this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2023
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I've been to Mexico a few times, and understand there are unique risks in that country compared to the US.
I've been to Playa del Carmen before solo and it was safe. but I feel like the beaches have been ruined by the sargassum. I've also visited Jalisco and Zacatecas with a friend, but it was very car-dependent, and less safe than Playa.
I've been to Puerto Rico, and it was safer than where I live in America, but required renting a car.
I'm hoping to get recommendations of where to go next- preferably car free! I was thinking maybe Cozumel. but I know a friend (another solo female traveler) that visited San Miguel de Allende and said good things. I'm willing to consider other countries, and locations, if someone has a recommendation/actually visited the place.
I was in Cozumel 10 years ago now. We rented a house on the beach with a pool outside of town. We rented scooters and I rented a Jeep on the island. It's a small island and the locals like it as it didn't have as much crime as the mainland.
It's a lovely island and one of my favourite non resort trips to Mexico. They had a small cruise ship terminal then. Not sure how to do it without a rental unless you stay in the major town or use taxis which aren't cheap. Locals can't really offer rides without fear of the local taxi companies going after them as it was explained to me then by a local then.
This was 10 years ago now so I'm not sure I would go today as one still needs to go through the mainland to get there. Mexico seems to have much more going on now than during my trips over the last decade down there.
Good luck with finding a place that doesn't need a vehicle. I think that will be best near towns with a public bus service like I used in PV.
I'm a cyclist, and was considering biking around Cozumel. It seems like scooters are more popular, but aside from the heat, I wasn't sure why that is. I'll be visiting in January. I know Playa del Carmen did have a bike theft problem.
Biking would be fun. The roads are 2 lane and only really just loop around the island outside of town. Would make for a nice bike ride. It's also where I saw fireflies for the first time. Really cool as I didn't realize what they were at first. Also the frogs are big.
I recommend Holbox, but try to avoid the rainy season. It’s interesting to say the least.