Oh look its me again.. the first time, 23 yr old solo female traveller.

I won't lie, I may seem tough to everyone but I am actually a little nervous travelling to Central America and appreciate all your help so far. My friends and family seem to think I gather these great travel tips from the great wide yonder, however I just forward them to you friendly bunch!

So I say goodbye to Australia for a few months in October and land in Mexico City rather late - about 11pm.

A friend said I would love Condesa. So I have been looking at accommodation around there for now. Perhaps one or both of the following. I only need to book 6 nights as I am meeting up with a tour group thereafter in San Rafael.

The Red Treehouse:
To meet some people I know will speak English (fear not, I am learning spanish as quickly as I can!) and to experience that 'home away from home' while I experience jet lag for the first time. Only problem being - I may not meet as many people as I would in a Hostel..
http://theredtreehouse.com/

Hostal La Buena Vida:
Seems like a very clean and simple hostel - I've travelled and stayed in some dirty hostels with friends before, but this seems pretty lovely. I'm sure i'd meet some kids to explore DF with here.
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_...ulf_Coast.html

Now - over to you!

Landing late at night - are registered taxi's safe for a small human of the female variety?
Or should I be more 'safe' and perhaps stay that first night at one of the Airport Hotels?

Accommodation - Is Condesa fairly safe at night to walk around? Or should I be looking at accommodation closer to say, Centro Historico or Zona Rosa?

I was thinking perhaps, 2 nights at the red treehouse and 4 at the hostel?
OR.. just as open to suggestions elsewhere.

Cheers Fodorites xo

I have not seen many people on this board posting on accomodations in Condesa. If you get no responses, you might try another travel board besides fodors.


If you decide to stay somewhere more central and closer to the airport for the first night (considering you get in so late and likely have to go thru customs and immigration) I would suggest you look at Hotel Catedral for the 1st night. It is in the zocalo area and is about 10 min from the airport that late at night.

10 min. by cab

I have been to MC several times and have always felt very safe there. However, I have not had to wander streets that late in the evening, although I did go about places and used the subway with a friend up to 9-ish in the evening.

I would consider the authorized taxis at the airport to be very safe, and have used them every time I was there. The dispatcher will note down the taxi number, usually along with your destination should there be any complaint or problem. I found without exception all those drivers to be honest, pleasant and efficient. You will prepay the ride at the booth in the airport, but do keep some small change to tip the driver at the end.

Condesa is a unique and quite beautiful neighborhood, and I would have absolutely no qualms about staying there. I have explored it several times on foot, either alone or with friends, and it does have a lot of charm in my opinion. I never did this late at night, but I hear that residents there do walk their dogs outside in the evenings, or in the very early morning hours. I understand that the Mayor of MC, Marcelo Ebrard, lives there and is known to regularly bicycle to work.

Sorry I cannot help you with the specific establishments you mentioned. If you do choose to stay at the airport the first night upon arrival due to the late hour, there is a Camino Real hotel which is linked to the terminal building. This is a hotel chain in Mexico which is quite nice, but would obviously not be in the same budget range as hostels.

kanadajin

You may also want to consider Hotel Roosevelt http://www.hotelroosevelt.com.mx/ in Condesa. Rates were about $60 US the last time we were there (2 years?). The hotel is clean and modern, but the beds are very firm and the rooms are smallish. Considering that you'll arrive so late and still have to go through customs, you probably wouldn't get to Condesa until after midnight. Although the registered taxis are safe, if yopu have any concerns at all why not just stay at an airport hotel and get a fresh start in the morning. And with the new international terminal, you'll need a shuttle to the airport hotels, whereas before, you could walk to Camino Real via the walkway. But there are reservation desks for the area hotels right in the terminal. Condesa is probably one of the safest areas to stay in DF. You'll see joggers and people walking their dogs at all hours. Lots of sidewalk cafes and restaurants. Walkable to Zona Rosa, but Zona Rosa gets a little freaky at night sometimes.