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Shakira Announces First Run Of Dates On Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour Kicking Off November 2 In Palm Desert, CA

GENERAL ONSALE BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 22 AT SHAKIRA.COM

On the heels of her chart-topping new album, GRAMMY®, and Latin GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Shakira has just announced the first string dates on her highly anticipated world tour, “ Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour,” promoted by Live Nation, with 14 arena shows across North America kicking off this fall . The tour’s first leg will start on November 2 in Palm Desert, CA, and includes stops in Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto, Brooklyn, Chicago and more. See below for full tour routing. Known for her dynamic and high-energy performances, Shakira will bring tracks from her new album and her legendary catalog of hits to life on stage.

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale (details below) beginning Wednesday, April 17. The artist presale will begin Friday, April 19 at 10am local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Monday, April 22 at 10am local time at shakira.com .

PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour in the U.S. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday, April 17 at 10am local time until Sunday, April 21 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com .

VIP: Fans can also purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium tickets, a meet & greet and photo op with Shakira, an autographed item, access to the pre-show VIP lounge, an exclusive VIP merch item & more. VIP package contents vary based on the offer selected. For more information, visit vipnation.com .

Shakira first hinted at the tour during her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last month. On Friday, the global superstar surprised fans at Coachella when she appeared during Bizarrap’s set to perform their global smash hit “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” and “La Fuerte,” both featured on her new album. Before exiting the stage, Shakira teased the tour news to a roaring crowd.

Coachella marks the second time in the last month that Shakira has surprised fans with a showstopping performance. Last month, following the album release, Shakira shut down New York City’s Times Square giving a crowd of 40,000+ fans a peek into the energy of her live shows when she performed at the TSX Stage. The performance included her iconic hits like “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Te Felicito/TQG,” and “Session 53,” as well as “Puntería” and “Cómo Dónde y Cuándo” from her new album.

The tour is in support of her new album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran , which in 24 hours of its release became the most streamed album of the year with over 10 billion, and was certified 7x platinum. The album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Latin Album and Latin Pop Album Charts, while “ Puntería” with Cardi B holds the #1 spot on both the Billboard Latin Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts . Listen to the album HERE !

This is Shakira’s first tour since 2018, when she wowed fans at sold out stadiums and arenas around the planet with the El Dorado World Tour, cementing her reputation as “an international pop goddess” (Rolling Stone).

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour Routing

Sat Nov 02 – Palm Desert, CA – Acrisure Arena

Thu Nov 07 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center

Sat Nov 09 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

Sat Nov 16 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center

Sun Nov 17 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

Wed Nov 20 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center

Sat Nov 23 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center

Mon Nov 25 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena

Sat Nov 30 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

Thu Dec 05 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

Sun Dec 08 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

Tue Dec 10 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre

Sat Dec 14 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Sun Dec 15 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

About Shakira

Shakira is a Colombian singer-songwriter and multi-GRAMMY® award winner. She has sold over 95 million records worldwide and has won numerous awards including three GRAMMYs®, twelve Latin GRAMMYs®, and multiple World Music Awards, American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards, to name a few. She is the most-viewed female Latin artist, and one of the top-10 artists of all time on YouTube with over 27 billion cumulative views, and the most-streamed female Latin artist of all time on Spotify.

Most recently, Shakira released her twelfth studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran to rave reviews. The album is a dazzling testament to her resilience and strength, as well as music’s power to transform the most trying experiences into precious moments. In the first 24 hours it was released, the album became the most streamed album 2024 and was certified 7x Platinum.

Shakira’s previous album El Dorado ranked #1 on iTunes in 37 Countries, won Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2017 Latin GRAMMY® Awards, and Best Latin Pop Album at the 2018 GRAMMY® Awards. With over 12 billion streams, it is one of the most-streamed female albums of all time. In 24 hours, “SHAKIRA || BZRP Music Sessions #53” made history both on Spotify with over 14 million streams and on YouTube with over 52 million views. The song debuted at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is another historic moment for Shakira as she is the first solo woman to debut in the Top 10 on the chart with a song recorded in Spanish. It is also the Spanish language song with the most streams in a single day in Spotify history. In September, Shakira received the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards and in honor of her award put on a breathtaking performance of her greatest hits.

Less than a week after releasing her critically acclaimed new album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, Shakira surprised a crowd of over 40,000 people, the largest audience for a performance in Times Square, with a mesmerizing performance at the TSX Stage. Watch HERE .

ABOUT LIVE NATION ENTERTAINMENT

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com .

Sigue a Shakira en // Follow Shakira on:

www.shakira.com

www.facebook.com/shakira

www.twitter.com/shakira

www.instagram.com/shakira

www.youtube.com/user/shakiraVEVO

Para más información / For more information:

Amanda Silverman, Cara Hutchison & Chris Iacullo | Publicists (Shakira)

The LEDE Company

[email protected]

Sony Music US Latin – Contacto / Contact:

David Hernández | Sr. Manager, Artist Relations & Marketing

Sony Music Entertainment – US Latin

Kary-An Díaz | Communications & Publicity

Daniella Alfonso | Jr. Manager, Publicity & Communications

For Live Nation Concerts:

Nadia Hernandez | [email protected]

Maya Sarin | [email protected]

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Shakira: Cómo, dónde y cuándo llegará ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour’

Tras anunciarlo en el Coachella Fest, la gira de la cantante colombiana inicia el 2 de noviembre en Palm Desert, California y llega a Los Ángeles el 9 de ese mes para continuar por las ciudades más importantes de los Estados Unidos y Canadá en su primera etapa ¿Cuándo llegará a la tuya?

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La última vez que Shakira recorrió Europa, Asia, Norteamérica y Latinoamérica con una gira fue hace 6 años con el “Dorado World Tour”, que arrancó en junio de 2018 en Hamburgo, Alemania y tuvo un cierre magistral en Bogotá, Colombia.

Se trataba de la sexta gira mundial de la estrella colombiana en apoyo a su undécimo álbum de estudio titulado, precisamente, El Dorado, el cual lanzó en 2017. Tras el lanzamiento de ese disco, Shakira anunció en algunas entrevistas que se iría de gira para promocionar el álbum. Esa gira resultó ser la primera que hacía en 6 años, después del viaje “Sale el Sol World Tour” que realizó entre 2010 y 2011.

Hoy en medio de la algarabía que ha causado el lanzamiento de su nueva producción “Las mujeres no lloran”, Shakira no solo mencionó en algunas entrevistas que se estaba preparando para irse de gira, sino que aprovechó su presencia como invitada de Bizarrap en el Coachella Fest no solamente para cantar los temas “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” y “La Fuerte” ( ambos incluidos en su nuevo álbum ) sino para anunciar y confirmar, a viva voz, que su nueva gira es todo un hecho. “Gracias Bizarrap por invitarme. La verdad es lo máximo estar aquí”, dijo primeramente ante la multitud que tenía frente a ellos.

Entretenimiento

Shakira: ‘Las mujeres ya no lloran’, su nuevo disco de estudio y una ‘última’ para el desahogo

El álbum también viene en formato en vinilo con los tonos de piedras preciosas: diamante, zafiro, esmeralda y rubí

Mar. 21, 2024

“Hoy tengo que avisarles algo”, agregó Shakira frente al público y luego mirando al productor de Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 le dijo “Biza, me voy de gira Biza”, mientras la multitud gritaba y observaba en la pantalla gigante del fondo del escenario la frase “Shakira Las Mujeres ya no lloran World Tour” y en medio de los gritos, la colombiana agregó “Me voy de gira por fin. Empezando aquí, en noviembre, este año en esta ciudad (Palm Desert)”.

Y así mismo será, pues Shakira ha decidido comenzar su recorrido desde el 2 de noviembre en Palm Desert, California y el anuncio llega justo cuando su nueva producción, que le da nombre a su tour, encabeza las listas más importantes de la industria musical.

La artista ganadora de múltiples premios Grammy, de varios Latin Grammy y Persona del Año de la Academia Latina de la Grabación 2011, se irá de la mano de Live Nation con su gira mundial “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour” con 14 conciertos en arenas de Norteamérica que incluirá presentaciones, en la primera etapa, en el escenario del Acrisure Arena de Palm Desert (2 de nov.), Footprint Center de Phoenix, AZ (7 de nov.) y Kia Forum de Los Ángeles (9 de nov.), para luego dirigirse a las ciudades de tejanas de San Antonio y Dallas, además de emprender aterrizajes en Miami, Charlotte, Washington, Brooklyn, Boston, Chicago, Detroit y las ciudades canadienses de Toronto y Montreal.

Antes del que podrían llamar “el anuncio oficial de la gira” que hizo el fin de semana en el escenario de Coachella, Shakira ya lo había insinuado durante su participación en The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, de la cedna NBC, el mes pasado.

¿Dónde y cuándo disfrutar vía streaming lo que no se vió del concierto de Shakira en Times Square?

‘Shakira desde Times Square’ es un especial donde se presentará parte del concierto y detalles detrás de cámaras que no vieron los que estuvieron presentes en la presentación en vivo de Nueva York

Mar. 28, 2024

Su actuación en Coachella ha ocurrido luego que Shakira sorprendiera a sus fans con una actuación espectacular tras el lanzamiento del álbum, en el escenario TSX de Times Square de la ciudad de Nueva York frente a más de 40 mil seguidores y donde cantó sus éxitos “Hips Don’t Lie”, “Te Felicito/TQG”, y “Session 53”, así como “Puntería” y “Cómo, dónde y cuándo”, que incluye en su nuevo álbum.

Hay que recordar que el álbum “Las mujeres ya no lloran” que se lanzó el 22 de marzo, logró convertirse en las primeras 24 horas en el álbum más escuchado del año, con más de diez mil millones, además de ser certificado 7 veces platino. El álbum debutó en el puesto #1 en las listas Latin Album y Latin Pop Album de Billboard, mientras que “Puntería” que cuenta con la colaboración de Cardi B ocupa el sitial de honor en las listas Billboard Latin Airplay y Latin Pop Airplay.

De acuerdo a información de Live Nation, los boletos para su concierto comenzarán a estar disponibles en preventa especial mañana miércoles 17 de abril, pero la preventa oficial de la artista comenzará el viernes 19 de abril a las 10 a.m. hora local. Otras preventas se realizarán durante la semana previa a la venta general que comenzará el lunes 22 de abril a las 10 a.m. hora local en shakira.com

Para los que son fans de hueso colorao, tendrán la oportunidad de paquetes VIP que incluyen el boleto y un encuentro con sesión de fotos con Shakira, un artículo autografiado, acceso al salón VIP previo al espectáculo y más.

'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour'

SHAKIRA/ Primera etapa

02 de nov. Acrisure Arena/ Palm Desert, CA 07 de nov. Footprint Center/ Phoenix, AZ 09 de nov. Kia Forum/ Los Ángeles, CA 16 de nov. Frost Bank Center/ San Antonio, TX 17 de nov. American Airlines CenterDallas, TX 20 de nov. Kaseya Center/ Miami, FL 23 de nov. Spectrum Center/ Charlotte, NC 25 de nov. Capital One Arena/ Washington, DC 30 de nov. Scotiabank Arena/ Toronto, ON 05 de dic. Barclays Center/ Brooklyn, NY 08 de dic. TD Garden/ Boston, MA 10 de dic. Bell Centre/ Montreal, QC 14 de dic. United Center/ Chicago, IL 15 de dic. Little Caesars Arena/ Detroit, MI

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Gira de Shakira en USA 2024: Fechas, precios, cuándo y dónde comprar tickets para ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour’

¡shakira está de regreso la loba anuncia fechas en estados unidos para ‘las mujeres ya no lloran world tour’. aquí precios y dónde comprar tickets..

¡Shakira está de regreso en los escenarios! Tras poner en pausa su carrera musical durante más de seis años para enfocarse en su familia, la cantautora de 47 años regresa con una nueva gira: ‘ Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour ’, resultado de su más reciente álbum de estudio, que corre bajo el mismo nombre y está compuesto por 16 tracks y una serie de colaboraciones que van desde Cardi B hasta Bizarrap.

La primera etapa de su gira arrancará el 2 de noviembre aquí, en Estados Unidos, en Palm Desert, California, en el Acrisure Arena. El tour en norteamérica, presentado por Live Nation, contará con 14 conciertos a lo largo del país de las Barras y las Estrellas, finalizando el 15 de diciembre en Detroit, Michigan, en la Little Caesars Arena.

Fechas de los conciertos de Shakira en Estados Unidos 2024

El anuncio de las fechas llega un par de días después de que la intérprete de ‘Loba’ sorprendiera a los fanáticos de Coachella al ser la invitada estelar de Bizarrap. Durante su aparición, la cantautora reveló que la primera etapa de su gira iniciaría precisamente en Palm Desert. Aquí, la lista completa de fechas:

• Noviembre, 2: Palm Desert, CA - Acrisure Arena
• Noviembre, 7: Phoenix, AZ - Footprint Center
• Noviembre, 9: Los Angeles, CA - Kia Forum
• Noviembre, 16: San Antonio, TX - Frost Bank Center
• Noviembre, 17: Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
• Noviembre, 20: Miami, FL - Kaseya Center
• Noviembre, 23: Charlotte, NC - Spectrum Center
• Noviembre, 25: Washington, DC - Capital One Arena
• Noviembre, 30: Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena
• Diciembre, 5: Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center
• Diciembre, 8: Boston, MA - TD Garden
• Diciembre, 10: Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
• Diciembre,14: Chicago, IL - United Center
• Diciembre, 15: Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena

También te puede interesar: ¿Cuál es el patrimonio neto de Shakira? ¿Cuánto dinero ha ganado con su carrera musical?

‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour’: precios, cuándo y dónde comprar boletos

Los fanáticos de Shakira podrán adquirir boletos a partir de este miércoles, 17 de abril, a través de la preventa Citi ; mientras que la preventa para fans se llevará a cabo el viernes, 19 de abril, y la venta general hasta el día lunes, 22 de abril. Todas las ventas darán inicio a las 10:00 a.m. (hora local del venue) en el sitio web oficial de la artista .

Para tener acceso a la preventa fans, debes contar con un registro previo para el Wolfpack en Shakira.com . Los fanáticos tienen hasta las 11:59 p.m. PT del 17 de abril para completar el registro. En cuanto al costo de los tickets, aún se desconoce el rango de precios.

Esta nota se actualizará con la lista de precios en cuanto la información esté disponible*

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shakira (@shakira)

‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour’ representa el primer gran tour de Shakira desde su gira mundial ‘El Dorado’ de 2018. En aquel entonces, el recorrido por Estados Unidos constó de 16 fechas.

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Shakira anuncia las primeras ciudades que visitará con su gira ‘Las mujeres ya no lloran World Tour’

Shakira volverá a brillar pronto en los escenarios gracias a su nueva gira mundial, llamada ‘ Las mujeres ya no lloran World Tour’.

Para comenzar, la cantante llevará su música y carisma a una serie de ciudades icónicas de Estados Unidos, comenzando desde Palm Desert hasta Detroit.

Esta gira promete ser una experiencia inolvidable para todos los asistentes, con un repertorio que incluye décadas de éxitos, como ‘Hips Don’t Lie’, ‘Whenever, Wherever’ y ‘Te felicito‘.

El 22 de abril saldrán a la venta las entradas para las presentaciones en territorio estadounidense y la artista ya confirmó que anunciará próximamente más ‘shows’ en otras partes del mundo.

Más sobre Shakira

¿Shakira es una madre estricta? 7 idiomas, deportes y más, así es como educa a sus hijos

Shakira sí estaría saliendo con Lucien Laviscount: ¿el actor sólo busca fama?

Shakira confiesa que sus hijos “odiaron” la película ‘Barbie’: “Sintieron que era castrante”

Revelan supuestos "coqueteos y caricias" en cita entre Shakira y Lucien Laviscount

Ciudades y fechas de los conciertos de shakira.

• Palm Desert: 2 de noviembre.
• Phoenix: 7 de noviembre.
• Los Ángeles: 9 de noviembre.
• San Antonio: 16 de noviembre.
• Dallas: 17 de noviembre.
• Miami: 20 de noviembre.
• Charlotte: 23 de noviembre.
• Washington: 25 de noviembre.
• Toronto: 30 de noviembre.
• Brooklyn: 5 de diciembre.
• Boston: 8 de diciembre.
• Montreal: 10 de diciembre.
• Chicago: 14 de diciembre.
• Detroit: 15 de diciembre.

Shakira anunció así su próxima gira

Fue durante su presentación junto a Bizarrap en Coachella 2024, el pasado viernes 12 de abril, que Shakira anunció su regreso a los escenarios.

“Tengo que avisarles algo... ¡Me voy de gira por fin!”, externó ella, provocando que el público presente la ovacionara.

@shakirarecord Shakira anuncia su nueva gira mundial #LMYNLWT 🐺🎤! #Shakira #Coachella ♬ La Fuerte - Shakira & Bizarrap

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Is Isla Mujeres Worth Visiting in 2024? Travel Guide + Tips

Planning a trip to Mexico and wondering if Isla Mujeres is worth visiting? You’ve come to the right place!

Isla Mujeres is a small island off the coast of Cancun in the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s known for its beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, but there’s so much more to this tiny island.

As a travel blogger that lives in nearby Playa del Carmen , I’ve visited Isla Mujeres several times and I’m here to let you in on what it’s really like!

In this post, I’ll explain why Isla Mujeres is worth visiting , as well as travel tips and helpful information on safety, accommodations, activities, and more in Isla Mujeres.

So whether you’re trying to decide to visit Isla Mujeres on a day trip or for an extended vacation, this guide will help you decide if this tropical island is right for you.

Ready to learn more about Isla Mujeres and what makes it so special? Let’s get started!

Is Isla Mujeres Worth Visiting?

Yes, Isla Mujeres is worth visiting! The island is home to Playa Norte , one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, and its relaxed island vibe makes it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Cancun.

With its stunning beaches, golf cart transportation, and charming town center, Isla Mujeres offers a unique experience that is worth adding to your Mexico itinerary.

Plus, when compared to nearby destinations such as Cancun or Playa del Carmen , Isla Mujeres feels much more intimate and less crowded.

And there’s so much more than just incredible beaches, views, and laid-back people. There are also some really fun, adventurous activities.

Snorkeling or scuba diving at the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) right off the coast is one of the best ways to immerse yourself alongside the island’s lively marine life and explore the beautiful coral reefs.

And if you want to stay on land for a bit, you can rent a golf cart and explore Punta Sur , a stunning cliffside park on the southern tip of the island.

Basically, if you want to see some of the best beaches in Mexico and have a good mix of relaxation and adventure, visiting Isla Mujeres is definitely worth it!

Is Isla Mujeres Safe to Visit?

Yes, Isla Mujeres is safe to visit . Mexico frequently finds its way into international news, usually because of crime, drug, or cartel news. 

However, Isla Mujeres is one of the safest tourist destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula, as it has a very small population with a very low crime rate according to Numbeo .

The island relies heavily on tourism so keeping tourists, travelers, and the local communities safe and comfortable is of high importance to the Mexican government and local authorities.

I’ve always felt very safe in Isla Mujeres and have never felt threatened or uneasy when walking around and exploring the island, even at night. 

However, as in any vacation destination, it’s still important to take basic safety precautions such as never leaving valuables unattended and avoiding illegal activity.

US Department of State Travel Advisory for Isla Mujeres

The official U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory for Isla Mujeres, Mexico is currently “ Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution ” due to the high levels of crime and violence in the state of Quintana Roo (where Isla Mujeres is located).

The Mexico travel advisory mentions that criminal activity and violent crime may occur in popular tourist destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, but does not specifically list Isla Mujeres as an area of risk.

While the remote island of Isla Mujeres is generally considered safer than mainland Mexico, it is still recommended that travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness at all times when visiting Isla Mujeres and avoid any areas where illicit activities are occurring.

🚨 Do you need travel insurance for Mexico? Yes! Most insurance plans in your home country will not cover incidents abroad. I recommend using Travel Insurance Master, which is a handy travel insurance marketplace where you can compare policies. Get a FREE quote by clicking here !

What is Isla Mujeres Like?

Meaning “Island of Women” in Spanish, Isla Mujeres gets its name from the small statues of women found on the island by Spanish explorers.

The island is only 5 miles long and less than half a mile wide, but it’s full of charm, character, and natural beauty.

Unlike neighboring Cancun with its high-rise hotels and nightclubs, Isla Mujeres has a more laid-back vibe with most accommodations being smaller boutique hotels or vacation rentals.

Most of the activity is centered in downtown Isla Mujeres, on the island’s north side, near the ferry terminal from Cancun. However, restaurants and other activities are also scattered around the perimeter.

The main mode of transportation on the island is by golf cart, which adds to its quaint and relaxed atmosphere.

The highlight of the island is Playa Norte (North Beach). It’s one of the best beaches in the world, earning a spot on Trip Advisors’ Best of the Best Beaches.

Besides beautiful beaches, there are also colorful street murals, charming cafes, markets selling handmade goods, and delicious local food to enjoy.

Isla Mujeres is the perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural charm, and laid-back island vibes that make it a top destination in Mexico worth visiting.

Reasons to Visit Isla Mujeres

There are many reasons to visit Isla Mujeres, ranging from beaches to incredible snorkeling to delicious food. Here are some of the highlights:

• Playa Norte : There are several excellent, swimmable beaches around Isla Mujeres, but Playa Norte is one of the books. It’s the real highlight of the island and shouldn’t be missed!
• Golf Cart Cruises : One of the most fun things about Isla Mujeres is renting a golf cart and cruising around the island. Because there’s only a little bit of traffic, the “topes” ( speedbumps) are the biggest traffic concerns.
• Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA): For a unique underwater adventure, don’t miss MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte). This extraordinary underwater sculpture museum off the coast of Isla Mujeres combats climate change’s impact on oceans and reefs with over 500 life-sized sculptures. You can explore MUSA through a snorkeling tour or scuba dive.
• Seaweed-Free Beaches: Isla Mujeres is also known for its pristine seaweed-free beaches. In contrast to nearby beaches in Riviera Maya that can sometimes see a lot of sargassum (seaweed), the island’s western coastline is usually always pretty clear of seaweed. This makes it a great place to escape the seaweed in Playa del Carmen , Cancun, or the Riviera Maya.
• Fun Water Activities : It should be no surprise that there are so many fun ocean activities to do around the island. You can spend a day snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, or even hopping on a boat tour to Isla Contoy , a nearby uninhabited island.
• Sunsets and Sunrises : Both sunsets and sunrises on Isla Mujeres are incredible. Playa Norte, near downtown, is the perfect place to watch the sunset. Punta Sur, on the south side of the island, is the first place in all of Mexico to see the sunrise every morning.
• Easternmost Point in Mexico : Isla Mujeres is the easternmost point in all of Mexico. The sun’s first rays hit this part of the country before anywhere else, making it a popular spot to watch the sunrise and take beautiful photos.
• Easy to Get to : If you don’t have much time for adventure and vacation or just want to take a day trip from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is perfect. You can easily visit for the day from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or the Riviera Maya. Or you can spend a few days exploring and relaxing on the beach.

Who is Isla Mujeres Best Suited For?

Isla Mujeres is a laid-back island with a chill vibe, high-quality resorts, and beachfront hotels. Because of this, it’s the perfect romantic getaway for couples.

The island atmosphere, with its white sand beaches, beautiful sunsets, and luxury hotels, just screams romance. If you’re looking for a romantic spot to relax, this is the place to go.

At the same time, it’s an excellent place for solo travelers and adventurers. The main street on Isla Mujeres is lively, with a few popular bars, live music, and other fun activities.

Even though there are several ancient statues and a rich history, Isla Mujeres is less of a cultural experience than other places in Mexico. 

It’s built mainly around tourism and has less of a classic “Mexican charm” than other more historic cities in Mexico.

Where is Isla Mujeres?

Isla Mujeres is a small island located in the Caribbean Sea, just off the northeastern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

It’s situated approximately 6 miles (10 km) off the coast from Cancun, and is easily accessible via a quick, 15-minute ferry ride from Cancun.

Isla Mujeres is also located near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

While it isn’t as world-renowned for snorkeling and diving as other nearby places like Cozumel , it still has some great snorkeling and diving spots, like the underwater museum.

How to Get to Isla Mujeres

Due to its close proximity to Cancun, getting to Isla Mujeres is pretty easy and straightforward.

Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN)

The easiest way to get to Isla Mujeres is by flying into Cancun International Airport. From Cancun International Airport, you head to the ferry terminal in Cancun (more info on the different ferry options below).

The easiest way to get to your chosen ferry terminal from the airport is to book a private transfer in advance. The Isla Mujeres ferry terminals are about 30 minutes away from the airport depending on which one you choose.

Take the Ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

You have a few different options to choose from for the ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres–Ultramar is the main ferry company and is located at Puerto Juarez, Playa Tortugas (Hotel Zone), and Playa Caracol (Hotel Zone).

Another option is take the new Xcaret Xailing ferry which departs from the Cancun Hotel Zone.

If you’re not in the Cancun Hotel Zone, then I would recommend taking the Ultramar ferry at Puerto Juarez as that’s the most popular option with the most frequent departures.

Once you choose a ferry company and departing terminal, you can purchase your ticket from the ticket booth upon arrival. The cost is typically around $30 USD round-trip.

The ferry ride over to Isla Mujeres only takes about 15-20 minutes and is a pretty stunning ride over crystal clear turquoise water.

After arriving on Isla Mujeres, you can easily get around by renting a golf cart, taking taxis, or walking depending on where you want to go.

Best Time to Visit Isla Mujeres

The best time to visit Isla Mujeres is between December and April when the sun is shining, but the evenings are cool.

This is also considered the high season in Isla Mujeres, so you can expect high prices and more crowds.

The low season is in the summer months. The prices are better, and the island is more open. However, it gets hot and sticky. There’s also a much higher chance of rain.

Hurricane season is from June to November. The chances of visiting during a hurricane are low, but it’s something to watch for when planning your vacation.

• Best Things to Do in Isla Mujeres

There are many fun things to do in Isla Mujeres, from relaxing on one of the incredible beaches to scuba diving in the Caribbean to driving a golf cart around the island. 

Here are some of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres :

Enjoy the Beach

Isla Mujeres is known for its warm waters and long stretches of beautiful beaches. You should definitely enjoy Playa Norte, the most popular beach on the island, and a few other lesser-known spots.

Playa Sol is the most central beach near the ferry port in Isla Mujeres. And just beyond that is Playa Norte, where you can enjoy soft, warm sands and shallow waters.

Playa Lancheros is another popular beach located in the middle of the island. It’s much quieter here and an excellent place to snorkel and enjoy the sun.

Snorkeling or Dive at MUSA

If you’re an ocean lover and want some time out, you should try a snorkeling tour of the MUSA Underwater Museum . There are over 500 life-size sculptures to explore.

It’s fascinating to see how these sculptures have become a part of the environment, as they’re teaming with swarms of tropical fish and other sea creatures.

If you’re a certified scuba diver, you can dive the underwater museum and pair it with another reef dive to make the most of your day.

Swim with Whale Sharks

Another fun ocean adventure is swimming with whale sharks. Whale sharks visit the nearby waters between May and September, and the best time to see them is from July through August. 

Most Isla Mujeres whale shark tours will take you by boat in the waters just off the shore of the island, where you’ll get to snorkel alongside these gentle giants.

Adventure to Isla Contoy

Isla Contoy, or Contoy Island, is an uninhabited island about 18 miles (30 km) from Isla Mujeres. Right off the tip of Isla Contoy is Ixlaché Reef, which actually marks the beginning of the Mesoamerican Reef.

The only way to visit Isla Contoy is on an Isla Contoy boat tour , but it’s worth all the trouble. The beach at Isla Contoy is honestly one of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen in my life!

The island has crystal blue waters, untouched beaches, and a lush jungle. It’s a postcard-worthy backdrop for an exciting day of lounging and snorkeling.

Visit Punta Sur

Punta Sur (South Point) is a cliffside park on the southernmost tip of Isla Mujeres. It’s small, with short walking trails along the ocean, a sculpture park, and ancient Mayan ruins.

Between the sculpture garden, filled with ancient Mayan sculptures, the ancient ruins, and information plaques scattered around, it’s a great place to learn more about the culture and history of this small island.

It’s also the first place in all of Mexico to see the sunrise, as it’s the easternmost point in Mexico. So, of course, it’s one of the best places to watch the sunrise.

Rent a Golf Cart and Explore

One of the best ways to explore the island is by golf cart. The narrow streets aren’t built for cars, so most people get around by golf cart or motorbike. You can rent a cart for a few hours, the day, or even a few days.

You’ll have all the freedom to explore further places, like Punta Sur and Playa Lancheros, and you’ll have a blast riding around and enjoying the ocean views!

I rented a golf cart while visiting with a friend and we had so much fun cruising around the island.

Just make sure to use common sense while driving, follow all traffic rules, and watch for speed bumps (marked as “topes” in Spanish)–which can come out of nowhere! 

Go on a Catamaran Sail

Another popular activity in Isla Mujeres is to go on a catamaran sail. It’s honestly the best place for Riviera Maya catamaran tours because the water is so unbelievably clear!

Many Isla Mujeres catamaran tours include lunch and an open bar, as well as stops at different reefs for snorkeling. It’s a really fun way to see the island from a different perspective and enjoy some time out on the water.

• Where to Stay in Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres may be a small island, but there are many great places to stay in Isla Mujeres , from boutique hotels to luxury resorts and high-end all inclusive spots.

The hotels are spread around the island, but I recommend staying near Playa Norte for walkability. Everything is close by, including all the best restaurants, beaches, and little shops.

The hotels on the southern side of the island are more quiet and relaxing but you’ll definitely need to either rent a golf cart or hire a taxi to get around.

Here are some of the best hotels in Isla Mujeres for every budget:

• Luxury : Casa del Jaguar Beach Hotel
• Mid-Range : Hotel Belo Isla Mujeres
• Budget : Icaco Island Village

Tips for Visiting Isla Mujeres

Have you heard everything you need about Isla Mujeres to head to the beautiful Caribbean island? Here are a few more tips to make sure everything goes smoothly:

• Bring cash : Many restaurants and shops will accept credit cards, but not all of them. And only a few ATM machines are on the island near the ferry port. You should keep some Mexican pesos on hand.
• Don’t miss visiting Punta Sur : Often outshined by the more popular Playa Norte, Punta Sur is the southernmost point of Isla Mujeres and is home to a sculpture park and incredible cliff side views.  It’s a really beautiful place and shouldn’t be missed while visiting Isla Mujeres!
• Try the new Xcaret Xailing ferry : If you want to upgrade your Isla Mujeres experience, consider taking the new Xcaret Xailing ferry that departs from the Cancun Hotel Zone. It’s newer and nicer than Ultramar and doesn’t cost that much more.
• Stay near Playa Norte to be near the action: If you want walkability and to be close to the action, then choose a hotel on or near Playa Norte, which is right next to the downtown area.  The hotels on the southern part of the island are more quiet and relaxing but you’ll need a golf cart or taxi to get a ride.
• Try local cuisine: Isla Mujeres is not particularly known for its Mexican cuisine, but it’s a Mexican island with great food. Step out of your comfort zone and try classic Mexican dishes, like chilaquiles for breakfast and fresh seafood for dinner. You can also head to the local market for fresh tropical fruit and juice.
• Take time to learn about local culture: The ancient ruins aren’t as extravagant here as other Mayan towns, but there’s still some fascinating history, especially around Punta Sur.
• Bring biodegradable sunscreen: It’s important to only wear reef-safe biodegradable sunscreen anytime you are going to be swimming in the ocean. Regular sunscreen can contain harmful chemicals that can be damaging to the coral reefs.

Visiting Isla Mujeres: FAQs

Let’s look at some of the frequently asked questions about Isla Mujeres:

Isla Mujeres is a small island with incredible beaches and warm water year-round. Generally, the weather is warm and sunny, especially in the winter months. It’s a great spot in Mexico to unwind and enjoy the region’s beauty.

When comparing Isla Mujeres vs Holbox for a potential vacation, it really depends on what you’re looking for. Isla Mujeres is more developed with more modern amenities, while Holbox has a more laid-back, bohemian vibe but has less stable infrastructure. Both are incredibly beautiful in their own way.

Yes, a day trip to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen , Cancun, or the Riviera Maya is definitely worth it. It can be a bit of a trek to get to but the beaches are absolutely incredible. 

Yes, Isla Mujeres is safe for solo travelers and one of the safest destinations in the Yucatan peninsula. It relies on tourism, and there are relatively few reports of crime and violence on tourists.

1-3 days is enough in Isla Mujeres, depending on what you’re planning on doing. If you just want to spend time on one of the best beaches in Mexico and explore the downtown area, you can easily visit on a day trip. However, you can also spend a few more days relaxing and exploring.

Isla Mujeres is approximately 5 miles (8 km) long and 0.5 miles (0.8 km) wide.

Final Thoughts: Is Isla Mujeres Worth Visiting for Tourists?

Overall, Isla Mujeres is definitely worth visiting for tourists looking for a relaxing vacation. It’s a small laid back island with beautiful beaches, golf cart transportation, and a tropical atmosphere.

And it’s home to the famed Playa Norte, which is definitely one of the best beaches I’ve ever been to—seriously, the water is so unbelievably clear!

But it’s even more than just incredible seaweed-free beaches. It’s also a really fun place to explore.

You can spend a day driving around on a golf cart, snorkeling in the ocean around the beautiful coral reefs, checking out the views at Punta Sur, or simply relaxing by the pool.

With so many incredible things to see and do, there’s no question that Isla Mujeres is a must-see destination in Mexico.

• Is Isla Mujeres Safe?

🇲🇽 Traveling to Mexico soon?

These are the Mexico travel resources I use and recommend:

🏨 Hotels : I always find the best deals for Mexico hotels and resorts on Expedia or Booking.com . If you prefer a vacation rental, check VRBO as they are often cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!

✈️ Flights : I recommend using Skyscanner for the best Mexico flight deals. Be sure to sign up for their price alerts for your preferred travel dates.

🚗 Rental Cars : I recommend using Discover Cars because you can compare multiple car rental companies and see detailed ratings for overall value, ease of pick-up, efficiency of agents, car condition, and overall time spent.

🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation : I recommend booking a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation for the quickest and most hassle-free option!

🤿 Tours & Activities: I always use Viator or GetYourGuide for booking tours and activities in Mexico. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, plus they have excellent customer service if you were to have any issues.

🚨 Travel Insurance: After my Dad broke his hand in a taxi accident in Playa del Carmen, I always recommend buying travel insurance before your trip for added peace of mind! I recommend Travel Insurance Master for short trips or Safety Wing for digital nomads.

☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen : Don’t forget to add biodegradable sunscreen to your Mexico packing list ! Regular sunscreen is prohibited when swimming in the ocean and cenotes in Mexico, so you’ll need to pack some biodegradable sunscreen for sun protection. I recommend Sun Bum Sunscreen , which is reef-friendly, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Allison Sicking is the founder of Viva La Travelista. After moving to Playa del Carmen, Mexico in 2018, she created her travel blog to empower others to travel safely and confidently in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries. Using her Spanish language skills and expertise in Mexico travel, she is passionate about teaching others to travel Mexico like a local.

Solo Female Travel in Mexico: Your Complete 2024 Guide by a Female Expat

Solo female travel in Mexico can make for a wonderful travel experience. This often misunderstood Latin American country is one of the largest and most culturally diverse places on this earth, and each of Mexico’s 32 states are like individual countries in themselves, each with their own distinct personality, culture, cuisine, and charm. 

Unfortunately, a lot of people never fully realise all of the magic and potential that Mexico has to offer to solo female travellers because it is somewhere that is often stereotyped as being “dangerous” and is frequently in the media for all of the wrong reasons. A lot of people are afraid of travelling to Mexico in general , and many that do, don’t really venture far outside of their resorts.

So, the suggestion of travelling to Mexico as a lone woman sounds even more extreme. 

As a solo female traveller and Travel Writer that has ventured to over 57 countries solo, including Mexico, I don’t agree with the negative hype that surrounds Mexico. I moved to Mexico from Greece in January 2022 and haven’t looked back. 

I have loved exploring my new home and in the past couple of years, I have travelled to 13 out of 32 Mexican states, mostly solo, and often focus my travels on lesser-known, ungentrified, and off-the-beaten-path areas that most tourists don’t bother to venture to. In Autumn 2023, I even bought a house in Merida. 

If I can have rewarding experiences in Mexico and feel comfortable solo here, so can you. In this guide, we are going to cover everything you need to know before travelling to Mexico as a solo female traveller for the first time. 

Table of Contents

Solo Female Travel in Mexico: Your Complete 2024 Guide 

As an experienced solo female traveller, I am a strong believer in never letting my gender or my physical appearance deter me from travelling anywhere I am interested in travelling to and that includes Mexico. You shouldn’t either. 

Still, at the same time, I am not saying that you should just pack a bag and throw caution to the wind, running off to Mexico with no plan or research either. Mexico is definitely a place that requires a little more situational awareness and assertiveness than when travelling to destinations like Spain or Italy. 

But provided that you have your wits about you and you are aware of the challenges and the risks, your solo trip to Mexico can be an enjoyable one that is memorable for all of the right reasons. 

I would like to preface this by saying that Mexico as a solo female travel destination is perhaps best reserved for solo female travellers who have at least some experience of travelling alone previously. Travelling alone, in general, presents you with its own unique set of challenges and if you are not comfortable with your own company or with figuring out the logistics of a trip, it can be even more stressful in a country where English is not widely spoken, or where you need to take extra precautions for your safety.

Best Destinations for Solo Female Travel in Mexico 

Some of the most popular travel destinations in Mexico are not necessarily the places that I would recommend for first-time solo female travel in Mexico. Coastal hotspots like Cancun, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos are among the most popular travel destinations in the country but they are just the tip of the Mexico iceberg. 

I would implore you to consider venturing away from the gentrified resort zones and into the more cultural parts of the country. (Even if you are looking for pristine beaches and coastlines, there are tons of gorgeous places that you will enjoy without being surrounded by hundreds of gringos ). 

Mexicans are some of the most welcoming, hospitable people on the planet and I feel that that friendliness increases tenfold in places like Chiapas, Guanajuato, Queretaro, and the rural Yucatan state, which have not yet been changed or in any way spoiled by overtourism. 

I have been living in the Yucatan capital of Merida for the last two years. Since Merida is widely renowned for being the safest city in Mexico , it is a place that I would highly recommend for your first visit here. 

The other top destinations in Mexico I would recommend for first-time solo female travellers in the area are Guanajuato City, Mexico City, Chiapas, Puerto Vallarta, and Campeche City. 

In this section, I will expand a little more on what you can expect in each place so that you can consider whether or not it is a destination that you want to add to your Mexico travel itinerary. 

Merida and the Yucatan state

Merida is a very safe city and a perfect choice for a first-time solo female trip to Mexico, as well as a great base for a wider Yucatan itinerary. Many of Mexico’s most famous Mayan ruins are scattered around the Yucatan peninsula – including Chichen Itza, one of the seventh wonders of the world, the Uxmal ruins , Mayapan and Coba. 

Culturally, the Yucatan is very different from other parts of Mexico. Violent things that you hear happening in other regions of the country simply don’t happen here and there is an established tourist trail around the region. 

As a female expat in the city, I often feel more comfortable in Merida than I did in my home town in the UK, and don’t really hesitate to run to the convenience store in the evening, go jog around Parque Lineal with my friend at night or visit the local squares and parks to see what street food tianguis they have. 

Despite the popularity of the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Tulum, etc, for the time being, Merida retains its authentic Mexican charm and offers a more cultured travel experience. The colonial old town is filled with a labyrinth-like network of winding cobbled streets lined with grand neo-classical mansions and colourful colonial houses that have been converted into quirky cafes and artisanal stores. 

There are enough day trips that you can take from Merida to keep you occupied for weeks, and many charming Yucatan pueblo magicos and pristine beaches along the Gulf of Mexico can be reached in less than an hour. I have driven all over the Yucatan state and I would say that this feeling of safety for me extends to the most random villages and even on more remote beaches like Uaymitun and Playa de las Dunas. 

Guanajuato City 

If you are interested in culture, gastronomy and the arts, then you will love Guanajuato City. Guanajuato was the 12th state I visited in Mexico and by the time I made it there, I thought I already knew the country pretty well but the state capital of Ciudad de Guanajuato quickly became one of my favourite destinations. 

The city was founded in 1554 and quickly became one of the most important silver mining towns in Latin America. The Spanish influence here is more evident than ever and sometimes the architecture, the narrow cobbled streets, the restaurants serving tapas , and even the cooler arid climate feel more reminiscent of being in Europe than somewhere in Mexico. 

Guanajuato City is arguably best known for its “La Cervantina” cultural festival that takes place every October, and its somewhat gruesome “Mummies of Guanajuato” Museum which contains a collection of more than 200 well-preserved mummies of people who died during a cholera outbreak several centuries ago and, thanks to the unique climate conditions of Guanajuato, have not decomposed. 

It’s not for the faint of heart but it is something of a “must-see” in Central Mexico. There are also plenty of less grotesque museums scattered around the city – including the Casa Diego Rivera Museum where the famous Mexican artist and husband of Frida Kahlo once lived, a contemporary art museum, and the Alhóndiga de Granaditas Regional Museum and Museo del Pueblo de Guanajuato which both tell the local history as well as the story of the Mexican Revolution. 

Since Guanajuato is very much a student city, you will see that the streets and plazas of the historic centre are teeming with life virtually every night of the week. There are some travel warnings in place for Guanajuato state, but I felt very comfortable here. 

Puerto Vallarta 

The Jalisco beach town of Puerto Vallarta in west-central Mexico is one of the most popular travel destinations in the country for anyone seeking sun, sea and sand. In recent years, it has become something of a hub for American and Canadian expats as it offers Southern Californian living at a fraction of the cost of living elsewhere in North America. 

I spent a couple of weeks in Puerto Vallarta solo in 2022, and then spent two months here in 2023 because I almost considered moving there. Because I struggle with the humidity, it isn’t my favourite place in Mexico but I do think that it is one of the best from a social perspective. 

I found it very easy to meet people and make friends in Puerto Vallarta as a solo female traveller. There is a great coffee shop and bar called Cafe + Leche (Océano Pacífico 455-B) that locals will jokingly refer to as “the gringo cafe” because there are always events for foreigners here. 

During the day, a lot of Digital Nomads (including me) tap away on their laptops here, and in the evenings, they organise lots of different social events. Mondays are live Jazz nights, Wednesdays are for chess competitions, etc. 

You will also find a lot of Facebook groups here catered towards ex-pats and solo female travellers. (Check out Puerto Vallarta Digital Nomads, Puerto Vallarta Friendly Young-ish Expats & Locals, and Girls in Puerto Vallarta). 

The historic old town of Puerto Vallarta feels more cultured and “Mexican” than that in Cancun ( If you want to compare Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun ) while the beachfront Malecon is lined with tons of fun restaurants and bars. PV makes a great jump-off point for wider Jalisco and Nayarit – including Jalisco beaches , Nayarit, and San Sebastian del Oeste.

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato 

San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful city situated in the far eastern part of Guanajuato state. It was founded in the 16th century and has been voted the “best city in the world” by Travel and Leisure magazine readers not only once but three times. 

Jardin Allende marks the centre of town, and it is flanked by the spectacular 17th-century gothic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel church. San Miguel de Allende tends to attract a well-heeled crowd of tourists and expats and although many of the restaurants and stores here are a little more upscale than in other parts of Mexico, you can still travel here on something of a budget and find budget double hotel rooms starting from just $30 a night. 

The streets that veer off from Jardin Allende are filled with cute boutique stores selling clothing and accessories made by independent Mexican designers, local art galleries, brunch spots, and restaurants serving cuisine from across the world. 

If you like travelling off the beaten path, San Miguel de Allende can feel a bit touristy, because you usually hear more Americans than Mexicans and a lot of people will speak to you in English by default. Besides hanging out in the different bars and cafes, there isnt an awful lot to do here, but if you are nervous about coming to Mexico, it can be a good introductory destination because everyone speaks English, and it is easy to meet people.

Mexico City 

Mexico City has soared in popularity in a big way in recent years and for good reason. CDMX is the largest city in North America, as well as the oldest across the Americas, and it is made up of dozens of different little districts. 

Each of these barrios is like a little village in itself, and each has its distinct personality and charm. Neighbourhoods like Roma Norte, Roma Sur and Condesa are some of the most popular among expats and Digital Nomads and are filled with great bars, craft breweries, coffee places and coworking spots. 

Some of the best street art in town can be found in this area too, and it is these districts that I would recommend for a first-time visitor. Upscale Polanco and the streets that encircle Chapultapec Park also make a great luxury choice. 

There is so much to see and do in Mexico City that a five-day Mexico City itinerary barely gives you enough time to scratch beneath the surface of everything the capital has to offer. Be sure to dedicate half a day to exploring Chapultepec Park and all the wonderful attractions within it. (There is even a European-style castle!) 

The National Museum of Anthropology is a must-visit, even if you don’t consider yourself a “museum person” as it contains thousands of artefacts excavated from across Mexico that were produced by the Mayans, the Aztecs, and numerous other advanced ancient civilisations. It also contains an interesting indigenous exhibition that talks about the traditional clothing, customs, and traditions of the various indigenous groups in Mexico today.   

Solo female travel in Mexico City

A lot of people are concerned about whether Mexico City is safe or not . Like any other big city, CDMX has safe areas and areas that are not so safe. 

You want to avoid the Tepito market district and be careful in the centre close to the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Iztapalapa is not safe and at one point, it was considered one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Latin America, but it is not close to anything of tourist interest nor in the centre of town so you are not going to wander into it accidentally. 

Unfortunately, one reality of exploring Mexico City, like other Latin American capitals, is that you can be wandering down one street feeling perfectly comfortable, and if you head a few blocks further, you wind up in a somewhat sketchy area. You need to constantly be mindful of where you walk here, and not randomly wander around using Google Maps. 

I felt safe here but I took precautions. It is a good idea to take an Uber home at night rather than walk, even if you are only headed a few blocks. 

Santiago de Queretaro

Santiago de Queretaro (often just referred to as “Queretaro City”), the capital of Queretaro state, is one of the most underrated cities in Mexico, but it is just as much of a rewarding place to explore as Guadalajara or Mexico City . In a way, it is quite nice that is quite untapped and overshadowed in favour of San Miguel de Allende because discovering it feels like uncovering something amazing. 

Santiago de Queretaro is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. Its historic centre is characterised by its colourful, pastel-coloured houses and cobbled streets that twist and turn and open out into grand plazas filled with street vendors that border impressive Catholic churches. 

Jardin Zenea is one of the main squares here and in the evenings and weekends, you will often find live musicians playing brass band music to delighted crowds and well-dressed older residents coming here to dance. After around 7 pm, a bustling street food market pops up in the corner of the square and the vendors sell everything from tacos and tortas to cantarito tequila cocktails, candies, crepes, and traditional Mexican desserts like gelatina and jericallas.

Queretaro is credited as being the birthplace of a little doll called “Lele” that has become something of a symbol of Mexican culture and in Jardin Zenea, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de los Fundadores, etc, you will see lots of indigenous women sewing and selling the dolls. 

Along Calle Venustiano Carranza and Calle 5 de Mayo, you will find lots of fun bars, restaurants, coffee shops and eclectic stores set inside old colonial buildings. Since Queretaro is a university city, it has a very youthful vibe and you can feel very safe and comfortable walking around the main squares of the centre even in the evenings.

The Costa Maya 

The Costa Maya is a very safe part of the Yucatan peninsula and it sits in the southern part of the state of Quintana Roo. In this region, you will find the beautiful pueblo magico of Lake Bacalar, known as the “seven-colour lagoon” because of how its waters shimmer in different shades of green, blue and turquoise.

Lake Bacalar is the largest lake in the Yucatan tri-state area and one of the largest in Mexico as a whole. It is fun to stay at one of the hotels or hostels that sit along the banks of the lake and enjoy lazy days swinging in the hammocks overlooking the colourful water and revelling in the view, kayaking, swimming, or taking a boat out onto the lake. 

Nearby, you also have the gorgeous Caribbean beach town of Mahahual whose white-sand coastline runs parallel to translucent azure waters, and several interesting Mayan ruins, including the ancient city of Chacchoben. 

If meeting people and socialising is important to you during your trip, you will pleased to know that there are several budget hostels in Bacalar. (Although accommodation options are more limited in Mahahual ). 

The Costa Maya is not yet as popular as the Riviera Maya, but the tourism infrastructure here is still pretty good. There are bus connections that run between Cancun and Mahahual and Bacalar, plenty of trustworthy tour companies operate in the region and there are plenty of travellers and backpackers that pass through the area. 

Campeche City 

Campeche City is the capital of the southeastern Mexican state of Campeche – the least visited of the three states in the Yucatan tri-state area. It is easy to get from Merida to Campeche by bus and by road and the journey between the two cities takes just over an hour. 

During the 17th century, Campeche was a thriving trade port and it eventually became the capital of the newly established state of Campeche in 1863. Its desirable trade industry and strategic location made Campeche a prime target for pirate attacks and many of the defensive fortresses and bastions that were built to protect Campeche and its residents from its invaders still exist today. 

The historic centre is UNESCO protected and its colourful streets are a photographer’s dream. Because Campeche City hasn’t yet captured the attention of a lot of international travellers, you see fewer tourists here and accommodation prices are much more reasonable, making the city great for budget travellers. 

Campeche feels just as safe as Merida, despite being a less popular tourist destination. Both Campeche state and the Yucatan state are considered the safest states in Mexico and I have been here on four separate occasions and felt very comfortable. 

There are some interesting ruins elsewhere in the state. Namely, the Mayan cities of Edzna , Calakmul and Xpujil, but unfortunately public transport in the area leaves a lot to be desired. 

Getting to Calakmul means travelling first to Xpujil and staying overnight before organising local transport to the remote ruins in Calakmul. This area is very remote so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend driving alone. 

You may be able to meet other travellers who want to share the adventure with you in Merida.

Guadalajara

The Jalisco capital of Guadalajara is a wonderful alternative weekend break destination in Mexico and a great jumping-off point for the wider region of Northern Jalisco. From here, you can take day trips out to Tlaquepaque , Lake Chapala and Ajijic. 

Guadalajara is not the safest Mexican city but with precautions, you can have a wonderful experience travelling here. (This is one area of Mexico I would recommend only for more experienced solo female travellers that can speak a little Spanish).  

The area around the historic centre, the Guadalajara Cathedral, and the Plaza de la Liberación are safe during the day, and the districts of Chapalita and Colonia Americana are filled with charming parks, cafes and boutique hotels. 

There are lots of beautiful historic churches to check out in Guadalajara. (The Templo Expiatorio del Santisimo by Italian architect Adamo Boari is particularly unique).

Stop for brunch in Colonia Americana and be sure to sample a torta ahogada. This is a local delicacy known as a “drowned sandwich” whereby pork cutlets are served in a crusty bread roll and drenched in a spicy tomato sauce. 

The Mercado San Juan de Dios is the largest covered market in Latin America and more than 3,000 vendors set up their stalls here every day, whereas the central Mercado Corona is a great place to find low-priced snacks, street food eats and tortas (sandwiches). 

You will hear a lot of scary things about Guadalajara in terms of the cartel presence and people going missing. The reality is that most people that “disappear” are linked with the cartel so rest assured you are not going to get plucked out of your hotel bed at night. 

Stick to safe areas and be aware of your surroundings and you will love Guadalajara as much as I did.

Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and the Riviera Maya 

Some of the most popular travel destinations in Mexico are found around the Riviera Maya. Cancun, Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox are at the top of a lot of people’s Mexico bucket lists and for good reason – they are gorgeous. 

Since these areas are so popular among international tourists, Digital Nomads and expats, it is very easy to meet other travellers and there are always plenty of meet-up events going on in the area, as well as an abundance of cheap hotels and hostels to choose from.

If you want to escape the crowds around Cancun and PDC, you can take a boat out to Cozumel for a day or two, or to the paradisiacal island of Isla Holbox where people get around by golf carts. Better still, further up the coast, you have El Cuyo, a little beach town that is reminiscent of what Tulum was like 10-15 years ago. 

Despite its popularity, downtown Cancun is a little rough around the edges. The abundance of Western tourists in the region has attracted a lot of unsavoury types and criminal organizations who compete for the territory to be able to supply drugs to tourists. 

Downtown Cancun is also one of the only places where I find people quite pushy and more likely to try and trick or scam you. (One of the many issues that come with over-tourism on a global scale). 

Take Ubers rather than random street cabs in Cancun. (Uber is banned elsewhere in Quintana Roo). Be sure to get a trusted taxi/Uber after dark, particularly around downtown.   

Chiapas state 

Chiapas state is one of the most culturally rich places in Mexico , home to one of the largest indigenous populations in the country. Many of the people that live here belong to the Tzotzil, Tzeltal, Chol and Zoque indigenous groups and some parts of the state are autonomous from Mexico.

The charming mountain town of San Cristobal de las Casas is a popular backpacking destination that attracts something of a hippy crowd, and the indigenous villages of Zinacantan and Chamula are essential places to visit if you want to understand the unique traditions of local indigenous cultures. 

Chiapas is also home to some of the most breathtaking nature in Mexico. It is here where you will find the spectacular El Chiflon waterfalls, the stunning Montebello lakes, and the hidden Chukumaltik cenote. 

Practical Safety Tips for Solo Female Travel in Mexico

As I mentioned, Mexico doesn’t always deserve the negative image it is given and Netflix series like Narcos and El Chapo are not good representations of reality. That is not to say that bad things don’t happen in Mexico occasionally, but violence in Mexico isnt random and most incidents tend to happen in areas where you would have no business being a tourist anyway or are restricted to clashes between criminal groups. 

If you don’t go looking for trouble in Mexico, trouble won’t go looking for you. 

I have lived here for 2 years and I feel comfortable here and I do not just stick to the tourist areas. Sure, I take common sense precautions but I never feel that I have to constantly remind myself “Oh my gosh I am in Mexico” or constantly look over my shoulder. 

Be selective about whose Mexico travel advice you listen to 

If you tell people that you are considering travelling to Mexico alone, you will probably be met with a lot of naysayers. (I know I was!) 

Be mindful of who is giving you travel advice; have they travelled to Mexico themselves? Are they also solo female travellers?

I had a lot of people (especially men) telling me that Mexico was too corrupt and dangerous and they hadn’t even travelled to Mexico themselves. Or they had visited Mexico once in the past and they just stayed in their resorts.

Unfortunately, a lot of people’s views of Mexico are jaded by stereotypes so be mindful of who you listen to.  

What to wear as a solo female traveller in Mexico 

What to wear in Mexico depends largely on where you are travelling and the time of year that you are travelling. In the Yucatan peninsula, it is perfectly normal to walk around wearing shorts and tank tops or summer dresses and skirts and you won’t get weird looks for doing so because the local women tend to dress the same and people are accustomed to seeing tourists. 

(This is a relief as it is always super hot and humid here!)

The same applies to other coastal tourist destinations like Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, Los Cabos, Cancun and the Riviera Maya. On beaches and at pools, you will find people wearing swimsuits and coverups like in any other coastal destination. 

A Mexican friend once told me that women in some inland Mexican cities prefer to dress conservatively and wear jeans so that they don’t draw attention to themselves and get unwanted attention from men. I have a very feminine dress sense so even in colder cities like Queretaro, Guanajuato, and CDMX, I usually wear dresses and skirts paired with stockings and heels/ankle boots and never feel that it makes me a target of unwanted attention.

A lot of Mexican cities like CDMX, Guadalajara, etc are quite cosmopolitan and people are accustomed to seeing people from all walks of life. For the most part, you can dress how you are comfortable. 

Crime in Mexico 

You could terrify yourself half to death reading about the cartels and all of the bad things that happen in Mexico but remember that Mexico is a big country and most of these things happen in certain areas and between criminal groups. Even violent clashes in places like Cancun (which are rare anyway) have been between criminal organisations and tourists are never the target.

The chances of being in the wrong place at the wrong time are slim. (And arguably you could just as easily be in the wrong place at the wrong time in the United States, or elsewhere too). 

As a tourist in Mexico, your biggest concerns are likely to be petty theft and scams. Fortunately, I have not been a victim of any such thing in my two years. Some practical safety tips are detailed below. 

Useful safety tips 

• Bags have been stolen from the overhead bins on ADO buses in Quintana Roo. Always keep valuables, electronics, etc with you, never leave your bag when you get off the bus to use a bathroom, and be mindful of people walking down the aisles
• Always watch your bag and personal belongings in crowded places and markets. Ideally, walk with it in front of you rather than slung over one shoulder
• Don’t carry a lot of cash. Around $4,000 MXN is plenty for a few days, even in a more expensive touristy area.
• Dont set up an expensive camera or phone with a tripod in a busy area in Mexico and be careful who you trust to ask to take your photo
• If you need to use an ATM, do so at a bank or inside a mall as these machines are less likely to have been tampered with. Make withdrawals during the day rather than at night, in the dark. 

Dealing with unwanted attention in Mexico 

It might come as a surprise to hear that I receive less unwanted attention and street harassment in Mexico than I have in other countries. I am a conventionally attractive woman and had a nightmare with harassment when I lived in Greece so it is probably something of a shock to hear that I feel more comfortable in Mexico than in the Mediterranean where men would frequently approach me on the street to make crude comments. 

Sometimes I have noticed that people stare, particularly in Guadalajara, Puebla and Sinaloa , where there are fewer Western travellers or solo female tourists. However, it felt like something more out of curiosity rather than anything sinister. 

It is better to ignore stares and catcalls because you never really know someone’s mental state or what people are capable of. Although it can be annoying, don’t give people the power to ruin your day. 

For the most part, I find Mexican men to be quite gentlemanly . On planes and buses, etc, people help me with my luggage, open doors for me, let me pass first, etc. 

I have had only three uncomfortable instances here in two years where someone followed me. This happened on the Campeche Malecon, in Tuxtla Gutierrez in Chiapas, and in Puebla City. 

Each time, I was aware of my surroundings and went into local businesses and managed to lose the person, but it was definitely creepy. Be aware of what is going on around you and be prepared to tell someone what is happening (even with Google Translate) if someone is bothering you.

How to meet other travellers 

It is pretty easy to meet other travellers in Mexico, particularly in areas that are popular with tourists because a lot of people travel alone here. This rings true even if, like me, you don’t like staying in hostels. 

My recommendations are:

• Check Meetup.com in the cities that you travel to to see any events going on
• Use Couchsurfing hangout function to find other travellers who want to grab lunch, sightsee together, etc
• Check if there are any events on Couchsurfing that coincide with your travel dates and if not, host your own. (In large cities and tourist towns, you might be surprised by how many people show up if you give about a week’s notice).
• Go to events and bar crawls organised by hostels or hang out in the hostel bar. You don’t have to be staying there to participate
• Use the “BFF” function on Bumble and other dating apps
• Ask around in local expat Facebook groups to see if anyone wants to meet for coffee/lunch

Research specific neighbourhoods before arriving 

Wherever in Mexico you decide to travel to, it is a good idea to briefly read up on which neighbourhoods are the best to stay in before you go. You might be tempted to go to a platform like Booking.com and just filter by the cheapest, or whichever option looks the most central. 

However, in Mexico, you could potentially not only be placing yourself a little far away from all the main attractions in the area, but you could also inadvertently base yourself in an area that isnt all that safe, or where you don’t feel comfortable getting around at night. 

Additional safety tips 

Some other useful safety tips for solo female travel in Mexico are detailed below. A lot of these things are good practice wherever you travel.

• Don’t share your plans on social media. You never know who is watching your Instagram stories, etc. Post your location only after you leave, and don’t post cafes etc that you go to frequently.
• Watch your alcohol intake and never leave your drink unattended on nights out, even if you are at expat events and people seem friendly.
• Learn a little Spanish if you can. Outside of tourist hubs, English is not widely spoken and a little Spanish goes a long way.
• Check your government travel advice but don’t let it scare you out of visiting. The US Department of State provides a state-by-state safety breakdown for each of Mexico’s 32 states but it can appear a little sternly worded. 
• Purchase comprehensive travel insurance before you go. A good plan will include coverage for repatriation, theft/loss of luggage and electronics, and adventure sports.

Femicides and perceptions of women in Mexico 

It may come as a surprise to hear that I feel so comfortable living in Mexico as a solo white woman considering the country’s femicide and domestic violence statistics. It is estimated that in 2022, 1.43 women per 100,000 were victims of femicide , with approximately 10-11 women believed to go missing every day. 

As a feminist and domestic violence survivor myself, I do feel strongly about this, but I don’t think it is fair to judge an entire country on this matter. Most femicides happen in “fronteras” – border zones such as Ciudad Juarez in Northern Mexico where you should not be going on your own anyway. 

It is a privileged thing to say, but as a tourist exploring beaches and Mayan and Aztec ruins during your Mexican vacation, you are not put in the same situations nor having the same experiences as Mexican women brought up in dangerous barrios.

Getting around as a solo female traveller in Mexico 

Mexico is a vast country and if you are limited on time, it is better to focus your travels on a certain region. (E.g. the Yucatan, Baja California Sur, etc). Domestic flights are usually the best way to go when travelling from one state to another, while buses are pretty comfortable, reliable and affordable for short to medium-distance overland journeys. 

As of yet, there are no real train routes in Mexico aside from the El Chepe Copper Canyon train that runs from Los Mochis, Sinaloa to Creel Chihuahua and the Tequila train from Guadalajara to Tequila. However, the Tren Maya project is scheduled for completion in late 2023/early 2024 and will provide fast and efficient links around the Yucatan peninsula. 

Travelling across Mexico by bus 

There are dozens of different intercity bus companies in Mexico and honestly, most intercity buses are fairly comfortable. They tend to have air conditioning, a reclining seat, a USB charger in front of/above your chair, and a bathroom on board.

Around the Yucatan peninsula (Quintana Roo, the Yucatan state and Campeche state), ADO is the main bus provider. You can also get first-class ADO buses on some routes like Cancun to Merida and Cancun to Tulum, which is worth paying extra for as the seats are more spacious, and the price difference is usually minimal. 

Noreste Buses are another provider in Southeastern Mexico. OCC and ACN Autobuses are other providers that I have used in Central Mexico which have been completely fine.

You can often get tickets across long distances for $20-$30 or so. You can use the ADO site and app for ADO tickets but it only works in Spanish and it often glitches and crashes. 

BusBud is another alternative but you do have to pay an admin fee. Usually, you are better off just arriving at the bus station an hour before your bus is scheduled to depart and buying a ticket in person. 

Buses are safe enough between tourist destinations. You can only bring a backpack or a small bag on board so if you have larger luggage, you will need to check it under the bus. 

For security, you will be given a receipt for checking your bag which you will need to show again when you pick it up. 

Domestic flights in Mexico 

Several reputable Mexican airlines operate on domestic routes within Mexico. AeroMexico is the country’s national carrier, while Volaris and Viva Aerobus also service a lot of routes.

Viva Aerobus is like Mexico’s answer to Spirit Airlines or Europe’s RyanAir and it doesn’t have the best reputation in the world but it honestly isn’t that bad at all. I have flown with them numerous times with no problem. 

Sometimes they are the only option. Most Mexican airlines, including Volaris and Viva Aerobus, allow a number of free changes, even with their most basic ticket options which is perfect if your itinerary may be subject to change.    

Taxis and Ubers in Mexico 

Uber and other ridesharing apps like Didi and InDrive are considered safer in Mexico than street cabs. It makes sense when you think about it, considering there is more accountability with an Uber. 

After all, you have the driver’s name, license plate number and past reviews. You simply don’t have that when you get into a random street cab. 

There is also an issue with scams and express kidnappings in parts of Mexico with street cabs. (This happens when an unsuspecting tourist gets into a random cab and is held at knifepoint and forced to hand over their valuables and withdraw from ATMs). 

Uber is available in many parts of the country (including Merida, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, etc). However, in Quintana Roo, it is only legal in Cancun. 

If you are travelling somewhere where Uber doesn’t function and you need a cab, have your hotel call a trusted taxi driver for you. In many cities, Ubers are not permitted to pick people up from the airport and only licensed cabs can. 

You can often get around this by walking a little distance down the road away from the airport. 

Renting a car in Mexico 

Renting a car in Mexico may sound like a terrifying idea as a solo female traveller but it can be a great way to get around and it gives you a lot more independence rather than having to depend on public transport schedules. For the most part, driving in Mexico is not that dissimilar to driving in the US or Canada. 

Here, you drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. Speed limits and road rules are enforced, and the penalties for breaking the law can be steep, so you will find that contrary to popular belief, most people drive carefully because they are not looking to get stopped by the police. 

In touristic areas like the Yucatan state, Quintana Roo, Puerto Vallarta, and Baja California Sur, I would have no hesitation in recommending a woman rent a car. I have driven to every corner of the Yucatan state alone. 

In places like Chiapas, people seemed to drive a little crazier and in Sinaloa (which is on the do not travel list anyway), I travelled with my boyfriend and felt uncomfortable as we got stopped numerous times by the police and in one instance, had to pay a bribe. 

So, renting a car can be a good idea, but it depends on where you are going. 

Final thoughts on solo female travel in Mexico 

Solo female travel in Mexico can be a great experience. Don’t let negative stereotypes deter you from visiting a really special part of the world.

I have travelled to over 57 countries, mostly solo and Mexico quickly became one of my favourites. Personally, I feel significantly safer here than in other Latin American countries. (I did not feel anywhere near as comfortable in Colombia).

I am not someone who has just travelled through the country briefly once either and I have been living in Mexico for two years now.

Do you have any further questions about planning your trip? Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything.

You might also find these more generic Mexico travel tips quite useful. Safe travels and enjoy Mexico!

Buen Viaje! Melissa xo

Melissa Douglas

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A Guide to Solo Travel in Puerto Rico for Female Travelers

November 14, 2021 May 31, 2016 | Paroma

Last Updated on November 14, 2021 by Paroma

Curious about solo travel in Puerto Rico? Let this guide, based on my very first adventure of traveling solo in Puerto Rico be your one stop for all the burning questions you may have on traveling safely in this island as a solo, female traveler. This guide on Puerto Rico solo female travel includes the best places to stay, eat and things to do in a safe and fun manner if you’re traveling to Puerto Rico alone and that too for the first time!

Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links. Clicking on them will help me earn some moolah with no extra cost of the product to you. Thanks a lot for supporting free content on this site.

Table of Contents

Is Puerto Rico a safe destination for solo travel as a woman?

Puerto Rico, the caribbean island which doubles up as a US territory, is a travel destination near and dear to my heart because this is the first place I visited solo (not once, but twice) and loved every minute of it. So to answer your question, YES, Puerto Rico is a safe destination to travel solo for women.

Although I spend some time in the more modern Condado area with beachfront hotels due to the conference I was attending, the majority of my stay was in San Juan’s picturesque old town where I ventured out on my own on both visits and ate my way through in some of the best old San Juan restaurants . In this solo travel to Puerto Rico guide , I will be detailing all the attractions that I visited as a solo traveler, all of which I felt incredibly safe exploring. 

I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did and visit the island which definitely needs some tourism money since it is still recovering from the horrible aftermath of Hurricane Maria . For details on how badly the island has been decimated, read my blogger friend Lola’s post right here on life in PR after the hurricane . For more inspiration on traveling solo, read this handy solo female travel guide by another blogger friend of mine.

Where should you stay in Puerto Rico as a solo traveler?

Although the Condado area is where tourists mostly live due to modern hotels and access to beaches, my heart lies in the charm of old San Juan, i.e. the old town part of the capital where the crammed cobbled streets and the old world feel will transport you to a different era altogether. I have stayed in the heart of old San Juan twice and it is incredibly safe to stay there.

People flock to San Juan and Puerto Rico for the pristine beaches dotting the island. I am not a beach bunny at all, but there are several public beaches in the  Condado area that are very popular with people. If you stay in one of the adjoining resorts (such as the San Juan Marriott), you will also get your own umbrella and beach loungers.

I stayed at  Hotel Casablanca , (a Moroccan themed hotel on Calle Fortaleza) during my second visit and loved the convenience and service! Seriously, If you are looking for a budget boutique hotel in the heart of old town, Casablanca is possibly  one of the best hotels in San Juan.  Unlike what it says on the website, the hotel now has a functioning elevator so you don’t have to huff and puff up the stairs with your luggage in tow.

Fun things to do on your solo travel to Puerto Rico

There is no dearth of fun activities to enjoy on your own as a solo traveler in Puerto Rico. Here are all the things that I did during my visit as a solo female traveler and loved all of them (minus the beach cause I am not a beach bunny):

How to enjoy Puerto Rico as a solo female traveler: Relax at the beach

Since Puerto Rico is an island, there are obviously no dearth of those fabled Caribbean beaches to blow your mind away. Slap that sunscreen, get a good book, wear your floppy hat and you’re all set for a day at the beach! I spent some time at the Condado beach near our conference center, which is the most popular one amongst tourists.

Here are the top ten beaches in Puerto Rico for those interested in lazing away under the sun, just make sure to lather yourself with sunscreen since you will be completely exposed to the blazing sun. A day at the beach is one of the best things to do in Puerto Rico with kids!

Solo travel activity in Puerto Rico: Kayaking the bioluminescent bay

For the adventurous soul, kayaking in the bioluminescent bay (named after the bioluminescent bacteria feeding on special plankton growing there) is not to be missed even if you’re traveling solo in Puerto Rico since this island is one of the few places in the world with a healthy bio bay.

This activity welcomes solo travelers as well where you are simply paired up with another person or a guide. In fact, Puerto Rico is blessed with three such bays, with the brightest one being the Mosquito bay in Vieques, followed by the second brightest in Fajardo (where I kayaked during my first visit) and the last one, not so well maintained due to huge influx of tourists, in Lajas.

Since these organisms are in a protected ecosystem, it takes quite a bit of effort to get to the actual waterbody and that means crossing swamps and lagoons, in the darkness of the night. I am not a very outdoors person, but found that the effort was really worth the sight and so highly recommend this moderately strenuous activity.

Please contact a good tour group that is responsible for this kayaking adventure and follow all their instructions. You do not need prior kayaking expertise to join, but it’s best to go in as a pair or in a group (I went alone but a kind lady in group joined me, at any rate you will be paired with someone). Vieques Outdoors and Eco Tours Puerto Rico are two responsible kayaking groups to tour with.

Tours start at sunset and also later in the evening, and you are picked up from your hotel if you indicate that transportation is needed. Please wear a bathing suit below your clothes or bring a dry towel since you get wet considerably in the lower part of your body depending on the venue.

For example, when I went kayaking in Fajardo, the bio-bay was located at the mouth of a very narrow lagoon and so we had to wade our kayaks through a swamp, due to which our legs and lower parts of the body got wet. 

Safe things to do in Puerto Rico as a solo traveler: explore Old San Juan

Old Town San Juan ( read this guide on San Juan beaches and other attractions ) was the highlight of my Puerto Rico travel, not only because it appeared to be straight out of a coloring book but also because it is extremely navigable by foot and all the top attractions can be visited safely on your own. You can read my detailed blog post on major Old Town attractions as well as the best restaurants and cafes in San Juan .

 I must add that I felt safe walking late in the evening in Old town as well (since there are always so many people around), but please adopt common sense precautions if you are in the newer part of the capital and want to go partying, clubbing or hitting up the bars.

Guided tour for solo travelers in Puerto Rico: Day trip to El Yunque rainforest

El Yunque rainforest is Puerto Rico’s national treasure since it is the only rainforest in the US National Forest system, and is maintained by the Federal forest service. The rainforest is protected and therefore plucking of leaves, fruits and flowers or causing any kind of damage is forbidden and against the law.

The rainforest is a 30-35 min drive from Old Town and can either be viewed on your own (if you have a vehicle) or by a guided tour which I highly recommend if you do not drive but want to see this forest as part of your solo travel in Puerto Rico adventure . Although there are several options for the latter, I recommend Louie’s VIP tour (nothing pricey about this VIP tour as it includes transportation and is a mere $ 60 as compared to other tour options).

Luis Robles (Louie) is the owner and guide of this tour and is a living encyclopedia on everything about the El Yunque rainforest. Once contacted by email and confirmed, you have to reconfirm by calling him again 1-2 days before your trip. Louie will pick you up from a place near your hotel (I met him at Plaza Colon) and then pick up other members of the group (our group included me and 10 others) and then he will  head out for the rainforest.

Not only was Louie very friendly, but he rattled off a lot of amazing trivia about Puerto Rico, the rainforest and everything else under the sun. He knows all the flowers, trees and every inch of the rainforest and reminded us time and again about how important it is to conserve and preserve the rainforest for future generations.

He also told us fun facts about the forest such as there are no large mammals or predators inhabiting it since no animal that couldn’t be swept by the ocean or carried by the wind could have made it there. Similarly, the rain water flows away in strong currents and therefore there is no stagnant water for mosquitoes to breed, i.e. you cannot be bitten by one in the forest.

Our first stop was the visitor center where we watched a movie, narrated by Benicio Del Toro (native Puerto Rican Hollywood star and an Academy Award winner) that was a documentary about the forest, its past and the present conservation efforts.

The rainforest was called El Yunque by the native Taino people and then was renamed El Yunque because of the Spaniards’ mispronunciation. After Louie familiarized us with the flowers and shrubs nearby, he gave us instructions to the La Mina waterfalls, which we were to encounter after 445 steps/550 feet of descent.

Due to the fragility of the ecosystem and to prevent damage to the flora, one should always stay on the paved path/trail. We got a fantastic view of the pot bellied man-mountain from atop the  Yokahu Tower and then made our way to the waterfall.

We spent around 30 mins at the waterfall (I firmly stayed out of the water while those in bathing suit splashed around) and then made our way up 255 steps or so, firmly staying on the paved way, to get back to the parking lot where Louie was waiting for us.

Famished, we made our way to one of the three food joints near the entrance of the rainforest. The food was good enough for our hungry stomachs (vegetarians ate rice, beans and cheese arepas) and there were plenty of fresh coconuts to quench our thirst.

Finally, Louie dropped us off at our respective hotels and was kind enough to offer us help in case we needed any recommendations during our stay. I give two big thumbs up to this tour, which was made super enjoyable thanks to Louie!

Cultural escape for solo traveler in Puerto Rico: A trip to the museum

Art lovers rejoice, because the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico , is a luminescent gem of a place and your entry way into some of the most beautiful and jaw-dropping artistic exhibits from the dynamic art scene of this island for a mere entry free of $6.69!

Enter into the fascinating world of Puerto Rico masters such as Rafael Tufiño (Puerto Rican artist and printmaker, known as the common man’s artist), Ramón Frade (his masterpiece “El Pan Nuestro de Cada Dia”/Our Daily Bread of a man holding a bunch of plantains symbolizes the spirit of Puerto Rico) and Francisco Oller who were influenced significantly by European art but remained true to their Puerto Rican roots.

My favorite of all the displays was undoubtedly Tufiño’s gigantic mural “La Plena” where he paid homage to this Puerto Rican style of music (of African Origin) via visuals of different people (representing all the diverse races found on the island) and activities. It is a shame that the museum does not allow photography (even minus flash) because I badly wanted to photograph this masterpiece.

The museum, located in Santurce, has 5 floors and used to be the San Juan Municipal Hospital in the 1920s . It is also one of the largest art museums in the Caribbean. There are exhibits on the 3rd and fourth floor, while there is a beautiful sculpture garden with a serene koi pond once you walk out of the second floor.

The second floor has a dedicated room for children’s activities and exhibits. This museum is a must visit for all art lovers and if you want a free visit, Wednesdays after 2 PM is free entry (that is what I saw in one of the signs posted, but please confirm).

Outside of the museum, stands an enigmatic sculpture comprising of a giant smashing into a car. I dug into the internet and found out that the installation is by Thomas Dambo, who made this gigantic sculpture from broken pallets and wood chips scavenged from all over the island. The defunct car was donated by a local man named Wilson, and a construction worker helped remake the car to fit the giant’s fist.

The sculpture was originally built for the Santurce street art festival and post festivities found a permanent home with the MAPR. To get an in person view of this amazing sculpture and the many wonders of Puerto Rican art, do visit the museum.

This concludes my guide to solo travel in Puerto Rico and all the fun things to do as a solo traveler. Puerto Rico is an incredibly safe destination for first time female travelers and the locals are extremely friendly! So please visit this Caribbean island if you’re planning to take those baby steps in traveling on your own. Thanks a lot for reading!

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11 thoughts on “A Guide to Solo Travel in Puerto Rico for Female Travelers”

Very interesting article! I haven’t made it to Puerto Rico yet, but when I do I’ll have to make sure to check out El Yunque Rainforest and the Bioluminescent bay – they sound wonderul!!

Oh Puetro Rico looks like such a fun place to visit.

Great article. Love your description of Louie! I haven’t been to Puerto Rico but this article certainly opened my eyes. Thanks!

I’m so eager to go on a solo travel trip. Puerto Rico might be a bit of stretch for me, but it does look amazing, especially since I am an outdoorsy person. Good pointers!

I have never been to Puerto Rico before but this definitely makes me what to visit and check bioluminescent bay and Mosquito bay, they names are so interesting !!!

I’m a solo female traveler so I always enjoy reading guides on destinations for solo travellers! I have yet to visit Puetro Rico but it looks amazing, and somewhere that I can enjoy solo. Thanks for the tips!

Love this! I was in Puerto Rico last winter but I definitely didn’t get to explore all I wanted to in time! It’s kind of overwhelming to know where to start! This is a great resource – thank you for putting it together!

Best, Rebecca

Kayaking in the luminescent biosphere is now officially on my must do list! This was a really great guide and it’s good to know how welcoming Puerto Rico is to single travellers. The pastel homes in San Juan sound amazing too

Some great suggestions here which make me see Puerto Rico in a different light – I had always thought of it as just another bit of America, but there is clearly so much more culture here than I imagined. Great post!

The old town looks pretty! I love colorful walls… 🙂

Such a detailed post, enjoyed reading it. You have listed some great things, will add them to my PR itinerary.

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Contemplating a last minute solo trip. Fifth time to the island so I feel comfortable knowing the lay of the land but have always traveled with someone. Looking at Rocamar, read a bit about solo stays in reviews but wanted feedback and thoughts? Concern on assuring I don’t end up with a ground floor even in booking non ground level. You know how things can go, always some unexpected surprises when you check in. Any suggestions on things to do solo is also much appreciated. Looking at a food tour, feel like it is the one thing on Isla I have never done before and looks fun and filling. Also wing diving, I have never been able to convince anyone to do it lol.

As another solo female traveler, I stayed very close to the Rocamar at a B&B, Casa Sirena. No ground-level guest rooms, I felt super safe, and they have fantastic breakfasts and happy hour! I highly recommend!

I have not traveled solo but would feel safe doing so, though I might stay a bit closer in centro.

Yes, do the food tour with Jose! We did the bicycle tour on our last Isla visit and it was fabulous! I can’t wait to return and do a different one. Have fun!! :)

If you pay for a room not on the ground floor they will give you one. If they try to give you the ground level then stand your ground. They will give you what you paid for. Usually it's not an issue.

Just remember that they consider the ground floor to be the one you walk downstairs to get and not the ones on the same level as reception. Some would call them basement rooms.

So if you book an upper floor room it could be on the same level as reception (no steps to go up). That is considered the first floor....not ground floor. Or you could end up on the second or third floor which obviously is upstairs.

Thank you Joan, I knew there was something tricky about how they define the levels. Even booking directly I am not certain how I could assure I am up a level? Concern is they would be at capacity and not be able to accommodate me if it did end up being reception level. Any suggestions?

Just so you know....

The rooms that are at reception level actually have balconies that are up from the Malecon where people walk. Not like being on the second or third floor but it's also not street level with the Malecon either. The ground (basement) level have patios that are below the Malecon. There's pieces of jagged cut or broken glass lining the wall to deter people from jumping over the wall.

But I'm with you. I absolutely would not stay ground level. We did once. Never again. No safety issues but we felt like we'd been banished to basement. It was so "dark" even in the day tine. And the steps were slippery as well as the ramp.

Unfortunately they don't do room requests. If you sent one they'd just send you a message that says they are unable to guarentee any specific room locations.

An option near the roca mar is casa el pío.

If you like to cook, Abuelita Angelita has cooking classes. She can be found at Cooking with Abuelita Angelita on Facebook. Christy Dix, her daughter in law, arranges the bookings.

There are batik classes just outside the Mercado. I'm not sure if Sergio is doing them.

Try the bus.

If you require an ocean view disregard this, but I've stayed at Hotel Las Palmas on several solo trips and love it. There really aren't any bad rooms, well other than the couple budget rooms. What I really love are the public spaces, the dipping pool and huge patio/kitchen on the third floor is just awesome. You can even see both coasts of the island from the 4th floor patio! And I have to say the people I've met there have been with very few exceptions very fun and interesting people. Have a great trip!

I have also heard tha Las Palmas is great for solo travelers. You have privacy but its easy to meet others if you want to do so.

Doing my first solo trip in May. Really looking forward to it.

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Backpacking in Mexico , Solo Travel

Mexico city solo travel: is mexico city safe as a solo female traveller.

Solo travel anywhere can be daunting, but with Mexico’s reputation, a lot of people have asked me if Mexico solo travel is safe, in particular in Mexico City.  This huge, hectic behemoth certainly sounds scary, but solo travel in Mexico City can be an incredible experience.  I spent four months in Mexico City as a solo female traveller, so got to know the city well and fell in love with the people, food, and culture here.  I’ll give you the truth about Mexico City solo travel and answer for once and all if Mexico City is safe for solo female travellers!

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Know Before You Go to Mexico City

Before travelling to Mexico City, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.

🛌 MY FAVOURITE HOTELS IN MEXICO CITY FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS:

$$ Casa Mannach – Excellent location in Condesa with a shared kitchen 

$$ NaNa Vida CDMX – Lovely hotel in Roma Norte with a roof terrace

$ Hostel Home : I volunteered here for 3 months and loved it!

⭐ TOP 3 MEXICO CITY ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:

1. Mexico City: Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine & Tlatelolco Tour

2. Mexico City: Xochimilco, Coyoacan, Frida Kahlo & UNAM

3. Mexico City: Historic Downtown Walking Tour

Find Deals to Book Your Trip

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Group Tours

Why Visit Mexico City?

Most solo travellers come to Mexico for the beach and the delicious food.  While Mexico has both of those in great abundance, one place is often skipped on Mexico itineraries.  Mexico City.

Mexico City is huge and has a reputation for being dirty, dangerous and choked with traffic.  However, I didn’t find CDMX any more dangerous than any other big city in the world, and if you skip Mexico City on your Mexico vacation you are seriously missing out. 

With a UNESCO listed historic centre, UNESCO listed cuisine, and battling with Paris to be the city with the most museums in the world, Mexico City is not to be underestimated.  If you want to learn about Mexican culture, there is no better place.

I fell in love with Mexico City, with the people, the architecture, temples, museums and the social life.  Come here and you won’t be disappointed!

When to Visit Mexico City 

I don’t think there is a bad time to come to Mexico City.  However, in general, the most popular time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from late fall to early spring. The months of November to April are considered the best time to visit Mexico City, as the weather is typically mild and dry.

During this period, you can enjoy pleasant temperatures, with daytime highs ranging from the mid-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit (around 18-24°C). This weather is ideal for exploring the city’s attractions, parks, and outdoor activities. Keep in mind that December and January can be cooler, especially in the evenings, so you may want to pack some layers.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Day) on 1st November is one of the most fun and busiest time of the year to visit Mexico City.  I arrived in time for the ofrenda displays in memory of loved ones, and stayed throughout December and January to enjoy Christmas and New Year too.

If you prefer to avoid crowds, it’s advisable to avoid major holidays and events when the city is extremely busy. Additionally, be aware that the rainy season typically occurs from late spring to early fall, with the wettest months being June to September. While the rain can bring lush greenery, it may also lead to occasional downpours and higher humidity levels.

Getting to Mexico City

Chances are, you’ll arrive in Mexico City by air, so you will arrive at Mexico City Airport, also known as Benito Juarez International Airport.  It is the busiest airport in Latin America and, like Mexico City itself, it can be overwhelming.

Is Mexico City Airport Safe?

Despite its size, Mexico City Airport is safe, but as you would at any airport, keep a close eye on your belongings.

To get from Mexico City into town, for solo travellers I recommend taking one of the official Mexico City Airport taxi companies which operate from Terminal One and Terminal Two.  You pre-pay for your journey at the booth near the arrival gate and give the receipt to the driver so you know you won’t get scammed on price.

It is also possible to take an Uber from the airport, arrange a private or shared airport transfer , or take the metro into town. However, for a first-time female solo traveller in Mexico City, an official airport taxi was definitely the best option for me.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Tulum Solo Travel Guide

Where to stay in Mexico City as a Female Solo Traveller

Each area in Mexico City has its own distinct personality and vibe.  Most visitors stay in Condesa, Roma, the Historic Centre, Polanco or Zona Rosa. 

Personally, I think the best neighbourhood to stay in Mexico City for solo female travellers is around Roma and Condesa.  This area is full of cool bars and restaurants, leafy streets and a hip crowd, and is very safe.

You could also choose a hostel or hotel close to the Zocalo in the Centro Historico to get your fill of history, although the area is a bit dodgy at night during the day you are perfectly placed to explore the city. 

Polanco is another option where there are more hotels than hostels, or the Zona Rosa which is traditionally a student area with lots of bars, although I’d say that is better if you are travelling in a group.

The kind of accommodation you choose will depend on whether you want to meet other people, want to cook your own meals or work while you are travelling.  I love hostels when I want to meet people, but prefer an apartment if I’m staying for a long time and working.  For short trips, nothing beats a hotel experience!

Hotels in Mexico City for Solo Female Travellers

Casa Mannach – Excellent location in the heart of Condesa with a shared kitchen to prepare your own meals and socialise.  Choose from apartments or suites, some with balconies.  >>>CHECK PRICES & REVIEWS

NaNa Vida CDMX – Lovely hotel in Roma Norte with a roof terrace, spacious rooms and helpful staff.  >>>CHECK PRICES & REVIEWS

Kali Centro Mexico City – In the city centre, this beautiful hotel is close to the popular Mercado San Juan gourmet market, La Alameda Park, and many other sites. Enjoy the on-site breakfast and many other amenities offered. >>> BOOK NOW

Hotel Flamencos – Highly rated overall, but especially for its staff, this 4-star hotel is conveniently located near Zocalo Square, Metropolitan Cathedral, and National Palace. Their full suite of amenities make for a comfortable and memorable stay. >>> BOOK NOW

SEARCH ALL MEXICO CITY HOTELS

Hostels in Mexico City for Solo Female Travellers

Hostel home.

When I travel alone, I often prefer to stay in hostels so I can meet other travellers more easily.  I loved Hostel Home in Roma, it really did feel like home. 

They have a private room, a female dorm room, and two mixed dorm rooms to choose from, although they do fill up fast so book in advance if you can.  There are plenty of bars and restaurants close by, although if you do go out alone at night, I still recommend taking an Uber home. >>>CHECK PRICES & REVIEWS

Other top-rated hostels in Mexico City Include: 

Casa Pancha – This modern and chic hostel has a female-only dormitory and 24-hour reception and security making it perfect for solo female travelers. Plus, they offer free breakfast and a free city tour for those stretching their travel budget. >>> BOOK NOW

Hostal Regina Centro Historico Ciudad de Mexico – Offers a number of options for solo female travelers including a female-only dorm room and private rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Plus, an on-site restaurant and entertainment, and amenities helpful to solo female travelers like 24-hour reception and security. >>> BOOK NOW

BOOK YOUR HOSTEL NOW

Apartments & Airbnbs in Mexico City

There are also plenty of options for Airbnb in Mexico City too although I usually prefer to book apartments on Booking.com as they often have better cancellation terms. 

Areas to Avoid in Mexico City

As with any large city, there are places in Mexico City which you should avoid, especially as a solo female traveller.  However, these are areas where you are not likely to go as a tourist anyway, so you are certainly not missing out.

The neighbourhoods of Tepito, Doctores, Ciudad Neza, and Iztapalapa are dangerous areas in Mexico City for locals and tourists alike, so are not safe to visit at all, and be very careful in the neighbourhood of Merced which has a huge market.

During the day, you shouldn’t have any problems in the more popular tourist areas like the Centro Historico, Coyoacan, Roma and Condesa, and Chapultepec, but at night be more wary, especially in the Centro Historico.  I have heard mixed opinions about Xochimilco , I found it fine during the day but visiting the canals and colourful boats is best to do in a group or with a tour, and avoided after dark.

If you are nervous about visiting areas like the markets and Xochimilco alone, try one of these tours:

Getting Around Mexico City Solo

Mexico City is enormous, and it can take a long time to get around, especially in rush hour.  If you can, try to avoid travelling anywhere at all during rush hour, as the roads are packed and the public transport full to capacity.

Uber in Mexico City

Uber is going strong in Mexico City and is one of the safest ways to get around the city as a solo female traveller, especially after dark.  Enter your destination and Uber will calculate where your nearest available driver is and give you an estimate of how much it will cost.

Ubers are usually safer than taxis as you can track the location of the driver, all payment is done via the app so you don’t have to worry about handing over any cash, and you can even share your journey with friends and family so they can see exactly where you are. 

However, during the day you might find it quicker to use the Metro as traffic can be horrendous.

Mexico City Public Transportation

Using the metro in mexico city.

Due to notoriously bad traffic congestion in Mexico City, it is often faster and easier to take the Metro than use any other form of transport.  The metro system in Mexico City is surprisingly good.  Frequent, safe and cheap, the network of metro lines whizz you across the city for a mere 5 pesos per journey, just buy however many tickets you might need at the ticket booth, and hop on.

However, for women travelling to Mexico City alone, I highly recommend using the women-only carriages in the metro, as unfortunately, groping & sexual harassment is not uncommon in the mixed carriages – to the extent that Mexico City Transport installed ‘ penis seats ’ on some of their carriages to highlight the unpleasantness women have to endure in mixed carriages.

The women-only carriages will be at the front or back of the train, and are signed ‘Solo Mujeres.’  Sometimes there are still a few men on the carriages, but it is a much more comfortable way to travel than being crammed in the mixed carriages. Pickpocketing is also common on the metro, as in most major cities, so be careful with your belongings.  And try to avoid rush hour!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Exploring Mexico – Yucatan 2 Week Itinerary

Mexico City Buses

I didn’t take any buses across Mexico City itself but did take a bus to Teotihuacan and to nearby cities such as Puebla.  There are four bus stations in Mexico City, roughly at each compass point for North, South, East and West, and are all reachable by metro.  The Metro is by far the easiest way to get around Mexico City.

General Tips for Mexico City Solo Travel

Mexican people are friendly and chatty, and may well come up to you, especially if you look very different from a typical Mexican person.  I am pale and quite tall compared to petite Mexicans so often had funny looks and curious questions.  On the whole, this is completely harmless and nothing to worry about.  However, if you are visiting Mexico alone there is no harm in being cautious.

Try to avoid very quiet places, luckily in Mexico City, there are usually lots of people around to help if you do run into trouble.  Learning a few words of Spanish can help you to do day-to-day things like order food or ask someone for directions, so try to learn a little Spanish before you arrive in Mexico City.

Pickpocketing is common, especially on the metro and in crowded tourist areas like the Centro Historico and Coyoacan.  You should be fine exploring during the day, but try to plan so you will be back at your hotel or hostel before dark, otherwise, take an Uber back to where you are staying.  As with any big city, don’t flash expensive jewellery or camera equipment and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Although I hate to say it, dressing conservatively also helps to avoid unwanted attention.  Of course, I think women should be able to wear whatever we want, wherever we want, however, Mexico City is far more conservative than the beach destinations of Cancun or Tulum – it is a city, so showing a lot of skin will get you noticed, and not in a good way.

Street Food in Mexico City – is It Safe?

I have to mention street food as this was one of my favourite things about Mexico City.  Some people assume that eating street food is dangerous or that you will get food poisoning, but if you don’t even try a street food taco then frankly you haven’t lived!

The key to eating street food safely is to find where the locals eat.  If there is a queue of local people waiting at a street food stand, that is the one you should go for.  The food will be cooked quickly and won’t be standing there a long time, and so many people can’t be wrong!

A word of warning though, be careful with the hot sauce as some of them will blow your head off!!  If you still aren’t feeling confident then a street food tour could set your mind at ease, with a guide showing you around the best street food places in Mexico City.  These are some of my favourites:

• Mexico City: Authentic Downtown Food Tour
• Mexico City: Tacos & Mezcal Night Food Tour
• México City: Authentic Mexican food Colonia Roma
• Mexico City: 3–Hour Polanco Food Tour

The Best Things to Do in Mexico City for Solo Female Travellers

Explore the historic centre.

The UNESCO-listed ‘Historic Centre’ of Mexico City is made up of the Zocalo Main Square and the surrounding area, including the magnificent Palacio de Bellas Artes. 

The Zocalo often hosts to free events, from a huge ice-skating rink at Christmas or hundreds of ‘ ofrendas ’ or shrines for the Day of the Dead, to concerts from top Mexican and International stars. 

Latin America’s largest Cathedral, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral presides over one side of the square, which you can admire from inside, or take a tour up the bell tower for unique views of the city.

On another side, the Palacio Nacional Government building houses a magnificent Diego Rivera Mural (which is free to enter but you must bring ID with you) and a small museum.  

The square was the centre of the city founded by the Mexica people, whose huge temple lies beneath and just behind the Cathedral.  The Spanish destroyed the temple and used the materials to build the cathedral.  Some of the temple ruins are visible from the street, or go into the fabulous Templo Mayor Museum to see the artefacts they discovered and learn some fascinating facts about Mexico and the foundation of Mexico City.  

Another excellent way to explore the Centro Historico is on a free Mexico City walking tour with Estacion Mexico .

Marvel at the Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palacio de Bellas Artes is a spectacular building which is as impressive from the outside as it is from the inside.  It took 30 years to construct, mainly due to the Mexican Revolution, and shows a mixture of architectural styles. 

It is a theatre and museum, and you can buy a ticket for the Folkloric Ballet online or from the ticket office, which is more traditional dance than ballet as you may know it, or take a tour of the museum to see the incredible collection of murals from Mexico’s most important painters, like Diego Rivera and David Siqueiros, as well as several temporary exhibitions. 

The best place for a photo of this stunning building is across the street from the SEARs department store; simply take the escalators to the top floor & snap a photo out of the window.  Alternatively, have a coffee and cake in the café on the 8th floor and watch as the sunset bathes the Palacio in golden light.

Eat Mexican Food!

Mexican cuisine is one of the only cuisines in the world that has been awarded Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.  Mexico City has an incredible array of excellent restaurants, offering local specialities, national dishes, and international cuisine too. 

Vegetarians are remarkably well catered for too, with plenty of options for vegetarian food in Mexico City .  The area known as Roma, and neighbouring Condesa, is exploding with top restaurants, and if you like to cook then I highly recommend taking a Mexican cooking class at Casa Jacaranda .

A visit to Mexico City is not complete without sampling the street food, which is excellent – and cheap!  Tacos al Pastor are the go-to option, with juicy pork, pineapple and whichever salsa takes your fancy. 

As well as tacos though, you’ll find tlayudas, elotes, quesadillas, sopes, juices, and more – just be brave and try everything!  If you are worried about hygiene, watch where the locals go, a busy street food stand is a good sign – the food is good, and hasn’t been sitting out in the sun too long!  

However, never trust a Mexican who tells you the salsa is not hot!  If you’re sensitive to spice, test it first by popping a dot of salsa on the back of your hand and tasting it before you smother your tacos in it.

Visit Coyoacan & the Frida Kahlo Museum

Frida Kahlo wasn’t particularly famous or revered in Mexico while she was alive – she was more commonly known as the wife of Diego Rivera, who was a well-known muralist. 

However, in recent years her popularity has grown, following the 2002 film with Salma Hayak, and Frida’s association with the feminist movement and fashion, with designers including Jean-Paul Gautier using her trademark corsets as inspiration. 

The Blue House, as the Frida Khalo museum is known, is where Frida grew up, and later, where she and her husband Diego Rivera lived until they moved into separate homes. 

The museum shows fascinating insights into her life, including her childhood and accident, her struggle with not being able to have children, and her married life with Diego. There is a small amount of her work exhibited here, as well as photographs of Frida & her family & friends, and a temporary exhibition of her clothes which were found several years after her death. 

If you’re not a Frida fan, Coyoacan is still a pretty little town to visit, and as it has not quite been swallowed up by Mexico City’s growth, Coyoacan still retains its small-town feel.  There is cool street art to find here, awesome street food, a handicraft market and a pleasant main square, with a cathedral and a fountain with two growling coyotes.

Get Serenaded at Xochimilco or Plaza Garibaldi

Due to its location an hour or two outside of the centre, Xochimilco is not the easiest place to get to, and I’d recommend joining a group tour to make transport easier and the whole experience more fun!

Part kitch and gimmick, part party and part culture, the rivers & floating islands of Xochimilco offer a glimpse into Mexico City’s past and how the Aztec (Mexica) people lived after founding their city on a lake, albeit on colourful Mexican gondoliers.  

For a peaceful boat ride, go early in the morning, or if you prefer more of a party vibe, go on the weekends or holidays when you can barely move on the river as hundreds of boats take to the water, filled with drinking & dancing Mexicans.  If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, and flag down a passing boatload of Mariachis to serenade you as you drink enough michelada beers to sink your boat!

If you prefer your mariachis on dry land, head to Plaza Garibaldi where mariachi bands gather to offer tourists a song. Bizarrely they also hang out on the street, waiting for people on the way to a party to pick them up.  Similarly, for solo travellers, I’d recommend joining a group tour like this as the best time to visit is in the evening.

See the Aztec Sun Stone at the Anthropology Museum

This incredible museum is Mexico’s most popular tourist attraction and my favourite museum in Mexico City.  El Museo Nacional de Antropología is spectacular.  The huge museum covers two floors around a central courtyard, and showcases the history of Mexico’s inhabitants from the origin of the human species in Mesoamerica, the development of indigenous cultures, the Spanish conquest & beyond. 

With fascinating exhibits on all indigenous cultures in Mexico, the highlight for me was the Mexica room, including the magnificent Aztec Sun Stone, which is worth the visit alone.  If you are a history buff I would also suggest two separate visits, as trying to digest everything covered in this massive museum in one visit is a challenge!

Explore Chapultepec Forest

Chapultepec means ‘grasshopper hill’, and this huge green space in Mexico City is hard to miss. It really is a forest filled with trees, a boating lake, the Botanic Gardens, Mexico City Zoo (complete with pandas), several museums and plenty of scampering squirrels. 

You’ll find some of the best museums in the city here, including the excellent Anthropology Museum, as well as the Museum of Modern Art, the Tamayo Museum, Chapultepec Castle, and the Natural History Museum.  Dozens of stalls line the footpaths, selling sweet & savoury snacks, cuddly toys, and crappy souvenirs, and there are street performers providing entertainment for the kids. 

On Sundays, most of the museums are free for nationals (and some for foreigners too), which also means the park gets packed.  

Scream Your Heart Out at Lucha Libre Wrestling

I was prepared to hate Lucha Libre Mexican Wrestling . I expected it to be like American wrestling, with lots of pouting, posturing and not much fighting.  While there was plenty of all that, I was surprised how quickly I got into it, taking sides and yelling at the masked luchadores as they leapt around the ring.   

As much part of Mexican culture as mariachis, Lucha Libre is a spectacle of acrobatics and hammy acting skills that you just can’t help but love.  It is definitely more fun after a few beers, and I preferred the Friday night performance as it was busier, but on Tuesdays you have a better chance of snagging a good seat. 

To channel your inner Nacho Libre, buy a lucha libre mask from one of the stores outside and practice at home!

While you could visit the Lucha Libre alone, I’d highly recommend joining a group as it is much more fun.  I joined a group of fellow travellers from my hostel for one trip, and booked a group tour for another visit as I loved it so much!  This Lucha Libre tour includes a mariachi show, or this tour is just for Lucha Libre with some of the best seats in the house.

Shop till you Drop in the Markets

Ciudadela Artisan Market is without a doubt the best place to buy souvenirs in Mexico City.  This immense market is filled with traditional handicrafts, including painted skulls, beautifully beaded artwork, silver jewellery, and much more. 

San Juan Market is perfect for foodies, famous for its exotic meats, imported herbs and spices, homemade mole sauces, as well as fresh meat, fish, fruit & vegetables.  You’ll also find unusual specialities like salted chapulines (crickets), worms and even a scorpion or two! 

To get more of a local experience, La Merced is the biggest market in the city, and although it’s best not to wander with an expensive camera on show, here you’ll find a vast maze of stalls selling everything from socks to sandwich makers – including a section dedicated to potions, rituals and witchcraft called Sinaloa Market.

Take a Day Trip to Teotihuacan

An easy day trip from Mexico City, the Pyramids of Teotihuacan is a chance to get up close and personal with the 3 rd largest pyramid in the world, the Pyramid of the Sun, which you can still climb up.   There is also a temple to the feathered snake god Quetzalcoatl, with magnificent, scary carvings of the god all along the temple.   

The temple of the moon is smaller yet better restored than its larger counterpart, and recently a new tunnel was discovered beneath the pyramid.  You can also arrange a dawn hot-air balloon ride over the pyramids, or watch out for dinner in the sky for an extra special experience.

There are public buses to Teotihuacan that you can use safely, or plenty of day tours to Teotihuacan to choose from.

Is Mexico City Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

I can’t deny that Mexico City has its problems, but in the four months I spent there I didn’t have any issues myself.  If you follow these tips and keep a close eye on your belongings you should be fine.  Don’t be afraid to visit Mexico City, it is a beautiful city with a fascinating culture and incredible cuisine!

Considering Travel Insurance For Your Trip?

• Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel.  I always buy travel insurance for my trips and was very glad I had insurance when I had my laptop and passport stolen in Ecuador! 
• I chose World Nomads Travel Insurance for my recent backpacking trip to Australia and New Zealand.   World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families and offers cover for more than 150 adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.  Get a quote , make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.

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As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from  World Nomads  using this link. I do not represent  World Nomads . This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. 

• I have also used SafetyWing which is available for purchase online in 180 countries and you can also buy it while you are already travelling. SafetyWing travel medical insurance i s charged on a month-by-month basis so a great flexible choice for digital nomads or if you're not sure of your future plans.  

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFETYWING

• Alternatively, check out True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.

Have you visited Mexico City solo?  I’d love to see if you think Mexico City is safe for solo female travellers, please share your comments below.

Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

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Solo Travelers Tour Colombia, Segundo país mas Biodiverso del Mundo Tercer Pais mas bello del Mundo

Nuestros tours , en este video, queremos  mostrar  la biodiversidad  de colombia que pueden gozar en nuestros tours.

Solo Travelers Tours, es una Empresa  Operadora de Turismo, especializada en crear y vender nuestras propias   excursiones y Tours  para personas solas  y Adultos Mayores. Por ser tour especiales, le ponemos toda la atención al diseño de cada experiencia, para que el viajero la disfrute a plenitud. Profesionales en Arquitectura, Biología, Ingeniería y otras profesiones con tarjetas profesionales de Turismo y Registro Nacional de Turismo, con conocimiento del 90% del territorio de Colombia y de la historia del país, tenemos la experiencia para acompañar a los turistas en su viaje por diferentes destinos.  Idiomas:  Inglés, Francés, Español, Italiano y Portugués.  Pueden solicitar unos de nuestros tours en su idioma, si cimplen con el # Mínimo  4 personas  por tour. Nuestro conocimiento profesional en arquitectura, historia, Turismo y amor por el país, es el mejor argumento que tenemos para ofrecer una experiencia maravillosa en su visita a Colombia. Hemos diseñado unas excursiones por las mas bellas zonas de Colombia, de acuerdo con los intereses y edades e cada uno, para que los turistas tengan la oportunidad de conocer al máximo Colombia, el segundo país mas biodiverso del mundo. Por esa razón nuestros guías son especializados en el tema de cada excursión, por lo cual el turista tendrá una excelente visión del viaje. Además, tienen carreras profesionales como Arquitectura Ingeniería o Biología y además poseen tarjeta Profesional de Guías de Turismo, con Registró Nacional de Turismo. El turista de viajara con gente preparada y con toda la seguridad del caso. Contamos con Seguros que cubren al turista desde que lo recogemos en el aeropuerto hasta qué lo Enviamos en avión a su lugar de origen. Contamos con Asesoramiento acompañamiento y seguridad permanente, desde antes de llegar a Bogotá, con el fin de que la estadía, sea lo mejor posible. Estamos especializados en dos grupos de viajeros: 1- Viajeros por tierra para viajeros solos : Varios días o Vacaciones: Aventura, Naturaleza, Safari , Humboldt, Cultura, vida nocturna y Excursiones Privadas 2- Excursiones por tierra, para Mayores de 60 años Tours: Cortos, largos y Vacaciones: Salud y Bienestar, Cultura Patrimonio de la Humanidad, Vida Nocturna, Excursiones Privadas Debido a que Colombia, es el segundo país mas biodiverso del mundo, nuestra Compañía considera l obligación de brindar al Turista una experiencia profesional encada campo, por lo cual, estarán acompañados de Guías de Turismo con Tarjeta profesional y con otra profesión, como arquitectos o biólogos, lo que les hará mas interesante y enriquecedora la excursión. Ofrecemos descuentos para Agencias de Viajes, Empresas y Grupos interesados en viajar a Colombia y vivir los programas que ofrecemos. Contactátanos por el formulario del chat  para obtener  un bono de  descuento en  Reservas. Informacion Video: El turista puede ver  nuestros tours, donde mostramos la biodiversidad y la cultura en imágenes.

• Beach Vibes
• Luxury or Splurge Experiences
• North America

A Lovely, Relaxing Solo Trip To Cancun’s Excellence Playa Mujeres

It was time for a vacay!!  And as I pondered my choices, the time of year, and what I knew (and didn’t know) about the COVID travel situation, I found my list winnowing down to Mexico’s Riviera Maya again.  I’d stayed at the magical Le Blanc six months earlier, and so decided to try out the other resort that had been top of my list—Excellence Playa Mujeres.

My other Cancun adventures to help with your trip planning:

LeBlanc Cancun or Excellence Playa Mujeres: Which Is Right For You?

Review: A Stay At Cancun’s Luxury LeBlanc Resort

LeBlanc’s Restaurants: A Detailed Food & Drink Guide

How to Have a Chill DIY Beach Vacay in Cancun

My First All-Inclusive…Experiencing Royal Hideaway Playacar

Review:  Playa del Carmen’s Royal Hideaway Playacar

The last year has not afforded any of us a ton of opportunities to travel, and so my few trips have been focused on places where I could get fairly easily and without a ton of restrictions.  This has made all-inclusives a bit more appealing to me than they previously were, as I usually prefer a more DIY approach to travel.

I’ve written a more formal review post of Excellence Playa Mujeres, but here I wanted to share more about my personal experience on this solo trip at the resort overall…a little more on my routine, what I liked and didn’t, the Excellence Club experience, excursions, and more!

I never get tired of the view flying into Cancun!

Customs at the Cancun airport was really busy, but moved fairly quickly and then I found my transfer company (Seasons).  Since it was a Sunday, there wasn’t much traffic and before I knew it I was welcomed into the cool, quiet waiting area at Excellence Playa Mujeres for check-in.

Since I had booked Excellence Club level, this was upstairs on the second floor.  I waited with a glass of (quite good!) champagne, enjoying the air conditioning and peace after a very early morning and a couple of flights.  Amir got me all checked in, but my room wasn’t ready yet so I went down to Lobster House for a spot of lunch.

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Amir called to let me know my room was ready, so I went back up and the bellman met me with my bag.  I was in building 7, room 7320.  I think all the rooms themselves are fairly similar (the rooms for Club are the same, it’s just the service and amenities that are different).

The room was plenty spacious, comfortable, and clean.  They had a chilled bottle of champagne there but since I rarely drink champagne I let it be.  I never used any of the alcohol in my room (though if there’s been gin I would have!).

The rooms are automatically set at 70 degrees, but the bellboy can call to ask maintenance to turn it down to 64, which apparently is the lowest it goes. It does NOT feel like 64, but it’s way better. Also, I didn’t use it but some people packed something called “ damp rid ” and swore it helped decrease the humidity in their rooms.

I had an Ocean View Club room, and planned to spend quite a bit of time on my balcony…I was happy there were good, comfy seating options out there.  I was happy enough with building 7, but wish I’d had a room on a higher floor.  Also, building 8 would probably be closer to the ocean view-wise.

See my direct comparison of Excellence Playa Mujeres vs. LeBlanc Cancun

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I tried to explore the resort quite a bit.  It’s quite large and feels like a maze…I definitely found my way around the places I needed to go, but am positive I didn’t find *everything* there is to see there.

The grounds are beautiful, very clean and well-cared for.  I loved the look of the kind of “core” of the resort, with the main pool, Lobster House sitting in the middle, and then little walkways and hammocks scattered around.

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I settled into a nice morning routine.  Since I’m already an early riser and Cancun was an hour earlier for me (during Daylight Savings Time), I was awake super early each morning regardless of being on vacation.  The beauty of this is that I always had that quiet time in the morning with the resort pretty much all to myself.

The first few mornings I wandered down to the beach to watch the sunrise.  I never get tired of sunrise over the oceans of Quintana Roo!

Read my super detailed, honest review of EPM here!

The sunrise takes quite a bit of time to develop, and it’s almost like there are two different “sunrises”…there’s the light pearly pink light before the sun comes over the horizon, and then you have to wait a while before the sun is fully above the horizon and you get this more fiery orange sunrise.

After a bit I went back up to my balcony to finish watching the sunrise, with my Nespresso and (terrible) room service pastries.  The last couple mornings I watched the entire thing up there with my espresso and computer.  Peaceful, quiet, lovely.

Then I’d go down to Aroma about 10 minutes before it opened at 7am, get two iced macadamia nut lattes and some (somewhat better) pastries and come back up and do more of the same for an hour or so.  The line is already forming 10 minutes before, so that extra few minutes makes a difference in your wait time.

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Then it was time to get fully sunscreened up and head to the pool.  I would do a FULL sunscreen twice a day up in my room, using lotion everywhere and and spray for my back ( see my faves! ), then reapply here and there at the pool as well.  That kept me from getting burnt at all despite being out all day, which was a massive victory.

I did try out the main pool areas and the beach a couple times, though mostly stayed at the Club pools.  I absolutely HAD to get in a hammock for a few minutes, because I knew @sjems5 would kill me if I didn’t.  Love the idea, but often find the experience a bit less comfortable than I imagine.  I also laid out on one of the little beds IN the pool for a bit.

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There is a separate Club section of the beach too, with concierge service.  There are both chairs and beach beds.  I laid out here one morning, but I’m honestly not as much of a “lay on the beach” person, preferring the comfort of the pool area without sand getting all over me.  I love to see the beach, be near the beach, hear the ocean…but not get *in* the ocean 🙂

The beach here is (in my opinion) not as nice as the ones in Playa del Carmen (like at Royal Hideaway ), or even the one at Le Blanc on the hotel zone.  If that matters a lot to you, definitely take that into consideration.

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So here’s where I spent most of my time.  There are three Excellence Club-only pools, and I chose the one at building 8 as my home for the week.  You have to give your room number to the concierge and waiters pretty frequently, but they do a good job of remembering too, and that’s how they ensure that only Club guests are in this area.

I chose the pool at building 8 because it has a bar there, so I could get faster drink service.  Building 7’s pool (where I was staying) does not have a bar, so it’s even MORE chill and quiet, which was tempting, but it’s also further back and so doesn’t get as good of sun early in the day.  I never found building 9, but it should have a club pool too 🙂

In general the club pools don’t a ton of sun early morning or late afternoon.  The beach gets good sun early morning (facing east), then it’s spotty random parts of the main pools that get good sun later in the afternoon.

PRO TIP:   The resort got rid of all plastic straws and do not offer an alternative, so bring your own silicone or metal straw!!!

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The pool area was fine, though these ones are quite small and the pool area feels a little claustrophobic to me.  All the pools and the beach only have the straw palapa-style umbrellas, which don’t move and you can’t collapse…they look great but are not terribly practical for laying out.

They give you a lot less control over whether the sun is on you, and so YOU have to constantly move your chair around, which isn’t always possible in such a small pool area.  If I could change one thing about the pool area, it would be for them to have real umbrellas, that could be controlled a little easier.

Antonio (the concierge) and Martha (pool server/bartender) took awesome care of me while I was at this pool.  Martha makes a great pineapple mojito, and while I tried a lot of different drinks, I heavily rotated between the pineapple mojito, bahama mama, pina colada, and guava dacquiri.

This dude was a frequent pool visitor, and liked to watch this old gentleman do his morning crossword…

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Another perk of Excellence Club was getting to use the Magna Bar and eat at Magna (the restaurant).  For me this was something I used quite a bit, as I loved the quiet, cool experience of the Magna, they had interesting cocktails (and slightly better liquor options), and the food at Magna was my favorite of all the restaurants.

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Magna was open for breakfast and dinner, and I did two meals of each while I was there.

For breakfast I’d highly recommend the French toast, and I enjoyed the scrambled eggs with mushrooms and truffle oil. Their smoothies and raspberry mimosa were good, but the coffee was just okay (like what you’d find in a Delta lounge). The smoked salmon bagel and pancakes were fine but nothing special.

For dinner my favorite things were the foie gras toast with candied pear, greens salad with blue cheese and figs, salmon appetizer, and ricotta spinach ravioli.  The salmon loin stuffed with zucchini and blue cheese was decent (and unique) as well as the cauliflower soup and risotto.  Desserts hit and miss, always beautiful though.  The short rib flavor was awesome but the meat itself was not good, quite tough.

One thing that’s nice is that Magna does offer more wines with the all-inclusive than the other restaurants (which only have house red and white, and everything else costs).

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I ended up creating an evening “routine” for myself too.  Because you can’t do reservations for the restaurants, I always showed up right at 6:00pm when they opened for dinner.  So I was usually finishing up between 7:00 and 7:30, so would go get a cocktail and wander out to the pavilion.

Each evening they had live music, whether Cubanissimo, rock covers, acoustic, etc.  I’d have a drink or two and watch the music, then usually took a drink back to my room to chill on my balcony and read or work on my blog. Once or twice I was genius and grabbed a couple pastries at Aroma to have with my Nespresso the next morning.

The resort has a few activities each night, so after the live music there’d usually be a show of some sort (I caught a few minutes of the Michael Jackson show), and then an after-show…band, silent disco, etc.  For me I was just tired and didn’t want to stay out that late, preferring to chill in my room.  Yes, I’m an old lady 🙂

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I did decide, on a whim, to do an excursion.  Usually I plan these things much better and so would have picked my own company ( MM Royale Yachts gets good reviews from resort-goers), but in this case I went the super lazy route and just went to the resorts water sports desk to see what they had on offer.

I decided to go with a half-day snorkel tour that would take me to Isla Mujeres (I’d considered going there on my own).  I met up with the boat a little before 9:00am.  They’d told us we’d be back by noon, but it was closer to 2:00.

Our first stop was for a decent amount of time snorkeling along the barrier reef.  The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second-largest in the world, and stretches over 700 miles through the Caribbean Sea down past Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras.  I also have snorkeled in it in Belize as well, and it’s got amazing biodiversity both in coral and wildlife.

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We saw all sorts of awesome fish, though not really any coral.  I was bummed because my underwater camera crapped out the second I got in the water…it had been working fine til then!  Ugh, isn’t that always the case.

Then we got back in the boat and headed over to Isla Mujeres.  We docked offshore and the water was so shallow we were able to just jump off the boat and walk ashore.  The water here is so unbelievably clear, and all sorts of shades of turquoise!  I had a drink and enjoyed the white sands of Playa Norte, floating in the water near the boat some.

Then we boarded the boat again and made one last short snorkeling stop, at a little shipwreck…very cool!  Wow, the current was strong though, definitely got a workout in there.  Finally it was back to the resort, and I made it just in time for my COVID test.

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In terms of other food at Excellence Playa Mujeres, I really liked Basmati (Indian) but didn’t get any good pics because it was so dark in the restaurant.  Aroma is hands-down the only place to get decent coffee, and their pastries are okay, but they have some lovely little desserts later in the day (try the fruit tarts!!).

Chez Isabelle was fine overall, but nothing to write home about.  I didn’t love most of what I had at Spice, but the sushi and rice pudding were great.  I never got a chance to try Flavor Market or Agave.  Generally I found appetizers good at most places, but the mains and desserts often let them down.

Room service was always prompt, but everything I ordered was kind of terrible 🙁  I ordered multiple meals at different times, and it just wasn’t great, no matter what I tried.  Worth going to get food at the restaurants.

On my last day, the EPM staff did a few different special things as a farewell.  At the pool they brought me a “coco loco”, this crazy coconut that looks like a monkey, and was filled with one of the drinks I’d ordered frequently (a pina colada in this case).  Antonio also made me amazing towel art using sand…it is so detailed!!

And at Magna they made a few “CBS” or come back soon messages when I ate dinner there my last night.

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And so ended my delightful five-day solo trip at Excellence Playa Mujeres in Cancun.  The view from the plane leaving was just as pretty, but always a bit more bittersweet than the arrival view.

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As I mentioned at the top, I’ll be doing a deeper, more formal review of the resort soon, and also a deep-dive into the food offerings…so stay tuned!

Tips to make the most of your Excellence Playa Mujeres experience

• If you care at all, bring your own straw!  The resort got rid of all plastic straws and doesn’t provide a biodegradable alternative.  These combo stainless steel/silicone ones are great.
• A few other recommendations you may want to bring… clips to secure towels to chairs, damp rid for your room, and insulated cups for your drinks.
• I didn’t pack much, just a few swimsuits and cover-ups, plus some sundresses for dinner.  Clothing varied for dinner, but on women you’ll see anything from cute sundresses, maxi dresses, pretty rompers or jumpsuits, or cute capris and tops.  Flat or heeled sandals were most common shoes for dinner.
• There was no gin cart, which made me sad…I’d read it existed, but maybe is a COVID casualty
• Excellence was good as a solo traveler, but not excellent (lol terrible accidental pun).  I haven’t found any resort that makes you feel special as a solo traveler, any of those nice touches that they do for couples (e.g. romantic dinners for your anniversary, etc).  But there were times at restaurants in particular where I felt especially ignored and didn’t know if it was because I was alone?  Their assumption is also always “table for two”, which I get, but then their look when you say “just one” is always a little sad 🙂
• Book things ahead!!  If there are activities you want to do like the Mojito class (which they only offer certain days), or any spa treatments, you need to make sure you book ahead. That even goes for the hydrotherapy that comes with Club rooms.  I called Wednesday evening and they didn’t have anything Thursday or Friday morning, and said actual spa services were booked further out.
• While EPM is pretty chill, it’s still a bit higher energy than *I* am looking for.  There was a nice social vibe, lots of couples who wanted to get to know each other, TONS of return visitors, and the main pool has a (chill) party vibe.  If that’s for you, you’ll love it here.
• You can book through EPM’s website directly…though it’s worth calling their customer service to see if you can get a better rate.  Weirdly it’s not on Booking.com , which is one of my go-tos.  Make sure to read through TripAdvisor reviews too.

Other chill tropical vacay experiences you’ll love:

• An Idyllic Chill Weekend In Negril, Jamaica
• How To Have A Super Chill Vacay In Caye Caulker
• 9 Tips For A Perfect DIY Vacay In Aruba
• My First All-Inclusive Resort, Royal Hideaway Playacar in Playa del Carmen

Pin for later!

Comments (2)

January 1, 2024 at 11:31 pm

Funny, I’m going to EPM end of January and I’m going solo! This was just the article for me…thanks for posting! It’s my first solo trip and I just want to chill from my Uber hectic career for a week. I can definitely see myself with a book in the sun. I think the excursion you booked sounds like fun so I may add that to my list! Thanks again! Jeannie

January 2, 2024 at 8:30 am

Hi Jeannie! You’ll have a great time, very chill and if you feel like chatting with people you can, but also can just be a total longer with your book 🙂 Have a blast and get some rest!

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15+ Sedona Travel Tips For An Amazing Trip

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I'm Jessica!

Who am I? I’m not a digital nomad or backpacker. I have a demanding full-time career but still find ways to fit in tons of travel. I believe that sometimes you save and sometimes you splurge, and I’ll help you figure out how to have the best experiences regardless. My goal is to go everywhere, see everything, eat all the pastries, and soak up as much food, wine, culture, and amazing views as I can in this crazy life!

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REVIEW: Best Whale Sharks Isla Mujeres Tour in 2024

Want to do the Isla Mujeres whale shark swim? 

You’ve come to the right place for information because I took the best whale shark Isla Mujeres snorkel trip .

In this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know to have an amazing time swimming with the largest fish in the sea — just like I did.

Ready to book your Isla Mujeres whale shark tour? I went with Isla Fun Tours , and they were excellent. The tour included everything — the boat ride, food, drinks, and all snorkeling equipment.

Want to know more about the entire Isla Mujeres whale shark swim experience?

Let’s dive in (pun very much intended), so that you know exactly what to expect when booking a whale shark tour in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

Whale Sharks Isla Mujeres Mexico

The best isla mujeres whale shark tours.

⭐️ Rating : 5 out of 5 Stars (435+ reviews) | ⏰ Tour Time : 6 Hours (approx.) | 🐳 Book now!

Your experience is only as good as your tour, so remember, you get what you pay for. I went with Isla Fun Tours , and had an amazing experience.

The tours average about $125 USD per person, so be wary if you see something priced lower, as you don’t want to skimp on safety since you’ll be in the open ocean.

The boat we took was in excellent condition, our captain (Jonathan) was professional and knew the boat well. Our guide (Uriel) made the day fun and memorable for everyone on board.

Talk about a WOW moment — This is it. We saw about 20 whale sharks… these animals are magnificent, and so amazing to see up close. I would take this trip again with this company. LYNDA H., See more TOUR REVIEWS

Don’t speak Spanish? No worries! This is one of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres for English speakers too.

When booking, make sure you select the option for “English guide” so you get an English-speaking or bilingual tour guide. You can also alert them of any dietary restrictions or accessibility needs.

⚠️ Note: I was not paid by the tour company to write this review

I paid full-price for this tour out of my own pocket, and the opinions I give are in no way influenced by compensation of any kind. Isla Fun Tours didn’t know I planned to write this article after the tour.

Whale Shark Tour Itinerary

1. meet at the isla mujeres dock.

We were asked to meet at 7:45am at the boat dock near the Pemex gas station in Isla Mujeres. We left promptly at 8am, heading to the whale shark area.

2. Boat to the whale shark zone

It usually takes one hour to get there, but it took us 1.5 hours because of rough seas ( remember to pack your dramamine for seasickness).

At the area where the whale sharks hang out, we went in the water in groups of two visitors and one guide.

3. swimming with the whale sharks

Each group got to go in the water for about two minutes at a time, and were offered to go in three separate times to see the whale sharks.

The whale shark area is about 60 square miles in size (155 km²), so it may take time to locate them. We found them quickly, which is why we were permitted to get in three times each.

On some tours, you’ll only be allowed to get in with the whale sharks twice.

After leaving the whale shark area, we were offered some sandwiches before the 1.5 hour boat ride back to Isla Mujeres.

4. lunch in isla mujeres

We docked the boat on the sandbar just off Playa Norte , the best beach in Isla Mujeres, so we could swim for a while. The water was bright blue and just gorgeous!

While swimming, the captain and guide made us a nice ceviche lunch with fresh fish. We got to stay here on the beach near Playa North for about 45 minutes to swim and eat.

After that, we went back to the main dock in Isla Mujeres to disembark. In total, the tour was about six hours.

Responsible Tours in Mexico

You might be wondering, Is it OK to swim with whale sharks?

This was actually one of the most ethical and highly-regulated animal encounters I’ve ever done.

Mexico whale shark tours put the welfare of the animals first, so visitors can keep enjoying this experience for years to come. 

Here’s what you can expect with Isla Fun Tours , so you know you’re helping to keep whale sharks safe among a influx of boats and tourists:

• Only two travelers (and the guide) are allowed in the water at one time from each boat.
• There are a maximum of 30 boats in the water at one time, capped at 10 passengers per boat.
• You cannot touch the whale sharks.
• Reef-safe and eco-friendly sunscreen is encouraged.

Can you ride a whale shark?

No — This is a wild animal, and you must maintain a safe distance from whale sharks in the wild.

It would be highly unethical to even touch this endangered animal, as it might cause them harm.

⚠️ Note: Whale sharks are an endangered Species

Whale sharks have been considered an endangered since 2016, so if you aren’t booking with Isla Fun Tours , please do your homework on the company you choose.

Since I personally went with this company, I know they put the animals’ best interest first.

What to Bring for an Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Swim

1. anti-seasickness medicine.

First and foremost, two out of nine on our boat got seasick — so do not forget your Dramamine pills .

Make sure you buy the non-drowsy kind, or else you’ll be fast asleep by the time you reach the whale sharks. You can also get these anti-motion sickness bracelets .

2. Mask and Snorkel

• 180° Panoramic View
• Anti-Fog and Anti-Leak Dry Snorkel Technology
• Made of High Quality PC and Medical Grade Silicone
• Detachable Camera Mount (Fits GoPro, Akaso, and most models)
• Adjustable straps designed for comfort in the water

Isla Fun Tours will provide masks and snorkels to those who don’t have their own. However, having your own is always better for sanitary reasons.

This full face mask and snorkel combo is an Amazon bestseller, as it’s the best product of its kind available today.

3. Go Pro Underwater Camera

• 5.3K 60 Ultra HD Video
• 27 Megapixel Photos
• Award-Winning HyperSmooth 6.0 Image Stabilization
• Webcam with Live Streaming
• 1/1.9 Image Sensor
• Whats Included: HERO12 Black, Enduro Rechargeable Battery, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle + Thumb Screw, USB-C Cable

Been considering buying a GoPro ? Swimming with the whale sharks in Cancun is the perfect reason to get one.

Besides the whale shark snorkeling, Punta Nizuc in Cancun has amazing, healthy reefs just offshore, and makes for another great place to get underwater video.

4. Akaso Camera (Cheaper Go Pro Alternative)

Want a GoPro, but not at the GoPro price? The Akaso Brave is a great GoPro alternative , and it’s only about half the cost.

You can also get video of the whale sharks on your phone, but you’ll want to use a waterproof phone pouch .

5. Long Sleeve Swimsuit (Rash Guard)

Reef safe sunscreen for Mexico is a must, but the way to be 100% eco-friendly is to opt for a long sleeve bathing suit (AKA rash guard).

With these, you won’t need sunscreen on your body at all, as you’re completely covered.

best Cancun Whale Shark tours

6. waterproof sun hat with strap.

The boat goes pretty fast en route to the whale shark zone, so you’ll want a waterproof hat with a strap to make sure it stays on.

This will also come in handy to shield you from the sun all day, as you’re on the boat for at least three hours.

Group Tours vs Private Tours: Which is Better?

Which is better will really come down to your group size and budget. Group tours cost much less, but private tours are much nicer overall.

Note that the boats are capped at 10 people each, so if your group has 10 people in it, you will end up going private by default.

Isla Mujeres Private Whale Shark Tours

If you want a private tour, head here to book , and just increase the number of people going to 10 so you buy the boat out.

After booking, send the company an email so they know you’re one large group. It costs about $1,300 USD for the entire boat.

Isla Mujeres Group Whale Shark Tours

I went on this group tour , and it was a great experience. You never know who you’ll meet on group tours, but we ended up with a woman celebrating her 80th birthday, and a journalist from Germany.

In total, there were nine on our boat, which didn’t feel crowded because the boat was big enough for everyone.

How to Swim with Whale Sharks Isla Mujeres

Swimming with whale sharks Isla Mujeres, Mexico , is do-able for most people, but if you’re not a strong swimmer, it’s more difficult.

The whale sharks, though huge, move quickly in the water, so you do need to keep up with them as they move, or else you won’t see them.

Isla Fun Tours provided flippers for everyone so you can swim faster with minimal effort. Still, even with flippers, it can be a difficult swim, so just be aware. 

⚠️ Note: They also provided a mask, snorkel and life jacket. It is mandatory to wear your life jacket at all times when onboard the boat or in the water at the whale shark zone.

How to Snorkel with Whale Sharks Isla Mujeres

Snorkeling is a relatively easy activity, but snorkeling with the whale sharks in Isla Mujeres is a bit more fast paced because the whale sharks swim pretty fast.

If you’ve never been snorkeling before, you might want to practice first so you’re more comfortable.

The tour company will provide masks and snorkels to those who don’t have their own. However, having your own is always better for health and sanitary reasons.

This full face mask and snorkel combo is an Amazon bestseller for a reason — as it makes snorkeling much easier.

Diving With Whale Sharks Isla Mujeres

Since the whale sharks come to the surface to feed, you really won’t find any Isla Mujeres whale shark dive tours.

After they eat, they return to depths far below the surface, so in Isla Mujeres, this activity is better suited to snorkeling.

🤿 Want to dive with whale sharks in Mexico?

Isla Mujeres is one place you can, but actually, there are only a handful of places you can do this in the world, including these:

• Socorro Island, Mexico (near Cabo San Lucas )
• Bali, Indonesia
• Oslob, Philippines (near Cebu)
• Pacific Coast of Costa Rica
• Wolf and Darwin Islands, the northernmost islands in the Galapagos Islands chains

Whale Sharks Isla Mujeres or Holbox Island: Which is Better?

Cancun whale shark tours , as well as Isla Mujeres whale shark tours and also Holbox whale shark tours all go to the same area to see the whale sharks.

The only difference is the amount of time you spend in the boat en route to that particular area.

The designated whale shark zone is much closer to Isla Mujeres and Cancun, so you’ll spend just 1-1.5 hours on the boat, each way.

From Isla Holbox Island , you’ll be on the boat 2-2.5 hours each way, so it’s a longer boat ride, but basically the same tour other than that.

Isla Mujeres Whale Sharks: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a whale shark.

Whale sharks are the largest known fish in the sea, averaging 25- to 40-feet in length (7.5 to 12 m), though some are even bigger.

What is the biggest whale shark ever recorded?

The largest whale shark ever found measured 61.7-feet-long (18.8 m) .

Are whale sharks sharks?

Yes — Whale sharks are sharks, but a docile variety. You can think of them as a much larger nurse shark, which are considered harmless to humans.

While you might say they are the most friendly sharks to swim with, that doesn’t mean you should press your luck. Whale sharks are wild animals, so always maintain your distance.

Do whale sharks bite?

No — There are no records showing that a whale shark has ever bit a human.

Wondering, Do whale sharks have teeth? They have very tiny teeth and feed only on plankton.

What’s the best places to see whale sharks in Mexico?

There are only two places you can swim with whale sharks in Mexico: 1) In the Yucatan Peninsula off the coast of Isla Mujeres and Cancun, and 2) In the Baja Peninsula off the coast of La Paz near Cabo San Lucas.

When it comes to swimming with whales sharks in Mexico, you’ll have to go to the East Coast (Yucatan Peninsula) or the West Coast (Baja California Peninsula) of the country.

What is the water temperature in Isla Mujeres?

75-85°F — In winter, expect about 75-78°F (24-26°C) temperatures, and in summers, 80-85°F (27-29°C).

Wondering, What’s the best time to swim in Isla Mujeres? You can comfortably swim and snorkel in Isla Mujeres Mexico year-round, as the water is always warm.

🌡️ Isla Mujeres Weather

The Isla Mujeres whale shark season in Mexico is during the summer, which means it will be very humid.

With the humidity, temperatures can feel 5-10°F hotter, so remember to stay hydrated with a Water-To-Go Bottle , which also filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick in Mexico .

How long does it take to get to the whale shark area in Isla Mujeres?

From Isla Mujeres, the trip to the whale shark zone is about 1-1.5 hours by boat .

We had rougher seas on our trip, so it was closer to 1.5 hours, but the captain said he usually never sees waves as large as they were the day we went, so one hour is usually the norm.

Has a whale shark ever attacked a human?

No — In recorded history, there has never been a whale shark that has attacked a human.

Can whale sharks hurt you?

No — There has never been a whale shark that has attacked a human.

While giant in size, which can be intimidating, but they’re docile in temperament. Once you get in the water with them on your Isla Mujeres whale shark tour , you’ll see!

Whale sharks are filter feeders , and primarily eat plankton (microscopic organisms) and very small fish.

They have tiny teeth, which is why they can only feed on the smallest things in the sea, because they can’t really bite anything.

How much is an Isla Mujeres whale shark tour?

The tours average about $150 USD per person , so be wary if you see something priced lower, as you don’t want to skimp on safety since you’ll be in the open ocean.

Always remember that your experience is only as good as your tour operator and tour company — so remember, you get what you pay for.

Are there sharks around Isla Mujeres?

There are several kinds, though it’s rare to see any of them. These include nurse sharks (completely harmless), bull sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, hammerheads and lemon sharks.

If you were wondering, What kind of sharks are in Isla Mujeres, besides whale sharks? and Are there sharks in Isla Mujeres Mexico? — now you have your answers.

While there are a few kinds (all listed above), it’s very rare to see any of them.

Are there great white sharks in Isla Mujeres?

No — The best place to see great white sharks in Mexico is Isla Guadalupe (Guadalupe Island), located about 150 miles (241 km) from Ensenada, Mexico .

This is a small, uninhabited island off the coast of the Baja Peninsula on Mexico’s west coast.

How common are shark attacks in Mexico?

Shark attacks in Mexico are very uncommon. Since 1900, there have been just 62 unprovoked shark attacks in Mexico, according to Shark Attack Data .

This is much lower than many other countries, including the United States, Australia, Bahamas, South Africa and New Zealand.

As far as Isla Mujeres shark attacks specifically, there has only been one ever recorded.

This was on May 1, 1992, when a shark attacked a diver, according to the Shark Attack Data site. The attack was not fatal, and the diver survived.

When is the whale sharks Isla Mujeres season?

The Isla Mujeres whale shark season runs from May 17 to September 17, and tour boats rarely go out beyond these dates.

The whale sharks love the warm Caribbean Sea waters off the coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, which is why they stick around for so long.

What’s the best whale shark tours isla mujeres has?

I went with Isla Fun Tours , and they were excellent.

The tour included everything, from the boat ride to food and drinks, and also all the necessary equipment for snorkeling so that you can see the whale sharks.

🐳 Book your Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Tour now!

What’s the best time to see whale sharks in Isla Mujeres?

The best time to see Isla Mujeres whale sharks is in July and August , when the water is warmest.

We went in June , and still saw about 15 whale sharks, as well as a playful pod of dolphins on the boat ride to the whale shark area.

Remember, this is a wild animal encounter, so there’s a chance to see 50 whale sharks, one whale shark, or even no whale sharks — no matter when you go.

Our boat captain told us the tour that went just one day before ours saw no whale sharks at all, whereas we saw 15 (or more).

⚠️ Note: This tour operator does not offer a refund if you don’t see any whale sharks, nor do most. However, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund with Isla Fun Tours .

What is the Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Festival?

To honor the most famous of all Isla Mujeres residents, the locals hold the annual Whale Shark Festival in Isla Mujeres .

If you happen to visit during the festival, the kids will love the carnival atmosphere and games, and the adults can sample foods from all the best local restaurants. 

How do you get to Isla Mujeres?

You first fly to Cancun International Airport (code: CUN). From there, book Cancun Airport Transportation to take you to the Isla Mujeres ferry dock. You’ll then take the Ultramar Ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.

There are three docks in Cancun; two in the Zona Hotelera (Cancun Hotel Zone), and the Puerto Juarez dock in Downtown Cancun.

In Isla Mujeres, there is only one dock, the Terminal Marítima de Isla Mujeres ferry terminal, located in downtown.

The ferry ride is only about 20 minutes from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. It costs $462 MXN pesos round trip (about $23 USD), and you can buy your tickets right at the dock in Cancun.

🛳 To check the Isla Mujeres ferry schedule, head here .

Where to Stay in Isla Mujeres Mexico

If you’re staying on the island, you’ll need a hotel! The area near Playa Norte Beach is popular with visitors, as Playa Norte is the best Isla Mujeres beach, and this area is very walkable.

There are amazing Isla Mujeres hotels and all-inclusive resorts to choose from, like these:

• Excellence Playa Mujeres All Inclusive Resort
• MIA Reef Isla Mujeres All inclusive Resort (Located on a private island!)
• Lotus Boutique Hotel & Wellness Center
• Ixchel Beach Hotel Isla Mujeres
• Selina Hostel Isla Mujeres

Is Isla Mujeres safe?

For the vast majority of travelers, yes , Isla Mujeres is safe. The population of Isla Mujeres is only about 23,000 inhabitants, and pretty much everyone knows everyone else.

Though it feels like a small town, it is also a tourist town, so be wary of scammers, especially in downtown and on the beaches.

Just as with most other places on Earth, petty theft and crimes of opportunity can absolutely happen here. When there’s a lot of drinking involved, the risks are even higher.

Remember to stay aware of your belongings, yourself and your surroundings at all times, and you should have a totally safe trip to Isla Mujeres.

Is it safe to walk around Isla Mujeres at night?

For the majority of travelers, Isla Mujeres is as safe at night as during the day. Of course, most crimes happen at night, but in general, crime rates in Isla Mujeres are very low.

If you use the same general travel safety measures you would anywhere else, you should be just fine.

What does Isla Mujeres mean?

Mexico Fun Fact : Isla Mujeres means “Island of Women,” as it was a popular pilgrimage site for women making offerings to the Mayan goddess, Ixchel.

Ixchel (pronounced ick-shell) is the Mayan goddess of the moon, medicine, childbirth and fertility. Despite the island’s name, men can also visit Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

When you go, don’t miss the Temple of Ixchel, the only Mayan Ruins in Isla Mujeres. Located on the southern side of the island at Punta Sur EcoPark , this is one of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres Mexico.

Final Thoughts: Swimming with Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres

For those traveling to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, during the May to September whale shark season, I can’t recommend this enough.

It’s hard to picture what it’s like to be near a wild animal this large until you get in the water — and swim alongside them in complete awe.

If you’re on the fence about it, know there are only a handful of places you can do this on Earth, so don’t hesitate on booking your tour now with Isla Fun Tours . I know I’m glad I did!

As an unforgettable experience, and the best whale shark tour Isla Mujeres has — I highly recommend swimming with the whale sharks in Isla Mujeres with Isla Fun Tours.

Mexico Travel Planning Guide

Should i buy mexico travel insurance.

YES — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master , one of the biggest names in travel insurance. ( Read more )

Can you drink the water in Mexico?

No — You’ll want to buy this Water-To-Go Bottle , which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico.

Also, it helps keep you hydrated while traveling Mexico. ( Read more )

Is it safe to rent a car in Mexico?

Yes — Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. ( Read more )

Will my phone work in Mexico?

Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy a Telcel SIM Card . As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. ( Read more )

What’s the best way to book my Mexico accommodations?

For Mexico hotels, Booking.com is the best site , but for hostels, use Hostel World . If you’re considering a Mexico Airbnb, don’t forget to check VRBO , which is often cheaper than Airbnb.

What do I pack for Mexico?

Head to the Ultimate Mexico Packing List + FREE Checklist Download to get all the info you need on packing for Mexico.

What’s the best site to buy Mexico flights?

For finding cheap Mexico flights, I recommend using Skyscanner .

Do I need a visa for Mexico?

Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you need a Mexico travel visa. Most travelers will get a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa passport stamp a upon arrival.