Mexico City
mexico travel advisory
Mexico City is having a moment. One of the largest, most populated cities in the world, Mexico City is a chaotic tangle of complexities. Renowned for arts and culture scene (an entire district was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and some of the best cuisine in the Western Hemisphere.
Just a five-hour flight from New York, Mexico City has quickly become an uber-popular weekend destination for urbanists and culture seekers alike.
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5 Reasons to visit Mexico City
Is Mexico City worth visiting?
VIBRANT, ELEGANT, AND chill are appropriate descriptors for the largest city in North America. Easy connection for all travelers going to Cancun, Los Cabos, Cozumel, Oaxaca and others main areas of Mexico. The pulse of Mexico City’s more than 75 neighborhoods, and the storybook Chapultepec forest at its center, reflect a shifting landscape built by the Aztecs and hides many reasons why you should visit it.
- Mexico City is the number one city in the world for museums! It has the most of any city in the world and many of them are free.
- It’s the city with the oldest forest in the Americas (Bosque Chapultepec, an urban park that’s double the size of New York City’s Central Park).
- The food is among the best in the worls. Mexico City has some of the world’s finest dining establishments and authentic local dishes you’ll find here are a world away from the ‘Mexican’ food you’re probably used to back home.
- It is budget friendly, if you’re budget conscious then there’s no better city destination than here.
- Culturally, CDMX might be traditional and the people passionate about celebrating their heritage, but as you traveling through Mexico City you will notice how wonderfully diverse it is.
Mexico City best time to visit
When is the best time to go to Mexico City
As a global financial and cultural hub, there’s never a wrong time to visit Mexico City. Spring and fall are lovely—March and November are ideal—and if you want fewer tourists, avoid major holidays like Christmas and Easter. The hottest month is May, and rainy season lasts June through September. Flights from the United States are accessible year-round, but hotels will be cheapest after Easter and through mid-December.
Mexico City safety
Is Mexico City safe?
Mexico City is absolutly safe. The US government has given Mexico City the exact same travel advisory level that it’s given France, the UK, and Germany, which means that it’s a safe (and awesome) place to visit. Take the same precautions you would in any big city, and you’ll be fine. Mexico City is full of amazing things to do, whether you’re looking to track down the city’s best landmarks, or simply trying to track down the best tacos. And if you still feel not too sure about the safety in Mexico City, you can still take self defence classes to learn fast some tricks.
Although Mexico City is safe, we do have some Mexico City travel tips for staying out of harm’s way:
- Don’t carry too much cash: Since Mexico City prices are generally cheap to foreigners, you will want to use cash instead of your card. But don’t carry tons of cash and be discreet about it.
- Buy bottled water: Everyone will tell you, water in Mexico City is not safe to drink. Buy bottles of water instead. They’re cheap!
- Use Uber at night: With so many things to see in Mexico City, you’ll constantly be on the move. Although the metro is an easy way to travel during the day, it’s better to opt for an Uber at night. In any case, avoid the taxis.
Getting around Mexico City
Taxi, Metro or Uber in Mexico City?
The best way to get around Mexico City is via Uber, a taxi or the metro.
Metrobus — Mexican subway, Mexico City’s Metrobús is a cheap, efficient and super-crowded way to move around town. These red and white buses move (quickly) in dedicated lanes along the Avenida de los Insurgentes. To ride you’ll need to purchase a smartcard (available at vending machines in the Metro stations); the card will cost 26 pesos and rides cost 11 pesos one way. There are also women-only buses – to ride one of those, wait at the designated platforms.
Tourist bus — The red double-decker Turibus provides commentary (available in eight languages) on various popular sights and routes throughout the city. Tours usually last around three hours with approximately 20 stops along the way. For those looking to pack in lots of sightseeing in one day, it’s an affordable option (costing about $15 for adults). It departs daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Taxi or Uber — Phone ahead for a taxi de sitio to make sure that you get official and safe trip around the city. Most hotels and restaurants are happy to call one of the official cars for you, or you could wait at the “Sitio” signs and stands located around town. Taxi are slightly more expensive than Uber. Uber operates in Mexico City and is an affordable and safe way to navigate the metropolis.
Metro — The metro is cheap, clean and efficient, but you should keep in mind a few tips before your first ride. One, the first two cars of each train are for women and children only. Two, you should only carry small bags on your person. Three, the metro is very crowded during the morning and evening rush hours, and that’s also when it’s more prone to pickpockets. Tickets cost 5 pesos, or a little more than $0.25.
Best areas to stay in Mexico City
Where to stay in Mexico City?
Mexico City is a highly versatile city, its streets filled with contrasts that make every visit a completely different one. There is a neighborhood for every type of traveler and where to stay in them.
POLANCO, for jet setters — With a vibrant spirit, in Polanco, office buildings sit side-by-side with luxury apartments and colossal antique residences. The eclectic area is home of premier restaurants, international brands, acclaimed museums and galleries, and, of course, some of the best hotels and restaurants in the city. ▷ Hyatt Regency
COYOAYÁN, for culture seekers — It’s the first step to the historic and cultural immersion you’ll experience in this southern district. Coyoacán used to be considered the outskirts of the city, which explains its vast amount of mansions and large country houses, many of which still function as residences. ▷ Mansion Papilio
SANTA FE, for bleisure travelers — Santa Fe is a new area, full of modern buildings and skyscrapers. It’s a great place to stay if you like shopping malls, shiny buildings and upscale restaurants. ▷ Live Aqua
CONDESA and ROMA, for boheme style travelers — For a bohemian, art-deco vibe, head over to Condesa. With its modern, off-the-beaten-path shops, eclectic bars and art galleries, it is easy to get the artsy vibe from this area of Mexico City. With a bohemian spirit and relaxed atmosphere, you will feel safe and stick to your budget during your time in the capital. ▷ Condesa DF
REFORMA, for History and art buffs — Paseo de la Reforma is one of the most well-known avenues in the entire town! The area around it is a great (and exciting) place to choose for upscale hotels, great restaurants, museums but also some well-known attractions such as Chapultepec Castle. ▷ Four Seasons
CENTRO HISTORICO, for historical and culture fans — This neighborhood is full of historical buildings dating from the 16th century and, needless to say, it also has a great cultural importance for the town. Centro Historico is also very well connected to the rest of the city via subway. ▷ Hotel Gillow Mexico City
Hyatt Regency
Best things to do in Mexico City
What can I do in Mexico City?
Built on the ruins of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, Mexico City is one of the oldest and largest cities in the Americas. Colonial architecture, iconic artwork, spicy cuisine, and a rich cultural heritage offer visitors an endless array of activities that will satisfy any appetite.
- Visit the Centro Historico: museums, cathedrals, and temples reveal a storied past. The Zócalo, the city’s main public square, is second largest in the world. Highlights include the Palacio Nacional, home to the president’s offices and the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
- Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage floating city so-called “Venice of the New World.” Xochimilco, meaning “where the flowers grow,” is aptly named for its chinampas, or floating gardens.
- Teotihuacan, ancient archaeological site, located 45 minutes northeast of Mexico City. Lining the Avenue of the Dead, the monumental Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon stretch across the valley in geometric patterns—a model of urbanization and city planning that guided subsequent cultures.
- Visit museums. Mexico City has more than 150 museums and galleries. The Soumaya Museum, Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Dolores Olmedo Musuem are the most visited ones.
- The Bosque de Chapultepec is Mexico City’s largest park and home to several significant historical sites.
- Learn about mexican cuisine. When you’re not savoring the vibrant street-food scene, the city offers fine-dining options at modest prices. Mexican Food Tours offers a range of gastronomy tours and cooking.classes.
- Each year from late October to early November, people throughout Mexico celebrate the pre-Hispanic traditions of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. In Mexico City, neon alebrijes—sculptures of fantastical beasts—line the streets in a splash of color. Ofrendas, or offerings, to dead loved ones can also be viewed throughout homes, cemeteries, and public spaces across the city.
- Take self defend private classes in Mexico City
Rent a Car in Mexico City
Before going to Mexico City, you need to know that driving there is quite challenging! Of course, it is totally possible being carefull of the crazy way of driving of taxi drivers and colectivos!
