Travel Tips to Mexico

[TomCat]

Hey everyone, I will be flying to Mexico City Nov. 27th (thursday) and spending thursday night and friday in mexico city. I will then take a bus to Puebla, stay there saturday and take a bus back to mexico city sunday and fly out sunday.

Does anybody have any tips on traveling in Mexico City? Should I take traveler's checks? Are the taxi's alright? I will be traveling solo but meeting women in Mexico City and Puebla. Thanks,

TomCat

[BIG E]

Originally Posted by TomCat

Hey everyone, I will be flying to Mexico City Nov. 27th (thursday) and spending thursday night and friday in mexico city. I will then take a bus to Puebla, stay there saturday and take a bus back to mexico city sunday and fly out sunday.

Does anybody have any tips on traveling in Mexico City? Should I take traveler's checks? Are the taxi's alright? I will be traveling solo but meeting women in Mexico City and Puebla. Thanks,

TomCat

Yeah, I have several tips for you. I travel(ed) to Mexico City many times both as an airline pilot and for pleasure. I have alot going on this morning and early afternoon, but will repond to this post later this afternoon when I get home.

[TomCat]

Thankyou in advance for your reply Big E.

[BIG E]

Originally Posted by TomCat

Thankyou in advance for your reply Big E.

Maybe you havent seen my semi recent post about being arrested in Mexico City. You should start with that!

Avoid police at all costs. NO MATTER WHAT.

Avoid La Merced.. NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE TELL YOU ABOUT GOOD PRICES. If you are not a native spanish speaker, DO NOT GO AROUND THAT PLACE. Your spanish needs to be good enough that you can understand what many people around you are saying at the same time without thinking. If you are stupid enough to go, dont carry anything of value with you, and minimal cash and go during daylight hours. When the sun starts to set, and the hookers are everywhere, you become a target. A target with a spotlight on you!

Dont take any green VW taxis. They are the kidnapping express. Pay the extra and take good taxis.

Visit the Bellini restaurant in the World Trade Center. Its very expensive, but well worth the money. Take a girl there, it will impress her.

Good food and drink are available up and down Insurgentes Sur. Every taxi will get you there.


If you want to see where the president lives, go to the Polanco district. Ask around and people will point you to his home. You cant get really close, but you are able to see it. You will be safe in Polanco, as that is where the elite of Mexico City live, and the law enforcement there are typically federal police... the ones you can trust a bit.

Find out if there are any events at Palacio de los Deportes. Its worth the visit for a concert or sporting event.

If you are into drinks with friends, I would go to Bar Fly in Polanco. The price is ok and they dont screw you on the alcohol. Another good bar in Polanco is Caviar.

If you want info on strip clubs and hookers, dont ask me. Thats not my thing and honestly from what I understand, is quite dangerous in Mexico City.

Mexico City, in my opinion, is not for the novice traveller nor for someone who is alone and doesnt speak good spanish. Dont trust people either. If someone comes up wanting to show you around, there is probably some danger lurking around!!

If you have more questions, ask away...

[Ciza29]

Whenever possible call one of the cab services(Let me know if you need numbers). Hotel taxis will cost about 5 times more than street taxis and cab services will cost about 3 times the street taxis but they are safer. You can take street taxis, just make sure they have the little orange taxi tag on the license plate and they usually start with an A or L for the license plate number.

Polanco is the upscale area, but Condesa is also nice. I recommend the turibus which starts at the national auditorium in Polanco. I don't know where you are staying, but Polanco is very nice.

The Peso is very high to the dollar so bring dollars exchange them and get good value for your money.

Normally I would be available to call if you needed anything in Mexico City but I will be with my family for Thanksgiving while you are here.

I agree that the restaurant in the World Trade Center is nice and romantic. It is a bit expensive and the food doesn't measure up to other restaurants in the city.

The Chapultapec castle is one of my favorite spots and the Palacio de Belles Artes.

Feel free to ask me questions about anything before your trip. What I don't know I can probably find out.

[TomCat]

Thankyou all for the info. for my trip, this is just what I needed. I'll be staying at Presidente Mexico City, located in Polanco.
Thanks for the tips; I plan on bringing some money and exchanging like 1/2 at the airport, and locking some up in my room. Ciza, if you could give me the numbers for good cab services in MX city that would be helpful. Thanks.
I bought a GMS cell phone (siemens AX72) for the trip, so hopefully I'll be able to make calls no problem.
And thanks Big E, I read your thread on being locked up, man that's some scary stuff, I'm glad your OK. My hotel's in Polanco so I'll try to check out Bar Fly, the auditorium, Presdient's house, etc. This should be a good experience.
I will also avoid the police, I've heard that is a real problem. Some thugs / gangs who dress like police also so that's another issue. Well thanks guys.

[RXD]

It is a huge city with several districts. And one of the most populated city. Mexico City presents a mosaic of scenes. Safety is also a measure issue there.The city has a remarkably robust culinary scene.

[zapano]

Mexico has a cash economy. Pay cash wherever you can except at your hotel.
Ask for a discount at the hotel if you pay cash.
Travelers cheques are a thing from the past. Get your money from the ATM machines. Take a debit card and credit acard and call the credit cards companies before you leave to let them know you will be charging from Mexico. Have a number to call if your credit card is rejected.
Know your cash limit per day before you leave. Most machine limit is between 3000 and 5000 pesos per transaction.
Do not count money in front of people, keep your valuable in the safe at the hotel and take copies of all your papers in case something gets stolen.
Mexico and Puebla are great cities have fun!