Solo Travel in Mexico

All of a sudden at the start of the pandemic; only one country was allowing  tourists to enter. 

And it was Mexico.

Swooning in gratitude, after a 3-month stint working in Crater Lake National Park, I bought my plane ticket, stored my van, and flew to Puerto Vallarta in October 2020.

Photo: Crater Lake National Park

Relaxing into Mexico after booking a two-night stay at Encino Hotel, check out the prices for your dates.

Encino Hotel is 2 blocks from the ocean. This was the key to well being and gratitude after months of losing my traveling the world life as I knew it.

As a matter of fact I ended up staying at Encino Hotel for two months. Why?

Perfect Location, a safe place to stay in Mexico, and a friendly hotel staff.

And I made friends with the manager and we’re still in touch now! She’s the first person I visit when I go to Puerto Vallarta. 

Solo travel in Mexico comes down to this: where is the most safe accommodation for your journey?

 

Photo: Encino Hotel Rooftop Terrace

Many people warned me, “But its Mexico isn’t it dangerous? How can you go by yourself?”

After visiting Mexico 14 times solo, and staying longer each journey here’s what I have to say.

Mexico is a Big Ass Country. Jungle, mountains, gorgeous beaches, and more!

You can book something for a few days when you land and then figure out another solution when you have boots on the ground.

Yes there are dangerous areas in Mexico. Things do happen.

Lots of shootings in the USA too.

But I go to bed at 10PM and wake up at 6AM to go swimming in the sea when no one is there except the birds. No vendors hawking sun hats or shrimp on a stick.

One day I was walking to the beach at 7:30AM and saw police tape around a nightclub a few blocks from my hotel.

Discovering there had been murders a few hours previously and 2 people were killed I thought I’m happy I go to bed early.

Did they catch the killer? No. And no one revealed any clues.

But here’s my answer.

It’s easy to stay out of nightclubs at 4 AM. (when the murders occurred)

Additionally, wandering the streets drinking and looking like a target = bad idea.

Certainly it’s simple not to do those things.

What do I like to do?

Photo: Sunset from Encino Hotel Rooftop Terrace, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Visiting Mexico, many people, myself included, like sleeping.

And after a full day of sun and Mexican food you crave a deep sleep in your bed.

 

Photo: Guacamole and Chips the authentic way. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

 

Another thing about the Encino Hotel where I stayed; I’d tell the front desk staff where I was going so they knew I was out on an adventure.

They accounted for me and gave me advice on being careful when I needed it.

This is something you don’t get when you rent an apartment.

This is where I walked every morning in Puerto Vallarta for my daily swim and for most sunsets in the photo below.

Many people were out walking at the sunset so you had plenty of company. And there are is a huge variety of places to eat on the coast path from humble to fancy. Stop for a drink or a meal, the choice is yours. 

And the sunsets are sublime.

Puerto Vallarta: Main Beach Area in the Romantic Zone

And my hotel wasn’t in a sketchy area so i felt safe returning home at night or leaving early in the morning. Always ask yourself how you feel as arrive and depart from your home base. 

Additionally this is a well-loved touristy neighborhood in the Romantic Zone/Old Town of Puerto Vallarta. Residents lived in this area too.

Most of the other guests staying in this hotel were Mexican tourists. Who travel far a and wide in their astounding country. 

At one point there was only one foreigner in the hotel – me.

Photo: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Private Terrace Encino Hotel

Certainly I liked the price. But not the wifi.

If you can manage to walk three blocks to the Danish bakery, Littenbrod, you’ll eat incredible cake, homemade bread, and drink excellent coffee in air-conditioned comfort with perfect wifi.

Because this place was more to my liking than working at the hotel on my laptop cursing the weak wifi. And staff was friendly and their chocolate brownies were divine!

One more thing, at the Encino ask for a room on the river side as these rooms have balconies overlooking the river and trees. So you have some nature to look at.

As well as the wifi being better on this side of the hotel. Still not perfect so just go to the Danish bakery, you’ll thank me later.

Photo: Last Night in Puerto Vallarta Mexico at the swank Casa Kimberly, Elizabeth Taylor’s former home

Photo: Iguana Tequila Cocktail – Casa Kimberly

 

After two months of sea and sun I wanted a change of scenery. Where to go?

Hearing about Oaxaca City being a foodie paradise, I thought this is for me! How do I get there?

Flying to Mexico City from Puerto Vallarta was the answer. And then I’d fly to Oaxaca City only 90 minutes from CDMX.

But did I check the pandemic rules in Mexico City?

Hell no.

Discovering Mexico City was deep in the red alert zone during the pandemic; most things were closed but bonus! My 4-star hotel was only $30 per night because no tourists were in town, except me. 

I loved the Hotel Astor (Check the link for your dates.)

This was my new home, so I stayed for a week because it was quiet, excellent staff, and close to a grocery store and coffee shops. 

If you’re looking for Mexico City Hotels this one should definitely be on your list. Why?

It’s a 4-star hotel in the San Rafael neighborhood, next to the Polanco neighborhood and not in the Roma and Condesa ‘hoods where everyone stays.

So the prices are lower and you’re near a huge grocery store, several intriguing coffee shops with excellent Mexican brew, and local eateries.

My favorite place to eat near the hotel is Porcino and they specialize in slow cooked pork and I can taste it now.

Never had better pork in my life. Yummy.

Things to do in Mexico City check it out here

Additionally at the Hotel Astor, book a room at the back of the hotel for more quiet from the busy street. And they have free parking which is helpful in a huge city if you want to keep your car safe.

But I suggest not driving in Mexico City as the traffic is atrocious.

So I fell in love with this exceptional city while working on a new book and eating scrumptious food. All things considered it didn’t bother me museums and public monuments were closed.

Besides so many family restaurants were open! And the streets were bare naked empty.

Walking from my hotel to the historic center was all the exercise I needed.

6 kilometers round trip. Walking to and from the zocala. 3.7 miles for those in the USA.

 

Photo: Mexico City with Espresso

Things to do in Mexico City: go to Merced Market, eat where your nose leads you, walk in the Historic Centro.

I’ll be showing you more in a new post.

Next Stop Oaxaca City!

Landing at the airport in Oaxaca was a breeze.

White vans are waiting for you to whisk you into town for about $5USD or 105 pesos. You pay the driver directly. No need for a taxi.

I’d booked an apartment which didn’t work out as the barking dog next door who never stopped howling and the construction on the other side of my interior wall resulted in pounding eardrums and continual chaos.

I like to sleep at night.

I moved to a Hostal Nabu Nandoo which isn’t a hostal, it has apartments, private rooms, and/or shared bathrooms. But there was no actual sharing as there were few tourists in the pandemic staying at this hotel.

This is what I do when I’m not sure I’ll love my new lodging. Audition the lodging for 48 hours. What happened?

Photo: Loved this Italian coffee place across from the main cathedral; the view was mesmerizing

 

I stayed two months. Why?

Because…

I loved the rooftop terrace where I did yoga every morning.

Photo: Rooftop of Naba Nandoo

This private room was comfortable and had excellent wifi. The owner of the hotel was an engineer and owned an IT company in the building so they had super fast internet speed.

I could upload youtube videos! This isn’t something you can count on in Mexico.

Now I didn’t have to leave the building to work on my laptop. Another reason to stay.

And Correspondingly My Neighborhood was Brimming with Local Mom and Pop Mexican Restaurants

Additionally a meat, fruit and fresh vegetable market, a fish market, and my favorite massage salon was right around the corner. $50 for a 90-minute massage.

Is this heaven? Yes!

There is a lot to love about Oaxaca, check it out here

You can book these places in Oaxaca City if you’re going, perfect locations and excellent staff:

Hostal Nordes

Dainzu Hotel

Entering Mexico by plane, on foot, by car, and by bus I’ve been given 6 months to stay in this country. Only one time, the last time I came, they asked me “how long are you staying?”

They gave me 3 months. 

Gratefully I enjoy life in Mexico, why?

1. More bang for your buck.

2. Stunning beaches

3. Mystical Ruins where ancient civilizations lived

4. Cenotes, Mountains, and Jungles

5. Mexico City is the largest city in the Americas. Bigger than New York city.

Stay in this hotel, it’s the only place I stay in the city.

So my tips for solo travel in Mexico amount to this:

1. Stay in a good neighborhood, how do you know?

2. Read the reviews. Not just the first ten reviews, go back far into their archive.

3. Ask people on Facebook in expat groups for safe places to stay.

 

4. Get to your destination in the daytime.

Additionally, use Uber in Mexico City or the Didi app when you arrive from the airport unless you’re in Oaxaca, the vans are ideal. Why?

Low cost and efficient.

Don’t drink and drown.

 

Know your limit and never go past it. Your intuition and judgement are your guides so listen!

Have fun. Take photos. Come with us to Oaxaca City, Mexico (foodie paradise of the world) photography retreat September 19 to 24. Only 2 openings now!

Puerto Vallarta, Dusk Beach Walk on the Malecon

Finally finish writing your book and get it on Amazon! Starting a writing mentorship with me, it’s guaranteed you’ll complete your book and self-publish it on Amazon. 

Write me for weekly sessions here

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