Trip through Mexico

HI!
Im 20 and will be visiting Acapulco by the first week of March. I was planning on not coming back to the states for a while. I really want to get out and backpack through Mexico!I speak Spanish really well, but thats about all the help I'll have, and money I guess. But I need to know how safe or dangerous it would be for a girl to do this, alone? I've been to mexico before, but only in and out so I don't really know what to expect, except for some sense of freedom?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
THANKS! Reply to this

Hola. I have done this many times over the years (I'm 40 now) and although Mexicos political climate has changed over the past 20 years, I'm going to say it can still be done, safely and alone. I would first sit down and plan somewhat of an itinerary. You say you want to go to Acapulco but then where else? You have 180 days to stay, so plan wisely.

I would recommend staying out of the resort (beach) towns and work your way up into some of the most interesting and culturally satisfying towns (Guatalajara or Oaxaca would be a good start but I don't know if you want to head north or south) For those that don't know Spanish, I always recommend going to a school in one of the towns first and getting at least a working knowledge of the language. For you, not something you need to do...so I would just say practice due diligence, think safety and don't get yourself in situations where you might find trouble.

Please don't hitchhike. I could do it 20 years ago, but I wouldn't recommend it now. There are plenty of cheap buses to get around. Each town has tons of places to stay, but I would research this ahead of time and make connections to stay in locals homes instead. I find this to be the best way to experience mexico, plus its extremely cheap and you get home cooked meals...mmmmm!

Each town has something of great interest to do and see. That is why a game plan is so important. More than likely you will end up like me, not able to stop! and continue on to places like Guatemala or Nicaragua.
What ever you decide....good luck! Reply to this

Cabochick: How did you get in touch with the locals? Just by meeting them randomly?

I really need to work on my game plan and do more research on the small areas, those are the ones I really want to go.


and Joi: Thanks! :D Reply to this

The meeting part is the easiest part! Mexican people are extremely friendly and have that hospitality that can't be beat! For example, you could sit next to someone on the bus and strike up a chat, and next thing you are being invited to a fiesta or dinner. At the dinner you meet an aunt or cousin that rents a room out to you, and you spend a few days there before you move on. I don't know if I'm a really good judge of character but I never ran into trouble. Most mexican people away from the resorts are hard working, geniune people. They love being hosts. I love being in mexico by myself. I wander around and volunteer at a local community centre to improve my spanish (teaching english) My real life is in Canada which I have to go back to begrudgingly often. have fun planning! Reply to this

Thanks! see my travelblog called Hablo Espanol...Si Claro, for a story about my adventures staying with a family and going to school in La Paz. Reply to this