I’ve told numerous friends about our excellent Mexico City trip, and everyone keeps asking if we felt safe.
I’m sure like any big city, CDMX has its problems, but we never felt slightly unsafe. There seemed to be a lot of police everywhere we went. I guess the city formerly had a bad reputation but I simply didn’t worry about it. We take safety precautions anywhere we go.
While I’ve been to Mexico twice and on each coast, I’ve never been to Mexico City. This sounds like a wonderful big city destination.
Once the US lifts the Covid testing requirement for returning, I will resume international travel. Have three destinations on my list. Have missed travel but also have enjoyed family road trips.
Kid just returned from Mexico City tour. While they had a wonderful time, they did get El Turista. But worse than that, every person on the tour had every single checked bag (United) opened, rifled through, and anything of value was stolen. Clearly, this is systemic, brazen corruption, with absolutely no fear of consequences, so the corruption probably goes right up to the top at the airport, if not higher.
Wow, that’s terrible. Is the tour company or United investigating?
Good case for carry on only–I never put anything valuable in a checked bag.
Personally I’ve never been to Mexico without getting sick. I’m not going back.
Getting sick happens anywhere. I’ve been to Mexico at least a dozen times and haven’t been sick once. The sickest I’ve ever been with food poisoning was in England. Never drink going off orange juice, haha.
Stuff getting stolen from checked bags is not unique to Mexico. It is common advice to avoid putting items that tempt thieves in checked bags everywhere.
I agree. However, kids don’t necessarily know this.
@parentologist, I’m so sorry this happened. What a disheartening experience for those kids. Hopefully this brings the issue to light for other parents to discuss with their kids traveling alone (domestically or internationally) for possibly the first time.
Great thread! I’ve been to Mexico City several times over the years (first in 1980) and have always enjoyed it. The museums and food being the highlights for me. Also trips to nearby archeological sites. I’m taking notes from everyone here for my next visit.
Also the use of money belts while traveling particularly certain cities. While in France the train attendant had us move our carryon bag to another spot because it was too easy for someone to grab off the train at stops. Money belts are a nuisance and kids especially balk at them–right up until they get pickpocketed.
My daughter has a thin cross body with RFID blocking and wears under her shirt or jacket. That’s another option to the money belt.
Good tips for being aware and protecting luggage, backpacks, etc. Do not set yourself up for a crime of convenience.
Luckily, my kid’s instruments are always carried on, and computers/ipads/phones, etc are also always carried on. I doubt that there was any item in the suitcase that had cost more than $50 - kid even forgot to bring tux, wound up in concert black (fortunately kid is in the way back). So since mine didn’t lose anything, I don’t know how it’s being handled.
This was obviously systematic, as if opening and rifling through every suitcase is simply part of the assembly line that all checked baggage goes through in Mexico City. I envision a “harvesting” station at the security screening for checked baggage, standing right alongside supposed security. Doesn’t give me much confidence in what security would be like, either, for the checked bags, because those who would accept bribes to allow thieves to systemically rifle through every bag, would also accept a bribe to allow a bomb in the luggage to go through.
Been thinking of a Mexico City getaway for 4 days or so. Last time we stayed in the Reforma neighborhood. Do any of you still think this is ok or should we stay in Polanco. I haven’t been there in 5 years or so- we stayed at the Sheraton and while it was nice- looking for other options.
I’ve probably been to Mexico 25 or 30 times and have never gotten sick. But, I am careful what I eat and drink and where I eat and drink it.
We also never pack anything really valuable in checked bags but generally try to avoid checking bags altogether. We are returning from a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Checked bags included things we would have to replace – hiking boots and poles, clothes for colder weather and for hiking generally, as well as ShawWife’s art supplies. Electronic devices and all medicine and any jewelry in carry-ons. (We put valuable jewelry in a safe before we left).
I’m sure our kids do the same.
I don’t use money belts and carry very little money these days, but tend to distribute it. I don’t know how our kids protect their money when they travel, but when ShawD was in college, she had $75 and her iPhone picked from her purse in Las Vegas. She knew who did it, but the police didn’t do anything (even though I knew the location of the phone), so we advised her to just be thankful that nothing else happened. I imagine she is more careful about money (and keeping her purse zipped).
I have an anti-theft Travelon purse with a lockable zipper. Super for traveling.
I like the Hyatt and JW Marriott in Polanco. They are surrounded by a lot of good restaurants.