berchman Loc: South Central PA

[quote. Just stick to the better places where you see middle class people eating. I can't say that for US fast food places. .[/quote]

Fifty-three years ago, my wife and I were traveling by bus around Mexico on a delayed honeymoon. We stayed away from fresh vegetables, not wanting to get diarrhea. But one evening we dined in an upscale restaurant where the local patrons were well- dressed. A number of them had delicious looking salads topped with luscious sliced tomatoes. We figured that if these upper middle class people were eating salads they must be safe. Wrong! I should have learned from an incident five years earlier.

I was taking summer school courses for gringoes at the University of Mexico and had been invited to lunch by a girl whom I had known from class back in NYC. Her mother was a well-to-do German living in a very nice house. Part of the lunch was a fresh salad. Germans are known for their fastidious cleanliness and both my friend and her mother were eating their salads. I eagerly ate my salad. Big mistake! I had been in Mexico a month already, eating only cooked food and drinking only Cokes and beer. My stomach was fine, but the salad at lunch did me in. I should add that I've toured India twice, SE Asia twice, China once and Africa once with no diarrhea. But Mexico did me in each time because I got complacent. Enough said.

As far as safety is concerned, fifty-eight years ago when I was taking courses at the University in Mexico City, I was invited to dinner by a girl who was studying law at the University. She said her two brothers would meet me at the bus stop to escort me to her parents' apartment and would escort me back, and under no circumstance ought I to attempt to walk unescorted. Perhaps things have changed in the interim?

ole sarg Loc: south florida

avoid fresh fruit and veggies because they are washed in water

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Don't take you eyes off your camera bag or camera. Tourist, stranger, night photography, walking streets and desert, in Mexico, "double barrel or M1 or glock?" Do buy Mexican Auto Insurance for your trip and time there. Better than sitting in jail with no phone calls. You're not wealthy are you? Taking rich or business hostages is the in thing now. In fact, why not just visit, NM, AZ or CA, and pretend? Much safer. And don't drink the running water! Bottled Beer, Wine, Soda, Water, Tequila, OK!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Gentlemen, I want to thank all of you for the interesting stories of your experiences in Mexico. After further deliberation I have decided that I better cancel the trip. I do not want to get sick and obviously I do not want to go through the potential stealing of my camera. Too old for that!
Once again, thank you all for your comments and advise.

ptk Loc: Oregon, USA

Speaking the language and having a local contact are great advantages. You will want to follow all security advice of your local contact.

I went there for a wedding in my family last August (2016). The bride's family gave plenty of specific advice beforehand; we stayed in one of the hotels they recommended and had a great stay there. My mother and sister stayed with the local family with no problem. We did not have a lot of time for sightseeing, but did make it to Teotihuacan and Our Lady of Guadalupe church with a hired local guide. Both had many great photo opportunities. We also enjoyed the Saturday art fair at the Plaza de San Jacinto in San Ángel near the wedding church, but asked permission before photographing any artwork.

The bride and groom made us a travel guide that you might find useful: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7aMBoc_E2ECeUVhSmhRc3E0ekk/view, if it is still there. See "What to Do" and "Travel Tips" sections in particular. I was surprised to see the locals considered Uber fairly safe; we used it to get from our hotel to the airport at the end of our stay. Look into what to do to get your cellphone to work in Mexico. Also let your bank know ahead of time if you will be using your credit or debit cards in Mexico City. I told my bank I would use my credit card there and it was never a problem. I did not mention my debit card, and it was rejected everywhere I tried to get cash.

I was happy with my Nikon D5300 and 18-55mm kit lens. 18mm went wide enough for me (crop sensor) and I did not miss my telephotos. I did not bring any other lenses or a camera bag, but I did change out the factory strap with its bright yellow "NIKON" lettering for a plain strap. I regret not bringing my fast prime lens to have at the wedding in the centuries old church (founded 1596), and I regret not bringing my camera to the reception (I used the cellphone camera in both places). I can not advise about night photography; ask your host(s) what they recommend.

August was a bit rainy, but not a problem for getting around. Remember, Mexico City is at a fairly high elevation, you may not feel very energetic if you have lived in Miami a long time. The sun can be very intense at that elevation; you may want a hat for protection if your hair is thinning as much as mine is.

Above all, have a great trip!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Chapultepec Park is a "must do." Teotihuacan. Xochimilco. It has been decades since I spent time there. I'm told the city is pretty bad for traffic, smog, etc. It was fun when I was there. And not for photography, but to visit, the Museo de Antropologia is VERY interesting. I used to spend hours there. The markets are interesting places to visit and photograph.

ptk Loc: Oregon, USA

You canceled while I was composing my reply above!

Nobody in my group got sick, and we had no crime issues during five days there, including my 87 year old mother (her father came from Durango, Mexico). My 93 year old father chose not to go, which is also fine.

londonfire Loc: NY to NC

I can't speak about Mexico City but my family traveled to Cancun for a wedding a few months ago and the $500 a night compound they stayed at had armed guards at the gate who told them to stay inside and not go out exploring.

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Hola, Annually we drive to Mazatlan and spend 6 or so weeks. We are totally comfortable in our experiences. Beautiful Country and beautiful people, just use prudence and enjoy your trip.

janiebutz

We were in Mexico City in March and had a really wonderful experience. Yes, it's a gigantic city and there is extreme poverty. But there is so much history, culture, and beauty that you and your camera will be very happy and engaged. To the great list of places to visit I think the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (one of the greatest museums I ever visited) and Bellas Artes (fabulous murals) are not to be missed. Great photo opportunities. My best pics came while we walked and wandered. Pay attention to your surroundings as you would in any large city. Have a wonderful time! And as for water...we spend a lot of time in Mexico and the only time we got sick was from eating a green salad that had probably not been washed properly. Stupid me. Never made that mistake again!

Antonio P.

I live in Puebla, Mexico and have lived there for over 19 years. I have had more crime committed to me in the United States than in Mexico. Having said this you are going to Mexico City, unofficially considered the biggest city in the world... the crime you will encounter will be pick-pockets or someone trying to take your camera, so take the precautions you would take in a big city.

Take your camera with one lens and do not carry around a big camera bag... leave the other lenses hidden in the car and you can always go back to change lenses. Mexico City will give you many opportunities for great pictures: The area of Coyoacan: Frida Kahlo museum, the Church of Coyoacan with all the art painted on the ceiling, Casa de Trosky, the Saturday market. The area of Downtown: Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Templo Mayor, Bellas Artes, etc. The Area of Parque de Chapultepec: Castillo de Chapultepec, Museo de Arqueología e Historia, (if you into animal photography) the Zoo. I would suggest to take a day trip to Teotihuacan and visit this site that will also give you much to photograph.

Enjoy your trip: The main violence in Mexico are drug cartels fighting drug cartels for inroads into the United States (where they sell their drugs and make huge profits) and the government ¨fighting¨(wanting their part of the pie) them. The drug cartels do NOT want international publicity to unless you buy, sell or consume drugs you will not have a problem with them at all.

If you get a chance you might want to travel to Puebla, Mexico (two hours away)... the most colonial city in Mexico and you will have many opportunities for photos. If you do let me know and I can suggest places to take photos here.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

I agree with bajadreamer's suggestions. When we were there in 2003, we stayed at the Majestic Hotel, which is directly across the Zocalo from the National Palace (Mexico's equivalent of the White House and Congress). Our room was on the 4th floor directly across from the main door to the National Palace. The zocalo is one of the most photogenic places to be because it is active 24-hours a day. The Palace contains the staircase with Diego Rivera's famous fresco of the history of Mexico and you can take pictures. In the center of the Zocalo is the largest flagpole and flag I have ever seen. Every morning just before first light, the Mexican Army has a flag raising ceremony that is very impressive. Just off the Zocalo, there is a large bazar on weekends. Since we were there at Christmas time, all of the buildings surrounding the Zocolo were decorated with light murals and there were Aztec dancers in the square from sunup to sundown. It is a very exciting place to stay for photographers.

Teotihuacon is a must see. I went on a tour and time was limited, so I could only climb to the top of the Pyramid of the Moon, although my daughter climbed both the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun. When I got home and started to read up on Teotihuacon, I found out that the city is six miles long and can take days to fully explore. I would like to go back and spend a day or two. Enjoy your trip.

Once I review my photos, I will post a few as an addition to this post.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Seriously?

Antonio P.

Seriously... Look at the real statistics (not what the media is trying to sell you). If you are an American living in Mexico the chances of getting killed are less than if you are an American living in the United States.

texex Loc: San Antonio, TX

As other readers advise' don't drink the water or use ice and be cautious about fruits and vegetables which are eaten without peeling. In Mexico City, visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Templo Major, Chapultepec Park and the Museo Anthropologico. You will see police with automatic weapons patrolling the streets. This is business as usual. Visit Puebla, if possible. It's about an hour and some change southeast of Mexico City. Should you go there. you will see some barrios that make 'third world' sound like middle class. Don't stop; and stay on the main road which, as you leave greater Mexico City, becomes a beautiful and well-maintained parkway. Safe areas in Mexico City for hotels include the Reforma district and the Zona Roja. Vaya con Dios!