City, Mexico
Is Oaxaca safe?
The historic center is relaxed and safe by day; petty theft is the main issue.
Is Oaxaca safe?
The historic center is relaxed and safe by day; petty theft is the main issue. Protests and road blockades regularly disrupt travel, and rural highways need care.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-08-11.
- Homicide rate in Mexico: 24.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Mexico: 12.8 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · Tourist police 078 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Oaxaca at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Bag and phone theft in markets and busy streets, occasional robbery on quiet streets at night, and rare armed robbery on rural roads. |
| At night | Centro stays active until about midnight; use a taxi after that. Avoid lonely streets away from the zócalo. |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here often. Catcalling is mild; use radio taxis late and avoid empty streets outside Centro. |
| Other risks | Altitude 1,550 m: mild headaches for some; Earthquakes; Oaxaca is seismically active; Road blockades cutting highways for hours or days |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Overpriced mezcal tours and 'free tastings' leading to hard sell
- Fake guides at Monte Albán and Hierve el Agua
- Taxi drivers refusing meters or quoting inflated tourist fares
- Unlicensed artisans' 'factory' stops in tours
Take care
- Streets north and east of Centro after dark: poorly lit
- Mountain highways to the coast at night: robbery and road crashes
- Protests and blockades: avoid marches and plan flexible travel days
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carrying any firearm or even a single bullet can mean prison.
- Vapes and e-cigarettes are banned and can be confiscated.
- Drinking in the street is illegal in most cities and brings fines or arrest.
How Oaxaca compares in Mexico
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Mérida | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Miguel de Allende | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cozumel | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Isla Mujeres | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Holbox | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bacalar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Guanajuato | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Monterrey | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Valladolid | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Paz | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puebla | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Querétaro | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puerto Morelos | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mazunte | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Todos Santos | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ajijic | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mexico City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cancún | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Tulum | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Playa del Carmen | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puerto Vallarta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cabo San Lucas | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Oaxaca | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Guadalajara | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puerto Escondido | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Sayulita | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Cristóbal de las Casas | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Mazatlán | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Tijuana | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Acapulco | 2/5 · High risk |
Quick answers
Is Oaxaca safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel here often. Catcalling is mild; use radio taxis late and avoid empty streets outside Centro.
Is Oaxaca safe at night?
Centro stays active until about midnight; use a taxi after that. Avoid lonely streets away from the zócalo.
What is the crime rate in Oaxaca?
Bag and phone theft in markets and busy streets, occasional robbery on quiet streets at night, and rare armed robbery on rural roads. Nationally, Mexico records 24.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Oaxaca?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · Tourist police 078 · All emergencies 911.
More about Oaxaca
Going to Oaxaca solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Oaxaca Airport (ASUR)
- ADO
- Oaxaca tourism
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.