Is Mexico City Safe in January 2026?

Organised pickpocket teams operate on crowded metro lines — particularly Line 1 (the Pink Line running east–west through the city centre) and the Metrobús Line 1 along Insurgentes — during peak hours. One team member creates a bottleneck or distraction at the turnstile or door while another removes valuables from bags, pockets, or jacket interiors. Phones are frequently snatched through the closing doors of metro carriages at stations like Pino Suárez and Balderas.

How to avoid: Carry valuables in front pockets or a crossbody bag worn in front of your body. Avoid using your phone visibly on the metro platform or near the doors. Use dedicated women-only pink carriages if applicable and avoid rush hours (7–9 a.m. and 6–8 p.m.) when possible.

Taxi drivers near the Zocalo and major tourist sites charge tourists without meters or quote fares in US dollars, significantly overcharging compared to regulated rates. Some work in coordination with touts who direct tourists toward specific overpriced vehicles.

How to avoid: Use only app-based transport (Uber, DiDi, Cabify) which shows the fare upfront and tracks the route. If you must use a taxi, agree on the exact fare in pesos before entering and confirm the driver uses the meter or accept only a written receipt.

Tourists who take unlicensed taxis (libre taxis) hailed from the street are at risk of being driven to ATMs and forced at gunpoint to withdraw their daily withdrawal limit. This is especially reported near Benito Juárez International Airport.

How to avoid: Never hail a taxi from the street in Mexico City. Use only authorized sitio taxis (called from a stand or phone), Uber, Cabify, or DiDi apps. Book airport taxis from the authorized TAPO or terminal taxi counters inside the terminal.

ATM skimming devices are placed on machines in tourist areas including Roma, Condesa, and Polanco. Card data is captured and used for fraudulent transactions. Distraction accomplices may also shoulder-surf PINs.

How to avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches during business hours. Cover your PIN with your hand when entering it. Check the card slot for any loose plastic or unusual additions. Use contactless payments where possible.

Unlicensed tour operators running day trips to the Teotihuacán pyramids (approximately 50 km northeast of central Mexico City) include mandatory stops at partner souvenir and obsidian shops, where guides disappear and passengers are pressured to make purchases for 20–40 minutes before the tour continues. Prices in these shops are 3–5x what the same items cost at the pyramid site itself. Some budget tour packages from around the Autobuses del Norte terminal also advertise "tequila factory" visits that amount to a brief sample and a hard sales pitch.

How to avoid: Book tours through licensed operators on platforms like Viator or through your hotel. Ask specifically whether the tour includes any compulsory shopping stops before booking, and check recent reviews for mentions of shop detours.