Mexico City: A cacophony of noise plagues the capital

Mexico City is a city that never sleeps, and it certainly never quiets down. Noise is a constant companion, whether it's the roar of traffic, the thumping bass from bars and clubs, or the blare of music from homes. Even a simple walk through the streets can be an assault on the ears, with the calls of street vendors selling everything from organ music to sweet potatoes, and the clatter of carts.

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Yes, there is a lot of noise, this street is very busy, both with people and cars, and now with the World Cup it's also filled with the noise of fans with trumpets and everything else.

Jonathan Torres, who works in a shop in the Historic Center, notes that recent events like the World Cup have amplified the problem. "This street is very busy, both with people and cars, and now with the World Cup it's also filled with the noise of fans with trumpets and everything else," he shared. To cope, he and his colleagues sometimes switch places during the day to find brief respite from the cacophony of engines, horns, and loudspeakers.

Mónica, visiting the Historic Center for shopping, points to street performers as another significant source of excessive noise. "There's quite a lot, even if some cars aren't circulating, there are many urban artists and each has their own speakers, and that does affect things," she said. She believes that prolonged exposure to such noise can negatively impact those who live or work in the area, suggesting that authorities should encourage street artists to moderate their volume.

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There's quite a lot, even if some cars aren't circulating, there are many urban artists and each has their own speakers, and that does affect things.

The Procuraduría Ambiental y del Ordenamiento Territorial (PAOT) receives an average of 3.3 noise complaints daily. From January 1 to July 1 this year, 613 complaints were logged, a figure similar to the same period in 2025. Mónica Viétnica Alegre González, the environmental ombudswoman, acknowledges that noise is a significant problem in parts of the city and that current legislation is outdated. The existing Norma 005/2013 sets decibel limits, with daytime hours (6:00-8:00) ideally not exceeding 63-65 dB, and nighttime hours (20:00-6:00) between 60-62 dB. However, the Ley de Establecimientos Mercantiles also addresses noise levels, particularly concerning businesses.

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Authorities could talk to all the urban artists to tell them to turn it down a bit, because everyone wants to get attention with their speakers.