The Sights and Sounds of Tepito in Mexico City

Tepito is one of the roughest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Mexico City. Drug dealers, rapists, murderers, and gang members live here. I’ve already been to La Lagunilla neighborhood last year and I knew that Tepito was just a few streets further down. I visited during the day and had no problems. All the shopkeepers were friendly with me and it does help knowing Spanish. However, this time I wanted to visit Santa Muerte, the patron Saint of Death.

Introduction to Mexico City, Lima, and Buenos Aires
LAX Airport Alaska Airlines Board Room
Alaska Airlines LAX-MEX 737-800 First Class
The Sights and Sounds of Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City
MEX Airport Aeromexico Salon Premier International T2 Lounge
LAN Airlines MEX-LIM 767-300 Economy Class
Ramada Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel Review Part 1
Ramada Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel Review Part 2
Lima International Airport SUMAQ VIP Lounge
Lima International Airport VIP Club Lounge
LAN Airlines LIM-EZE 767-300 Business Class
Sheraton Buenos Aires and Convention Center Hotel Review Part 1
Sheraton Buenos Aires and Convention Center Hotel Review Part 2
Sheraton Buenos Aires and Convention Center Hotel Review Part 3
Sheraton Libertador Buenos Aires Hotel Review Part 1
Sheraton Libertador Buenos Aires Hotel Review Part 2
The Sights and Sounds of Retiro in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of Microcentro in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of Recoleta in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of Palermo Norte in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of Palermo Soho in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of Belgrano in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of Monserrat in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of San Telmo in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of La Boca in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of Caminito La Boca in Buenos Aires
The Sights and Sounds of Balvanera in Buenos Aires
Is Buenos Aires Argentina Safe For Tourists?
Scam City: Buenos Aires Argentina Edition
The Various Eats in Buenos Aires Argentina
Buenos Aires EZE Airport LAN Oneworld Lounge
Buenos Aires EZE Airport Star Alliance Lounge
Buenos Aires EZE Airport American Express Centurion Lounge
JW Marriott Mexico City Hotel Review
The Sights and Sounds of Polanco in Mexico City
The Sights and Sounds of Arena Mexico in Mexico City
The Sights and Sounds of Tepito in Mexico City
The Sights and Sounds of La Merced in Mexico City
The Sights and Sounds of Coyoacan in Mexico City
The Various Eats in Mexico City Part 3
Is Mexico City Safe for Tourists? Part 2
MEX Airport American Express Platinum Centurion Club T1 Lounge
Alaska Airlines MEX-LAX 737-800 First Class

I took the Mexico City subway to Tepito metro station.

The main street is pretty filthy and full of litter, just like Barrio La Lagunilla. People just throw trash everywhere, but I do know that it gets cleaned up at night by the street cleaners and garbage men.

If you want something counterfeit and on the black market, there is plenty to be had in Tepito. In addition, there is every kind of Mexican street food imaginable available.

Across the street from the Tepito metro station, you can find a small park area with a beautiful water fountain display.

I walked to the intersection of Jarcieria and Alfareria Street from Tepito metro station to start my journey in finding Santa Muerte. Directions to get to Santa Muerte in Mexico City are hard to come by on the internet. Luckily once I was on the intersection of Jarcieria and Alfareria street, I just needed to head north on Alfareria street. I found out that it was the 12th anniversary of Santisima Muerte.

I had finally found the small home that houses Santa Muerte (Saint Death).

People bright flowers and light candles in order to worship Santa Muerte. Most of the drug dealers, gang members, and rapists visit Santa Muerte and ask for protection or safe passage. Family members of the imprisoned also come to pray to Santa Muerte.

If you don’t want to visit Santa Muerte, you can also visit Jesus Christ a few blocks away.

I never felt threatened coming to Tepito and I’ve done it twice now, once during the day and once at night. Be aware that the main shopping street of Tepito is pretty much littered after all the shops close down once the sun sets. I would recommend coming to Tepito during the day to eat and shop even if you don’t visit Santa Muerte.