A First Timer's Guide to Mexico City
Are you ready for an adventure in one of the most exciting cities in the world? Mexico City is a vibrant and bustling metropolis that offers 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 on the best things to do, see, and experience during your first visit to Mexico City.
NAVIGATING THE LANGUAGE
Spanish is the national language. As a Latin language, some words might be able to be interpreted without previous knowledge of the language. We found most younger people and those who worked in hospitality spoke very good English. The only times where there was a lack of communication were among older Mexican citizens or those further outside of Mexico City.
However, any language barrier can always be quickly remedied by using 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
Si - 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 and most high-end restaurants offering both hyper-local and global cuisine. With everything 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 that the locals are always eager to help visitors explore their 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 suggestion. We booked Airbnb experiences and left with a handful of genuine new friends each time.
SAFETY
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 lot of police around monitoring, bright street lamps illuminating parks and walkways, and we would rarely see 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
Mexico uses the peso. If you're wondering if you should bring cash or card, the answer is yes - both! Most nicer restaurants and larger stores accept cards, but you'll almost always need cash for more local shops and smaller purchases of less than $30. I'd recommend to use my favorite currency converter app to check on the exchange rate when you go. This tool was also helpful when visiting smaller markets and asking the vendor "how much?" (Cuanto? in spanish) They could simply type in the number into the app like it's a calculator and you can easily see the conversation rate there.
A helpful note about taking out foreign currency in cash:
The best practice (and cheapest) for having cash on hand in a new country is to go to your bank 5-10 business days before your trip and ask them for the new currency. Depending on your bank, this transaction will either be free or 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. There will typically be a small transaction fee along with the exchange rate. It's still cheaper to take out cash this way than to go to a money exchange or Western Union.
WHAT & WHERE TO EAT
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 that has been serving up 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. If you're looking for something more casual, check out Carajillo, a hip and 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 ice 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 consisting of cut corn tortilla pieces that are then 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 in 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, chilli 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.
VIBE & NEIGHBORHOODS
Mexico City is a city of contrasts, combining modern and traditional elements that create a unique and dynamic vibe. It's home to many unique neighborhoods to explore, each with its own distinct character and charm. From the trendy and bohemian Roma Norte to the upmarket and fashionable Polanco, there is something for everyone in this dynamic city. Whether you're looking for a lively nightlife scene or a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, there's a neighborhood in Mexico City that's perfect for you. Here are a few of our favorites 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 favorites to explore, we love the neighborhood's beautiful parks and gardens, delicious food at local eateries, or the opportunity 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
Mexico City is home to vibrant art, beautiful neighborhoods, historic artifacts, and some of the most incredible architecture and museums in the world. 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 the largest and most visited museum in Mexico!
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 Get Your Guide.
Shop and sip your way through each of Mexico City's coolest neighborhoods.
Have the best night ever with Mexico City's #1 Lucho Libre tour. This Luche Libre, tacos, and cervaze tour is delightful, delicious, communal, and so much fun.
And if you're not afraid of heights nor waking up early and love learning about history and culture, you should also plan to take a day trip outside of Mexico City to experience 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 their ancient pyramids and buildings, and sampling tequila from the area. 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 the city is absolutely massive. Mexico City is the largest city in North America - meaning it's bigger than New York City and Los Angles. 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, walk around and explore that area, then Uber to your next location. There is a very good rail system that goes throughout the city, but because we found Uber's to be so affordable, we didn't bother learning the rail system 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.