Greater Mexico City
Everything you need to know before you go.
Mexico City is massive and chaotic. It is a great spot for people who love history, art, and walking. The vibe is a mix of colonial ruins and modern urban grit. Spend most of your time in Roma Norte and Condesa. These neighborhoods are walkable and full of parks and cafes. A good coffee and pastry here will cost you about $6.
For the main landmarks, visit the Zócalo and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. If you want art, head to Coyoacán for the Museo Frida Kahlo. When it comes to food, eat Tacos al Pastor from street stands for about $2 per taco. Try Chilaquiles for breakfast at a local spot for $8. If you go to a fancy dinner in Polanco, expect to pay $60 to $100 per person.
Use Uber to get around because it is cheap and safer than street taxis. Don't miss Chapultepec Castle for the view of the city. Most museum tickets cost between $5 and $10. You can easily spend a full day exploring the city for under $40 if you stick to street food and public parks.
Sightseeing Palacio de Bellas Artes - Check out the murals and the architecture in the city center. $5, 2h. Zócalo - Walk around the main square and see the Metropolitan Cathedral. Free, 1h.
Food & Drink El Vilsito - Get tacos al pastor at this former auto shop in Narvarte. $10, 1h. El Moro - Have chocolate and churros at the original spot in Centro Histórico. $8, 1h.
Outdoor Nature Bosque de Chapultepec - Walk through the park and go up to the castle. $5, 4h.
Nightlife Handshake Speakeasy - Drink a fancy cocktail in the Juárez neighborhood. $25, 2h.
Cultural Museo Nacional de Antropología - See the Aztec sun stone and Mayan exhibits. $5, 3h. Casa Azul - Visit Frida Kahlo's house in Coyoacán. $15, 2h.
Shopping Mercado de Coyoacán - Buy some local crafts and textiles. $20, 2h.
Day Trips Teotihuacán - Walk the Avenue of the Dead and see the pyramids. $15, 6h.
Budget Selina Mexico City Centro - Centro Histórico. $30-60/night. You can walk to the Zócalo and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Hostel Mundo Mundo - Roma Norte. $25-50/night. It is close to Parque México and plenty of coffee shops.
Mid-range Hotel Condesa - Condesa. $130-210/night. Central location makes it easy to explore the neighborhood on foot. Hotel Casa Polanco - Polanco. $180-280/night. A quiet boutique option near the Soumaya Museum.
Luxury Four Seasons - Reforma. $550-850/night. The interior courtyard is a peaceful break from the city noise. The Ritz-Carlton - Reforma. $650-950/night. The high floors offer the best views of the skyline.
Restaurants El Vilsito (Tacos al Pastor, Narvarte). Budget. This is a mechanic shop by day and a taco spot by night. Contramar (Seafood, Roma Norte). Mid-range. Get the tuna tostadas and the red and green grilled fish. Pujol (Modern Mexican, Polanco). Expensive. Try the Mole Madre for a high-end take on traditional sauce. Rosetta (Italian-Mexican, Roma Norte). Mid-range. Great pasta served in a converted old house. Tacos Hola El Güero (Tacos, Condesa). Budget. Quick and cheap suadero tacos.
Fly into MEX (Benito Juárez International Airport). You might see flights to NLU (Felipe Ángeles), but it is much further from the city. Avoid it unless the price difference is huge.
Flight costs vary. From LAX, expect to pay $200 to $400. From JFK or EWR, it is usually $400 to $700.
For ground transport from MEX, use Uber or Didi. It is the safest and easiest way. A ride to Roma Norte or Condesa costs between $10 and $20. The trip takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on traffic, which is notoriously bad. Official airport taxis are more expensive, usually $25 to $40. Public transit is an option via the Metrobus, costing less than $1, but it is difficult with luggage.
There are no passenger trains between cities. If you are coming from Puebla or Cuernavaca, take a bus. A bus from Puebla takes about 2 to 3 hours and costs $10 to $20.
Stay in Roma Norte or Condesa. These neighborhoods are walkable and have the most cafes and galleries. If you want something more traditional, look at Coyoacán.
Eat Tacos al Pastor from street stands. They usually cost $1 to $2 per taco. For breakfast, order Chilaquiles at a local spot for $6 to $12. Visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Anthropology Museum. Entry fees for museums are generally low, ranging from $5 to $10. For a nicer dinner in Polanco, expect to pay $30 to $60 per person.
Spring (March to May) This is the sweet spot. The weather is dry and temperatures usually sit between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In March and April, the jacaranda trees bloom and turn the streets of Roma Norte and Condesa purple. Crowds are manageable and prices for Airbnbs stay mid range, usually between 60 and 120 USD per night. It is the best time to walk to the Palacio de Bellas Artes or spend a few hours at the Museo Nacional de Antropología without sweating through your clothes.
Summer (June to August) Avoid these months if you can. This is the rainy season. Temperatures are warm, ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but you will deal with heavy afternoon downpours that flood the streets. You will spend a lot of time waiting for rain to stop. The upside is that flights and hotels are cheaper. You can eat your way through the city on a budget, grabbing street tacos al pastor for 1 to 2 USD each or pambazos for around 3 USD.
Fall (September to November) November is peak season because of Dia de los Muertos. Everyone wants to be in Coyoacán to see the altars and visit the Casa Azul. Because of this, hotel prices spike, often jumping to 200 USD or more for decent rooms. Temperatures are cool and comfortable, between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. September is a bit riskier due to lingering rains and the Independence Day celebrations on the 16th, which make the city center extremely crowded.
Winter (December to February) December is peak season due to the holidays. The weather is the driest of the year but it is cold, especially at night. Expect temperatures from 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need a real jacket for evening walks in San Angel. If you want a high end experience, this is when people book the big name restaurants like Pujol or Quintonil, where dinner can easily cost 150 to 300 USD per person. February is a better bet for prices and still offers crisp, clear air.
Practical Tips For breakfast, look for chilaquiles at local markets for 5 to 10 USD. Stick to Uber for getting around neighborhoods to avoid haggling with taxi drivers. If you visit the museums, go on weekdays to avoid the massive weekend crowds.