Is Oaxaca Safe? What 10 Years of Living Here Has Taught Me.

Is Oaxaca safe? For tourists, the answer is yes. Oaxaca consistently ranks as one of the safest states in Mexico, and in 2024, it welcomed over 6 million visitors. For most travellers, safety is not a major concern.

I have lived in Oaxaca City for 10 years, and in that time, I’ve never had any trouble, been pickpocketed, and have always felt safe. That doesn’t mean crime doesn’t happen—it does—but with basic awareness and common sense, you can reduce the risk and explore Oaxaca with confidence.

As a father to a 7-year-old, I experience Oaxaca’s safety firsthand in everyday life while also staying informed on what’s happening through local news. This guide will give you an honest and balanced look at what to expect while visiting Oaxaca.

It’s also worth noting that, apart from petty crime, foreigners in Mexico are often safer than locals. Serious crimes against tourists are rare. Why? Because when crimes happen between locals, they often go unresolved due to corruption or lack of investigation. Criminals tend to avoid targeting foreigners due to the increased attention it draws. While no place is completely risk-free, Oaxaca remains a safe and welcoming destination for visitors.

Oaxaca is one of the safest states in Mexico

Oaxaca is a top destination for travellers, expats, and digital nomads—not just for its rich culture and food but also for its relative safety. With that, tourism continues to boom.

While crime exists, most incidents that affect tourists are petty, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, or, on rare occasions, muggings—mainly in tourist areas like Oaxaca City Centro. During the pandemic (2020–2023), when the economy was struggling, there was a noticeable rise in muggings on foreigners, often following a pattern: people walking alone or in small groups at night, sometimes encountering armed robbers. However, since then the situation has improved in 2024–2025, though it’s always wise to stay cautious.

Violent crime against tourists remains rare, and most visitors experience Oaxaca without issues. By staying mindful of your surroundings, avoiding isolated areas at night, and taking basic precautions, you can enjoy everything Oaxaca has to offer.

Is serious crime and cartel violence a concern in Oaxaca?

Like anywhere in the world, serious crimes and shootings do happen in Oaxaca, but they are rarely seen in tourist areas. Most incidents tend to occur on the outskirts of Oaxaca City away from tourist areas or in small towns between known parties. As a visitor, it’s highly unlikely you’ll witness or even hear about these events.

When people think of Mexico, cartel activity often comes to mind. While organized crime does exist in Oaxaca, I have never seen it and it is not a major concern for visitors. For tourists, this has little to no impact on daily life or travel plans.

The best way to avoid any issues:

• Stick to well-traveled, tourist-friendly areas.
• Avoid any involvement with drugs or illegal activities.
• Be cautious in isolated areas, especially at night.

Is Oaxaca safe for tourists?

Oaxaca is a safe place to visit for tourists. That is one of the reasons why tourism is booming. Not that you can become complacent, staying vigilant is key, just as you would in anywhere in the world you travel.

With a big lucrative tourism industry and huge traditional celebrations such as Day of the Dead and the Guelaguetza, Oaxaca works hard to keep tourists safe. And you will feel safe in Oaxaca. There’s also lots of police presence in tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido and Huatulco. If you’re interested in visiting smaller artisan villages and are unfamiliar with the ins and outs of Oaxaca and Mexico, it’s best to do it with a guide. Here’s some Top tours to do in Oaxaca City .

If you see any demonstrations or protests happening, while they’re always relatively peaceful, it’s best to just steer clear of them. They can be quite frequent in Oaxaca City.

10 Safety Tips to Keep in Mind while in Oaxaca.

1. Trust your gut – If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
2. If you’re robbed, don’t resist – While violent robberies are rare, resisting can escalate the situation. It’s not worth the trouble.
3. Always take a taxi at night –Even if you’re only going a few blocks. The taxis are cheap enough and not worth the risk walking the streets at night.
4. Be cautious at ATMs – Tourists are likely to take out high amounts of cash at the ATM. Use ATMs during the day and preferably inside banks for added safety.
5. Don’t carry large amounts of money – Just take you what you need with you for the day.
6. Keep valuables out of sight – There’s no need to showcase all the bling, expensive watches, big cameras. This just makes you a target.
7. Limit cell phone use on the street – As a foreigner, you may be targeted for phone snatching. Stay aware when using your phone in public
8. Don’t get too drunk – We’re all guilty of having a few too many beers while on holidays. Just be mindful of your surroundings and have someone with you. Also respect the mezcal, it’s powerful stuff!
9. Never leave drinks unattended – This is a basic safety tip worldwide. I’ve never heard of drinks getting spiked in Oaxaca, but it’s always a possibility.
10. Know earthquake safety procedures – While large earthquakes are rare in Oaxaca, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic earthquake safety in case of an emergency. Know the alert siren, and download the SkyAlert app.

Is Oaxaca safe for families?

Oaxaca is generally a safe and family-friendly destination. I live it every day here with my son. Oaxaca City is full of family-friendly activities, from strolling along the lively Andador, relaxing in the Zócalo to playing in El Llano Park where there’s jumping castles and other kid friendly things to do. Families can also enjoy day trips to nearby artisan villages, where kids can see traditional crafts up close and tour workshops. For nature lovers, there’s plenty to explore just outside the city.

We often go down to Puerto Escondido which is also very family friendly. Since the opening of the new Oaxaca City-Puerto Escondido highway, lots families are heading down there for weekend trips. The beaches are full of kids 😊

10 fun things to do with kids in Oaxaca City.

Is Oaxaca safe at night?

Oaxaca is mostly safe at night if you use common sense. Walking through well-lit areas like in Oaxaca City around the Zócalo, the Andador Turístico up to Santo Domingo Church is no problem—these spots are lively with families, street vendors, and occasional events.

Outside popular bars, you’ll find people, food vendors and taxis either waiting driving past to be waved down.

Just always take a taxi after dark to get back to your hotel. Oaxaca City is small as with the towns along the coast and just a block or two from the main center, streets can quickly become dark and empty.

Are taxis safe in Oaxaca?

Taxis in Oaxaca are generally safe, both in Oaxaca City and along the coast, especially during the day. Whenever possible, it’s best to take a taxi from a designated taxi rank, but hailing one from the street is usually fine as well.

For added peace of mind, you can take a photo of the taxi’s license plate or the company information and taxi number displayed on the side door. If the driver notices, you can simply mention it’s something you always do for safety—this is not uncommon, especially for solo female travellers.

In Oaxaca City, the yellow taxis are the most common and recommended option.

While there’s no Uber in Oaxaca, DiDi operates in and around the city. However, it can be unreliable as many drivers cancel rides if the fare isn’t worth their time. In fact, the DiDi drivers are just the same yellow taxi drivers you’d hail on the street.

Always confirm the fare before getting into a taxi, as overcharging tourists is very common. Agreeing on a price upfront helps avoid any unwanted overcharging surprises at the end of your trip.

Is it safe to drive in Oaxaca?

Driving in Oaxaca is generally safe, but it comes with challenges, especially if you’re not used to Mexican roads. In the city, traffic can be hectic and other drivers are very unpredictable. You’ll also come across the occasional roadblock or protest too.

Rural areas and coastal routes offer scenic drives but may have narrow, winding roads, potholes, and limited lighting at night—so daytime driving is recommended.

Always keep an eye out for speed bumps (called topes), which can appear suddenly, and they’re everywhere! With caution, basic road awareness, and avoiding nighttime travel in remote areas, driving in Oaxaca can be a convenient and rewarding way to explore.

Just be careful out on the highways. The roads are sort of one and half lanes wide each side. So there’s lots of random overtaking and organised chaos where you will need to move over a bit. It can be quite dangerous at times and unfortunately, there’s lots of serious accidents on the roads in Oaxaca. Especially on the new highway.

If you’re looking at driving any longer distances, be sure to do it during the day.

How to get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido on the new Super Highway

Is public transportation safe in Oaxaca?

Yes, public transportation in Oaxaca is safe for the most part, especially for tourists who take basic precautions. You just need to be wary of pickpocketers. The local buses get overcrowded, creating the perfect opportunity for thieves to operate.

Put your wallet and your phone in your backpack or bag and keep it in front of you, not on your back. It’s not uncommon to have someone going through your backpack while on a packed bus.

ADO premium coach buses are the preferred bus service for longer distance travelling. Safe and reliable. Mini-vans are common to get the mountains and to the coast. Try and travel in the minivans during the day and not at night. There has been a bit of a rise in mini-van accidents recently, and they usually happen at night. Something to take note of.

How to get around Oaxaca City

Is it safe to live in Oaxaca?

Oaxaca’s rich culture, colorful traditions and lower cost of living has seen many Expats move to Oaxaca as well as Digital Nomads for months at a time. Most will live in Expat friendly areas which makes it a relatively safe place to live.

Obviously, crime does exist, but incidents are typically isolated. Connecting with locals and expats through Facebook groups like Expats Oaxaca can provide valuable real-life insights in English. For all local news, it’s best to be in local groups. If you’re considering moving to Oaxaca, learning Spanish will greatly enhance your experience, as English is not widely spoken.

Top 100 Mexican Slang Words you need to know.

Natural disasters and safety

Oaxaca has its fair share of natural disasters. There have been a few big earthquakes in recent times that have been disastrous. I wrote a post on Earthquakes are a part of life in Oaxaca here you can have a read of.

Along the coast, hurricanes can hit with great force. If travelling along the coast, you will need to watch out for any hurricane warnings and be prepared to evacuate inland if need be. Hurricane season is around September-October.

Can you drink the tap water?

No. Tap water in Oaxaca is not safe to drink, even for locals. You’ll have to either buy your drinking water or it will be supplied in your hotel or AirBnB. I still use the tap water to brush my teeth, but if you’re concerned, just use bottled water.

I’ve written a whole post on drinking water and how to buy it if required.

You can’t drink the tap water in Oaxaca. Here’s how to buy your drinking water.

Safest neighbourhoods in Oaxaca City

You really need to choose your accomodation wisely. Staying in a good part of town can highly increase your chances of avoiding any sort of trouble.

You want to be staying in safer tourist areas like right in Centro, Jalatlaco, Reforma or Xochimilco. And you don’t want to be staying anywhere near the Mercado de Abastos, on the west side of Centro.

Not sure where to stay? Check out this guide to Oaxaca’s best neighborhoods.

Safety on the coast

The coast of Oaxaca has a relaxed vibe and is generally safe to visit. Popular tourist destinations include Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, along with smaller beach towns like Mazunte and Zipolite.

One thing you need to be cautious about is the swimming conditions. Stick to swimming at beaches with lifeguards and stay within their sight. There’s a lot of virgin coastline, so if you’re exploring more remote beaches, you’ll have to pay closer attention to rips, currents, waves etc..

And a reminder that Hurricane season on the coast is around September-October.

Dengue

In Oaxaca, Dengue is more common during the rainy season, from June to October, when mosquito populations increase due to standing water. Cases tend to drop in the cooler, drier months from November to May.

To protect yourself:

• Use insect repellent with DEET.
• Wear long-sleeved clothing and pants.
• Eliminate standing water around your accommodation.
• Use window and door screens if possible.

Taking these precautions will help reduce your risk of dengue while visiting Oaxaca.

Is Oaxaca Safe right now?

I would say yes, right now in 2025 in my opinion. To keep up to date, you could join the Expats in Oaxaca Facebook group, or follow a local news pages like Noticias Oaxaca Voz e Imagen for instant local news.

Conclusion

Oaxaca remains one of Mexico’s safest and most welcoming destinations. The vast majority of visitors experience no issues, and while there are risks, they can be easily managed by staying aware of your surroundings, securing your valuables, and avoiding isolated areas at night.

Yes, petty crime exists, but serious incidents involving tourists are rare. Most travelers leave Oaxaca with nothing but great memories. By staying mindful, respecting local culture, and using common sense, you can confidently explore Oaxaca and fully enjoy its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality.

For peace of mind, check out some Travel Insurance options here.

Happy and Safe Travels and Enjoy Oaxaca ✌️