Mexico City is one of my favorite metropolitan cities I have been to so far. There’s an endless amount of things to do and especially, to eat. World class restaurants, rooftop cocktails, hidden gems, gorgeous neighborhoods, museums, vintage shopping, and I could go on and on.

I could go back over and over again and always try something new. Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or using Mexico City as a base, this is everything you need to know before you go!

MEXICO CITY - PRE TRIP MUST DO’S:

Before every international trip, I do these 3 things:

Get an eSim

International phone plans are expensive!! I use an eSim to stay connected so I have data as soon as I land.

Buy Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is always worth it, especially in today’s climate. Read why I always get it here. It covers flight delays, lost luggage, and medical emergencies. Just trust me on this one.

Register my trip at the nearest US embassy (especially for my solo travelers)

This is a free service that traveler’s can use so you can be contacted in case of an emergency. It’s always good to register where you are especially if you’re solo. You can do it here!

travel essentials I don’t travel without:

SHOP MY ENTIRE LIST

CURRENCY & MONEY TIPS

Mexico uses the Mexican Peso (MXN). You can not use USD here like you can do on majority of resorts in Mexico.

Most places accept credit card but you will want cash for:

street food
markets
small shops
tipping

Avoid exchanging cash at the airport! You will want to find ATMs to withdraw funds. Tip: if you can find your bank’s international bank partners, it could help you avoid the exchange fees.

For tipping at restaurants/bars, it is expected as it is in the United States.

IS MEXICO CITY SAFE?

The number 1 unsolicited question I received when I told people I was solo traveling to CDMX was…. “is it safe?”

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: it’s like any other major city. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid being flashy, keep your wallet and phone zipped up and out of sight.

I never felt unsafe walking around. It is a bustling city (reminded me of New York City) and there are people coming and going at all times of the day and night so I never felt alone on the streets. As always, be cautious. But I felt pretty safe as there are lots of tourists.

HOW TO GET AROUND MEXICO CITY

Before we get into it, I’m just going to come out and warn you that the traffic in Mexico City is the worst traffic I’ve ever experienced (and I live in Chicago and have been to NYC & ATL). Just keep this in mind when you are planning your days.

Walking: duh. No but seriously it’s pretty walkable so get those steps in. Bring comfortable shoes!

Uber: Uber is affordable, safe, and widely available.

Public Transit: CDMX does have a metro system and it’s extremely cheap. I did not personally use it because I just walked or Ubered everywhere.

WHERE TO STAY IN MEXICO CITY

Best Overall: Roma Norte

This is perfect for first-time visitors and easy to walk everywhere. Here’s a list of hotels stay in:

Best for Nightlife: Condesa

This is the trendy part of town with a younger crowd and a heavy nightlife. Here are some hotels in that area:

Hotel San Fernando

Mondrian Mexico City Condesa

Casa Decu

V65 Mexico

Best Luxury: Polanco

If you want luxury, this is the place for you. It’s a bit further from all the restaurants you might frequent but close to all the lux shopping! See hotels:

Park Life Lamartine

Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec

Hotel Luca
Grand Polanco Residencial

WHAT TO EAT IN MEXICO CITY

This city is for the foodies. There is no shortage of amazing restaurants to eat at and incredible cocktails to drink. You’ll find everything from street food to Michelin starred restaurants. Don’t leave CDMX without trying these staples: tacos al pastor (what they are famous for), chilaquiles, quesadillas from street vendors, mole, and mezcal. This is a few of the delicious dishes you can get in Mexico City.

Go on a Food Tour

This is by far the best way to sample all of the major staples Mexico City has to offer without breaking the bank. My favorite food tour is Secret Food Tours and you stop at so many local spots. It was the best food tour I have been on in awhile!

Best Restaurants in Mexico City

These are just some of the best restaurants in Mexico City to eat at. If you want to see everywhere I ate, check out my post here.

Contramar: famously known for its seafood and tostadas. You will need to make a reservation in advance unless you walk in for the bar.

Rosetta: probably the most famous restaurant and bakery in the city. Tourists from all over will come here for the guava roll and a nice dinner.

Pujol: ranked among the best restaurants in the world. A very modern dining experience that you will need a res for.

Blanco Colima: this was one of my personal favorite restaurants. It’s easy to get a seat at the bar and the food was delicious!

Hiya Wine Bar: robata and wine combined into one with a surprisingly delicious burger.

This just barely scratches the surface on some of the best restaurants to check out while visiting Mexico City.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO CITY

Visit the Frida Kahlo museum

This is a must-do but you need to book tickets well in advance. The time slots book up fast - buy your tickets here,

Explore Chapultepec Park

One of the largest urban parks in the world. The castle is so stunning and I could’ve spent hours wandering around here. You will need to walk up the hill and then purchase tickets before entering.

Tour Teotihuacan

The ancient pyramids are one of the most popular day trips from the city. You can take a hot air balloon over them too!

Go vintage shopping in Roma

The vintage shopping in CDMX is some of the best I’ve ever seen. There are so many vintage stores if you just wander up and down the streets of Roma. Here’s a list of some of the best vintage shops in Mexico City!

These are just a few of the things you can do in Mexico City. For a full list, visit my additional blog on best things to do in Mexico City.

WHAT TO WEAR IN MEXICO CITY

Thanks to the higher elevation, temperatures are relatively mild at year round. Think warm during the day and cool at night. You will definitely need a light jacket.

Mexico City reminded me a lot of NYC: dark outfits yet stylish and trendy. However, the city itself is full of color so I found myself wanting to wear a lot of color too. You will be walking around a lot so you need comfortable shoes. Forget heels, the streets are so jagged that you won’t want to hear these to walk around in.

I put together a collection of items I would wear below!

SHOP MY ENTIRE CLOSET

Mexico City really took me by surprise. Even though I spent 5 days there, I feel like I didn’t even get the full extent of the city. It’s affordable, lively, and packed with food and culture.

Whether you’re planning a girls’ trip, a solo adventure, or a long weekend getaway, it deserves a spot on your travel list.

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