When preparing for a business trip or road trip to Mexico , you need to know which neighborhoods are dangerous, which areas to avoid, and which are the hot spots 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).
Is Mexico City a dangerous city?
The homicide rate, the majority of which is linked to organized crime, has been steadily increasing in Mexico for the past four years. See my article: Is it dangerous to travel to Mexico?
This type of 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 , and Acapulco . But what about Mexico City?
Well, by 2025, we can say that Mexico City is a dangerous city. This is confirmed by the Numbeo world ranking, where Mexico City is ranked 23rd out of the 100 most crime-ridden cities in the Americas.
With a crime index of 69,61, Mexico City is more dangerous than Santo Domingo , Bogota , Medellin , Guadalajara , New Orleans , or 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 were 6 deaths in an attack on tourists in the center of Mexico City.
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 don't want to miss out on visiting Mexico City's exceptional heritage must exercise extreme caution. Indeed, very close to the historic center are impoverished and violent neighborhoods. Just like in Rio de Janeiro , these areas form favelas controlled by drug traffickers.
The French government has published a statement on its France Diplomatie website explaining 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.
Rough neighborhoods 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.
Most dangerous neighborhoods Mexico City
According to the latest official figures from the Secretariat of Citizen Security of the Mexican government (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
With this map, you can identify the main and most dangerous neighborhoods (colonias) among the 1,812 neighborhoods of Mexico City:
These are the neighborhoods which have had the most robberies with violence, crimes, assaults and homicides. But unfortunately, this list is not exhaustive.
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 luxury resorts are clustered in the same area of the capital. Indeed, the Sheraton, the Four Seasons, the Marriott, the Sofitel, and the Meridien are all located in the heart of Mexico City, in an area south of Colonia Cuauhtémoc. See the map of this hotel district.
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: