My travel plans have changed and it looks like my options are to go solo or cancel the trip. I'm in my 40's and planning on staying at the Villa Del Palmar at the end of January.

Any suggestions? I've never been to Cabo before, but it sounds like a family/couple friendly place. What about for solo travelers - especially women? Are there places comfortable for singles alone - or will I stick out like a sore thumb and feel uncomfortable? Appreciate your feedback!

Just my opinion, but I'd never go to Cabo as a single woman. In fact, doubt I'd go there again under any circumstances. There are so many wonderful places to see in this world. Why there?? Please do a search on this site--you'll find a variety of opinions, but I'm far from alone wtih this one.

Can you change your destination? I have gone 1-2 times a year to Puerto Vallarta, about half those trips solo female. It is very welcoming, comfortable, safe, easy, fun. There's a Villa Del Palmar there too, are they related? Maybe you could trade reservations?

I'm with the poster above, Cabo is definitely not on my list. Not so say it can't be done, but I don't think I've ever seen a post about someone going solo to Cabo, like you said more for family and couples. And of the Cabo posts generally opinion seems 50/50 at best of those who have good things to say about the place.

Thanks for the responses. I already have the flight & hotel paid for - so it's hard to make the changes now without penalties.

I'll have to think on this one before I try to be too big of an adventurer!

I'm sure it will be fine as a solo female. I've never gone solo, but as long as you spend most of your beach time at your resort and stay out of the "meat market" discos, you should be just fine. I probably wouldn't walk arond the "downtown" area at night alone, but visiting restaurants, shopping, etc. will be fine during the day.

OK then, as a word of encouragement, I'd go solo before I'd cancel a beach vacation to Mexico... plain & simple.

As mentioned above if you stick with your resort and daytime activities, until you get a feel for the town, I can't imagine anything too terrible happening. It's the "meat market" clubs that seem to get a bad rap. Beyond that, I hear timeshare sales people are your most 'dangerous' proposition.

Buena suerte!

My wife and I just got back Jan 5th 2005 from Cabo San Jose. We walked everywhere and we never felt unsafe, even at nite. I hate to say this, but, the place SUCKS!!!! Not as bad as the the Bahama's, but damn close. Too bad you couldn't sell your tickets on Ebay or something. If I ever had to go back there I'd take a pile of books and never leave the beach. Hopefully you'll have a good time though and get to enjoy the nice weather (80's). As far as being a solo female there, I'd probably not worry about it too much. Good luck.

Message for taztaz

I noticed on a previous post that you would not remmend Cabo. Please share why you didn't like it. I've never been to Cabo but have many friends in Los Angeles that go once or twice a year and they love it. My husband and I have always been wary of going to Mexico because we are afraid of getting sick. Some of our friends have had some intestinal problems and food poisoning. Thanks!

I have been to Cabo 4 times, both with my wife and with buddies. It seems like people either love it or hate. Yes part of the town is poor and run down, there is prostitution, but we have never felt unsafe and almost all of the locals are very friendly and helpful. Villa Del Palmar is a good choice - we stay at La Estancia next door. Very nice. They have a great breakfast buffet on the covered patio looking out on the ocean. You can walk on the beach to the beach bars which are a lot of fun (beware the vendors!) but I would take a cab to town ($5USD). Outside of the rowdy bars like Cabo Wabo, Giggling Marlin and Squid Roe, there are several other upscale and quieter bars. I heard there is an art gallery/wine bar that is nice. Solomon's Landing on the west side of the marina is a good place to eat and hang out. The owner is American and a really fun guy - stops by your table to visit. Overall, I think the food and drinks are very reasonably priced (there are some very expensive places). Fresh homemade salsa and pico everywhere. The concierge at La Estancia is very helpful and could recommend some places. I'll bet you can meet up with another group of girls while you are there. Everyone is friendly and partying! Have a great time! We are going back Feb. 5-9.

I went down there by myself at Christmas 2003. Stayed at the Westin, hung out with the only other single woman of a certain age & her college aged daughter, but was out on my own, too. Had a great time.

Those who dislike Cabo probably dislike the very touristy part, but you can avoid that much of the time with a little effort.

There are all types of day tours (at sea, to the near by and more interesting towns, & going inland on various types of motorized vehicles) that you can take for fun during the day. There are spas. I'd recommend researching in advance, though. Buy the Fodors guidebook for help.

There is a Fodorite link on traveling by yourself in the Europe (or possibly the UK section) this site. It has suggestions for solo travel. Also, I've found that going early to a nice restaurant or eating at the bar is less intimidating for solo travelers.

To taztaz: Can you explain what "sucks" means to you about Cabo San Jose? Just booked a trip there, now wonder what is so awful about it. Lisa

We've gone to Cabo several times. And it is indeed filled with contradictions. Most of our stays have been at Pueblo Bonito Rose, which we liked a lot. This year, for a change, we're going to La Estancia, which is a short jog down the beach.
Compared to, say, Maui, Cabo is a lesser cousin. But then, Cabo is just a two hour flight from LA, while Maui is five hours plus. And most of the costs are similarly reduced.
And we do like Cabo a lot more than Mazatlan, which was beyond grimy.
Cabo has good beaches, some fun restaurants (I suggest either shrimp and beer, or beer and shrimp), a sort of undergrad wackiness. It's not great for shopping. But there's lots of golf and fishing, for those who golf and fish.
The biggest downside is the obsessive pushing of time-shares. Basically, you've got to beat the time-share people off with a stick. But then, we know people who make the time-share lectures part of their trip. The "bonuses" (free meals, free drinks, lots of discounts) greatly reduce the cost of their trip.