Crime in Mexico City, Mexico

Avoid the areas under the US travel warning.

Note the US State Department hasn't worded it very well, they've made it look like 'Mexico City' doesn't have any areas under high risk advisories.

If you look closely parts of it are on level 3 (on a scale of 1 to 4). They've given the impression if you're not paying attention that all of Mexico City is on a lowly level 2 rating.

If I can add to what I wrote below, this also applies to cities elsewhere in Mexico and LatAm. The ME and Africa have always been more violent than Latin America and have always had more violent cities. LatAm is above-average violent, but it lacks that elite-level violence to be considered among the world's most violent regions.

Basically, beware fear-mongering journalism (WSJ, NYT, BI etc.) using bad data. Even if I admit parts of MC are under the U.S. warning.

Mexico City is fine. I never have had a problem. People are nice and I've drank out of the water fountain and didn't have an issue. The important thing I can say is learn some basic Spanish and be polite.

I lived in Polanco for about a year and half. I never use metro and have a old car on purpose. During the last year our friend (we have only about a 10 friends) got robbed 2 times with a gun in their car, 2 times in the market and our appartmant was robbed 3 times by the same man, security catched him, we had him on the video and they would release him the same day. They say he is now dead. Our windows have bars and our house has wired and electric tape around. We have alarm and security and still we got robbed. Nothing was stolen, but the person acted like crazy. Last week there was an armed robbery of someone taking cash out of the bank. Somebody tried to kidnap someone in Mariano Escobero, very busy street, his security killed the guy and poloce now want to prosecute the person, who was protecting himslef. The whole thing is on the video. We hear every week about people being kidnapped or getting in the armed robbery in the car places like Reforma or here in Polanco, which everybody considers "save". So what is wrong with people here? Why police would never help you? I xome from eastern Europe and we can walk at night, ride metro drunk at night and go by myself and never get robbed or raped. Kidbapping for money is a thing we do not know. 98 od percents of murders get solved and people go to jail even for a minor crimes if they reocure. We are not rich country, but we have a respecr for police, justice system and especially for each other. I am tired of riding uber everywhere. I would like to take metro and not get ny stuff taken. My teacher of spanish got her phone stolen 4 times over an half year riding from Polanco to south/Unam. I am tired of being suspicious and having my head on the watch. I feel save walking in Polanco during a day, but I wish I would not to worry, which street I have to take when it get a little bit dark. A lot of crimes here are random, but they are comon. Like shoodting between the cartles at the Garibaldi just a day before Grito. And any news that the murder was solved? There is only about 2 percent chance that it will be solved and police does not bother to solve crimes like a small personal robbery. "According to the CNDH, only one out of every ten crimes is reported in Mexico; this is due to lack of trust from citizens to the authorities. Furthermore, only one out of 100 reported crimes actually goes to sentencing." ... and the city is beautiful, people are nice, but all of this .. i only ask why?

I don't know why its so much news ab0ut mexico and murders ,it makes seem that people is walking around with guns just killing ,that bs..,what is bad, is that by accident one might be totally in the middle of the fights and shooting between cartels people. but if you go to Mexico (not the capital) but many other places or estates. its so nice,clean and peaceful. that it contradicts all the bad news you hear about it in the tv or radio, people is warm and polite. most of the crimes are happening among people that is involved in drug dealing.kidnapping are mostly happening among very well known people for their fame and money.average people doesnt get kidnap/ I must say that you don't walk around with fear because you think will witness crimes all over the place.no no no it does not happen like that.I don't think one can experience the friendliness in other countries as one feel in Mexico.if you travel to Mexico there are some universal safety procedures to follow . you don't get in a public transportation like a bus,you don't go to places just to explore wioth out knowing whats going on. ,you don't carry your purse with all the money and imp. doc. and be careless when walking around.always stay in near everybody else and with there is
plenty of light. but this is what you do anywhere you travel. Bad news are inflated and out of proportion which always seems to be important for USA to sabotage the revenue coming from tourist into Mexico.

Mobile device was robbed from me getting onto the Metro at Xocalo station. Thief reached into my pocket and grabbed it while I was getting onto train, he ran off down the platform as the doors closed. Sad, I hope he burns in Mexican hell.

Kitsune's comments are so vile.
Yes, Mexico City is dangerous, particularly in some areas, but it's ridiculous to say that it's not worth visiting or that Mexicans don't think their city is dangerous. I have many Mexican friends and they love their country of course but they are aware of and saddened by all of that violence and corruption.

I think for visitors, as long as you are aware of surroundings and stay out of sketchy areas and don't wander around at night, you'll be just fine. Last time I was in Mexico City, I was alone. I'm a very pale, blue-eyed, white Canadian woman and I took the Subway, went to plenty of neighborhoods and walked around by myself, didn't have a problem. Of course I wouldn't have done that after dark, or in some areas of the city that I know to be dangerous. And I didn't wear jewelry or carry anything valuable besides my phone.

Is Mexico City more dangerous than your average American or Canadian city? Likely. Is it still worth visiting? Absolutely. It's beautiful, the food is amazing, and honestly, the people are great.

I was born in Mexico City and i've always lived here, this is of course a very beautiful city but that doesn't take away the fact that it has become one of the most dangerous cities in America, of course like every city there are safe zones and neighborhoods but they are actually the minority, most of the city is full with vandalism specially the zones of Naucalpan, Neza and Ecatepec, if you are a tourist then dont worry about the downtown, the Zocalo and that zone is very safe in respect of being victim of an armed robbery or a kidnap, this is one of the most monitored areas on the city because of the toruism. Also the Colonia Roma, Colonia Condesa, Coyoacán, Reforma, Polanco and Del Valle are safe too. But please stay away of dangerous zones because the city has now become very unsafe because of the corruption that is living the full country.

Mexican from south of Mexico City.
Mexico City is a large city , give it respect as any capital city in world. Is not hell in earth and is not donkey town. Respect like your own city, for example going out in a dark street with nobody around by night wearing sandals, short pants, hawaiian shirt, sunglasses and a big camera on your hands...common sense.
Mexico City is very touristic place so is safe going to touristic places. If is your first time please keep in touristic areas, don't let your belongs alone, put your bag in front of you to avoid buglars and pickpokets. Enjoy the rest.
If is your second time or more in Mexico City now you know what kind of places avoid and know better how to move around so you can use public buses and explore more places.
You just have to use commmon sense, what is common sense? You are visiting one of the biggest cities in the world, same population as New York, Mumbai, Beijing or Sao Paulo, take same seriousness as any other of those cities.
Worried by war on drugs? No, please. I'm been living in this beautiful city by 30 yrs and never suffer of any crime but just because I'm lucky and my common sense.