General Warning Info, Mexico City

HEALTH INSURANCE
Health problems sometimes affect visitors to Mexico.

You may find that local private international health insurance companies will offer coverage to foreigners.
There are a number of emergency medical assistance companies operating internationally who offer urgent medical treatment for their member travelers.

Medical facilities in Mexico differ from those in your country. There are some excellent health facilities in Mexico City, where medical costs can be as high or higher than in developed countries.

MEDICATION
For your protection, leave all medicines in their original, labeled containers.
If you require medication containing habit-forming drugs or narcotics, carry a copy of the doctors prescription attesting to that fact.
These precautions will make customs processing easier and also will ensure you do not violate the Mexican laws.

If you have allergies, reactions to certain medicines, or other unique medical problems, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying a similar warning at all times, in Spanish language, if possible...

IMMUNIZATIONS
Generally, immunizations are administered during childhood.
If you are traveling FROM an area known to be infected with yellow fever, a vaccination certificate is required.
Mexico City haven't any problem with malaria...

AIDS /HIV TESTING
Many countries require long-term foreign residents and students to submit proof that they are free of the HIV virus.
Consult the Mexican Embassy if an AIDS/HIV test is required and if test results from your country are accepted. If not, check on the type of test to be performed and if it is permissible to supply your own disposable needle.

Consult the corresponding embassy or consulate for information and advice, keeping in mind that you are in a foreign country and are subject to its laws and requirements.

PASSPORTS
Travelers should have a valid passport before traveling to Mexico City.
Once traveling in the city, tourists should continue to maintain a valid passport.

For further information contact the nearest passport agency or, if you are overseas, consult the corresponding embassy or consulate...

VISAS
Mexican government require foreigners to have an appropriate visa to travel in the country.
This endorsement or stamp placed in your passport by a foreign government permits you to enter that country for a specified purpose (travel, transit, study, work, businesses, medical attention, residence...)

Visitors intending to participate in humanitarian aid missions, human rights advocacy groups or international observer delegations should contact the nearest Mexican Embassy or Consulate for guidance on how to obtain the appropriate visa and/or permit before traveling to Mexico.

This is particularly relevant in light of the tension and polarization in Chiapas and the international interest the situation there has attracted.

In most instances you must obtain the necessary visa and/or permit before you leave your country.

Please contact the nearest Mexican Embassy or Consulate for further information.

One of the best ways to learn about the city is to get advice from foreign citizens already residing there (bicultural organization, or clubs).
Read as much as possible about Mexico City and places where you plan to visit.

Learning about the nation's culture, customs, people, geography, government, economy and history will make your stay more meaningful.
Libraries, public labrary, bookstores, tourist bureaus, your travel agent, the Internet and the Mexican Embassy are all useful sources of information.

Keep informed of the international news for the latest political developments (conditions) in Mexico City.

Learning Spanish, the language of the nation, will make the travel easier...

WHEN TO GO
Mexico City's climate is temperate year round, though it can get a little nippy at night from November to February.
During this period, because of thermal inversion, air pollution is often at its heaviest.

You can generally count on April for ubiquitous lilac-colored jacaranda blossoms coupled with nice temperatures.

Though the city will sweep you up at any time of the year, the holiday periods of Semana Santa and Christmas to New Year's are particularly jovial, busy times to visit.
Many Mexicans do their holidaying in July or August.

Travel conditions in Mexico can contrast sharply with those in developed countries but everybody knows that crime and violence, as well as unexpected difficulties, do happen to tourists in all parts of the world.

Every day of the year, embassies and consulates receive calls from its citizens in distress. Most problems can be solved by a telephone call or by a visit of the citizen to the embassy or consulate.
But, there are less fortunate occasions when diplomats are called to meet citizens at foreign police stations, hospitals, prisons and even at morgues. In these cases, the assistance that diplomats can offer is specific but limited.

The following information is to helping you to avoid difficulties during your next trip to Mexico City.

Are you ready? It could sounds paranoiac!...

LEGAL DOCUMENTS
If you leave a current will, insurance documents, and power of attorney with your family or a friend, you can feel secure about traveling and will be prepared for any emergency while you are away. If you have minor children, consider making guardianship arrangements for them...

CREDIT
Make a note of the credit limit on each credit card that you bring. Make certain not to charge over that amount on your trip. (In some countries, tourists have been arrested for innocently exceeding their credit limit) Ask your credit card company how to report the loss of your card from abroad...

INSURANCE
Find out if your personal property insurance covers you for loss or theft abroad. More importantly, check on whether your health insurance covers you abroad. Consider purchasing one of the short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers. Also, make sure that the plan you purchase includes medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness...

OK?

It's a good start!

Don't go out alone only in extreme circunstances of if you are travelinga alone. Ther are a lot of robbery in Mexico City.
The area more dangerous is at the subway. Do carry with the money in the pants, or if you are a women, hold your purse with the two heand, but the best thing you can do is feign you are poor, so don't go there with jewel and if you can, don't take a watch even.

While the dangers of Mexico City crime are well documented, they are most assuredly blown slightly out of proportion. As in most cities, certain activities are dangerous, but the city is not a 'dangerous place' in and of itself. Of course, unless you know the city well, it would be a smart idea to avoid the 'libre' taxis that roam the streets. With the news reporting the approximately 1/4 of them are illegal, it is obvious that regulation is not well enforced. As is also widely published, sitio, radio, and tourist taxis are a safe alternative. Second, don't walk around at night, especially alone - this is common sense behavior for any city. Third, don't be flashy with money/jewelry, and be inconspicuous when taking money out of an ATM - once again, common sense.

We have felt safe just about anywhere we have gone in the day. Keep to busier streets, learn your route before you set out (to avoid having to look at your map often), and step into a store if you ever feel nervous. The buses and metro are safe forms of transportation (though stick to the 3 peso yellow and green buses rather than the green microbuses, as it has been reported that 30% of crime in the city is committed on these mini-buses. Besides, the lack of leg-room alone on the micros makes me avoid them!) Mexico City is a beautiful, diverse city with much to offer both the short and long term visitors - don't be scared away by the crime situation - just be smart.

IF YOU TRAVEL BY SUBWAY IN MEXICO DF DON´T STOP IN EL TEPITO!!!

YOU BETTER DON´T EAT TACOS DROM THE STREETMERCHANTS EVEN IF IT SMELLS DELICIOUS

SOME EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Radio Patrullas / Emergencia 060

Emergencias 080
En Cd de México 116
Cruz Roja Central (5) 5575757
Bomberos Central (5) 7683477
Escuadrón de Rescate (5) 7228805
Policía Federal de Caminos (5) 6772227
Seguridad Pública (5) 2425100
Locatel (5) 6581111
Infotour/Seguridad Turística (5) 2500123

Since the outburst of the Mexican economic crisis in 1995, insecurity and delinquency have increased considerably in Mexico. Although in general burglary and pick pocking are not so common, car robbery is very usual, but kidnapping is less usual. To prevent possible losses, in the first case, make sure to rent an insured car, and don’t park in remote places, dark or lonely streets.

In relation to kidnappings, this is a delicate topic. Prevent ‘express’ kidnappings, when criminals will try to take everything valuable from you and/or drive you to an automatic teller to withdraw the maximum possible amount of money. Kidnappings where a ransom is demanded, generally happen in rich or known families. Therefore, try to avoid unsafe places, don’t show off jewels or flaunt. Be attentive to strange situations; try to be cautious.

Robberies and kidnappings in taxis have also increased, above all, in Mexico City. To prevent a bad moment, try to take the hotel taxis, or a taxi from an established place. Pay attention to the identifications, which must be visible near the driver. Show a self-reliant attitude and that you know the route. If the driver gets aggressive, don’t discuss the price and do what he says.

Don't walk along Reforma at night, don't take a green taxi, beware of the pickpockets near the Zocalo, be extra careful in the suburbs of Tacuba, Doctores and other similar rough spots, and generally don't do what Mexicans wouldn't do. Nevertheless, you stand a good chance of being mugged anyway :) Having said that, there are exceptions: I have been 15 times to Mexico City and never had any problem - I just loooove the place!

All that I did was brush my teeth with the water in the bathrooms of the hotels that I stayed at there, and I got dysentery for 2 whole weeks! I was so week, I thought I was going to die!!!