Questions ANSWERED: How Safe Is Mexico City?

As one of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City has its fair share of crime. How safe is Mexico City? Should you make the visit?

Answer: Mexico City is safe for travelers, tourists, and expats. In most areas, Mexico City is perfectly safe for exploring, allowing you to see the sights and eat delicious food. 

The tourist areas and sections of the city worth visiting are safe and shouldn’t give concern. All travelers should still follow basic safety precautions as they would in any other city. 

I recommend you read up on my travel tips for Mexico City, to help overcome unexpected difficulties in adapting to the city.

I practiced normal safety habits without adding extra effort. Just like any large city, however, there are unsafe neighborhoods and areas to avoid

Keep reading to have all your safety questions answered before traveling to Mexico City. 

My Personal Experience In Mexico City

From the media I watched in the United States, I can see why so many people stay wary of any sort of travel to Mexico. 

Over the past two decades, violent crime linked to drug cartels spread throughout Mexico City.

Luckily, with my podcast and travel contacts, I talked to several travelers who convinced me that Mexico, and specifically Mexico City, is safe for tourists and they never encountered any problems. 

I wholeheartedly agree. 

Never did I feel uncomfortable or worried about me or my wife’s safety. I stayed alert and aware of my surroundings at all times and did my research about which neighborhoods are safe and which to avoid (more on this below).

What Are The Safest Areas In Mexico City?

Polanco, Condesa, Roma, San Rafael are the safest neighborhoods and areas in Mexico City. Centro is still safe, but more petty crimes like pickpocketing are prevalent due to the concentration of tourist attractions in the area.  

Generally speaking, these are the only areas of the city worth visiting anyways. They have the best restaurants and street food, allowing any food loving traveler to sample every type of Mexican food imaginable. 

When picking your accommodation for Mexico City, I recommend any of these safe neighborhoods 

Where Should You Avoid In Mexico City?

Avoid these neighborhoods in Mexico City: Tepito, Doctores, Ciudad Neza, Iztapalapa, Narvarte, Buena Vista, and  Colonia del Valle.

From my research, these areas have the highest amount of crime that includes theft, pickpocketing, and violent crimes. 

If you look at the location of these neighborhoods, is there anything there that you want to see? Probably not.

If for some reason you really need to eat at a restaurant or see a specific attraction in any of those neighborhoods, opt for daytime travel only with an Uber to drop you off and pick you up directly. 

A general rule of thumb, avoid parts of the city that are very north or very south of the city center. 

For the most part, you won’t want to visit these neighborhoods anyways. 

Is It Safe To Walk Around Mexico City?

Yes, it is safe to walk around Mexico City with little worry. I spent four weeks in Mexico City and never encountered anyone trying to pickpocket, rob, or take advantage of me. 

I spent a large portion of my meals eating the best tacos and street food in Mexico City, without any trouble.

In fact, the strangers I encountered were super kind listening patiently as my wife and I fumbled through conversations with our limited Spanish. 

We spent hours walking through the main and side streets, finding that the larger streets were the easiest and probably safest ways to walk around Mexico City. 

Is Mexico City Safe At Night?

Yes, Mexico City is safe at night, but for general safety, it’s better to know and understand a neighborhood during the day before walking through and exploring at night. 

Certain parts of the city explode with activity during the evenings with many taquerias and street food vendors opening after 7:00 pm. 

My wife and I walked 30-45 minutes at a time walking at night to or from dinner at amazing restaurants in Mexico City without any issues.

Most streets are well lit, but I recommend sticking with the busier areas at night, as the likely hood of trouble is limited with more people present. 

You should also avoid back alleys and deserted areas, as this will be a probable place for a criminal encounter. 

Is Uber Safe In Mexico City?

Yes, Uber is safe in Mexico City and one of the best options for getting around the city. Fares range from $50-$150 Pesos with usually short wait times. 

Uber is the perfect option when the metros were too busy or we needed to make an important dinner reservation like the 5th best restaurant in the world, Pujol.

Uber remains a great option because of its transparency at a fixed price. Once the price is set, that is what you pay.

In regards to safety, Uber vets each driver with a background check before taking passengers and each driver has their own rating. Look at your driver’s profile and if something makes you uncomfortable, cancel the ride for a better match. 

Uber also outlines the route on the app so you know your driver is taking a direct route. If the driver appears to venture off course, speak up or cancel the ride and find another driver to take you. 

Uber takes a top spot for transportation options for ease of use and high safety priority.  

Is Mexico Safe For Solo Female Travelers?

Yes, and in fact, I interviewed a solo female traveler, Rose, about her time in Mexico City. She raved about her amazing trip and discussed her safety experiences while traveling alone. 

Did rose feel safe in Mexico City? Absolutely.

During her six months in Mexico City, Rose never felt unsafe or in any danger. 

She still followed basic safety protocols and made sure to stay away from unsavory parts of the city.

Is The Metro Safe In Mexico City?

Yes, the metro is safe in Mexico City and is probably the safest form of public transportation. From my experience on the metro, everyone was kind, stood in line, and waited their turn. 

There is even a designated metro car for just women and children, which is strictly enforced by the numerous police officers at every major metro station. 

As a general rule, pickpockets love crowded metros, giving them easy access to your wallet or backpack.

Keep your hand on your wallet with your bags in front of you to keep an eye out for any funny business. 

Is It Safe To Take A Cab In Mexico City?

Yes, the cabs in Mexico City are safe, but like all other taxis around the world, you are at the mercy of the meter. 

Cab drivers can take long detours, driving up the price of the ride. Plus the traffic is terrible everywhere at all times of the day and night in Mexico City, so you are bound to pay a little extra for a taxi. 

I would opt for an Uber first, and if you have no other choice, hail a taxi. 

Is The Historic Center of Mexico City Safe?

Yes, the Historic Center of Mexico City is safe for the most part. People around the internet, however, seem to lack a common consensus. I walked around and explored Historico Centro without any problems, even at night.

I recommend staying on the busier roads in the evening and avoiding any back alleys. If you are planning a night out at the bars, then the risk is definitely higher to get mugged, but this is true for any city. 

Use your common sense and don’t put yourself in any compromising situations. 

Conclusion

If you are wondering how safe is Mexico City, you have your answer: YES.

Just like any big city anywhere in the world, there are safe and dangerous parts. If you use common sense and remain cautious, you shouldn’t run into any problems. 

I love Mexico City and felt a connection through the amazing culinary atmosphere. It’s a city I would recommend any foodist to put at the top of their list.