stane

In early January I’m planning to spend about a week in or around Mexico City. I would love to hear people’s suggestions of favorite places to see & photograph in or around Mexico City. In addition, if anyone has hired a photo guide for a day would love any recommendations you may have. Thx a lot.

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

From what I hear of Mexico City, hiring a bodyguard would be better than a photo guide

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Wear ratty clothes. Carry a ratty camera. I've travelled some in Mexico in the past. Wouldn't do it today! Hire a guide who has some buddies who own guns!

pendennis

Unless you have to, I wouldn't go near Mexico City. I spent a considerable amount of time there from 1990-1994, then had to go back for a couple of weeks in 2004. The change, for the bad, was huge. Since I was traveling for my company, the hotel arrangements were handled, and we had access to what amounted to limousines. The vehicles were late model Mercury Marquis, with very nice appointments and drivers who were really chauffeurs. We were told to avoid any others completely, especially "Gypsy" cabs. We stayed at the Hotel Maria Isabella, next to the American embassy, and security was great. When we wanted to go some place special we would take one of the limos. The drivers knew where to go, such as the platerias where we got great deals on jewelry, especially silver.

As to places to see, there are any number of churches in the area which are very beautiful, and for historical value, a trip to the pyramids is highly recommended. The Zona Rosa, near the American embassy, used to have great shopping and dining, but that area is no longer considered safe for tourists.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I was there when I was young - needless to say that was decades ago. Then it was safe for me to go out alone to go shopping or to visit friends. I rode the buses and even walked home alone at night. I haven't been there lately except to land and take off again. But the brown cloud is huge, and I would imagine it would affect any pictures you might take. I loved the colonial buildings - the cathedral, Bellas Artes, Chapultepec. We went to the pyramids before they were "done." We paid nothing - just drove in and walked around and climbed both the Sun and the Moon. (Did I mention that I was young?) I enjoyed Xochimilco, but I doubt if today it would be good unless they've done a lot of work on it. If you're interested in history (and there it's hard to not be!), a visit to the Museo de Antropologia is a must. I spent a lot of time there.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

I went there for a week in 1994. Someone tried to steal my wallet in the airport right after I landed. My eyes burned the entire time I was there from the smoke in the air. My allergies were the worst they’ve ever been there.
Never again.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

I hate to be negative about your trip. But, I grew up in so. Texas 7 miles from the border. As a teen we quite often on Saturdays went to Reynosa across the border because you could get good food cheap and more so nobody asked for ID’s when you went to the lounges or bars. Of course, the area of town where we went was where most of the people were Americans were from our side of the border; never downtown at night. Went to the interior of Mexico in 1972 for a week and things were generally safe (before cartels). Things started getting worse in the 80’s and there is no way I would go there now. It’s a shame because there are some beautiful areas of the country. Be very careful if you go.

rwoodvira

Not sure if you are braver or more foolish than I. Here's the trade advisory from the State Department:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html

If you are planning to buy prescription drugs while there (they're cheap) a further warning if you research might reveal that many drugs have fentanyl in them.

PA Don't drink the water.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Thanks for providing that link to the OP, hope he reads it. Here's a quote from page 1, it's not very encouraging:
"Country Summary: Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico".
To the OP.....good luck

Dalbon

There are so many beautiful places in and around the city. The Chapultepec Castle for sure and you'll see some of Diego Rivera's art on the walls. On Fridays in a city called Toluca about an hour and a half away, which by the way is the Capital for the area, has the largest Indian Market in all of Mexico and it's a great place for photography and you can find just about anything you want there. I stayed there for 3 1/2 months during a visit in 1977. Just get on the internet and asked away.
Enjoy your trip, David

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Before you leave, would you please list me as the beneficiary of your insurance and your estate?😁

stane

Some of the replies are not especially useful, (tho' mostly well intentioned) but so far I'm nominating ur reply as one of the very least helpful.

rwoodvira

That's cruel. Funny, but cruel.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

If you decide to go a real good place to go is Desierto de los Leones Monastery
It is high in the mountains surrounding Mexico City. Not to far from Cuajimalpa
My daughter lived there from 2016 to 2018.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Are you going alone ? if so, I would recommend finding a group tour for safety and may be the best time saving option. It is a very very large city. Just be safe and cautious.
Will be looking for a lot of pictures when you return.
Bruce.