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Mexico City (CDMX) is the capital of Mexico and is a lively destination unlike anywhere else in the country. The city has a population of more than 8 million people and the surrounding metropolitan area is home to more than 21 million people. As travelers can imagine, this is a busy destination where there is never a dull moment.
Although Mexico City doesn’t boast the beautiful beaches that most people visit Mexico for, it is rich in culture and history. Find out where to go for the best food, when to visit, and how to stay safe while exploring this bustling metropolis.
What To Know When Visiting Mexico’s Capital
Mexico City is the center of Mexico in a landlocked state. Many travelers may not realize that Mexico has 32 states, one of which is Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City).
The capital city became its own state in Mexico’s federation in 2016. The capital of Mexico typically receives more than 3 million tourists annually.
Best Time To Go
For most travelers, the best time to visit will be between March and May. While the winters in Mexico City are cooler and the summers are when the rainy season occurs, March to May brings dry skies, sunshine, and warm temperatures.
The average high temperature in March in Mexico City is 26ºC and in May it increases slightly to 27ºC.
In November temperatures are colder, at an average high of 23ºC with a low of 7ºC. The coolest month of the year in Mexico City is January, with an average high temperature of 21ºC.
Must-See Mexico City Attractions
Mexico City is a bustling destination with plenty of attractions to see and activities to experience. It’s impossible to see and do it all in a few days, a week, or even a month. However, when travelers have a limited time in CDMX, these are a few of the top attractions they can check out.
The Frida Kahlo Museum is a quirky building with vibrant blue walls that earned it the nickname “The Blue House” in the city. This beautiful museum is dedicated to displaying the works of Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo.
- Hours: Tuesday 10 AM to 6 PM, Wednesday 11 AM to 6 PM, Thursday to Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM.
- Entrance Fee: ~$12 USD (~$230 MXN)
Museo Nacional de Antropología is the biggest museum in Mexico, and it’s also the most visited. The museum first opened its doors in 1964 under the rule of president Adolfo López Mateos.
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM
- Entrance Fee: ~$4.30 ($85 MXN)
Travelers seeking green space rather than artwork or historical information can head to Bosque de Chapultepec. This is a massive city park that is one of the largest in Mexico.
Travelers can relax here and enjoy something free when visiting on a budget.
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Entrance Fee: Free
Where To Stay In Mexico City
When visiting Mexico City, there are a variety of neighborhoods to choose from for accommodation. The area of the city travelers choose to base themselves from will determine how costly their experience in CDMX becomes.
Some popular neighborhoods for digital nomads visiting the city on a budget are La Condesa, Roma Norte, and Roma Sur.
Tourists who want to see the major sites of Mexico City and pay premiums for a trendy neighborhood often prefer Coyoacán. Zona Rosa is a vibrant area for shopping and nightlife.
Luxury hotels:
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Sofitel Mexico City Reforma
- Address: 297 Avenue Paseo De La Reforma, Mexico City, Mexico City Federal District
- Amenities: Indoor Pool, Restaurant, Spa, and Wellness Center
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The St. Regis Mexico City
- Address: Paseo de la Reforma 439, 06500 Mexico City, Mexico City Federal District
- Amenities: Indoor Pool, Spa, and Wellness Center, Bar/Lounge
Budget accommodation:
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Viajero CDMX Centro Hostel
- Cost: $89 per night for 2 adults
- Address: 38 San Ildefonso Centro, 06000 Mexico City, Mexico City Federal District
- Amenities: Game Room, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge
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Hostel Mundo Joven Catedral
- Cost: $70 per night for 2 adults
- Address: República de Guatemala No 4 Colonia Centro, 06020 Mexico City, Mexico City Federal District
- Amenities: Airport Shuttle, Laundry Facilities, Night Club
Must-Eat Spots In Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the best places in the country that travelers can visit for authentic Mexican cuisine. There is an abundance of restaurants for all budgets, street stalls selling tacos, and street food markets happening year-round.
Street food like tacos, tortas, and pambazo are popular in this part of Mexico, as are churros served with hot chocolate.
The food markets in Mexico City are the heart of the city’s culture, with vibrant colors, a lively atmosphere, and delicious local cuisine at affordable prices.
One of the largest food markets in Mexico City is called Mercado La Merced. It was originally built in the 1860s and today, it occupies multiple buildings spanning several city blocks.
Travelers can spend hours here shopping, exploring, and sampling local street food.
- Date: Year-round
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:30 AM to 6 PM
- Entrance Fee: Free
Another popular market to visit that is less traditional and more contemporary is Mercado Roma. This Mexican food market is more like a gourmet food court and first opened its doors to the public in May 2014.
It’s got local cuisine, coffee, beer bars, and more. Mercado Roma is the perfect place to spend an afternoon or evening trying street food and having a beer with new friends.
- Date: Open year-round
- Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10 AM to 10:30 PM, Thursday 10 AM to 12:30 AM, Friday to Saturday, 10 AM to 1 AM, Sunday 10 AM to 7:30 PM
- Entrance Fee: Free
Besides the food markets, there are plenty of restaurants that travelers should add to their list of things to try in Mexico City.
- Best restaurants for breakfast: Café Nin, El Cardenal, Café de Tacuba, Lardo
- Top eateries for lunch and dinner: Contramar, Quintonil, Café de Tacuba, El Pescadito, Migrante, Limosneros
- Greatest bars: Hanky Panky Cocktail Bar, Licorería Limantour, Baltra Bar
- Best coffee shops: Café Passmar, Chiquitito Café, Blend Station, Finca Don Porfirio
Mexico City’s Historic Locations
Mexico City is one of the oldest mega cities in the Americas, so there is a rich history to explore here. Travelers must visit Plaza de La Constitución, locally referred to as El Zocalo, to see the historic heart of the city.
El Zocalo is the main city square and in addition to the impressive architecture, there is also plenty to do there in the way of entertainment and restaurants.
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Entrance Fee: Free
Casa de Los Azulejos is another must-see historical attraction in Mexico City. Translated from Spanish, this is the House Of Tiles, an 18th Century building with unique architecture that is now home to a popular restaurant.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7 AM to 1 AM
- Entrance Fee: Free (Order food at prices listed on the restaurant menu)
History buffs and anthropology enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the city’s archeological site called Templo Mayor. This site also has a museum with Aztec artifacts, so travelers can learn about Mexico City’s past.
Before it became the modern-day capital, Templo Mayor was an important structure in Tenochtitlan, the ancient city that Mexico City is built on. This area is now the historic center of Ciudad de Mexico.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM
- Entrance Fee: From $8 (Skip-the-line ticket)
Tips For Staying Safe In Mexico City
Mexico City is often regarded as a dangerous place to travel. But the reality is that, like most major cities, crime exists but typically doesn’t impact tourists.
As long as travelers use their common sense and exercise caution, they can enjoy a safe and fun trip to Mexico City.
Some practical safety measures when visiting Mexico City include:
- Sticking to areas that are popular among travelers and locals
- Avoid walking alone at night
- Try not to look like a tourist (plan a route in advance to avoid looking lost/consulting maps)
- Watch out for pickpockets
- Limit the amount of cash and valuables travelers are carrying
As with any major city, it’s a good idea for travelers to know the local emergency contact numbers in case they, or someone around them, requires immediate assistance.
Overall, Mexico City is a safe place to travel when visitors are smart, alert, and stick to the popular areas.
Tips For Exchanging Currency
Mexico uses MXN (Mexican Pesos) as its form of currency, so travelers will need to exchange their USD or CAD before paying with cash in Mexico City.
The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 19.62 MXN, however, the exchange rate travelers receive will depend on where they exchange their cash.
Doing so at a bank at home before departure is a good option. However, for travelers coming from another international destination who need to exchange their currency in Mexico, consider doing so at the bank ATMs in the city.
There are opportunities to exchange currency at the airport, but these typically result in less beneficial exchange rates for the traveler.
How To Spend The Perfect Day In Mexico City
Mexico City is a common layover destination for travelers flying to other cities in Mexico or South America from Canada or the United States via Aeroméxico. Whether visitors are spending a month working remotely in Mexico City or only have 24 hours on a stopover, the perfect day is easy to replicate.
Start the morning with breakfast or brunch at a popular restaurant like El Cardenal. Then, visit Mercado la Merced for some shopping and sampling of local cuisine during the morning.
By lunchtime, travelers will have made their way to Mercado de Comidas within the market, which is a small food court area to have lunch.
During the afternoon, splurge on museum tickets and appreciate the rich history and culture of the city at the Frida Kahlo Museum and the Museo Nacional de Antropología.
Visit El Zocalo or the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes before grabbing dinner at Migrante or Quintonil, for those feeling fancy. End the night with fun cocktails at Hanky Panky.
FAQ
Q: How safe is Mexico City?
Mexico City is fairly safe, especially when travelers use common sense during their visit. However, Merida earns the title of the safest city in Mexico.
Crime rates and levels of safety in Mexico City are comparable to Chicago, Illinois, a popular travel destination within the United States.
Q: Is Mexico City worth visiting?
Absolutely, Mexico City is worth visiting. Many people skip over this vibrant city in favor of Mexico’s coastal destinations like Puerto Vallarta or Tulum. Mexico City offers travelers a chance to experience a different side of the country away from the resort towns.