Is Mexico City Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Mexico City has diverse areas, with some being quite safe while others can be less so. As a solo female traveller, it's key to stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Stick to well-lit, populated areas and use registered taxis or Uber for transportation. Also, avoid displaying expensive items like jewelry or high-end electronics in public, which can attract unwanted attention. Traveling by day and participating in organized tours can greatly increase safety. Local authorities are making efforts to improve safety but practicing personal caution is a must.

Safety index

4.6 /5

Based on 42 experiences

3 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

Safety at night:Unsafe

Mexico City, while fascinating and rich in culture, unfortunately has a reputation for petty crime and instances of violence, particularly after dark. It might not be ideal for a solo female traveler to walk alone at night. It's advisable to stick to well-lit and populated areas, use registered taxis or rideshare apps, and always alert someone of your whereabouts. However, many areas are policed and you'll find that most locals are extremely hospitable.

Public transportation: Unsafe

Public transportation such as metro, buses or taxis in Mexico City can be quite challenging for a solo female traveler. While it is not completely unsafe, there have been reports of pickpocketing, particularly in crowded areas. Additionally, services like Uber are generally safer and more reliable than traditional taxis. It's recommended to stay in well-populated areas and be aware of your belongings at all times.

Street harassment: High

As a solo female traveler in Mexico City, one may experience some form of harassment in the form of catcalls, lewd gestures, or unwanted attention. It's important to stay vigilant, particularly in crowded areas, during late hours, and on public transportation. While many locals are friendly and helpful, these incidents do occur occasionally. Aligning your travel habits with local customs and dressing modestly can help reduce the chances of attracting unwanted attention.

Petty crimes:High

While Mexico City has numerous attractions and is a vibrant cultural hub, petty crimes such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and cell phone theft are quite prevalent, particularly in crowded tourist areas and on public transportation. It's important to stay vigilant, keep your belongings secure, and avoid displaying high-value items in public.

Tap water:Unsafe

Mexico City's tap water is not generally recommended for drinking. The city's supply is technically treated to be safe, but infrastructure like pipes may not be up to par. Therefore the water can become contaminated en route, resulting in tourists and even some locals experiencing digestive issues when they drink it directly. It is advised to use bottled or purified water for consumption, brushing teeth, and washing fruits and vegetables.

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 42 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.9/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

4.8/5

Budget-friendly

4.1/5
Manon

Manon

France

Solo travel experience

My opinion, it was very safe during the day but I didn't go out alone in the evening, there are a lots of activities to do for free or really not expensive likes parks or museum. Hostel was pretty good, not expensive, good localisation with breakfasts including

Posted: November 8, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Mexico City is a huge international city with a ton to offer. The food is amazing, museums are great, and there are plenty of tours that can be set up by your hostel or hotel. It’s safe in certain areas but I wouldn’t walk around in many places at night. Definitely be aware of your surroundings. It was expensive.

Posted: October 24, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I spent a month in Mexico City, alone. The capital is a real jungle, so it's good to know where you can move around without worries (Roma Norte, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacán) and which places are better to avoid. I recommend using Uber, not walking alone at night, using common sense, marking tourist spots on your map, and not walking with your phone in your hand. Mexico City is a beautiful city with countless museums, exhibitions, amazing food, and very friendly people. The Yucatan Peninsula is a Caribbean paradise, with lots of tourists and beautiful places - divine cenotes, great diving spots, historical ruins, and wonderful restaurants.

Posted: October 7, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I loved Mexico City and I felt very safe. I stayed in La Condesa for the first part of my trip and Polanco for the second part. Both were great but I loved La Condesa, so much more character and amazing restaurants over there. I would even go for runs in the morning solo and it was fine.

Posted: October 3, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I did seven days and I could have just moved here I highly recommend visiting Teotihuacan (pyramids of the sun and moon, day trip), Museo Nacional de Antropologia (incredible history museum, has really cool displays of all different Mexican indigenous groups), Casa Azul (Frida Kahlo’s house, amazing), Xochimilco (canals with floating boats). There is so much to do in Mexico City, there are really cool neighborhoods of Coyoacán and Condesa. I don’t recommend using taxis in Mexico City (use Uber) or going near the neighborhood of Tepito. Be wary of your things in the metro if you use it.

Posted: October 2, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

Mexico City was fine for me, I walked around all day alone, I just stayed in the center square near my hotel at night but there are night markets so busy and safe until at least midnight. Can be dodgy if you leave the tourist areas but other than that it’s safe.

Posted: September 25, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

I just traveled to Mexico City for 4 days solo and it was awesome. I cannot say enough about how fantastic it is for solo travelers. I stayed in Roma Norte and felt very safe. The food was epic. The city has everything, from history, museums to boutiques and restaurants. I can’t wait to go back.

Posted: August 15, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Mexico City was amazing! I stayed in a nice Airbnb in Condesa. Everyone was really nice, the city felt safe, and the food was yummy. I want to go back soon! I was there for 7 nights and also spent 4 nights in Tulum. I did a lot of things like Xochimilco, visited the Zocalo, cathedral, and presidential palace, saw the Ballet Folklorico, went to Museo Frida Kahlo and Coyoacán, walked around Condesa, went to Teotihuacan, and visited the Museum of Anthropology.

Posted: July 31, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I loved Mexico City. I’ve never felt unsafe in most places in the city. There’s so much to see there, from the markets to museums and cultural sites. My favorite market was near the Frida Museum in Coyacan. I also loved the Folk Art Museum and the Lucha Libre wrestling. The subway is cheap but often very crowded. Uber is super cheap and easy to use.

Posted: July 29, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I did three nights in Mexico City solo and I absolutely loved it. I stayed in the historic district and found it super convenient. I felt so comfortable there taking Uber everywhere. There is so much to do and see. My favorites were Templo Mayor, The Diego Rivera Murals and the Catedral Metropolitana. Cafe De Tacuba was my absolute favorite food.

Posted: July 17, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Local experiences

There are several things that must be in your “to do list” when visiting Mexico City: - Eat the most delicious tostadas you would find and drink a “chocofrio” as a dessert in Coyoacan. - Visit “ Templo Mayor” and “la Catedral” - Enjoy Palacio de Bellas Artes’ view while getting a Delicious coffee or chocolate at “Porfirios” - As must seen museums you can visit: Castillo de Chapultepec, casa de Frida Kahlo, Museo de Memoria y Tolerancia and Museo de Antropología

Posted: November 23, 2023
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There’s a lot of day/weekend trips you can take from Mexico City!!! Most are pueblo mágicos (small magical towns): Tepoztlan, Taxco, San Miguel Allende, Guanajato, Valle de Bravo, Grutas Tolontongo. And of course you can do a day trip to teotihuacan! (The pyramids- and if you can do the hot air balloon trip over the pyramids I def recommend it) Look up tianguis (food markets) that happen around Mexico City each day- the nieghborhood changes based on the day. There are websites that give that info!! Go to Castillo de chapultapec for one day! Try all the street tacos and my favorite drink- pulque! Also you’d want to stay in the Condesa/Roma area!! Around Parque México/parque España!

Posted: November 1, 2022
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Meet locals in Mexico City

Gaby

Gaby

Speaking

About Me

Hey, My name is Gaby and I'm interested in culture, cycling, food & cuisine, nightlife and swimming

Countries I’ve Visited

🇫🇷 France, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇩🇪 Germany

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lizeth

lizeth

Speaking

About Me

I am a creative teacher. I love meet new people and listen to their experiences and share advetures. I'm a cat lover 😻 I believe together we can create a better world 🌍

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇫🇷 France, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇨🇦 Canada

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Xenia

Xenia

Speaking

About Me

Estoy rondando por México, un país el cual soñaba conocer desde hace tiempo ✨❤️‍🩹 Es hermoso poder estar acá disfrutando de toda la belleza que ofrece su naturaleza sumando a la magia 🙏🏼🤍 Y sigo paseando así que pueden hablarme y compartimos ya sea un viaje o alguna experiencia! Soy fotógrafa y me dedico a todo tipo de fotografía, siempre estoy abierta a conocer más!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇵🇦 Panama

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Stay with locals in Mexico City

Xenia

Xenia

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

About me

Estoy rondando por México, un país el cual soñaba conocer desde hace tiempo ✨❤️‍🩹 Es hermoso poder estar acá disfrutando de toda la belleza que ofrece su naturaleza sumando a la magia 🙏🏼🤍 Y sigo paseando así que pueden hablarme y compartimos ya sea un viaje o alguna experiencia! Soy fotógrafa y me dedico a todo tipo de fotografía, siempre estoy abierta a conocer más!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇵🇦 Panama

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Brianda

Brianda

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

About me

Mexican woman with an open mi d willing to learn and listen to locals

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇴 Bolivia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇸🇻 El Salvador, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇳 India, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇳🇵 Nepal, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇷🇺 Russia

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Laura

Laura

You can stay for:

6 days

About me

Hi, My name is Laura and I'm interested in animals, art, books, culture, cycling, food & cuisine, fashion, events & social, languages and sightseeing

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇫🇷 France

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Upcoming visitors to Mexico City

Erika

Erika

Speaking

About Me

Hi there! I'm Erika =]. Traveling is something that I've always wanted to do but held myself back from. But now, I'm ready to get out there and see the world 🌎🧳. I started with a trip to Northern Italy 🇮🇹 in November 2023 and loved the experience. I'd love to meet any of you if our paths cross ❤️. Tea? Food? Sightseeing? Spa day? Hiking? I'm down for anything ☺️. I am a planner but more so I just like to gather a list of attractions / experiences / restaurants, make a loose plan and then see how my day unfolds. Sometimes the best part happens when you don't plan it💫. I'm also thinking of going to Mexico City 🇲🇽 around New Years. Let me know if you'd be interested to join!

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Local discussions

Solo travelWhat are some recommendations for my trip to Mexico City over the holidays?

I’m planning a trip to Mexico City between Christmas and New Year’s. Any recommendations for things to see, places to stay, etc.?

Posted: November 23, 2022
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TravelWhat suggestions do you have for traveling to Mexico City in December?

Hi ladies! I'm traveling to Mexico City in December, and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions (hotels, things to do/avoid)?

Posted: November 15, 2022
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Safety in Mexico