What to know before travelling to Mexico (City)
Discover the unique history behind why Mexico City is known as “The sinking city” and learn about the city’s high-altitude location, and how to prepare for altitude sickness. Plus, read our tips for staying safe while traveling to Mexico City.
Mexico City has a very unique history, which still has impact on today’s infrastructures. The main part of Mexico City is built on the area of the former lake of “Texcoco”, which was drained to extend the urban development. The former lakebed surely does not provide the best conditions for the development of a modern city as it is still wet, and moors and swamps loosened thecal underground over multiple centuries. Today, this leads to annual sinking of the whole city of approx. 40 centimeters.
When traveling to Mexico City, it’s important to be aware of its high altitude above sea level. The city is located at 2,200 meters and surrounded by mountains that rise up to over 5,000 meters. As a result, there’s a chance of getting altitude sickness, which can start at an altitude of about 2,000 meters. To avoid this, it’s recommended to take it slow and adjust to the altitude gradually. Keep this in mind when planning your itinerary!
It is important to follow some rules and advice to stay safe when traveling to Mexico:
- Avoid visiting known problematic areas.
- Do not travel or drive outside after dark.
- Plan your itinerary so that you arrive at your destination before sunset.
- Use Uber as much as possible and avoid the subway.
- Keep your valuable objects hidden, such as cameras, mobile phones, and wallets.
- Carry two wallets, one with your actual documents and money, and another with old credit cards and a small amount of money, in case you get robbed.
- Avoid wearing any jewelry.
- Trust your gut feeling – it is usually right!
By following these precautions, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Mexico.
