Visitor Information--The Federal District Department provides several information services for visitors. Infotur offices offer information in English and Spanish, including maps, a wide selection of brochures, and access to information from the Mexico Secretary of Tourism website. The most convenient office is in the Zona Rosa at Amberes 54, at the corner of Londres (tel. 55/5550-0123). Others are at the TAPO bus terminal and at the airport. They're open daily from 9am to 7pm.

SECTUR, Mexico's Secretary of Tourism, developed a website to address safety concerns about travel to this city and other areas in Mexico. The website offers perhaps not-so-objective assessments of destinations, as well as travel safety tips. The Mexico City Secretary of Tourism also has a website which includes details on things to do, special events, and safety precautions, as well as a variety of other topics.

The Mexico City Chamber of Commerce (tel. 55/5592-2665) maintains an information office with a very friendly, helpful staff that can sell you detailed maps of the city or country and answer questions. It's conveniently located at Reforma 42 -- look for the Cámara Nacional de Comercio de la Ciudad de México. It's open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm and 3 to 6pm; Friday from 9am to 2pm and 3 to 5:30pm.

Day and night diversions are listed in the Spanish-language magazine Tiempo Libre, which is published each Thursday, and is available at hotels and newsstands. It's also available online. A good English-language source of visitor information is the Mexico File (visit their website), and current event information and visitor tips are offered on the excellent site Ciudad de Mexico.

Mexico City has a special Elite Police force, with officers versed in the history and culture of the city -- in English -- as well as trained in crime prevention and traveler safety, especially to respond to the needs of the city's tourists.