Women Traveling Alone In Mexico
Safety Tips For Women Who Travel To Mexico Alone
Normally, I say that it is perfectly safe for women to travel to Mexico alone. However, there are some caveats to that statement. The banner for women-only tours is in contradiction that it is safe for women to travel alone, but an opportunity for those women who do not want to travel alone and want to be with a group of other women. Either way is good. It's a matter of personal choice which way you want to travel to Mexico.
Women traveling alone or together in Mexico can do so without fear -- as long as they use common sense and follow a few simple guidelines. Generally speaking, it is safe for women to travel alone in Mexico. In fact, women's safety in Mexico is not an issue if you use common sense. Whether you are a woman traveling alone in Mexico or two women traveling in Mexico, you probably have less to fear than you would traveling alone in the States. There are some differences for women traveling alone in Mexico, and you should be aware of them.
I am not Pollyannaish. There are safety issues for women traveling alone in Mexico or anywhere in the world. The best way to avoid problems is not to wear revealing clothing away from the beach resorts. Mexico is a conservative country and only "loose" women are supposed to dress that way. Yes, I know that young Mexican girls dress like Madonna, but they can get away with it and you can't. Foreign women have a reputation for being "easy," so dress somewhat conservatively. Another thing is that around some of the ruins, Palenque, for instance, there have been incidents of rape. I strongly advise you to not accept any invitations to see the ruins at night and to explore only in the middle of the day or with a friend.
Are you safe taking a bus alone? Yes. Are you safe driving alone? Yes, as long as you use the same suggestions found on the driving pages. Are you safe going into a local cantina? No. Use your head and you will be just fine. Are you safer than in Central America? Yes. Safety is not guaranteed anywhere in the world. Get drunk at a disco and I can't be responsible. Take a "designated girlfriend to get me out of trouble".
Many travel writers are women, at least the ones who do Mexico books. They generally bop about on their own. The encouraged me to let others know that, while there are some real drawbacks to solo travel, it's no different in Mexico than in Europe or the US. Rather than being worried about being molested, they were concerned about being helped to death..
A lone woman is going to get lots of offers of assistance from well-meaning males and solicitous concern from well-meaning women. A woman can allay most wolfish advances with a big hat and loose clothing. Save the alluring stuff for when you're serious about alluring.
Many women team up after awhile, because it's easier to enjoy yourself with someone else there, or just because it's easier on the nerves.
Someday soon, I will have a travel companion exchange of this site where you can find a like-minded person to travel with. There will be a woman only part as well as an "it doesn't matter" section. It will not be a dating section, per se.