Safety for the lone traveling female?

[flounderin]

Guys...I have a trip coming up thursday that I've been planning for 6 months. As it stands now, my husband may not be able to go. I have only been to cozumel one other time with a dive group, so i was sort of oblivious to any real safety issues. (safety in numbers...right??) I'm staying at the casa mexicana and diving with aldora. I'll definitely want to be out after dark checking out the carnival activities. Opinions please!! Thanks.

[Diver Kat]

Guys...I have a trip coming up thursday that I've been planning for 6 months. As it stands now, my husband may not be able to go. I have only been to cozumel one other time with a dive group, so i was sort of oblivious to any real safety issues. (safety in numbers...right??) I'm staying at the casa mexicana and diving with aldora. I'll definitely want to be out after dark checking out the carnival activities. Opinions please!! Thanks.

You're staying at a nice hotel in town, diving with a very reputable dive op - so no worries there. . I have not stayed on the island alone, but I have walked around a bit here & there - back in the neighborhood - at night alone with no problems; taken cabs alone, etc. My personal opinion is that Coz is pretty darn safe. Worst thing might be having to eat meals alone!

[DandyDon]

It's reasonable to be cautious. Good for you for asking.

Cozumel is a reasonably safe destination. I do not know anything about the hotel, but it couldn't hurt to take some hotel room safety gadgets, like for the doors. I have never shopped for any, but have seen them around. Ebay "buy is now" probly offers some good ones.

As safe as it is there, it couldn't hurt to carry a loud whistle and small flashlight with you and wear fast shoes. Don't lay anything down; wear a fanny pack or backpack if needed to carry your handbag and camera.
Have a wonderful trip. http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/party/party-smiley-020.gif

[lulubelle]

Just use an extra measure of caution and you will be fine. I have on occasion found myself traveling solo after a wedding or something like that. My rule of thumb is to eat dinner early while a lot of people are still out, don't drink very much to keep your wits about you since you are alone, and be kind of ridiculously cautious when talking to men. I know it sounds like overkill, but those few things will keep you out of a lot of trouble. When I have traveled solo, I tend to talk only to women, couples, etc. You'll probably meet some folks diving to hang out with anyway. Have fun.!

[kathydee]

Haven't been to Coz but have been all over Mexico & to 22 countries - often budget traveling and solo. Good rule is to always go home when the local women clear off the street. Don't walk down the streets late at night unless you are in a group. Keep money/credit cards in different places in your room/on your person (inside a shoe sole works well). Don't carry a purse & if you are outside a resort don't dress to attract the guys. Careful about running off with locals.

If you head to the town don't dress flashy. If you are in a resort then I'd say no worries, but you may want to put pasport/cash in a safe.

Just use the same street smarts you'd apply in say New York or Los Angeles & you'll be fine.

I've been to places like India, Sumatra, Nepal alone - a long ways from any resort and these things work ;)!

[judydivescoz]

We planned a trip for Feb 15 in November and my husband canceled on me last month because of his work schedule. We have been to Cozumel many times over the years together. This will be my third trip solo to Cozumel. Over the years we have made friends on the island so solo is getting easier for me. Its much more fun to have dinner with friends so start with the people you are diving with, divers are a friendly lot and always like to share dive stories over dinner. Many of our diving and island friendships started just that way. I also like just staying in, reading a good book and going to bed early with nobody bothering me!
Like the other said, Cozumel is a safe place to be. I have been on the streets alone well after dark and have never had a problem. Casa Mexicana is in a great location for Carnival activities. Enjoy your trip!

[flatfoot40]

Since your are staying at a relatively good hotel and diving with a reputable op who will put you with other divers who will share your experiences, I would find out what they are doing for Carnivale activities and try to hook up with them. I have made many friends of inta-buddies and party with them regularly. I don't think you will have any problems there. As for safety in Coz. I would act like I do here in Chicago. Walk straight and confident, eyes and head up and searching, hands out of pockets. The person who said to wear a fanny pack or backpack was right on as well. Keep your hands free. Don't look like a victim and you ususally won't be one.

By the way, my wife and I will be there on Sunday the 15th, send me a pm if you don't have anyone to hang out with and we would be glad to have a drink or two and enjoy the Carnivale experience with you.

[McCainiac]

Keep your dive knife strapped to your leg after your dives and you'll be fine;)

[Dave Dillehay]

I feel that my wife and children can walk anywhere on this island, day or night, and not worry about anything. It has been that way since 1992 and not much has changed. This is one of the few places in the world that I could feel that way, that is why we are here.

In addition, you will have the chance to meet many others diving with you, including other single women, and safely hanging out should be no problem at all. I am sure that you will have a great time.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

[charlesml3]

Yea, you'll be fine. I bet whoever is on the dive boat with you the first day will be happy to have you join them for dinner. Divers are a wonderfully friendly bunch. Cozumel is very safe and you'll have a great time.

-Charles

[CZMDM]

This is one of the few places in the world where I have never, ever felt threatened. The island is a very safe place. The entire time I have lived here I have never heard of any tourist, male or female being accosted while on the island.

[DandyDon]

Now I feel a little silly with my suggestions, even tho I think they were good, general ones. While all the suggestions above have been good (other than the dive knife, which can get you arrested on land and at sea), there is that 1% exception to allow for.

[ddeborahdelamar]

I'm glad that Don backed off a bit. No need to worry about your personal possessions in your hotel room -- many of us have left tips in our rooms for the hotel maids only to find them exactly where we put them on our return!

Don't attract a "grab and run" -- keep your personal belongings in your control when you're in public places and bring a purse that fully closes vs. a style that someone could reach into (crowds are thick during Carnaval.)

As everyone has said, except for all the guys who will offer to take you for dinner or a drink ;), it's very safe for a woman alone!

[crd_kats]

I've been to Cozumel many times. It is a safe island and all the suggestions given here are good ones. I would like to reinforce the use of the Hotel safe as theft had occurred amongst my dive group on the morning of our return to the States. After packing, we went to breakfast and upon our return to our rooms realized our possessions had been "gone" through. Please be careful.

[DandyDon]

I'm glad that Don backed off a bit. No need to worry about your personal possessions in your hotel room -- many of us have left tips in our rooms for the hotel maids only to find them exactly where we put them on our return!
Haha I have had tips left. Maybe I should have added that my suggestions might be excessive, but she might feel better with those small measures.

Don't attract a "grab and run" -- keep your personal belongings in your control when you're in public places and bring a purse that fully closes vs. a style that someone could reach into (crowds are thick during Carnaval.)

As everyone has said, except for all the guys who will offer to take you for dinner or a drink ;), it's very safe for a woman alone!
Yeah, we do hear about pickpockets on rare occasion there, and the romeos. One Op told me how one of the DMs on my last group trip was notorious for hitting on the girls, but then I saw one of this Ops DMs playing the game.

I've been to Cozumel many times. It is a safe island and all the suggestions given here are good ones. I would like to reinforce the use of the Hotel safe as theft had occurred amongst my dive group on the morning of our return to the States. After packing, we went to breakfast and upon our return to our rooms realized our possessions had been "gone" through. Please be careful.
Now that is a new one to me.

I like electronic room safes where the customer sets the code; if the code changes, then you know. I do not like front desk safes. Just keep on hand money amounts small and withdraw more as needed at the ATM - and remember that you are requesting Pesos. First time I did that, I asked for 50 thinking dollars and got 50 Pesos, so had to do it again.

[Papa_Bear]

I don't care where you go as said don't act like a victim! Cozumel is as safe, or maybe more, than any place! I would still hang with dive friends you will meet, and take comfort and safety in numbers! It is just common sense and you will have more fun as we divers are very social for the most part! As a group ours has always taken lone divers under our wing and have divers that now only dive and travel with us because of it! Divers do and should look out after our own! Otherwise it will show up her;)

[crd_kats]

Now that is a new one to me.

I like electronic room safes where the customer sets the code; if the code changes, then you know. I do not like front desk safes. Just keep on hand money amounts small and withdraw more as needed at the ATM - and remember that you are requesting Pesos. First time I did that, I asked for 50 thinking dollars and got 50 Pesos, so had to do it again.

I guess I wasn't clear. We used the Hotel room safe. It's just we packed up our belongings the morning of departure, then went to breakfast. Upon our return to our rooms to pick up luggage and go to the airport, we noticed our luggage had been riffled through. Lucky the important stuff was still in the room safe.

[scubavaquera]

I have been to Coz alone for my last 4 dive trips and have never felt anything but safe. Of course, common sense is always a good idea, but in my experience you have nothing to worry about. I have always made good friends from the dive boats who have let me hang out with them if I wanted, and taken me out with them to eat, etc. I would not hesitate to tell you that you should go and not worry a bit. The island is charming, the people great, and you will make some lasting friendships!

[Diver Kat]

No need to worry about your personal possessions in your hotel room -- many of us have left tips in our rooms for the hotel maids only to find them exactly where we put them on our return! LOL ... I've taken to putting the tip on a pillow at the foot of the bed the last few trips. Otherwise they would often not touch it sitting on the dresser.

For other stuff, we use the hotel room safe, or on occasion I may throw an item back in my luggage and lock it up. I always travel with TSA approved locks, and once I unpack I normally put my carry-on bag in my larger suitcase and keep it locked - usually dumped in a corner, and no one messes with it.

[idocsteve]

Guys...I have a trip coming up thursday that I've been planning for 6 months. As it stands now, my husband may not be able to go. I have only been to cozumel one other time with a dive group, so i was sort of oblivious to any real safety issues. (safety in numbers...right??) I'm staying at the casa mexicana and diving with aldora. I'll definitely want to be out after dark checking out the carnival activities. Opinions please!! Thanks.

What a coincidence, I'll be there the same time as you!

(Just give me exact dates so I can finish booking the trip)

Remember, if they're a member of ScubaBoard, you can trust them!

:blinking:

[jlyle]

What everyone else has said, Cozumel is a very safe place. The local economy depends on tourism and crimes against visitors are frowned upon.

We know many women who travel solo. None of them has ever had any problems on the island.

Have a wonderful time, take lots of pictures and share with the board when you get home.

[Papa_Bear]

What a coincidence, I'll be there the same time as you!

(Just give me exact dates so I can finish booking the trip)

Remember, if they're a member of ScubaBoard, you can trust them!

:blinking:

I am sure you SEE it that way! ;)