Mexico City (Ciudad de México, CDMX) is one of the largest and most vibrant metropolises in the world, serving as the political, cultural, and economic heart of Mexico. This ancient city, built on the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, blends pre-Hispanic heritage with colonial architecture and ultramodern neighborhoods. From world-class museums and gourmet restaurants to bustling markets and stunning murals, Mexico City offers an unparalleled urban experience.
Mexico City is a safe destination for tourists who stick to popular neighborhoods and take normal urban precautions. Areas like Polanco, Condesa, Roma Norte, Coyoacán, and the Historic Center are generally safe for visitors during the day and evenings, with active tourist police patrols around major sights. The primary risks are petty theft (pickpocketing, phone snatching), taxi-related scams, and higher-crime peripheral neighborhoods such as Tepito and parts of Iztapalapa, which are best avoided. Millions of tourists visit CDMX safely every year, and violent crime targeting foreign visitors specifically is rare, but exercising the same caution used in any large capital city — using ride-hailing apps instead of street taxis, keeping valuables out of sight, and avoiding isolated areas at night — greatly reduces risk.
Current safety advisory
Moderate — Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution)
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Use Uber, DiDi, or Cabify instead of hailing taxis on the street
Keep valuables out of sight, especially in the Metro and busy markets
Be alert for altitude effects on arrival
Drink only bottled or purified water
Know earthquake basics before arrival
Avoid walking alone late at night outside well-lit tourist corridors
Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centers, not on the street
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Fake or unauthorized taxi ('taxi pirata') express kidnapping
A tourist gets into an unofficial street taxi; the driver locks the doors and drives to multiple ATMs, forcing withdrawals before releasing the passenger.
How to avoid: Only use Uber, DiDi, Cabify, or a taxi called from a registered 'sitio' taxi stand or hotel — never hail a cab directly off the street.
Distraction theft
An accomplice spills a drink or food on the victim, or stages a bump or argument, while a second person picks pockets or grabs a bag during the confusion. Common around the Zócalo, Metro platforms, and crowded markets.
How to avoid: Stay alert to unexpected physical contact, keep bags zipped and worn to the front, and step away calmly if someone tries to clean spilled liquid off your clothing.
Fake police / bribe solicitation
Individuals posing as plainclothes police or immigration officers stop tourists, claim a document or visa issue, and demand an on-the-spot cash 'fine.'
How to avoid: Ask for uniformed backup and written identification, decline to hand over a passport or wallet, offer to go to the nearest police module (módulo de policía) instead, and never pay cash on the street.
ATM and card skimming
Skimming devices installed on freestanding street ATMs capture card data and PINs, later used for cloned-card withdrawals.
How to avoid: Withdraw cash only from ATMs inside bank lobbies or large shopping centers, check for loose or unusual attachments on the card slot, and cover the keypad when entering the PIN.
Overpriced unofficial tours and guides
Unregistered 'guides' at Teotihuacan, the Zócalo, and other major sites offer tours or 'skip the line' access at inflated prices, sometimes collecting payment and disappearing.
How to avoid: Book tours through a reputable operator in advance, or hire guides displaying official Secretaría de Turismo credentials at the site entrance.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- General
- Drink only bottled or purified water — avoid tap water and ice from unverified sources., Rest on arrival day to acclimatize to the 2,240m (7,350 ft) elevation; seek medical attention if symptoms of altitude sickness (severe headache, vomiting, confusion) worsen rather than improve., Sun protection is important at altitude, since UV exposure is stronger than at sea level, even on cloudy days., Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended, as out-of-pocket private hospital costs can be high., Check whether routine vaccinations (hepatitis A, typhoid) are recommended for your origin country before travel; no special vaccination is required for entry., Pharmacies such as Farmacias del Ahorro and Farmacias Benavides are widespread and open late for over-the-counter medication., Leading private hospitals with English-speaking staff include Hospital ABC (Observatorio and Santa Fe campuses), Médica Sur, and Hospital Español — recommended over public hospitals for tourists needing urgent, non-emergency care., Air quality can worsen from February to May (contingencia ambiental); those with respiratory conditions should check daily air quality indexes and limit strenuous outdoor activity on alert days.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- General Emergency
- 911
- Tourist Police Cdmx
- 55 5208-9700
- Civil Protection
- 55 5683-1154
- Red Cross Ambulance
- 55 5395-1111
- Us Embassy Mexico City
- US Embassy, Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtémoc — +52 55 5080-2000 (after-hours American Citizen Services line for US nationals)
- Hospital Abc Santa Fe
- 55 1103-1600
- Notes
- For lost passports, robbery, or other incidents involving foreign nationals, contact the relevant embassy or consulate in addition to filing a report (denuncia) with local police at a Ministerio Público office.