How To Stay Safe in Mexico (Without Staying at a Resort)

Fear of danger is the number one reason why people avoid travel outside of resorts in Mexico, which is a shame because the country has so much to offer with its rich culture, diverse nature, ancient history, friendly people, lively markets, delicious food and drinks, and vibrant colors, textiles and street art.  The biggest myth about Mexico is that the entire country is a violent death trap.  Mexico is a massive country and while there are dangerous areas, there are also loads of safe places.

Like every major tourist destination, there are people who make a business off of scamming naive tourists.  So it’s essential to be educated on the potential dangers and scams in order to know how to avoid them and stay safe in Mexico.  These are valuable street smarts that are useful for travel everywhere in the world.

There’s no such thing as a crime-free place in the world, but the majority of people have good intentions and Mexicans are very friendly people.

WHY IS THERE SO MUCH CRIME IN MEXICO?

 

Mexico has issues with corruption, poverty, disparities in wealth and illegal drug trade which all result in higher crime rates.  As a result, pickpocketing and muggings can happen, but kidnappings typically only target locals.  However, the majority of violence that you hear about in the news is between cartels, which has nothing to do with tourists.  And remember that the news thrives on reporting bad news.

 

ISN’T MEXICO DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF A RESORT?  ESPECIALLY AS A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER?

 

Mexico is safe to travel for everyone if you follow basic common sense and safety rules, which should be followed in every country you travel.

Mexico is one of my favorite countries.  I traveled Mexico as a blonde solo female traveler for 2.5 months, over 3 different trips in 10 different Mexican states (as well as 7 months in Central and South America) and I’ve never been mugged or pickpocketed.  A small part of me staying safe in Mexico was luck, a big part was being aware of potential dangers and always being aware of my surroundings, and another part is that I truly believe Mexico is really NOT that dangerous if you avoid certain areas and practice certain precautions.

At the time of writing, a few places to avoid include the states of Chihuahua, Sinoloa, Colima, as well as the cities of Tijuana and Juarez.  Typically, the states that border the US are problem areas, due to the drug trade.

Sure, Mexico has its issues, but so do A LOT of countries.  People romanticize Western Europe, but in reality, a lot of popular Western European cities are notorious for pickpocketing and sometimes muggings, which predominantly targets tourists.  However, the majority of tourist-targeted scams and crime in Mexico occurs in beach resort areas, so that’s a great reason to avoid boring and generic overpriced resorts that are completely devoid of culture and adventure.

Here is everything you need to know about how to stay safe in Mexico:

 

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

 

GET TRAVEL INSURANCE 

Travel insurance is an absolute must for all international travel.  It offers a lot more than just medical protection- it covers you if your flight gets cancelled, a family member becomes ill or passes away and you have to return home, or if something gets stolen or breaks.  And if you do get seriously ill or injured, it can save you thousands of dollars.  Travel insurance isn’t cheap, but it’s also not that expensive, considering what it can do for you if you get in trouble.

I use and recommend World Nomads for travel insurance.  They’re an affordable and reputable company and you can buy and renew an insurance policy quickly and easily online.  As a Canadian, I find their policies cover a lot more than the other insurance companies in Canada and at a cheaper rate.

TAKE DUKORAL TO AVOID FOOD POISONING

Dukoral is an over-the-counter oral vaccine that protects you from traveler’s diarrhea for 3 months.  Surprisingly, many travelers haven’t heard of Dukoral, but I absolutely swear by it.

I’ve traveled all over Mexico, Central and South America, India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East where I regularly indulge in street meat, salad and fruit (while still using precautions).  When I traveled to Egypt and India, the travelers who took Dukoral did not have stomach issues, while the travelers who did not take it got very sick and the trip was a lot less enjoyable for them, so Dukoral definitely works.

However, Dukoral cannot protect you against parasites (which have very different symptoms) or extremely contaminated water.  But antibiotics typically fix both issues easily.

UNLOCK YOUR PHONE

So you can get a local SIM card (Telcel is good in Mexico).  Alternatively, if you have phone service and like throwing away money, you can use your home country’s provider (which will likely be VERY expensive).  It’s not just about 24/7 access to social media; it’s about your safety too.  With local service, you can order an Uber or DiDi (Mexican Uber) instead of a random taxi and if you need help, you can call or message someone.

LEARN SOME SPANISH

English is not commonly spoken in Mexico.  You certainly don’t need to become fluent in Spanish, but learning some simple phrases, numbers, and some foods will be extremely helpful.  Luckily, Spanish is one of the easier languages to learn.  You can also use translating apps, which is another great reason to have phone service in Mexico.

 

HOW TO NOT GET PICKPOCKETED AND ROBBED 101

 

ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR BELONGINGS

Pickpocketing is a common petty crime that can easily be avoided.  If you make it easy for someone, they could take advantage of that opportunity.

ONLY CARRY WHAT YOU NEED ON A DAY OR NIGHT OUT

Don’t bring your bank card, credit cards, passport and all your money if you don’t need to.

LOCK UP YOUR VALUABLES AT YOUR HOTEL/HOSTEL

Pack a combination lock for hostel lockers.

HANG YOUR PURSE ACROSS YOUR BODY

With the purse on the opposite side of traffic, in order to avoid drive-by purse snatchings.

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU USE YOUR PHONE AND CAMERA

For the same reason as above.

BE EXTRA VIGILANT WITH YOUR THINGS IN CROWDED PLACES

Markets, public transport and popular tourist areas are hot spots for pickpocketing.

DON’T KEEP YOUR PHONE AND WALLET IN YOUR BACK POCKETS

Use your front pockets only and keep them guarded at all times.  Pickpockets are professionals.

DO NOT WEAR EXPENSIVE DESIGNER CLOTHES OR JEWELRY

This is key for staying safe in Mexico because being a show-off makes you a target.  Walking around with your expensive camera around your neck could be a problem in some places.  Especially if the value of your camera is 5-10x their average monthly or yearly income.  Back up your photos regularly.

KEEP YOUR VALUABLES WITH YOU ON BUSES

Do not pack your valuables with your baggage under the bus.

Also, the buses in Mexico are quite nice and overnight buses are safe.  They’re not the “chicken buses” like in Central America because Mexico is more affluent.

NEVER LET YOUR CARRY-ON BAG OUT OF YOUR SIGHT ON BUSES 

Keep it on your lap.  Do not put it overhead or under the seat.  If you sleep, use your bag as a pillow or hug it like a teddy bear.

DON’T LEAVE YOUR BELONGINGS UNATTENDED AT THE BEACH

Or they may not be there when you get back.

ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

Especially if you find yourself walking alone, and especially at night.  Stay out of dark, empty streets, alleys and shadows, be aware of footsteps and people behind you, and pay attention to reflections in windows of buildings and car windows.

AVOID WALKING ALONE AT NIGHT IN THE CITIES

This is key for staying safe in Mexico.  Take a taxi, even for very short distances.  And research which neighbourhoods to completely avoid during the day and night.

Small, chill towns like Holbox and Tulum are ok to walk alone at night.  I also felt safe walking alone at night in Oaxaca City during Day of the Dead, the centre in San Cristobal, Bacalar and Tepoztlan.  But I was still careful and aware of my surroundings.

BE CAREFUL WITH TAXIS IN THE BIG CITIES

Avoiding random taxis off the street in the big cities (like Mexico City and Guadalajara) is very important for staying safe in Mexico.  This is where it’s very handy to have a local SIM card so you can use Uber or DiDi.  Or get your hostel or hotel to call you a taxi.  If you’re landing in Mexico City, use Uber or an official taxi from the airport.

In taxis, agree on a price before you depart and keep an eye on Google maps or Maps.me (which works offline, when downloaded in advance) to make sure you’re headed in the right direction.

Do not allow the taxi to pick up anyone.

If you have luggage in the trunk, when exiting a taxi, leave from the curb side and leave the car door wide open while you (or the driver) get your bag from the trunk.  This prevents the driver from driving off with your luggage.  This isn’t common, but it can happen anywhere in the world.

TRY TO ARRIVE IN A NEW CITY IN DAYLIGHT 

This isn’t always possible, so if you arrive in the middle of the night, make sure your accommodation has 24 hour reception.  Also email them in advance so they know when to expect you and you also need to know the directions to your hostel or hotel.

LISTEN TO THE ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS

This is also key for staying safe in Mexico.  Hotel and hostel staff are great resources for telling you about where to go as well as where to NOT go.  This information isn’t as readily available at an Airbnb.

KEEP YOUR CARD WITHDRAWAL LIMIT LOW

In the rare and unfortunate event that you become a victim of an “express kidnapping” (when you’re taken to different ATMs and forced to max out your cards at each one), at least they’ll get less money from you.  This is why you need to be extra careful with taxis in the bigger cities and not carry all your cards on you.  Avoid making yourself a target by not flaunting your expensive camera and phone and wearing expensive clothes and jewelry.

This isn’t just a thing in Mexico.  This happens in many other countries around the world.

A SAFE AREA DURING THE DAY MAY NOT BE SAFE AT NIGHT

The beach is fun during the day, but in some places, it may be a place to avoid at night, if you want to keep your belongings.  This also goes for places like Mexico City’s historical centre.  Even though this is where most of the hostels, hotels and attractions are located and it’s safe during the day, night time is a different scene.

WALK WITH CONFIDENCE

You may not be able to hide being a gringo, but how you carry yourself counts for a lot.  If you act without confidence, you will appear to be an easy target; whereas if you walk with confidence and assurance, it’s less likely that you’ll be a target.

DON’T BE A HERO

If someone approaches you with a gun or knife, follow their instructions rather than resist and risk further violence.  Your wallet, phone and camera are replaceable.  Again, back up your photos regularly.

WITHDRAW MONEY FROM ATMS AT BANKS DURING BUSINESS HOURS

Skimming is not uncommon in Mexico.  When possible, only use ATMs inside banks during opening hours because ATMs are usually skimmed late at night.  Put your money away quickly.  Don’t count it.  Then be extra vigilant as you make your way back to your accommodation to lock up your extra cash and cards.

DO NOT TRUST PEOPLE WHO APPROACH YOU AND DON’T TAKE “NO” FOR AN ANSWER

Any nice, normal person with good intentions would leave once requested to.  Sometimes the person is only trying to sell you something (or hit on you), but either way, you want to avoid an unsafe situation.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

If something feels weird or wrong, trust your instincts and leave.

IF YOU RENT A CAR, STICK TO DRIVING IN DAYLIGHT

Especially if you’re exploring outside of the Yucatan.

NEVER GET TOO DRUNK OR HIGH

This is absolutely vital to stay safe in Mexico if you’re a solo traveler, and especially if you’re a female traveler.  Be aware of your drink and your surroundings and stay sober enough to remain in control.  Being too drunk makes you careless and vulnerable, so muggings often happen late at night when travelers are in this state.

THE POLICE ARE CORRUPT

Every country has police corruption, but Mexico has more than its fair share.  Police see tourists as an easy way to make extra money through bribes.  They will make up things that you’re doing wrong so they can demand a “fine” (i.e. bribe), which is illegal.  If you have large bills in your wallet, they will take it all, so it’s best to keep money hidden on you in a few different places.

If you want to keep your money, politely and firmly decline to pay the bribe and ask to be taken to the local police station to fill out the paperwork and process the fine officially instead.  However, if the officer keeps insisting, ask to go to the station to speak to the police chief.  Usually, that will end the interaction.

And sometimes police will search you for no reason and sometimes your wallet can disappear.

Just avoid police as much as possible.  If you see police while walking around, walk in the other direction.

PRACTICE EXTRA CAUTION IN MEXICO CITY

With over 22 million people, Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, so this goes hand-in-hand with increased crime.  I visited Mexico City twice as a solo female traveler in 2016 and 2022 and I didn’t have any problems.

To stay safe in Mexico City, you must practice all of the above tips.  Be extra careful with your phone and wallet in La Merced market (near the historical centre), and consider taking an Uber (rather than the metro) after you leave lucha libre in Doctores (also near the centre).  And while Xochimilco is a fun and safe place to visit during the day, it should be avoided at night.  The same goes for the historic centre- it’s a must-see during the day, but exercise caution at night, especially in the areas bordering Tepito and Merced.  There are loads of other unsafe neighbourhoods in Mexico City, but as a tourist, you won’t find yourself there.

Roma Norte, Polanco and La Condesa are affluent neighbourhoods in Mexico City, so this goes hand-in-hand with increased safety, but don’t get too comfortable and let your guard down.

DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN

Crime can also happen in places that are considered safe.  My friend traveled Central and South America for 6 months without getting mugged or pickpocketed, but he was mugged when he visited Vancouver, Canada (which is my city and it’s considered a fairly safe city).

 

POPULAR SCAMS TO AVOID

 

These scams could potentially scam you of a few dollars to a few hundred dollars.  After 2.5 months of traveling Mexico, I can’t recall any scams attempted on me because the majority of scams are concentrated in the popular beach resort areas, and I don’t travel to these areas.  So in my experience, I found Mexico has fewer scams than places like Southeast Asia.

COUNT YOUR CHANGE

The 500 peso note ($25US) and the 50 peso note ($2.50) are a similar red color.

FRIENDLY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Be cautious if an overly friendly random local approaches you and offers to take a picture of you on your phone/camera because they may run off with it.  If you would like a photo taken, it may be safer to ask another traveler.  Use your judgement.

TINDER SCAMS IN RESORTS TOWNS

Gentlemen, this will be difficult, but beware of extremely attractive and keen local ladies who insist on meeting you at their bar of choice.  You will be horrendously overcharged and then cartel men will escort you to an ATM and force you to take out as much money as your cards allow.

FAKE TIMESHARES

You’ll get approached by someone (usually at resort town airports and within resort towns) offering a chance to win a small prize, which you’ll win.  Then you’re subjected to a high pressure sales pitch for a timeshare at a crappy place that either doesn’t match the description, has impossibly restrictive terms, or doesn’t even exist.

How to avoid this? Avoid Americanized and over-touristed resort towns and be aware of this scam. (Can you tell I hate resorts?)

USE LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES FOR WATERSPORT RENTALS

Instead of renting from a random person off the beach.  Many other touristy beach destinations in the world are plagued by this scam.  Especially Thailand.

What happens is you’re offered a great price to rent an old jet ski, you go have fun, and then upon returning it, the vendor is outraged by the “fresh” scratches and damage.  Then they will demand reimbursement, which is basically the cost of a new jet ski.  This is a common scam with motorbikes and cars as well.

To avoid this scam, rent from reputable companies (your hotel or hostel can suggest places).  They may charge a little more, but in the long run, you’ll be saving money.  Take pictures before you ride away, so you have a record of the condition.

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY

 

Taking care of your health also plays an important roll in staying safe in Mexico.

DON’T DRINK THE TAP WATER

Stick to bottled and filtered water.

BEWARE OF THE CONTAMINATED WATER IN SAN CRISTOBAL

In 2017, Coca Cola raped and pillaged San Cristobal’s water supply, and then left the city with a severely contaminated water supply.  As a result, the locals drink coca cola because it’s cheaper than bottled water (which has resulted in a surge in diabetes).  And on top of that, many travelers get extremely sick when they visit San Cristobal to the point where they need antibiotics.  Dukoral can’t save you from water this contaminated.

You can brush your teeth with bottled water, however, it’s impossible to avoid tap water when you shower, wash your face, and wash your reusable water bottle, dishes and food.  San Cristobal is a super popular destination, but it has gotten to the point where some travelers skip it completely to avoid getting sick.

BE CAREFUL WITH STRAY ANIMALS

There are loads of cute stray dogs in Mexico, but as much you want to pet them all, practice caution.  If you can’t help petting some of them, make sure you wash and sanitize your hands after.  However, some of the street dogs can be aggressive, especially at night when they get territorial.  However, luckily, the WHO has deemed Mexico free from human rabies transmitted by dogs.

WEAR SUNSCREEN

The sun is strong in Mexico, and not just at the beaches.  A lot of the inland cities in Mexico are at high altitudes of over 2000m (6560ft), which means the sun is much stronger there too.  Even when it’s cloudy and chilly.  Sunburns are horrible for your skin and your health, and crispy red skin is not a good look.

USE YOUR COMMON SENSE

You’ll learn that there are a lot fewer rules in Mexico, which has pros and cons.  For example, if a place doesn’t have a sign saying that it’s dangerous or unsafe to enter, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe.

RESEARCH MEXICAN LAWS

While traveling in Mexico, you are subject to Mexican laws.  If you rent a car in Mexico, make sure you thoroughly research all the laws.  And it’s illegal to drink alcohol in public.

PEDESTRIANS DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY

Traffic can be a chaotic free-for-all, so you need to exercise caution and common sense.

 

START YOUR TRIP IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA IF YOU’RE NERVOUS ABOUT TRAVELING MEXICO WITHOUT A RESORT

 

It’s one of the safest areas in Mexico, so it’s a good intro to Mexico.  But while it’s very beautiful and worthwhile to visit, also know that it’s the most touristy and expensive area in Mexico.  Your money disappears so quickly in the Yucatan that you’ll almost think someone is pickpocketing you.

If you want a more authentic and budget experience that’s devoid of thousands of tourists everywhere, you need to explore outside of the Yucatan Peninsula.

 

Now you know how to stay safe in Mexico.  Remember that the majority of people have good intentions and are happy to help you 🙂

 

MORE INFORMATION ON TRAVELING MEXICO

 

What To Expect While Traveling In Developing Countries