Mexico City Tourist Traps

Actually they are not only tourist traps but traps for everyone... Around zocalo you will find streets and streets of flea markets selling about everything (and get ready to find lots of pirate cd's, computer programs and movies)... As you may guess, you will be exposed to get robbed so take care of your stuff.. AND if you will buy something, (and as everywere) when the people listen to your outer accent they will rise the prices... So dont buy at the first price, always try to take down the price (altough the prices at flea markets and even more to tourist are extremely cheap)...

Unique Suggestions: Go!!!! just take care and dont be fooled!

Some restaurants have hidden fees. If you do not ask, you will get robbed. You will be approached by people in the plaza with fliers of great entertainment in the restaurant. Free of charge and with no cover charge. This is where the scam begins

Your bill will come with extra music and entertainment fees, high tax fees and high service fees. All of these are called CUBIERTO or CTO for short. The restaurant "disclaims" this in a small fine print in the back of the menu that simply states " a service fee will be added".
Be very careful. Even mexicans fall in this scam

Unique Suggestions: Always ask for "Cubierto" or hidden service fees

From what I've seen, the best exchange rates you'll find are at the Benito Juarez airport. So, I'd recomend that you change most of your money there.
And don't make a mistake, like we did, when we thought that rates at the airport are for surely worse than in the city

There are several markets in Mexico City where you can find magnificent pieces.
If you are staying in La Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) you'll feel tempted by the Market at Londres Street, which they call Mercado de Londres (London Market), but prices are much higher there.
There are other markets and stores downtown, but I suggest you compare prices, if you got time.

Unique Suggestions: Always try to look at the price tag first, because if you ask and they notice you're turist, they will tell you a different price and they might increase it in your face (even if the price tags say something else)!

Fun Alternatives: What I noticed is that La Ciudadela (at Balderas and Ayuntamiento), a well known place, has got the same things as anywhere else in town and at a better price.

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There is a post in here about the tourist trap bus that takes you to Teotihuacan and asks if there's an alternative. The answer is YES! We avoided the tourist bus for exactly the reasons stated but instead rode the metro to Autobuses del Norte, a gleaming, modern bus station and bought two tickets to Piramides for about 35 pesos each (NOT $30 US dollars!) The bus took us straight to the Teotihuacan site. Along the way a couple of guys got on and sang some great traditional songs. There were no annoying tourist stops at bad restaurants or gift shops. Coming back was just as easy: Hop on the bus outside the site and head back to town. We got out at Indios Verdes instead of Autobuses just to check it out. It was a lively and interesting outdoor bus station/market but much more confusing than Autobuses. I recommend leaving from Autobuses and returning to Indios Verdes, which puts you right on a convenient metro line.

Fun Alternatives: Public bus from the Autobuses del Norte terminal instead of the tourist bus

I took a tour from my hotel, which cost US$30. I am anti-tour anyway, and this just re-enforced my bias. We were carted to a total of 5 destinations on the way there and back. Ok, I wasn't too appalled by the church of the Guadalupe (it is one of the city's largest attractions apparently - Mexico is a HUGELY catholic country thanks to the Spanish proselytizing and the continuing poverty). But the next stop was the 'shopping' stop, where no doubt our guide was getting a cut of whatever purchases we made. We then got to the pyramids (which were astounding), but only had approximately an hour and a half there as we were being 'rushed' back to another 'rip off the tourist' venue - a lunch, where our guide recommended we eat a particular dish specific to the area .... um ... and it was the most expensive dish on the menu ... !

Unique Suggestions: I'm not sure if it's possible to travel to the pyramids independantly (they are some miles outside the city), but if it is, I recommend you do it.

There are all kinds of shops spread in a very wide area in downtown Mexico City. You can find almost whatever you can think of: clothes, shoes, books, jewelry, computer and electronic stuff, CDs/DVDs, videogames, etc. However, be careful about what you buy and where: not all shops offer good quality stuff and you have to pay attention both to the genuineness and the price of the things you plan to acquire because many people will try to rip you off (I know it's sad, but it's true). Something is for sure: whatever you buy from the street vendors is NOT genuine stuff and it won't have any guarantee, so you must be aware that it might get broken soon, not work properly, etc.

Unique Suggestions: Bargaining with the street vendors might be attractive because you'll spend less money this way, but I highly recommend that you buy things - especially expensive, hi-tech or valuable stuff - in properly established businesses (and not even these are always honest but they certainly are a bit more reliable).

You buy a ticket for a taxi from the aiport and you pay for an executive car or van, when you only really need a sedan. Unless you ask for a sedan they will sell you the more expensive and porbably unneeded vehicle.

Here is a link showing the rates from the airport.
http://www.aicm.com.mx/Principal/Servicios/TransportaTerrestre/Taxis/Taxis.htm

I paid 240 pesos when a simple sedan at 160 pesos was all I needed.