Mexico City – Travel Guide

Tenochtitlan, el Distrito Federal, now la Ciudad de México – Mexico City has had many names over the centuries. This sprawling metropolitan area, Mexico’s capital, is home to more than 21 million people.

Head downtown to admire the murals on the Palacio de Bellas Artes or grab an elote from a street vendor along Mexico City’s main square, the Zócalo. Explore the town’s museums, including the Museo Frida Kahlo, the Castillo de Chapultepec, and the Museo Soumaya. After working up an appetite, visit a Latin American food hall in La Roma, order tacos al pastor from a taquera around the corner, or dine at one of the city’s oldest restaurants.

Tenochtitlan, el Distrito Federal, now la Ciudad de México – Throughout its centuries-long history, Mexico City has gone by many names. This sprawling metropolitan area is home to more than 21 million people and serves as Mexico’s capital.

Head downtown to admire the murals that adorn the Palacio de Bellas Artes or grab an elote from a street vendor along Mexico City’s main square, the Zócalo. Visit the Museo Frida Kahlo, the Castillo de Chapultepec, and the Museo Soumaya. After working up an appetite, visit a Latin American food hall in La Roma, order tacos al pastor from a nearby taquera, or dine at one of the city’s oldest restaurants.

Time Zone

The time zone in Mexico City is Central. Because Mexico’s Daylight Savings Time calendar differs from that of the United States, there are a few weeks each year when the two time zones are an hour apart. Check ahead of time if it’s spring or fall.

Best Time to Visit

Mexico City is always busy, no matter what time of year you visit. You might be drawn in during the Day of the Dead in late October, when orange and pink marigolds bloom all over town, adorning altars to the city’s departed. Check in before September 15, when Mexico’s president yells el grito in front of thousands of people in the city square to commemorate the country’s independence from Spain. Wait until spring to see the purple jacarandas blooming all over town while strolling through the city’s open streets if you want something more low-key.

What You Should Know

Mexico City is similar to New York in that it is divided into alcaldas, which are similar to boroughs. There are 16 in total, but you’ll probably only visit three or four during your stay. Colonias, or neighborhoods, make up each alcalda.

You won’t need a car to get around Mexico City, though it may be more convenient if you’re going on a day trip to a nearby town. Mexico City’s public transportation network is extensive, with the Metro, Metrobs, Trolebs, and more, and you’re bound to see plenty of the city’s ubiquitous pink-and-white taxis all over town. Uber, Beat, and Cabify are popular ridesharing apps, while bikes can be rented through the city’s Ecobici program or apps like Dezba.

Mexico City moves quickly and can be congested at times. Even if you’re a seasoned traveler, remember to take a step back and look down at your phone for directions, and keep your belongings close at hand.

Getting Around

Trains: Mexico City’s metro system is one of the largest (and cheapest) in the world. To get around, you’ll need to purchase a reloadable card (for 15 pesos, or about 75 cents) – this card will work across the city’s transit system, and you can load it up at metro ticket booths or machines outside metro stations. Each ride costs five pesos (about twenty cents). Attention: both the metro and metrobs have women-only cars with a separate boarding zone.

Buses: Wherever the metro does not go in Mexico City’s central neighborhoods, the metrobs does. They have their own traffic lane, so they can be faster than a car or taxi, and a ride costs only six pesos. The city’s trolebs operate similarly, and RTP buses (Red de Transporte de Pasajeros, or Passenger Transport Network) cost between two and seven pesos. Non-city buses or vans may be taking passengers at the same bus stops; if you’re curious where these go, their stops will be scrawled on the windshield.

Taxis: A pink-and-white taxi can be flagged down in most parts of town, and you can order one by downloading the city’s official “App CDMX,” which is available on iPhone and Android. You can pay with a debit or credit card through the app, but most drivers will still prefer cash.

Uber, Beat, and Cabify are just a few of the rideshare apps available in town. If Uber’s surge rate appears to be too high during rush hour, compare it to Beat or Cabify; you might just find a better deal.

What to Do

The Historic Center

The Centro Histórico, or Historic Center, of Mexico City combines centuries-old structures with American-inspired skyscrapers, street markets, and more museums than you can count. Highlights include the Palacio de Bellas Artes, which houses Diego Rivera murals and fine arts exhibitions, the Zócalo and its Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Mercado Ciudadela, which sells artisan goods.

La Casa Azul/Museo Frida Kahlo

the famous frida kahlo museum, also known as the casa azul (blue house) in mexico city, mexico.

Visit the location where Mexico’s own Frida Kahlo created magic. Her Casa Azul, or Blue House, is decorated with the artist’s work, and some rooms still look as if Kahlo herself could appear at any time. A ticket also grants access to Diego Rivera’s Museo Anahuacalli, which is a 15-minute drive away.

México Park

Parque México has been dubbed “the lungs of the city” because, in a city that is constantly on the move, the tree-lined, art deco-themed park can be a place to catch your breath or slow things down. Take a stroll through the park’s main plaza and watch break dancers, musicians, and quinceaneras collide, or check out the dogs for adoption across the street on Sundays. Then, head to Churrero El Moro for some ready-made churros and a Mexican hot chocolate.

Bosque de Chapultepec

Not even New York’s Central Park can compete with this massive urban forest spanning nearly 2.8 square miles. The Castillo de Chapultepec, the only castle in the Americas ever occupied by European royalty, the Museo Nacional de Antropologa, and the Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo are all located in the Bosque de Chapultepec.

La Roma

La Roma – technically a neighborhood divided into Roma Norte and Roma Sur – is one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, and for good reason. Stop by Tepeji 22, the house featured in Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma,” or smell what’s cooking in the Mercado de Medelln (for recommendations, enlist Anas Martinez, also known as The Curious Mexican, for a gastronomic tour). Meanwhile, if you’re curious about what makes this neighborhood so unique, book a walking tour with Lydia Carey, author of “Mexico City Streets: La Roma.”

Museo Soumaya

The Museo Soumaya, arguably Mexico City’s most dazzling museum (its exterior is made up of more than 16,000 reflective hexagons, each twisting the building toward the sky), also houses one of the city’s most impressive art collections. The museum is owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and displays works such as Auguste Rodin’s “La Porte de l’Enfer” and “The Thinker.”

Temperature

Mexico City has a temperate climate, with temperatures that are neither too hot nor too cold. Pollution can hang in the air for days due to the city’s location in the Valle de México, a 7,000-foot-high basin surrounded by mountains, unless it’s rainy season (from around mid-May to mid-October), when storms rain down on the valley almost daily. Rainstorms typically occur in the afternoons and can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, so plan accordingly.

Best hotels in Mexico City

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