Mexico City, Mexico

About Mexico City

Mexico City — CDMX — has emerged as one of the world's great cities for food, art, and urban culture. At 2,240 metres altitude in a volcanic basin, it is a city of microclimates, neighbourhoods with entirely distinct personalities, and a culinary tradition so deep that UNESCO listed Mexican cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The historic centre around the Zócalo has Aztec ruins visible beneath the colonial cathedral. Coyoacán is Frida Kahlo's neighbourhood and a village within the city. Roma and Condesa are the creative districts — galleries, mezcal bars, and restaurants from world-class taquerías to the most ambitious Latin American fine dining. The Mercado de Jamaica flower market is one of the world's great spectacles. CDMX rewards those who eat their way through it methodically.

Highlights

Mercado de la Merced early in the morning — overwhelming and extraordinary

Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul), Coyoacán — book weeks in advance, worth every effort

El Huequito tacos al pastor — Bucareli, since 1959

UNAM campus — Diego Rivera's library mosaic, world-class brutalist campus architecture

Teotihuacán pyramids — the Pyramid of the Sun at opening time, 2,000-year-old city north of CDMX

Mezcal tasting in Roma Norte — dedicated mezcalerías pour everything from Oaxacan espadin to rare tobaziche

Neighbourhoods

Roma Norte

Trendy, tree-lined streets with art deco charm

Best for hip cafés, boutique shopping, nightlife, street art

Condesa

Elegant, leafy, and cosmopolitan with a relaxed vibe

Best for brunch spots, jogging, design hotels, people-watching

Centro Histórico

Colonial grandeur mixed with bustling urban energy

Best for history, architecture, markets, cultural landmarks

Coyoacán

Bohemian, artsy, and full of colorful colonial charm

Best for Frida Kahlo Museum, local markets, quiet plazas, cafés

Polanco

Upscale, sophisticated, and sleek with global flair

Best for fine dining, luxury shopping, museums, business travel

La Roma Sur

Gritty-chic, local, and less touristy than Roma Norte

Best for authentic eats, hidden bars, vintage shops, local life

Practical Info

Entry

Entry rules depend on your nationality. Check before you travel: Official entry information (Spanish)

Currency

Mexican Peso (MXN). Cards are widely accepted in the city, but carry cash for markets and small vendors.

Tipping

Tipping is customary: in restaurants (check whether a service charge is included), for bellhops per bag, and small change for taxi drivers if helpful.

Safety

Mexico City is generally safe for tourists in well-traveled areas, but watch for pickpockets in crowded places and avoid unlicensed taxis at night.

SIM / Data

Telcel SIMs have the best coverage; they are sold in official stores and at kiosks. eSIMs are also available.

Language

Spanish is the official language, and English is spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and by younger locals, but not universally.