Is it safe to travel to Mexico City? Rufus?

[-Jrabbit]

One of my clients has been invited to travel to Mexico City for a 3-day trade show. His hosts told him not to worry, that they would provide him with a translator/bodyguard. He would be transported directly to and from the event by his hosts.

Naturally, this "reassurance" raises some serious issues.

I've been to Mexico City on business 3 times with nary a problem, but that was 5-7 years ago. In the interim, it appears that kidnapping Americans has become something of a cottage industry, and that the drug cartels hold and flaunt significant power. The State Dept. advisory seems to primarily address the border areas of northern Mexico, but the capital clearly carries its own set of dangers.

My client is an experienced international traveler, not at all an "ugly American" type, and hopes to establish his company in the Latin America market. So his inclination is to go, but wants to be sure he's checked out the red flags.

I've been asked to advise. Anyone have some solid, pertinent and timely advice on this issue? (I'm looking at you, Rufus T. Firefly.)

[SlowwHand]

Right now, be very careful. Absolutely don't stray from tourist spots. If you see an altercation of even the smallest scale developing, leave with all haste.
It's more dangerous, to my knowledge, in Monterrey and Juarez, but I wouldn't think it "safe" in any locale, including Mexico City.

[DinoDoc]

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Violence by criminal elements affects many parts of the country, urban and rural. Visitors to the U.S.-Mexico border region, including cities such as Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales, Matamoros, and Monterrey should remain alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times. In its efforts to combat violence, the Government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. Military checkpoints increased in border areas in early 2008. U.S. citizens are advised to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways. Sporadic outbursts of politically motivated violence occur from time to time in certain areas of the country, particularly in the southern states of Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca.

...

General Safety: Standards of security, safety, and supervision may not reach those expected in the United States. This has contributed to deaths of U.S. citizens in automobile accidents, after falls from balconies or into open ditches, by drowning in the ocean as well as in hotel pools, and in water-sports mishaps, among others.

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's travel web site where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Please visit the Safety Issues section for additional safety information.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

CRIME: Crime in Mexico continues at high levels, and it is often violent, especially in Mexico City, Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Acapulco, and the state of Sinaloa. Other metropolitan areas have lower, but still serious, levels of crime. Low apprehension and conviction rates of criminals contribute to Mexico’s high crime rate. U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are encouraged to report the incident to the nearest police headquarters and to the nearest U.S. consular office.

...

Crime in Mexico City: In Mexico City, the most frequently reported crimes involving tourists are taxi robbery (see below), armed robbery, pick pocketing, and purse-snatching. In several cases, tourists have reported that men in uniforms perpetrated the crime, stopping vehicles and seeking money, or assaulting and robbing tourists walking late at night. As in any large city, individuals should exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings, especially when walking anywhere in the city.

Business travelers should be aware that theft occurs even in what appears to be secure locations. Theft of such items as briefcases and laptops occur frequently at the Benito Juarez International Airport and at business-class hotels. Arriving travelers who need to obtain pesos at the airport should use the exchange counters or ATMs in the arrival/departure gate area, where access is restricted, rather than changing money after passing through Customs, where they can be observed by criminals.

Exercise caution when utilizing credit or debit cards in ATM machines or dubious locales. There have been reports of instances in which U.S. citizens in Mexico have had their card numbers “skimmed” and the money in their debit accounts stolen or their credit cards fraudulently charged. (“Skimming” is the theft of credit card information by an employee of a legitimate merchant or bank, manually copying down numbers or using a magnetic stripe reader.) In addition to skimming, the risk of physical theft of credit or debit cards also exists. To prevent such theft, the Embassy recommends that travelers keep close track of their personal belongings when out and about and that they only carry that which is needed. If travelers choose to use credit cards, they should regularly check their account status to ensure its integrity.

Metro (subway) robberies are frequent in Mexico City. If riding the Metro or the city bus system, U.S. citizens should take extreme care with valuables and belongings. Avoid using Metro during busy commuting hours in the morning or afternoon. Tourists and residents alike should avoid driving alone at night anywhere in Mexico City.

Robbery and assault on passengers in taxis are frequent and violent in Mexico City, with passengers subjected to beating, shooting, and sexual assault. U.S. citizens visiting Mexico City should avoid taking any taxi not summoned by telephone or contacted in advance. When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi or "sitio" (regulated taxi stand – pronounced "C-T-O"), and ask the dispatcher for the driver's name and the cab's license plate number. Ask the hotel concierge or other responsible individual to write down the license plate number of the cab that you entered. Avoid “libre” taxis and the Volkswagen beetle taxis altogether. Although “libre” taxis are more convenient and less expensive, these are less regulated, may be unregistered, and are potentially more dangerous.

Passengers arriving at Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport should take only airport taxis (which are white with a yellow stripe and a black airplane symbol) after pre-paying the fare at one of the special booths inside the airport.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html#safety

[-Jrabbit]

Yes, I've read the State Dept. travel alert.

I'm looking for more anecdotal evidence, especially from recent travelers. I've been told that Mexico City today is roughly equivalent in danger to Americans as Rio de Janeiro, and comparable to Times Square in the early 90s for any tourist.

[Riesstiu IV]

Well lets see, MC is an impoverished Mexican hell hole with 19 million inhabitants and a police force two-thirds the size of NYC. What could go wrong?

[GePap]

"MC"???

Its "DF"! (Distrito Federal, which is what Mexicans themselves call the capital area).

[-Jrabbit]

What's "Ciudad Mexico" then? The state it's in?

[GePap]

No, that is the City of Mexico. That is another name, but not the one most locals use to describe their area. I think using local terminology might make you stick out as a Gringo just a little bit less.

I will let Wiki explain the perculiarities and complexities of the politics involved:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Federal_District

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Well, you've seen the State Dept travel alert; I haven't served (and probably never will serve) in Latin America, so Mexico City is somewhat off my radar (though I'll bet it's safer than Kabul!).

The sense I have from hearing colleagues talk, though, is that while Mexico City is more violent than it used to be, that violence is mostly thugs in the drug trade offing each other; for the average tourist, stuff hasn't changed that much since you were there last.

[SlowwHand]

Unless you're caught in a crossfire or hit by a stray bullet.

[Imran Siddiqui]

One of my co-workers went about 2-3 years ago. She said it was a blast and didn't feel threatened at all.

[Naked Gents Rut]

I'm looking for more anecdotal evidence, especially from recent travelers.

A few of my friends here in NYC are from Mexico and one of them has a story about one of her American friends who came to visit. Apparently he got into a cab one night to go back to his hotel. Everything seemed alright until he noticed that the cab was going in the wrong direction. He asked the cabbie what was going on and was told that he was being taken somewhere else and that he should just shut up or he might get hurt. Kidnapping.

Luckily, this guy was some sort of quant-type and had seen and remembered the license plate number to the cab. He still had his cell phone, so he told the kidnapper that he was calling the police. The kidnapper laughed at first, but apparently didn't think it was so funny once the passenger told him what his license plate number was. That's when he pulled over, told his would-be victim to get out and drove off.

Anecdotal evidence to be sure, but I think your client should be happy to have safe transport to and from events.

edit: As a sidenote, my friend who told me this is originally from Cali, Colombia (her parents moved to Mexico a few years ago) and she seems to think Mexico City is more dangerous than being back home.

[Timexwatch]

that violence is mostly thugs in the drug trade offing each other; for the average tourist, stuff hasn't changed that much since you were there last.

So essentially it's Washington, D.C.

[DaShi]

Remember: Texans view Mexico as a kind of less safe version of Mad Max. But to be fair, that's how the rest of America views Texas.

[Barnabas]

I think some parts of the USA are or used to be more dangerous than Mexico city , like Detroit or Baltimore.

I know many people who live there with no problems, but they are Argentines. For an American it would be different since criminals prey on first world tourists.
But I don't think he would have much of a problem. After all he will get a bodyguard and stuff.