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Mexico City

A high-octane megalopolis boasting old-school cantinas, intriguing museums, inspired dining and boating along ancient canals, Mexico City is the sun in the Mexican solar system.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

Alameda Central

Immense murals by world-famous Mexican artists dominate the top floors of this splendid white-marble palace – a concert hall and arts center commissioned…

Palacio Nacional

Centro Histórico

As the seat of the federal branch of the Mexican government, the Palacio Nacional (National Palace) is home to the offices of the president of Mexico and…

Torre Latinoamericana

The Torre Latinoamericana was Latin America’s tallest building when constructed in 1956, and remains the dominant focal point of Centro Histórico. It's an…

Museo Frida Kahlo

Coyoacán & San Ángel

Renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was born in, and lived and died in, Casa Azul (Blue House), now a museum. Almost every visitor to Mexico City makes a…

Templo Mayor

Before the Spaniards demolished it, the Aztec 'Great Temple' Teocalli of Tenochtitlán covered the site where the cathedral now stands, as well as the…

Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

If you saw the movie Frida (2002), you’ll recognize this museum, designed by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's friend, architect and painter Juan O’Gorman…

Museo Casa de León Trotsky

The Trotsky home, now a museum, remains much as it was on the day when one of Stalin's agents, a Catalan named Ramón Mercader, caught up with the…

Museo Mural Diego Rivera

This museum is home to one of Diego Rivera’s most famous works, Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central (Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the…

Top picks from our travel experts

10 top things to do in mexico city.

Xochimilco Canals

Hundreds of colorful trajineras (gondolas) await passengers at the village’s 10 embarcaderos to paddle you through the waterways dotted with birdlife and…

Biblioteca de México

Mexico City's mega-library holds over 500,000 volumes and an extensive maps collection. Design and architecture fans should visit just to witness the…

11 of the best free things to do in Mexico City

Museo Soumaya

Polanco & Bosque de Chapultepec

Someone ought to tell Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim that bigger isn't always better. Named after his late wife, this six-story behemoth (plated with 16…

Museo Nacional de las Culturas del Mundo

Constructed in 1567 as the colonial mint, this renovated museum exhibits the art, dress and handicrafts of Mexico's and the world’s cultures. Mixed in for…

Palacio Postal

More than just Mexico City’s central post office, this golden palace built in 1907 is an Italianate confection designed by the Palacio de Bellas Artes’…

Ex Teresa Arte Actual

Mexico City was built atop a sloshy lake bed and it's sinking fast, as evidenced by this teetering former convent. The 17th-century building now serves as…

Plaza Garibaldi

Every night the city’s mariachi bands belt out heartfelt ballads in this festive square. Wearing silver-studded outfits, they toot their trumpets and tune…

Museo Jumex

Museo Jumex was built to house one of Latin America's leading contemporary art collections. Temporary exhibits draw on a collection of around 2600 pieces…

The heart of Mexico City is the Plaza de la Constitución. Residents began calling it the Zócalo, meaning ‘base,’ in the 19th century, when plans for a…

Created in the late 1500s by mandate of then-viceroy Luis de Velasco, the Alameda took its name from the álamos (poplars) planted over its rectangular…

Catedral Metropolitana

One of Mexico City’s most iconic structures, this cathedral is a monumental edifice: 109m long, 59m wide and 65m high. Started in 1573, it remained a work…

Castillo de Chapultepec

A visible reminder of Mexico’s bygone aristocracy, the ‘castle’ that stands atop Chapultepec Hill was begun in 1785 but not completed until after…

Zona Rosa & Reforma

The symbol of Mexico City, known as 'El Ángel' (The Angel), this gilded Winged Victory on a 45m-high pillar was sculpted for the independence centennial…

Tianguis Cultural del Chopo

A gathering place for the city’s various youth subcultures – especially goth, metal, indie and punk – with most of the outdoor vendor stalls selling new…

Basílica de Guadalupe

A cult developed around this site after a Christian convert named Juan Diego claimed in December 1531 that the Virgin Mary appeared before him on the…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Things to Know

Be a better traveler with this guide to health, safety and etiquette in Mexico City.

Best Neighborhoods

Location is everything in Mexico City, and we've put together a list of the best neighborhoods that are easily walkable and full of charm and character.

While there is plenty to keep you busy in Mexico City, the central region of Mexico is filled with pueblos mágicos that are well worth your time. 

Money and Costs

If you want to visit Mexico City but have a tight budget, these practical travel, accommodation, and going-out tips have got you covered.

Transportation

Whether it's cycling, tackling the sprawling subway, or crossing the city by cable car, here is how to navigate Mexico's mighty capital.

Free Things to Do

Stretch your pesos even further with our round up of the best free things to do in Mexico City.

Traveling with Kids

Heading to Mexico City with your kids? Check out these top family-friendly activities and tips for planning your trip.

Spending Diaries

A detailed diary of how to book accommodation, take in superb museums and eat very well in the Mexican capital for under $500.

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Mexico City and beyond

36 Hours in Mexico City

By Elisabeth Malkin Updated Nov. 17, 2022

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Few places conjure Mexico City’s mix of vibrant style, outstanding gastronomy, rich history and bustling street life. Post-pandemic, that blend has gone into overdrive, with new museums featuring the sweep of Mexican art, a panoply of restaurants and bars, and an expanding fashion scene that embraces traditional craft. You can shop for leather bags and ponchos, sample local craft beers and join jazz fans for a concert in a cozy club. Amid the buzz, it’s also worth seeking out the secrets of the Historic Center, where travelers can discover hidden murals, explore an ancient market’s warrens and immerse themselves in the city’s layers and incongruities.

Recommendations

• La Merced market is the city’s oldest and an introduction to traditional foods, including toasted insects.
• Mama Rumba is a salsa club for experts and novices alike to dance late into the night.
• Museo Foro Valparaíso is in a magnificent 18th-century palace with a sweeping collection of Mexican art.
• Tetetlán , a cultural center that includes a restaurant, exhibition space, art library and shop, is a place where you could spend hours.
• Almacén Monstruo de Agua is a taproom for a Mexico City craft brewery that makes creative use of local ingredients.
• Meroma is a small restaurant in Roma that offers fresh Mexican ingredients with a twist.
• Vigneron offers a curated wine selection from vineyards in France, Spain, Mexico and Italy.
• Pulquería Las Duelistas is a tiny, raucous bar for sampling pulque, if you dare.
• Tío Pepe is a 150-year-old cantina where the pace slows to a crawl.
• Bósforo is a tiny bar for a crowd that savors mezcal and music.
• Amaya serves Baja-Med cuisine and natural wines.
• Parker & Lenox is a relaxed jazz club and cocktail lounge.
• Jazzatlán Capital is for devoted jazz fans who want to hear music in an intimate setting.
• Francisco Cancino designs women’s clothing in bold shapes and deep colors.
• Cynthia Buttenklepper includes leather ponchos in her full line of women’s clothing.
• Mr Fox sells leather bags and accessories made in Mexico by local craftspeople.
• JPEG ’ s unisex tops offer an irreverent take on Mexican imagery.
• Vera works with artisans to adapt local textile designs.
• Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa is a restored early 20th-century mansion filled with Mexican art and antiques.
• The Abelardo L. Rodríguez market is home to some of the city’s best murals, but few people know about them.
• The Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso is a Baroque landmark with murals by José Clemente Orozco and other masters.
• Museo Kaluz offers a private collection of mostly 19th- and 20th-century Mexican paintings.
• Casa Pedregal is one of the private homes designed by the great architect Luis Barragán.
• University Museum of Contemporary Art (MUAC) is a path-breaking contemporary art museum in a stunning modern building.
• Casa Goliana is an eight-room boutique bed and breakfast in an elegantly restored mansion in Roma Norte. Each room is furnished with local designs. Weekend rates for a double room start at 6,495 pesos, or $333.50.
• Casa de la Luz Hotel Boutique is in a restored colonial palace on a square in the heart of the Historic Center. The 18 rooms feature tiled floors and remnants of the structure’s ancient walls. Doubles from 2,590 pesos.
• Hotel Casa González , in a former grand house opposite the British Embassy in Colonia Cuauhtémoc, has rooms centered around leafy patios. Doubles from about 1,300 pesos.
• Search for a short-term rental in Colonia Roma. Although it’s the city’s trendiest neighborhood, its back streets still evoke the 1970s world captured by the Oscar-winning movie “ Roma ,” particularly in Roma Sur.

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Mérida:   Rich in culture and history , this young and artsy Mexican city is an antidote to the wall-to-wall all-inclusive resorts of the Yucatán coast. ​​

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Home > Mexico > Mexico City Travel Tips

Mexico City Travel Tips: 20 Dos and Don'ts No One Tells You

Make Mexico City Your Even Favorite-er City

These travel tips are part of our local, loco, (not) low-cal Mexico City blog , which includes our city guide , favorite local food , why bike , and report on pulque .

Mexico City is our favorite city to visit over and over again. And even though we think we know the city pretty well by now, every time we go we learn a few things that make it our even favorite-er city. These things we've learned are the Mexico City travel tips we're sharing below.

If you haven’t been before, these tips will probably make Mexico City your favorite city too. And if this ain’t your first rodeo a) You obviously have great taste in travel destinations, and b) Prepare to make your tastes even tastier.

Either way, these Mexico City travel tips will upgrade your perception of the DF CDMX.

Tips for your Trip

These Mexico City travel tips are split into four sections. Jump to directly to any one by clicking these shortcut links:

• Upon Arrival
• While in Mexico City
• Things Not to Do
• Before Leaving

As Soon As You Arrive in Mexico City

✓  get a cell phone sim.

You're going to need data in Mexico City to use Uber and the EcoBici shared bikes ( see below ), so get a SIM card immediately upon arriving. Dealing with a cell phone company is far from the most pleasant way to start your trip, but it'll make your trip more pleasant.

You can get a local SIM in the airport at the Telcel office in Terminal 1 or at an Oxxo or 7-11. They'll help you set it up. Here's what you need to get started:

• A SIM card. This shouldn't cost more than 150 pesos. It should come with  and it should come with some "welcome credit."
• A basic Amigo Sin Limite plan. Get the 50 peso one, which entitles you to 7 days of unlimited calling and messages to Mexico, USA, and Canada and 300 MB of data. This likely will be included with the cost of your SIM card.
• An Internet Amigos plan for extra data. It costs 150 pesos for 1 GB.

Tip:   By default, Telcel sets up your account so that if you add credit ( una recarga in Spanish) it will automatically be used to buy the most expensive Amigos Sin Limite plan possible. To have more control over what you buy when you do a recarga, ask that they change your account accordingly.

More Tips: Read this more detailed guide to SIM cards in Mexico  if you're still in doubt.

T-Mobile User?: Eric comments below that your phone will work just the same as in the US (and France, Germany, Japan, and other countries), for no extra charge.

✓  Withdraw as many pesos as possible

In the interest of reducing the number of ATM trips you need to make and foreign withdrawal fees, take out as much cash as you can all at once. You're going to need it. Cash is still king in Mexico City and it will remain that way until business owners can no longer dodge taxes by taking it as payment.

Don't worry about withdrawing more than you need. As you'll soon discover in our final Mexico City travel tip below, you can actually make money off any pesos you haven't spent by the end of your trip!

Bank of America client?: Eric comments that you can make withdrawals from Scotiabank ATMs free of charge and with the prime rate so long as you refuse the insurance and say No to the proposed exchange rate at the last step of your withdrawal.

✓  Buy a plug-in mosquito repelling device

One of the few things that suck about Mexico City is the mosquitos. There aren't swarms like in the Amazon or Northern Canada, but they still have a remarkable ability to ruin your sleep.

Nothing 60 pesos ($3 USD) can't fix, though.

At the nearest convenience store or supermarket, pick up a little white plug-in device that uses blue tabs, put in a socket near your bed every night, and enjoy a blissful sleep.

We swear by the things. Our last two times in Mexico City, we "donated blood" for a couple nights, got fed up, got a mosquito repelling thing, and slept blissfully from then on.

Note: The things don't seem to exist on Amazon. We looked. Just get one when you arrive.

✓  Sign up for EcoBici

Despite the popular belief that Mexican traffic is as loco as swallowing a habanero whole, Mexico City is actually a surprisingly bike-friendly city. Side roads are mostly empty, the roads are flat, and drivers are more likely to honk one of those custom Mexican sexy whistle horns at you than an angry one.

If you're comfortable biking, sign up for EcoBici, Mexico City's bike share program, as soon as possible.

To give you an idea of how handy it is, in our most recent week in town we did over 40 rides covering 150 km.

For everything you need to know to spice up your Mexico City trip with EcoBici, including its pros and cons, how to use it, where to use it, and whether it's safe for you or not, don't miss our guide .

Warning: As Marcia learned the hard way and warns in the comments, don't sign up for EcoBici until you are ready to use it, because your account automatically initiates upon payment.

Related: How to Experience More of CDMX, Faster, by Using EcoBici

Travel Tips for a Better Time in Mexico City

✓  ask for samples at restaurants.

If you're unsure of which sauce, mole, or pulque flavor to order at a restaurant, ask for samples. Just about every restaurant and bar will be happy to oblige. That way you'll make the right choice every time and experience more flavors. Plus it's free.

✓  Get on the rooftops

The Google search results for "Best rooftop bar in Mexico City" suck. The places that show up in the results are higher-end than they are high up, often covered, and have no views.

We know because we went up to each of them and generally came back down quickly and unimpressed.

But we found a few worth climbing the stairs up to (…or pushing the button in the elevator).

Mexico City Rooftop Bars:

• Terraza Catedral , has 35 peso draft beers and views of the Zocalo. It's better than El Mayor's rooftop bar and restaurant three blocks down the way. On weekdays it's "open at 1 p.m." (not really; see tip below) to the public. On weekends it opens at 6 p.m. and there's a cover fee.
• El Balcon del Zocalo's name is self-explanatory. It's ideal for a fancier welcome or goodbye dinner.
• Pulqueria Insurgentes doesn't have a view, but its got a refreshingly airy and unpretentious rooftop. On Sundays, their pulque is buy-one-get-one-free, and on Mondays all alcoholic drinks are half-priced.

Save these bars' locations and those of 19 more of our favorite restaurants, cafés, and street food right to your phone's Google Maps by getting our free Mexico City treasures map, below .

✓  Burn off those buns (and tortillas)

Without a doubt, the best part about Mexico City is the food. The more food you eat, the better your trip will be. So how do you eat as much as humanly possible?

Working up an appetite with exercise.

Here are some fun (and mostly free) places to get your non-habanero-induced sweat on:

• Hapi Fitness (first class 100 pesos): You'll be thinking "help-me" not "hapi" while doing a Hapi Fitness class, but we guarantee you'll be happy afterward. What's more, you'll emerge from the studio and find yourself right inside Dosis Cafe, where you can immediately reward yourself with a tasty pastry.
• Park 54   (1st class free): Quick, dirty, and sweaty, Park 54's group circuit workouts will get you pumped and pump you up for a big day.
• Gandhi Circuit in Chapultapec Park  (Public, see Google Maps ): This 1-km loop through the trees with a small workout area in the middle is a good spot for a breath huff-and-puff of fresh air.
• Outdoor calisthenic parks  (Public): You can find chin-up bars and other apparatus for doing bodyweight workouts right beside Insurgentes metro station, in Parque Espana, in front of Qi Fitness in Condesa, and in the Centro.

Related: 9 Fun & Fast Tricks We Use to Stay Fit While Traveling

✓  Venture into a pulqueria

Pulque is kombucha with attitude. It's a gut-friendly fermented drink with 3-to-8-percent alcohol that you can only find within a day's drive Mexico's high plains.

It's not necessarily taste-bud friendly, though. Raw pulque is an acquired taste whose appeal is hurt by the fact that people too often compare its texture to that of semen. But if you give it a chance, get a curado that's blended with fruits, and compare it to yogurt-mixed-with-beer instead of sperm, there's a good chance you'll enjoy it.

Even if you can't swallow the stuff, pulquerias are worth venturing into for their dive-y, old school atmosphere and for the chance to meet the curious characters who you'll be drinking beside.

As for which pulqueria to go to, as a general rule of thumb the farther the pulqueria is from tourist attractions, the better.

If you're interested in trying this "kombucha on steroids," make sure to check our guide to its up-and-down-and-up-again history, amazing nutritional benefits, and where to get it in Mexico City.

✓  At least stay in the Condesa / Roma Norte area

As we explain in the neighborhood overview of our Mexico City first-timers' guide , it's the ideal area to base your stay. It's central, safe, cosmopolitan, and has tons of places for eating, shopping, exercising, and eating some more.

Condesa / Roma Norte has plenty of boutique hotels and hostels. If we were rich or it were our honeymoon, we'd stay at the Nima Local House or La Valise .

Related: Quick and Dirty Mexico City First-Timers' Guide

✓  Read these other blogs' Mexico City travel tips

Here are a couple other posts with not-obvious, original, and actually helpful Mexico City travel tips:

• What not to Do in Mexico City: Advice from a Local , by Northern Lauren
• 17 Things to Know Before You Go to Mexico City , by Explore Parts Unknown

✓  Try these tips and tricks to change the way you travel

You're sure to find at least one idea that will change the way you travel in our list of our best travel tips and tricks . It has everything from advanced, experimental travel tips and tricks to practical but oft-overlooked ones to dumb advice we hear others give too often (and what to do instead).

What NOT to Do in Mexico City

✗  Don't be a wuss

Worried that your ice cubes might be made from tap water?

Suck it up and suck down your drink anyways.

Wondering where that food's been and how long it's been sitting out?

Tell your selfish yuppy gut bacteria they need to make some Mexican friends. It's good for all of you.

Concerned that you'll stick out like a sore thumb in a poorer neighborhood?

Hate to break it to you, but the people in those neighborhoods are too preoccupied with more important things to care about your presence.

Get over yourself and don't be a wuss.

✗  Don't look like a tourist

Even if you're a big, light-haired, fair-skinned guy like Chris you  should at least try to look like a local resident instead of a tourist.

That means no flip-flops under any circumstances, and no shorts unless it's blisteringly hot outside.

Otherwise, it's so obvious you're a tourist that you may as well wear your national flag as a cape, paint your face in the same colors, and fan yourself with 500 peso bills.

✗  Don't pay for water

You know how full-serve gas station attendants try to upsell you on premium gas and you have to say, "No, just regular, please"? Well that's how it is with water at restaurants in Mexico City.

When you ask for water your waiter will default to bringing you an expensive bottle. But if you ask the right way, they'll begrudgingly give you a glass of filtered water for free.

Ask for " agua del filtro ." Most likely, the server will pretend not to understand at first, so insist. Say, " Un vaso de agua del garrafon " (a glass from the jug). Repeat if necessary.

The waiter will eventually relent and bring you your water, saving you some pesos and saving the environment from another empty bottle.

✗  Don't wait in super long in lines

Here's a hot travel take: Anything you need to wait around in line with other tourists for is not worth doing.

For example, unless you're such a Frida fan that you've grown a unibrow in her honor, it's not worth it (unless you buy in advance, as per the tip below). Also, instead of waiting to blow your pesos with other hip gringos at Hotel Condesa's bar, get some pulque at Pulqueria Insurgentes. And rather than wait forever for a pastry from Rosetta go up the street to the much more spacious Cafe NIN, which has the exact same treats minus the line.

But when it comes to less-touristy attractions, don't be scared off by rumors of lineups. Three of our favorite food spots —Fonda Margarita, Esquina Chilaquil, and Tacos Don Juan—were said to have hour-plus long lines, but in all three cases we waited no more than twenty minutes. We suspect the locals exaggerate to keep annoying tourists away.

Tip: Save yourself a couple of hours waiting to get into the Frida museum by buying tickets in advance on this site or doing a tour, like this this highly-rated Airbnb experience , that includes VIP skip-the-line entry. (Thanks to Nina for this tip. She also recommends paying extra for a guide or audio tour, which she regrets not doing.)

✗  Don't go anywhere when it's close to its opening or closing hours

Based on our experience, opening and closing hours are suggestions in Mexico City, not reality.

Inevitably, the person running the shop, restaurant, or bar will have an excuse to open later than advertised and close earlier.

Being naive to this reality (perhaps due to Chris' always-on-time Swiss ancestry) and slow learners, we went but had to come back another time to four different places during our trip: Helado Obscuro, Terraza Catedral, Minichelista, and Pulqueria La Nuclear.

✗  Don't trust strangers who approach you in perfect English

We were minding our own business eating some Dorilokos near the Anthropology Museum when a frazzled-looking white guy approached. In perfect English, he rambled on about how he was robbed in a taxi and was desperate to catch his flight. He asked for twenty to thirty dollars for a taxi, saying he would repay us later via PayPal.

We asked him to screw off. There was a fluent-English speaking tourist booth beside us whose job it is to help out people like him, so he was clearly a scammer.

A similar situation happened near Bellas Artes with a guy at one of those three-cups-one-ball sleight-of-hand games who asked us to "help him out for a sec."

Long story short, if you have the face of a sucker like we apparently do, there's a decent chance you'll be approached by indecent people trying to scam you. If they have suspiciously good English, be suspicious.

If you feel bad, do something nice for a stranger when you get home to make up for it.

✗  Don't take taxis

We don't know about you, but we prefer not to pay more money to expose ourselves to a higher risk of getting ripped off and getting lost. That's why we use Uber in Mexico City.

As an example, an official taxi from the airport to Roma Norte costs 220 pesos. Uber costs 130. Use those 90 pesos you save towards getting yourself a Mexican SIM card ( see above ) so you can use Uber.

Don't overlook other forms of transit, too. Biking, the bus, and the metro can be faster and are certainly cheaper. See our Mexico City Guide for more on getting around.

Before You Leave Mexico City

✓  buy your souvenir mezcal or tequila in the city, not at the airport duty-free.

The selection of booze in Mexico City's airport duty-free is expensive and only has brands you can buy in liquor stores back home.

Get a cheaper, better, more unique bottle in town. Bundle it up before packing it in your check-in luggage, pray it doesn't get smashed en route, then share it with your friends while exaggerating about how sought-after the particular brand it is.

✓  Make some money on the exchange rate

Mexico City airport currency exchange booths will pay you to take US dollars off their hands.

For example, Chris exchanged 720 pesos to dollars at the end of our trip. According to the official exchange rate that day, those pesos should have been worth $36 USD. But they gave him $37. He made $1 profit, which is more than this blog earns him most days.

If you happen to have have $10K cash in your bank account, you can exploit this loophole to make hundreds of dollars.

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Read This Next:

These Mexico City travel tips are part of our Local, Loco, and (Not) Low-Cal Mexico City blog.

Discover a whole lot more tasty tips by completing the series:

Mexico City Guide: 12 F.A.Qs for 1st Timers

How to Eat Like a Local in Mexico City: 15 Surefire Favorites

How to Explore Mexico City by Bike

Pulque: A Guide to Mexico's Kombucha on Steroids

50+ Travel Tips and Tricks That Will Change the Way You Travel

Disclosure: Whenever possible, we use links that earn us a cut if you pay for stuff we recommend. It costs you nothing, so we'd be crazy not to. Read our affiliate policy .

26 thoughts on “Mexico City Travel Tips: 20 Dos and Don'ts No One Tells You”

Great tips for visiting Mexico city. I like how you promote visiting local places. You have a to be a bit extra cautious when visiting Mexico.

Thanks for the perspective Henry. I agree you have to be cautious when visiting Mexico, but honestly you have to be cautious in any foreign country. Even in Vancouver, where we are now, you can find yourself in trouble if you're naive and careless. As for CDMX specifically, based on our experience and that of our friends who've been there and lived there, I'd definitely say it's way, WAY safer than most people think. As safe as many American cities. But just like in those cities, you're right that you gotta be careful.

Thanks for the tips! I'm planning a trip to Mexico City for the first time in February and I'm curious to hear why you think the Frida Khalo museum isn't worth it. I was planning to get tickets in advance to try to avoid the lines, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Hey Olivia. That's a really fair question. The reason I'd say it's overrated is because of the huge line that wastes so much precious CDMX time and because people go because other people go, even if they don't give a crap about art or Kahlo. They may as well go to one of the many other, but less popular, museum. But if you can avoid the line by getting a ticket and if you go in already with a true appreciation of Kahlo and desire to learn more, then by all means it's a good idea. Most people don't fit those criteria, though.

"The Blue House" is a marvelous 'don't miss' home that reflects so much of who Frieda Kahlo was. Colorful, decorated in this artist's very particular taste. One of the few city spots to which I often return..I am an artist. Much of my work – water color and photography, is of Mejico…

"Fair skinned, blonde haired" I see you poking fun at yourself. Really appreciate the post, been trying to collect as much information as possible. We're headed to CDMX mid February. I didn't see any mention of Xochilmilco canals or the ruins of Teotithuacan. Any recommendations? Priced a potential tour but more expensive than expecting. We are thinking maybe uber and tour ourselves. Vale la pena?

Also, lucha libre, yes or no?

Thanks – Mary

Hi Mary, Thanks for the questions!

We share our brief takes on Xochimilco, Teotihuacan, and lucha libre in our "Quick and Dirty Mexico City Guide" . Of the three, we'd recommend lucha libre the highest… even though we haven't done it. All our friends who have, even those who we wouldn't suspect would like it, gave us rave reviews.

On the other two, in addition to what we write in the Quick and Dirty guide I'd say the biggest determinant of whether to go or not is how much time you have. We consider neither to be absolute "must dos" for trip of less than a week, especially since the time you lose going there and back is precious. And if you want to get out of town, it's possibly even worth considering a pueblo like Tepotzlan instead.

Whatever you decide, have a fantastic trip. And if you discover tips of your own, or ones of ours you disagree with (politely of course), please come back to share it!

"For example, unless you’re such a Frida fan that you’ve grown a unibrow in her honor, it’s not worth it."

Are you seriously suggesting that Casa Azul isn't worth the wait? Instead of skipping the museum, I'd suggest planning your day better. There's tours that help you skip the line.

Fair enough, Julia. Sorry maybe for making you frown so much you almost have a unibrow yourself.

I would bet that a good percentage of people waiting in line are waiting simple because everyone else said to go. They could either plan better like you say, or prioritize based on their own interests.

Yeah, don't take a taxi! Much better to support this Uber exploiter company. by the way: a bus or metro would be even cheaper. But that is too local perhaps.

From taxi scammers to uber exploiters. What's next in the evolution? You're right, Momo, that we should mention buses and metro here. I'll update the post. Thanks!

OMG This post had me absolutely cracking up! "Tell your yuppie gut to make some Mexican friends." LOL what an incredible line! I am heading to Mexico (but CDMX for only 2 days) and am so thankful I found this post! Great tips. We are going to the Frida Khalo house, but got skip the line tickets in advance, and though I'm not a huge fan of art and museums, do love her for all that she accomplished as a female Mexican artist. As a traveler watching the budget I definitely appreciate all the local and more affordable tips!

Hey Nina, Thanks. It's nice to hear at least some people appreciate my attempts at humor.

Now that you mention it, I should mention the skip-the-line option for Frida. Thanks!

If you come up with any other tips to add from your experience, let me know. If I like it, I'll add it and link to your site as a shout-out.

Buen viaje!

Any comments on airlines between cities in Mexico. I don't want to waste time taking 6 hour bus trips, but the airlines have lots of negative reviews. Thanks!

Sorry, Jaimee, but I've mostly bussed around Mexico so I don't have enough experience on the airlines to help out. Any other reader with tips, please chime in!

Hi Jaimee, I highly recommend flying with a Mexican airline. Just be aware of the extra costs for luggage (that's why I always travel only with hand luggage), especially with the cheaper airlines. I have tried many airlines like Volaris, Air Mexico, Aeromar, VivaAerobús and even small airplanes with only 12 passengers and they were all very reliable. Let me know if you have more questions. And enjoy Mexico!

Great tips, guys (and gals). Thank!!

Two more we can add from recent experience.

1) Bank of America partners with ScotiaBank for ATM service in MX (and much of Latin America?) There are no fees for using a BoA ATM card at a Scotiabank AND you get prime exchange rate BUT a) you have to refuse the insurance and b) you have to say NO to their proposed excange rate (which is the last question the ATM asks you). Also there is seldom a Scotiabank location where you need it.

Regarding Cell Phones, T-mobile is a German company, and therefore they are aware that there are other countries in the world besides the US. They have partners in MX, Japan, France and – not surprisingly – Germany (these we have used ourselves) plus MANY more countries. When you arrive in a country with a T-mobile partner, you receive a text from them welcoming you, and then magically, your phone works, calls, texts, data, the whole enchilada. It's almost like living in the 21st Century !!

Thanks, Eric! I've updated the post with these tips of yours. Hope you enjoyed/are enjoying CDMX!

It’s a little concerning that you’re downplaying water safety precautions. “Don’t be a wuss. Suck it up and suck up the water?” I work in travel medicine and traveler’s diarrhea is the #1 sickness people get while visiting other countries. Not to mention other food and water borne illnesses like typhoid fever and Hepatitis A that can be difficult to treat in other countries. Most travelers who are new to the area should indeed be taking these precautions seriously. Contracting one of these illnesses can completely ruin one’s trip. Also, your verbiage and choice of words like “suck” and poking fun at unibrows is distasteful.

Thanks for sharing your tastes, Rae. Truly. It helps other readers to have varying opinions.

I love your blogpost and loved Mexico City so much! It was actually nicer than I expected. I thought it would be hectic, dirty and loud, but it was such an amazing city. We stayed in Roma Norte, but this would not be my first choice for my next time, because it has a lively (gay) party scene. I would go to Condesa or Reforma next time. I also recommend getting a creditcard with pesos on it, because they do accept a card in many places. And my final advice: just go!

Amazing blog! Thank you for making me want to visit Mexico right now. I just wanna share I use this website https://www.holidayhare.com/city/mexico-city/4075 to check country/city info like weather, visa requirements etc. before I travel. 🙂

We are planning a trip to Mexico next year, I wanted to check out your airbnb links but they don't seem to be working. Can you provide that info again??

Hi Amanda. Sorry but it seems they're not available anymore, so I've removed them from this post. Thanks for the heads up. Enjoy your stay!

Love this but frustrating that i signed up for a 3 day ecobicci prior to my trip It starts today and expires before i even arrive! I thought it would start on my initiation Maybe you should warm people not to sign up till you are ready to use it

How annoying! Thanks for the warning, Marcia. I've added the heads up to the post.

What do you think? (Leave a Comment.) Cancel reply

3 days in Mexico City

A sprawling metropolis of more than 20 million people, Mexico City can seem intimidating because of its sheer size. While, yes, it can take a while to explore this fascinating capital to the fullest, a three-day immersion is enough to get a glimpse of the city’s rich historic and cultural landscape. Dive into our three-day, walk-friendly, and postcard-worthy itinerary below.

Morning: Classic Centro Histórico 

Fuel up for a day of exploring with breakfast at  El Cardenal . With two locations in the heart of the city, this beloved spot serves unbeatable hot chocolate and classics like enchiladas and scrambled eggs made in a clay pot. After, stroll in  Alameda Central , the oldest public park in the Americas. Built in 1592, it has plenty of shaded areas (plus spectacular people-watching). On the park’s western edge, you’ll find Barrio Alameda , a shopping mall in a 1920s Art Deco building that sells everything from locally made clothes to beauty products.

Walk over to the eastern end of Alameda to the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes —an architectural blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. If you catch a live ballet or opera performance here, be sure to admire the crystal curtain that graces the stage, made by Tiffany & Co. Although most performances take place in the evening, there are occasional daytime shows, especially on weekends. And if you don’t manage to score tickets, you can still take a free guided tour of the Palace (Tuesday through Friday)—register online a few days in advance.

Afternoon: Ancient history, modern seafood

Step into the hip   Círculo Mexicano hotel and take your time browsing its charming boutiques, including gorgeous jewelry at Daniel Espinosa and sleek dresses at Simple by Trista. At the center of the courtyard, you’ll find your lunch destination:  Caracol de Mar , where you can pair shrimp aguachile and tuna tostadas with one of the house cocktails.

Steps away from the hotel is the striking Zócalo  . This massive square is surrounded by  the Palacio Nacional, home to the Federal Government;  Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México , built over the course of 300 years; and   Templo Mayor , the pre-Columbian heart of the city.

Evening: Cantina with a view

Wrap the day at   Terraza Cha Cha Ch a, a modern cantina inspired by Acapulco’s golden age. It’s a quick cab from the heart of downtown, and it's best to visit at sunset, which you can enjoy on the terrace while snacking on tacos and tostadas, cocktail in hand. As the day turns into night, you’ll see the  Monumento a la Revolución  light up in front of you.

CENTRO HISTÓRICO TOURS: 

• For a good lay of the land, try a three-hour walking tour of Centro Histórico, which is led by locals and designed for small groups.
• Get a taste of the historic district on a five-hour culinary tour , which ticks off taco stands, traditional cantinas, and more.
• Bring your walking shoes—and your curiosity—on a private walking tour that covers all the legends and fun facts about the Centro Histórico.

Worthy detours along the way

Morning: Art and pastries

At Panadería Rosetta , chef Elena Reygadas’ trendy bakery in Colonia Roma, it's hard to choose among the many baked delights, but you can’t go wrong with a guava roll and a latte. Just a few steps away, MODO (Museo del Objeto del Objeto) is a quirky design museum focused on the value of ordinary objects. In the past, exhibitions here have focused on everything from soccer to heartbreak.

Afternoon: Wine, design, and a stroll in the Park

Once you’re ready for some food, cross the lively Plaza Río de Janeiro , which is centered around an impressive fountain with a replica of Michaelangelo's David. Claim one of Marmota ’s lovely outdoor tables and sip on a glass of natural wine while you peruse the menu of wood-fired specialties.

After lunch, make your way to the neighboring Condesa area. Make a pit stop at La Increíble , a bookstore-meets-gallery where you can get an excellent taste of Mexico’s vibrant creative scene. If you’re looking for another spot to grab a glass of wine, pay a visit to Vinos Chidos .

Evening: A very Condesa toast

The day's final stretch takes you to another iconic park: Parque México , a 22-acre green space that’s home to the Foro Lindbergh, an Art Deco plaza designed by sculptor José María Fernández Urbina. The beautiful Amsterdam Avenue circles the park—a reminder of the neighborhood’s past as a racetrack.  

When you need a break from walking, grab a seat at the bar at Baltra , a hip neighborhood spot on The World’s 50 Best Bars list. The small, intimate space is inspired by Darwin’s travels—as is the always-inspiring cocktail menu. (Martini lovers will not want to miss out on the excellent variations.)

ROMA AND CONDESA TOURS:

• Explore a traditional market in Colonia Roma with a local chef, stock up on ingredients, and cook a delicious Mexican meal in this everything- and -the-kitchen-sink tour .
• Hop on an electric bike and explore Roma, Condesa, and surrounding areas on this food-focused tour .

Morning: Pancakes and Maya treasures

The quiet, tree-lined streets of San Miguel Chapultepec are home to one of the city’s most unique eateries: Mari Gold . Fusing their Mexican and Indian heritage, chefs (and husband-and-wife team) Norma Listman and Saqib Keval serve up some of the best pancakes in town.

A couple of blocks away is the sprawling Chapultepec Park , which spans more than 1,600 acres. Known to many as “the city’s lungs,” the park has an amazing selection of museums, a zoo, and a botanical garden. Modern-art lovers should check out the Museo Tamayo or Museo de Arte Moderno ; history buffs will love the opportunity to take in the pre-Hispanic artifacts at Museo Nacional de Antropología .

Afternoon: Tasty tacos with a side of shopping

Hop in an Uber to Polanco and get your taco fix at Taqueria Selene , where you'll find some of the city’s best tacos al pastor. The tortas here are also noteworthy, as is their homemade flan.

If you're looking for another museum after lunch, try Museo Jumex , a 10- or 15-minute Uber away, which focuses on contemporary art. Past exhibitions have focused on artists like Urs Fischer and Minerva Cuevas. If you’d rather some shopping, Avenida Presidente Masaryk , a 10-minute drive from Taqueria Selene, is lined with designer boutiques like Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Montblanc.

Evening: Fine dining at its best

Crown your visit to Mexico City with dinner at one of the most renowned restaurants in the world. Led by chef Enrique Olvera, Pujol elevates traditional Mexican cuisine to a spectacular, highly creative new level. Choose between the classic tasting menu—which includes Olvera’s iconic dishes like baby corn in chicatana-ant mayo and mole madre—or the taco omakase. Just remember to book your table as soon as you can; spots fill up months in advance.

If you can’t get a reservation at Pujol, don’t worry: chefs Jorge Vallejo and Alejandra Flores serve a stunning seasonal menu based on Mexican ingredients at Quintonil (also in Polanco). The wine pairings here are also world famous.

CHAPULTEPEC TOURS:

• Dive into the past with this guided tour to Castillo de Chapultepec and Museo Nacional de Antropología.
• Polanco is home to some of the best restaurants in town, as well as some secret hole-in-the-wall spots. Bite into the area’s treasures on this culinary tour .
• Get your body moving and check out Chapultepec’s highlights during this running tour .

Know Before You Go

Mexico City’s location means its weather never gets too extreme. Winter temperatures range between 41 and 61 degrees, while the warmest season, between March and May, can bring temperatures in the mid-80s.

Most museums are closed on Monday, but the city stays quite busy every day of the week. You’ll find countless shops, cafés, and restaurants to explore, no matter which days you decide to visit.

Mexico City is a busy town, with most shops operating between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Restaurants are open until 11 p.m. or even midnight, while bars close around 2 a.m. You can keep the party going at clubs, which usually close at 4 a.m.

Juárez and Cuauhtémoc: Flanking Paseo de la Reforma, these two neighborhoods are busy with workers throughout the week. They also offer some of the city’s best dining and lodging options. Choose the Ritz-Carlton Mexico City and its unbeatable city views, or relax with a glass of wine at the Four Seasons Mexico City ’s iconic courtyard at the end of a long day.

Polanco: One of the prettiest and poshest areas in the city, Polanco is a favorite among families, foodies, and shoppers. On Campos Elíseos Avenue, you’ll find high-end options like the Hyatt Regency Mexico City . If you’re looking for something more intimate, book a stay at The Alest boutique hotel .

Roma and Condesa: These two neighborhoods are the hip, creative heart of Mexico City and have plenty of lodging options that put you in the middle of the action. The recently-opened Hotel San Fernando welcomes you with Wes Anderson–esque guest rooms and a cozy bar, while the sleek Brick Hotel has an excellent spa and restaurant if you’re looking to treat yourself.

Public transportation: The Mexico City Metro System offers a card called Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada, which gives you access to the city’s subway, the very efficient MetroBus (bus rapid transit system), and the EcoBici bike rental network.

By taxi: To ensure your safety and fair pricing, have a hotel concierge or restaurant staff member call you a certified cab (taxi de sitio). While you’ll spot plenty of pink cabs driving around the city, they tend to overcharge. Uber, Didi (another ride-share service), and Cabify are also available in Mexico City.

Airport transfers: There are several authorized cab companies at the airport that offer fair prices and safe transportation. Fees depend on the area of the city where you are headed. Look for names like Yellow Cab, Nueva Imagen, or 300AC in the arrivals area. You can also call an Uber or Didi from the airport.

Good Guide: Latino and Hispanic travel

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6 alternative and arty ways to discover Mexico City culture

Amid art deco architecture and Frida Kahlo’s creations, find Mexico City’s pre-Hispanic traditions and an Indigenous crafts scene.

Mexico’s sprawling capital is a gateway to the country’s Maya ruins, miles of beaches, rocky canyons and traditional Indigenous villages. But many travellers find the metropolis has an allure all of its own, and a handful of days can be well spent touring its neighbourhoods and historic centre. Mexico’s best museums are here, and its many galleries and markets help facilitate one of the strongest creative scenes in Latin America. Dig a little deeper to find the city’s pre-Hispanic roots, and discover how many customs are linked to the ancient Aztec and Maya civilisations.

1. Kayak the ancient canals of Xochimilco

Before the Spanish conquest in 1521, Mexico City, then called Tenochtitlán, was built on two small islands inside Lake Texcoco. The Aztecs built canals and floating farms called chinampas to feed its growing population. Today, all that remains of these ancient waterways are in Tláhuac and Xochimilco, a neighbourhood 15 miles south of Mexico City’s Centro Histórico. Flat-bottomed party boats called trajineras cruise Xochimilco’s canals daily, but a guided kayaking trip provides a more tranquil — and environmentally friendly — visit. Tours offer the chance to spot Xochimilco’s wildlife, including the critically endangered axolotl salamander and more than 200 bird species, while learning about the history and science behind chinampas, which still provide food for Mexico City residents.

2. Browse the Museo de Arte Popular

In the historic centre of Mexico City is the Museo de Arte Popular , a beautifully designed handicraft museum housed inside a 1920s art deco building. The museum, which once served as Mexico City’s fire department headquarters, celebrates traditional Mexican craft in all its forms, from textiles and pottery to children’s toys, furniture and giant alebrijes — mythical creatures made from wood or papier-mache. High-quality crafts from almost every Mexican state are displayed thematically over several floors, including ceramics from Jalisco, piñatas from Puebla and ceremonial masks from Chiapas. Particularly striking are the small but impressive Day of the Dead craft collection and the á rbol de la vida (tree of life) pieces – colourful, intricate clay sculptures depicting the creation of life.

3. Sip on pulque, the drink of the Aztec gods

Pulque is a drink made from the fermented sap of agave, the same plant used to make tequila and mezcal. It has been drunk for more than 2,000 years, making it Mexico’s oldest alcoholic beverage. During the Aztec empire, pulque was considered a sacred drink, reserved for gods, emperors and ceremonial events. The introduction of beer and distilled spirits by the Spanish in the 16th century marked the beginning of the end for pulque, with many of Mexico City’s pulquerias — taverns specialising in the drink — closing between the early 20th and 21st centuries. But a recent resurgence has seen several reopen across the city, making it one of the best places in Mexico to try the tipple. La Canica — a pulqueria in the Tabacalera neighbourhood run by a family that has been in the pulque business for five generations — takes a modern approach to the ancient drink, infusing freshly made pulque with dozens of seasonal flavours, from guava and mandarin to marzipan and toasted oats.

4. Try Mexico City’s ancient caviar

Ahuautle — which loosely translates to ‘seeds of joy’ in the ancient Nahuatl language and are also known as ‘water fly eggs’ — were sacred to the Aztecs. During the rainy season, a type of water fly called axayácatl would lay its eggs in Lake Texcoco. These were harvested for Aztec emperors and used as offerings to the gods. Montezuma, one of the last emperors of the Aztec empire, is said to have eaten them every morning to improve his strength. Hard to get hold of and up to four times more expensive a kilogram than beef, the eggs have been dubbed ahuautle , the ‘caviar’ of Mexico, by the capital’s chefs. Only a handful of restaurants in the capital still serve ahuautle, one of which is Ayluardo’s — in the Iztapalapa neighbourhood, in the east of Mexico City. It serves the water fly eggs — which taste intensely fishy, similar to dried shrimp — in pancakes with tomatillo (a bright green, acidic fruit native to Mexico) and serrano chilli sauce.

5. Support indigenous crafts at Mercado de Artesanías de la Ciudadela

Just a few minutes’ walk from Museo de Arte Popular is this hub for artisans, Mexico City’s largest and best arts and crafts market. It is home to 350 stands selling a huge variety of crafts, or artesanias in Spanish, from all over Mexico, including handblown glass from Jalisco, silver jewellery from Guerrero and patterned chaquira beadwork from Jalisco, crafted by the indigenous Huichol people. For beautiful ceremonial Mayan masks made of wood and obsidian, head to stand 104, where you’ll often see the craftspeople at work. Also seek out the artisans selling amate — colourful works painted on to paper made from the pulp of fig and mulberry trees; the same type of paper was once used by the ancient Aztecs and Mayas to produce manuscripts.

6. Experience Mexican folk dance at El Ballet Folklórico de México

Founded in 1952 by choreographer and dancer Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico celebrates Mexico’s diverse folklore traditions through dance, music and traditional dress. The performances take audiences from Mexico’s ancient past up to the revolution in 1910, travelling through the states of Oaxaca, Jalisco, Sonora, Zacatecas, Guerrero and more. Many of the dances take inspiration from Mexico’s Indigenous cultures, such as the Deer Dance (a contemporary piece that depicts a pre-hunting ritual practised by the Indigenous people of Sonora and Sinaloa) and the Guelaguetza, a folkloric ballet inspired by the ceremonial dances of the Mixtec and Zapotec people of Oaxaca. Performances are held at the Palacio de Bellas Artes — a white-marbled, art nouveau palace commissioned by President Porfirio Díaz in 1905 — on Wednesdays at 8.30pm and Sundays at 9.30am and 8.30pm.

Related Topics

• CULTURAL CONSERVATION
• ART HISTORY
• MODERN HISTORY

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T&C Travel Guide: The Best of Mexico City

Where to stay, dine, shop, and sightsee in this year's hottest destination.

WHERE TO STAY

W Hotel Mexico City

The recently renovated W encompasses many of the draws of Mexico City, all in one place. The decor features contemporary Mexican art (much of it hidden in unexpected spots so guests continue to discover mini installations throughout their stay), the lobby boasts a lively bar scene, and the house restaurant is helmed by celebrity chef José Andrés. Oh, and views of the city and surrounding mountains from floor-to-ceiling windows aren't too shabby, either. Situated in the posh Polanco neighborhood, it also puts you within walking distance of the city's high-end shopping district in addition to Chapultepec Park, which is something of a museum hub.

Campos Elíseos 252, Polanco IV Secc, 11560 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Hotel Carlota

Every inch of Hotel Carlota —from the mid-century modern concrete-and-iron design to the open-air courtyard with a glass-walled lap pool—is dripping with cool. The rooms themselves are simple (though continuing the theme, each has a unique art installation), but why sit in your suite when you can pull up a chair on the deck, grab a cocktail, and watch the street style waltzing into the hotel's restaurant, Carlota, or the amazingly curated store, Taxonamía, both of which flank the courtyard.

Río Amazonas 73, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

WHERE TO EAT

The second restaurant from famed chef Elena Reygadas dishes out family-style takes on the fresh pasta, house-made charcuterie, and wood-oven breads that built her reputation in Mexico City.

Agustín Melgar 6, Cuauhtemoc, Condesa, 06140 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Regularly spotted on the "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list, this fine dining establishment on the main drag of Polanco offers a fusion of Basque and Mexican cuisines created by chefs Gerard Bellver, Mikel Alonso, and Bruno Oteiza. Expect Mexican flavors delivered with European presentation, and bring your appetite—the tasting menu is where Biko really shines.

Plaza Zentro, Presidente Masaryk 407, Miguel Hidalgo, Polanco, 11550 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

At the new casual spot from chef Jair Téllez, the focus is on all-natural, organic, and biodynamic wines from Mexico and Latin America paired with creative Mexican dishes that are heavy on the Baja, California-style cooking that made Téllez one of the star chefs of the city.

Calle Gral. Prim 95, Juárez, 06600 Ciudad de México , D.F., Mexico

Before heading out for a morning stroll through Chapultepec Park, start the day with an indulgent breakfast at this elegant restaurant , offering classic Mexican dishes like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros. The best part? The tiered tables guarantee every seat in the house gets a breathtaking view of the nearby lake.

El Lago Mayor 2da. Sección del Bosque de Chapultepec, Miguel Hidalgo, Molino del Rey, 11040 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

WHERE TO SHOP

La Ciudadela Market

A one-stop-shop for all your traditional Mexican souvenir needs, this market offers numerous options for Day of the Dead statues, embroidered peasant tops, and brightly patterned textiles.

Av Balderas s/n, Cuauhtémoc, Centro, 06040 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Carla Fernandez

This local designer has garnered international acclaim for her practice of working with indigenous communities throughout Mexico to incorporate their artisan textiles and techniques into wearable designs for the more cosmopolitan crowd.

Avenida Álvaro Obregón 200, Cuauhtemoc, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Piso 2, Calle Isabel la Catolica 30, Centro, 06000 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Sandra Weil

From structured tops and jumpsuits to whimsical cocktail dresses, you'd be hard-pressed not to fall in love with a piece (or two, or three…) from this Peruvian designer based in the Polanco neighborhood.

Emilio Castelar #185, Miguel Hidalgo, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, 11560 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Common People

Whether it's men's clothing, women's accessories, or one of the rotating art installations, something is bound to catch your eye at this multi-floor, multi-brand store housed in a 1940s Colonial-style mansion. Consider it Mexico City's version of London's Dover Street Market and Paris's Colette.

Emilio Castelar 149, Miguel Hidalgo, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, 11560 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Housewares and textiles (think ceramic plates and candlesticks, throw pillows, and table runners) brought to you by American Maggie Galton and Mexican Maria Eladia Hagerman, who zero in on intricate details of artisan crafts throughout Mexico then work with the artists to develop more refined versions that add a dash of cool—not kitsch—to your home.

Lope de Vega 330, Miguel Hidalgo, Polanco V Seccion, 11560 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Museo Frida Kahlo

Housed in Kahlo's striking cobalt blue abode (hence the nickname Casa Azul), this museum provides a window into the life of the famed Mexican artist. Highlights include her studio and bedroom, which show how she painted while dealing with various debilitating physical issues throughout her life, as well as rooms filled with her signature outfits and self-portraits. Finish the visit with a stroll through the rest of the neighborhood that is full of equally vibrant houses in keeping with the rich artistic history of the area.

Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoacán, 04100 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Chapultepec Park

Bosque de Chapultepec—which literally translates to Chapultepec forest—is the largest city park in the western hemisphere. And within its 1,695 acres are enough art installations and museums to keep you entertained for at least couple of days. The famed Museo National de Anthropologia , Museo de Arte Moderno , and Museo Tamayo , a contemporary art museum, are all clustered together on the eastern side near the Castillo de Chapultepec , which was once an imperial palace and presidential residence. But don't leave the western side uncharted. There, you'll stumble upon the Cárcamo de Dolores , which houses the original underwater mural "Agua, el origen de la vida" by famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

This fine arts museum , commissioned by President Porfirio Díaz at the turn of the 20 th century, is best known for its murals by Diego Rivera, Siqueiros, and others, but the architecture itself is worth the trip. The exterior was designed by Italian architect Adamo Boari, known for neoclassical and art nouveu styles, but a decades-long pause on construction lead to the interior being finished in 1932 by Mexican architect Federico Mariscal, who delivered a completely mismatched art-deco aesthetic.

Av. Juárez, Centro Histórico, Centro, 06050 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Futura CDMX

Mexico City's massive size—571 square miles with 22 million people in the greater metropolitan area—can be hard to digest. For a better understanding of the history of the area and how it developed, pop by this interactive museum designed for tourists and locals (even city planning officials!) alike. The experience starts with a projector presentation on a to-scale model of the entire city that's reminiscent of an Olympics Opening Ceremony production, and finishes in a room filled with interactive stations to teach visitors about modern life in the capital.

Jose Mariano Jiménez 13, Cuauhtemoc, Centro, 06080 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

Catedral Metropolitina de Mexico

If you haven't started to pick up on the European vibes of the destination just yet, step foot in this church . Built in sections starting in 1573 and inspired by Gothic cathedrals in Spain, the building stands on sacred Aztec ground located in the Zócalo plaza in the center of the city.

Plaza de la Constitución S/N, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico

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2024 Best Hotels in Mexico City

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• # 2 in Best Cheap Mexico Vacations

Mexico's capital is one of the liveliest and largest cities in the world, with a renowned arts and culture scene (an entire district was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and some of the best cuisine in the Western Hemisphere. Even better, Mexico City is affordable – and safer than you might expect of a city its size. It promises visitors an unforgettable stay, perfect for the frugal, culture-loving traveler who feels at home in a large, crowded place. If you want the full experience, some say you should spend at least a week in the city so that you'll see most of the historic and popular sights. Even after a week, you'll find plenty more to explore. In short, it's best to plan extensively before diving in.

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Swim in cenotes in Tulum, go on a taco crawl in Mexico City, or taste tequila straight from the source in Jalisco. Find inspiration for your next Mexico trip here.

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The Best Hotels in Mexico City, From Art Deco Guesthouses to Minimalist Hideouts

By Michaela Trimble

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There’s a reason Mexico is one of the most coveted destinations to visit in Latin America—and why the best hotels in Mexico City are an excellent play to start immersing yourself in the culture. Warm and deeply hospitable, with some of the best food in the world and a flourishing art and design scene, Mexico City is a great place to visit any time; the weather is perfect nearly year-round.

Whether you opt to stay in Mexico City’s Centró Historico district, where icons like the La Catedral Metropolitana and the Museo de Templo Mayor are within easy reach, or you prefer to venture to Condesa , where parks and green spaces are as abundant as natural wine bars and convivial cafés, you can’t go wrong. Below, our guide to the best hotels in Mexico City.

Vogue ’s Favorite Hotels in Mexico City

• For a Home Away From Home: Ignacia Guesthouse
• For Impeccable Views: Ritz Carlton Mexico City
• For a Luxurious Work Trip: Four Seasons Mexico City
• For a Creative Escape: Hotel San Fernando
• For Monastic Calm: Octavia Casa
• For Contemporary Art Fans: Colima 71
• For an Intimate Retreat : La Valise Mexico City
• For Upscale Design: Campos Polanco
• For Music Lovers: Volga

Ignacia Guesthouse

This Beaux-Arts mansion was first built in 1913 as a private family home and is now one of the top boutique properties in the Roma Norte borough. Named after the home’s housekeeper, Ignacia, who worked at the mansion for more than forty years, the nine-suite property—featuring a salon, dining room, kitchen area, and three suites set in the original structure—is sought after for its cozy feel, as if you’re staying at the home of a well-to-do friend. In partnership with construction firm Factor Eficiencia, the designer Andrés Gutiérrez was tapped to create a new extension of the property, which now houses four suites designed in color-blocked interiors, from a gold-hued room to one decked in shades of rose. In 2022, two balcony suites were added, which share a common outdoor space adorned with fireplaces and a jacuzzi framed by treetops. During a stay, guests are privy to elaborate breakfast spreads that present Mexican classics like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles in the highest quality manner with ingredients sourced from traditional markets around the city.

• Amenities: Outdoor courtyard, library, specialty coffee, homemade breakfast
• Editor’s tip: Don’t miss the property’s daily happy hour. Complimentary drinks are served in the courtyard daily from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Address: Jalapa 208, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Casa Polanco

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By Leah Faye Cooper

By Hannah Coates

Located on the iconic Parque Lincoln in the ritzy Polanco borough, situated beyond a wrought-iron entranceway shrouded in greenery, this Spanish Colonial Revival estate was originally built as a private residence in the 1940s. After undergoing a meticulous four-year restoration process overseen by the architect Claudio Gantuz, Casa Polanco is now one of the area’s top boutique hotels, host to 19 opulent suites and one of the city’s top art collections. Interior design mother-daughter team Monica Romo and Monica Novelo of Casa M+M selected an eclectic mix of both classic and retro furniture to accent the property, which can first be seen in the foyer, a space made cozy with velvet olive furnishings and a marble fireplace. Within the home are green marble floors made even more vibrant by whitewashed walls, as well as a spiral staircase that leads to the suites. Within most of the rooms are two areas—a living and a workspace—as well as walnut wood flooring and custom furnishings by Alfonso Marina, one of Mexico’s finest cabinetmakers.

• Amenities: Private art collection, library, spa, and gym
• Editor’s tip: Browse the property’s private art collection, including abstract works by Jordi Boldó and black-and-white images by the contemporary photographer Graciela Iturbide.
• Address: Luis G. Urbina 84, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Ritz Carlton Mexico City

When it comes to impeccable views, the Ritz Carlton Mexico City has one of the best. Located within the towering, 58-story Chapultepec Uno skyscraper, of which the property occupies thirteen floors, the hotel’s interiors nod to the surrealist movement with a mix of metals, mirrors, and glass to create a reflective, sometimes perception-bending view of the city. Perched above the wide Paseo de la Reforma avenue, the hotel has a bird’s eye view of one of the city’s most iconic sites: Castilo de Chapultepec, once the home of the Spanish Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Carlota. Of the 153 guest rooms, 19 are suites, some with private terraces with seating areas, dining and living rooms, and spacious marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. During a stay, guests can dine at Samos, the property’s Mediterranean-inspired eatery located on the 38 th floor, or cocktails at Carlotta, the sky bar with unmatched views.

• Amenities: Mediterranean restaurant, cocktail bar, spa, sweeping views
• Editor’s tip: Guests who prefer to skirt the grips of Mexico City traffic can arrive at the property by landing at its very own rooftop helipad.
• Address: Av. P.º de la Reforma 509, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Four Seasons Mexico City

Located on the bustling Paseo de la Reforma avenue where the lavender blooms of jacaranda trees blossom every spring, this hacienda-style property is one of the classic luxury hotels of the city. It’s one of the top choices of celebrities visiting the city, too, including the likes of Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa. Beyond the dimly lit lounge—where velvet sofas and a café offer an intimate setting for casual business meetings—is the heartbeat of the property: the central courtyard, an area draped in fruit trees, tropical plants, and Mexican art. It’s also where guests can access the hotel’s restaurant, Zanaya, a seafood-forward eatery that showcases the fresh catch of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, and Fifty Mils, one of the top cocktail bars in Latin America. Beyond the courtyard are over 200 guestrooms, of which 40 are suites, either with a courtyard view or a view of the skyline, outfitted with rich interiors like hardwood floors and a color palette of persimmon, sky blue, and gold.

• Amenities: Two restaurants, café, bar, spa, and a rooftop pool
• Editor’s tip: The property is set steps from the first section of the Bosque de Chapultepec, a verdant green space host to cobbled walkways perfect for running and the Castilo de Chapultepec, a historic hilltop castle that’s now the National Museum of History.
• Address: Av. P.º de la Reforma 500, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Hotel San Fernando

Just steps from the Condesa neighborhood’s jacaranda-lined Parque Mexico, Hotel San Fernando is a tucked-away boutique hotel button-holed between a natural wine bar and a café. When guests first arrive at the Art Deco building—it was originally built as an apartment complex in 1947 and has since been converted into a hotel by the Texas-based Bunkhouse group—they’re greeted by a minty façade lined with potted plants and an outdoor seating area, an extension of the ground-floor bar that offers Agave-based cocktails and classic Mexican small plates by evening. Adjacent to the space is the lobby, an area perfumed with copal incense and adorned with jewel-toned seating. Just beyond is a staircase that leads guests to the 19 candy-colored suites. Each offers walls shaded in pops of coral and features accents produced by Mexico-based creatives, from plywood furniture designed by the design firm La Metropolitan and customized bedside lighting and decorative lamps by the studio Oaxifornia, to artwork by the likes of Ricardo Guevara, Juan Carlos Breceda, and Pedro Friedeberg.

• Amenities: Rooftop, restaurant, bar, suites with fully-equipped kitchens
• Editor’s tip: Travelers can bring their dog in tow, as the property is pet-friendly and located next to the top dog park in Condesa.
• Address: Iztaccihuatl 54, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Octavia Casa

This minimalist bed-and-breakfast is the work of the fashion designer Roberta Maceda, of label Octavia, who set about creating the oasis of her dreams alongside her mother after the duo purchased a crumbling building in the Condesa neighborhood. After demolishing the building and starting fresh, the duo built Octavia Casa. On a block of otherwise colorful façades, this contemporary, three-story building is distinct: designed by the architect Pablo Pérez Palacios, the entrance is marked by teca-wood panels and planters overflowing with jasmine. Within, guests are greeted in the lobby marked by walls brushed with chukum , a lime and concrete finish first used by the Maya of southern Mexico. In the lobby is a seating area with bamboo stools set adjacent to a breakfast nook: a tranquil garden with pebbled flooring and shade provided by a fruiting Japanese guava tree. Up a staircase are seven suites, each in varying size—two studios, a large apartment-style suite, and four standard rooms—and which showcase the works of some of Mexico’s premier design studios, from ceramics by Encrudo to glassware by Onora Casa. While the property doesn’t have a restaurant, it does offer daily breakfasts with coffee, juice, and pastries provided by the next-door bakery.

• Amenities: Rooftop, continental breakfast, natural wine menu
• Editor’s tip: On the rooftop terrace, a space filled with Acapulco chairs and terrazzo tables, guests can enjoy the sunset over the property’s selection of Mexican natural wines.
• Address: Av. Amatlan 126, Hipódromo Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06170 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

For contemporary art enthusiasts, a stay at Colima 71 in the Roma Norte neighborhood is ideal. Designed by the famed Mexican architect Alberto Kalach—who is best known for his design of private homes and boutique hotels along the Oaxacan coast—the brutalist-style property melds elemental materials with the tree-lined natural surroundings of the neighborhood. When guests first enter, they’re greeted by a lobby with velvet furnishings and a floor-to-ceiling installation of black-and-white photography by the artist Iñaki Bonilla. Further inside is another sculpture, this one by Guatemalan artist Darío Escobar made from found objects like bicycle tires and steel. It matches the aesthetic of the steel and glass elevator that takes guests up to the floors host to 16 apartment-style suites. Within each are refined furnishings and well-equipped kitchens that make the suites perfect for extended stays in the area. Though the property doesn’t have a restaurant, guests are offered direct-to-suite delivery of morning pastries and specialty coffee.

• Amenities: Cozy lounge, stocked bar, extensive library
• Editor’s tip: Be sure to help yourself to the honesty bar near the lounge, replete with a luxurious green marble tabletop sourced from Iran.
• Address: Colima 71, col. , Del, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

La Valise Mexico City

Set in a renovated 1920s French-style townhouse, this boutique property is located near all the best art galleries, restaurants, bars, and cafés in the Roma Norte neighborhood. With only eight expansive suites, the hotel offers an unmatched level of intimacy, with an ever-attentive team ready to assist guests during their stay by booking experiences ranging from a taco and Mezcal tour to hot air balloon rides over the ruins of Teotihuacán. Each of the suites feels more like a studio apartment by design and features bespoke Mexican artifacts, vintage objects, and furnishings selected by the brand’s design director, Roberto Ayala. For the most unique stay, guests can book one of the suites that offers a rolling slide-out king bed that allows guests to sleep outdoors on a private terrace. Not only does it offer a distinct way to soak up the cityscape, but the hotel also offers in-suite projectors for movie nights al fresco.

• Amenities: Daily breakfast, nightly turn-down service, in-room projectors
• Editor’s tip: La Valise is just around the corner from Panadería Rosetta, where guests can order afternoon croissants, cappuccinos, and green juice.
• Address: Tonalá 53, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Campos Polanco

Overlooking the República Del Líbano garden and only one block from the tranquil Parque Lincoln, Campos Polanco is one of the newest hotels in the posh Polanco borough. Beyond the reception area of the six-floor Art Deco building—a space decorated with a mustard leather sofa and walnut lounge chairs upholstered in black leather or blue velvet—is a spiral terrazzo staircase that guests can use to access the hotel’s suites. Each level of the building has a shared space, from a library to a dining table, perfect for family gatherings. While some suites are studio in style, more akin to traditional hotel rooms, some of the largest rooms are more residential and offer living areas with fireplaces, fully-equipped kitchens, as well as open-concept bathrooms with claw-foot porcelain soaking tubs, making them ideal for extended stays in the city. Each morning, guests can enjoy breakfast in the downstairs courtyard or within a cozy breakfast nook with dishes that include recipes prepared by the chef Diego Isunza Kahlo, the great-grand-nephew of Frida Kahlo.

• Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, robust art collection, top-floor terrace
• Editor’s tip: Guests will be surprised when they enter their rooms and find a sampling of Mexican chocolate paired with Oaxacan mezcal produced in the Santiago Matatlán region.
• Address: Campos Elíseos 361, Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11540 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Círculo Mexicano

If travelers seek to experience the iconic sites of Centro Historic, there’s no better boutique property to stay in the city. Located on the cobbled pedestrian street in downtown Mexico City, this property—first built as a 19th-century townhome and the former residence of the late photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo—feels like staying at a minimalist bazaar. On the ground floor are a series of shops, a courtyard seafood restaurant, and a cantina-style bar called Itacate del Mar for takeaway snacks. Above are the 25 Shaker-style guest suites, each replete with oakwood furnishings produced by the design studio La Metropolitana and some with exposed brick Catalan vault ceilings. But perhaps the property’s most incredible feature is the rooftop, host to an infinity pool, cocktail bar, and heated dipping tub. It also has one of the best views in the city: an unobstructed vista of Catedral Metropolitana, Palacio Nacional, and the Templo Mayor museum.

• Amenities: Ground-floor restaurants and shops, rooftop cocktail bar with outdoor pool
• Editor’s tip: If you can’t get a reservation at the hit restaurant Contramar, the courtyard of this hotel offers another restaurant by chef Gabriela Cámara, a seafood eatery and a cantina-style bar called Itacate del Mar.
• Address: República de Guatemala 20, Mexico City 06000, Mexico

Guests will know they’ve arrived at the Condesa DF when they glimpse a crimson 1940s Chevrolet Coupe at the entrance of an idyllic French Neoclassical building. The art installation by the contemporary Mexican artist Betsabeé Romero sets the tone for a stay at this boutique hotel, set within a private mansion first built in the 1920s. The architect Javier Sánchez led the building’s renovation into a 40-room hotel, while the Parisian (and AD100 !) interior designer India Mahdavi created the furnishings of the minimalist, monastic-style suites. The result is a contemporary boutique property with a touch of nostalgia, nodding to a time when the mansion halls still hosted fanciful dinner parties and soirees. On any given morning, guests can take to the ground-floor eatery to cowork aside city residents while enjoying breakfast spreads and evenings at the rooftop terrace, where sushi is served alongside views of Parque España and the Castilo de Chapultepec.

• Amenities: Ground-floor café and restaurant, rooftop terrace, speakeasy and vinyl room
• Editor’s tip: The property hosts a ground-floor café that serves Kyoto-style coffee and a sultry new speakeasy and vinyl room for after-hours listening sessions.
• Address: Avenida Veracruz, 102 Colonia Condesa, 06700 Mexico City, Mexico

As if London landed in the heart of the Polanco neighborhood, The Alest is singular in its appeal. At the sleek black entryway, bright red tables are set below baby blue pergolas. Beyond, a mirror-lined corridor leads to the lobby, an opulent space featuring a seating area and library. Adjacent is 45 Bar and Restaurant, a half-moon-style bar lined with leather stools and a greenhouse-style restaurant reminiscent of a sunroom from yesteryear, replete with plaid-upholstered seating. It’s in this space where chef Emmanuel Gomez Avila serves up contemporary Mexican fare with a touch of European flair. Up a marble staircase are the 19 rooms, each decked in works by Mexican artists and equipped with Carrara marble bathrooms, Italian-style hardwood floors, and Le Labo amenities. For the best view, guests can book one of the three suites, all offering expansive terraces overlooking the tranquil Eugenio Sue Street.

• Editor’s tip: The property offers complimentary bikes for guests to explore the city.
• Address: 45 Eugenio Sue Polanco IV Sección, Mexico City, CDMX, 11550

Located in the Cuauhtémoc borough, only one block from Paseo de la Reforma Avenue, Volga is a sophisticated boutique property and a destination for the city’s cool kids. Within, the city’s contemporary art movement is on full display at a dedicated art exhibition space and a concept store curated by local tastemaker Sally Gallante. Designed by JSa Architecture, Volga features a brutalist exterior that leads to a contemporary minimalist interior made moody with large-scale lava, stone, brass, and travertine installation by the artist Perla Krauze. Beyond the ground floor courtyard are 50 guest rooms, including 14 suites adorned with Turkish marble and a soothing scent from the perfumery Aromaria. Restaurateur Edo Kobayashi curates Volga’s refined Mediterranean restaurant, Elora, while the rooftop pool bar is more casual and offers small bites and cocktails with sweeping panoramic views of Mexico City. With music as a core artistic focus, Volga hosts a calendar of live performances both on the rooftop and in its underground music room.

• Editor’s tip: Guests should ask about the property’s tucked-away mezcaleria and tasting table.
• Address: Río Volga 105 Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City, 06500

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• Latin America

With nearly 6,000 miles of coastline, it's no wonder why chefs are turning to the country's seafood for inspiration.

Naomi Tomky is an award-winning food and travel journalist whose writing has been published in The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Saveur, Thrillist, Eater, Serious Eats, and others. She has received praise for her book The Pacific Northwest Seafood Cookbook (2019).

To keep his dad from discovering that he got kicked out of junior high, Irak Roaro dutifully put on his school uniform each morning but spent his days hanging out on Mazatlán's malecón with the local spearfishermen, watching them work and eat. "They would fillet the fish and just add chiltepin chile, lime, and a little bit of seawater," the chef recalls.

Roaro eventually left the Sinaloan coast for kitchens in Mexico City and has spent the past 15 years working in fine dining. Lately, he's been wanting to connect the dots between his beachside memories and his formal training. "I'm trying to take those techniques, those flavor constructions, and bring them to a taco," he says. That vision comes to life at Con Vista al Mar, which he opened in Colonia Nápoles last year, where he dresses octopus tacos with hoja santa–habanero pesto and stuffs tortillas with tuna carnitas and manta ray al pastor. "I want to cook what I like to eat," he says.

Despite its landlocked location, Mexico City has always offered plenty of casual seafood spots, the most well-known of them being Gabriela Cámara's Contramar, which cemented the jewel-toned tuna tostada as one of the city's must-eat items more than two decades ago. "Most formal restaurants that sold fish were more 'European,' and local places were very wash-and-wear and marketplace stalls," recalls Cámara from when she first opened in 1998. Her focus on domestic fisheries and cooperatives broke ground at the time, when the city's top chefs still mostly trained in Europe and returned to open fancy French or Spanish restaurants. It would take another decade before chefs started opening high-end Mexican restaurants.

Today, Mexico City's most ambitious chefs are focusing their talents on more personal, regional restaurants, and since last year, that's meant the city's hottest new spots sport beach vibes and pristine seafood flown in directly from the Pacific Coast. When the pandemic hit, everyone gravitated toward comfort food, says food tour guide Anaís Martínez, especially deep-fried stuff like chicken sandwiches. But when people started going out again, that changed. "They wanted hangover food — that is what seafood is for us," she explains.

That's why micheladas get an upgrade at Mi Compa Chava in the Roma neighborhood, where they make them with Clamato, the classic cure for a cruda. Servers weave through the chaotic line of people waiting for a table carrying trays of cheve chola: beer flipped upside down into a cup of Clamato and lime juice, filled with octopus, shrimp, and serrano chiles.

Inside, the music blares, and customers sit on metal folding chairs at beer-branded tables, dabbing housemade seafood sauce onto fresh-shucked almejas chocolatas (chocolate clams) and digging into jet-black aguachile, tart with tannins from cacao ash, blanketing plump raw shrimp. Unmolded tableside, the Señora Torres, a six-inch-tall tightly packed stack of scallops, raw and cooked shrimp, octopus, yellowfin tuna, onions, cucumbers, and avocados, drenched in morita chile sauce, teeters on the edge of absurdity, pushed safely back to pure impressiveness by the quality of the fish and precision of the flavors.

Mi Compa Chava opened in June 2021, and it was "a lifesaver for this pandemic," says owner Salvador Orozco. The Sinaloan chef always dreamed of someday opening a seafood restaurant, so when he left his job after more than a decade with Bull & Tank restaurant group, he hit fast-forward on that plan.

"I have always been very inspired by the figure of the mustachioed marisquero who cares for you, who pampers you, who hugs you, who knows what you like," Orozco says. In creating the restaurant, he intended to transport the classic beach-town seafood cart to Mexico City.

Chef Alexander Suástegui, who grew up in Sinaloa and Tijuana, knows that those carts dish up the best food, at the best prices. "You don't need to have a fancy chair or polished service," she says. A veteran of many of the city's top spots, including Pujol and Quintonil, Suástegui serves mussels in a chiltepin chile sauce under a mural of a Baja sunset with pink palm trees at her restaurant Costela, which she opened in Colonia Cuauhtémoc in November. Encouraging her guests to wear flip-flops to dinner, she is candid about her vision. "I don't want to open another restaurant to be like the others. I want to have fun; I want to share my food, my table," she says. She uses her culinary school training and technical knowledge to make what she calls "chill-out" versions of seafood dishes, including octopus tostadas with fresh and dried shrimp and Baja-style puffer fish tacos.

That same philosophy is shared by Roaro. "People are not looking for pretentious food," he says. They still want great meals and cool presentation, but more than anything, they want a good time. Fun fonts, quirky style choices, and bold colors — such as green at Con Vista al Mar, orangey-red at Costela, and yellow at Mi Compa Chava — telegraph the lively party atmosphere at each of the restaurants. "I'm obsessed with the vibe," says Suástegui. Customers are, too: Orozco is planning to open a second Mi Compa Chava, and Roaro celebrated the anniversary of Con Vista al Mar by opening a third outlet.

"Everyone wants to eat good seafood," says Cámara of the trend. But the idea of chefs at the peak of their careers choosing to open restaurants serving hangover food — and turning them into the most coveted tables — hit the Mexico City food scene like a rogue wave, surprising and invigorating it. Creative, precise, and playful, each evokes a specific corner of the Mexican coast, serving tiny vacations in the form of briny bites and spicy, seafood-stuffed beach energy.

Tour the fish market

For a brief period in 2018, when Tokyo's Tsukiji closed to relocate, Mexico City's La Nueva Viga was the largest fish market in the world, explains Anaís Martínez of culinary tour company Devoured on her tour through the 90,000-square-foot complex ($99–$120, devoured.com.mx ). Wandering the more than 250 wholesale and retail stalls, she points out chocolate clams with red muscles that stick out like a tongue from their rich brown shells, oversized crawfish from Tampico, and a vendor salt-drying cod in the sun. To get the good stuff, chefs and shopkeepers come at four in the morning, while home cooks come a few hours later to pick up shiny bonito and long, yellow dorado. "You get fresher seafood here than on the coasts," Martínez says, because it often gets sent directly here — the country's cultural and economic capital — before being shipped back. "They hate us in the countryside."

Where to stay

The ritz-carlton.

For classic glamour, Mexico City's first Ritz-Carlton rises high over the iconic Paseo de la Reforma in a new 58-story tower featuring stunning views of Chapultepec Park, Latin America's second-largest park. Rooms from $529, ritzcarlton.com

Círculo Mexicano

This modern and luxurious hotel sits at the literal intersection of a pre-Hispanic archaeological site and the enormous Zócalo, center of the colonial and modern city. Designed with an eye toward simplicity, the rooms use wood and textiles to infuse a traditional feel into a fresh aesthetic. Rooms from $180, circulomexicano.com

Where to eat

Con vista al mar.

Mexico's favorite taco meats and street snacks get seafood-fueled makeovers, made with subtle skill and witty winks at tradition. There are three locations .

The signature tuna tostadas, two-toned fish, and see-and-be-seen weekend lunches laid the foundation for the current influx of superlative seafood spots.

Come for the aguachiles with attitude, stay for the smoked marlin tacos at this ode to the coastal ideals of slowing down and eating tons of fresh seafood.

Mi Compa Chava

A beach fiesta on a city sidewalk, only the music is louder, the presentations are more creative, and the seafood — somehow — is even fresher.

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Mexico Travel & Leisure

Your mexican travel and cultural guide. bienvenidos.

Mexico is a Country full of culture, history, and extraordinary places that attract millions of tourists every year.

Hey! Joel here . For the past 22 years or so, I’ve traveled extensively within my country, Mexico. There are so many towns to visit that it never ceases to amaze me all the beautiful places I didn’t know existed. That’s why I am happy to share this space, so you can enjoy Mexico fully. Mi casa es su casa!

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The 50 Best Bars in North America 2024 Were Just Announced

By Charlie Hobbs

Since 2022, when World's 50 Best first began ranking North America’s 50 Best Bars, New York City and Mexico City have vied for the top spot. Always the bridesmaid, CDMX's Handshake Speakeasy has earned second place for the last two years in a row (first trailing Attaboy, then Double Chicken Please —both beloved Lower East Side joints). This year, however, the Colonia Juarez cocktail bar takes first place at long last.

While New York City is no longer top dog, its watering holes occupy second, third, and fourth place with Superbueno, Overstory , and Martiny’s, respectively. Rounding out the top five is another Mexico City establishment, Rayo.

Last year’s number one, Double Chicken Please, has fallen to seventh—but New York City continues to house more of North America’s top bars than any other city, with 12 of the US’s 26 entries. The other bars are Katana Kitten (No. 12), Employees Only (No. 15), Dante (No. 20), Attaboy (No. 31), The Dead Rabbit (No. 33), Maison Premiere (No .41), new entry Angel’s Share (No.43), and Milady’s (No.44). With the exception of Maison Premiere in Williamsburg, all of the above bars are located in downtown Manhattan.

So, what is it that pushed Handshake Speakeasy over the top this year? The details are unclear, but the bar—which is notoriously difficult to find, and therefore aptly named—has for one thing maintained its quality with nothing short of steadfast joy. Emma Sleight, 50 Best’s Head of Content, notes in a statement that the bar is “part of a strong cocktail culture in Mexico ” that warrants celebration. Adding to the mystique is bar director Eric van Beek, who with his team cooks up clarified juices, fat-washed spirits, and home-made syrups from a proper alchemist’s laboratory hidden onsite.

There are, as always, superlatives galore to be picked apart from the results. Superbueno earns the title of Disaronno Highest Entry for its debut at number two (the bar opened in early 2023) and in the process also takes the crown as the best bar in the United States. Toronto 's Civil Liberties is the best bar in Canada for the third year in the row (No. 21), while the best bar in the Caribbean is Puerto Rico ’s La Factoría (No. 18). Grand Cayman marks its first entry on the list with Library by the Sea (No. 35)—it was also recognized with the London Essence Best New Opening Award.

Also notable: San Francisco ’s True Laurel (No. 30) takes home the Kettle One Sustainable Bar Award with some much-needed representation for the West Coast ( Los Angeles has two entries, Thunderbolt at No. 8, and Mírate at No. 46.) The 270 members of the voting academy bestowed Claudia Cabrera of Mexico City’s Kaito del Valle with the Roku Industry Icon Award for her work championing female bartenders through her Japanese izakaya-style bar program.

The full list of winners can be found below, to be studied for your next few rounds of drinking on this great continent.

Handshake Speakeasy was crowned the best bar in North America.

• Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
• Superbueno, New York
• Overstory, New York
• Martiny's, New York,
• Rayo, Mexico City
• Jewel of the South, New Orleans
• Double Chicken Please, New York
• Thunderbolt, Los Angeles
• Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
• Tlecān, Mexico City
• Zapote Bar, Playa del Carmen

Katana Kitten, a New York regular on the list, came in at No. 12.

Hannah Towey

CNT Editors

Jessica Puckett

Steph Koyfman

12. Katana Kitten, New York

13. Café La Trova, Miami

14. El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara

15. Employees Only, New York

16. Aruba Day Drink, Tijuana

17. Café de Nadie, Mexico City

18. La Factoría, San Juan

19. Kumiko, Chicago

20. Dante, New York

21. Civil Liberties, Toronto

22. Service Bar, Washington DC

23. Allegory, Washington DC

The Botanist Bar in Vancouver is the second-highest Canadian entry at No. 24.

24. Botanist Bar, Vancouver

25. Herbs & Rye, Las Vegas

26. Baltra Bar, Mexico City

27. Bekeb, San Miguel de Allende

28. Kaito del Valle, Mexico City

29. Bar Pompette, Toronto

30. True Laurel, San Francisco

31. Attaboy, New York

32. Meadowlark, Chicago

33. The Dead Rabbit, New York

34. Selva, Oaxaca

Library by the Sea represents Grand Cayman's first entry on the list, at No. 35—it also took home the London Essence Best New Opening Award.

35. Library by the Sea, Grand Cayman

36. Century Grand, Phoenix

37. Arca, Tulum

38. Pacific Cocktail Heaven, San Francisco

39. Cloakroom, Montreal

40. Bar Mordecai, Toronto

41. Maison Premiere, New York

42. Hanky Panky, Mexico City

43. Angel's Share, New York

44. Milady's, New York

45. Brujas, Mexico City

46. Mírate, Los Angeles

47. Cure, New Orleans

48. Best Intentions, Chicago

49. The Keefer Bar, Vancouver

50. Atwater Cocktail Club, Montreal

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