Mexico : Safety by City
- Acapulco
- Aguascalientes
- Cabo San Lucas
- Cancun
- Chichen Itza
- Chihuahua
- Cozumel
- Cuernavaca
- Culiacan
- Durango
- Ensenada
- Guadalajara
- Guanajuato
- Hermosillo
- Huatulco
- Isla Holbox
- Isla Mujeres
- Ixtapa
- Juarez
- Leon
- Los Cabos
- Manzanillo
- Matamoros
- Merida
- Mexicali
- Mexico City
- Monterrey
- Morelia
- Nogales
- Nuevo Laredo
- Oaxaca
- Piedras Negras
- Playa del Carmen
- Puebla
- Puerto Morelos
- Puerto Vallarta
- Queretaro City
- Reynosa
- Saltillo
- San Luis Potosi
- San Miguel de Allende
- Sayulita
- Tijuana
- Tulum
- Valladolid
- Veracruz
- Zacatecas
- Zapopan
- Zihuatanejo
Mexico City is the capital city of Mexico, divided into 16 boroughs all of which tend to preserve some of their original and unique characteristics.
Centro Historico part of the city is where many historic colonial landmarks, and the famous Aztec Templo Mayor, can be found.
Mexico City is a metropolitan city with 26 million people living in the region and most tourists will spend the majority of their time going around the city.
Frequently visited areas of Mexico City are the Centro, the old city center, and Zona Rosa, the new business and entertainment part.
Warnings & Dangers in Mexico City
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
You can feel completely free in Mexico City, as long as you remain watchful and stay in the touristic areas. The crime statistics show that crime is possible and frequent in Mexico City, but tourists are rarely targeted. Pay attention when approached by some people, since they might be thieves trying to rob you. If you do not want to look like a tourist, do not wear shorts, even though it is extremely hot.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
Because thieves operate on buses and subways, special attention should be paid if you happen to travel via the B line of the subway. The only safe taxi companies are Uber, EasyTaxi or Taxiaviso. Tourists should never catch cabs in the street. Metro is reliable and runs underground. Driving around by car is the least advised way of going around the city, due to the complicated road structure and reckless drivers. Be aware that traffic signals are not respected.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Pickpocket risk in Mexico City is high, especially in the crowded streets. In order not to attract the attention of thieves, it is advisable not to wear expensive things around with you and avoid isolated areas. It is always a good idea to keep a copy of your passport and visa with you and leave the original in your hotel room or safe.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Mexico is prone to natural disasters and it has experienced many very strong earthquakes. Mexico City is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, which contribute to its air pollution.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
The chances of being mugged or kidnapped in Mexico City exist and express kidnappings are usually performed by fake taxis. The best advice is that you never resist since they aim to force you to withdraw funds from your credit or debit cards, and not to injure you. However, if you resist, there might be more serious consequences.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There is no risk of terrorism in Mexico City since it is believed that the terrorist will not attack it.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Touristic places are attractive to scammers, who may try to scam you by doing magic tricks. Unlicensed taxis are the most usual scammers, who overcharge tourists or even take part in kidnappings. Be aware that groups of strange teenagers might try to distract you, while others will take your valuables or wallets.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Mexico City is a dangerous place for women that are not watchful enough and are not experienced travelers enough. It is advisable not to walk alone at night, and always travel by the women reserved cars in the subway and train.
So... How Safe Is Mexico City Really?
When in Mexico City, do not be afraid if you see a lot of police force patrolling since the historic center is patrolled in the early evening for the tourists to feel protected.
Being an extremely crowded place, Mexico City is prone to pickpockets and bag snatchers so it is advised to be aware of your surroundings.
Mexicans are usually very friendly and helpful, but some will try to use this to rob you, so do not trust everyone.
Taxi robberies are frequent, but 95% of the total kidnapping victims are nationals.
Another advice is not to leave anything of value inside your car and do not try to show that you are a tourist.
One of the keys to maximizing your safety in Mexico City is to blend in.
How Does Mexico City Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Mexico City | 45 |
| Acapulco | 63 |
| Cancun | 71 |
| Guadalajara | 62 |
| Playa del Carmen | 69 |
| Cabo San Lucas | 68 |
| Merida | 78 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
| Montreal (Canada) | 81 |
| Sydney (Australia) | 80 |
| Santiago de Chile (Chile) | 71 |
| Vienna (Austria) | 88 |
| Hong Kong (China) | 70 |
Useful Information
Visas
Whether you will need a visa or not when coming to Mexico depends on your nationalities. Citizens of the US, Canada, the EU, Israel, and Japan do not have to obtain it.
Currency
The Mexican Peso is the official currency of Mexico and this country is not so expensive, which makes it even more attractive for tourists. Mexico City is the most expensive city in Mexico, but still, a very cheap one compared to other metropolises in the world. ATMs can be found everywhere and it is safer to use ATMs during daylight hours and inside shops or malls.
Weather
Mexico City has a very good climate, which allows tourists to come throughout the whole year. The period from December to April is the high season. Mexico City has two seasons, dry one from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October.
Airports
Benito Juarez International Airport is the one that most travelers use when arriving in Mexico City by air. It is located in the eastern part of the city and has two terminals. There are frequent flights to and from larger cities in the world. Another airport in Toluca International Airport, 50 km southwest of Mexico City. Other major Mexican airports are in Cancun, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana.
Travel Insurance
Before going anywhere abroad, it is advisable to invest your money in travel insurance that covers all the possible incidents.
Mexico City Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 22 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 |
| Low °C | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
| High °F | 72 | 75 | 79 | 81 | 81 | 79 | 75 | 77 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 73 |
| Low °F | 41 | 43 | 46 | 50 | 54 | 55 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 50 | 45 | 43 |
A beautiful place
Mexico City is a beautiful place to visit. It might not be the safest around but I personally like it very much. Been there a few times already so I know the lay of the land and know what to look out for.
Is it safe?
Can you share more from your experience of being there a few times before? I am going there for work in about 2 months, is it safe for a family with kids to visit? thanks.
Amazing!
Been a couple of times, never felt unsafe even when traveling outside of the city. It’s a huge city so have your wits about you and you’ll be fine. There are certain areas to avoid but that’s the case with most major cities. Food is amazing, people are very friendly…not many speak English like they do in Cancun or PVR but overall a mazing city to explore.
Feels safe if you're aware of surroundings
It felt quite safe, especially compared to other places I’ve lived like Whitechapel in East London. I went by myself for a week (I’m a young women who doesn’t look Mexican) and it was fine – I just stayed in the popular areas, visited the major museums and the big park, and only walked around Roma Norte and Condesa at night by myself (no other areas). Otherwise, after dark I took Ubers (no taxis). I dressed nicely but nothing expensive and when in doubt, kept my phone out of view. Ubers are pretty cheap there so I didn’t take the metro at all – I don’t know what that’s like. Everyone was very friendly and I enjoyed my visit.
I would just say be street smart (don’t show it or talk about it if you have money, don’t carry your passport around, don’t get drunk by yourself, don’t explore random neighbourhoods you’re not familiar with, don’t talk to random people in the street, go in a store if you need directions, wear a cross body bag that closes and not a backpack, don’t dress like an American tourist – too casual, gymwear etc.)
My only big issue was that I had a lot of stomach problems even though I only went to restaurants recommended by friends so if you have a delicate stomach read reviews before eating somewhere and take probiotic supplements before and during your trip.
Act like a local. Stay in good neighborhoods.
Mexico city is a amazing city lots of things to do
And have fun. Museums. Historical places. Great
Gastronomical choices. Great night life.be courteously to Mexicans. dont be arrogant. act like a Mexican. Respect the culture. And way of
Life of Mexican.and you will have a great time
In this great city I’m Colombian. From USA and
I feel safe in Mexico than in my own country
I love Mexico and the Mexican peopke🇲🇽👍😍
México city a must visit!!!
Mexico city is a beautiful City with so much to see and do.
The tours from and in Mexico City are fantastic. Teóteuacan or Sun and Moon pyramid’s are a must see! The food is fantastic the people friendly! Plan a trip today. You will not be disappointed.
Should I visit?
I want to know if I should visit Mexico City or not, is it fun? are there good stuff to see? I wish I could just travel anywhere without fear, but I am concerned with all the horror stories I have heard on Mexico and drug cartels. do you think Mexico city is ok for me to visit?
Overall, I would say it is not “safe” but it is also not “unsafe”. If you stay in an area that has money, you have nothing to worry about but if you are going on a budget vacation, then you REALLY need to research where you are staying and the surrounding areas. There are lots to do, see, and plenty of great places to eat!
VERY SAFE
Most of the country (75%) is safe, most of the violence in the whole country is related to drug and is always between the cartels/gangs. Mexico City is just like any other city, it has its good and bad parts but most of them are good. Don’t be closed minded and ignorant, not the whole country is ran by cartels or violence, 50 million people visit Mexico and 99.99% of them don’t experience or see violence.
Reading this review
I get mixed feelings when reading this review, on one hand, the overall risk is medium, however, from everything I’ve heard of Mexico I always thought it was more dangerous than that, I going to go there anyway, just can’t help but feel like it might not be safe for my kids, we live in a small town where safety never felt like an issue before. any advice you can share will be appreciated, thanks!
Safe if you don’t go outside tourists hotspots
Having lived in MC for half a year when I got to explore both the good and the bad.
Areas populated with tourists are safe, you might see the occasional pickpocket but a trained eye will immediately catch it. If you travel by subway be careful when people are shoving into you, this is a go-to method to get close to you so they can empty your pockets. You can either keep your hand in the pocket where your phone/wallet is or use a waist bag, there’s a ton of cool ones now, not your usual dad waist bag. A paper copy of your id is enough, you don’t need to lug around the real deal, that’s another thing to worry about.
Avoid buying things in the street: expensive jewelry that has massive discounts to phones, you might find yourself having to go to the police station to declare how stolen goods ended in your possession. The same goes for tickets to spas or other activities, you should buy these directly from the source, not in the middle of the street.
Taxis are one of the things that annoyed me the most, they overcharge like hell and very often the conditions are awful, with unclean cars and reckless driving. We switched to uber after finally deciding we had enough, best decision ever!
Since things are usually happening here, I would check the travel advisory recommendations for the city before booking a trip. If they say to avoid a certain area/barrio, do just that. Don’t risk your life for the perfect Insta pic.
Their street food is an absolute must, the spicier the better. One word of caution though: scan the area and go for the vendor that seems to put more thought into preparing the meal, you want to look for clean hands, avoiding touching the food directly, fresh-looking ingredients etc.
Areas worth checking: Santa Fe, Xochimilco, Roma, Centro Histórico, San Ángel, Coyoacán.
Mostly Safe, One of a kind city
I have visited CDMX many times for prolonged periods and can say this city is not only extremely unique and beautiful, but it is actually very safe in the popular areas (which are the only areas most visitors will be in anyway).
Areas like Condesa, Roma Norte, Reforma, Polanco, Lomas, and Pedregal are safe during the day and night. There are many wealthy residents and tourists walking with expensive bags and such during the day in these areas.
You’ll find a near-infinite number of art and design galleries, historic museums, amazing restaurants, ancient sites, open plazas with fountains, and my absolute favorite feature of the city, the greenery! CDMX is covered in trees, plants, flowers, etc to keep the dust and dirt in place, but it ends up adding the most memorable charm to many neighborhoods. Condesa’s Calle Amsterdam has a center walkway covered in greenery and is one of the most memorable places to take a Sunday stroll before breakfast.
Polanco is the best place to go shopping or out for lunch, especially if you want to be seen. People dress their best in Polanco, and you’ll see many luxury stores and expensive cars up and down the main shopping avenue.
My favorite neighborhood, and the safest in the city, is Lomas (there are actually several Lomas, but they’re all safe).
Politicians, celebrities, actors, etc all live in Lomas, and as such, it is very quiet, safe, and has some of the best restaurants and small boutiques.
If you have a higher budget, I’d definitely recommend staying in Polanco or Lomas. El Centro is really stunning, and the architecture cannot be missed, but it is not as safe or clean as the rest of the popular areas of the city. You’ll find some of the best bars and clubs here, and many trendy rooftop lounges and restaurants favorited by locals and visitors alike.
However, El Centro, being the tourist hotspot of the city, attracts pick-pockets and wandering eyes (much like NYC’s Times Square).
In general, like most major international cities, you should use common sense to blend in when necessary, but in most popular areas, this is not a problem. Definitely come prepared with some Spanish, as many people do not speak English well, but they will try. Overall, if you’ve ever thought about visiting CDMX, do it! Deserves a higher score.
However, do NOT go to any bad areas. Luckily, they are easy to avoid and you most likely won’t even drive/Uber through one as they are not near the city center. These areas are not safe for tourists, especially ones who do not speak Spanish.
Police in México is very corrupt
I was mugged by mexican police, they said that was cheaper for my use the taxi on the taxi station, the put me inside the taxi, when I asked the price was higher than taxis from the street, don’t trust the police from there. If you just go to tourist places is normal like majority of countries.
AVOID TAXIS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Well, we travelled to Mexico City in a group of six and stayed in a hotel near to Zócalo. In the first night, we went to Condesa. When we were coming back to our hotel, we stopped a taxi on the street. The taxi driver was so fucking disrespectful. talked about sex during the whole travel and mocked about our accent, because we pronounce “Moya” (the name of the street) differently. After that, the taxi driver left us “near” to our hotel (like 6 blocks away) at 10pm. There were no people on the streets. It was really, really scary.
A couple of days after, we went to Bosques de Chapultepec by metro. Another disgusting experience. Two men tried to sexually harass us. The train was crowded and no one said nothing about that, acting like that was normal.
We got scammed too. On our last day, we walked nearby the hotel by day. We arrived to Làzaro Cardenas street. People there sell stolen items, mainly Apple products and cellphones. One of us wanted to fix her iPhone battery and left it. We came back on a hurry because we had to go to the airport and she got her phone with the new battery. Surprise: they replaced the original display of the phone with a fake one, so Face ID didn’t work correctly.
This is a sad story, because Mexico City is a gorgeous and very interesting place to visit. Such a shame, I would really love to come back, but this makes me think twice about that…
Nice city
Nice city I think it should have a higher security rating, maybe 60%
City duality makes and breaks it.
If you’re a non-NA white person you’re going to have a completely different experience to a Filipino or African American. Customs are more likely to reject you if you are from another developing country than a Western country, especially if you are a single woman. South Asians, Africans and Muslims are also more likely to be rejected. Make sure you have proof of exit/return before arrival.
Do your research on the area you want to stay in, every Barrio offers something different. Stayed there in BJ for 2-months. Lovely, family-orientated Barrio, never had any issues with crime. Centre is beautiful during the day, but menacing at night. The Police in tourist areas like Roma Norte or Coyoacan won’t usually bother you, though if you go further out into parts of Tlalpan, they’re thugs that extort and beat locals. That being said, don’t be afraid to leave tourist hotspots if you have a local friend or guide, just make sure you take some measures to blend in (dress like the locals, try speak Spanish, no flash etc).
Metro is very modern and clean, with segregated carriages for Women/Kids. Anthropology museum is world-class, as is the museum of fine arts in the centre. Very car-centric city, so best take an Uber if you don’t want to use the metro or trolley-bus. Walk in the parks, not between Barrios.
The quality of fruit and veg you can find here is far better and cheaper than Europe. The tacos, tamales, café de la olla, cremas, crepas and drinking chocolate are top-notch. The meat and bread are similar to the rest of North America. Don’t eat the salmon. Most of the processed food is crammed full of sugar and fat. The local cheese tends to emphasise texture over taste. The country as a whole has foods and drinks you might never have heard of, like agua jamaica, or cempasuchil ice cream, so check them out while you can.
Sadly, pollution is dismal, tap-water is pathogenic, and the random tamales peddlers blasting down the street can take some getting used to. There were some obvious signs of drug problems, people lying unconscious and scarred outside the Jamaica markets, vendors drinking on the job, and the homeless…
Sporadically, surrounding the centre, you may stumble across a refugee camp on the city street, usually the widows or orphans of cartel violence from other parts of the country.
Overall Mexico City is a city of vibrance and violence. In the right places, you will never want to leave; in the wrong places, you’ll count your stars back to the airport.
Best experience in a Major Crowded city…lived in Paris for 5 years, but this place is packed, though the Metro is not as stinky. As someone else mentioned above, there are separate carriages for women and children. Been to the most touristy places in el Zocalo, Coyoacan (Frida Kahlo house),Mercado Ciudadelas, walked at night from a Walmart, and had absolutely no problems, not from thugs, nor corrupt police. I used a blend of Ubers and Metro, since sometimes you might even get faster using the latter (and cheaper of course 5MXN!)
3 happy years spent as a solo female. Even took the metro and metrobus. Stay in female cars tho as I’ve had 2 guys rub up against me in a sexual way. And once someone pulled the equivalent of $2 out my pocket at 5am on NYE… I had like $50 in the other and just felt blessed! LOL Walked home from Condesa at 3am with NO issues. Some areas have prostitutes but they’re harmless and usually only in low income areas. The only unsafe areas are the HOOD (La Languila, La Merced, etc.) But I’ve been to La Merced 2X without issue. I am AA and dont look local