Mexico City, Mexico: travel guide
The sprawling, vibrant capital of Mexico — a megacity of 22 million blending Aztec heritage, colonial grandeur, world-class cuisine, and cutting-edge art.
- Country
- Mexico
- Currency
- MXN
- Time zone
- America/Mexico_City
- Nearest airport
- MEX
Top places to visit in Mexico City
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Museum · 4.9 rating · about 3 h · entry MXN 90
One of the world's greatest archaeology museums — 12 halls spanning 4,000 years of Mesoamerican civilisation, anchored by the 25-ton Aztec Sun Stone.
Zócalo — Plaza de la Constitución
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
One of the world's largest public squares — flanked by the 1573 Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace with Diego Rivera murals, and Aztec Templo Mayor ruins.
Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)
Museum · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry MXN 270
Frida Kahlo's birthplace in Coyoacán, preserved with her studio, belongings, pre-Hispanic art, and paintings. Mexico's most in-demand museum ticket.
Bosque de Chapultepec
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h
A 686-hectare urban forest larger than Central Park, containing the Anthropology Museum, Chapultepec Castle (Mexico's only royal castle), two lakes, and dozens of monuments.
Templo Mayor Museum
Museum · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry MXN 85
Excavated ruins of the Aztec empire's holiest temple, rediscovered 1978 beneath the Zócalo. Museum holds 6,000+ artefacts including the 24-ton Coyolxauhqui moon disc.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Heritage · about 1.5 h · entry MXN 90
Art Nouveau/Art Deco cultural palace with Diego Rivera and Orozco murals and a Tiffany glass curtain.
Catedral Metropolitana
Church · about 0.8 h
The largest cathedral in the Americas, built 1573–1813 on the north side of the Zócalo.
Torre Latinoamericana
Viewpoint · about 1 h · entry MXN 200
1956 skyscraper with a 44th-floor observation deck offering 360° views of the valley.
Palacio Nacional
Heritage · about 1.3 h
Seat of the federal executive, home to Diego Rivera's sweeping History of Mexico stairwell murals.
Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe
Church · about 1.5 h
Mexico's holiest Catholic shrine and one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.
Xochimilco Trajinera Canals
Nature · about 3 h
UNESCO-listed network of pre-Hispanic canals and chinampas plied by colourful trajinera boats.
Museo Soumaya
Museum · about 1.5 h
Silver-clad landmark museum with Rodin, European masters and Mexican art — free entry.
Things to do
- Teotihuacán Pyramids Adventure · 4 h · from MXN 80 per person
- Xochimilco Trajinera Boat Ride Cultural · 3 h · from MXN 400 per person
- Lucha Libre Wrestling Show Entertainment · 3 h · from MXN 250 per person
- Centro Histórico Walking & Street-Food Tour Food Tour · 4 h · from MXN 650 per person
- Xochimilco Trajinera & Coyoacán Tour Tour · 6 h · from MXN 900 per person
- Reforma & Chapultepec Bike Tour Tour · 3 h · from MXN 500 per person
- Guadalupe Basilica & Tlatelolco Tour Tour · 5 h · from MXN 700 per person
- Mezcal & Cantina Tasting Tour · 2.5 h · from MXN 850 per person
Day trips and tours
- Teotihuacán Sunrise + Mezcal Tasting 8 h · from 3,500
- CDMX: Frida + Xochimilco + Street Food 7 h · from 1,800
Where to stay in Mexico City
- Roma & Condesa about MXN 2,500 per night
Leafy, walkable neighbourhoods packed with cafés, bars and boutique hotels — the top pick for first-timers.
- Roma Norte about MXN 2,800 per night
The hippest neighbourhood in Latin America — tree-lined streets, art-deco mansions, independent cafés, galleries, and the best restaurant scene in CDMX. Perfect base for first-time visitors.
- Polanco about MXN 14,000 per night
CDMX's most upscale neighbourhood — luxury hotels, Antara Fashion Hall, fine dining, museums. Best for business travellers or those wanting maximum comfort.
- Condesa about MXN 3,500 per night
Roma Norte's calmer sister — beautiful Art Deco architecture, park-lined streets, boutique hotels, excellent brunch spots. Great for couples and slow travel.
- Centro Histórico about MXN 1,200 per night
Maximum cultural immersion — near Zócalo, Templo Mayor, Bellas Artes, and markets. Budget-friendly but street-savvy awareness required. Fascinating but not for everyone.
Hotels
- Four Seasons Mexico City 5-star · MXN 14,000 to MXN 35,000 per night
- Casa Chiquita 4-star · MXN 2,800 to MXN 4,500 per night
- Casa Goliana 4-star · MXN 2,200 to MXN 3,400 per night
- Hostal Home 1-star · MXN 350 to MXN 700 per night
- Gran Hotel Ciudad de México 5-star · MXN 4,500 to MXN 9,000 per night
- Hotel Carlota 4-star · MXN 2,800 to MXN 4,500 per night
Where to eat
- Contramar seafood, mexican · about MXN 600 per person
- El Cardenal mexican, traditional · about MXN 280 per person
- Pujol mexican, contemporary · about MXN 3,500 per person
- Quintonil Mexican, Fine Dining · about MXN 2,800 per person
- Rosetta Italian, Mexican · about MXN 1,400 per person
- Azul Histórico Mexican · about MXN 700 per person
- El Moro Dessert, Cafe · about MXN 120 per person
- Café de Tacuba Mexican · about MXN 450 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Unofficial "libre" taxis
Airport and street hails
Unlicensed taxis overcharge or take long routes; rare express-kidnapping risk.
How to avoid it: Use authorised airport taxi booths or Uber/DiDi; avoid hailing on the street at night.
ATM card skimming
Standalone ATMs in tourist zones
Skimmers and shoulder-surfers capture card data at non-bank ATMs.
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks during the day and cover the keypad.
ATM Skimming
ATMs near tourist areas and airport in CDMX
Criminals attach skimming devices to ATM card slots, often with a hidden camera to capture your PIN. Compromised machines may look identical to real ones.
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside bank branches during business hours only, cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Check for loose card slots before inserting your card.
Fake Police Officers
Centro Histórico, Zona Rosa, near markets
Men in police uniforms approach tourists claiming to inspect their currency for "counterfeit" bills. They pocket real bills and return fakes, or demand a bribe to avoid "arrest".
How to avoid it: Legitimate police do not randomly inspect your wallet. Ask for the officer's badge number and call 089 (police non-emergency) if pressured. Refuse to hand over your wallet.
Express Kidnapping (Secuestro Exprés)
Taxi ranks at bus terminals, airport, nightlife areas
A fake taxi picks you up, drives to an ATM, forces you to withdraw cash at gunpoint, holds you until limit is depleted. Can last hours.
How to avoid it: Never hail a taxi from the street. Always use Uber, DiDi, Cabify, or InDriver — app-based rides with driver tracking. At the airport, use pre-paid official taxis only.
Timeshare Presentation Scam
Everywhere — hotel lobbies, tourist strips
Friendly reps offer "free tours", show tickets, or restaurant vouchers. In return you must attend a 90-minute presentation that lasts 4+ hours, with aggressive high-pressure sales tactics.
How to avoid it: Decline any offer of free gifts requiring you to attend a presentation. If approached, say "no thank you" and walk away immediately.
Luggage Theft at Tapo/Norte Bus Terminals
TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses del Oriente), Norte Terminal
Thieves work in teams — one distracts you while another grabs your bag. Common in the waiting areas and bathrooms at major CDMX bus terminals.
How to avoid it: Keep bags on your lap or between your feet, never out of sight. Use the luggage storage rooms if you need to step away. Buy tickets directly from ticket windows, not touts outside.