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If you are planning a trip to Mexico City, I know you have all the questions. Is Mexico City safe? Where do I get money? How much money do I need? How will we get around? Where are the best places to eat?
Yes—it can be both exciting and stressful to plan your trip to a new place. But sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know!
I’ve been to Mexico City several times in the past few years and have cumulatively spent almost four months exploring the city. And I’m still learning new things every time I go. So I thought I’d share what I’ve learned from my experience! Read on for my top tips for getting the most out of your trip to Mexico City (also known as CDMX, short for Ciudad de México).
Click the Table of Contents for a preview.
Money
You don’t need to worry too much about money in Mexico City. You don’t really need to get pesos in advance; there are plenty of ATMs and money changers at the airport. The exchange rate is usually around 15-20 Mexican pesos per US dollar. I use the xe.com app to keep tabs on the going rate.
1. The Mexican Peso uses the $ symbol
I think you know this, but I wanted to call it out up front! It can get confusing, especially for Americans.
In my posts I always use MX$ vs. US$ to differentiate.
When in Mexico, assume prices are in Mexican pesos unless stated otherwise.
2. Carry some cash and coins
While most places you will go do accept credit cards, you are still going to need cash on hand. Smaller bills are better, as not everyone always has change. It’s best if you carry a mix of coins as well. Coins come in 1, 2, 5 10, and the elusive 20 peso pieces — and the occasional 50 centavo piece.
Some of the things you might need cash/coins for include:
- Tacos! Some of the best tacos you will have in Mexico City will be from random little street stalls, or even a basket (tacos de canasta) on a bike! Make sure you have cash handy so you can get some when hunger strikes.
- Bathrooms (baños, servicios): One of the things I love about Mexico is the abundance of public bathrooms. But you usually have to pay MX$5-10 for the experience. Sometimes you hand money to a person (who can give change if needed). Sometimes you have to put a coin into a turnstile. Make sure you’ve got those coins when you need them!
- Street performers – In the tourist areas, there is a constant stream of street performers. You’ll hear the ubiquitous organ grinders everywhere in the Centro Historico. If you choose to eat outside, you will be entertained by a few roving musicians. Support them if you wish.
- Street vendors – There are tens of thousands of street vendors in Mexico City. Have some cash in your pocket in case something catches your eye. Once again, if you are sitting outside at a restaurant, expect kids and adults to come by selling stuff like blankets, candies, and flowers.
- Panhandlers – Like most big cities, there are people down on their luck asking for help in the streets. Depending on your moral and ethical stance, you may or may not be inclined to help them out.
Obviously, for safety reasons, you don’t want to carry too much cash around, so use your judgement. Depending on your plans for the day, I wouldn’t carry more than MX$1000 (around US$50)—unless you are going shopping.
3. Be selective about ATMs
The easiest way to get some pesos is from and ATM. They are more predictable and easier to find than a money changer. There are plenty of ATMs (Cajero Automático) in Mexico City, but be aware that some have much higher fees than others.
Nomadic Backpacker keeps his finger on the pulse of Mexico ATM fees, so be sure to check out his post before selecting your ATM.
BBVA is the highway robber in the bunch, charging about US$10 (MX$197) for a withdrawal, on top of crappy exchange fees (always decline the conversion). This is the first ATM you see coming out of customs at the airport. Don’t bite! Keep going, there will be other ATMs.
You’ll see a lot of Santander and Banorte ATMs around town, which are the ones I generally use (the fees are only a few bucks).
Most ATMs have an option to complete your transaction in English.
If you are US-based, make sure to get a Charles Schwab card before you travel; they reimburse all ATM fees! And, if you are given the option, always choose local currency (i.e. decline the conversion) when getting money out of the ATM or using your credit card.
Safety
Everyone wants to know if Mexico City is safe. I can tell you that in the neighborhoods you are likely to be in (Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Zona Rosa, Centro Historico), it definitely feels safe, even out walking at night. I have never had any issues.
There are also police everywhere! I never know if that should make me feel more or less safe.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t bad actors out there, out to get your stuff, like any big city.
I always say to just take usual big city precautions, and you should be fine. Be aware of your surroundings, and listen to your instincts. Here are some more specific safety tips.
4. Hold on to your stuff in crowded places
This tip applies anywhere. But there are a lot of crowded places in Mexico City, especially during events. So, like you would anywhere, make sure your important stuff (money, IDs, phone) is secured in hard-to-get-to zippered pockets.
When I know I am going to be in a crowd, I use a phone strap. And put your backpack in front on the Metro, like the locals do.
5. Ride in the ladies car (women and children only!)
The front two cars of Metro trains, and the front section of Metrobuses are reserved for women and children. Look for the bright pink signs. There is a real chill sisterhood vibe in these sections, so if you qualify, I recommend taking advantage of these safe spaces.
As a bonus, there are usually more available seats in these sections!
6. Mexico uses the same plugs as the USA
Ok, so this isn’t really safety, but I didn’t know where else to put it. I mean, it’s sort of safety-related?
The title is pretty self-explanatory. If you are from the US, all your plugs and chargers should work normally in Mexico. If you are from other places, bring a Type A/B converter.
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Health
Mexico City sits at 7350 feet / 2240 meters above sea level and has notoriously bad air pollution. And of course, there’s the infamous Mexican water quality. So yes, these things will likely impact your experience, but you can take a few precautions.
7. Plan for the effects of high altitude and pollution
If you aren’t used to living at altitude, expect to get winded more easily when exerting yourself (like walking up all those metro stairs), suffer from headaches, and sleep poorly. You will also feel the effects of alcohol more quickly and acutely.
To mitigate the effects of altitude, drink lots of water, pop some Tylenol or aspirin if needed, and take it easy while you get acclimated. (Some people aren’t affected at all.)
The air quality in Mexico City also tends be bad, especially in springtime. Some days are worse than others. If it gets really bad (when you can literally see the brown air), wear a mask. Some people also suggest using a nasal saline spray a few times a day (you can buy Sterimar in local pharmacies).
8. There is no shortage of pharmacies in Mexico City
Don’t stress about bringing every possible medicine with you. There are pharmacies everywhere, especially in Condesa. Some pharmacies (e.g. San Pablo) have doctors onsite in case you need a quick checkup or prescription. These professionals typically speak a little English, but if not, you can always use hand gestures or Google translate.
9. Bring sunscreen and/or a hat
Due to the altitude and generally sunny skies during the day (except in the summer rainy season), the sun will beat down on you. Be prepared with sunscreen and a hat.
This advice is especially important if you are going to Teotihuacan. There is NO SHADE at Teotihuacan and you will burn if you don’t have a hat and/or sunscreen. Of course they do have plenty of vendors there, so you can always buy a hat.
10. Pack for the season
Mexico City weather is pretty perfect most of the time. That is, if you like 70-80 F / 20-25 C degree days with cool mornings and evenings. You’ll be ready for just about anything if you pack basic layers: light trousers, short-sleeve shirts, light long-sleeve shirts, and a fleece or light puffy jacket.
The way I see it, there are three seasons:
- Hot and dry: shorts/skirts or light pants and t-shirts (locals don’t really wear shorts unless they are exercising, but you do you)
- Cold: jeans/long pants, light shirt, fleece or light puffy coat
- Rainy: light pants, light shirt, rainjacket/poncho/umbrella
Depending a bit on the neighborhood and venue, people tend to dress nicely in Mexico City.
11. Pack warm clothes for your adventures
If you plan to do anything adventurous like sunrise kayaking or the Arca Tierra experience in Xochimilco, sunrise balloon ride in Teotihuacan, or climbing volcanoes, you need to bring warm clothes. Like a wool hat, gloves, and a warm coat! Seriously. It gets cold out there.
Food and Drink
Mexico City is known as one of the top cities in the world for food. And not just the high-end stuff. Everything is made with fresh, ripe fruits and vegetables and just tastes so much better. So be a bit adventurous and try new things!
12. Try the street food
I know you are dying to try all those hipster taco shops you saw on Instagram. But don’t be afraid to also give those street vendors and basket tacos (tacos de canasta) a try. If there’s a line or a crowd, you know it’s good.
One of our favorite places to eat is affectionately called “bucket chicken”…it looks a little sketchy, but tastes delicious!
You might be worried about Montezuma’s revenge, but honestly the only times we have had trouble was after eating at nice places (pro tip: definitely avoid raw spinach and other leafy greens!).
13. Don’t drink the tap water
You know this, but it bears repeating. Don’t drink the tap water.
Lucky for you, there is plenty of drinking water available.
Over the years, I have found that Mexico has become obsessed with filtered water, so it has become a lot safer to drink water and even ice when you are out and about. Where I once would have worried about drinking fruity “aguas” or drinks with ice, I don’t hesitate anymore. Use your judgment, but you should be ok most of the time.
Also, I don’t stress about brushing my teeth with tap water in Mexico, but do what works best for your stomach.
Getting Around
You should know that I love using public transportation everywhere I go, but I know that’s not everyone’s jam. Luckily, Mexico City has so many options to help you get around.
14. Mexico City is BIG
This city of over 22 million people covers 577 square miles (1,495 square kilometers) and continues to grow. Chances are you won’t be bebopping all over the entire city, but even to get to the historic center from popular neighborhoods such as Roma, Condesa, Zona Rosa, or Polanco requires covering some distance. Then you go further out to Chapultpec, Coyoacán, Xochimilco, and Teotihuacán.
All that to say, when you are planning your itinerary, make sure to factor in enough time to get from one place to another. Traffic is generally terrible, so the Metro or Metrobús is often a faster option, if you are up for adventures in public transportation.
I usually use public transportation to get around the central areas, and Uber for further places like Coyoacán, and Xochimilco.
15. Don’t be Afraid to Ride the Metro and Metrobús
Mexico City’s public transportation is AMAZING. Both the Metro (mostly underground) and Metrobús (above ground in dedicated lanes) are safe, efficient, cheap, clean, and get you almost everywhere you need to go. And for the most part, if you miss a train or bus, there will be another one in a few minutes.
Just know that it can get quite busy and crowded, and you will have to climb a lot of stairs (escalators are notoriously often broken).
It’s not without its hassles, though. The Zócalo station is sometimes closed without warning due to events. And the Linea 1 (pink line) has been under repairs with station closures for some time now.
But honestly, if you are not generally a public transportation person, Uber will probably be more your jam. Just plan extra time for traffic jams.
And if you want to learn more about the Mexico City Metro, there is even a fascinating Metro Museum (and it’s free).
16. Get a Metro Card
If you are going to use the Metro, you’ll need the stored value Metro Card, officially known as the “Integrated Mobility Card.” You can use it on Metro, Metrobús, Cablebús, Ecobici, and even some of the smaller buses.
You can get a Metro Card at any Metro station ticket window or the machine at any Metrobus station (I have had much better luck with the Metrobus machines). You can add value (recarga) to the card at the machines as well. Most machines take credit/debit cards, some also accept cash (efectivo). Some give change (cambio), some don’t. There is an option to select English as the language on the machines, if you need it.
The card itself costs MX$15. Depending on where you get the card, the minimum price of the card will be MX$15 plus the cost of one fare (i.e. MX$20 at Metro station, MX$21 at Metrobús station, MX$22 at Cablebús station). I would just start with MX$100 (around US$5).
17. Plan ahead for using Ecobici
Mexico City has an amazing bike share infrastructure, with their Ecobici bikes sprinkled all over the city. There are also plenty of bike lanes in the popular areas. So getting around Mexico City by bike can be a great option.
You might decide in the spur of the moment that you want to rent a bike to get around, but it’s not quite that easy (but it’s getting easier). you think you’ll be using Ecobici, you’ll be glad you set it up in advance, so you can hop on your bike and go.
You have to be a registered user. To even get started, you will need a Metro Card or the Ecobici app. Check out the official Ecobici site for the latest information on getting signed up!
18. Ubers are cheap and plentiful
You know I love the Metro, but sometimes you just want a ride home. And taxis in Mexico City are well known to scam unsuspecting, tourists even though they supposedly use the meter (others have taken taxis without incident).
So it’s advised to play it safe and take Ubers, which are indeed cheap and plentiful in Mexico City, and are a great transportation option. I usually only use Uber to get to or from further-away places that aren’t easily Metro/Metrobús accessible, like Coyoacán and Xochimilco, but lots of visitors take them everywhere. Just remember to build in time for CDMX traffic!
You can also try the local version, Didi, which I hear is even cheaper (but who wants to download yet another app?).
19. Watch your step
Mexican sidewalks. There’s even a song about it.
Mexico City is super walkable, but that doesn’t mean it is without its perils. Driveways on another level appear out of nowhere, as do giant holes with no warning. Amazing gnarly tree roots upend concrete slabs. And sometimes the sidewalks just disappear.
It’s all part of the adventure. Just watch where you’re walking or rolling.
20. You don’t need to rent a car
You don’t need a car to get around Mexico City. The city has notoriously terrible traffic, and driving can be treacherous. Streets are confusing, there are lots of potholes, and drivers are generally aggressive.
Unless you need a car to head out of town for a few days, just use public transportation and/or Uber around town and leave the driving to the professionals!
21. Buses are great for traveling out of town
Speaking of heading out of town, Mexico has a great bus system that will get you just about anywhere. And the buses between cities are quite comfortable and luxurious.
If you are getting a bus out of Mexico City, be aware that there are FOUR major bus stations, one for each direction out of town. Smart. Otherwise you would spend half the day just trying to get out of town. So figure out which way you are going, then head to the appropriate bus station:
- North: Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte
- South: Central de Autobuses del Sur Terminal Taxqueña
- East: Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros de Oriente (TAPO)
- West: Central de Autobuses Observatorio
For most lines you can buy tickets online ahead of time, but it’s usually fine to show up at the station and buy your ticket there. Every company (and there are a lot of them) is a little different.
22. Know your neighborhood
If you are walking around, wondering what neighborhood you are in, look no further than the street signs! Those little black and white signs have the neighborhood (colonia) and borough (delegacion or alcaldía) name written on the bottom. I just learned this! (e.g. Col. Roma Norte Del. Cuauhtemoc).
Activities and Attractions
As one of the cities with the most museums in the world, you won’t run out of things to do in Mexico City. The greatest hits (Casa Azul, Anthropology Museum, Lucha Libre, Teotihuacan) are all worthwhile…but there are a lot of other things to see and do! Focus on what interests you most.
Mostly you’ll leave knowing you have to come back to do more.
23. Mexico City has a lot of free museums and attractions
There are quite a few free museums in Mexico City! Here are a few examples.
Some are free all the time:
- Museo Vivo del Muralismo (Secretary of Education murals)
- Museo del Estanquillo
- Palacio Nacional murals (Fridays only)
- Museo de los Cabildos
- Casa Museo Guillermo Tovar de Teresa
- Biblioteca Vasconcelos
Others are free on Sundays for everyone:
- Museo de Arte Popular
- Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares in Coyoacán
- Colegio de San Ildefonso
- Museo Jose Luis Cuevas
- Museo Nacional de las Culturas del Mundo INAH
And even more are free on Sundays just for Mexican nationals and residents. This means they get kind of crowded, so you might want to avoid visiting on those days:
- Chapultepec Castle
- Museo del Templo Mayor
24. There are still lots of things to do on Mondays
People stress out because, as in much of the world, a lot of museums in Mexico City are closed on Mondays. Yes, it’s true! But there is still more to do that you could fit into a week of Mondays.
First of all, it’s a great day to wander the neighborhoods, markets, or parks.
And a few museums and attractions are actually open on Mondays. To name just a few:
- Monumento a la Revolucion / Museo de la Revolucion
- Museo Vivo del Muralismo / Secretary of Education Murals
- Mirador Torre Latino
- Tlatetlolco Archaelogical Site
- Museo del Chocolate
- Museo Soumaya
Don’t let the Mondays get you down!
25. Only a few popular attractions and museums require advance ticket purchase
You can rock up to most museums in Mexico City and buy your tickets on the spot, though perhaps they might occasionally have a little line. There are a few museums where you MUST plan in advance in order to get tickets.
- Museo Casa Azul (Frida Kahlo’s house) – these are the hardest tickets in town to get! Online ticket sales open up on the first of each month for the following month (e.g. on March 1, they release tickets for April). If you have a fixed schedule, book as early as possible to get your days.
- Barragan houses – if you want to visit any of the Luis Barragan houses, you need to start checking websites and emailing people as early as possible. Only the X house has an online booking platform; the others require you to email someone, and it takes a while for people to get back to you. These are also the most expensive attractions in CDMX. Tickets are free.
- Museo de Banco de Mexico – tickets are not hard to come by online, but you do have to book ahead to reserve a time slot, especially if you want to go into the vault.
- Palacio Nacional – you cannot buy tickets online, but you have to go early to wait in line to get a spot on a guided tour (Fridays only). Tickets are free.
26. Learn more on a tour
You will have an amazing time exploring Mexico City on your own. But if you can afford it and are willing to plan ahead, you might consider enhancing or enriching your experience by going on a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Consider some of these tours:
- Free walking tour of downtown, Roma/Condesa, Coyoacán, etc. (please tip your guide generously!)
- Market tour: discover the locals’ favorite spots
- Xochimilco tour: it’s more fun in a group!
- Xochimilco ecotour: discover the real floating gardens
- Anthropology Museum tour: learn the history behind the artifacts
- Hop-on Hop-off bus: easy way to get around to the major sites and get the lay of the land
- Teotihuacan balloon ride and pyramids: let them handle the logistics
27. Get off the tourist track / seek out lesser-known attractions
While the must-see spots in Mexico City are definitely worth your time, there are hundreds of other delightful attractions. And you won’t have to fight for tickets or jostle through crowds to enjoy them. I’ve listed just a few in 7 Off the Beaten Path Things to Do in Mexico City but there are so many more to explore!
Language
Your Mexico City stay will be a lot richer if you are able to communicate with the locals.
28. Learn some key phrases in Spanish
This is really travel 101: you should always learn a few basic phrases of a place you are visiting.
But…if you stay in the main tourist areas, you’ll have no problem if you don’t speak Spanish. It can actually be quite annoying when restaurant staff speaks to you in English even if you speak to them in Spanish first (if you look like a gringo).
29. Greet staff when you walk into a restaurant or store
A simple buenos dias (before noon), buenas tardes (between noon and 6-ish), or buenas noches (after 6 pm). If you can’t remember those phrases, an hola is better than nothing (or just repeat back what they say to you).
30. Be generous with your “buen provecho”
One of my favorite aspects of Mexican culture is the “buen provecho”. It’s common practice to wish your fellow diners—or just someone you are walking past who happens to be eating— a “buen provecho”! “Provecho” also works just fine. This is the Spanish equivalent of “bon appétit”. But it’s standard ops to wish a “buen provecho” to perfect strangers.
Dogs
If you love dogs, you will love Mexico City!
31. Dogs are everywhere (on and off leash)
I have never been to a place as gaga for dogs as Mexico City! They love their pups, and invite them into restaurants, cafés, shops…anywhere “pet-friendly” (yes, this is the term they use). I have found this to be especially true in Roma and Condesa.
They are also the best-behaved dogs I have seen anywhere. Don’t stress too much if you see dogs off-leash—they are likely going to respond to their owner’s commands.
Final Thoughts
One last piece of advice: just get out there and explore. You don’t have to hit every spot on Instagram. You don’t have to do what everyone else does.
Just wander. Get lost. Delight in the unexpected. Take in the sounds, sights, and smells of Mexico City. Choose your own adventure.
There are plenty of great restaurants, bars, and food stalls you’ve never heard of with amazing food, just around the corner. Look for the places that specialize in ONE thing. Chances are they are really good at it.
I think I’ve done everything I can to prepare you for your trip to Mexico City. The rest is up to you. You are going to have a great time!
And let me know if you have any tips I should add to this list.
