Mexico City
📍 Capital: Mexico City🏙️ 4 key cities💰 $750-$3,950/day
Overview
Mexico City is one of the largest megalopolises in the world with over 21 million people in its metropolitan area. The country's capital and cultural, economic, and gastronomic center, CDMX offers a unique mix of pre-Hispanic history, colonial architecture, and cosmopolitan modernity. From the ruins of Teotihuacan to Diego Rivera's murals at the National Palace, from Coyoacan's markets to Polanco's world-class restaurants, the city never stops surprising. CDMX is also Latin America's gastronomic capital: tacos al pastor, tlacoyos, and garnachas were born here. It has over 300 museums (more than any other city in the Americas), enormous parks like Chapultepec, and Xochimilco with its trajineras. The metro is efficient and cheap ($5 MXN), cultural life is endless, and prices are surprisingly accessible for a capital of this magnitude.
🌤️ Best time to visit
March to May is the best time: dry and warm weather (20-28°C / 68-82°F), clear skies, and before the rainy season. October to November is also excellent, especially for Day of the Dead (November 1-2). The rainy season (June-September) brings afternoon downpours but mornings are usually sunny.
🏙️ Key cities
Historic Center
The heart of the city with the Zocalo, National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor, and the Palace of Fine Arts. Walk along pedestrian Madero street, visit the Latin American Tower, and lose yourself in colonial streets.
See full guide →Coyoacan
Bohemian neighborhood where Frida Kahlo lived. The Blue House is a must-see. Coyoacan Market for tostadas and churros. Centenario Garden with cafes, bookstores, and live music on weekends.
Polanco
CDMX's most exclusive area. Soumaya Museum (free), world-class restaurants like Pujol and Quintonil, luxury boutiques on Av. Presidente Masaryk, and Chapultepec Forest next door.
Roma and Condesa
CDMX's trendiest neighborhoods. Art deco buildings, specialty coffee shops, art galleries, tree-lined parks, and the city's best nightlife. Parque Mexico and Parque Espana are the green heart.
🚶 Where to walk
Historic Center: From Zocalo to Bellas Artes
📍 Historic Center
Start at the Zocalo, the largest plaza in Latin America. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and Diego Rivera's murals at the National Palace (free, bring ID). Walk along pedestrian Madero street past the House of Tiles and Iturbide Palace. End at the Palace of Fine Arts to see murals by Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros. If you have time, go up the Latin American Tower for a panoramic city view ($130 MXN).
Coyoacan: Frida, markets and gardens
📍 Coyoacan
Take the metro to Coyoacan (line 3). Start at Centenario Garden with its cafes and street musicians. Walk to Coyoacan Market for tinga tostadas ($35 MXN) and filled churros. Then visit Frida Kahlo's Blue House ($250 MXN, buy tickets online in advance). End at Plaza de la Conchita and Hidalgo Garden.
Roma-Condesa: Art deco, cafes and parks
📍 Roma and Condesa neighborhoods
Start at Plaza Rio de Janeiro in Roma Norte with its David replica. Walk along Av. Alvaro Obregon with its tree-lined medians and cafes. Cross to Parque Mexico in Condesa, the city's prettiest park. Walk along Av. Amsterdam (circular, with runners and cyclists). End at a specialty coffee shop on Tamaulipas Street.
🚌 Getting around
🚇 CDMX Metro
$5-$5Latin America's largest metro system with 12 lines and 195 stations. Runs from 5 am to midnight (6 am on Sundays). The fastest and cheapest way to get around the city. Avoid rush hours (7-9 am and 6-8 pm) as it gets extremely crowded.
💡 Buy a rechargeable card at any ticket booth ($16 MXN for the card + top-ups)
💡 The first cars are exclusive for women and children during rush hour
💡 Watch your belongings, especially on Line 1 and busy stations
🚌 Metrobus - CDMX BRT
$6-$6Articulated bus system with dedicated lanes. 7 main lines. Line 1 runs along Insurgentes from north to south (the world's longest avenue). More comfortable than the metro with air conditioning. Uses the same Integrated Mobility card.
💡 Metrobus Line 4 goes directly to the airport for $6 MXN - the cheapest option
💡 During rush hour it gets as crowded as the metro, but there's AC
🚕 Uber, DiDi and taxis
$40-$300Uber and DiDi work very well throughout the city and are the safest option. An average ride costs $60-120 MXN. Pink taxis (from official stands) are safe; avoid hailing street taxis at night. From the airport, only use authorized taxis from the counter inside the terminal.
💡 Uber and DiDi are safer than street taxis, especially at night
💡 From the airport: authorized taxi to Centro $250-350 MXN, Uber $150-250 MXN
🚌 Ecobici - Public bikes
$131-$131Public bike system with 480 stations in central areas (Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Centro, Juarez). Ideal for short distances. 1-day pass: $131 MXN. Unlimited 45-minute rides. The Reforma bike lane on Sundays closes the avenue for cyclists from 8 am to 2 pm.
💡 On Sundays Paseo de la Reforma closes to traffic - perfect for cycling
💡 Download the Ecobici app to see available stations in real time
🍽️ Where to eat
Mercado de San Juan
MarketCDMX's gourmet market. Here you'll find artisanal cheeses, exotic meats (crocodile, wild boar), fresh seafood, and prepared food stalls. Famous restaurant chefs shop here. Ideal for an adventurous lunch.
📍 Historic Center, Ernesto Pugibet street
⭐ Must try: Seafood tacos at Puesto La Jersey and a fresh juice
Tacos El Califa de Leon
Street FoodThe world's first Michelin-starred taqueria. Located in San Rafael, it only serves 4 types of tacos: steak, rib, chop, and sausage. Everything cooked on a griddle with lard. Simple, perfect, and cheap. There's a line but it moves fast.
📍 San Rafael, Filipinas street 40
⭐ Must try: Steak taco with green salsa and onion
Contramar
RestaurantOne of CDMX's most famous restaurants. Its tuna tostada and grilled fish (half red, half green) are iconic. Casual-elegant atmosphere in Roma. Arrive early for a walk-in table or reserve weeks in advance.
📍 Roma Norte, Durango street 200
⭐ Must try: Grilled fish: half red chili, half parsley
Los Cocuyos
Street FoodLegendary street taqueria in the Historic Center, operating for over 70 years. Open only at night (8 pm - 2 am). The suadero tacos fried in lard are a religious experience. Order doubles with everything.
📍 Historic Center, Bolivar street corner with Republica de El Salvador
⭐ Must try: Double suadero taco with green salsa and onion
Pasillo de Humo
RestaurantThe best Oaxacan cuisine in CDMX, inside Mercado de San Juan. Moles, tlayudas, tasajo, and artisanal mezcal. Run by chef Ines Paez (Chef Betty). Generous portions at honest prices.
📍 Historic Center, San Juan Market
⭐ Must try: Tlayuda with tasajo, chapulines (grasshoppers), and Oaxacan cheese
🛡️ Safety
Use Uber or DiDi instead of street taxis, especially at night. Official stand taxis (pink) are the next best option
The Historic Center is safe during the day but avoid lonely streets at night. The Tepito and La Merced areas require extra caution
The metro is safe but watch your phone and wallet, especially during rush hour and on Line 1
Always drink bottled water. Ice in restaurants is safe, but avoid tap water even for brushing teeth
CDMX's altitude (2,240 m / 7,350 ft) can cause altitude sickness the first days. Stay well hydrated and avoid excess alcohol at first
💰 Estimated daily budget
| Category | Budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| 🏨 Accommodation | $400 | $2,500 |
| 🍽️ Food | $200 | $700 |
| 🚌 Transport | $50 | $250 |
| 🎯 Activities | $100 | $500 |
| Total per day | $750 | $3,950 |