I will be going with a friend for a week to Mexico City next week and staying in Condesa over Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. I am not a newbie to international travel having been to multiple places in Europe and South America.
My question is this - are pickpockets a bigger problem in Mexico City? I ask this because every site I look at for things to do, restaurants, etc., makes it sound like it is worse there than in the other places I’ve traveled. Like I said, I’m not a newbie to travel and have never had issues in the past anywhere I have traveled. I know to be aware of my surroundings and keep my wallet, cell phone, etc. stowed in a safe place and not to take my passport with me when going out.
Been there. Didn’t have my pocket picked or see anyone else get their pocket picked. Then again, I have NEVER had my pocket picked or seen anyone else get their pocket picked. The only useful thing I can say is that I felt very safe riding Mexico City’s excellent and affordable subway.
My buddy did a lot of travel with his parents- he wasnt very wealthy his parents foot the bill. I made him a decoy wallet- fake credit cards - the ones they send in the mail, a girlfriend picture, some business cards, and a sheave of dollar bills. He used the decoy for all small purchases. His Dad lived the idea and made one for himself- which got stolen in Egypt- for a loss of about $20 USD.
I dont think the problem is that bad in Mexico city, but why carry around stuff you dont need but are a bear to replace- drivers license for example. Make a decoy and carry a credit card in another zippered pocket.
Pick pockets can be found everywhere tourists congregate, whether in Rome, New York, or Mexico City. I have traveled a lot internationally, and the only time I was ever pick pocketed was on a crowded tube ride in London.
I would keep my wallet, and any other valuables, in a place that a pickpocket would have a hard time reaching, and avoid extremely crowded places which are easy pickings for pick pockets. If somebody bumps into you,check immediately to see if you have been hit. Also, keep in mind that pick pockets are often young innocent looking children.
I’m heading to CDMX for 10 days right after Christmas. The advice I have been given is to be aware as you would in any big city, don’t be flashy, and keep all valuables inside pockets.
Yes to all you and @Dr_Paprika say. I have a lot of international travel experience as well but I’ve never seen so much discussion about the possibility of being pickpocketed as I have in researching this trip to Mexico City. That is what prompted me to start this thread.
I always keep phone, camera, wallet in places that are difficult for a person with ill intent to access. And crowds are normally a no-no for me but with this trip being over Halloween/Dia de los Muertos there will be times that is unavoidable.
Today I found a wallet I haven’t used in a number of years that has a chain that will attach to my belt or jeans. I may feel silly wearing it but I will almost certainly take it and use it if I feel the need.
I also have a messenger bag from Peak Design I will be using to stow my camera, phone and other things. It is not easy to access when it is being worn (in front of course) and has multiple zippered pockets and internal compartments that are not easily accessed.
It sounds like you are taking all necessary precautions to avoid becoming a victim. When I was pick pocketed in London, and this many years ago, I had put my wallet in a fanny pack that I wore in front thinking it would be harder for someone to steal my wallet without me knowing. In hindsight, that was an easy target for someone.
Enjoy your trip, don’t stress too much about it, but avoid crowds . Keep in mind that the vast majority of tourists don’t have a problem with theft.
I was backpacking in Europe in 1992 and we were on the train along the Cote D’Azur around Nice. A number of Roma women and children got on the train and started make their way down the aisle. My buddy I was travelling with felt something as we were about to pull into a station and grabbed the wrist of the one of the women as she reached into his fanny pack
Without flinching, she turned and smacked her toddler who immediately started shrieking and they hopped off the train as the doors opened without having accomplished her mission.
When I was in Rome I would sometimes see packs of kids following tourists around town. Occasionally you would see a Carabinieri (Italian Police) chase the kids away, but they would just appear again a few blocks down the street. Clearly, the Carabinieri knew exactly what was going on here.
Why on earth would you feel silly wearing this? Just tuck the chain into your pocket. I always keep my card case attached to my purse with a leash. No way to forget it or drop it.
I did the whole backpacking thru Europe thing in '92 as well. The only sketchy situation I had was in Barcelona being surrounded by a bunch of kids all wanting to be in a picture. I just stiffened once I knew what was going on and walked out of there, no worse for wear. Since then I always keep senses up when in any crowd, both overseas and stateside.
I’m a big guy, fairly careful. I haven’t had many problems in most places.
I did have an interesting experience in Mexico City. I left a busy subway stop, there were maybe eight different exits at different places, and was looking for a museum which was apparently at a different exit than the one I took. It wasn’t obvious to me where the museum was, but I walked down a fairly busy street towards where I thought it was.
A middle aged guy with an athletic build started walking beside me, and I noticed he adjusted his pace to match mine. I asked him where the museum was, and he pointed around the corner.
I went around the corner and he followed me. We were now in an area that suddenly seemed much less busy with no large buildings. He told me he that he was a “professional boxer” and that he would appreciate a monetary gift since times were hard and he had a big family.
I was much bigger than he was but I was not looking for a confrontation. I laughed at his guile and my careless inattention, and gave him a few pesos, worth a couple dollars. I doubt he would have done much. I am pretty sure I could have fled or taken him, but it wasn’t worth any aggro. Such things can happen quickly in Mexico City, but this mild encounter was the worst thing that happened to me there, so I treated it as a lesson.
It is a biker type chain and wallet. Having a chain attached to my jeans isn’t a look I’ve sported in many years. That was all I meant but I will get over it since it makes sense to use it.
