Town in Guerrero, Mexico
Zihuatanejo for solo travelers
Is Zihuatanejo good for solo travel?
Low-key Pacific fishing town with calm bays, a walkable waterfront and cheap seafood, next to the Ixtapa resort strip. Guerrero's violence advisories, hot humid summers and limited nightlife need weighing.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here but should use taxis at night, avoid isolated beaches and stay in the tourist zones. |
How to meet people in Zihuatanejo
Boat tours, snorkel and dive groups, Spanish lessons, and waterfront cafés. Hostels in Centro are small but social.
Good things to do alone
- Take a water taxi to Playa Las Gatas for snorkeling
- Buy fresh fish at the Zihuatanejo market
- Walk the Paseo del Pescador at dusk
- Kayak or paddle on Playa La Ropa
- Day-trip to the Barra de Potosí lagoon
Where to stay in Zihuatanejo
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro and the waterfront | Walkable town: fish restaurants, markets and the pier |
| Playa La Ropa | Long beach, beachfront hotels and quieter stays |
| Ixtapa | Resort strip, marina, malls and nightlife, 15 min away |
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 |
| Zihuatanejo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| 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 Zihuatanejo good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Low-key Pacific fishing town with calm bays, a walkable waterfront and cheap seafood, next to the Ixtapa resort strip.
How do you meet people in Zihuatanejo?
Boat tours, snorkel and dive groups, Spanish lessons, and waterfront cafés. Hostels in Centro are small but social. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Zihuatanejo?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Zihuatanejo safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel here but should use taxis at night, avoid isolated beaches and stay in the tourist zones.
More about Zihuatanejo
Going to Zihuatanejo solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Zihuatanejo 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.