20 y/o female travelling alone in Cancun?

Question

I just finished my first year at college and working all summer doing research-read:stress-, so I am planning on a trip alone by myself to somewhere nice and quiet. seems that Cancun may be it. However, since i am travelling all alone, I am quite worried about my safety in Cancun. I will be staying at a big resort and not really go anywhere(planning on eating well, working out, chilling under the sun reading). I don't drink, don't do drugs, but have no sense of common sense. Would it be too risky for me to travel alone in cancun?

PS. I am thinking of Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda. Anyone any ideas about the safety here?

Thank you all in advance.

Answer 1

Ignore Private's answer please !!!!!

You have your head on straight . I can tell !  Have fun !   You are going to Gringoville aka Cancun.

Don't be stupid drunk , use you fifth sense and instinct that mom gave you. Don't wear alot of jewelry in the dark streets at night and your golden. Cancun is little America. Your fine ! Have a blast ,explore , eat at little street restaurants ask the hotel crew how to explore the "off beaten path " and bus fares and tips, so you can get around the town, cheap and quickly. Ask them the deserted little beaches that no one knows about. The little local gems that only they know as in their free time they want to escape the tourists and be  " Mexicans". There is so much to Mexico that the average tourist only passes in a drunken stupid haze :)

Your fine and will have a blast . The "stories " you hear are a little overdone. Use your instincts and good sense and your FINE but please explore off the beaten path and you will be rewarded beyond belief.

Answer 2

Where you are thinking of staying is not IN Cancun and is actually closer to Playa del Carmen.  You will most likely be very safe at that resort, but be sure to keep an eye on whatever drinks you do order, even non-alcoholic ones.  Also, as a single traveler to an all-inclusive, you will have to pay nearly double the price that most people pay as they will have a fee for a solo traveler.  

I'd actually suggest that you consider a boutique hotel in Playa del Carmen (Playa Maya or Alhambra are excellent beachfront locations for a single woman) instead of an all-inclusive since most guests at AIs are couples or families.  However, if you really prefer a resort,  then I would suggest staying at the Westin in Cancun as you will be looked after well and treated like a queen.  It isn't all-inclusive, but the money you save going non-AI will more than cover your expenses.

Wherever you stay, take the same precautions that you would take at home and don't let your guard down.  No need to be antsy all the time, as this is a very safe area, but too many people leave their smarts behind on vacation.  If you don't drink alcohol, you're already gonna be more on top of things than 90% of the folks around you, so I think you'll do just fine.

Good luck, and have a great, relaxing trip!  

(PS, don't fall in love with a local, either! ;-)   )

Answer 3

Ya S F is right, you should head south to Playa Del Carmen.  Cancun is more like Vegas now, party/party/party.  The beaches in Playa are just as nice if not better and it is much better for relaxing plus closer to Tulum and other hot spots you might want to check out.

You will be fine if you are smart.  Mexicans and moreover Mayans (you'll find Mayans in Playa area) are very nice, respectful and will take good care of you.  You will feel safe and be treated like a princess.  :-)

Answer 4

If you were my daughter, I would be fine with you going alone.  Cancun is very safe, very Americanized, you won't have any trouble.  Just use ordinary common sense.  (Don't walk alone at night on a dark street.  That kind of thing.)  I would recommend you stay at your hotel after dark.  During the day you would be fine going to the flea markets, malls, etc.

Answer 5

I agree with most of the others - keep your wits about you and you'll be fine! I actually moved to the Riviera Maya alone a few years ago (I'm in my early 20s too). Just be aware that there is a macho culture. One thing I've learnt the hard way is that being polite with certain men will get you nowhere (this goes against my whole upbringing and is not easy!) You need to be firm bordering on rude otherwise they can be like vultures. There's an attitude that if you're single you must be desperate for a man and that they (whoever they may be!) must therefore be in with a good chance and it must be their lucky day... grrrr! At best it's flattering, usually it's merely annoying and at worst sometimes it feels a bit threatening. I've often invented a big, jealous Mexican husband / boyfriend who is on his way from work to meet me (I've occasionally pretended to phone him in front of the really insistent ones!) Some of the first words in Spanish I learnt were along the lines of "My Spanish may not be very good but don't #@*^ with me, mister!" hahaha! Seriously though, just don't put yourself in any compromising positions (ie. on the streets / beach alone at night etc.) and you'll be fine. Also (and it pains me to say it) just be careful who you trust.

For advice on your specific hotel, check out Trip Advisor. To be honest, if it's nice and quiet you want, go south of Cancun (Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Riviera Maya, Tulum). Probably safer too.

You'll have a great time! :) Enjoy it!

Answer 6

I agree with everything Michael said.  Cancun IS gringoville and is probably more safe than the cities in the U.S. of the same size.  I am 24 and have traveled all through Mexico on my own and have been just fine.  Use your head and don't do anything you wouldn't do at home.

Answer 7

I would agree with all answers except for "private's".  But do yourself a favor and check out Chizen Itza while you are there.  It's a full day trip, but plenty of tours available.  It will be well worth your time.  You may also want to go to Tulum, as I recall it's about a half day trip.  Relax, have fun, and be safe.

Answer 8

There in nothing more vulnerable, than a young single girl

traveling alone in a foreign country. Take a girlfriend with U.

It's called "safety in numbers." It's worth your life.

Pack and handle your own luggage, or you may end up,

carrying someone elses "drugs" at the airport. if caught,

they are yours. Guard your passport at all times, or someone

else will be coming home in "your name." Good luck. <}:-})