Mexico City Travel Guides
Super useful & totally free CDMX travel guides, written by travelers who know and love Mexico City
- ✨ Things to Do in CDMX
- 🗺️ Where to Stay
- 🛎️ Hotels
- 🍽️ Restaurants
- 🚗 Day Trips
- 🏘️ Neighborhoods
- 🍸 Bars
- 🖼️ Museums
- 🛍️ Markets
- 🗓️ Best Time to Visit
- 🚌 Getting Around
- 👉 Tips
- 🧳 What to Pack

Why We Love Mexico City: Mexico City, the country’s wonderfully green capital, attracts over 97 million tourists every single year, and for good reason. It’s an expansive collection of interesting neighborhoods with distinct flares. Within Mexico City, you’ll find incredibly diverse food options, picturesque weather, and an endless list of things to do.
Best of Mexico City
✨ Things to Do

Mexico City provides an eclectic mix of activities that can appeal to any type of traveler. Including things like museums, parks, archaeological complexes, and more.
- Teotihuacán – A famous sweeping archaeological complex that dates back to 400 B.C.
- Chapultepec Park – Stroll through one of the largest parks in the Western Hemisphere at 686 hectares.
- Zócalo – The city’s main square in Centro Historico is known for hosting cultural events.
- Mirador Torre Latino – Take in panoramic views of CDMX from an observation tower over 500 feet high.
- Arena Mexico – Watch a Lucha Libre professional wrestling show.
👉 Explore all things to do in Mexico City.
🗺️ Where to Stay
There are quite literally hundreds of neighborhoods scattered throughout Mexico City. However, you want to dedicate your time to the best areas. Here are some of my top recommendations for where to stay:
- Roma Norte/Sur– The ideal district for travelers craving a rich restaurant and nightlife scene.
- Centro Historico – A busy, central neighborhood with lots of history that’s best for first-time visitors.
- Coyoacan – A perfect spot for families and lowkey visitors, complete with thriving markets and museums.
👉 Read the complete guide to where to stay in Mexico City.

🛎️ Best Hotels

There are many hotels throughout Mexico City. There is a wide variety of options available to suit every type of visitor and budget.
- The Wild Oscar – An upscale boutique hotel in Polanco within walking distance from the Museum of Anthropology and the metro.
- Stanza Hotel – A comfy budget hotel in the top-notch location of Roma Norte.
- Zócalo Central Hotel – A high-end hotel overlooking the Zocalo with a rooftop restaurant.
👉 Read the full list of Mexico City’s best hotels.
🍽️ Restaurants

Many people put Mexico City on their “must-travel” list for the food alone. There are just so many unique restaurants to dine at.
- Restaurante Rosetta – A famous fine-dining eatery filled with plants and local dishes.
- Maximo – A brunch destination featuring tacos, suckling pigs, and an array of Mexican wines.
- Los Callejeros – A taco joint serving up authentic local fare.
- Pujol – An upscale dining establishment akin to a Michelin star restaurant.
- Meroma – A chic spot offering local and international cuisine along with clever cocktails.
🍽️ Read the complete list of the best restaurants in Mexico City.
🚗 Day Trips

- Puebla – A cute city located an hour southeast of Mexico City known for mole and unique pottery.
- Cuernavaca – The capital of Morelos state, also known as the City of Eternal Spring for its gorgeous climate.
- San Miguel de Allende – A colonial-style town in the central highlands with a flourishing arts and culture scene.
- Xochimilco – Famous canals dating back to the Aztec era with colorful gondolas and many vendors.
- Tepoztlán – A beautiful city 1.5 hours south of CDMX offering a vibrant weekly market and the Aztec Tepozteco pyramid.
🚙 Read about the best day trips from Mexico City.
🏘️ Neighborhoods

- Zona Rosa – An LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhood with a lively shopping and nightlife scene.
- Condesa – A tree-filled art-deco neighborhood that makes for a great central base.
- Polanco – A luxury district slightly outside the city center with upscale restaurants and lots of shopping.
- San Rafael – A centrally-located neighborhood with unique architecture and museums nearby.
- Narvarte – A quiet and calm neighborhood away from the busier parts of CDMX.
👉 Learn more about neighborhoods in Mexico City.
🍸 Bars

- Hanky Panky – A fancy members-only cocktail bar with a prohibition feel in Zona Rosa.
- Balmori Roofbar – An upbeat bar/restaurant with international dishes and occasional DJs.
- Wallace Whisky Bar – A quaint establishment featuring over 200 different kinds of whiskey.
- Traspatio – A bar and grill with a magical atmosphere, outdoor seating options, and top-quality mezcal.
- La Purísima – An LGBTQ+ bar in Centro Historico offering cocktails, snacks, and room to dance.
👉 See the full list of best bars in Mexico City.
🖼️ Museums

- Palacio de Bellas Artes – A legendary performance hall and art museum with works by Diego Riviera.
- Soumaya Museum – Discover a huge European art collection inside of futuristic-style architecture.
- Frida Kahlo Museum – Explore the world-famous artist’s lifelong blue home and her well-known works.
- University Museum of Contemporary Art (MUAC) – A rotating collection of stunning modern exhibits and programs.
- National Anthropology Museum – Dive into the local history and see artifacts dating all the way back to the Maya civilization.
👉 Read the complete guide to Mexico City museums.
🛍️ Markets

- Mercado de San Juan – Wander around a gourmet and exotic food market with over 65 years of history.
- Coyoacan Market – A massive two-story market that’s been around for 100 years with food, art, and clothes.
- Mercado La Merced – One of the largest and busiest traditional food markets in Mexico City.
- Mercado de Artesanias La Ciudadela – A cozy handicraft market in Zona Rosa offering customary gifts and folk art.
- Tianguis Cultural del Chopo – An outdoor Saturday market specializing in hard rock and punk souvenirs.
👉 Check out our complete guide to the best markets in Mexico City.
Mexico City Travel Advice
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
Many people assume that Mexico City has eternally beautiful weather, but that’s far from the case. There are distinct seasons and the weather fluctuates quite a bit in CDMX.
- 🌤️ April-May – The shoulder season before the weather turns rainy is the cheapest time to visit with the best weather.
- 🌞 December-April – The dry season attracts the most tourists because it’s consistently sunny.
- ☔ May-October – The rainy season is usually less hectic but does entail afternoon showers on most days.
- ⛈️ August-October – Hurricane season is the worst time to visit due to frequent heavy rains and possibly dangerous storms.
👉 Read the full guide to the best time to visit Mexico.
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City is a gigantic city, but it’s super easy to get around. Whether you’re setting off on foot or need a ride further away, there are plenty of ways to explore Mexico City.
- 🚶♀️ Walking – Mexico City is an extremely walkable city with the highest possible WalkScore of 100.
- 🚗 Driving – The roads of CDMX are pretty hectic, so I’d avoid driving yourself if possible.
- 🚇 Public Transit – Mexico City’s metro, buses, and trains are all very affordable and comfortable traveling options.
- 📲 Ride Share – Uber, Cabify, and DiDi are the most common rideshare apps available in Mexico City.
- 🚴♀️ Biking – There are EcoBici bikes to rent all over Mexico City. Seven-day memberships cost $19.74 (391MXN).
👉 Tips & Things to Know
- 🚰 – Don’t Drink the Tap Water – While Mexico City is a foodie hotspot, the water isn’t nearly as delectable. Definitely avoid drinking the tap water.
- 💸 – Tip 10% to 15% – It’s very important to tip at least 10% in Mexico City because many service people are only paid through tips.
- 💻 – Use a VPN – If you’ll be spending a lot of your time using public WiFi, invest in a reliable VPN.
- 💰 – Don’t Carry Loads of Cash – While you want to have some cash for street food and souvenirs, don’t carry more than you’re willing to lose.
- 🥘 – Go on a Food Tour – There’s so much good food around CDMX, but it’s sometimes hard to find as a foreigner. I’d recommend going on a food tour.
🎒 What to Pack
- ☀️ – Sunscreen – While you might not associate Mexico City with bright sunny days, it’s easy to get burned here. Sunscreen is a must.
- 🔋 – Portable Power Bank – You never want to get caught exploring with a dead phone, so make sure you carry a lightweight, portable power bank.
- 🏥 – First Aid Kit – Whether it’s a little scrape or a bad headache, you’ll be glad to have a first aid kit in Mexico.
- 😷 – Extra Face Masks – Face masks are required indoors in Mexico City, but many people wear them outdoors too. Make sure you have spare masks.
- 🧥 – Light Jacket – Mexico City gets pretty chilly at night no matter what season it is. Don’t forget to pack a light jacket and some pants.
👉 Read our complete packing list for Mexico.
🤓 Facts & Info
- Census Population (2020) – 9.2 million (city), 21.7 million (metro)
- Time Zone – Central Standard Time (UTC -5)
- Area Codes – +52
- Airports – Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
- Nickname – DF, CDMX
- Demonynm – Capitalinos
- State – Mexico City
- Country – Mexico
💵 Costs & Budgeting
- 3 Star Hotel Room – $50USD($990MXN)/night
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $70USD (1,387MXN)/night
- Rental Car – $50USD($990MXN)/day
- Public Transit Ticket – ~$0.10USD-0.25USD (2MXN to 5MXN)
- Ride Share from Downtown to Airport – $6.81USD (135MXN)
- Take Out Meal for Two – $15USD (300MXN)
- Sit Down Dinner for Two – $35USD (700MXN)
- Draft Beer – $1USD-$5USD (20MXN-100MXN)
👉 Read our full guide to Mexico City on a Budget.
⚠️ Safety
Mexico City is safe and welcoming for tourists. While you’ll want to stay alert while traveling throughout Mexico’s capital city (and know which neighborhoods to visit vs avoid), there’s no reason to fear a visit. It’s a gorgeous and exciting city that can be navigated safely and easily with a little common sense.
👉 Check out the complete guide to safety in Mexico City.
FAQs About Visiting Mexico City
Are there any travel restrictions to Mexico City right now?
As of April 2022, there are no longer any travel restrictions to Mexico City. However, the US CDC does rate it a Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to COVID-19. You can fly to Mexico from the United States without getting a COVID-19 test or providing your vaccination status. On the way back to the United States, you will need a COVID-19 test. There are many testing facilities in Mexico City.
What should you not do in Mexico City?
When you are in Mexico City, you should not flaunt your expensive jewelry or electronics, drink the tap water, or have way too much tequila. These are the types of behaviors that can get you into trouble one way or another.
Can you drink alcohol in public in Mexico?
It is illegal to consume alcohol in public in Mexico. Even though many tourists think of Mexico as a party playground, you can get in big trouble if you take that energy on the streets. Drinking in public can land you with a fine or even time in jail.
Is it ok to brush your teeth with tap water in Mexico City?
You should avoid brushing your teeth with tap water as a tourist in Mexico City. Most locals or long-term visitors feel comfortable brushing their teeth with tap water, but it can have a totally different effect on people who aren’t used to it.
Meet Our Mexico City Travel Experts

Sky Ariella
Sky Ariella is a professional writer from New York with an insatiable craving for exploring the world. After a post-college adventure around 6 Asian countries, she dove head-first into a writing career and travel lifestyle. Sky currently lives in Mexico City with her dog Bear. When she’s not whipping up content for Travel Lemming, she writes for Booking, Zippia, and her blog.

Nate Hake
Nate Hake is a travel writer and recovering attorney from Denver, Colorado. In 2016, Nate started traveling the world full time on a backpacking trip which took him to 43 countries across six continents in a single year (see his favorite travel photos from that trip here). Nate has been a full-time world traveler ever since. His travel advice has been featured in leading publications like NBC News, CNN, Mic, Business Insider, Mashable, and Yahoo News.
📰 Mexico Travel Guides
Don’t stop here if you’re on a mission to plan your perfect Mexico vacation. If you are exploring the city or the rest of the country, be sure to read some of our helpful travel guides:
- Is Mexico Safe for Travel? (Honest Advice for 2023)
- Best Chichen Itza Tours from Cancun, Tulum & Playa [2023]
- 25 Best Restaurants in Mexico City (Where to Eat in 2023)
- 33 Best Things to Do in Mexico (in 2023)
- El Cuyo Mexico (Ultimate 2023 Travel Guide)
- 18 Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta in 2023 (with Photos)
- 20 Best Playa del Carmen Hotels & Resorts (in 2023)
- 27 Best Hotels in Mexico City (in 2023)
- 27 Best Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta (in 2023)
- Best Tulum Hotels in 2023 (I Visited 40+ & Ranked Them)
- 30 Best Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende (in 2023)
- Tulum Beach Guide [Ultimate Insider Secrets for 2023]
- 30 Best Hotels in San Miguel de Allende (for 2023)
- 23 Best Valladolid Hotels (Where to Stay in 2023 + Photos)
- Rio Secreto (2023 Ultimate Guide, Review & Info)
- Mexico Packing List | 41 Things People Forget [2023]
- 15 Day Trips from Tulum to Escape the Seaweed [2023]
- 17 Fun Day Trips from Playa del Carmen (for 2023)
- 31 Mexico Travel Gifts (Ideas For Someone Going on Vacation)
- Mexico Travel Insurance (5 Best Sites to Search in 2023)
- Celestun Mexico Guide (Best Things to Do & Hotels in 2023)
- Cancun to Valladolid (4 Ways to Go in 2023 + Prices)
- Is Tulum Safe? Here’s What You Need to Know [in 2023]
- Is Playa del Carmen Safe in 2023? [An Honest Guide]
- 25 Mexico Travel Tips to Know BEFORE Travel [2023]
- 21 Best Restaurants in Valladolid in 2023 (+ What to Eat)
- 33 Best Things to Do in Mexico City (in 2023)
- Tulum Ruins | The Ultimate Guide (+7 Tips)
- Playa del Carmen Travel Guide | Free and Updated for 2023
- Tulum vs Playa del Carmen – Which is Better for YOU?
- 8 Best Playa del Carmen Beaches (and Beach Clubs)
- 27 Best Things to Do in Cozumel (in 2023)
- Where to Stay in Tulum – Beach or Town? [2023 Guide]
- Cancun to Tulum (4 Best Ways to Go in 2023 & How)
- Cancun Airport Transportation (Brutally Honest 2023 Review)
- Renting a Car in Mexico (3 Best Sites + 1 Rental Mistake)
- Best Time to Visit Oaxaca (in 2023)
- Is Oaxaca Safe to Visit? (Honest Advice for 2023)
- Where to Stay in Oaxaca (Best Neighborhoods & Places, 2023)
- 27 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca (in 2023)
- Hiking in Mexico (13 Best Hikes + 5 Tips for 2023)
- 16 Best Mexico City Bars & Nightlife Spots (in 2023)
- Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta (Best Areas & Places)
- Teotihuacan Pyramids (How to Visit in 2023 + History)
- Las Grutas de Tolantongo (The Ultimate Guide)
- 15 Famous Mexico City Landmarks & Historical Sites
- 40 Best Places to Visit in Mexico (in 2023)
- 7 Day Mexico City Itinerary [Expert 2023 Trip Planner + Map]
- 15 Mexico City Brunch & Breakfast Spots (in 2023)
- Food In Mexico City (19 Best Dishes to Try)
- 19 Best Cafes & Coffee Shops In Mexico City (in 2023)
- Mexico City on a Budget (How to Eat, Stay, & Do It Cheaply)
- 13 Best Museums in Mexico City (in 2023)
- 11 Best Mexico City Neighborhoods (in 2023)
- 11 Best Markets in Mexico City
- 20 Best Day Trips from Mexico City (in 2023)
- Best Time to Visit Mexico (in 2023)
- Where to Stay in Mexico City (Best Areas & Places)
- Is Mexico City Safe for Travel? (Honest Advice for 2023)
- 50 Places to Travel in 2022 (Best Emerging Destinations)
- 10 Tulum Beach Hotels for Oceanfront Views (in 2023)
- 12 Best Cenotes Near Valladolid, Mexico (Ultimate Guide)
- Chichen Itza vs Coba vs Tulum | Which Mayan Ruins are Best?
- Tulum to Valladolid | Quick Guide (How to Go + Prices)
- Valladolid, Mexico | Ultimate Guide (+ 22 Best Things to Do)
- 10 Razones para Visitar Valladolid, México PRONTO
- 10 Reasons You Have to Visit Valladolid, Mexico ASAP
- 15 Jaw-Dropping Photos of Tulum, Mexico
- Why Visit Tulum? (10 Reasons to Go ASAP)