Is Cancún Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

As a solo female traveler, you'll find Cancun relatively safe with a number of tourist police aimed to ensure the safety of visitors. However, like anywhere, it's important to remain vigilant, especially at night, avoid less crowded areas and keep your belongings secure. Ensuring you take reputable transportation and stay in known tourist regions is also advised.

Safety rating

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How safe is Cancún?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

While Cancún has a reputation as a tourist-friendly destination, it is still advisable to take caution at night. Like any city, there are areas that are less safe than others. It's better to stay in well-lit, busy areas and avoid walking alone, particularly in less frequented spots or alleyways. Always take a registered taxi or a reputable rideshare service when moving around at night and avoid sharing your travel plans or accommodation details with strangers. The safety issue here is generally about petty crime, so always keep an eye on your belongings.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Cancún is generally considered reliable and safe. The bus system offers frequent service and covers the majority of the city, including the hotel zone. The buses are usually crowded but crimes are rare. Taxis are also readily available and mostly safe. However, it is always recommended to be cautious and aware of your surroundings, and avoid traveling alone at night if possible.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Moderate

In Cancún, the street harassment level is moderate. While most locals are respectful and polite, you might occasionally encounter unwelcome comments or attention which can be uncomfortable as a solo female traveler. This is more common in the more bustling areas such as the Hotel Zone or Downtown Cancún. It's advisable to dress modestly and be aware of your surroundings.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Moderate

While Cancún is known for its sandy beaches and clear blue waters, it does have a certain level of risk when it comes to petty crimes like pickpocketing and bag snatching, especially in tourist hotspots. Tourists are often seen as easy targets for these types of offenses. Hence, it's advised to be cautious of your surroundings, and avoid flashing valuables in public. Always make sure your belongings are not left unattended.

Is Cancún worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.2 /5

based on 17 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.4/5

Safety

3.7/5

Food

4.3/5

Budget-friendly

3.7/5

Solo travel

It was a good experience, and care should be taken with the places where you are. The food is delicious, but they always charge foreigners exorbitant prices, which was a downside. Sometimes, it's not very safe to go out at night and alone.

Posted: October 12, 2024
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Melanie

Melanie

Colombia

Group travel

We went to tulum, island mujeres, Xoximilco and xcaret. It was all fun but for us that we come from Colombia, it was kind of expensive because the prices were as is you were in the US. Other than that, the experience was very good, the people were nice and the places beautiful

Posted: August 9, 2024Experienced: November, 2022
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Marina

Marina

Brazil

Solo travel

I did cancun wrong, so I don’t have many tips other than: make sure to get a hostel right at the big resorts are (I believe the good one was called Tree Monkey). Definitely go to the big party in the famous club (that I forgot the name haha). There is also free pool parties (every Tuesday, I think). Or… jump in the boat and go to Isla Mujeres instead! GORGEOUS!! In front of cancun, more calm, nicer beaches and more accessible hostels/hotels. 10/10 would recommend over cancun.

Posted: July 25, 2024
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Family travel

I would definitely make sure to go to the cenotes when in Cancun and also see the turtles. The water is absolutely beautiful and so so warm. I could just stay at the beach all vacation, but just make sure to bring a ton of sunscreen you will be getting some color

Posted: April 27, 2024
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Group travel

My trip to Cancun was very amazing. I had a lot of fun. I met new people and I made new friends. And one thing that I like the most is that my house was very grate and very welcoming and they did everything. We asked.

Posted: March 13, 2024
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Group travel

Cancún was my first trip with some of my friends without family and we had a great time! We stayed in this beautiful resort right on the beach (slightly pricey but imo worth it because breakfast was included and the four of us split the cost). We went to Isles Mujeres on a party boat which was SO MUCH fun! We got to explore the island, taste some good tequila, and go snorkeling as well. Another day we went to the Cenotes, and swam in the water. Then we went to the famous Chichén Itzá (you can do this cool clapping sound thing — our tour guide was the best). We also drove jetskis for the first time and went out clubbing (slightly scary so just be careful). The only major downside of the trip was trying to get a reasonable taxi from the airport that wasn’t way overpriced — so I recommend booking this in advance online.

Posted: January 28, 2024
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Salihah

Salihah

United States

Group travel

Mexico was amazing! I only left my resort once so I wouldn't go off everything I say perooo, when I left, I got to see the culture of Mexico, and it was beautiful—the water so clear and warm. The people were very friendly and welcoming. I learned more Spanish in my four-day trip than in my two years of taking it in high school, lol. Honestly, I would not stay at an all-inclusive resort again if I want to feel the culture just because my specific resort was kind of like being in America but super humid. I suppose it just wasn't what I expected, but I think it would've been different if I stayed somewhere else, so take that into account. I definitely recommend Airbnb's to get that more home feeling in safe areas where you can get to know and experience the culture in Mexico. My experience was overall positive. I had to get used to the humidity, so get ready. If you are like me from a place with little to no humidity, it was a shock. I think my grandpa's glasses fogged up when we stepped off the plane, lol. Please be thorough when you are purchasing your excursions. I went on a cabana boat ride to another island, and it included lunch, snorkeling, etc., but they did try to scam us for some money. When my family member brought it to their attention, they did get kind of rude and told us we could leave and not get on the boat at all. Thankfully, it all worked out, and I still got to enjoy that excursion, but I will say make sure of the prices and make sure they're finalized. I also wouldn't do the pay half now, pay the rest later thing because it just is complicated if you were able to pay for your excursions full price.

Posted: January 10, 2024
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Solo travel

I traveled alone to Cancun in February, and the worst part was the airport journey. I had no issue with any men who approached me, which surprised me greatly since, honestly, I expected it based on my experience in other Spanish-speaking countries. I felt safe walking around, obviously using common sense, I did not walk much at night, and if I did, I was extremely cautious. I often left the hotel zone because I wanted to have a more "authentic" experience, but I did not have time to travel outside of Cancun. Downtown Cancun is significantly more dangerous. I had conversations with many local traders who were willing to negotiate the prices of the goods they sold.

Posted: December 26, 2023
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Solo travel

I was in Cancun last January and I felt completely safe. I was not in the hotel zone, I was in the actual city, which I highly recommend to get to know the culture. I walked alone around the city both day and night and never felt unsafe. I also highly recommend booking a trip to Chichén Itzá while staying in Mexico. It is absolutely worth the drive from Cancun.

Posted: December 25, 2023
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Solo travel

I went alone and did not feel endangered. I had booked a taxi before arriving and went straight to my hotel, which was located in the city center (not in the hotel zone). When I went to the city center, several guys constantly asked for my number / to go out with them, but they were absolutely annoying and I tried to stay in a crowd to lose them. Besides that, everything was fine.

Posted: December 24, 2023
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Is Cancún safe for women?

Cancún is overall safe during the day, if you stay in downtown and don't go outside of the main center of the city. For example: Avenida nader, bonampak, near las americas mall or market 28 are safe during daylight but don't go to the areas where we call them la ciento (100,120) or even two hundred might be more dangerous. Even though it's mostly safe don't get distracted and always be ok the lookout for sketchy people or situations and even if you're on these safe areas, beware. Most important be more careful walking in the dark as not all the areas have good lighting at night. The hotel zone is safer than downtown but I still don't trust it 100%

Posted: September 14, 2024
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Meet locals in Cancún

Coral

Coral

About Me

I’m new in Cancun, I got a job here and I want to explore the city like a tourist because this is my first time here, I like explore the city with a friend

Speaking

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pia

pia

About Me

Un placer! Soy Pia. Nacida en argentina, pero ciudadana del mundo. Vivo en México, en el Caribe exactamente. Aunque dejé mi vida allí por tres meses va aventurarme en europa. Me encanta en arte en todas sus formas. Soy vegetariana y también me gusta cocinar. Descubrí esta App con otra amiga viajera y la verdad que me da mucha más seguridad que seamos solo mujeres. Aún no tengo casa propia en México pero cuando llegue y me acomode podré recibirlas con amor también 🙏♥️

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Cancún

Natalia

Natalia

Cancún

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi! I am Natalia Kaori, I love traveling around, I live in Cancun and enjoy meeting new people and new places, I am half Mexican-Japanese enjoy very much cultural differences and traditions hope to meet a lot of travelers! :)

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Safety in Mexico