City, Mexico
Oaxaca for solo travelers
Is Oaxaca good for solo travel?
Colonial food capital with mezcal, markets, crafts and a thriving café and nomad scene. Mild and walkable, with Zapotec ruins and villages nearby; blockades, protests and altitude are the usual hiccups.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here often. Catcalling is mild; use radio taxis late and avoid empty streets outside Centro. |
How to meet people in Oaxaca
Spanish and cooking classes, hostel socials, mezcal and mole tastings, market tours, nomad meetups and day tours to villages.
Good things to do alone
- Eat tlayudas at Mercado 20 de Noviembre
- Visit Monte Albán at opening time
- Take a mezcal tasting tour in Santiago Matatlán
- See Hierve el Agua petrified waterfalls
- Take a cooking class with a market visit
Where to stay in Oaxaca
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro Histórico | First-timers: markets, galleries, restaurants, walkable |
| Jalatlaco | Quiet colorful streets, cafés and murals, close to Centro |
| Xochimilco | Local and artsy, cheaper long stays, near the aqueduct |
| Reforma | Quieter residential area with newer apartments |
Solo travel across Mexico
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| San Cristóbal de las Casas | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Guanajuato | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Mazunte | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tulum | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Playa del Carmen | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Puerto Vallarta | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Oaxaca | 4/5 | Limited |
| Guadalajara | 4/5 | Limited |
| Mérida | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| San Miguel de Allende | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Puerto Escondido | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Cozumel | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Isla Mujeres | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sayulita | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Holbox | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bacalar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Mazatlán | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Valladolid | 4/5 | Limited |
| La Paz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puebla | 4/5 | Limited |
| Querétaro | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puerto Morelos | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Todos Santos | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Ajijic | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cancún | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cabo San Lucas | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Monterrey | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tijuana | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Acapulco | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Oaxaca good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Colonial food capital with mezcal, markets, crafts and a thriving café and nomad scene.
How do you meet people in Oaxaca?
Spanish and cooking classes, hostel socials, mezcal and mole tastings, market tours, nomad meetups and day tours to villages. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Oaxaca?
Limited.
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.
More about Oaxaca
Going to Oaxaca solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Oaxaca meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.