Town in Yucatán, Mexico
Is Valladolid safe?
One of the calmest tourist towns in Mexico with normal care.
Is Valladolid safe?
One of the calmest tourist towns in Mexico with normal care. Petty theft and road hazards are the main risks; Yucatán state has low violent crime.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- 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 Valladolid at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bag and phone theft near the plaza at night, occasional bicycle theft, and rare bar-related trouble. Yucatán is among Mexico's safest states. |
| At night | The plaza is lively until about midnight, and streets stay quiet but calm. Walking home alone late is common; keep valuables out of sight. |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here often; harassment is uncommon. Use hostel-arranged taxis at night and tell hosts where you are going. |
| Other risks | Heat above 38°C from April to August; Slippery cenote steps; Highway traffic and unlit roads at night |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Tour touts overcharging for cenote or Chichén Itzá transport
- Unofficial 'guides' at ruins asking high tips
- Taxis quoting inflated rides to cenotes
Take care
- Cenote swimming without a life jacket or guide
- Riding bicycles at night on unlit highways
- Leaving valuables in parked cars at cenotes
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 Valladolid 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 Valladolid safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel here often; harassment is uncommon. Use hostel-arranged taxis at night and tell hosts where you are going.
Is Valladolid safe at night?
The plaza is lively until about midnight, and streets stay quiet but calm. Walking home alone late is common; keep valuables out of sight.
What is the crime rate in Valladolid?
Bag and phone theft near the plaza at night, occasional bicycle theft, and rare bar-related trouble. Yucatán is among Mexico's safest states. Nationally, Mexico records 24.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Valladolid?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · Tourist police 078 · All emergencies 911.
More about Valladolid
Going to Valladolid solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Valladolid meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Tren Maya
- ADO
- 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.