In preparation for a business trip or road trip in Mexico, you need to know which are the dangerous neighborhoods, the areas to avoid and the red light districts in Mexico City.
Indeed, it is essential to avoid certain neighborhoods if you are looking for a safe place to stay in Mexico City.
Indeed, the crime rate is very high in Mexico and more particularly in Mexico City.
This is why I did my own investigation to identify the neighborhoods to avoid and choose my hotel in the best neighborhoods to stay in Mexico City (indicated at the end of the article).
Mexico City dangerous city in 2024?
The rate of homicides, the majority of which are linked to organized crime, has continued to increase for 4 years in Mexico. See my article: Is it dangerous to travel to Mexico
This crime is present throughout the country, particularly in the states of Tabasco, Morelos, Colima, Guanajuato, Astorga, Veracruz, Chihuahua, Baja California and even in Cancun, Tulum ou Acapulco. But what about Mexico City?
Well in 2024, we can say that Mexico City is a dangerous city. This is confirmed by Numbeo world ranking where Mexico City ranks 23rd out of the 100 most crime-ridden cities in the Americas.
With a crime index of 69,61 Mexico City is a more dangerous city than Santo Domingo, Bogota, Medellin, Guadalajara ou New Orleans ou Chicago.
What is the danger in Mexico City for tourists?
Until now, foreign visitors were not at risk of being directly murdered because the homicides were most often the settling of scores between rival gangs, mafias, and drug traffickers. But over the past 5 years, violence has grown in Mexico City, especially in certain areas, and no longer spares tourists.
However, let us remember that in 2018, there was right in the center of Mexico City 6 dead in tourist attack.
In 2024, tourists traveling to Mexico City may face (in certain dangerous neighborhoods):
- pick-pocketing or armed robbery;
- assaults by criminals who force them to withdraw money from ATMs in order to steal them;
- kidnappings with demand for ransoms;
- carjacking or thefts during roadblocks on isolated roads;
- rape and other sexual assaults, particularly against women who travel alone.
Areas to avoid in Mexico City near the city center
Tourists, who do not want to deprive themselves of visiting the exceptional heritage of Mexico City, must remain very careful. Indeed, very close to the historic central district there are very poor and very violent working-class neighborhoods. Just like at Rio de Janeiro, these districts form favelas where drug traffickers reign.
The French Government published a press release in 2024 on its website France Diplomacy which explains that certain areas of Mexico City are experiencing a worsening security situation.
It is therefore recommended to avoid certain areas close to downtown Mexico City, notably the settlements north and northeast of the Zocalo, the Centro, Morelos, Tepito, Nicolas Bravo, Lagunilla and Popular Rastro settlements which are among the most dangerous. in matters of delinquency.
In addition, you must avoid all areas not served by the metro or Metrobus, all isolated areas, those where shops are rare.
Most dangerous neighborhoods Mexico City
According to the latest official figures from the Secretariat of Citizen Security of the Government of Mexico https://www.ssc.cdmx.gob.mx, here are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Mexico City in 2024:
- Iztapalapa from Cuitláhuac
- Gustavo A. Madero
- Alvaro Obregon
- Venustiano Carranza
- Coyoacan
- Benito Juárez
- Miguel Hidalgo
- Xochimilco
- Cuauhtémoc (in some places)
- Azcapotzalco
- Buenavista
- Northern Roma
- doctors
- Narvarte Westeros
Map of dangerous neighborhoods Mexico City
With this carte, you will be able to identify among the 1 neighborhoods of Mexico City, the main neighborhoods, districts or most dangerous colonias of the city.
These are the neighborhoods which have had the most robberies with violence, crimes, assaults and homicides. But unfortunately, this list is not exhaustive.
Red light districts to avoid in Mexico City
Even if these two areas are not necessarily dangerous, it is better to avoid the two red light districts of Mexico City which are La Merced Market and Zona Rosa. In fact, it is better to avoid these areas of bad crowds and illegal activities, particularly at night.
Safest neighborhoods Mexico City
Here are the main neighborhoods which have the reputation of being the safest in Mexico City but we could rather say the least dangerous:
- Polanco
- Santa Fe
- Colonia Roma
- Condesa
- San Rafael City
- District Coyoacan
- Juárez and Zona Rosa
- San Pedro de los Pinos
- Saint Angel
- scandon
Best neighborhoods to stay in Mexico City
If you are looking for a hotel in a safe and friendly area for tourists, here is the list of the most popular places for visitors:
- Polanco
- Juárez
- Paseo de la Reforma
- The Countess
- Colonia Juarez
- San Angel
- Santa Fe
Where to choose your hotel in Mexico City?
The best hotels and palaces are grouped in the same area of the Capital. Indeed, the Sheraton, the Four Seasons, the Marriott, the Sofitel and the Meridien are located in the heart of Mexico City in an area south of Colonia Cuauhtémoc. See it location of this hotel zone.
It is in this area that the Mexican Stock Exchange, major banks and foreign embassies are located. It is located around the Ángel de la Independencia, along the Paseo de la Reforma between the Glorieta de la Palma and the Fuente de La Diana Cazadora.
This business district has many skyscrapers but also many lively streets with shops and good restaurants.
As hotels are not very expensive in Mexico City, I recommend that you indulge yourself by choosing among the best 4 or 5 star hotels:
But if, like me, you are looking for a nice hotel at the best price and well placed for visiting, here is the hotel I recommend: