Use this map to find the best accommodations in Oaxaca’s safest areas, for as low as $75 per day! The location is set in Oaxaca Zocalo but you can choose the area on the map to find the best deals!
?? Hola! My name is Trisha and I live in Mexico! I do my Oaxaca solo female travel twice a year and in this guide, I will give you all the details you need to know to prepare for your trip!
? Hi Trisha! I followed you on Instagram during Oaxaca day of the dead. Your stories are amazing and it made me think about visiting Oaxaca! I’ve only been to Cabo and in 2022, I am going to visit more of mainland Mexico. Do you have any tips on how to effectively navigate Oaxaca female solo travel? Is Oaxaca safe for solo female travelers? I am going to Puerto Escondido after so it would also be great if you can give me a sample itinerary. Thank you so much for all your tips and advice. I really appreciate it!
– Joan McLain, USA
I did not think twice when I planned my first Oaxaca solo female travel. After seeing those photos on Pinterest and Instagram, without a doubt, I booked a ticket and took care of the Oaxaca travel questions later (i.e. safety).
But there was a pitfall for not questioning and not planning. My first Oaxaca travel experience was really bad because I did not know it was the rainy season. I visited at the end of August to early September and guess what? I spent most of my days indoors because of the rain!
Not to mention that was 2020 and you know, there was a global health crisis that was taking place. Everything was closed.
Bottom line: August and September are not good months to visit and that, honestly affected my first impression of Oaxaca Mexico.
I felt like it was a waste of money and I did not see anything but the co-working space of my hotel. In April, I came back again with different weather and from there, my love story with Oaxaca Mexico started. I don’t even know where to begin to tell you what made me so drawn to Oaxaca because there are so many layers and forms!
From that trip, I came back every year and I even organize my yearly day of the dead trips here to show travelers how Oaxaca Mexico is rich in everything.
Many of my friends ask me, why don’t you just move to Oaxaca if you are that in love and visiting frequently? I couldn’t answer this til now but one thing I know is that I love the feeling of going back and knowing the city in its entirety.
For now, it is just a great feeling to come back and who knows? I might leave my home in Cabo now and trade it for Oaxaca!
What’s covered in this solo female travel guide:
Yes, Oaxaca City is safe for solo female travelers. I travel to Oaxaca every year alone and no bad thing has happened to me. However, in many instances, I have witnessed friends who had bad experiences (like theft). Other than that, I did not hear or have seen anything major.
A big plus for me is that I am fluent in Spanish. I learned that from traveling all 32 states of Mexico, it is way easier if you speak their language. Sometimes, they don’t even ask where I am from – they automatically speak to me in Spanish!
Which absolutely means I do not feel different in this city. In the next sections of this Oaxaca solo female travel guide, I will give you more tips about safety and how to not look like a tourist in Oaxaca so keep browsing!
?? Related: How Safe Is Oaxaca For Women Travelers?
3 months is a good time for planning your Oaxaca solo female travel. Since you are going to do this alone, you can even plan 6 months ahead, especially if you plan to join the Day of the Dead festivities. Here’s a helpful timeline for your solo trip planning:
3 months before the trip:
2 months before the trip
1 month before the trip:
2 weeks before your trip
1 week before your trip:
Day of the departure:
✈️ ?? I’ve spent 16 years traveling the world on my own, learning the ins and outs of planning trips that are bold, safe, and unforgettable. If you’re ready to design your own adventure, I can help you map it out with clarity and confidence. Book a call today, and let’s plan the journey you deserve!
BOOK A CALL WITH TRISHA →
Part of planning your Oaxaca solo female travel is timing. It is very crucial to know that the best time to visit Oaxaca is from November to April. In July, the famous Guelaguetza Festival takes place but it is also the rainy season.
In November, the famous day of the dead celebrations take place where I take 15 solo female travelers on a group trip!
During my first Oaxaca, solo female travel I went from August to September and it was not a good choice. It rained all the time and there were also thunderstorms! Which absolutely meant it became a staycation and I spent most of the week in the hotel.
If you are traveling alone as a woman in Oaxaca, a Mexican SIM card is a must. The first option is to pre-order a Mexican SIM card which will be sent to your home in the US/Canada. You can buy it on Amazon but it takes about a week to deliver.
That’s already pre-loaded with 2 GB data so you don’t have to deal with top-ups. If you decide to buy it when you arrive Oaxaca, you can go to any Oxxo convenience store. The only issue is if you don’t speak Spanish, you will have to deal with cashiers who do not speak English.
The third option is to get an E-SIM for Mexico, which you can also use in your next solo female travel adventures. It works in any countries and there’s no physical SIM card to be inserted in the phone.
?? Read Next: 3-5 Days Oaxaca Itinerary For Solo Female Travelers
Before you book any accommodations in Oaxaca, I will give you a short introduction about the neighborhoods in Oaxaca. Oaxaca City has a unique vibe in each of its neighborhoods, and choosing the right one can really make your solo adventure memorable.
Here are my recommended areas for solo female travelers to Oaxaca. All these areas are safe but choose depending on your travel style.
I only stay in hostels in Oaxaca City when I am on short trips. This way, I can meet other travelers and join organized events. Many of them offer both shared dorms and private rooms. There are also female-only dorms but I do not mind mixed dorms.
My favorite hostel in Oaxaca is Viajero Oaxaca Hostel (dorms from $10) and I sometimes get a private room here for $65 per night, depending on the season.
?️ SEE ALL HOSTELS IN OAXACA CITY →
Sometimes, I stay in Oaxaca for 30 days (I made it as my base for my Oaxaca road trip). In this regard, I stay in a hotel or a vacation rental home. They are not that expensive and they are very comfortable!
My favorite is Nana Vida Hotel Oaxaca. It’s really close to historic landmarks and I don’t need to take a taxi when I am staying here!
? SEE ALL BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN OAXACA CITY →
Use this map to find the best accommodations in Oaxaca’s safest areas, for as low as $75 per day! The location is set in Oaxaca Zocalo but you can choose the area on the map to find the best deals!
Oaxaca has one International Airport called Xoxocotlan Airport. It has direct flights from the USA and Canada (Delta operates this flight).
There are two ways to get to Oaxaca from Mexico City:
Centro means center in Spanish. You will see this destination on Google Maps so be aware of the term. The easiest way to get to the city center from Oaxaca International Airport is by pre-booking a taxi service. I always book my airport taxi service with these guys. I’ve known them from doing countless Oaxaca solo female travel!
? BOOK OAXACA AIRPORT TRANSFER →
Other ways to get to the center from Oaxaca International Airport include:
Oaxaca solo female travel transportation is easy because you don’t have to do much. The trick is to always book a hotel near the center. For all my solo trips to Oaxaca, I did not spend money on transportation unless I am going out to the city.
Here are some safe ways to get around Oaxaca City alone:
Before we start the list of the best things to do in Oaxaca alone, I would like to invite you to my day of the dead trip for women in November! If you are already planning to travel to Oaxaca solo, you should do it during day of the dead!
Here are the best things to do in Oaxaca alone. Some of these are organized tours so you will definitely meet fellow solo travelers!
? Bonus: Use the code PSIMONMYWAY10 to get a 10% discount on all Oaxaca experiences below.
Oaxaca has a colorful lively market vibe and you don’t even have to pay for anything. Strolling is FREE! Here are the best markets you shouldn’t miss in Oaxaca:
Visiting a textile workshop in Teotitlán del Valle is like stepping into a living tradition. Local artisans use natural dyes and handwoven techniques passed down for generations. You’ll see how wool is spun, dyed with plants and insects, and woven into stunning rugs.
A mezcal tour in Santa Catarina Minas is a must if you want to understand Oaxaca’s most famous drink. You’ll visit a family-run palenque, where mezcal is made the traditional way—slowly roasted agave, stone-ground, and distilled in clay pots.
You’ll taste different varieties, learn how flavors change with different agave types, and hear stories from passionate mezcaleros. This is my favorite experience in Oaxaca and I’ve done it 3 times!
✅ VIEW MEZCAL TOUR DETAILS HERE
Monte Albán is one of the most impressive ancient ruins in Mexico, sitting high above Oaxaca with breathtaking views. Walking through its plazas and pyramids, you’ll learn about the Zapotec civilization that thrived here for over a thousand years.
The carvings, tombs, and ball courts tell fascinating stories of the past. Whether you explore with a guide or on your own, it’s an unforgettable experience that blends history, nature, and stunning scenery.
✅ HIRE AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUIDE FOR MONTE ALBAN
Oaxaca’s street food is legendary, and a food tour lets you dive right into the best local flavors. You’ll taste tlayudas (Oaxacan-style pizzas), memelas, tamales, and even chapulines (crunchy grasshoppers). Markets like Mercado 20 de Noviembre are packed with sizzling grills and friendly vendors eager to share their specialties.
It’s the perfect way to experience Oaxaca’s food culture, meet locals, and discover dishes you might not have tried on your own.
Oaxaca’s artisan villages are full of incredible handmade crafts. In San Bartolo Coyotepec, you’ll find black pottery with a glossy finish. Teotitlán del Valle is famous for its woven rugs, while San Martín Tilcajete is home to colorful alebrijes (wooden animal carvings).
Visiting these workshops lets you see artisans at work, hear their stories, and even try making something yourself. It’s a great way to support local artists and take home a truly special souvenir.
✅ HIRE A PRIVATE GUIDE FOR THE ARTISAN ROUTE
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