Mexico usually will get a popularity for being harmful, particularly for foreigners. In spite of everything, TV reveals (I’m you, Narcos) and flicks have a tendency to depict violence, drug cartels, and scams. This portrayal of the nation as a complete is disappointing to me as an American who lives in Mexico, as a result of it’s so removed from my expertise. Is Mexico City secure sufficient for solo feminine vacationers, although?
Mexico City is essentially the most populated metropolis in North America, at over 9.2 million residents. Preserve in thoughts that New York City is just not far behind, at 8.7 million. Like NYC, CDMX is various mega metropolis. So sure, there’s crime. Nonetheless, visiting it is rather doable to do safely.
Listed below are some important suggestions for staying secure in Mexico City, notably as a solo feminine traveler:
8. Get acquainted With CDMX’s neighborhoods
Being such a big metropolis, it may be overwhelming to start planning your journey right here. A lot of Mexico City’s most hip and touristy areas are situated subsequent to each other, although, making it simple to get aware of them.
Some neighborhoods to think about staying in are: Polanco, Roma, La Condesa, Reforma, Chapultepec, El Centro Histórico, El Zócalo, Juárez, and La Zona Rosa. These embody a big space and are the place lots of the essential sights are.
Coyoacán and Xochimilco are two different areas on the south aspect the place you’ll discover a variety of issues to do and see. They’re each a bit removed from the opposite neighborhoods simply talked about, so you might have considered trying to cut up your journey by staying downtown for some time and in Coyoacán or Xochimilco for some time.
All of those neighborhoods are comparatively secure for vacationers, and I like to recommend sticking to them as a lot as doable. There are different areas of CDMX the place you’ll possible stick out like a sore thumb and subsequently turn out to be way more of a goal for petty theft. One to keep away from, for instance, is Tepito, which is a big market that I so want have been safer to go to. Nonetheless, many mates of mine have advised me horror tales about Tepito and to keep away from it in any respect prices.
A very good rule to go by in the event you’re uncertain a couple of neighborhood is to ask about it earlier than venturing there. Ask your Airbnb host, a neighborhood buddy, or actually anybody from Mexico City if it’s secure. This provides you with a way more trustworthy reply than any Google search, I promise.
In any of those common vacationer neighborhoods, it’s essential to keep away from strolling round at night time, particularly in El Zócalo and Centro Histórico. Equally, the canals of Xochimilco are beautiful in the course of the day however have a tendency to get slightly seedy at night time.
7. No Spanish? No downside.
Nicely, not precisely. Anytime you journey to a spot the place English isn’t broadly spoken, there’s a security danger. In spite of everything, in the event you don’t perceive what persons are saying to you or round you, you may not give you the option to acknowledge when hazard is current.
That stated, not being fluent in Spanish shouldn’t deter you from visiting CDMX, though realizing some actually helps.
There are methods to keep secure in CDMX in the event you don’t converse the language. One among them is to stick to extra touristy areas, just like the neighborhoods talked about above. There, you’ll discover that restaurant employees, lodge employees, and different service folks know sufficient English to lend you a hand if wanted.
One other approach to recover from the language barrier is to put together your smartphone with apps that may aid you translate. Google Translate has a few options which can be game-changing: One among them is the digital camera button, which permits you to maintain your digital camera up to any signal, menu, or paper; then the app interprets the textual content to English. There’s additionally a dialog button that lets the app hear to what an individual is saying after which translate it. Twenty-first-century know-how, child!
If you would like to attempt your hand at Spanish, there are just a few methods you may put together forward of time. Whereas many individuals have a tendency to lean towards apps like Babbel and Duolingo, I’ve discovered them to be useful just for absolute novices. If that’s you, go for it! They’ll help you in constructing a primary vocabulary. If you would like to be taught extra about how to decide up a language extra shortly, although, try Nathaniel Drew on YouTube. He has a number of movies about language studying which can be useful and informative.
Having just a few key phrases like thanks, please, can I’ve…? and assist me! go a great distance in a international nation. Exhibiting locals that you’re making an effort builds belief, and that may be useful for retaining secure.
6. Navigate public transportation like a boss…
Earlier than I visited Mexico City the primary time years in the past, I had heard concerning the metro system — and let’s simply say I used to be fairly afraid to use it. I noticed movies on YouTube of extraordinarily packed practice automobiles and heard tales about girls’s horrific experiences.
I don’t need to be part of perpetuating worry, although, particularly for solo feminine vacationers, as I do assume it’s doable to navigate CDMX’s public transport safely.
When you’re a person, skip forward to the subsequent paragraph. This one’s for you, girls. Because the 1970s, Mexico City has had particular practice automobiles and even complete buses which can be completely for ladies and kids. In most metro stations, you’ll see a Zona Rosa (pink zone) on one finish, the place you may board girls’s-only practice automobiles. Whereas these are extremely controversial as a result of some girls imagine it normalizes gender-based violence, they’re nonetheless a good way to keep secure when you navigate public transportation.
This would possibly go with out saying, however in basic I like to recommend avoiding public transportation at night time in the event you can. That isn’t to say that Mexico City’s public transit is completely seedy at night time, however it is going to be harder to see the place you’re going, and it’s safer to simply use Uber to get round after darkish anyway. Even individuals who have lived in CDMX for a very long time select to do that.
The Metro
Since Mexico City’s streets have a tendency to get extremely congested, the metro is a viable choice for getting from place to place shortly. It’s largely underground and consists of 12 strains. They run from the far north to the far south, and from the far east to the far west — so you may get virtually wherever utilizing the metro alone. The strains are color-coded and have both a quantity or a letter related to them.
The schedule for the metro is Monday by Friday from 5am to 12am, Saturday from 6am to 12am, and Sunday from 7am to 12am. To experience the practice, you’ve to buy a metro card, which prices 15 pesos ($0.75 USD). From there, every experience prices 5 pesos ($0.25), and you may recharge your card at any station. That’s extremely reasonably priced in comparability with different massive cities in the US and Europe.
At all times determine your route forward of time. I at all times use Google Maps, as a result of the general public transportation choice tends to work flawlessly, even in Mexico City.
Metrobús
The bus system in CDMX has seven totally different strains, all numbered and coloured in order to be simply identifiable. Just like the metro, the metrobús can take you almost wherever you need to go in the town. The buses function from 4:30am to 12am Monday by Friday and 5am to 12am on the weekends and financial institution holidays. You need to use the your metro card on the metrobús — simply ensure that it’s charged up beforehand.
A single experience on the metrobús prices 6 pesos ($0.30), besides when going to the airport, which prices 30 pesos ($1.50). The metrobús is totally different than different Mexico City buses as a result of it has mounted routes with already-established stops, not like the combis (minibuses) which don’t have a longtime route. It is a nice choice for getting round for first-time guests, or anybody who feels slightly iffy about public transport, as a result of you may see the place you’re going, as opposed to the metro which is underground.
Tren Ligero
Also called the Xochimilco mild rail, this practice is one of the best ways to get to the well-known floating gardens there. It’s mainly an offshoot of the metro, working on a single line.
If you would like to go to Xochimilco, take the metro to a Tren Ligero cease, and switch to the sunshine rail. The Tren Ligero operates on the identical schedule because the metro however prices simply Three pesos ($0.15) per journey.
Different public transportation choices embody the Trolebús and customary buses. The Trolebús covers extra floor and is cheaper than the metrobús, at simply Four pesos ($0.20) per experience, however just like the metrobús, it operates on a fixed-stop, fixed-route system. The usual buses, nevertheless, are a distinct story. I don’t advocate utilizing them, as they are often unpredictable and comply with totally different routes every time.
Stick to the metro, the metrobús, and the Tren Ligero in the event you can.
5. …But when not, attempt Uber!
Particularly in the event you’re attempting to get round at night time, Uber is usually a wonderful transportation choice. Whether or not you’re uncertain about public transit or simply searching for a extra handy approach to navigate the town, Uber is surprisingly reasonably priced and straightforward.
Preserve in thoughts that the visitors in CDMX is fairly intense, although, particularly throughout rush hour. When you can keep away from touring in the early morning or late afternoon, please do. If not, Uber generally is a trouble in the event you completely have to go someplace throughout that point. Whereas your experience will value the identical, the time it’s going to take to get from place to place will improve exponentially.
In case your telephone doesn’t work in Mexico and also you don’t have a Mexican SIM card, taking an Uber may be tough in the event you’re counting on Wi-Fi. Nonetheless, Mexican SIMs are comparatively low-cost and an amazing choice in the event you assume you may be Ubering usually.
Foreigners who don’t converse Spanish have a tendency to choose Ubers. The taxis in CDMX usually don’t use meters, and the drivers not often converse English. Meaning that you’ve to negotiate a worth earlier than you get in the taxi, and doing so is hard if there’s a language barrier. Even in the event you do converse Spanish, the worth you negotiate will virtually at all times be greater than it might value to take an Uber.
4. Petty crime and the way to keep away from it
*sigh* Petty crime. Whereas the principle vacationer areas are usually secure to stroll round in, watch out for pickpockets: they’re all over the place, particularly in crowded areas. The Zócalo is very identified for having a variety of them lurking about, most of them teenagers and even kids.
One other place to be additional cautious is on public transportation. It’s pretty frequent for pickpockets to experience the metro and buses, searching for alternatives.
You may keep away from being robbed by retaining your valuables shut to you and avoiding carrying something in your again pocket or in your again. That is fairly customary recommendation, however you’d be stunned how many individuals get their telephone swiped out of their again pockets. Some folks advise retaining your issues in your entrance pockets, however I truthfully assume pockets ought to be prevented in crowded areas in basic, except they’ve zippers.
A cross-body bag is a superb choice for retaining your belongings shut to you whereas remaining hands-free — simply ensure that it has a zipper. These are additionally harder for pickpockets to get into and/or steal. Yow will discover cross-body baggage that actually have a little clasp by looking for “theft-proof baggage” on Amazon. In fact, a cash belt is a positive approach to preserve your issues secure and safe. Nonetheless, they aren’t as handy as a cross-body bag.
One other trick to think about is to carry a dummy pockets with some expired playing cards and a bit of money in it. If you’re ever in a scenario the place somebody calls for your valuables, throw the dummy pockets away from you and run the opposite approach. I realized that trick whereas serving in the Peace Corps, and I’ve seen it work with my very own eyes.
When you do get pickpocketed, having journey insurance coverage provides you with some peace of thoughts. World Nomads is the preferred firm, which you’ll learn extra about right here on the weblog.
3. You’re too vibrant to get scammed
Like many locations, Mexico City has its justifiable share of scams. No want to fear although, as a result of they’re all very a lot avoidable.
Faux taxis
One more reason to keep away from grabbing a taxi on the road is that CDMX has many pretend ones that quickly kidnap folks and take them to ATMs to withdraw cash. That is referred to as “categorical kidnapping” and is frequent in many massive cities in Latin America. Even worse, these rip-off artists particularly goal foreigners, as a result of they assume they’ve more cash.
To keep away from these, I counsel avoiding taxis altogether in Mexico City. It’s safer to name an Uber. However in the event you should take a taxi, be sure you take an image of the license plate, or solely take taxis which have been vetted by lodge employees or mates. Generally if you may get a dependable taxi driver’s quantity, which will be a good way to get someplace safely.
Sketchy ATMs
Some ATMs have a scanning machine constructed in and/or they’ll eat your card. Whereas these aren’t quite common, they do exist. To keep away from them, solely use ATMs which can be inside banks. If want to withdraw cash, keep away from doing so at night time, and make it possible for no one is lurking behind you. If it feels unsafe, it most likely is.
Tour and rental scams
There are a good variety of dodgy tour operators that lease tools to foreigners and later blame them for injury, anticipating them to pay to repair it. I’ve heard of this occurring in Mexico City with scooter, bike, and segway excursions. To keep away from that drama, do your analysis on any tour firm that you simply’re in. Yow will discover loads of excursions on GetYourGuide, which is a good firm and tremendous simple to ebook by.
My lunch invoice was how a lot?!
A standard rip-off all through Mexico in eating places and bars is including mysterious costs to payments and bar tabs, or they’ll already add the tip to the ultimate worth with out making it very clear. The latter has occurred to me a bunch of instances in San Cristóbal de las Casas, and I’ve had mates level out that I already paid the tip with out realizing.
To keep away from this scan, simply preserve a cautious eye on the invoice earlier than you pay. When you catch one thing, simply level it out to the waiter; they could act stunned however will possible repair it for you.
Not-so-handmade souvenirs
Sadly, lots of the seemingly handmade souvenirs offered in Mexico City aren’t legit. Particularly across the Zócalo and Centro Histórico, you’ll discover a variety of these pretend handicrafts at astonishingly low costs. A lot of them are made abroad (supposedly by slave labor) after which shipped to Mexico. They could seem to be from the identical neat artesanías you’d discover in the Mercado de Artesanías in Coyoacán, however they’re simply replicas.
If the worth appears to good to be true, it most likely is. As an alternative of falling for these memento scams, try artisan markets just like the one in Coyoacán, the place you’ll give you the option to purchase instantly from the artisans. Whereas I wouldn’t say that all of the souvenirs on the market in the historic middle are fakes, so lots of them are that it doesn’t appear well worth the danger.
2. Deal with your tummy
Don’t by any means ever drink the faucet water in Mexico City, or wherever exterior your house nation for that matter. In Mexico, even the locals don’t drink the faucet water. Everybody has garrafones, or massive water jugs, in their residence. Due to that, you don’t have to fear about ice or meals being ready with faucet water as a result of eating places and bars at all times make ice with filtered water.
So far as avoiding a meals poisoning catastrophe, you’re greatest wager would possibly really be road meals. Whaaaaat? I do know it sounds unusual, however since road meals is made to order as a rule, you’re often in the clear. Because the meals stalls are so small, you’ll give you the option to watch your meals being ready as effectively. I’m a vegetarian, so I can’t give anybody a private account of the meat high quality in CDMX, however my carnivore mates have advised me that the least-sketchy meat is definitely at road taco stalls. Specifically, the meat that’s shaved off an enormous spit (referred to as a trompo) is the freshest, as a result of it’s served proper after cooking. Who knew?
The largest danger for meals poisoning is contemporary produce that would have been washed with contaminated water, as opposed to filtered water. In lots of circumstances, you gained’t know for positive if the fruit and veggies you’re consuming are all proper to eat. Don’t fret although, as a result of there are some indicators that a spot is A-OK. Eating places and meals stalls which can be very busy, have a line, and have a excessive turnover often imply that they’ve common prospects that preserve coming again. That’s an amazing signal that folks aren’t getting sick from their meals.
You may as well try a restaurant’s Google evaluations to see if anyone has gotten sick there not too long ago and complained about it. Generally these evaluations will paint a grim image of a spot with out purpose, but it surely’s higher to be secure than sorry.
1. Journey solo like a professional
When you’ve made it this far, you’ve already heard almost the whole lot that you simply’ll hear from individuals who let you know it’s too unsafe to journey solo to Mexico City. It could shock you, however I really assume that Mexico City is without doubt one of the greatest locations to journey solo. I’m somebody who very a lot prefers to see as a lot as I can whereas touring, and I like to achieve this by myself schedule. Since there’s a lot to see and do in CDMX, I felt like touring solo there was the one approach to go, and I had an exquisite expertise doing so.
That stated, listed below are a pair issues to preserve in thoughts:
The place to keep
You’ll see above that a number of the hottest neighborhoods for vacationers are additionally a number of the most secure. Any of these neighborhoods are effective to keep in, however there are just a few that I feel are best-suited for solo feminine vacationers:
- La Condesa and Roma: There are a variety of foreigners who reside in these neighborhoods, so that you’re much less possible to stand out. There are additionally a ton of Airbnbs which have gated entrances, which supplies some peace of thoughts. (When you’re uncertain about that function, simply ask your host about what the entry from the road is like.)
- Polanco: Equally, you’re possible to be amongst different foreigners in Polanco. It’s one of the vital costly neighborhoods in city, nevertheless, which may add up in the event you’re not splitting the fee with a journey accomplice.
- Reforma: Named for the lengthy, tree-lined avenue that runs by the neighborhood, this space is a superb choice as a result of it’s so shut to sights. The avenue has an extended bike path and can be one of many metropolis’s most pedestrian-friendly areas. It’s well-lit at night time as effectively, so nighttime crime is comparatively low.
Avenue harassment
I really feel like virtually wherever you go as a solo feminine traveler, that is going to be a problem. In my expertise, there has not been a single place I’ve traveled to the place I haven’t been catcalled. Sadly, Mexico City is not any exception to that. When you can’t management the actions of males on the road, you may follow warning with the way you react.
I’m not a fan of websites that inform girls to gown a sure approach or stroll a sure approach to keep away from road harassment, so I can’t be telling anybody what to do with their physique. Nonetheless, if you’re catcalled on the road, it’s greatest to ignore it as a lot as doable. Particularly in a international surroundings, sticking up for your self might flip harmful. In my expertise dwelling in Mexico, it’s at all times been higher for my very own psychological sanity to simply ignore them and carry on strolling.
Public transportation
Like I discussed above, there are measures in place on Mexico City’s public transport that can permit you to experience in female-only areas. That stated, in the event you do find yourself on a daily practice automobile or on a co-ed bus, there’s a danger that you can be harassed, pickpocketed, and even grabbed. Attempt to keep away from taking public transit throughout essentially the most crowded instances: from 7am to 9am and from 5pm to 7pm. This fashion, you would possibly give you the option to get a seat and keep away from brushing up towards strangers.
Relationship apps and socializing
I do know lots of people like to use courting apps like Tinder and Bumble to meet folks whereas they’re touring solo. Apps will be a good way to get to know a brand new metropolis from a neighborhood’s standpoint, and it may be enjoyable to meet folks this manner. Nevertheless it’s essential to train a variety of warning whereas doing so in Mexico City, identical to it’s wherever else.
My rule of thumb for that is: if I wouldn’t have an interest in assembly this individual in my very own metropolis, I most likely gained’t be into it right here. That’s to say, if there are pink flags, don’t ignore them. In spite of everything, the best way somebody comes off in their profile could possibly be completely totally different from who they’re in individual.
When you do need to meet up with somebody whereas visiting CDMX, achieve this in a public place. Let your mates again residence know the place you’re going and what the individual’s title is. It’s not bizarre to ask somebody’s full title earlier than assembly up with them. In the event that they make it bizarre that you simply requested, that’s a pink flag.
At all times make it crystal clear what you’re searching for. When you’re simply wanting to make mates, say so up entrance and stand your floor. I’ve made mates this manner, so it’s undoubtedly doable! Many apps even have a selected function for assembly new mates, so make the most of that!
The identical guidelines apply wherever else when it comes to solo touring and socializing as a lady in a international place. When you drink, achieve this responsibly and by no means depart your drink unattended. At all times have an escape plan if issues get bizarre (I left the gasoline on the in the house, gotta go!). Make certain to preserve your telephone charged, so you may get an Uber residence. Most of all, don’t really feel obligated to say “sure” to folks and conditions that make you uncomfortable.
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Mexico City is an unimaginable place to go to and shouldn’t be on anybody’s “too harmful” record. With the following tips, you may take all of the precautions needed to have a secure journey and make the most of the whole lot this unimaginable metropolis has to provide. Bear in mind, there’s extra to Mexico than meets the attention, and also you by no means know what journey lies across the nook!
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