How To Be Safe In Mexico City (Tips From A Female Traveler)
Have You Heard Some Bad Things About Mexico City That Make You Wonder If You Can Even Be Safe As A Tourist Here?
Mexico City was one of the first places I traveled to alone, and despite needing to be even more cautious and aware compared to other destinations (like in the US), I loved visiting Mexico City and I’ve returned multiple times without issue, so it’s definitely possible to visit this large capital city and be safe, but there are a few extra things you can do to help yourself be as safe as possible here.
⭐️ How To Be Safe In Mexico City
⭐️ Overall:
- Mexico City is an awesome place to visit with lots of really great things to see and do, but it is a large capital city with significant crime so you do need to remain aware and cautious, avoid late nights out, choose safer transportation options, keep an eye on your things, be careful about what you eat and drink, choose safe hotels (over home rentals), and stick to the safer tourist areas
Continue reading for more details on all of these so you can be extra safe on your next trip to Mexico City.
⛑️ Is Mexico City Safe?
Mexico City is not known as one of the safest places to visit, but if you’re cautious and aware of your surroundings, you choose the safest areas to stay, and opt for the best transportation options, you should have a wonderful and safe trip.
Definitely be smart, but don’t be afraid of this awesome capital city.
ℹ️ Is Mexico City Safe At Night? No, Mexico City is not generally the best place to be out and about at night, but keep reading for some tips on how to be extra safe here, even when you’re out later
ℹ️ Tips On How To Be Safe In Mexico City
Since Mexico City is not always one of the safest places to visit, here are a few tips on how to stay extra safe here:
- 💍 don’t openly and obviously wear/use expensive jewelry/technology here
- it’s best to leave those flashy objects at home if you can
- you can still take photos with your phone but don’t be too distracted and don’t leave it sitting around
- 🚕 avoid taxis whenever possible
- don’t hail taxis off the street (there are too many fake ones out there)
- if you have to use them, get only certified, official taxis
- use Ubers instead when available, but still take caution with ride-share services
- 👀 always be aware of your surroundings
- anywhere in the world, any time of day
- if you’re out walking (especially for females) it’s a great idea to be aware and make sure you’re not being followed
- when in doubt stick to more touristy areas with lots of people
- 🌃 limit late nights out whenever possible
- don’t walk around late at night, even in some of the “nicer” areas
- pay for an upgraded Uber ride or private transport to avoid standing on the street (especially after Lucha Libre, a soccer game, etc.)
- when you want to be out later, find some guided night tours to be as safe as possible in Mexico City
- ⛑️ stick to the touristy areas, avoiding the more dangerous parts
- not that tourists would have any reason to visit the more dangerous parts of town anyways, but be sure you stay and walk around in the safer areas (still remaining cautious and aware though):
- Polanco
- La Condesa/Roma
- Coyoacan
- San Angel
- sometimes/some parts of Centro
- there are also some safe airport hotels like the Courtyard Marriott
- not that tourists would have any reason to visit the more dangerous parts of town anyways, but be sure you stay and walk around in the safer areas (still remaining cautious and aware though):
- 🚇 mostly avoid public transportation
- don’t use the CDMX metro subway system; it’s cheaper, but incredibly crowded, and an easy place to be the victim of a crime
- don’t use the bus to get around the city; it takes longer and isn’t very safe
- only use busses to go longer distances like maybe to get to Teotihuacan, the town of Puebla, or Cholula
- 🏨 choose hotels with full 24/7 staffs rather than home rentals
- 🚰 don’t drink the water
- don’t drink water, anything with ice, or eat anything washed in water (lettuce for example)
- Moctezuma’s revenge is real and you don’t want it to ruin your vacation
- I won’t even brush my teeth with sink water here
- 🎒 don’t keep things in your pockets and always keep your eye on your bags/backpacks
- if only one in your group has a backpack, it’s a good idea for others to walk behind them so they an keep an eye on the backpack
- 🧥 remember to bring pants and jackets
- CDMX is fairly chilly so you won’t need shorts or flip flops
- plus nobody wears those here anyways so you would likely stand out
🇲🇽 Is Mexico City Even Worth Visiting?
Mexico City is most definitely worth visiting in my opinion (I’ve visited multiple times and will continue to visit), for the history (particularly Aztec history), the sports (like soccer), the special celebrations (especially in September and October/November), the interesting city sites (like Xochimilco, Zocalo, Coyoacan, Anthropology Museum, Chapultepec Park, etc.), the fun shows (like Lucha Libre), and other nearby sites (like Teotihuacan, Puebla, and Cholula).
Since there is so much to see and do in and around Mexico City, I’d definielty recommend at least a 5 to 7 day trip in order to see the best sites here, attend a few events, and visit a few nearby locations.
🔁 Sum Up: How To Be Safe In Mexico City
Mexico City isn’t always considered one of the safest places to visit, especially for female travelers, but if you stay cautious and aware of your surroundings (during the day or at night), you choose the safest areas to stay (in hotels rather than Airbnbs), and opt for the best transportation options (not taxis or public transportation), you should have a wonderful and safe trip to this awesome capital city.
