Mexico City is one big city, (a HUGE city, actually) and like any big city there is bound to be some level of crime that you need to be aware of. But is that level of crime so much higher than any other major world city? I had often been told yes and had even been discouraged from visiting the city.

For years Mexico City has had a less than stellar reputation when it comes to the safety of its residents and its visitors. In addition to your basic pick-pockets and scam artists, there were regular reports of major robberies, car jackings and if rumors were true, every taxi driver had a plot to rob and kidnap unsuspecting tourists.  Plus with all of the recent reports of horrible drug related murders throughout the country, you have to wonder if those issues were prevalent in the capital city as well.

One thing I noticed right away was that there appears to be an effort to address the street crime in Mexico City. I rarely walked more than a block or two without seeing a police officer and a few times I saw large groups of 20 or 30 gathered on major street corners.  Definitely a deterrent to any lurking criminal. On a sunny Sunday, I walked alone across the city from the Zocalo Square area to the Condessa neighborhood without ever feeling unsafe.  I walked through leafy residential neighborhoods, busy city streets with tall buildings and even through what appeared to be an “occupy Mexico City” area with lots of tarps and tents, and felt more at ease than I do in some parts of Los Angeles.

The city’s metro and buses were cheap and safe and even though I had been warned about taking a cab off the street (without calling ahead to reserve one) I ended up having to do that twice and in each instance I arrived at my destination quickly and without incident.  So my advice about traveling in Mexico City?

Be aware, but don’t be afraid. 

Most places you will want to go in Mexico City as a tourist will be safe and accessible.  Even with my non-existent Spanish language skills, I found most people to be helpful and the city fairly easy to navigate.

Of course, I didn’t get to be a world traveler by being completely careless and naive. All of my Mexico City exploration was done during daylight hours and at night I did my best to stick to well-lit streets and well-populated places.  I didn’t keep too much money on me and I separated what I had into smaller stashes. I do carry an expensive camera with me so I can get good photos, but I don’t flash it around and if I’m going out at night, I usually leave it back at my hotel.

I don’t kid myself. I know there are areas of Mexico City that are less than safe for residents and travelers alike, and that even in what looks to be a “safe neighborhood” I can find myself in a difficult situation. But overall I think the time has come for Mexico City to shake off its reputation of being a crime-ridden metropolis and instead showcase its beauty, artistry and culture.

People ignoring the caution tape – probably the closest thing I saw to anyone breaking the law.