mexico DF to other cities by bus

In the vicinity of the D.F., the number of reported robberies and physical victimization of passengers seem to take place on local inter-urban busses traveling into/out of the state of Mexico ...large areas such as Ecatepec, Nezahualcoyotl, Chalco. For the most part these are areas a typical foreign tourist has little or no need to venture into.

It's true that robberies of busses traveling between Teotihuacán and the Indios Verdes terminal/Metro Station have been targeted on and off, intermittently for a long time now (many or most of these busses pass through Ecatepec.

As regards over-the-road city-to-city busses ... most of the robberies that have occurred seem to have taken place during overnight hours and tend to take place more so on certain routes than others: such as Mexico City to Acapulco, along Hwy. 200 through the state of Guerrero and on occasion the route connecting Mexico City with Puebla. I don't recall ever reading of robberies of busses connecting Mexico City with Queretaro or Guanajuato.

There are probably a 1,000 busses departing Mexico City for other cities on a daily basis ... and the number of robberies affects a very small percentage. But, being in the wrong place at the wrong time is what we all think about.

As for areas to avoid: it's not so easy to say. You can be in a seemingly secure colonia only to walk a couple of blocks into another colonia ... that's not so secure. The dividing lines exist throughout the city and area. But if you're talking about confining your movements to destinations/attractions/neighborhoods popular with typical tourists ... and you won't be venturing-off into unknown territory ... I think the safety risk is probably very low.

How much Spanish do you speak/understand?

LW

Thanks that helps a lot.

My spanish is weak. I understand parts of it, and I managed to make myself understood, but conversation is very hard, or very clumsy. I don't use english in Mexico.

DF or District Federal ia a term no longer used, CDMX or La Ciudad de Mexico is what is referred to now...

DF or District Federal ia a term no longer used, CDMX or La Ciudad de Mexico is what is referred to now...

Yes, the formal name of the government was changed - officially last year if I recall correctly. However, the informal name most often used by local residents as a description when speaking - more than any other, judging by what I witness - is "el DF." I've never heard someone say, when speaking, that they live in "CDMX". "Mexico" without the "city" or "ciudad" is how many often refer to the city, as well (especially so when you meet them traveling away from the city).

LW

#4, you need to travel to CDMX... very few locals use the term "DF" anymore. The only folks who I've heard saying it in the last few months have been out-of-towners who aren't used to the change yet. I know it's been many years... maybe we could set up one of those GoFundMe pages for you? As someone who has been such a great source of historical information on the city, you deserve it, and I would even pitch in myself.

Yes, most people simple say "Ciudad de Mexico" (literally no one ever spells out the letters "C-D-M-X"), or just "Mexico". DF is done... and the change actually happened over 2 years ago, in January 2016.

As for bus safety... it is essentially a non-issue. Robberies on tourist routes are extremely rare, close to non-existent with a few rare exceptions. Pickpocketing on metros is more common, but can be avoided by staying aware of your situation, especially during peak hours and in extremely packed crowds.

Re: no-go areas, you will pick up on them very quickly once you are in the city. In short, almost anywhere you'll want to go as a tourist will be safe. There are some areas in the center that require caution, such as Tepito, Candelaria, la Merced, etc., and others further afield like Iztapalapa, or vast slums in the north, but you'd have to really make an effort to get to these places. I suggest you speak with your hotel once you get there (what area are you staying in?), they will give you tips on potentially unsafe areas near you. Since it's a huge metropolis, you'll see plenty of glue sniffers, prostitutes, and shady characters in the center... just ignore them, and if they try to start a conversation with you, don't put your guard down. Pretty much the same with most big cities, anywhere.

#4, you need to travel to CDMX... very few locals use the term "DF" anymore. The only folks who I've heard saying it in the last few months have been out-of-towners who aren't used to the change yet. I know it's been many years... maybe we could set up one of those GoFundMe pages for you? As someone who has been such a great source of historical information on the city, you deserve it, and I would even pitch in myself. Yes, most people simple say "Ciudad de Mexico" (literally no one ever spells out the letters "C-D-M-X"), or just "Mexico". DF is done... and the change actually happened over 2 years ago, in January 2016.

As a prolific troll/stalker ... I guess readers should have anticipated you'd come better prepared. But you never do, do you? You should visit Mexico one day, in person instead of traveling solely by Google Street View. Had you visited the city and interacted with its residents, you'd have learned "el D.F." is the very widely used reference, together with "la Ciudad de Mexico". While the Mexican President made a deal with the head of the D.F. government a couple or several years ago to go along with a change in status for the D.F. (because the city's head of government then backed the President on something he wanted/needed), and the abbreviation "CDMX" has been introduced as a graphic ... the city was required to write a Constitution that'll result in the formal name change throughout D.F. government ... and the new Constitution becomes effective September 2018. And had you traveled in Mexico and interacted with Mexicans, and asked where they'd come from ... those from Mexico City would have probably more often than not simply replied, "Mexico."

As for bus safety... it is essentially a non-issue. Robberies on tourist routes are extremely rare, close to non-existent with a few rare exceptions.

Once again, if you'd traveled in Mexico you'd know how laughable your assertion is.

Re: no-go areas, you will pick up on them very quickly once you are in the city.

Wrong.

In short, almost anywhere you'll want to go as a tourist will be safe.

Had you traveled much you'd understand that not all tourists travel similarly. And you seem to always make the mistake assuming Mexicans aren't tourists, too. Tourists will be traveling throughout the city ... not just in Centro Historico.

There are some areas in the center that require caution, such as Tepito, Candelaria, la Merced, etc., and others further afield like Iztapalapa, or vast slums in the north, but you'd have to really make an effort to get to these places.

Wrong. We read reports on this very forum from tourists who travel to the areas you cite.

Armchair travelers - and trolls - do a disservice to persons seeking valid, reliable information and opinions. There's no substitute for actually visiting Mexico City, or Mexico for that matter. Surfing Google Street View can't convey what we learn on foot.

LW

U mad bro?

Come on, take a chill pill... I've been right here in the city for the last 6 months. You know I like to mess with you sometimes, but it's all in good fun and keeps the forum lively. Claiming that people who don't see things your way are "surfing Google Street View" (disclaimer: I hate that thing) is just silly. Get yourself down here and the micheladas are on me... in Tepito, no less.

As for safety issues, it is pretty much universally agreed that the potential for a tourist to walk into no-go areas in CDMX is extremely low, especially during the day and early evening. I don't know how it was back in the 90's and I love reading your posts for that kind of info, but these days, all it takes is asking your hotel and a bit of light research. Give me some examples of the millions of tourists who visit here of anyone who accidentally wandered into Iztapalapa or Chalco and got killed to death and I'll change my mind.

As for Tepito, Candelaria, la Merced... these areas are ALSO generally safe to walk around, with the greatest risk being pickpocketing or potential mugging. Big deal. Anyone who goes into Tepito (McLarge, for example, who does just fine there) without doing at least a little research beforehand and figuring out how to take precautions is just asking for trouble... otherwise, those neighborhoods are fascinating and rewarding places to visit during the day.

Also, and this is just for your own info... I can assure you that virtually no one down here says D.F. anymore. Period... (except maybe for some elderly people with, you know, cognitive issues). Seriously, come for a brief visit and see for yourself, if you don't believe me..

thanks for the clarification

Back to the real question, buses from Guanajuato to CDMX are incredibly safe (especially the comfortable first class ones), there have been virtually no problems reported on that route in recent years, and it's a great idea to take advantage of Mexico's world-class transport system to enjoy a great city like that.