Want to visit Mexico City but not sure if it’s a good destination for solo travelers? Well I recently spent 10 days in the Mexican capital, and before I went I was also unsure how I’d feel traveling there solo. Would I feel safe a Latin American city by myself? Would I find other solo travelers to connect with? Will I get lost trying to navigate such a big city?
Personally, I LOVED Ciudad de Mexico (CDMX) as a solo traveler, so I compiled all of my thoughts and tips here to ease your worries on you trip! I assure you that with some preparation and mindfulness about safety, you’ll find Mexico City to be a great destinations for female solo travelers.
Is Mexico City safe for Solo travelers?
Mexico City is a huge metropolis (the biggest in North America!) and has many different neighborhoods, so it’s hard to say that the city as a whole is safe for solo female travelers. But if you stick to the tourist-friendly areas, like Condesa, Roma, Polanco and Coyoacan (more listed below), you will find that Mexico City is relatively safe.
As a white, female, solo traveler, I personally found Mexico City to be welcoming and safe. I didn’t have any bad experiences while walking alone by myself during the day & night, taking public transit, and interacting with locals. I found Mexican people to be nice and helpful, although I did mostly talk in Spanish which I’m sure helped to ease my experience.
In Mexico City, you’ll find that the city is a hub for international travelers, so there’s plenty of hostels and co-working spaces where you can make friends as a solo traveler.
As in any city you should take precautions and be prepared for unfortunate situations. Keep reading below for my Mexico City specific solo travel safety tips!
Is Mexico City good for first-time solo travelers?
If you’re a beginner solo traveler who does not have a lot of experience navigating a busy city by yourself, I would recommend skipping Mexico City for now. As I said, CDMX is a big, bustling city that can feel chaotic and overwhelming if you’re not accustomed to environments like that. As someone who used to live in New York City and loves a bustling city, I loved Mexico City and found it doable for a solo traveler, but I wouldn’t say it’s the easiest city to navigate.
If you’re a beginner solo traveler looking for an easy, safe destination for your first solo trip, check out my blog post 5 Cities that are Perfect for First-Time Female Solo Travelers!
Where to stay in Mexico City as a Solo Traveler
Mexico City is a huge city with lots of different neighborhoods, but there’s a few clear best neighborhoods for tourists: Condesa, Roma, Juarez, Centro Historico, Polanco and Coyocan. However, I think Condesa and Roma are best for solo female travelers because they are the safest and most centrally located. Here’s a description of each neighborhood and a few accommodation options for each:
Condesa
Condesa is the first choice of most tourists in Mexico City, being a hip, trendy neighborhood with beautiful parks, charming streets and a great cafe and restaurant scene. You’ll find a lot of expats and digital nomads living here, making this neighborhood pricier than others.
Condesa is very safe and walkable, even at night, so it’s the perfect neighborhood to stay in if you want to explore by yourself. Parque Mexico and Parque Espana are two incredible green spaces in the heart of Condesa, where you’ll find locals and tourists walking their dogs, exercising and socializing.
Condesa is ideally located in between the other great neighborhoods of Roma, Juarez and Polanco. It also borders Bosque Chapultepec, a giant parks with lots of museums and cultural landmarks.
Personally, I like Condesa because it’s safe and has a great social, but relaxed atmosphere, but I found it to be overly gentrified. Most of the restaurants are overpriced and only cater towards tourists. I found the neighboring area of Roma to be a bit more balanced between overly-touristy restaurants and authentic Mexican street food
Where to stay in Condesa:
- $$ Casa Pancha
- $$ Hostal Fungi Casa Rosa
- $$$ Hostal Roma Condesa
- $$$$ Casa Nuevo Leon
Roma
The neighborhoods of Roma Norte and Roma Sur border Condesa to the east, and have a similar bohemian vibe, with great cafes, restaurants and shopping. However, I found Roma (specifically Roma Norte, as this is where I spent most of my time) to be a bit edgier and more authentically Mexican than Condesa. Along with the trendy eateries, there are local markets, such as Mercado Medellin, and affordable street food options catering to both locals and tourists. Roma also has a cool artistic scene, with street art, art galleries, and unique stores.
Roma is definitely still gentrified and touristy, but I found that it felt less exclusive and fancy than Condesa. I stayed in an AirBNB right in between Roma Norte and Condesa, but I ended up spending most of my time in Roma Norte because of the affordable, vegetarian-friendly dining options. You’ll also find the accommodation prices to be a bit cheaper in Roma than in Condesa, but you can still enjoy all the parks and restaurants in Condesa within a 10-15 minute walk.
Where to stay in Roma:
- $ Hostel Home
- $$ U-Co Live Roma
- $$$$ Hotel MX Roma
Where I stayed in Mexico City:
During my trip to CDMX I decided to stay in an AirBNB, since I was there for over a week and wanted to have a comfortable space to myself. I also wanted to be able to cook some meals for myself to save a bit money (I only ended up cooking breakfasts there- the tacos and other Mexican food was too good to miss!). I was quite nervous before visiting, so I tried to pick the best street in the best neighborhood, to ensure I would feel safe walking around the area at night by myself.
I chose a this studio on Calle Amsterdam, which is one of the prettiest streets ever – it has a tree lined median that is always filled with people walking their dogs and going for runs. This prime location was a bit pricey, especially considering it was a very small space. The studio was just enough to fit a bed and a tiny kitchen, but it had a decent sized bathroom. It was clean, comfortable and had great natural lighting. It was perfect for me as a solo traveler!
If I return to Mexico City as a solo traveler, I would stay in an AirBNB again, but in a slightly cheaper area. Just a few blocks away, in Juarez or Roma Norte, there were cheaper accommodations, but I wasn’t sure if I would feel safe walking alone there at night. On my trip, however, there were many nights where I took walks to those areas to get dinner, so I’m sure I’d feel safe staying there.
Juarez
Juarez, which is located just north of Condesa and Roma Norte, is a lesser-known gem that is becoming cool (aka gentrifying). Just like in Condesa and Roma, Juarez offers trendy cafes, restaurants and bars. It’s specifically known for its LGBTQ area, called Zona Rosa, which has excellent nightlife.
Accommodations are cheaper in Juarez than the surrounding neighborhoods and there’s a few good hostels there, making it a good option for solo travelers on a budget. Despite being cheaper, the neighborhood is still safe and within walking distance to popular attractions like Chapultepec Park and Paseo de la Reforma.
Where to stay in Juarez:
- $$ Hostal Juarez
- $$$$ Hotel Imperial Reforma
Polanco
Polanco is known as the upscale, exclusive neighborhood of Mexico City, with high-end shopping, fine dining, and luxury hotel options that you won’t find elsewhere in the city. It’s extremely safe, even at night, but you’ll find the accommodations are very expensive compared to the rest of Mexico City. It’s located just north of Chapultepec park and close to the Museo Soumaya, making it a great place to stay if you want to explore the museums in that area.
I never made it to Polanco during my trip to Mexico City, so I can’t speak on my own impressions of it. I heard that it feels even more exclusive than Condesa and Roma, and lacks the bohemian, edgy vibe that you can find in those neighborhoods. Because of this, I don’t think it’s the best place to stay for young solo travelers, but if you do choose to stay there, you will be safe which is important!
Where to stay in Polanco:
Centro Historico
The Centro Historico is the heart of Mexico City, filled with historical landmarks and museums. You will most definitely spend some time in Centro Historico during your time in CDMX, so you can visit the iconic sites like Zocalo, Palacia de Bellas Artes and Templo Mayor. As for food, Centro Historico has lots of affordable restaurants, along with some overpriced, touristy spots.
Despite the positives of the Centro Historico, I wouldn’t recommend staying there if you’re traveling solo. The neighborhood is known for being a bit unsafe, especially at night, with lots of petty theft and crime. Even during the day, the crowds and street venders can be very overwhelming, so you should keep your belongings close to you.
Where to stay in Centro Historico:
Coyoacan
Coyoacan is a charming and historic neighborhood, 30-60 minutes south of Condesa. It’s much more quiet and quaint than the other neighborhoods mentioned, making it a good place to stay if you like a laid-back, relaxed vibe. Coyoacan is most famous for being the home of Frida Kahlo, and you can still visit her former home, now the Museo de Frida Kahlo.
I loved Coyoacan when I visited. After going to Frida Kahlo museum, I walked to the Mercado de Coyoacan and felt really safe exploring the neighborhood. However, I wouldn’t stay here because it’s so far from the rest of the city and popular attractions. An Uber to Condesa or Centro Historico will take 30-60 minutes depending on traffic, and public transport will take of 1 hour with a few transfers. So if you want to be close to the landmarks, stay in one of the other neighborhoods.
Where to stay in Coyoacan:
- $ Hostal Cuija Coyoacan
- $$$ Finca Coyoacan
- $$$ Casa Tuna
Transportation in Mexico City
How to get from Mexico City airport to city center
Benito Juarez airport (MEX) is the main Mexico City airport and where you will likely fly into. It’s only about 5 miles from the city center, making it a quick journey into the city.
Your cheapest option is of course to take public transit. The Metro Line 5 (yellow line) connects the airport to the city, but you’ll likely have to transfer to another train or bus to get to your final destination. Public transit can be overwhelming, especially with luggage, so I recommend taking private transportation if you have a few more dollars to spare.
Although there are taxis available at the airport, your best option will be to take an Uber to your accommodation. They’re a bit cheaper than a taxi will be ($10-20 USD depending on your destination), with transparent pricing and safety features built into the app.
As in any city, you can also book a private airport transfer ahead of time. This is great if you’re traveling in a group, but it can be quite pricey for solo traveling, ranging from $40-100+ USD.
How to Get from Felipe Angeles Airport to Mexico City
There’s a chance you might be flying into Mexico City’s other airport, Felipe Angeles International Airport, like I did, since I was taking a domestic flight from Tulum. This airport is about 30 miles from the city center and because it’s a newer airport, there aren’t as many transport options.
If you want an easy option to get from Felipe Angeles airport to CDMX, you can take a taxi for $75. This was a bit over my budget, so I decided to take an Uber, but it wasn’t that simple, as they don’t allow Ubers to come right to the airport.
To take an Uber from Felipe Angeles airport, you must first take the Mexibus 3 stops to Glorieta Militar stop. You can easily buy a ticket (~$1 USD) for this bus in the station. Once you get to this stop, you can call an Uber from there to the city, which will cost about $25 USD and take 1-2 hours, depending on traffic. I know it sounds a bit complicated, but it was a pretty easy process and it was doable for me as a solo traveler with a carry-on suitcase.
Transportation within Mexico City
As you may have guessed, Ubers are the best transportation option in Mexico City for solo travelers. They are so safe and easy to use and will take you anywhere you want to go in the city. They’re also pretty cheap, with a 20 minute ride costing $3-5 USD.
Public transit is also pretty safe and accessible- there are even women & children only sections! Coming from NYC, this was so exciting to me. The public transit can be a bit confusing though, and gets very crowded at rush hour. So if you are intimidated by it, just stick to Ubers.
Mexico City is also very walkable. If you’re staying in Condesa, you can walk to lots of restaurants and stores, as well as the museums in Bosque de Chapultepec. Despite this, the city is quite huge so you will need to take Ubers or public transit to get to other neighborhoods, like Centro Historico and Coyoacan.
Food in Mexico City
There is food for every budget and preference in Mexico City. If you’re on a budget, the street food is so good and affordable, To my surprise, it was also really vegetarian friendly! I found a few great taco joints that served AMAZING vegetarian tacos for $1-2 a piece. As a solo traveler, I loved being able to walk into a casual taco place and order a few tacos.
However, if you prefer fancy restaurants, Mexico City has those too! You’ll find modern takes on Mexican cuisine along with food from all around the world.
No matter what type of food you like, I highly recommend doing a street food tour in Mexico City. I did two vegan street food tours, which with both delicious and informative! The first one I did was with a small vegan tour company called Travelling Herbivore. They run vegan street food tours and vegan-friendly tours to Teotihuacan and other places in CDMX. I’d highly recommend checking them out if you want to support a vegan, sustainable, and locally owned company.
And if you’re looking for a street food tour that will include some meat, here’s some popular ones on GetYourGuide:
If you’re looking for a more budget friendly food tour, make sure you download the app GuruWalk, where you can find free (tip-based) walking tours. There’s a few Mexico City street food tours on there, including a vegan one which I did and LOVED!
Tips for Solo Travelers in Mexico City
Here’s some extra tips that I wish I knew before visiting Mexico City as a solo traveler!
1. You won’t get as many stares are you think
I admit this is more of a reminder than a tip- but in a big city like CDMX, people really won’t care about you! Before I went to Mexico City, I was so nervous about the stares and attention I would get as a solo female who doesn’t look Mexican. I think this was from my other experience in other Latin American countires, where I sometimes felt uncomfortable with the stares and attention.
But as soon as I arrived in Mexico City, I found that people are too busy doing their own thing and don’t spend too much time staring. It’s a big, international city with all types of people, so the locals are used to foreigners. Of course, as a gringa, I got a few stares here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary.
2. Wear long pants like jeans
If you do want to stand out less, wearing long pants like jeans will help. From a few people I talked to, including two woman tour guides that have lived in Mexico City their whole lives, wearing jeans is a standard in CDMX. This is true for both men and women, and no matter the temperature. So wearing anything else, like short dresses and shorts, will make you stand out as a traveller.
If it’s hot while you’re there and you want to wear something other than jeans, try long skirts and flowy pants that will still cover your legs. Or if you’re not bothered by the attention, wear whatever you want!
3. Learn some Spanish before you go
As with any trip to a Latin country, learning some Spanish with help you safely navigate the city and interact with locals on a deeper level. Although the city if very international, I found that a lot of people didn’t speak English. My conversational Spanish helped a lot when eating in restaurants, and I found that Mexicans were very patient with me when I was trying to speak, which I really appreciated.
4. Attend a Spanish School while you’re in Mexico City
If you want to take your Spanish to another level while your in Mexico City, you can attend a Spanish school like it did! I attended Walk Spanish, which offers week-long Spanish classes for all levels. My favorite part was that each day included a little excursion around the city. After our 3 hour grammar lesson at a cafe, we would head out on a walk to a nearby park or museum, where we would get to practice our Spanish a bit.
Furthermore, Walk Spanish made it so easy for me to make friends in Mexico City! I made friends with the other people in my class, and each day we would plan something to do at night, like go to a soccer game or on a food tour. As an introverted solo traveler, I really appreciated how easy it was to make friends at this Spanish school.
5. Take basic safety precautions
As in any big city, you should take basic safety precautions:
- Don’t wear flashy jewelry
- Don’t walk around with your phone loose in your hand
- Use a fanny pack to keep your valuables close and theft-proof
- Avoid telling strangers, like Uber drivers, that you’re traveling alone
For an extra precaution, carry a personal safety alarm, like one from She’s Birdie. This is a small keychain with a removable pin. Once the pin is removed, a very loud alarm sounds and a light flashes. It helps to draw attention to you and alerts other that you are in danger. They also have one that will automatically contact the police if pulled. It’s helpful to have with you in a big city!
6. Always stay connected with an ESIM
In a big city like CDMX, it’s easy to get lost while trying to navigate the city by yourself. Therefore, you should always have access to the internet so you can find your way around and deal with emergencies if necessary.
I don’t like to depend on finding wifi so I love to buy eSIMs whenever I travel internationally. It’s a lot easier than having to buy a physical SIM card, which aren’t compatible with most phones now. I use the app Airalo, where you can download eSIMs for 200+ countries. Make sure you download the eSIM before you board your flight, so you can activate it and have internet as soon as you arrive.
Tours in & around Mexico City
I hope this solo travel guide to Mexico City has been helpful and leaves you feeling more confident about exploring CDMX as a solo traveler. During my time there, the city captured my heart in ways I didn’t expect, with its vibrant neighborhoods, incredible food, and rich history. Mexico City quickly became one of my favorite places. In fact, I’ve found myself daydreaming about returning – or maybe even living there someday! Mexico City has so much to offer, and I hope your trip there is as unforgettable as mine was!
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Mexico City is at the top of my travel bucket list, thank you for this helpful guide. I had no idea about Coyoacan but now I’ll be sure to visit. I love quaint little neighborhoods 🙂
Love your honesty! Your travel and safety tips are excellent – thank you! I visited Mexico City many years ago and loved it – I think a return visit solo might be in order!
I’ve been to Mexico a couple of times but not to Mexico City. I hope to get there one day, if not only for the food – it looks amazing and tacos is one of my favourite foods!
Mexico City has been on my list for a while, so I would like to visit it soon. These tips are super helpful! Thank you for sharing.