You're Going to Love Mexico City
Mexico's largest city and capital may be massive, but it isn't hard to love. This major world city offers history, art, great food, shopping and family attractions plus it's easy to get around, beautiful and packed with high-quality accommodation.
Visiting Mexico City is a chance to step into a completely different culture. Explore the riches of Mexican food culture at gourmet restaurants like Izote or El Cardenal. Watch the Day of the Dead celebrations or the Semana Santa procession, or take salsa dancing classes at a downtown studio.
The city also has more than 800 years of history. Explore the world of the ancient Aztecs, wonder at the immensity of the Zocalo and the Metropolitan Cathedral and tour the palaces of the Centro Historico. Or just forget about culture and head to the boutiques in Polanco or the Six Flags Mexico amusement park.
Whether you want to immerse yourself in Mexican culture or enjoy a conventional family vacation, Mexico City is waiting for you touch down. You won't be disappointed.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Mexico City
A Fascinating History
Mexico City is unique. Built directly upon the capital of the Aztec Empire, it was constructed as a statement of power and intent by the conquering Spanish. Find out about its ancient past, the colonial era and the Mexican Revolution at sites like the Palacio Nacional, the Templo Mayor and the immense Metropolitan Cathedral.
Artistic Treasures Everywhere you Look
Mexico City isn't just about beautiful architecture. Tour the murals by Diego Rivera, head to the Frida Kahlo museum or see the stunning frescos by Orozco at the San Ildefonso Museum. That's before you get the chance to head to huge institutions like the Museum of Modern Art. Art fans will be in heaven.
Wonderful Food from all over the World
Mexico City is somewhere all lovers of Mexican food simply need to visit. Whether it's the tacos at the stalls of the Mercado de la Merced or the gourmet creations of chefs at upscale eateries like El Cardenal, you'll never have tasted anything like it.
Public Transportation that makes Getting Around Simple
Mexico City is enormous, with a population exceeding 20 million people, but that doesn't mean it's hard to navigate. In fact, thanks to the Metro, buses, trolleys and light rail systems, reaching the major attractions couldn't be easier.
Family Attractions to Delight Kids and Adults
Don't assume that Mexico City is just for adults. Far from it. Kids will adore the animals at Chapultepec Zoo and the boating lake in the nearby park, while amusement parks like Six Flags Mexico offer enough rides to fill any rainy day with fun.
When to Visit Mexico City
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Summers in Mexico City aren't the best time to go, with regular rains and hot, humid weather. Winter gets a little chilly, and the weather is unreliable, leaving spring and fall as the best times to go. Head to the city in May and June for the best weather, events like the Semana Santa procession and smaller crowds than July and August.
How to Get to Mexico City
Plane
The easiest way to get to Mexico City is via Benito Juarez International Airport which is just to the east of the city center and receives daily flights from US cities like Los Angeles, Houston and New York. When you arrive, the best route into the city is via Metro Line 5 which runs from Terminal 1 and costs MXN 5. You'll need to change onto Line 1 at Pantitlan, two stops from the airport. After that, it's a 20-minute journey to central stations like Chapultepec.
Car
It is possible to drive all the way from the US border to Mexico City, but few visitors choose to do so. If you do choose to drive, the quickest route from the western USA is to take Highway 40D from Laredo and to change onto Highway 57 at Saltillo.
Bus
If you want to save money or see the Mexican scenery unfold, taking a bus to Mexico City is another good option, and Greyhound offers plenty of connections from US cities (in conjunction with Mexican operators like Autobus Americanos or Grupo ADO.
Airports near Mexico City
Airlines serving Mexico City
Where to Stay in Mexico City
Mexico City has a number of safe, picturesque neighborhoods that are popular with vacationers. Good accommodation options include the Geneve in Zona Rosa, the Hampton Inn in the Centro Historico and the Residencia Polanco in the district of the same name. All of them are comfortable, family and business oriented hotels that offer a high level of service. There are budget choices as well, so if price is an issue check out Mexico City Hostel or the Amigo Suites.
Popular Neighborhoods in Mexico City
Centro Historico – The Centro Historico is the oldest neighborhood in Mexico City and has been around in some form for 800 years or more. When the Spanish arrived, they turned the core of the Aztec capital into a beautiful political, religious and cultural center, and it's still a gorgeous area to wander around. Local highlights include the massive Zocalo square, the site of the Aztec temple and the Palacio National, with its murals by Diego Rivera.
Polanco – Mexico City's most upmarket area, Polanco is mainly an elegant residential area, with plenty of hotels for luxury vacationers to stay in. It's also the premier dining district, with leading restaurants like Izote, as well as a cultural hub thanks to sites like the Cinemex Casa de Arte.
Zona Rosa – Zona Rosa attracts millions of visitors thanks to its wealth of entertainment options. The city's nightlife center, with bars like Lollipop and eateries like Beatricita, Zona Rosa is the place to go when the sun sets. Check out the large cluster of Korean restaurants for another side of life in Mexico City and the many LGBT bars in the area.
Most popular hotel in Mexico City by neighbourhood
Where to stay in popular areas of Mexico City
Most booked hotels in Mexico City
How to Get Around Mexico City
Public Transportation
The 12 lines of the Mexico City Metro are the best way to get around the city's major attractions and cover pretty much everywhere you might need to go. Tickets cost MXN 5 no matter where you intend to go, and trains arrive every 2 minutes, so waiting around isn't a problem. However, overcrowding can be. Try to travel outside peak hours and always carry water as the system can get very hot at times. Aside from the Metro, you can also take large and small buses which cost MXN 2 and MXN 3 respectively (and require exact change). Trolley buses cost MXN4 and light rail fares are MXN 3 - so there are always plenty of options.
Taxis
If you want to get around without rubbing shoulders with commuters, taxis are plentiful and cheap. There's a fixed meter drop of MXN 9, then a charge of MXN 8.05 per mile after that. Uber is also present in Mexico City and offers an even cheaper way to get around, with UberX vehicles charging MXN 7 for the meter drop, then MXN4.50 per mile.
Car
Because of the quality of the public transportation network and the difficulty of navigating Mexico City's streets, few tourists benefit from having a car unless they intend to travel outside the city. If you do want to drive, you can rent vehicles from outlets like Sixt, Avis and Hertz for around MXN 200 per day.
The Cost of Living in Mexico City
Shopping Streets
If you are looking for high-end boutiques, Polanco is easily the best area to visit. Ave Presidente Masaryk is the most vibrant shopping street in the area, and is home to stores like Raquel Orozco, the art boutique Histeria and specialty stores like Baby Deli. Condesa offers a more bohemian vibe, with fashion bargains aplenty of local favorites like Suite 66, while Pino Suarez market specializes in youth-fashion and offers rock-bottom prices.
Groceries and Other
Some of the leading grocery chains in Mexico City include familiar names like CostCo and Walmart, along with Mexican stores like Superama and Soriana. All of them offer cheap food and drink, making the city a great place to self-cater. However, a more exciting grocery shopping experience can be enjoyed at Mercado de la Merced, where fresh produce jostles with street food vendors. Prices in Mexico City are very low by US standards. Expect to pay MXN 60 for a gallon of milk and MXN 25 for 12 eggs.
Where to Eat in Mexico City
If you have ever developed a taste for Mexican food, prepare to be dazzled. Mexico City offers the widest choice of gourmet Mexican eateries on the planet. Some of the best upscale restaurants include El Cardenal in the Sheraton Centro Historico and Los Girasoles. Bakery El Globo is a good place to pick up a snack, as are the street food stalls at the Mercado de la Merced. Don't miss local delicacies like pozole (pork stew) or arrachera (hanger steak). Leave some space for a taco or two as well from cafes and restaurants like Cafe Tacuba, and El Bajio. Expect to pay around MXN 50 at places like Sanborn's up to MXN 200 at the most exclusive restaurants.