Mexico City Overall, it is safe as the government has increased police presence in most neighborhoods in recent years.
However, you should always be careful. To ensure you have a safe trip, there are a few things to keep in mind when visiting Mexico City. Read on to find out more about that.
LATEST NEWS from MEXICO:
February 19, 2024 – Murders in Mexico City reportedly cut by half by 2023
According to official data, there is a feeling of insecurity among the general public improved and the number of high-impact crimes, such as murder, kidnapping and theft, has fallen overall since 2019.
Most surprising of all, the number of homicides in the nation’s capital appears to have fallen by half.
Mexico City’s murder rate has fallen to 8 per 100,000, which is comparable to US cities such as Los Angeles and Phoenix. The country’s murder rate was 25.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022, with murders exceeding 30,000 for the fifth year in a row.
Hundreds of remote workers from the US and Europe are moving to Mexico City for a lower cost of living.
Official travel advice
US travel advisory for Mexico City
According to the US Department of State, travelers should do so exercise extra caution because of crime.
There is violent and non-violent crime everywhere in Mexico City. Be extra careful if you are far from popular tourist areas where police presence is more frequent. Please note that petty criminal activities are common in both tourist and non-tourist areas.
Travel advice for Canada
The Canadian government advises its citizens to take the following precautions when traveling to Mexico -in general-.
- Stay constantly vigilant.
- Stick to tourist areas.
- Be extremely careful on major highways.
- Avoid traveling during the night.
- Stay informed of reports in the local media.
Additionally, they claim that protests and roadblocks are frequent across the country, saying they often occur in:
- Mexico City, including to and from the airport
- The states of Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacán and Oaxaca
They also warn that these events may not end immediately, which could lead to shortages of fresh food, medicine and fuel.
Areas to avoid in Mexico City
In Mexico City, areas such as Tepito, Neza, Ecatepec, Doctores and Iztapalapa are unsafe.
Doctors are safer now, but you still need to be extra careful when visiting.
If you fly to Mexico, you will arrive in Neza because this is the area where the Benito Juarez International Airport is located. So be careful.
Finally, even the locals consider Tepito extremely dangerous. So avoid this area as much as possible.
Common scams
While it’s highly unlikely that anything bad will happen, you should be aware of these scams if you’re considering a trip to Mexico City.
Watered down drinks: Sometimes bartenders serve watered-down alcohol from pre-mixed bottles or deliberately cut back on the alcohol content. To avoid falling victim to this scam, only patronize reputable drinking establishments.
False money: Keep a close eye on vendors or cashiers in Mexico City to avoid being shortchanged or having your bills mixed up without your knowledge. Minimize this risk by paying with exact change where possible and remain vigilant.
Express kidnappings: Express kidnappings are among the scariest scams in Mexico City. In these incidents, a fraudulent taxi driver may kidnap you and force you to withdraw money from various ATMs. Although it is extremely rare these days, it is essential to remain vigilant and exercise caution.
Expensive and/or fake souvenirs: One of the most common scams in Mexico City involves the sale of overpriced or counterfeit souvenirs presented as genuine or more valuable. Exercise caution, especially when purchasing jewelry or silver items, and be wary of claims that something is an ‘authentic relic’.
Virtual kidnapping: Ironically, if you have a decent command of the Spanish language, you could become a target for this scam. Occasionally, strangers on the street may ask you to complete a form or survey, which requires you to provide a contact number. Later, you may receive a call from someone falsely claiming to have kidnapped one of your friends or family members and demanding a ransom for their release. If this happens, stay calm and just hang up.
Fraudulent ATMs: Beware of streetside ATMs that are not affiliated with banks as they can swallow or clone your card. Minimize this risk by only using ATMs in banks and never leaving your credit or debit cards unattended.
Safety Tips for Mexico City
- Familiarize yourself with the emergency contact numbers: Keep a list of essential numbers, both on your phone and on a separate sheet of paper. In Mexico City, dial 911 for the police and call ambulances and fire brigades on 066 or 080. In addition, make sure you have the contact details of your home country’s embassy and any personal emergency contacts with you.
- Mix in: Make sure you don’t stand out by dressing appropriately for Mexico City. Avoid wearing shorts, sandals and tank tops when local clothing usually consists of jeans and sweaters. By dressing appropriately, you can blend in seamlessly with the urban environment.
- If you are confronted with a robbery, refrain from resisting: Prioritize your safety over material possessions. Let the perpetrator take what he wants because belongings such as wallets, phones and money can be replaced.
- Keep copies of travel documents accessible: Please bring photocopies of your travel documents to present upon request. Please inform all persons requiring documentation that the originals are kept at your hotel.
- Use safe transportation options at night: Especially if you’re traveling alone, opt for authorized taxi ranks or use ride-sharing services like Uber instead of hailing taxis on the street. Make sure your taxi driver uses the meter to ensure accurate fare calculation.
- Acquire basic skills in the Spanish language: Given the lower prevalence of fluent English speakers in urban areas compared to beach locations, learning essential Spanish phrases will help you navigate your environment.
- Be careful when handling cash: Only take the amount you need for the day, preferably split between two different locations for extra safety. Be vigilant when withdrawing money.
- Take into account the local cuisine: To avoid illness, you can visit the food stalls recommended by locals, ensuring both reliability and affordability. Additionally, opt for bottled water instead of tap water when in Mexico City.
- Hide valuables: Avoid displaying flashy items such as flashy jewelry or designer watches. Carry your camera in a bag instead of around your neck, and keep wallets and purses in less accessible pockets.
