Forget what you heard – you should book a solo trip to Mexico City! Being a solo female traveler in Mexico City is something few people from the U.S. recommended to me. There are a lot of stereotypes about the people and culture in U.S. media.
However, I loved visiting Mexico City as a solo female traveler. There are so many things to do and see. From museums to party boats and street food, here is what should be on your solo traveler itinerary when visiting Mexico City.
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Is Mexico City good for solo travel?
Even in a city of 20 million, I met many wonderful solo female travelers in Mexico City! I also had a lot of great conversations with my Uber drivers and tour guides as well. You can walk, catch Ubers, and take public transportation to navigate the city.
However, for solo travelers who may be uncomfortable with a language barrier, Mexico City may be more difficult for you if you do not speak Spanish. While some people spoke English, the best connections I made were in Spanish. Therefore knowing some Spanish will make your experience in Mexico City even better!
Is Mexico City safe for solo female travelers?
I did not feel unsafe as a Black solo female traveler in Mexico City. But it is a big city, and if you seek out dangerous spaces, that is always possible. Yet, I visited neighborhoods such as Condesa, Roma Norte, Coyoacan, Polanco, and Juarez and felt safe doing so.
For nightlife, I also had no issues as a solo female traveler. I do not walk around at night often. But when I did, I felt safe in Mexico City. Keep your belongings close to you, walk on well-lit streets, and use common sense like home. Also, be careful crossing the road; the traffic gets busy.
Where to stay as a solo female traveler in Mexico City
Selina Downtown Mexico City
For solo female travelers in Mexico City who work remotely, Selina is an excellent choice. Located in Centro Histórico, Selina is one of the best hostels in Mexico City. You are in the heart of the city center, so it is often busy and full of people. However, the hostel staff was also welcoming, giving you enough space to do your own thing. This hostel is ideal for solo female travelers in Mexico City who may not want to mingle as much.
Casa Pepe Mexico City
If you are a solo female traveler in Mexico City who wants to meet new people, Casa Pepe is the place for you. The people at this hostel are so friendly and put so much effort into planning fun activities to enjoy with your new traveling friends. It is one of the most social hostels I have visited thus far! Hang out on the rooftop to meet new people and get a fabulous view of the city.
What to do as a solo female traveler in and around Mexico City
Hot air balloon ride in Teotihuacán
Riding in a hot air balloon is a must-do travel experience! And in Mexico City, you can take it a step further and fly over pyramids. Teotihuacán is Nahuatl for “City of Gods,” where people lived around 600 A.D. Now it is an archaeological site to learn about indigenous history and culture.
I took a tour with Get Your Guide and loved it! The $165 tour includes roundtrip transportation, breakfast, and even a celebratory cup of champagne when you land. If you do this with other solo female travelers in Mexico City, tell the guides during check-in that you want to be in the same balloon.
Spend a day in each neighborhood
An underrated and free activity in Mexico City is spending a day in each of the neighborhoods. It is a city of 20 million people. Therefore you may not visit every single neighborhood. However, this is an activity I enjoy doing while visiting because each one has its distinct flare and personality.
Neighborhoods I visited for a day included Condesa, Roma Norte, Juarez, Coyoacan, and Polanco. You can walk or catch an Uber to the area and peruse the different shops, parks and streets. This is worth the time if you want to add a chill day to your itinerary as a solo traveler.
Relaxing in Grutas Tolantongo
On a solo trip to Mexico City, consider a day trip. One way to do that is through a hot springs tour of Grutas de Tolantongo in Hidalgo, which is 3.5 hours away from Mexico City. Grutas is a Mexican-owned resort known for its photogenic blue and cream hot springs that locals and tourists patronize!
Solo travelers can visit one of the caves and waterfalls, wade in the hot springs river, and chill in a cave with locals. I recommend this one on Airbnb Experiences for the entire day! The tour includes roundtrip transportation, lunch, entrance fees, and snacks on the ride back.
Visiting the Frida Kahlo Museum
The Frida Kahlo Museum is small but full of her life. You need to book your tickets a few weeks ahead because tickets sell out fast. Solo travelers can book an entire tour, or get a ticket from the website and do it yourself. And if you are coming from the other side of the city, leave early to be there on time and avoid traffic!
Rent a trajinera in Xochimilco
Who wants to avoid going on a colorful party boat in Mexico City? If you are a solo traveler in Mexico City, I recommend taking an Airbnb experience tour to get the most out of Xochimilco. On this tour, we ate lunch, learned about the history and tradition from local guides, drank a lot of mezcal, played la loteria and more. We even made micheladas!
However, if you are a solo female traveler in Mexico City who meets other travelers, you can also rent a trajinera together! Locals and tourists rent a whole boat and bring their drinks and games. It’s a fun activity for everyone.
Shop at the markets in Coyoacan and beyond
Solo female travelers who love markets will be satisfied in Mexico City. You can find food and shopping markets around the city, such as La Merced Market and the San Juan market. One of the most notable ones is the Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela, where you can shop, eat, and visit the park across the street.
Coyoacan is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Mexico City and has the Mercado de Las Artesanías. I recommend spending a whole day in this area. You can visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, as many solo female travelers often do. However, there are other places to visit, such as the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo and the Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares.
Best solo dining in Mexico City
Street food
My number one recommendation for solo female travelers in Mexico City is to eat all the street food. Mexico City has a fantastic street food culture that is affordable and delicious. Solo female travelers on a budget can find a lot of street food in Polanco, Centro Historico, Coyoacan, and many other Mexico City neighborhoods.
Tortas Catakil was one of my favorite street food delights. They are located on a busy street between a bank and a bus station in Polanco. Someone in line recommended the torta with chilaquiles verde, which I ordered! You can find them on Instagram here.
Breakfast and brunching solo in CDMX
After a long day of exploring the day before or partying, you will need a hearty breakfast. Breakfast All Day (BAD) is a cute solo diner in the Juarez neighborhood. BAD is the place to go if you like pancakes, waffle sandwiches, etc.. BAD is also ideal for budget travelers; you don’t need a reservation. Fancier solo breakfast dining in Mexico City also exists! Madre Cafe, Helena, and Lardo are all well-known brunch spots.
Tacos on tacos on tacos
Recommendations for solo dining in Mexico City are incomplete, with taco spots. In Coyoacan, solo travelers should eat at Antojitos Mexicanos Market Juanita. In the city center, a taco spot for solo dining is Los Cocuyos, and a bit further is Tacos El Guero and Taqueria Gabriel. And if you are a solo female traveler in Mexico City and staying in Polanco, walk a few blocks up from the mall, and there is a street of vendors selling tacos.
Bars for solo travelers
Though it can take getting used to, one activity to try solo is going to different bars. I always recommend that solo travelers sit at the bar, not a table, to meet new people and possibly other solo female travelers in Mexico City. Some bars to add to your list in Mexico City are Hugo (a wine bar), Handshake Speakeasy, Tokyo Music Bar, and Hanky Panky.
Solo lunch and dinner in Mexico City
Solo travelers in Mexico City can find restaurants for lunch and dinner everywhere. La Pitahaya Vegana is a vegetarian and vegan option where you can order pink tacos. For non-Mexican options, Deigo Ramen has multiple locations, and Bar Pita is ideal for falafel lovers. Lardo is also great for both breakfast and dinner! And for an elegant and artistic dessert bar experience in Roma Norte, visit Boca.
On being a Black solo female traveler in Mexico City
As a Black, solo female traveler, I enjoyed my time in Mexico City! I met more Black solo travelers during this trip than I have on past trips. I highly recommend joining Facebook groups to meet other Black solo travelers in Mexico City and staying in hostels to mingle.
When interacting with locals, I had no issues. But, again, I do speak Spanish. Therefore, this could also impact my ease while traveling throughout Mexico City. People still stare; however, at this point in my travels as a Black solo female traveler, it does not bother me very much.
Final verdict: is it safe to travel to Mexico City by yourself?
Mexico City is one of those places where people often tell solo female travelers not to visit. There are a lot of stereotypes about Mexico City that I did not find to be true. For example, you will not see or interact with cartels unless you seek out that drama. Nor will you be kidnapped as the movies like to portray.
While I always believe in trusting your instincts, I exercise the same caution in Mexico City that I would in any other place. Don’t let people’s opinions and prejudices deter you from traveling solo as a woman! You end up regretting extraordinary experiences like the ones outlined in this post about a solo trip to Mexico City. So go for it and enjoy it for yourself!
Have you considered adding Guatemala to your solo trip? You should and read this guide next.
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