Travel

Solo travel in Oaxaca City: Know before you go

Globe Gazers · Jul 21, 2026 20:26 · 5 min read

Solo Travel in Oaxaca City: Know Before You Go — I’ve traveled all around the world by myself and my solo trip to Oaxaca City remains one of my favorites. When I chose to solo travel in Oaxaca City I had no idea how easily I’d meet people there, how comfortable I’d feel wandering the streets or even how many unique experiences I’d get to...

I’ve traveled all around the world by myself and my solo trip to Oaxaca City remains one of my favorites. When I chose to solo travel in Oaxaca City I had no idea how easily I’d meet people there, how comfortable I’d feel wandering the streets or even how many unique experiences I’d get to...

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So if you’re considering taking your own solo trip to Oaxaca City, Mexico then here is what you can expect, and some tips from a fellow solo female traveler who has actually been there.

Is Oaxaca city safe?

The number one question is, rightfully so: Is Oaxaca safe? My honest answer is that I have seen mixed answers to this, but I’ll give you my firsthand experience.

I felt very safe walking around Oaxaca City as a solo traveler. At least, during the day. I did not go out alone by myself here at night. In general, I’m more of an early-to-bed, early-to-rise person.

An elevated view looks over Oaxaca's cobblestone streets toward the impressive Santo Domingo church, framed by colorful blue, red, and yellow colonial buildings. Pink bougainvillea flowers in the foreground add a vibrant touch beneath dramatic, cloud-filled skies.

But intentionally, I did not go out alone at night much in Oaxaca City just in case.

One evening after dark, after a Temazcal ceremony, I did go to a food truck at the park around the corner from where I was staying to grab dinner. The area was familiar to me, well-lit and I felt safe here.

On my first night, I booked a food tour with a local guide that included pickup and dropoff very near my accommodations as well. This was my workaround when I wanted an evening out, but not solo.

During the day, I had zero qualms. And if I had been staying in an even livelier area, like centro, I probably would’ve been even more comfortable being out at night surrounded by lots of people.

Note that I cannot speak to Puerto Escondido or any other areas of Oaxaca because I spent all my time in Oaxaca City itself.

Where to stay in Oaxaca City Solo

A big part of feeling safe and comfortable as a solo female traveler is being selective about where you stay.

A quiet cobblestone street lined with colorful homes and murals stretches toward distant mountains under a bright blue sky. Utility poles, parked cars, and vivid painted walls capture the everyday charm of a residential neighborhood in Oaxaca.

Many travelers default to staying near centro, but after reading hotel reviews in that area I quickly realized that was not the right location for me.

Again, as someone who likes to sleep early and who needs quiet to sleep I knew I’d be miserable in the city center.

Apparently, it is loud there really late into the night. If you plan to be out late most nights or you don’t mind the noise then that’s likely a great place to stay.

But I much preferred the area around Jardin Conzatti, which is where I stayed. Here are a couple of great options for hotels in Oaxaca City:

Casa Carmen Xólotl is a lovely boutique hotel in Oaxaca City with only a handful of rooms available at any given time.

La Casa Carlota is another small, clean and cozy hotel near Jardin Conzatti which also includes breakfast each morning.

A colorful street in downtown Oaxaca features bright coral and pink colonial buildings framing an ornate historic building topped with a green copper dome. Parked cars, a yellow taxi, and pedestrians bring life to the cobblestone street under scattered afternoon clouds.

Jardin Conzatti is a beautiful little park and it’s pretty centrally located. It was easy for me to walk to anywhere I wanted to get to in the city in only 10-15 minutes. This included any tour pickup spots.

It’s also near a small mall that has a little grocery store inside, a nail salon (where I got a nice manicure) and different restaurants.

Plus, the area is generally calm and quiet in case you’re a light sleeper like I am. One thing to check for before you book your accommodations: make sure there is AC!

I visited in March and while the temperature was overall very comfortable in Oaxaca City this time of year, it would’ve been rough without AC.

I know because a friend I met on the trip was unfortunately staying in a place without it, and she was not happy about it.

What to wear in Oaxaca City

A traveler wearing a white off-the-shoulder top, flowing red skirt, sunglasses, and a matching red shoulder bag takes a mirror selfie in warm natural light. The casual travel outfit is reflected in a full-length mirror inside a modern room.

I always say, unless it’s outright disrespectful to the local culture then wear whatever you want as a tourist.

But personally, as a tourist often traveling by myself I prefer to blend in a bit and to err on the side of modesty.

Unless you’re in a beach town, Mexico’s fashion is generally on the conservative side when it comes to clothes.

For my trip to Oaxaca City in March, I wore maxi dresses and skirts some days. Other days, I wore lightweight linen pants. I also brought some thick-strapped tank tops and short-sleeve cotton shirts.

How to get from Mexico city to Oaxaca

The easiest, and in my opinion safest, way to get from Mexico City to Oaxaca is by taking a direct flight. The flight is only a little over an hour.

Rows of vibrant papel picado banners in blue, purple, pink, red, yellow, and green stretch overhead across a narrow cobblestone street lined with pastel buildings. A vintage streetlamp and potted plants add charm beneath a dramatic blue sky streaked with wispy clouds.

If you choose to go directly to Oaxaca after landing in Mexico City, make sure you allow enough time between flights.

When I landed in Mexico City from Chicago, it took a bit of back and forth and there was some confusion for me getting to the domestic departures part of Mexico City airport.

Luckily, I had given myself enough time to navigate around.

When you land, you’ll have several different options for getting from Oaxaca airport to Oaxaca City and all are pretty straightforward. The Oaxaca City airport is pretty small, and therefore easy to navigate.

Getting around in Oaxaca City

A weathered burgundy Volkswagen Beetle with a hand-painted black-and-white mural covering its door is parked along a sunny street in Oaxaca. The surrounding colorful buildings and classic architecture highlight the city's artistic character.

I found Oaxaca City to be a very walkable place. I walked from my accommodations to explore centro, the Jalatlaco neighborhood and beyond easily.

When I wanted to visit sites further out of the city, like Hierve el Agua or a locally owned Mezcal distillery I simply booked a guided day tour.

The only other time I needed to call a taxi was to return back to the airport at the end of my trip. Ask your hotel and they should be able to make these arrangements for you.

Is Oaxaca worth visiting alone?

I really loved my solo trip Oaxaca City and definitely think it’s worth visiting alone. There’s plenty to see and do, the city is culturally vibrant and the foodie scene alone is enough of a draw.

A quiet cobblestone street in Oaxaca is lined with pastel colonial buildings, wrought-iron balconies, and vintage streetlamps, with mountains visible in the distance beneath a sky of soft blue and golden clouds. A historic clock-topped building and small street vendors add to the city's timeless atmosphere.

Plus, of all the solo travel destinations I’ve visited I found it easiest to make new friends here for some reason.

After meeting fellow travelers in a cooking class, a big group of us went out for ice cream together.

Waiting for a food cart to open for dinner, I met a couple other solo travelers and we ended up having our dinner together.

On this Hierve el Agua day trip I met a new friend and we met up again another day to explore Oaxaca City together.

While I can’t promise this will be your experience as well, it’s possible! And maybe somehow easier to make friends while traveling in this destination in particular.