Mexico City Travel Forum

Hi, We are planning on going to mexico city this summer. We have looked online and can see several tours of the museums, attractions, and ruins around the area. Some of these tours are for an entire day. ARE THEY SAFE?

i see no reason to see why not. but i wouldn't pay anything online. you'll probably find that your hotel offers something similar once you arrive.

Safe? Yes!

Unless you find something really unique that gets you excited (A special tour of kitchens with cooking lessons, for example) you need not reserve and pay before you arrive in Mexico City. You will have no difficulty finding all sorts of tours either at your hotel or at travel agencies. In fact, if you come through the airport you will probably be handed a little booklet of Greyline tours (the largest company)before you reach customs.

For museums you can usually get a guide right at the museum and still have the freedom to spend as much or as little time as you want.
I have also heard that in the city center there is now one of those multiple stop tourist trolleys that allows you to get off and on again for one ticket.

Have a good time. bob

I have done all the tours to the ruins on my own and have never had any problem. You just travel on the subway and bus system, and this takes you directly to those places. You do not need a guide for that. Just check out the connections at your hotel/hostel, and note them, for the case you have to ask and do not speak Spanish.

Advance booking isn't needed, that I'll agree. Grayline Tours operates some very popular half-day and day trips that friends of mine have complimented. If you don't speak Spanish and want to get around efficiently and have a guide or someone explain to you what you're seeing - a tour can be an excellent option. Don't forget the Turibus option in Mexico City, there are a couple of routes which for about the peso-equivalent of US$11 will take you through the city to see the highlights and you can hop on/off at these stops all day long; it's an excellent way to see the city and identify things you want to return to see on your own.

My family and I just arrived from Mexico yesterday and as far as Mexico City is concerned, you could practically tour the city on your own by using either the subway or sitio taxis. It's pretty safe (but HOT so bring a hat and bottled water) and whatever reputation they may have, there's a lot of policemen and patrols around. As advised by others, when night as set in take only sitio taxis for transportation. Many side streets and alleys seem to become abandoned after dark so if locals themselves do not venture into those areas during those times, neither should foreigners.

The only exception re tours was the Teotihuacan ruins as it would be ideal to have a learned person tell you about the history and significance of the symbols and structures there. Such tours can be arranged with your hotel's reception desk. A day tour to Teotihuacan currently costs $25 which includes an air-conditioned bus/van (from and to your hotel) and guide.

There's a reason why the military patrols so many parts of the city and why you'll see so many police in the city - and it's not because the government considers the situation "safe." Many popular tourist areas are high-crime zones - including the area surrounding the Zocalo plaza and the rest of Centro Historico.

Of course! The best thing to do though if you're concerned about safety is make reservations through a hotel.