Get in, ladies, we're going beach-hopping!
As unsafe and risky as the mainstream media attempts to paint Mexico to be, especially for women, what with the allegedly widespread machismo culture and higher levels of crime, they still couldn't love it more if they tried, and we now have the receipts to back it up.
According to the Cancun Sun, the leading source for Mexican Caribbean-related news, Cancun and Tulum are officially 2 of the most popular destinations for solo female travelers, with 59 percent of new arrivals in this category going to the former and 53.7 percent to the latter.

They base it on a new report published by SECTUR, Mexico's Secretary of Tourism, that analyzed data for over 10 million female travelers landing in Mexico from abroad over the course of the preceding year.
That alone proves Mexico is a dominant force in the solo female travel industry, but why are they flocking to Cancun and Tulum in particular?
Resort Zones Are Strictly-Surveilled
Lining the turquoise Caribbean, Cancun and Tulum are bustling resort hotspots that have long been established as low-risk destinations for foreign visitors landing in Mexico.

In Cancun, for instance, it's extremely common to come across police, or even National Guard officers, patrolling beaches along the well-frequented Hotel Zone, and if the sight of their big guns makes you uneasy, remember, criminals are seeing them too.
Tourist areas in both cities are strictly surveilled, with not only law enforcers promptly available to come to their rescue but CCTV cameras on most streets ensuring the safety of women.
It's not like you should be wandering around deserted, poorly-lit back streets at night, unaccompanied or not, as petty crime and pickpocketing remain a huge problem, but then again, it's not something that exclusively affects women.

Quintana Roo Is One Of Mexico's Safest States For Women Tourists
Cancun and Tulum are located in the state of Quintana Roo, which occupies the western portion of the Yucatan Peninsula, where it meets the Caribbean Sea, and it's been defined by the U.S. authorities as a Level 2 destination.
Although this does not pertain to solo-female travel-only, the advice notes that, despite crime being an issue in the state, Americans are not discouraged from visiting and are told instead to exercise ‘increased' caution.

In other words, leave your valuables in a hotel safe, don't be recklessly adventurous in visiting untouristy, crime-ridden areas in the Cancun and Tulum suburbs, and steer clear of unusually quiet patches of coast, and you'll be just fine.
Additionally, throughout 2024, there were limited reports, if any at all, of violence affecting female tourists in Quintana Roo, and in Cancun and Tulum in particular, and this includes assault:
Regardless of gender, Mexicans are one of the most welcoming, friendly people on the planet, and most women who travel the country are treated with the dignity and hospitality they are owed.
Women Are Safe In And Out Of Resorts

Let's be real for a second: female travelers are usually a lot more cautious than their male counterparts in planning a trip abroad, as they may be exposed to sex-based violence men do not face on a daily basis.
It's not like they're getting constantly catcalled or being under the watch of perving eyes as they walk down the street, and we're all familiar with the stories of women being subject to male violence in their own hotels in developing countries.
India, we're looking at you.
Well, not in Mexico:

It's a good thing there is a vast choice of perfectly-safe accommodation, where only well-trained staff who are respectful of guests and will not overstep their personal boundaries are permitted to work on the premises and with a whole range of world-class services on-site.
Cancun and Tulum's waterfront hotels are often equipped with spa facilities, luxurious room amenities, amazing restaurants, and even private beach access:
In sum, if you're flying to Mexico as a woman with the sole purpose of unwinding, pampering yourself a little with a spa treatment, and being at peace with yourself without the constant fear of harassment on a public beach, you won't be disappointed in the local all-inclusive resorts.

In fact, you'll be treated like royalty.
Cancun And Tulum Are Extremely Tourist-Friendly
On top of that, Cancun and Tulum are usually preferred by female travelers due to the plethora of guided activities offered by these cities.
Whether you're based in one or the other, there are numerous amazing attractions and day tours to keep from, and as a woman, there's nothing more convenient and safe than exploring a foreign country as a part of a group led by a knowledgeable, professional guide.

From Tulum, women can safely book tours to visit off-the-beaten-path cenotes filled with turquoise waters for only $39.99, or even go swimming with sea turtles and get up and close with the Mexican Caribbean's diverse marine life on a day trip to Akumal ($67.10).
For the girlies based in Cancun instead, it's just as much fun:
Attend a cooking class and go to a traditional Mexican market resort-goers often bypass ($65.46), book a slot at the well-frequented Coco Bong Beach Party ($65), or take the boat out to Isla Mujeres for the day:
Spanish for Women Island, this peaceful, offshore haven a short half-hour ferry ride from Cancun offers white-sand beaches lapped by turquoise waters, and very low levels of crime, even compared to the already-safe Cancun Hotel Zone.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.