability to reinvent that id as soon as once more.

All the things that I used to be or am instructed that I couldn’t, shouldn’t, gained’t, or can’t do — I do. All the things that was or is ignored and didn’t/doesn’t matter — I make matter. All the things that was or is pushed to the again burner by another person — I deliver to the forefront of my life.

And as we speak, even after years of being on the highway and considerably calling this the second hole 12 months in Latin America, I concern. I concern. I’m afraid. However there’s at all times that voice inside my head that asks, “who’s braver than you?”

I reply, on a regular basis, “nobody.” And that makes all my fears go away.

I’m out of the sport for the previous 12 months as I used to be dwelling in my consolation zone for a very long time. I slowly processed how I really feel about solo feminine journey in Mexico and I can’t get to that precise feeling. I’m not 100% assured. Ever since that Uber driver instructed me that my space in Mexico Metropolis is unsafe, I had doubts going out at evening.

However I did solo journey feminine in Mexico anyway as a result of what do I’ve to lose? Till I strive, I’ll by no means know.

I feared solo feminine journey in Mexico so much

Most ladies who wish to journey Latin America alone assume that they won’t have a seat on the desk as a result of most of the time, this area, particularly Mexico is related to “machismo”, a powerful sense of masculine satisfaction.

I attempted the ride-sharing from Mexico Metropolis to Guadalajara and to my shock, I had a 6-hour journey with 3 grown males who did nothing however be good to me.

I truly had no thought I used to be going to pave the entire approach with males (pictured on the duvet photograph of this submit). I additionally didn’t really feel threatened once I arrived on the assembly level.

These males didn’t really feel dangerous in any respect. I’m not positive for those who really feel that once you’re touring however for me, there’s a good and unhealthy gentle shining round strangers.

That is what I have a look at once I really feel threatened. I at all times see that aura in everybody! If I noticed the unhealthy gentle, consider me, regardless if I already paid for the journey, I can’t push by means of. However I did. As a result of these males appeared so innocent.

On this journey, I used to be anticipating to be requested why am I, a lady, touring so far-off from residence by herself. They didn’t deliver it up. By no means. I used to be even concerned of their conversations, however there have been subjects the place they didn’t ask for my opinion. I suppose, in a approach, they don’t discover that Mexican males nonetheless label some conversations masculine and female.

In my expertise touring the entire of Latin America, males change into extra protecting and caring after they see a lady touring alone. They at all times warn the ladies, “don’t go there, it’s not secure.” Girls are at all times given help every time they ask for it. However for those who’re a person, they’ll by no means let you know the place to go and the place to not go.

Usually, there are virtually zero conversations about security. Males who’re touring by themselves don’t obtain these warnings as a result of, hmmm. gender. I suppose on this case, being a lady isn’t a curse.

Mexico will get quite a lot of unhealthy press in terms of girls touring alone (it’s fairly excessive in some areas). However I’m grateful that in all places I’ve been on this nation, folks have been very caring and respectful.

Are you able to drink faucet water in Mexico?

Sure and no. Once I lived in Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta, I didn’t drink faucet water. However once I moved to Cabo, the water high quality was considerably totally different from the mainland. Cabo has superior in-house filtration, so I by no means actually frightened.

Ingesting faucet water in Mexico all depends upon the place you’re. In some areas, the water remedy processes may not be as rigorous or persistently maintained as they’re in your house nation. Simply to be secure, don’t drink faucet water in Mexico.

I even brush my tooth with mineral water! After showering, I additionally be sure that to clean my hair with potable water as a result of Mexico’s water can actually mess your hair up. Some seashores are even affected by this water drawback so don’t ingest ocean water as nicely.

How in regards to the drug cartels in Mexico?

I posted this photograph on Fb, sharing my expertise solely about this journey with out generalizing security in Mexico for ladies vacationers. I obtained a remark from a Mexican. I feel he misinterpreted my submit and ended as much as an understanding that I publicly proclaimed that Mexico is a secure nation.

I’m glad your travels have been secure. That being mentioned, Mexico’s “unhealthy press” is well-deserved. Femicide is an issue in Mexico. Girls are kidnapped, tortured, raped, and killed at an astounding price in Mexico. Many merely “disappear” and are by no means discovered. Worse, such crimes are hardly ever investigated and if an arrest is made, the punishment is often very low. So once more, I’m glad you’re having a secure journey, however don’t paint Mexico as a beautiful oasis vis-a-vis girls. As a result of it isn’t.

I’m very conscious this isn’t the case. However I’m nonetheless confused on how I ought to course of these emotions in the direction of security in Mexico. Once I arrived in Guadalajara 2 weeks in the past, my family and friends again residence had no image of this metropolis however Narcos Mexico on Netflix.

This present tells. A narrative in regards to the starting of the drug battle within the nation, led by Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, the well-known convicted Mexican drug lord who fashioned the Guadalajara Cartel within the Nineteen Eighties. However the key phrase right here that almost all of us spotlight is Guadalajara. We omitted the Nineteen Eighties as an essential component. And that was virtually 40 years in the past.

After Miguel Angel involves El Chapo, one other well-known druglord who’s life has a number of sequence on Netflix. These reveals present us that Chapo dominated the drug cartels in Sinaloa.

By the way in which, that’s the place Miguel Angel is from however selected to function in Guadalajara for the next energy.

“It’s best to go to Sinaloa and write in regards to the state of affairs there,” a buddy from Guadalajara instructed me. And this buddy is actually from Culiacan, the most important metropolis in and the capital of the state of Sinaloa.

By state of affairs, he meant how it’s so removed from what’s on the Netflix reveals. I feel once we’re watching TV reveals about Mexico or about something, we are inclined to neglect to think about the timeline of what we’re watching.

There’s a subliminal message implying that it’s in current time. Simply to make clear, the place I’m now (Guadalajara) is peaceable. It’s not such as you’re strolling on the road and also you’ll witness the drive-by capturing like within the motion pictures. The cartels are very quiet I don’t even know the place to look.

A buddy from France travels Sinaloa by herself and instructed me it’s all good. And so, I’ve added Sinaloa on this Mexican journey of mine. So sure, I’m torn, however I’m contemplating my sources: is that this individual telling me these items journey so much? Do we have now the identical journey fashion?

Has this individual been to this vacation spot up to now 12 months? Though I don’t consider there’s quite a lot of credible sources about journey security however journey bloggers themselves, right here’s what I researched about solo feminine journey in Mexico. Totally on the place to not go.

• The US State Division at all times points journey warnings to sure international locations. They made a map of the worst locations to journey in Mexico, printed on January 10, 2018. The 5 states labeled unsafe on this map are the northern border state of Tamaulipas and the Pacific coast states of Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacan and Guerrero. They’re all labeled “degree 4” unsafe. I don’t even know what that degree entails however Sinaloa is on this listing.
• This text listed the 12 most harmful cities in Mexico to keep away from in any respect prices. The listing is tremendous shocking because it entails cities I type of knew from pals who’re locals right here. The listing talked about Mazatlan, the place one in every of my pals from Spain is at the moment touring there. Acapulco, the place I plan to go, can also be on this listing! In fact, Sinaloa is a favourite in each security in Mexico article.
• This text by Celeb Stoner (what a reputation for an internet site) listed not solely 12 however 16 most harmful states in Mexico.

I feel the issue with these sources is that they don’t inform how it’s for vacationers. They don’t cite precise experiences on how readers will relate to them. They solely put key phrases like “39.32 homicides per each 100,000 folks.” These are details which might be type of political than experiential.

Will I get kidnapped in Mexico?

One of many high worries for solo feminine journey in Mexico is kidnapping. I obtained a message from an Instagram follower that struck me: “is it true that kidnappings are widespread? I plan to go to Mexico however I’m afraid to be kidnapped.”

I didn’t wish to reply this as a result of the phrase “kidnap” is one thing I don’t perceive in Mexico. Sure, positive, you hear it on the information that somebody acquired kidnapped however primarily based on my every day setting and environment, I have no idea anybody or have seen something prefer it in the place I stay in Mexico.

I couldn’t even reply the query, “who would kidnap you?!” I hardly heard of foreigners and vacationers being ‘kidnapped’ and even concerned in a cartel battle in Mexico. So, in case you are a solo feminine touring in Mexico (or anyplace that the information has labeled unsafe), I ask you to inform an experience-based story in any approach you’ll be able to.

Don’t base it on State Division details, particularly in case you are already bodily current in that nation. Sharing your expertise is the one approach to assist folks perceive this complicated world of security for feminine vacationers.

Frequent scams for solo feminine journey in Mexico

1. Taxi & Trip-Share Scams

Unofficial taxis or drivers could refuse to make use of the meter, take unnecessarily lengthy routes, or declare that the meter is damaged. They may additionally pose as licensed drivers however aren’t. This solely occurs in cities the place Uber isn’t obtainable (for instance, in Oaxaca).

Ubers aren’t obtainable in lots of Mexican locations due to the native taxi trade’s opposition. In lots of cities, established taxi unions and associations have appreciable affect. They argue that ridesharing firms like Uber disrupt their market and bypass long-standing regulatory frameworks.

Once they refuse to make use of a meter, take unnecessarily lengthy routes, or declare that the meter is damaged, ask them to cease and inform them that you simply wish to go away. Give them 50 pesos, stroll away, and by no means look again. It is a very uncommon occasion nevertheless it does occur.

Earlier than you’re taking a taxi in Mexico, just remember to negotiate the worth first. Even in case you are in a rush and your Spanish is non existent, take the time to barter. An alternative choice is to substantiate if there’s a meter earlier than driving the taxi. If one thing feels off, don’t hesitate to cancel the journey.

2. Forex Trade Scams

Road cash changers or unofficial cubicles could supply engaging charges solely to supply counterfeit forex, fallacious change, and even shortchange you on the deal.

Mexico’s financial system nonetheless depends closely on money, particularly in native markets and smaller cities. The fixed stream of money creates a lovely alternative for counterfeiters who consider that fast exchanges of cash can go unnoticed in busy, cash-based environments.

Listed here are some key causes and detailed steps to verify in case your Mexican invoice is pretend or actual:

Central banks and official forex web sites typically replace their security measures. Familiarize your self with these particulars for the forex within the area you’re visiting. The Mexican banks I exploit are Santander, BBVA, and Banorte. They’re all around the nation and you’ll stroll in and trade USD.

3. Pretend Police or Safety Stops

Some people could pose as native law enforcement officials and method vacationers, claiming doc irregularities or fines. They then request a right away bribe or “positive cost.” As a Mexican resident, this already occurred to me as a result of they knew I used to be a foreigner.

I’m fluent in Spanish and consider me that I don’t converse Spanish to law enforcement officials as a result of they hardly ever converse English. I discovered from expertise that talking Spanish to law enforcement officials in Mexico solely makes the dialog lengthy. In case you solely converse English, the dialog is minimize immediately and you’ll both stroll away by telling them you don’t converse Spanish.

In the event that they insist, don’t be afraid. Ask for his or her identification. Professional officers may have correct ID and carry official documentation. One other trick I do is to request that they accompany me to the closest police station earlier than handing over any cash. This at all times works as a result of they don’t want the difficulty of going to the police station to file a report.

4. Resort & Reserving Scams

There are circumstances the place vacationers arrive to seek out their confirmed reserving doesn’t exist or uncover surprising charges (generally hidden prices in your invoice). Solely e book by means of respected platforms. I exploit Reserving.com or I contact resorts instantly since I’m fluent in Spanish.

A number of days earlier than your arrival, double-check your reservation particulars, and ask about any additional charges. If I don’t wish to undergo the difficulty of bookings, I at all times avail a Concierge Service from Mexico Insider. They assist me e book my resorts and lodging wherever I wish to go!

In any other case, you might also avail your self of a solo journey chat with me. I may give you recommendation on reserving your resorts in Mexico as a solo feminine traveler. I’ve stayed in lots of and might share my private experiences!

5. Road Distraction & Pickpocket Scams

In crowded markets or vacationer websites, teams of con artists could use distraction methods—one individual engages you whereas one other picks your pockets. At all times be conscious of your belongings. Use anti-theft luggage, maintain wallets in entrance pockets or cash belts, and keep alert in crowded areas.

Keep away from fast, unsolicited interactions. If a stranger abruptly approaches with a proposal or a narrative that feels contrived, it is likely to be a distraction. Don’t get me fallacious, all Mexicans have been good to me and I’m on my solution to Mexican citizenship. However I additionally had experiences with very unhealthy folks and it occurs in all places, not simply in Mexico.

Useful Spanish phrases for solo feminine journey in Mexico

I’m grateful that I devoted time to study Spanish once I began backpacking South America in 2012. I’m fluent in Spanish, and I take into account this to be a brilliant ability!

Under is an inventory of useful Spanish phrases with their English translations that you should use whereas touring in Mexico, whether or not for asking instructions or signaling an emergency.

English is quite common in touristy areas like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo, so that you do not need to fret about that. You’ll solely use these Spanish phrases in less-popular locations or small cities.

Though Oaxaca and Mexico Metropolis are fashionable locations, not everybody can converse English in these two areas.

Mexico solo journey security ideas

Lastly, I might like to share with you my Mexico solo journey ideas. Most of those, it’s possible you’ll discover actually odd however I’ll undoubtedly ensure that I clarify it to you as comprehensible as attainable. You may at all times go to my full submit about solo journey ideas in Mexico to see the complete listing!

Who’s your supply?

I perceive that in terms of Mexico solo journey, you’ll come throughout quite a lot of unhealthy feedback from pals and households. Most of them haven’t been to Mexico and but there’s a voice inside your head that desires to hearken to them. This occurred to me so much once I first began touring the world.

I stored in thoughts that I ought to solely hearken to people who find themselves dependable and credible sources within the specific nation I’m visiting. I at all times use Couchsurfing to get in contact with locals and see the protection state of affairs.

I’ve been an OG in Couchsurfing as I’ve been utilizing it for years. Everybody needs to assist and can reply your questions rapidly!

I’m additionally biased with journey blogs, particularly these which might be telling tales. Journey blogs are by vacationers who’re actual folks. I don’t encourage you to learn massive publications as they’re at all times about search engine optimisation or attending to Google’s first web page. Journey bloggers are trustworthy and can at all times offer you trustworthy insights!

Get in contact with the consulate/embassy of your nation

I began doing this once I first got here to Africa as a 21-year outdated. 12 years later, the behavior caught and even when I’m already assured with touring solo, I nonetheless join with all of the Embassies of the Philippines in a selected nation I’m visiting.

I actually discover this comforting! I often simply report back to them that I’m within the nation and share my temporary itinerary with them. I additionally ship them the hostels I keep in in order that, in case one thing occurs to me, they’ll know how one can begin on the lookout for me.