Mexico City

Is Mexico City safe?

Safer than its country's reputation, but not a place to switch off. Mexico's national homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary was 21.4 per 100,000 in 2025, according to INEGI. Mexico City's was 9, less than half the national figure and well below many US cities' peaks. Most murders happen in outer boroughs, linked to local drug markets, and rarely touch the neighbourhoods where visitors stay.

Robbery is the more realistic risk. The UK Foreign Office warns about express kidnappings, robberies by unlicensed taxi drivers and thieves who target people at cash machines. We score the city 58, below New York and above Rio de Janeiro.

How visitors get robbed

Three patterns account for most of the serious cases reported by tourists:

• Street taxis. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says unlicensed taxi drivers have robbed and assaulted passengers in Mexico City. In an express kidnapping, the victim is driven around and forced to withdraw cash from several ATMs. Use Uber, DiDi or Cabify, a "sitio" taxi from an official rank, or a taxi your hotel calls. At the airport, buy a ticket for an authorised taxi at a booth inside the terminal.
• Cash machines. Criminals watch ATMs and exchange offices. Use machines inside banks, shopping centres or your hotel, in daylight, and take out modest amounts.
• Phones. Phone snatches on the street and in traffic are common, sometimes by robbers on motorbikes and sometimes at gunpoint. If threatened, hand it over.

Pickpocketing is common on the Metro, especially lines 1, 2 and 3 through the centre, and on Metrobús. The FCDO also warns about "virtual kidnapping", where criminals phone a family claiming to be holding a relative. Know where your travel companions are and keep your family informed of your plans.

Night safety, neighbourhood by neighbourhood

Mexico City is not uniform. Roma Norte, Condesa, Juárez and Polanco are full of restaurants and bars until late, with private security and police on many corners. Coyoacán and San Ángel to the south are calm and residential. The Centro Histórico is full of life during the day but quiet after about 10pm, and the blocks east of the Zócalo towards Tepito and La Merced are best avoided at night. Doctores, home of the Arena México wrestling, and Garibaldi, the mariachi square, are fun with a group or a tour and riskier alone late at night.

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary warns that criminals have drugged travellers' drinks in bars before robbing or assaulting them. Keep your drink with you and be wary of new friends who suggest moving on to another bar.

Earthquakes and altitude

This is one of the most earthquake-exposed capitals in the world. The city is built on a drained lakebed whose soft soil amplifies shaking. The 1985 earthquake killed thousands, and the 19 September 2017 quake killed 228 people in the city. The public alert system (SASMEX) sounds through street loudspeakers when a large quake is detected on the Pacific coast, giving from a few seconds up to about a minute of warning. Install the 911 CDMX app, which the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary recommends, and when you check in, find your hotel's stairs and meeting point.

At about 2,240 metres, the altitude leaves some visitors breathless or with headaches for a day or two. Drink plenty of water and go easy on alcohol at first.

Air, water and roads

Air pollution is above WHO guidelines. Between February and June the city often declares environmental contingencies and limits driving. Check air quality before a long run or a cycle. Do not drink tap water; bottled and filtered water is everywhere. Private hospitals such as Médica Sur, the ABC and Ángeles are good, but you need insurance.

SEMOVI counted 424 road deaths in 2025, about 4.6 per 100,000 people and 20% fewer than in 2024. Almost half were motorcyclists. For pedestrians, the danger is fast traffic on wide avenues such as Insurgentes and Reforma and drivers who do not stop at crossings. Use pedestrian bridges and signals, and on Sundays enjoy Reforma when it closes to cars.

Where to stay

Roma Norte, Condesa, Juárez and Polanco are the safest bases for a first visit. Coyoacán is quieter and further from the centre. If you stay in the Centro Histórico, choose a hotel near the Zócalo or Madero street and take a ride app back at night. For the rest of the country, read our Mexico page.

How we scored it

Violent crime (62) is moderate: far better than much of Mexico, but well above the European and Asian cities we score. Theft and scams (50) and night safety (55) are the weakest factors. Natural hazards (52) reflect the earthquake risk on the old lakebed.