Ready for an adventure in one of the world's most exciting cities? Mexico City is a vibrant, bustling metropolis with something for everyone. Whether you're a foodie, a culture enthusiast, or just looking for a good time, this underrated destination won't disappoint. Here's our guide to the best things to do, see, and experience during your first visit to Mexico City.

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Navigating the Spanish Language in Mexico

Spanish is the national language. As a Latin language, some words may be interpretable without prior knowledge of the language. We found most younger people and those who worked in hospitality spoke very good English. The only times communication broke down were with older Mexican citizens or those farther outside Mexico City.

However, you can quickly remedy any language barrier with Google Translate. While you definitely don’t need to know Spanish to enjoy Mexico City, here are a few words that are helpful to know while exploring this city:

Hola - pronounced oh-lah - means hello during the day

Sí - pronounced see - means yes (and no means no)

Gracias - pronounced grah-see-ahs - means thanks/thank you

Por Favor - pronounced poor-fah-vohr - means please

Bien - pronounced bee-ehn - means good

The Best Parts of Mexico City

There's truly something for everyone. Rich history and culture with world-class museums, vibrant art, encouraged and active fitness activities and communities, gloriously green parks that are safe and serene sprinkled around the city, savvy and extravagant shopping options at markets and high-end luxury stores, and some of the best food in the world.
Speaking of food, we knew we would eat well in Mexico. Still, we were surprised to find that Mexico City is home to some of the best, most high-end restaurants, offering both hyper-local and global cuisine. From street tacos to sushi and everything in between, this city is a foodie paradise.
The people make the city. Mexicans are known for their warmth and hospitality, and you'll find locals always eager to help visitors explore the city. Whether you're struggling with your Spanish or just looking for a good recommendation for a restaurant or attraction, you'll find many locals happy to lend a hand or a suggestion. We booked Airbnb experiences and left with a handful of genuine new friends each time.

Is Mexico City Safe For Travelers?

First, we want to bust the myth that all of Mexico is dangerous. We felt safer in Mexico City than in many major American cities. While you should always use wisdom and caution in life and traveling, we felt at ease in Mexico City. There is a strong police presence, bright street lamps illuminating parks and walkways, and we rarely saw homeless individuals as we often do in other major cities. We spent time enjoying dessert in a park in the Roma Norte neighborhood, among others walking their dogs, strolling on a date, and kids playing ball - all after sunset. We would never do the same in New York, Chicago, or San Francisco.

Money Matters in Mexico City

Mexico uses the peso. If you're wondering if you should bring cash or a card, the answer is yes - both! Most nicer restaurants and larger stores accept cards, but you'll almost always need cash for local shops and smaller purchases under $30. I'd recommend using a currency converter app to check the exchange rate when you go. This tool was also helpful when visiting smaller markets and asking the vendor "how much?" (¿ Cuánto? in Spanish) They could simply type the number into the app like it's a calculator, and you can easily see the conversion rate there.

A helpful note about taking out foreign currency in cash:

The best practice (and cheapest) way to have cash on hand in a new country is to go to your bank 5-10 business days before your trip and ask for the local currency. Depending on your bank, this transaction will be either free or cost just a few dollars.

If you're like us and realize the airplane tires hit foreign soil that we forgot to do this, then find an ATM to take out Pesos in cash! Yes, you can do this even with an international debit card and even some credit cards. You will typically pay a small transaction fee in addition to the exchange rate. It's still cheaper to withdraw cash this way than to use a money exchange or Western Union.

What & Where to Eat in Mexico City

One of the best things about Mexico City is the food. From street tacos to high-end dining, the city has a diverse and delicious culinary scene. Be sure to try the churros at El Moro, a local institution serving sweet treats since 1935. For a more upscale dining experience, head to Azul Historico, a restaurant in a beautiful courtyard serving traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern twist. For something more casual, check out Carajillo, a hip, affordable sit-down restaurant in the Roma Norte neighborhood serving tasty comfort food.

DRINKS TO ORDER:

TEQUILA - As the birthplace of tequila, there's no better place to order a shot, margarita, paloma, or Mexican mule.
MEZCAL - A cousin of tequila created right here in Mexico, order any cocktail made with mezcal instead of tequila or sip on it by itself.
HORCHATA - delicious and traditional Mexican rice-milk-based drink made with cinnamon and sugar. It's way better than it sounds - if you like churros, you'll like this!
CARAJILLO - best ordered after dinner, a carajillo is a spiked iced coffee made simply with espresso, liquor 43, and often a dash of cinnamon.

FOOD TO ORDER:

CHILAQUILES - think breakfast nachos times ten. They're a traditional Mexican breakfast dish made with cut corn tortilla pieces that are fried, doused in sauce and salsa, and topped with an egg, cilantro, and avocado.
ELOTE - the most glorious side dish in Mexico, elote is grilled corn, often served with a cream sauce and garnished with chili powder, cheese, and lime. It can either come on the cob with the fixin's or in a deliciously savory bowl with corn kernels.
POZOLE - a hearty Mexican soup made from hominy with meat, shredded cabbage, chili peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa, and limes.
CHURROS - the dessert of choice in Mexico; these hot, sweet, and crunchy cinnamon sugar desserts will hit the spot as an afternoon snack or late-night munch.

The Vibes & Neighborhoods of Mexico City

Mexico City is a city of contrasts, blending modern and traditional elements to create a unique, dynamic vibe. It's home to many unique neighborhoods to explore, each with its own distinct character and charm. From the trendy, bohemian Roma Norte to the upmarket, fashionable Polanco, this dynamic city has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a lively nightlife scene or a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle, there's a neighborhood in Mexico City that's perfect for you. Here are a few of our favorite neighborhoods:

The Roma Norte neighborhood is one of the trendiest areas in the city, with a hipster vibe and plenty of cool cafes, shops, and restaurants to explore. It reminded us a lot of the charming Garden District in New Orleans.

Polanco is one of Mexico City's most upscale neighborhoods. It's known for its luxurious boutiques, high-end restaurants, and designer shops. The area is home to some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including Parque Lincoln, a beautiful green space where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery.

La Condesa is a trendy, bohemian neighborhood with great laid-back energy located in the heart of Mexico City. Known for its eclectic architecture, colorful street art, and vibrant nightlife, La Condesa has something for everyone. One of our favorite places to explore, we love the neighborhood's beautiful parks and gardens, delicious food at local eateries, and the chance to shop for unique gifts and souvenirs at the area's many local boutiques.

Coyoacán, once a quiet colonial village, is now a bustling artsy district with a rich history, while Condesa is known for its tree-lined streets, Art Deco architecture, and bustling nightlife. It's also home to some of the best markets and the world-renowned Frida Kahlo Museum.

Centro Histórico, the historic center of Mexico City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Zócalo, the National Palace, and the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral.

Where to Stay in Mexico City

La Valise Mexico City

4-star luxury boutique hotel
Located in the heart of the gorgeous Roma neighborhood
Beautifully decorated with attentive and friendly staff

JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City

5-star luxury at an affordable rate
Located in the beautiful and ritzy Polanco neighborhood
Home to two restaurants, a bar, pool, spa, and gym

Le Méridien Mexico City

4-star centrally located Marriott property
Located in the Colonia Tabacalera neighborhood, right in the middle of the coolest neighborhoods in Mexico City
Boasts incredibly spacious rooms, a delicious in-house restaurant, and wonderful staff

Attractions & Things to Do in Mexico City

Mexico City is home to vibrant art, beautiful neighborhoods, historic artifacts, and some of the world's most incredible architecture and museums. Here are a few of the can't-miss attractions and best things to do in the area:

Experience a glimpse of Mexico's riveting history at Museo Nacional de Antropología, a must-see national history museum. It's Mexico's largest and most visited museum!
Wander through Chapultepec Park and visit Chapultepec Castle. Both are grander than imaginable. Plan a half-day to explore both, as the park alone is twice the size of Central Park!
See the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes, a cultural center that hosts concerts, theater performances, and exhibitions throughout the year.
Take a boat ride in Xochimilco. We recommend booking a tour like this one with GetYourGuide.
Shop and sip your way through each of Mexico City's coolest neighborhoods.
Have the best night ever with Mexico City's #1 Lucha Libre tour. This Lucha Libre, tacos, and cervaze tour is delightful, delicious, communal, and so much fun.

And if you're not afraid of heights or waking up early and love learning about history and culture, you should also plan a day trip outside Mexico City to take in the views of this gorgeous terrain by hot air balloon! After the hot air balloon trip, you'll spend the day eating delicious food, learning about the area's ancient pyramids and buildings, and sampling tequila from the region. We booked this one on Airbnb and had a fantastic day with our tour guide, Hermes - a gifted guide and bright historian who made the trip extra special.

How to Get Around Mexico City

While much of the city is walkable, it's important to note that it’s absolutely massive. Mexico City is the largest city in North America - meaning it's bigger than New York City and Los Angeles. We easily used Uber to get where we needed to go within the city. We'd recommend taking an Uber to whichever neighborhood or landmark you were visiting, walking around and exploring that area, then taking an Uber to your next location. The city has a very good rail system, but because we found Ubers so affordable, we didn't bother learning it for a four-day visit. For example, we took a 25-minute Uber from the airport to our hotel, and it only cost $9! That would normally be at least $35 in the USA! Most Uber trips we took around the city cost less than $6.

A First Timer's Guide to Mexico City