Safety for Mexico City

So, you are going to visit Mexico City... and that is wonderful. But it is a big city, a huge city, and tourists usually stick out. Either because they do not know how to wade around the city and expect another country and culture to tailor to their own very specific needs or because they look like this:

So, in order to make the most of your visit, I have made a list of Safety Tips to make your stay a pleasant one. I am sure most of you already know this (if you have been to any big city in the world), but here we have, the basics:

Movement

• Only get in taxi cabs called from a taxi station (called sitios, they phone a taxi for you), never stop a taxi in the street.
• Negotiate ahead of time the fare (unless it is fixed or with a taxímetro), ask “cuánto sale para X”.
• Don´t leave the window down. Lock the doors when you are in the car/cab.
• Do not pull out maps in the street (even in the car/cab).
• Don’t walk in the streets at night (except in Coyoacán, and only in lighted areas).
• Don´t walk and talk on the phone.
• Ask the hotel if there are any dangerous streets near the hotel, avoid them.
• Avoid catcalls, ignore them.

Money

• Always carry about 20-50 dollars, if you get mugged give them that immediately, do not look at them.
• Never use an ATM on the street, use the ones inside stores or malls.
• Do not go into an ATM alone, if someone is there, wait outside. Once inside, lock the door. If you see anyone hanging out outside, do not enter. Leave your companion outside to watch out for you.
• Distribute cash among your pockets, do not keep it all in one place (or get a money belt/pouch).
• Do not carry huge amounts of cash.
• Do not pay with debit card or credit card, it might get cloned. Use cash. (except maybe the hotel)
• Pay with pesos, dollars will be taken at the lowest they were that month according to the banks. They will usually never give change in dollars.
• Tipping is expected with almost everything, think on average 10 pesos, on food 15-20%.

Passport

• Do not carry your passport on you, use the safety deposit box in the hotel. Carry a photocopy.

Yourself

• Do not use gold or jewelry, nothing shiny. If you are wearing a stone ring, turn the stone inside.
• If you take your rings out when you wash your hands, if someone uses the next sink, move the rings.
• Do not wear flashy clothes.
• Do not leave purse or backpack out of your sight (do not hang your purse/backpack on the seat, put it in the table).
• If you need help, do not ask a policeman, go to the nearest store and ask for help from the people working there.
• If a policeman says you did something and is going to fine you, ask for his/her badge and write it down. Then say you are calling the American Embassy, if they continue, call the embassy. Never go with him/her anywhere (s/he might not be a police officer).

Druglords

• Do not speak in public or in taxis positively or negatively about the insecurity, violence, criminal activity, etc. Someone might not agree.

TLDR: Don't flash your money around, don't act stupid, do not expect the police to help you. Enjoy yourself!