Busting myths about Mexico City

Back when I was in Australia preparing for my trip to Latin America, when I told people I was going to Mexico City, their first reaction was usually, “Oh, be careful! Are you going alone? It’s dangerous!” Whilst I appreciate all the care that my friends and colleagues have for me, I think that you really have to spend time in a city before judging it based on what you’ve watched on Netflix. One of my closest friends in Australia is from Mexico, and she inspired me to visit the country’s capital and North America’s most populated city. For latino families, a lot of my observations won’t surprise you, but for those with doubts about CDM, read on!

But first, some advice: ALWAYS keep checking the board of boarding times and locations of your flight at an airport – it updates at the last minute!!

Waiting for my connecting flight in Florida, I was too engrossed in La Casa de Papel to notice until five minutes after boarding had begun that they had changed the gate – to ANOTHER TERMINAL. I was running through the airport like a madwoman in a movie -and those who know me know that I HATE running for transport – I prefer to miss a bus than be the humiliated girl on the side of the road as the rest of the people smirk with derision as they pull away.

As I ran through the terminal, counting the gates that never seemed to end (and of course, mine is ALWAYS the last in the terminal), I had all the airport cheering for me as I ran and ran, hearing my name being repeated over the PA system. When I finally arrived, waving my hands madly at the crew and doubling over in coughs and pain, they told me I had another 10 minutes before the flight closed. I spent the rest of the flight coughing and feeling like the whole plane was listening to me dying).

Observation: Mexican people and families are the warmest you’ll ever find

Within ten minutes of arriving in the airport at CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico City), I noticed a difference in the people from Spain. People chatted happily to me on the plane, in the line for luggage pickup and even in the bathroom. People are far more open to speak, curious about where you are from and where you will be going in their country. I was met at the airport gates for the first time in years – by the family of my friend, who still lives in Melbourne. They took amazing care of me all week, taking me to a doctor to get rid of the cold that had stuck around in Spain and had morphed to a serious throat infection, helped along by my airport adventure above. The housekeeper cooked for me every day, washed my clothes and I was constantly asked if I was ok, if I needed anything, and offered all sorts of things. I was taken to restaurants, directed to clean places to eat on the side of the road, and was accompanied by my friend’s Mum who helped me pick out some new tops for the warmer weather in Mexico. I felt that I really had a family here, and it was amazing to wake up in the bedroom that my bestie had grown up in, surrounded by photos, clothes and sooooo many shoes….all things that reminded me of her. The open and affectionate nature of these people astounded me, a very big difference to the families in western culture, who barely speak once a week. It’s a big adjustment for the more independent folk like myself who are not used to being in contact each day with my family, but it’s lovely to know that I have a family here thinking of me on my travels.

Myth: Mexico City is dangerous

Every city has dodgy areas, but you wouldn’t categorise the entire city as a ghetto. Mexico City is no different, however although you may want to skew away from the usual throng of tourists on buses and expensive restaurants catering for rich travellers, these are the areas you need to stick to in CDMX to stay safe, especially if you travel alone. There is a a ton of security and police in the streets ensuring the safety of the masses. The turibus is a hop on hop off service that take you on multiple routes throughout the city, explaining each stop in your language. For only $8.50USD you have an all-day ticket to all routes. Check out the historical Zocalo square, featuring the famous enormous Mexican flag towering over the great Cathedral. However do NOT be sucked in by the terrace restaurants to eat there in the square – you’ll spend more than a good lunch in Australia.

The bohemian, leafy and tranquil neighbourhood of Condesa is a great place for lunch or dinner, with a wide variety of cool bars and restaurants. If you’re like me and you need a taste of nature, you can’t go past the Central Park of Mexico – la Bosque de Chapultepec. This enormous forest is divided by roads into three parts and in addition to being an incredible place to relax by the lake or go for a run, iot features a museum of Anthropology, Butterfly Sanctuary, Zoo, Kids Museum and hundreds of market stalls selling food and souvenirs. I spent an entire day here, making my way up the hill in the centre of the park to the Castillo de Chapultepec, once a castle and now a museum that features loads of emotive art and artefacts about Spanish colonisation of Mexico.

For a taste of mariachi culture, head to Garibaldi Square, not far from Zocalo, which is particularly alive on Friday nights with traditional Mexican musicians serenading the passersby. However go with a few people as the surrounding neighbourhoods are a little ‘ugly’ (unsafe in local speak).

CDMX is a humongous city, so you have plenty of freedom to explore the best parts of the city in complete safety.

Myth: You’ll get robbed in public transport

I have heard a mountain of bad stories about public transport in CDMX. The metro is slow and constantly crushed full of people, making it very easy for pickpockets, and those more bold to cut open your bag. Hold your bag in front of you, lock it up if possible, stow away your phone, and you’ll be fine. One thing is for sure: the metro so busy you’ll never be alone, so your only real worry is pickpockets but if you’re alert, it’s not a worry at all.

Other ways to get around the city are kombis (vans) that have set routes around towns and are only a few pesos, very economical. THere are also the larger camiones (trucks), which due to the larger amount of people and greater probably that one is a thief, are not recommended for blonde female solo travellers like myself. Advice from locals is not to take a taxi. They are always priced based on your nationality and you never know how much they will really charge until the end of the trip. The tracking and rating tools of Uber make it the safest option, and they are still very well priced. Going 20km to the city each day was never more that $10USD.

Advice: You CANNOT miss Xochimilco

My favourite day in CDMX was when I met up with one of my language partners from the city, Antonio, and he took me to one of the towns that was developed outside the centre of CDMX, Xochimilco. The town is flanked by a river full of party boats. For 500 pesos ($25USD) you can hire the boat for a 2 hour boat ride up and down the river. Don’t hire one of these for a romantic boat ride for two – join up with another group at the docks and make it a party! Buy alcohol from the bottle shop close by and you can even hire a speaker (highly recommended, in fact I wouldn’t go without one). The river is full of boats partying, rinking, dancing and singing. Boats selling food, drink and souvenirs flot past to sell their wears and you can even hire a mariachi boat to serenade you along your journey. This is the activity the many young people do on a weekend and it’s a great way to meet new friends in CDMX.

Of course, CDMX isn’t as safe as Melbourne, Sydney or any city in Australia (except maybe Dubbo ;-)). Over the recent decade, unemployment, corruption and young armed gangs have made some neighbourhoods less than favourable. But if you use your logic, stay alert and listen to the advice of locals and other travellers, you will have an amazing time in Mexico City. The people are open and welcoming to tourists and you will find those myths are only that – myths, and the only reason you will want to leave is to move to the the next intoxicating town in Mexico.

Until next time,

Alicia

Read my previous post on my travel tips for Spain.