I used to live in Mexico city. There are a couple of things that all travellers there should know. For a start, never take a taxi off the street. Get your hotel to call you a sitio taxi. Your name and destination are then recorded. This is important because in Mexico City there are many kidnappings, muggings and murders. You will be targeted if you don't look latino.
If for some reason you have to get in a taxi off the street there are a couple of things that you can do to protect yourself. The first is to make sure the license plate starts with an 'L'or an 'S' if it doesn't it probably means that the taxi is stolen and that the person driving it is in a crime ring which mugs passengers. The second check is to make sure that the number on the license plate matches the number on the side of the door. The third check - and this is crucial, is that you see the man's identity card. It must be in colour, and the picture has to look like the guy driving. If not, he's probably part of a ring that will steal your money, hold you up at knife point and then drop you in some horrible part of the city like Doctores with no money, no communication and lots of dodgy people around.
One of the most fun but most dangerous parts of the city is around Bellas Artes and the historical centre. There are lots of pickpockets around there because there are a lot of tourists around there.
Mexico City can be a lot of fun, but you've really got to be careful. I was the only person out of around 40 people who had never been mugged or kidnapped. Please be careful!
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That is quite hilarious. I live in Mexico City and I'm not finding it any more dangerous than say New York or London - it's just another big city, with a bit of smog...
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Advantages: its a must to have some basic spanish to get yourself around Disadvantages: flour tortillas, refried beans and salsa for breakfast, lunch, dinner and SNACKS!!!
birkettsarah 03.07.2000 ·
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