Staying Safe in Mexico City

The Mexican capital is a huge city with many fascinating areas to explore. Here are some tips on staying safe during your next visit.

First of all, it is important to plan how you will get from A to B. The metro subway system is a great way of getting around, and affordable too. Women are advised to use the women and children carriages, and everyone should keep wallets and purses secure and out of reach of pickpockets. During the daytime, the metro and bus services may be safe; however, at night, it may be wiser to use a taxi.

You will notice there are two kinds of taxis in Mexico City. Where possible, use the slightly more expensive sitio cabs rather than the libre taxis. Sitio cars offer better security as they are linked to specific hotels or locales.

Another consideration is sticking to safe areas. Tepito, La Lagunilla and Mercado Merced are all areas to avoid due to a reputation for prostitution and violent crime. Even in more secure tourist areas, it is best to keep valuables out of sight. Leave your jewelry at home, and keep your camera in a bag rather than hanging around your neck.

It is wise to blend in as much as possible, so don’t dress like a stereotypical tourist. Shorts, sandals and vests will make you a more obvious target. You should also try to learn some basic Spanish in order to get around more easily and reduce the likelihood of being scammed.