Tulum, Mexico
What 90% of solo women don't know about staying safe in Tulum.
The beach zone has the boutique hotels, expensive restaurants, and beach clubs that Tulum is known for. It's pricey and Instagram-focused but feels safe. Works well if you're into wellness and yoga or don't mind paying extra to be near the water.
This 10-kilometer beach strip is what put Tulum on Instagram. Thatched-roof hotels, beach clubs with $100+ minimums, restaurants serving $20 ceviche, and yoga studios right on the sand. The vibe is expensive bohemian - trying to look natural while charging luxury prices. Everything costs 2-3x more than Pueblo: meals run $15-25, cocktails $10-15, and most places charge in US dollars with bad exchange rates. Most beach clubs and hotels have their own security and English-speaking staff since that's who they're built for. Eating alone is normal, especially at breakfast and lunch when people camp out with laptops. The beach road stays busy during the day with bikes and cars. At night it gets lively around the main clubs and restaurants, but dark between them. Walking alone at night is fine near busy spots, but avoid isolated beach stretches. It's pretty and feels safe inside establishments, but the whole thing can feel like a manufactured Instagram set rather than actual Mexico.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
GoodHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
ModerateScam Risk
ModeratePolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
ExcellentSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
ModerateHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
ExcellentSome mistakes you only make once in Tulum. But you shouldn't have to make them at all. This free checklist reveals the 5 safety pitfalls that catch solo women off guard — so you can avoid them before they happen.
"Feels safe inside beach clubs and restaurants"
"No one cares if you eat alone - super common here"
"Everything costs way more than you think. Budget double"
"Yoga classes and beach clubs have other travelers to meet"
"Don't walk empty beach areas at night"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
La Veleta is the newest and cheapest neighborhood in Tulum. Digital nomads and long-term travelers stay here. It has coworking spaces and a tight-knit community but is still being built out and far from the beach.
Aldea Zama is a planned residential area between Pueblo and the beach with modern infrastructure and good safety. It has coworking cafes and costs less than the beach zone but more than downtown. Works well for digital nomads staying longer term.
Pueblo has the budget accommodations, local restaurants, and all the practical stuff like bus stations and supermarkets. It's safe during the day and much cheaper than the beach zone, but you need to be more aware of your surroundings at night.
Help other women stay safe in Zona Hotelera (Beach Zone)
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.