Job Discussion Forums

[FreddyM]

Well here's a weird topic.

Anybody ever been to Tepito here in Mexico City?
I've heard so many horror stories about it, how dangerous it is. I've been warned never to go alone there, and I haven't been able to convince any of my family members or friends here to go with me. Everytime the topic comes up at home here, my grandfather retells the same story of how my cousins (all males in their early 20s) got mugged there the one time they were visiting the city.

I've been in this city for a little over a year now, and frankly, I haven't really found it to be that dangerous or had any problems here. And I don't necessarily live in the nicest area of town. I've been to Neza, Cd. Azteca, and maybe a couple other places that were considered "dangerous". But never to Tepito. I've heard shopping there can be an experience. The closest I've been there is the metro Langunilla, which is one stop south of Tepito.

Mexico City is so huge, there are so many places here I still haven't seen. Heck, on the other end of the extreme, I've only passed through Santa Fe (Cuajimalpa) once on my way from Toluca.

[Guy Courchesne]

Tepito is famed as the place where much of Mexico City's drug trade and counterfeiting are headquartered.

Like anywhere else, it's probably not as dangerous as they say. My first impression of the place was a tv news report of federal cops battling against city cops, hired to protect certain interests there.

I don't fear anything in this city...because I'm confident that I can deal with anything. But, everyone I've talked to...everyone...says to avoid the place.

[M@tt]

same here, everyone says avoid it. most of the mexicans i know won't go there either. last night i ran into an acquaintance and he was there on thursday and got robbed at gunpoint at 4pm. he was with friends, so even going in groups isn't safe. why bother? if you were mexican living in chicago and everyone kept telling you to avoid cabrini green (okay, this is a dated analogy), would you feel the need to go and experience it for yourself? the important thing to understand is there is no law in places like that. if you are assaulted, there will be absolutely no recourse, certainly not from the police.
if you DO go, write and tell us what it was like!
i'd tell you to take pictures but that would guarantee an assault.

[thelmadatter]

while certainly not to be taken lightly, the dangers there I think are managable. Gone there myself, alone, on a couple of Sat afternoons beczuse they have a nice area with antiques (love to look even though I almost never buy). Better prices than the antique mall in Zona Rosa. If you need/want a bodyguard, I can protect ya Freddy!

[Sgt Killjoy]

Been there, done that. It is a-ok place to go if you keep your wits about you. They even got a metro station right there so you can get in and out in a jiffy. No problems there.

[MELEE]

I wonder if MixtecaMike will check in and read this. He used to LIVE there.

I've been there once, like thelmadatter, I love a good flea market, and had to check it out. I'm not in el DF a lot, so I've only been once. Nothing bad happened, I only had about 200 pesos on me, in my front jeans pocket and I didn't carry anything, no camara, nor wear any jewlery (I never do anyway).

[MixtecaMike]