Staying Safe in Oaxaca

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there are some areas around Oaxaca City where it’s best to tread extra carefully, due to a number of recent robberies – both in the city centre at night and along a few of the local trails during the day.

If you’re out late, take a taxi home, or at least keep to busy and well-lit streets.

LOCAL TRAILS

In terms of riding, hiking, and running in areas close to the city, be especially mindful in the following areas:

  • Cerro del Fortín
  • The cross at the Torre de Microondas
  • The wall (El Muro) dividing the communities along Libramento Norte, before the road drops down to Viguera on the other side. Note that this road is used by some of our bikepacking routes and day rides into the Etla Valley.

I’ve marked pins for three areas on this map.

My advice? Be especially aware of your surroundings in these areas. If it’s a day trip to hike, run, or bike, try not to go solo, and aim to visit when they’re likely to be more busy – before 9am or so – leaving your money and phone in your guesthouse. The robberies aren’t targetted towards visitors as such, just anyone with a phone or with visible earbuds. Occasionally, bikes have been taken along the Libramento Norte too, by guys on motorbikes.

BIKES IN THE CITY

A few bikepackers have asked about leaving their bikes locked up around town. Whilst bike theft isn’t a big issue in the city, especially if you’re immobilising it with a stout lock, I never leave my bike unattended or out of sight. Many establisments, like coffee shops or restaurants, will find room to stash a bike, or I leave mine at home, as the city is small enough to explore on foot.

OUTSIDE THE CITY

Outside of Oaxaca, I would consider the countryside to be very safe. Still, if you’re camping in non-official, dispersed spots, I advise arriving late in the afternoon and camping out of sight of the road, or asking for permission from a landowner or with the local community.

As a general rule of thumb, being low-key with phones and cameras is always a good idea. Similarly, it’s best to keep small change handy, rather than pulling out a big wad of notes from your wallet, when you’re making a purchase.

Comments (3):

  1. Katie

    4 October 2023 at 6:26 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing resources. I booked flights today for a 3-week trip in November/December. Now need to decide which of your recommended routes to do while visiting. Can’t wait!

    Reply
    • Cass

      5 October 2023 at 9:54 am

      Have fun! Drop me a line via IG if you want to meet up for an early morning ride, if we’re around!

      Reply

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