Mexico City surprises almost everyone: leafy neighbourhoods like Roma and Condesa, the vast Zócalo, Frida Kahlo’s blue house, floating gardens at Xochimilco and street tacos on every corner. This guide covers the essentials and links to our detailed CDMX guides.
Top things to do in Mexico City
- The Centro Histórico: the Zócalo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Templo Mayor and the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
- The National Museum of Anthropology: the Aztec Sun Stone and treasures from across Mexico.
- Teotihuacan: climb near the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. See Teotihuacan day trip.
- Coyoacán and the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul): book ahead.
- Chapultepec Park and Castle.
- Xochimilco: colourful trajinera boats on the ancient canals.
- Roma and Condesa: cafés, Art Deco streets and the food scene.
See all 20 best things to do in Mexico City, or compare Mexico City tours and food walks.
Where to stay in Mexico City
- Roma Norte and Condesa: walkable, leafy, with the best restaurants. Our top pick.
- Polanco: upscale, near Chapultepec and the museums.
- The Centro Histórico: history on your doorstep, but quieter at night.
- Coyoacán: bohemian, with a village feel, further south.
Read our full Mexico City area guide, or check hotel prices in Mexico City.
Getting around Mexico City
The Metro (about 5 MXN) and Metrobus (about 6 MXN) are incredibly cheap with a rechargeable Integrated Mobility (MI) card, but they’re very crowded at rush hour, and there are women-only carriages at the front. Uber and DiDi are cheap and widely used. Traffic is heavy, so allow extra time.
Airport to the city
| Option (MEX → centre) | Cost (MXN) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Metrobus Line 4 | ~30 (+ ~20 card) | 40–60 min |
| Metro Line 5 (from Terminal 1) | ~5 | 35–45 min |
| Authorised airport taxi | ~250–400 | 25–60+ min |
| Uber / DiDi | ~180–300 | 25–40 min |
Full details are in Mexico City Airport to the city.
Best time to visit Mexico City
The dry season (November to April) brings sunny days and cool nights. March to May is warmest, and the jacarandas bloom purple in March. June to September brings afternoon rain showers. Día de Muertos (31 October to 2 November) is spectacular. Read the best time to visit Mexico City.
Entry, safety and tips
Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and EU countries can visit Mexico for tourism without a visa, and the length of stay is decided at immigration. Keep your entry record. Stick to well-known neighbourhoods, use app-based taxis at night, and keep valuables discreet. Drink bottled or filtered water. Take it easy on day one, because the altitude can make you breathless. Get a Mexico eSIM and travel insurance. Heading to the coast too? See our Cancún guide.
Mexico City guides
- 20 best things to do in Mexico City
- Mexico City itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 days
- Where to stay in Mexico City
- Teotihuacan day trip from Mexico City
- Mexico City Airport to the city
- Best time to visit Mexico City
Continuing to South America? Our Cusco and Machu Picchu guide covers tickets, trains and altitude tips.
FAQ: Mexico City travel
How many days do you need in Mexico City?
Four to five days covers the Centro, the museums, Coyoacán, Xochimilco and a Teotihuacan day trip.
Is Mexico City safe for tourists?
Most visits are trouble-free in tourist areas such as Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacán and the Centro by day. Use Uber or DiDi at night and check your government’s travel advice.
Is Mexico City expensive?
It’s good value. Street food, transport and museums are cheap, though upscale restaurants and Polanco hotels cost more.
Does the altitude affect visitors?
Some people feel tired or breathless at first. Drink water, go easy on alcohol and rest on your first day.
Plan your trip to Mexico City
The trusted services we use to plan our own trips.
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