General Warning Info, Mexico City

Just do not go to Mexico City at all, or Mexico, if you can help it. Before you think I am being judgmental, you should know that I am Hispanic, My family IS from Mexico, and I lived in Mexico City for two years, so it pains me very much to say this. Do not under any circumstances, take non-sitio cabs. I did, and only escaped a 6 hour kidnapping because my abductors could not find a place to kill me. Do not, under any circumstances, report any crimes to the local authorities, they are involved in a lot of the local crime, and you are likely to just be assaulted again. You are on your own. I ended up reporting my own experiences to the American Embassy. Do not think you are much safer in the tourist spots of Cancun or Puarta Vallarta. My friends have had their drinks drugged in some very nice places. All of this happened in 1997 and 1998 BEFORE it got dramatically worse. The huge majority of the locals will be the nicest, most humane people you have ever met. You will also see things you cannot see any where else in the world; The Sites and History of this country are amazing. It is a true shame. The reality is that the corruption and politics have these people by the throat. As a tourist, you will be a target, and there have even been shoot outs inside the airport. Hundreds of people go to Mexico every year, and either die or end up completely disappearing. On many occasions, the U.S. has threatened to remove Mexico's status as an anti-drug country, and it is only politics that keeps this from happening. Don't believe me? I have tons of friends and relatives that had the same experience. Mexico City has been one of the murder capitals of the world for decades. Just watch the news in Spanish (not English) any night of the week, and hear it from the locals themselves, then decide for yourself weather you are not better off taking your family to ANY other country for your vacation.

Just do not go to Mexico City at all, or Mexico, if you can help it. Before you think I am being judgmental, you should know that I am Hispanic, My family IS from Mexico, and I lived in Mexico City for two years, so it pains me very much to say this. Do not under any circumstances, take non-sitio cabs. I did, and only escaped a 6 hour kidnapping because my abductors could not find a place to kill me. Do not, under any circumstances, report any crimes to the local authorities, they are involved in a lot of the local crime, and you are likely to just be assaulted again. You are on your own. I ended up reporting my own experiences to the American Embassy. Do not think you are much safer in the tourist spots of Cancun or Puarta Vallarta. My friends have had their drinks drugged in some very nice places. All of this happened in 1997 and 1998 BEFORE it got dramatically worse. The huge majority of the locals will be the nicest, most humane people you have ever met. You will also see things you cannot see any where else in the world; The Sites and History of this country are amazing. It is a true shame. The reality is that the corruption and politics have these people by the throat. As a tourist, you will be a target, and there have even been shoot outs inside the airport. Hundreds of people go to Mexico every year, and either die or end up completely disappearing. On many occasions, the U.S. has threatened to remove Mexico's status as an anti-drug country, and it is only politics that keeps this from happening. Don't believe me? I have tons of friends and relatives that had the same experience. Mexico City has been one of the murder capitals of the world for decades. Just watch the news in Spanish (not English) any night of the week, and hear it from the locals themselves, then decide for yourself weather you are not better off taking your family to ANY other country for your vacation.

Was there in 83. Stuck there a week as med student b/c of student Visa BS. LOTS of Rats!! Cabbies tried to rip people off go to cheap hotel in rathole hoods. Charge too much for fare. Use sitios ONLY! I almost got kidnapped by two teen thugs b/c I was out clubbing too late. Go with lots of friends and do not stay out too late.

BEING SAFE IN MEXICO CITY CAN BE DIFFICULT, BUT HERES ONE TIP TO KEEP YOU SAFE. WHEN TRYING TO FIND A TAXI CAB. DONT GET INTO THE LITTLE GREEN VW BUGS, LOOK FOR A CERTIFIED MEXICO CITY TAXI. CERTIFIED TAXIS ARE GOLD COLOURED WITH MAROON LINES ON THEM. ALSO MAKE SURE TO ASK YOUR DRIVER BEFORE GETTING IN IF HE BELONGS TO A "SITIO" WHICH MEANS IF THEY ARE A PART OF A TAXI COMPANY.

BE SAFE!

Un chercheur français attaqué à l'aéroport de Mexico, grievement blessé

Des voleurs qui ciblaient des personnes changeant de l'argent à l'aéroport de Mexico ont tiré sur un Français mardi, le blessant grièvement à la tête. Lire la suite l'article

Le chercheur en biotechonologie, âgé de 55 ans, travaille à l'université de Mexico. Les voleurs lui ont dérobé 4.800 euros dans une rue proche du terminal international, ont précisé le procureur adjoint de la ville, Luis Vasquez, et la police. Il a été transporté à l'hôpita l local.

L'ambassade de France n'a pas pu confirmer l'identité de la victime ni sa ville d'origine. Le chef de la police de Mexico Manuel Mondragon a rappelé que les gangs de criminels ont des vigies placées près des bureaux de change de l'aéroport qui alertent les agresseurs. Ceux-ci attendent les clients à l'extérieur. Les gangs n'hésitent pas à employer une extrême violence.

Le chauffeur de la victime a témoigné que deux voitures paraissaient les suivre après qu'ils aient quitté l'aéroport. Les assaillants ont coupé la route à son véhicule, et tiré sur le chercheur français qui refusait de donner le sac contenant l'argent, a précisé la police. AP

Many things have been said about Mexico City's security. When I was living in Canada I read about it in local newspapers and believe me, it's not the way the media abroad publishes. I mean, it is as dangerous as any other major city like New York or LA. Of course you have to be careful with your money, when taking a cab, not to show valuable things in public sites, not being alone at night, etc. Be careful but don't panic! It certainly is not the most dangerous city in the world!

Mexico City has often been painted as a dangerous place to be with frequent kidnappings and daytime robbery and assaults. I just want to say that although this might be true to certain degree but believe me it is not as common as movies or people make it out to be. Staying safe in Mexico City means that you need to exercise some common sense when you are traveling. These are some of the advice that I have which made me feel safe traveling in Mexico City. 1) Avoid traveling by yourself at night time. During the daytime it is pretty safe. 2) Don't dress too much apart from the people. Basically, don't show people that you have a lot of money and don't carry too much cash with you. 3) Learn the railroad system/avoid taxis. If you fear of being kidnapped then stay away from taxis. The railroad system is easy to use, cheap, and safe during the daytime. I don't recommend it after 9pm.

I probably spent the first few days tense from having read so much on the dangers of Mexico. I didn't see a single thing that made me feel like the city was dangerous, but I'm from Chicago and vacation in NY and DC several times per year every year. I know how to act in large, metro cities. I stayed in a safe neighborhood, but it was not a tourist neighborhood. I rented a condo in La Condesa Hippodroma where there were only middle class native Mexicans. We took the subway every morning and night during rush hour and had no problems with pick pockets, strange men trying to be helpful, or the like. We learned how to use the subway, so we never had to worry about the safety of taxis. We stayed out late, walked the streets and felt like natives since our local neighborhood vendors would recognize us and say "hola". Jerry and I have a tendency not to speak loudly and frequently don't speak English in public. I'm asian and Jerry is your typical, big and tall German, so we didn't blend in, but we didn't attract attention to ourselves either. Jerry felt like most people didn't approach us because we don't really look like your stereotypical happy, bouncy, friendly, wide-eyed American. We usually looked beat-up and tired after a day of running raged from museums to historical sites to markets. We wear long, black trench coats, no flashy jewelry, and I carry a messenger bag, not a purse. We offered no one an opportunity to get close or take anything from us.

The sidewalk infrastructure in the capital is in a league all its own. A litigation-happy lawyer would have an absolute field day with the state of sidewalks in Mexico City. I've seen hazards from sectional heaving to metal plate overlays with gaps large enough to swallow a small child.

If you find yourself moving outside of the touristy areas in the DF, I can't stress enough how important it is wear quality, sturdy shoes, keep your eyes on the pavement ahead of you and lastly, walk with a measured pace- fast walking will only heighten the chance for injury

And if you should fall victim to one of these ankle-twisters in-waiting, don't expect any sympathy from local authorities, their response will be "well, the hole was here before you were".

if you're traveling by yourself and don't want to be handle, pinched or followed by creepy guys. Try to avoid using skirt, specially short and tide skirts and don't use the subway at rush hours or get on the train when it's full. Wait for the next train.