I'm going on vacation to New York next week, and I got this great deal on a hostel. The hostel is in the middle of Spanish Harlem though, and I would like your input. Could I pass for Hispanic?

You can, but people in New York would probably think you're Filipino (the Hispanic error might be more likely in the MidWest...I was surprised a lot of NYerks knew what a Filipino was lol). Esp. the way you dress...you won't look the stereotypical Latino off Harlem. Let's just say not a lot of PR's wear scarves and what not.

PS Good luck on the hostel, it's not popular here so I don't know the quality. I have images of homeless shelters in mind. Lol.

Becare full Kresna Hati-Hati di sebelah sana. Crime is down in New York, but you still got to watch your back. Most people are good and law-abiding there. but you got to watch out for the street hoodlum types, usually black or latin gangster thugs. I can deal with them here on the East coast. I grew there in NY, not Harlem of course. Use the subways or buses and buy the metro card. Otherwise Enjoy the sites in the city.

Perhaps you are used to it. I haven't been to the Netherlands, Amsterdam, but perhaps it is more multi-racial there too. You can blend it.

just be careful in NYC...

I think in New York you would pass for a Filipino

not that I've been to Spanish Harlem but I think you'll blend in alrity
you do look like a New Yorican bro, lol.

You can pass to be Mexican methink...,
Actually you can pass to be native American.

your hair will disguise you from them dont worry

his hair may disguise him as latino, but not his nose.. that's not a latino nose...

So how do puertoricans dress? Should I just bring my black hoodie and a bandana?

Thanx for the advice. I've been told the neighbourhood I'm in is actually not the worst part of Spanish Harlem, but its not the best either. So you have any suggestions what kind of thing I should see/do in NYC?

sometimes people thought i was hispanic when i had a ponytail.
but some hispanics look like asians so...

AHAHAHAAHAHHAHA! that nose has Asian written all over it! latino? ahhahahahahaha..... mite as well say you're chinese.. pfft.. some ppl

Well, the point is I don't want to get robbed or assraped. That's why I wonder if I could just blend in in spanish harlem.

it's probably cheaper to stay in harlem area.. i couldn't get anything cheaper than US$70 when i was last there...i stayed at the hostel opposite Central Park --- Jazz in the Park.

i think Harlem is safer than the Bronx.. i think u got to go for those standup comedy shows if u are in Harlem

Cool, I'm paying 240 dollars for 16 nights. And that includes breakfast.

^thank God I have family in NYC :p I'd rather spend those 240usd on clothings and food
You can pass as a mexican I suppose, just grow a mustache (mexican identity + to cover up the asian nose)
Don't introduce yourself with Pereira if that's your surname but, go with Sanchez, Gomes, Garcia, Chavez, Gonzales, Hernandez or even Flores
Anyway have fun in NYC man! Tanga is right: Visit those stand-up comedy gigs. It's a must!

There are many sightseeing bus/boat to see part of NY (around $50?) but dont take the helicopter ride!
but if you are travelling on a shoestring budget technically you can just stroll down south say along famous Broadway or Fifth Ave.
all the way down to Battery Park (around 10-15 Km walk) the weather is just perfect.

You can pass Central Park (the south end), Columbus Circle, Museums, Indo Consulate (at 68th St.) ,Rockefeller Center (where the Netherland Consulate is), Times Square (best view at nite tho), Broadway Theatres, Empire State Bldg, Macys Dept. Store, Union Square, Village, NYU, Soho/Noho, Meat packing district, China Town, Wall St, The Stock Exchange, Ground Zero and South Sea Port/Battery Park the end of Broadway.

And if you have energy left you can continue with free ferry ride to Staten Island pass Statue Liberty and back to NY .
Or continue walk across spectacular Brooklyn Bridge to nice Brooklyn downtown area.
There will be plenty of public resting area along Broadway where all sort of street entertainers (and con man as well) from stand up comedians, break-dancer, magician, busker and whatnot.

Cheap meals for less than 5 bucks you can get from Halal Street Vendors like decent Falafel, gyro or Nasi with ayam/lamb.
You have just missed Dutch festival (400 years celebration Henry Hudson trip to Niew Amsterdam) but just in time for Indo Lebaran open houses in many Indo communities in NY/Md.

You can do this trip easy with MTA Subway/Bus too its only $2,25 per trip but you have to study the routes or transfer n now how to find your way back if you r lost.

You can go to Wash. DC with cheap bus ($25 round trip 4 hour ride ) from NY China town to Wash DC China town to see White House, Capitol, Georgetown, Smithsonian n more museums etc.

Btw your hostel deal sound too good to be true, expect the unexpected (scam, broken toilet/shower, bug bed, dirty/crowded room, safety issue etc) so be prepare to move on to a more decent place. Have a nice trip.

There's not a lot of Mexicans in NY...Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. And some of them don't like Mexicans.

who doesn't like mexicans nowadays

just grow a stache ...u could probably pass for dominican...ur not white looking enuff to pass for puerto rican

Act tough and blend in with the boriqua's (NY born Puerto Ricans) Saya hanya bercanda
Compact your luggage and belongings and lock your door at the hostel. Get some tissues as you might have to share the bathroom with others. seriously.
More later

Now now salamat behave
Brother you got to differentiate among the hispanic/Mexicans around the DC area, Yeah it is hard to tell who is here illegally or not. Later on this topic

^Well, I slept in quite a few hostels before so that shouldn't be a problem. The neighbourhood is my only concern.

yes, id say you can pass for hispanic