Solo travel to Mexico? (best answer guaranteed)?

Question

I want to head out to Mexico in January to see the Mayan temples and historical sites (Chichen Itza, Palenque) and caves. The thing is, I'm going alone, and don't want to pay for a package tour when I am over there as it's so expensive.

I'd like to ask a few things if that's okay.

1) Can I join up with tours when I'm over there? Is it easy to meet people?
2) Is it safe for a solo traveller?
3) Is it easy to get from place to place? What is the transport like?
4) Does anyone who has done this have any tips and recommendations? (maybe a link to a tour company/destination worth checking out)

I've always wanted to go to Mexico, so your help and advice will mean a lot.


Thanks

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Yes, you can. There are quite a few people who backpack in the area. There are many tours and in January you should have no trouble finding a room for the night as you move about the Yucatan.

The colectivo's are the public transportation for the area in addition to large "greyhound type" buses.

Be sure to do a little scouting around Playacar (the exclusive area just to the south of the ferry pier in Playa del Carmen). There are many mayan ruins in that area that are not on most tour companies routes. If you walk into Fase 1 of Playacar just past the Playacar Palace there is a well preserved temple (directly across from the Xaman-ha condos) that was used by the Mayan women before they took their fertility canoe trip to Cozumel.

A fascinating area. I hope you have fun.

Source(s):

http://www.travelyucatan.com/collectivo.…
http://www.alltournative.com/

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

The last lady who answered was excellent as well. Thanks all for your help.

Answer 2

yes you can. my dad did all of that and yes to all

Edit: My dad is American and there are a lot of Americans doing that.

Answer 3

1) You can easily find tours and tour operators once you're there. This region has loads of tourists visiting so it's both easy to meet other travels and locals and join in tours with your new friends as you travel.

2) Yes, it's safe. Just follow the common sense precautions you would do traveling anywhere.

3) You can save a lot by easily moving about as the locals do in buses and small vans.

4) check out some cenotes (limestone caverns) around Yucatan and cheap campground near palenque

http://www.toinquire.com/Gloria.htm

drop me a line if you have additional specific questions

Answer 4

Hola. Great questions. I travel throughout the world by myself and often have to pay more to be solo. I don't mind. I meet so many wonderful people and often get invited to more outings because I am by myself, than when I go with a companion.

Joining up with day tours are not hard in the areas you mentioned, but its when there is a accomodation you usually have to pay more for share. I find it very safe to travel through mexico by myself. Just make sure you have a good knowledge of where you are going, and know how to ask things in spanish. Public transport is actually pretty cheap, and very well organized especially long distances.

I haven't looked into tours for your area for a long time so I have no suggestions but where you said you were going is basically all touristy and therefore you will not have any problems. If you want to see the real mexico, places like Oaxaca and Guadalajara, mexico city are better.

I live here in Mexico solo and love it.