Visiting Mexico City - recommendations, tips, warnings?

They eat crickets as street food Soylent Green is insects!

Just be careful using the subways. My husband got pickpocketed.

Only present hole upon confirmation of condom on penis to avoid a litany of STIs

(and buy RID in advance - you've been warned, GURL)

Be very careful. A good friend of mine was recently attacked and kidnapped in Mexico City. He fought like crazy to get away and ended up with a lot of bruises but alive. He knew that if he ended up in the car, he'd be done for. Express kidnappings are very popular where you will be abducted and taken to an ATM to give them cash. If you don't have the cash, they will beat the crap out of you. Don't walk alone especially at night,

My partner is from Mexico City. When we first met his family, I stayed there for a month. I’m American btw. I myself feel 100% comfortable going to Mexico City or anywhere else in Mexico but that’s because I have a person in my life that was born there and lived there until they graduated from high school that knows their way around. My recommendation as far as safety would be to make contact with a friend that is local to the city.

Before I continue, I just want to express my empathy for anyone that has experienced crime especially the person that ended up getting kidnapped, what a horrifying situation.

It is like any big city, if you don’t have an inside knowledge of every subculture, and every slang term then it can compromise your ability to tell exactly how safe you are. The population density is very high, and another thing to keep in mind is that it’s a lot like London really. Except people drive like Rome. Of all the cities that I’ve been to the behavior of people is more like London to be honest. Reason being when people encounter each other on the street, they are very polite and say pasale

Also, have a local friend drive you around, because the driving is challenging people drive in a rather aggressive way. There are a lot of traffic jams. That’s why some people use alternate forms of transportation.

There are certain areas of Mexico City that have very fashionable shops with designer clothing. The shopping areas are really impressive if you go to some of the nicer areas of the city. Also, the museums are really mind blowing. There’s a museum where some guys climb a pole stand on the top and then put ropes around their waist and feet and gradually lower themselves to the ground twirling around. It’s pretty impressive to see and I will never forget it. It’s at one of the biggest museums.

I hope you have fun. The weather there is always perfect, the food is incredible, the people are friendly and beautiful.

Thank you r5! We don't know any locals, but we won't be renting a car -- getting around either by Uber or subway.

I highly recommend the boat excursions at Xochimilco. It’s what the locals do on the weekend.

I was molested, but not in Mexico.

Mexico City is amazing, very much like NYC—but with tons of ancient history too.

Go see the anthropology museum. It a fantastic look at all the different peoples and empires of Mexico

You can go see a bullfight—but I got bored after about 2. Also went to see the house Leon Trotsky was killed in. It’s upkept by die hard communists who are thrilled to see Americans, who usually don’t visit, also, the Diego Rivera/Freida Kahlo house

Has Diana Kennedy weighed in to call everyone from America limited?

Please ignore R4, that’s my tip. He’s seen way too many bad crime shows on the tee vee.

I spent 8 days in CDMX and Oaxaca, ending a couple of days before the first COVID shutdown. It was one hell of a trip —so much good food, mezcal, history and good people. We hired a driver for certain trips out to historical sites, but otherwise we rode the bus, the subway or walked in the City. Never felt unsafe and never ran into any difficulties.

Authorized taxis are also very efficient…good drivers who deal with the usual traffic chaos with a sense of humor.

Yes to the museums! The National Anthropological Muesum is one of the coolest museums I’ve ever visited. So interesting in its design, and you do learn some good history.

The history museum in the park (the circular building, not the Castle) is also worth it: it’s the Mexican view of their historical relations with the U.S, etc. …see and learn

^ But you should go to the top and visit the Castle and gardens…and get some fried grasshoppers, too.🤓

Please have dinner at Tetelan:

You can buy Xanax otc. Stock up, bitch!

[quote] Express kidnappings are very popular where you will be abducted and taken to an ATM to give them cash.

You might want to look up what "kidnappng" means. That's called getting mugged.

Coyacan, Teotihuacan the pyramids and avenue of the dead a short bus ride from El Centro. when you need a break. The anthropological museum in Chapultepec park. Bella’s Artes great museum Don’t get me started on the food.

Keep a lookout for uncut tips...

Great tips so far, thanks all!

I’m going this winter too. The crime thing is so weird. The same with Bogota. I keep reading about major crime - like kidnappings, “don’t take your phone out in public” - but then lots of others are saying “it’s just like any other big city”. Not sure which one to believe. I don’t worry about using my phone in public, getting kidnapped-or even robbed really - walking min NYC at night. So - it’s a third world crime city or is it like a safe US city like NYC? (please stay away NYC crime trolls).

I've come across that phenomenon in my research as well, r22. There is a definite mixed message. My sense is that high-tourism areas are patrolled pretty closely but it also seems to be undeniable that violence from the organized crime that's rampant around the country occasionally spills into Mexico City. Certainly we plan to not drink to excess and stay out late, venture too far out of the well-traveled areas, etc.

There are, of course, bursts of random violence in most major US cities from time to time, too.

No different than NYC (well Manhattan) or L..A., in my opinion. Keep your wits about as you would in any unfamiliar city. For another comparison, I never had any issues in Sao Paulo, BA or Santiago either.

Go and enjoy!

I was just there for 12 nights and didn't do everything I wanted to do. It's an incredible place.

I ate at Quintonil and it was by far the best meal of my life and I am thinking of going back just to eat there again. (It was better than Pujol.)

Don’t drink the water!

Wait - is that $915 American dollars for an entree at Quintonil ?

I never felt unsafe at all. Tourist areas are well guarded.

Mexico City is amazing!! I'm shocked more Americans don't even consider it. The food is out of this world--and not a taco to be seen--it's delicious sauces ( I LOVE Mole) over your favorite meats and veggies.

Mex$

Thanks OP; I tried to start a thread on visiting Mexico City & all I got was one response saying "they'll kill you" and that was the end of that.

I'd like to visit Mexico City too, though I don't know anyone local & don't speak spanish. I did do some research, however & I planned to stay in a hotel near the Angel of Independence, which is close to many museums and work through the hotel for transportation. And of course don't go wandering around at night. Supposedly November/December is a good time to go because there is less tourism & many Mexicans travel to the beaches.

As travel goes, it's relatively close to the US & I've heard great things about the food & culture.

Xnay on the Xochimilco for me, too many families but Teotihuacan is a must do day trip. The last subway car is always the cruisiest and some lines are infamous. Excellent bathhouses to take a sauna and Get theater tickets for whatever is playing at Bellas Artes. Lime and tequila kills most bacteria, use both liberally.

R27, their prices are in pesos, and the entire tasting menu is about $225 or so in USD.

Travel advisory

We booked a boat cruise r7. Thanks for the recommendation!

I went for the first time a few years ago. My spouse has a conference there. I’m typically a scary cat and was terrified of staying in the city—even though we were at the St. Regis in Contessa district. But I soon overcame my fear!

What a fantastic city! You’ll be staying by the gay neighborhood. The food is outstanding. People super friendly and very tolerant as I stumbled my way through high school Spanish. Go the the Archaeology Museum, which is near where you’re staying. One of best museums ever.

Line for Frida Khalo museum was ridiculous so we went to Trotsky museum nearby. No one there and it’s fascinating.

A Mexican friend gave me a safety tip—take only Ubers, not cabs. Taxis notoriously tied to crime rings.

My spouse did get sick on our final day so take eating/drinking precautions seriously.

If you’re not too hung over, every Sunday morning the Paseo de la Reforma closes to traffic and becomes a massive pedestrian walkway. Go for a stroll and do some serious people-watching.

A must-see (for me anyway) is the Templo Mayor, a major archaeological excavation and museum in the Centro.

By all means take the metro, but I would avoid it on weekends, when the pickpocket gangs seem to operate — that’s when they got my friend and me.

I know how corny this is, but at the beginning of your trip you might consider going on the hop-on hop-off Turibus. Choose a route through the neighbourhoods that interest you and you’ll get to see more of the city than you might on your own. Hop off, walk around, have lunch, and then hop on again. We did it and were surprised by how much fun we had.

Absolutely spectacular!

We'll hear about the OP from David Muir when he gets kidnapped in Mexico.

No one will ever hear about you, g th bough, now or ever.

So kidnappings, gangs of pickpockets on subway - this is not sounding like just another “be alert” city. In Chicago, I don’t worry about that - and I take the El at midnight.

Love Mexican architecture and food!

I happened to be in Chicago for Mexican Independence Day—I saw tens of thousands of Mexican-Americans and other Mexicans in the streets having a great time…loud music yes, but a good vibe. You’d be fine and would enjoy the same in CDMX.

Because Chicago and Mexico City are basically the same, R42. In fact maybe OP should just go to Chicago? I think they have Taco Bell and everything.

No they aren’t the same—and no one said they were. But, to the point of the person who lives in Chicago and is afraid of Mexico City: there is no reason to fear going to CDMX.

How does it compare to Tijuana?

Laughing at this thread

My husband and I went to CDMX in summer 2019 and I had posted about it on DL hoping for tips and got all the Maiden Aunt Brigadeers reaching for the smelling salts because we were going to be kidnapped and sold for parts.

(There were some sane voices too.)

[bold]The upscale areas--Polanco, Condesa, Roma Norte and Sud, Zona Roas--are as safe as any North American city[/bold] In fact I was in SF a few weeks back and felt far more unsafe due to the massive number of homeless everywhere. The aforementioned areas are filled with interesting restaurants, coffee places, shops -- it feels like an upscale area anywhere. If you've ever lived in a city, you'll be fine. We wandered around the Centro area too and even took the subway and we were fine and never felt even vaguely unsafe. Ditto San Telmo and the area by the university.

[bold] There are great museums, many of which are in Chapultepec Park [/bold] which is in between the upscale areas. The history museum in particular was great.

[bold] Ubers are the best way to get around[/bold] - never cost us more than $5 US, and while the drivers rarely spoke English, they are plentiful and our Spanish was good enough to communicate with them.

[bold] Airbnb has a service where you can also book tours even if you are staying at a hotel [/bold] - we did a couple of them, they were all grad students or college-educated 20somethings with an interest in history or food or whatnot and small groups (one time it was just me and my husband and the guide) -- but great to go around with a local who is not trying to sell you anything.

[bold] TL;DR[/bold] Don't let DL's Maiden Aunties scare you off. It's a great city and not unsafe.

[bold] Three more tips[/bold]

• Locals refer to it as "CDMX" not "Mexico City"

• It gets chilly in the AM, even in summer and never gets that hot year round due to the elevation

• Because it does not get many American/Canadian tourists, few people outside of the very very touristy areas/hotels speak much English, so good to brush up on your Spanish

^ great post…matches up to my 2020 trip. Ignore the anti-travel aunties.

^^Also -- most more affluent Mexicans are white, meaning that they don't look any different than the white people you see in most US cities, meaning you will not stick out the way you would in Shanghai or even San Juan, PR. (Unless of course you are dressed like a gringo right down to the fanny pack.

Great post r46 thanks.

[quote]I’m going this winter too. The crime thing is so weird. The same with Bogota. I keep reading about major crime - like kidnappings, “don’t take your phone out in public” - but then lots of others are saying “it’s just like any other big city”. Not sure which one to believe. I don’t worry about using my phone in public, getting kidnapped-or even robbed really - walking min NYC at night. So - it’s a third world crime city or is it like a safe US city like NYC? (please stay away NYC crime trolls).

I spent 4 months in CDMX last year and a month in Bogota this year - never had any problem or felt in danger. If one has street smarts, doesn't wander around late (especially after drinking), and sticks with Uber over regular cabs, I think you can reduce your risk of being a victim by 90%. Obviously in big cities, there's always the off chance that you might just be really unlucky. But I have felt more sketched out in NY and LA with all the mentally ill and drugged out homeless than I did in CDMX.

OP didn't say when he was going, but if it is during Dia de Muertos, there are a lot of cool things to see and experience. They put up decor along Reforma and in different parks and museums, there's a big festival in Coyoacan, and the parade (a recent invention after they had it in some James Bond film). It was my favorite time to be in the city.

Chapultepec Park is my favorite urban park in the world. I spent endless days exploring all it has to offer. I also recommend going to San Angel for the weekend fair and to check out some beautiful old homes.

r50 we leave on the 28th, in retrospect wish we'd stayed long enough to see Dia de Muertos. Hopefully we'll at least be able to see some of the decorations going up, etc.

Here's your vacay in ole Mexico!

Good thing random acts of violence never occur in the US. 🙄

The story at r52 makes no sense. Sounds like a drug encounter gone bad.

That's in Cancun, not CDMX.

Cancun is the Myrtle Beach of Mexico, the guy is from SLC (probably MAGA) & probably got lippy with someone about "how we do it in the USA" and a local decided to show him how they do things in old Mexico (and this story is on Fox News).

OP, you may want to follow Trevor Scott (Austin morning anchor) on Instagram. He’s there right now and is posting some really charming ideas.

I want to go here is it in a safe area? I’d like to visit Mexico in 2023.

What do you consider safe?

I'd be more worried about reentering the US!

I just realized this thread is 100 years old.

Some moron bumped it for no good reason.

[quote] I'd be more worried about reentering the US!

I'd be more concerned about her reentering!