Tourist Scams In Mexico City {Good To Know}
Post Last Modified – August 08, 2023 ¦ gr8traveltips.com
Beware Of These Popular Tourist Scams in Mexico City
Table of Contents
We love traveling to different parts of 🏜 Mexico and like in any other part of the world, popular {Tourist Scams} do occur on a daily basis. Below, is a look at just a few of the more popular …
to be familiar with, when visiting.
Crooks and scams artists are just waiting to prey on people and particularly on tourists, who are and unfortunately, easy prey for them. Below, are just a few of the more popular and sometimes very dangerous scams that may take place, and ones visitors should definitely be aware of.
Over 12 million tourists a year visit 🏙 Mexico City.
Tourist Scams To Be Aware Of in Mexico City
The Very Dangerous Kidnap Express
Tourist Scams in Mexico City #1
This without a doubt, is the 🥇 Number One 🥇 scam in the city, and one that can be extremely dangerous!
This is a {Gang Related Scam} and one that all visitors should be extremely aware of, when visiting {Mexico City} for the first time. I was shocked to hear of this and now take extra precautions not just in Mexico, but any foreign country we may be traveling to.
This scam involves {extortion and kidnapping} and is carried out by fake 🚕 taxi drivers in real taxi cabs!
Briefly, it’s very important to use extra caution when catching an 🚖 un-booked cab on the street, particularly in the evening hours and especially when traveling alone. What you may think is a cab driver behind the wheel, is actually a; criminal or gang affiliate, working in a borrowed 🚕 cab.
Official 🚕 taxi drivers will rent out their cabs to kidnappers in the evening hours, to earn extra cash.
Once you step in their cab they may; rob you, force you at gunpoint to an 🏧 ATM and have you withdraw 💵 cash. In severe cases, have even killed innocent victims.
If you should end up a victim, authorities urge you to; not resist, give them what they want and you will not be hurt. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are, if you become a victim of crime, do not resist, give them what they want and in most cases, you will not be harmed.
Criminals only want your 💵 money and/or 💍 valuables!
Trust your instincts and never enter a cab with a driver behind the wheel, you do not feel comfortable with.
Ask the driver for his; taxi license, business card or other form of identification if you are suspicious, before entering the cab.
The Airport Taxi Scam
Tourist Scams in Mexico City #2
One other common and relatively minor scam involves 🚖 taxi cabs at the airport. Taxi drivers will try to lure you into a 🚌 van taxi, ones that hold multiple persons.
They will then take you as a single fare, quickly leaving the ✈ airport with just you and calling it; Executive Service. This usually involves an extra eight or ten dollars out of pocket, depending on the taxi driver scamming you.
Not a big deal, but if you hop into the cab without discussing details with the driver before he leaves, you are on your own.
Welcome to Mexico City! 😎
Taxis In Mexico – Recommendations
Below, I have added a link to an award winning website for; Mexico travel, directing you to their page on taking 🚌 Taxis in Mexico.
This website and post, offer much more detailed information and recommendations on taking a taxi in the country.
🚗 Mexperience – Taxis In Mexico 🚗
Pick Pocket Thieves In Popular Parks & Attractions
Tourist Scams in Mexico City #3
This goes without saying most anywhere. 👜 Pickpocket thief’s work everywhere in the world, particularly in and around heavily populated cities and tourist attractions. They often work in pairs and prey on those tourists who do not take the extra steps, to prevent themselves from becoming a victim of this type of theft.
It still amazes me to see travelers walking around with wallets sticking out of their back pockets, and women carrying open unzipped 👜 hand bags, hanging loosely over their shoulders.
If you do this, then you are just asking to lose your valuables!
When I travel, I carry a light velcro zipped wallet in my front pocket, and usually one that zips closed when out walking about. When we are in transit, I usually have my wife carry it in her; zipped handbag.
I only carry what I will need and not any extra cards or money, that are unnecessary.
Most Common Scams At Major Tourist Attractions
Tourist Scams in Mexico City #4
Scam artists are everywhere at one of Mexico City’s most popular tourist attraction called; Teotihuacan – Place of the Gods.
This historic site consists of the {Ruins of Teotihuacan}, dating back 2000 years. It is a major attraction just outside of Mexico City, drawing millions of tourists annually.
Of course with this and again as most anywhere, you will find a host of scammers who are just waiting to empty your pocketbook. Here, you will find scammers selling; fake jewelry, trinkets, artifacts claiming to be from back in the day and much more.
So the moral of this story is …
Unless you don’t really mind buying fake jewelry or souvenirs, then go right ahead. 🙂 Just keep in mind, if you are buying from vendors on the street or at these tourist venues and the item is inexpensive, then it’s most likely … fake!
These are just a few of the more common scams that you may come across in Mexico City. A fabulous place to visit and by using common sense and discretion, will help make your visit to the city exciting and memorable.
Update May 2023
In December of 2022, my wife and I visited Mexico City for the first time. We had an all day layover between connecting flights. The city is amazing!
Be sure to check out my post and 📸 photos here, on our …
and some of the popular sites and attractions we were able to visit on our short visit.
🗺 Be sure to check out the {Google Map} box at the bottom of this post for Mexico Cities exact location. 🗺
😎 Safe and Healthy Travels!
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Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. 🚫
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