Everything You Need to Know to visit the Marvelous Captial of México
When considering top destinations for travel, Mexico is often overlooked despite being a top tier contender. It is the 13th largest country in the world, the 10th most populous, and the largest in Latin America with more Spanish speakers than anywhere else on Earth. Its enormous landmass contains an immense amount of diverse environments, from beautiful beaches to Mountainous deserts and thick jungles. Here we’ll focus exclusively on the heart of the capital city; La Ciudad de Mexico aka Mexico City. This guide will show you everything you need to plan the perfect getaway to CDMX. ¡Vamos!
A Brief Overview of Mexico
Mexico has a tumultuous history mixed with ancient civilizations, colonial conquests, and revolutionary uprisings. Many relics from the sophisticated societies remain scattered across the country, while vestiges of European architecture and design grant the illusion of being in Europe. Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis built atop the ruins of Aztec temples but also maintaining similarities to Spain. The region is one of the oldest and most culturally rich capitals in the Americas with origins tracing back to 1325.
Is Mexico City Safe?
Mexico is often painted in a bad light from an American perspective, with the media over emphasizing cartel violence and political instability. So is Mexico City safe? I would say it is extremely safe especially for wandering around the popular landmarks and neighborhoods. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing can occur in crowded spaces like any other big city, but we never saw anything to cause concerns. With basic precautions and situational awareness, you can enjoy the city’s vibrant culture and attractions with no worries.
Best Time to Visit Mexico City
Generally Mexico City has a temperate climate year round excluding the rainy months of June thru October. Traveling during the spring brings affordable prices and good weather but our favorite season is the fall. Temperatures are around 75°F (24°C) plus there’s a bunch of cultural festivals including the notorious Dia de los Muertos (Day of the dead). October/November is also a good time for exploring the city sights and riding a hot air balloon over the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Keep in mind CDMX is 7,200 feet above sea level so it may take time to acclimatize before the city takes your breath away, metaphorically and literally.
Accommodations
While most of the city is safe, each neighborhood offers a distinct flavor. Centro Histórico is the hub of historical landmarks where you can walk between many of the city’s iconic sights. Roma and Condesa: have more of a modern hipster vibe, complete with chic cafes and tons of bars to choose from. Polanco has tons of designer boutiques and luxury restaurants. We stayed in Doctores and Roma Norte for two completely different experiences. One was low key in the hood but for an incredible $25 USD/ night while the former was an expensive luxury Airbnb for around $150/night. While the two areas were polar opposites, both felt safe to walk around in.
Transportation
Mexico City has to have some of the worst traffic in the world. While there are a plethora of affordable public transportation options including the metro and buses, they are often congested and take longer. For a less intimate commute, use ride-hailing apps like Uber, which are safer and more predictable. However, the heavy traffic of downtown is unavoidable so always allocate extra time for scheduled activities. There are also tours that offer private transportation like visiting the floating Gardens of Xochimilco or the magical town of Coyocan.
Tips for Mexico City
- At least for Americans, no Visa is necessary and the power outlets are the same as in the states so all you’ll need is your passport.
- Most places will accept credit cards but some vendors only accept cash. To avoid the high exchange rate, we took out pesos from ATMs downtown.
- Mexican food is delicious but can be spicy! Ask for the salsa on the side or jump in at your own risk.
- The water is (probably) safe but just as a precaution only drink bottled water.
- For nightlife seekers, be prepared for countless shots of tequila or mezcal, which the locals drink like water. Fortunately, it tastes better than back home.
- Punctuality here is more of an abstract concept than a strict rule in Mexico. When meeting locals, allow a fashionable 15- to 30-minute delay.
- English is spoken by many in the touristy places, but you’ll def want to dust off that Spanish for places off the beaten path. Check out a few useful phrases from our trip to Spain.
- The largest celebration in Mexico is Dia de Los Muertos, celebrated each 1st & 2nd of November so if you’re visiting during that time book everything at least a few months in advance.
- Quite possibly one of the best foods to try in the world and one of Mexico’s national treasures is Tacos Al Pastor. The other street food was interesting but the only consistency we found was the unbelievable deliciousness of Tacos Al Pastor.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets and a jacket for cool evenings.
Mexico City is one of the best cities in the western hemisphere. With tons of fascinating history, amazing art, and delicious tacos, CDMX is a highly underrated travel destination and one of the best in close proximity to the US. Of course there are amazing beach side places like Cancun or smaller traditional cities like Oaxaca, but Mexico city is where you’ll get to immerse yourself in the true culture of modern day Mexicans. The city is massive and there’s tons of interesting day trips to experience so we recommend staying at least 5 to 7 days. Stay tuned for more of the best activities and festivals to experience in Mexico. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
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