Traveling solo for a woman can be an exciting, thrilling time. People seem to be easier to meet, destinations are at the tip of your finger, no waiting for an answer from your travel partner on where to go and what to do! Here are some tips to make a solo adventure fun and feel a little more secure!

1. Just because you start off alone, doesn’t mean you have to remain alone! Don’t hesitate to meet fellow travelers or locals. This is one of the great reasons for single women to stay in hostels, if that is a comfortable option for you. There are lots of other travelers to meet, many of them single travelers, and age at a youth hostel doesn’t seem to be a limiting factor any longer. There are a number of privately run hostels in The Yucatan, ie: not part of the IYH system, and especially in Merida there are many that can accomadate single women travelers. Don’t hesitate to share information that you’ve picked up along the way! But don’t forget to use your wisdom and common sense.

2. Arrive at your destination by mid-afternoon if possible. This gives you a bit of daylight to get adjusted to your new surroundings, get oriented to your neighborhood and the place where you are staying. In The Yucatan, the afternoons are slow and lazy because of the heat, and things don’t pick up until early evening, so arriving by mid-afternoon is perfect timing. You’ve also just spent the heat of the day on an air-conditioned bus (maybe) and even if you haven’t, you’ll have lots of time to cool down with a shower or a swim after unpacking.

3. Most men in The Yucatan are very respectful of women, and probably the most hostile reaction to you traveling alone would be a stare. This was my experience.

4. Treat your money, and your day bag, the same as you would at home. Moneybelts, fannypacks, and daypacks worn on your front instead of your back, mark you instantaneously as a tourist. If you treat your wallet/money as you do at home, you will be comfortable with your system and less likely to be seen as a potential victim. Plus, carrying crap around all day is just one more way to retain unwanted heat next to your body. Travel light to stay cool.

5. Keep your face out of the maps. Being a single woman and checking maps while you are on the street marks you as a tourist and a lost soul and a potential victim. Get your day oriented from your hotel/hostel room or your table at lunch. Although, if you look lost, don’t be surprised if a Yucatecan stops to ask if you need help! Yucatecans are very friendly and if they can’t help you, they’ll help you find someone who can – one tried to sell me a run down building in El Centro Merida when they noticed I was taking pictures of it.

6. Get an easy to manage wash-and-go hairstyle, get used to wearing little or no make-up and leave your jewelry at home. Travel is so much more fun if you aren’t too concerned with what you look like and you won’t be noticed (by the wrong people) as much without jewelry on. With the heat, hair and makeup aren’t going to hold up to any styling anyway.

6a. Take clothing that will not only mix and match, but that is very light and airy. Sometimes people don’t really get how hot it is in The Yucatan! In January you can get by with a little sweater over your clothes in the evenings. The rest of the year is linen weather! Oh, except for the primera buses with air-conditioning. It would be good to have a light sweater in your daybag to have on the bus. Sometimes they can be quite chilly!

7. Walk with confidence, but not arrogance. Act like you know where you are and that you are comfortable where you are.

8. Take a book to read and/or a journal to write in. This comes in handy when you are dining alone, or taking a break in a park or the back of a cathedral, or laying around on the beach. Of, course, not having anything to read or write is wonderful too!

9. Travel light, so you can keep an eye on your bag(s) when riding the buses. If I have to check a bag under the bus, then I try and sit so that I can keep my eye on the baggage container when the bus stops to let passengers on and off. I didn’t have any problems in The Yucatan with my bags on buses, but it never hurts to keep an eye on things.

10. Wear sensible shoes. Flip-flops are ok for the beach and around the pool, but for climbing pyramids and walking in the jungle, no way! Take good walking shoes (and cotton socks to go with them – polyester of any sort will turn your feet into a soggy mess) if you are planning to do any jungle hiking or climbing around in the archaeology sites. The local limestone is slippery. so a good tread on those shoes is important.

Bonus Tips:

When meeting someone for the first time shake hands and look them in the eye.

For all the talk about how safe The Yucatan peninsula is to travel in, there is at least one element of criminal activity, especially in the city Merida. It’s not something that will hurt you, but if you are the least bit compassionate, it might make you feel uncomfortable. The women who are begging with the children at the churches are planted there by their boss (for lack of a better word to call him). Most of the time the babies they are with are not even theirs. Which actually makes the whole situation even a little sadder.

The Yucatan is one of the safest places in Mexico to travel. Take care, travel lightly, and have fun!

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