mexico city business travel

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This section on business travel provides an overview of business customs and travel tips that may be useful during your time working in Mexico.

Business Customs

Mexican businesspeople in major cities place a great deal of importance on appearances, and in many settings generally dress more formally than in most U.S. cities. We recommend wearing professional attire when meeting with prospective business partners in Mexico, and it is advisable to avoid overly casual clothes and athletic shoes when going out to business meals.

Being sensitive to typical business hours and mealtimes is extremely important. It is not uncommon for offices to open at 10:00 a.m. and for people to work until 8:00 p.m. or later. This means that during the week, many Mexicans follow a pattern of five meals, with desayuno consisting of fruit or a pastry between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. before going to work, a somewhat heavier almuerzo around 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m., a heavy lunch called comida generally after 2:00 p.m., an evening snack called merienda, and/or a light dinner or cena after 8 p.m. Don’t try to schedule a meeting between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. unless it is a lunch meeting.

The business lunch is a key tool in Mexico. Use it to build relationships and discuss matters in greater leisure. Before beginning a business discussion, it is common to discuss family, recent events, or other social themes. Mexican businesspeople and government contacts may smoke and drink during business meals. Business lunches can span two hours or more and, again, usually do not begin until 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Many restaurants do not open for lunch before 1:30 p.m. and most restaurants do not begin offering dinner before 7:30 p.m.

Patience is key when doing business in Mexico. Business meetings in Mexico will often take longer than they would in the United States. Mexican social etiquette often includes more small talk before business. Social custom makes it difficult to say no. Therefore, “yes” does not always mean yes. In conversation, Mexicans emphasize tactful and indirect phrasing, and may be more effusive than Americans with praise and emotional expressions. Email communication may be significantly more formal than it is in U.S. practice, and it is courteous to mirror this formality in your own correspondence. The mobile messaging application WhatsApp is popular for quick, informal communications. Do not be overly aggressive while negotiating. It is considered rude.

The concept of time is flexible in Mexico. Guests to social events (except in the case of cities in the North) can arrive up to an hour late. However, punctuality is the norm for most business and government appointments.

Business cards are used extensively. Come with a large supply. Mexican pesos are used throughout the country. It is not legal or common to pay with U.S. dollars (although in border regions and tourist areas dollars are sometimes accepted).

Travel Advisory

The State Department provides a security assessment of every state in Mexico. All U.S. travelers and investors to the country are strongly encouraged to review the State Department’s  Mexico Travel Advisory and other country-specific travel information. We also recommend you register your trips through the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program , which will allow you to receive security updates and instructions in the event of a natural disaster or other incident.

Visa Requirements

If a U.S. businessperson wants to reside in Mexico and work on a more permanent basis, it is necessary to obtain a Temporary Mexico Resident Card, which has a validity of up to four years.

For definitive immigration regulations from the Government of Mexico, please review the information on immigration law and regulations (in Spanish only).

All U.S. citizens must have a passport or passport card to enter Mexico. Passport cards can be used only to cross into Mexico within 13 miles from the border. Passports are required for air travel or for land border travel when visiting any state in Mexico that is outside of this border zone. There is a single visa form for tourist and business visitors, valid for 180 days upon entry with no fee.  

A new system was implemented in 2023 that replaced the old Visitor Card (the Forma Migratoria Múltiple or FMM). The new system involves a stamp (sello migratorio) called the Forma Migratoria Múltiple Digital or FMMD. Passengers arriving at land crossings or any of Mexico’s 66 international airports will receive the stamp in their passports that shows the date of arrival and length of stay allowed (up to 180 days without a visa). Upon departure, air travelers may be asked to show their stamp at the airline’s ticket counter. If you enter Mexico by land, make sure to get the FMMD stamp in your passport.

Additionally, the Mexico City airports (both AIFA and Benito Juarez) and Cancun airport are currently using a new system for tourists called Filtros Migratorios Autonomos (E-Gates), which is scheduled to be rolled out nationwide later in 2023. Tourists who carry regular passports with a chip from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Mexicans with dual citizenship can choose to use the E-Gates system instead of going through an immigration official to get a stamp. Tourist travelers just need to scan the passport at the E-Gates booth, and it will print a ticket with their arrival information and indicate a 180-day valid stay. The E-Gates booth will also take a photo of the traveler’s face. The ticket issued by the E-Gates is official and valid to check-in with the airline when departing Mexico. The E-Gates system is not for residents of Mexico, whether permanent or temporary, but for tourists only. 

For further information please visit the Mexican Secretariat of Tourism website .

United States companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Applicants for a U.S. visa should go to the following links:

• State Department Visa Website
• U.S. Embassy Mexico Visa Information

Expedited Entry into the U.S. and Mexico

Members of the U.S. Global Entry program know how convenient it is for entry into the United States. Global Entry allows U.S. citizens and residents of select countries, including Mexico, who have applied and been approved to have expedited entry at airport immigration and customs facilities when returning to the United States. Global Entry membership also gives you access to SENTRI lanes at the U.S.-Mexico land border. If you are not a Global Entry member, you can get more information and apply at the Global Entry website .

Mexico has a similar program for frequent travelers entering Mexico by air called the Programa Viajero Confiable (Trusted Traveler Program). Members of Viajero Confiable who are Mexican Nationals can now also apply for NEXUS to have expedited entry at airports in Canada.

Viajero Confiable provides similar benefits for entering Mexico and is in operation at airports in Mexico City, San Jose del Cabo, and Cancun. The application may be done online. Once preapproved, applicants must undergo an interview at an enrollment center at one of the three Mexican airports for final approval. Membership is good for five years and you can apply at the program website .

NEXUS offers benefits at airport and land border ports of entry in Canada. For more information visit the NEXUS website .

Those who cross the U.S. land border regularly but do not need the full benefits of Global Entry might be interested in membership in SENTRI, open to all nationalities who meet membership criteria. Information on the program is available at the SENTRI website .

Mexico’s currency is the Mexican peso. In the first half of 2022, the average exchange rate was approximately 20 pesos to the U.S. dollar, with the U.S. dollar steadily losing value in 2023 to around 17 pesos to the U.S. dollar in July 2023. In most cities and tourist areas, credit and debit cards are widely accepted in established businesses. There is usually easy access to ATMs that accept U.S. ATM networks. Take the usual precautions to prevent skimming or theft of your card and banking information, including your PIN, and be cautious of anyone approaching you at ATM machines.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Telephone Services

In Mexico, cellular telephones and smart phones are used by 75.5 percent of the population. On mobile devices, country codes may be dialed with a plus sign (+) before the country code. Mexico’s country code is +52 and it is +1 for the United States. The three main mobile carriers are Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T, and all offer national coverage and international roaming services. Telcel and AT&T offer packages with no roaming charges throughout North America, available through T-Mobile and AT&T in the United States.

Internet Services

According to the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones or IFT) 72 percent of the population above six years old has Internet access in Mexico. Tourist and business hotels provide Internet services in rooms or in business centers. Internet hotspots are common. Free Wi-Fi is offered in select public spaces through the government-sponsored Internet para Todos (Internet for Everyone) program, and most restaurants and cafes offer free Wi-Fi. Mexico still has many Internet cafes that offer Internet access for a fee.

Electricity

Mexico uses the same voltage (120v) and the same size wall plugs as the United States.

Transportation

Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, Querétaro, and other Mexican cities have frequent direct and non-stop flights from major U.S. cities. American carriers to Mexico include American, Delta, United, Jet Blue, and Southwest. Mexican carriers providing scheduled service within Mexico include Aeromexico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus.

Taxis, Uber, and Road Transportation

It is important to ONLY use registered sitio taxi services or application-based car services such as Uber throughout the country, including using only the taxi vendor booths located INSIDE the airports. For Uber or other app-based services such as Cabify, you will need to check if there is service in your city of destination, download the app, and configure a profile and payment account (preferably prior to arrival). Hotels and restaurants can also call a sitio or radio taxi for you. The taxi driver will provide you with a receipt (un recibo) upon request. For airport taxis, the receipt is usually the pre-paid stub from your ticket. App-based services may face local restrictions. For more information, please see the State Department’s Mexico Travel Advisory .

Airport Arrivals

The Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport offers a fixed price taxi service to any point in the city. You can pay with a credit card or pesos, and you purchase tickets at one of several taxi company booths just after exiting the customs area. The fare from the airport to most areas within the city can vary widely as Mexico City is so large but should average MXN 200-350 for car service (rates are higher for a SUV). Alternatively, travelers can use the Uber app for an airport pickup and to move around Mexico City. Allow time for travel to and from the airport to major hotels. While the trip can take as little as 20 minutes in light traffic in the middle of the night, the same trip can take nearly two hours if accidents, demonstrations, rain, or other occurrences disrupt traffic.

The Monterrey General Mariano Escobedo Airport has a very similar taxi service. The fare to most locations in Monterrey is about MXN 250-300. With your ticket in hand, exit the lobby, and an attendant from the taxi company will guide you to your taxi. Alternatively, travelers can use the Uber app for an airport pickup and to move around Monterrey. Airport and Flight Information is available by calling +52 (81) 8345 4434.

The fare from Guadalajara International Airport to most locations in Guadalajara is about MXN 260-420. The trip from the airport to Guadalajara can take up to 45 minutes, depending upon traffic. Uber pickups from Guadalajara’s airport are restricted and it is better to take a sitio taxi by prepurchasing the fare from the TAXI booth located immediately after exiting customs. For airport and flight Information, call +52 (33) 3688-5894.

Sitio taxi services and Uber (depending upon location) are available at other airports and hotels around the country as well.

Spanish is the official language of Mexico. While many people in the large cities speak some English, it may be difficult for them to conduct detailed business discussions. Non Spanish-speaking visitors to Mexico should consider hiring an interpreter for formal business meetings. It is considered courteous for U.S. businesspeople to speak a few words of Spanish. Many mid and high-level government officials and business executives speak English, and many are U.S.-educated.

A high standard of medical care is available in the principal cities, especially from the main private hospitals and doctors. Many private Mexican doctors have U.S. training and speak English. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a website with health recommendations for travelers at CDC - Travel.

The Embassy and Consulates maintains a List of Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico . The U.S. Embassy does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms whose names appear on the above lists.

In case of medical emergency, U.S. citizens may call the American Citizen Services sections at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate for help. Please find additional information and contacts for all U.S. consulate locations in Mexico at Mission Mexico - Locations .

Mexico does have health concerns. You should take normal tourist precautions regarding drinking water and eating uncooked items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads. Some individuals react to the pollution and high altitude of various cities, so take things slowly at first. Travelers to Mexico City may require some time to adjust to the altitude (7,400 feet), which can adversely affect blood pressure, digestion, sleep, and energy level. Individuals with the sickle cell trait should consult with the appropriate medical unit or their personal physician before commencing travel. Visitors on short-term assignments carry an added risk because of the lack of time to acclimate. Dehydration, stress, or illnesses compound the basic risks of high altitude. For more information, contact your health provider.

Please note that health insurance is an important consideration. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Mexico.

Mexico has no entry restrictions related to COVID-19 and there is no obligation to carry a COVID-19 test or to quarantine upon arrival. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nonetheless encourages visitors to Mexico to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC has issued a Travel Alert Level 2 “Practice Enhanced Precaution for Mexico” stemming from recent cases of fungal meningitis infections and multidrug-resistant Salmonella outbreaks. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.  

Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays

Mexico spans several time zones. From the Yucatán Peninsula to Tijuana, there is a three-hour time difference. Mexico City and Central Mexico are on Central Standard Time (CST). Mexico passed a law in October 2022 regulating time zones in the country. Some cities that used to implement Daylight Saving Time will discontinue the practice in 2023. Going forward, Mexico City, Mérida, Monterrey, Hermosillo, Nogales, and Guadalajara will not observe Daylight Saving Time. Ciudad Juarez, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, and Tijuana will continue to observe Daylight Savings Time.

Listed below are Mexican holidays for 2023. On these days, banks will not open, and most businesses will be closed. Be aware of the popular “puentes,” which is the local term for when holidays fall near the weekend and create a three-day weekend. As in the United States, holidays falling on a Thursday, Friday, Monday, or Tuesday are rapidly converted into long weekends and are not a good time to schedule business trips. Also review the Business Customs topic above for notes on business hours and mealtimes.

Mexican Holiday Schedule (July 2023-December 2023)

• September 16, Saturday, Mexican Independence Day
• November 2, Thursday, All Souls’ Day (“Day of the Dead”)
• November 20, Monday, Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution
• December 25, Monday, Christmas Day
• January 1, Monday, New Year’s Day

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Please refer to the Customs, Regulations, and Standards topic in the Temporary Entry section of this guide.

Everything about Mexico

Requirements For Going To Mexico As Business Visitor

Gaceta Consular

30 day business visitor form can be secured upon presentation of:

• A valid passport or a certified copy of the birth certificate or a citizenship card plus a recent picture identification.
• Letter from the company represented of by the interested individual if traveling alone, stating the specific purpose and the length of the trip and guaranteeing that the salaries and all expenses will be paid by the company of the individual and not by anyone in Mexico.

For stays longer than 30 days:

*Businessmen

Foreigners wishing to enter to Mexico for certain business purposes, such as to attend business conferences, negotiate contracts, survey the Mexican market or purchase goods for export, interview business partners, sales or manufacturer representatives, or to investigate mining exploration, and those engaged in scientific consulting, artistic or athletic activities, may apply for a multiple entries visa from the Consulate General of Mexico upon presentation of the following documents:

• A valid passport with a minimum of six months from the date of entry.
• Two recent front view passport size photos.
• A letter from the company represented or by the interested individual if traveling alone, stating the specific purpose and the length of the trip and guaranteeing that the salaries and all expenses will be paid by the company or the individual and not by anyone in Mexico.
• The consular fee, as of July 1996, for non-lucrative activities of: $63.00 or for lucrative activities of $102.00.

VERY IMPORTANT:  The applicant must understand that it is entirely up to the Consulate General of Mexico to determine under which classification the individual must be documented based on the initial declaration of the intended activities in Mexico. The consular fees mentioned in US Dollars are quoted at the present rate of exchange and are subject to change. They can be paid by Bank/Postal money order, or cash (when applying in person); personal checks are not accepted. Because several applications are received daily the consulate must work on a first come, first served basis.

*Technicians:

Aliens wishing to enter Mexico for a period not exceeding one year to perform certain services as specialized technicians in the fields of industry and trade, can secure the necessary entry permit from a Mexican consulate upon presentation of the following documents, in addition to the documents mentioned above.

• A letter, from the Mexican company stating the necessity of a specialized technician for specific type of work, addressed to the US company and letter from the company stating the name of the technician and length of time addressed to the Consulate General of Mexico.

NOTE:  The non-immigrant visas should be used within 90 days after date of issuance.

Please visit the Consulate site: The following article is reproduced with the kind permission of the Consul General in Austin Texas. It first appeared in their : September 1996 – Austin, Texas – Year IV, Number 25

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Mexico City Travel Guide for Business Travel

Once disregarded for a sprawling, over-crowded and polluted metropolis, Mexico City has worked to clean it’s streets and skies to become a profitable business destination. With a population of more than 22 million people, the city is home to a thriving cultural heritage and industries like food, tobacco, construction and financial services. With experience planning luxury, worldwide business travel for executives, BlueOrange Travel is sharing their Mexico City travel guide to make your next trip to the capital city efficient, seamless and enjoyable.

Follow This Mexico City Travel Guide on Your Next Business Trip

Ideally located.

Because of its central location on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico City is ideally placed to be a business hub in Central America. This position also makes it easy to travel here for a quick business trip or a more extended stay. Aeromexico is the primary carrier at Benito Juarez International Airport, but all the major carriers will fly into the city from international destinations. The airport is located about 20 minutes from downtown, making it both convenient and accessible.

Where to Stay

In Mexico City, business meetings and deals are often made outside of the office and in the city’s luxury hotels. Consider staying at one of the larger hotels known for its style and elegance to accommodate meetings such as this.

The Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City is located on Paseo de la Reforma, the city’s most famous boulevard. With a Spanish-style courtyard, central location and luxurious rooms, the Four Seasons is popular for business travelers.

The Presidente InterContinental Mexico City offers some of the largest guest rooms in the city with sweeping views of the bustling downtown. The contemporary style provides a perfect backdrop for six restaurants, a soothing spa and meeting rooms for business.

DOWNTOWN MEXICO combines 17th-century grandeur with industrial touches in the historic heart of the city.  This boutique-style hotel provides visitors with unique luxury and a rooftop pool, making it a favorite spot for relaxing after business is complete.

Getting Around

Because of Mexico City’s move toward green infrastructure, the city’s Metro system is fast, safe and extensive. Count on the system to get you to your client’s offices or to landmarks throughout the city during your stay for about five pesos (or 30 cents) per ride.

If you’d like to travel more privately, or if you’re traveling after midnight when the metro is closed, then look for the pink-and-white taxis with CDMX printed on the sides. These government-licensed taxis have a guaranteed fair with rates comparable to those in the US, and the tip is typically included in the price.

Soak Up the Culture

In addition to the city’s booming business scene, Mexico City provides a cultural Mecca for Central America. With a rich and diverse history, the area’s local arts are represented in murals, sculptures and architecture around the city.

Don’t miss the opulent Palacio de Bellas Artes to see the marble performance hall and museum that features murals by famous artist Diego Rivera. Make time for the National Museum of Anthropology that features artifacts from ancient Mayan civilizations, or take a longer trip to see Pyramid of the Sun in nearby Teotihuacan.

The rich history of Mexico City is complimented by a growing industrial and business persona. Travelers who visit the metropolis for business are greeted with stunning art and architecture, delicious dining choices and luxury accommodations. Follow BlueOrange Travel’s Mexico City travel guide the next time you visit Central America, and contact BlueOrange to plan all of your business travel.

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Ultimate Guide: Business Travel to Mexico 2023

• July 28, 2023

I. Introduction: The Growing Demand for Business Travel to Mexico

Mexico has emerged as a popular destination for business travelers in recent years. With its growing economy, stable business environment, and strategic location, Mexico offers a plethora of opportunities for professionals from various industries. Whether you’re attending conferences, meetings, or exploring potential partnerships, doing business in Mexico can be a rewarding experience. However, before embarking on your journey, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with essential information regarding visa requirements, local customs, accommodations, transportation, and more. This comprehensive guide will assist you in navigating the complexities of business travel to Mexico and ensure a successful and efficient trip.

II. Understanding Visa Requirements for Business Travel to Mexico

Before planning your business trip to Mexico, it’s essential to understand the visa requirements to ensure a smooth entry into the country. Depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit, you may need either a tourist visa or a business visa. For most countries, including the United States, Canada, and European Union member states, a tourist visa is not required for stays up to 180 days. However, if you plan to engage in business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiating contracts, it’s advisable to obtain a business visa. This type of visa allows you to conduct business legally within Mexico’s borders. It’s important to consult the Mexican embassy or consulate in your home country for specific visa requirements and application procedures.

III. Navigating Local Customs and Etiquette for Business Professionals

When doing business in Mexico, understanding and respecting local customs and etiquette is vital for building relationships and conducting successful negotiations. Mexicans value personal connections and trust, so building rapport with your business counterparts is essential. It’s customary to greet with a firm handshake and exchange pleasantries before diving into business matters. Business attire in Mexico is typically conservative, with men wearing suits and ties, and women opting for professional attire. Punctuality is valued, but meetings may start late, so it’s advisable to arrive on time but be patient. Additionally, it’s crucial to be respectful of Mexican culture, including traditions, holidays, and dining etiquette, to establish a positive impression.

IV. Finding Business-Friendly Accommodations in Mexico

Mexico offers a wide range of business-friendly accommodations to cater to the needs of business travelers. Major cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey boast an array of hotels with excellent facilities and amenities for business professionals. These hotels often provide conference rooms, business centers, high-speed internet access, and other services that facilitate a productive work environment. Additionally, many hotels have partnerships with local transport services, making it convenient for business travelers to commute to meetings and other business destinations. It’s advisable to research and book accommodations in advance, considering factors such as location, proximity to business districts, and amenities offered.

V. Transportation Options for Business Travelers in Mexico

Mexico offers various transportation options for business travelers to navigate the country conveniently. Major cities have well-connected airports with both domestic and international flights, making it easy to reach your desired destination. It’s recommended to book flights in advance to secure the best deals and ensure a hassle-free journey. Once in Mexico, you can opt for taxis, ridesharing services, or private car rentals to get around the city. Public transportation, such as buses and metros, is also available in urban areas. If you plan to visit multiple cities or have a busy itinerary, domestic flights are an efficient option to save time and cover long distances. It’s advisable to check local transportation options and plan your routes accordingly to optimize your time during the trip.

VI. Popular Business Destinations in Mexico: Where to Go for Networking and Opportunities

Mexico offers several popular business destinations with thriving economies and vibrant business communities. Some of the key cities for business in Mexico include:

1. Mexico City: As the capital and economic hub of Mexico, Mexico City offers numerous business opportunities across various industries. The city is home to corporate headquarters, international trade centers, and financial institutions.

2. Guadalajara: Known as the “Silicon Valley of Mexico,” Guadalajara has a booming technology sector. It’s an ideal destination for those involved in the tech industry and innovation-driven businesses.

3. Monterrey: Monterrey is an important industrial and commercial center, known for its manufacturing and automotive sectors. The city attracts business professionals looking for partnerships and networking opportunities.

4. Cancun: While primarily known as a tourist destination, Cancun has also become a popular spot for business conferences and conventions. The city offers modern facilities and excellent connectivity for business travelers.

5. Queretaro: Queretaro has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, attracting industries such as aerospace, automotive, and software development. The city’s strategic location and business-friendly environment make it an attractive destination for networking and investment.

6. Tijuana: Situated on the border with the United States, Tijuana has a unique position for cross-border business opportunities. The city has a thriving manufacturing and electronics industry, making it attractive for business collaborations.

These cities provide a favorable environment for networking, attending industry events, and exploring potential business opportunities. Depending on your industry and objectives, choosing the right destination can significantly enhance the success of your business trip.

VII. Managing Travel Expenses during Business Trips to Mexico

Efficient management of travel expenses is crucial for business travelers to stay within budget and maintain financial control. Here are some tips for managing travel expenses during your business trip to Mexico:

1. Create a detailed budget: Before your trip, plan and allocate funds for transportation, accommodation, meals, entertainment, and other business-related expenses. Having a clear budget will help you track your spending and avoid unnecessary expenses.

2. Use expense tracking apps: Utilize expense tracking apps to record and categorize your expenses in real-time. These apps allow you to capture receipts, track mileage, and generate expense reports effortlessly.

3. Choose cost-effective accommodations: Consider staying in business hotels or serviced apartments that offer competitive rates without compromising on quality. Look for accommodations that include amenities such as breakfast or access to business centers to reduce additional costs.

4. Utilize public transportation: Opt for public transportation whenever feasible to save on transportation expenses. Many cities in Mexico have well-developed public transportation systems that are cost-effective and efficient.

5. Explore affordable dining options: Mexico offers a wide range of dining options to suit various budgets. Look for local eateries and street food stalls that offer authentic cuisine at affordable prices. Avoid dining at tourist hotspots, which tend to be more expensive.

6. Keep track of business-related expenses: Separate your personal expenses from business expenses and maintain a record of all business-related receipts. This documentation will be essential for reimbursement purposes and tax deductions.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage your travel expenses and maximize your resources during your business trip to Mexico.

VIII. Ensuring Reliable Wi-Fi and Connectivity for Seamless Business Operations

In today’s digital age, reliable Wi-Fi and connectivity are essential for seamless business operations while traveling. Here are some tips to ensure a reliable internet connection in Mexico:

1. Research hotel amenities: When booking accommodations, check if the hotel offers complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. Additionally, inquire about any limitations or additional charges for internet usage.

2. Portable Wi-Fi devices: Consider renting or purchasing a portable Wi-Fi device, also known as a pocket Wi-Fi or MiFi. These devices provide a secure and reliable internet connection on the go and can be especially useful when traveling to areas with limited connectivity.

3. Local SIM card: Purchase a local SIM card upon arrival in Mexico to have access to mobile data. This option is ideal for travelers who rely heavily on internet connectivity and need to stay connected throughout the day.

4. Co-working spaces and business centers: Many major cities in Mexico have co-working spaces and business centers that offer high-speed internet connectivity. These spaces often provide workstations, meeting rooms, and other amenities for business professionals.

5. Offline work capabilities: Anticipate potential connectivity issues by having offline access to important documents and applications. Utilize cloud storage platforms or offline software to access and work on essential files and presentations.

By considering these options and preparing ahead, you can ensure reliable Wi-Fi and connectivity, allowing for uninterrupted business operations during your trip.

IX. Locating Business Centers and Co-Working Spaces in Mexico

Mexico offers a range of business centers and co-working spaces to cater to the needs of business professionals. These spaces provide a conducive environment for work, networking, and collaboration. Some popular business centers and co-working spaces in Mexico include:

1. WeWork: With multiple locations across Mexico, WeWork offers flexible workspace solutions for businesses of all sizes. Their amenities include high-speed internet, meeting rooms, communal areas, and networking events.

2. Regus: Regus has a strong presence in Mexico, providing fully equipped offices, virtual offices, meeting rooms, and business lounges. They have centers in major cities, offering convenient locations for business travelers.

3. Impact Hub Mexico City: Located in Mexico City, Impact Hub is a co-working space that focuses on social impact entrepreneurs and organizations. They offer a collaborative environment, networking events, and educational programs.

4. IOS Offices: IOS Offices operates in several cities in Mexico, including Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. They provide premium office spaces, co-working areas, meeting rooms, and virtual office solutions.

5. Spaces: Spaces has various locations in major cities across Mexico, offering contemporary workspaces, meeting rooms, and networking events. They cater to entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses.

When planning your business trip, research the available business centers and co-working spaces in your destination city. Consider factors such as location, facilities, pricing, and networking opportunities to find the most suitable workspace for your needs.

X. Conclusion: Your Key to Successful and Efficient Business Travel to Mexico

Mexico presents abundant opportunities for business professionals looking to expand their networks, explore new markets, and forge productive partnerships. By understanding visa requirements, respecting local customs and etiquette, selecting business-friendly accommodations, choosing the right transportation options, and managing travel expenses efficiently, you can ensure a successful and efficient business trip to Mexico. Additionally, prioritizing reliable Wi-Fi and connectivity, and utilizing business centers and co-working spaces, will contribute to seamless business operations during your stay. As you embark on your business journey to Mexico, remember to immerse yourself in the rich culture, savor the delicious cuisine, and explore the country’s diverse attractions. Mexico’s expanding economy and vibrant business environment make it an ideal destination for entrepreneurs, professionals, and business travelers alike.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. do i need a visa for business travel to mexico.

For most countries, including the United States, Canada, and European Union member states, a tourist visa is not required for stays up to 180 days. However, if you plan to engage in business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiating contracts, it’s advisable to obtain a business visa.

2. What are some popular business destinations in Mexico?

Some popular business destinations in Mexico include Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, Queretaro, and Tijuana. These cities offer thriving business communities and a wealth of networking opportunities across various industries.

3. How can I manage travel expenses during my business trip to Mexico?

To manage travel expenses effectively, create a detailed budget, use expense tracking apps, choose cost-effective accommodations, utilize public transportation, explore affordable dining options, and keep track of business-related expenses. These strategies will help you stay within budget and maintain financial control.

4. How can I ensure reliable Wi-Fi and connectivity during my business trip to Mexico?

To ensure reliable Wi-Fi and connectivity, research hotel amenities, consider renting or purchasing a portable Wi-Fi device, purchase a local SIM card, utilize co-working spaces and business centers that offer high-speed internet, and have offline work capabilities as a backup.

Find Flights, Tours, and Accommodations with Mexico Travel Concierge

Planning a business trip to Mexico? Our team at Mexico Travel Concierge is here to assist you. We specialize in providing personalized concierge services for travelers, offering a range of services such as flight bookings, hotel reservations, transportation arrangements, and customized tour itineraries. From visa assistance to local recommendations, our experienced team will ensure a seamless and stress-free business travel experience. Visit our website to explore our concierge services and make your trip to Mexico a memorable one.

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Business customs.

Mexican business people in major cities place a great deal of importance on appearances, and in many settings generally dress more formally than in most U.S. cities. We recommend wearing professional attire when meeting with prospective business partners in Mexico and avoiding overly casual clothes and athletic shoes when going out to business meals.  Being sensitive to typical business hours and mealtimes is extremely important. It is not uncommon for offices to open at 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. and for people to work until 8 p.m. or later. This means that during the week, many Mexicans follow a pattern of five meals, with desayuno consisting of fruit or a pastry between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. before going to work, a somewhat heavier almuerzo around 10:30 or 11:30 a.m., a heavy lunch called comida generally after 2 p.m., an evening snack called merienda , and/or a light dinner or cena after 8 p.m. Don’t try to schedule a meeting between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. unless you intend for it to be a lunch meeting. The business lunch is a key tool in Mexico. Use it to build relationships and discuss matters in greater leisure. Before beginning a business discussion, it is common to discuss family, recent events, or other social themes. Mexican business people and government contacts may smoke and drink during business meals. Business lunches can span two hours or more and, again, usually do not begin until 2 or 3 p.m. Many restaurants do not open for lunch before 1:30 p.m. and most restaurants will not even begin offering dinner before 7:30 p.m. Patience is key when doing business in Mexico. Business meetings in Mexico will often take longer than they would in the United States. Mexican social etiquette often includes more small talk before business. Social custom makes it difficult to say no. Therefore, “yes” does not always mean yes. In conversation, Mexicans emphasize tactful and indirect phrasing, and may be more effusive than Americans with praise and emotional expressions. Email communication may be significantly more formal than it is in U.S. practice, and it is courteous to mirror this formality in your own emails. The mobile messaging application WhatsApp is popular for quick, informal communications. Do not be overly aggressive while negotiating. It is considered rude. The concept of time is flexible in Mexico. Guests to social events (except in the case of cities in the North) can arrive up to an hour late. However, punctuality is the norm for most business and government appointments. Business cards are used extensively. Come with a large supply. Mexican pesos are used throughout the country. It is not legal or common to pay with U.S. dollars (although in border areas and tourist areas dollars are sometimes accepted).

Travel Advisory

The State Department provides a security assessment of every state in Mexico. All U.S. travelers and investors to the country are strongly encouraged to visit the Department of State’s Travel Warning website . We also recommend you register your trips through the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program , which will allow you to receive security updates and instructions in the event of a natural disaster or other incident.

Visa Requirements

If a U.S. business person wants to reside in Mexico and work on a more permanent basis, it is necessary to obtain a Temporary Mexico Resident Card. This form may be obtained with validity up to one year, renewable up to a total of five years. For definitive immigration regulations from the Mexican Government, please review the information on the immigration work permit form and the overall immigration law and regulations . All U.S. citizens must have a passport or passport card to enter Mexico. Passport cards can be used only to cross into Mexico within 13 miles from the border. Passports are required for air travel or for land border travel when visiting any State of Mexico that is more than 13 miles from the border. There is a single visa form for tourist and business visitors, valid for 180 days upon entry with no fee. This form is normally distributed on all arriving aircraft. The bottom portion of this form will be torn off and handed back to you to become your Visitor Card ( Forma Migratoria Múltiple or FMM), which you should keep in your passport. IMPORTANT NOTE: All foreign visitors should keep their Visitor Card (FMM) bearing the official entry stamp as it must be surrendered upon departure from the country. It is extremely important to keep this form in a safe location. Upon exiting the country at a Mexican Immigration ( Instituto Nacional de México or INM) departure check point, U.S. citizens are required to turn in this form. We are aware of cases where U.S. citizens without their FMM have been required to change their flight (at personal expense), file a police report with local authorities regarding the missing document, and visit an INM office to pay a fine and obtain a valid exit visa. In other cases, travelers have been able to continue their journey after paying a fine. If you enter Mexico by land and expect to depart by air or land, be sure to receive the FMM when entering Mexico, either at the initial border entry or at the interior checkpoint 21 km past the border. While it is always provided at Mexican international airports as part of immigration procedures, it is not always automatically given at land crossing. If you then try to return to the United States by air without the card you can be subject to a fine of up to USD 400 or may be detained and deported if stopped in the interior of the country.  For further information please visit the Mexican Secretariat of Tourism website . U.S. companies that require travel of foreign business persons to the United States should ensure the Mexican or third-country national applies for their U.S. visa well in advance. Applicants for a U.S. visa should go to the following links:

State Department Visa Website https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

U.S. Embassy Mexico Visa Information https://mx.usembassy.gov/visas/

Expedited Entry into the U.S. and Mexico

Members of the U.S. Global Entry program know how convenient it is for entry to the United States. Global Entry allows U.S. citizens and residents of select countries, including Mexico, who have applied and been approved to have expedited entry at airport immigration and customs facilities when returning to the United States. Global Entry membership also gives you access to SENTRI lanes at the U.S.-Mexico land border. If you are not a Global Entry member, you can get more information and apply at through the Global Entry website . Mexico has a similar program for frequent travelers entering Mexico by air. It’s called the Programa Viajero Confiable (Trusted Traveler Program). Members of Viajero Confiable who are Mexican Nationals can now also apply for NEXUS to have expedited entry at airports in Canada. Viajero Confiable provides similar benefits for entering Mexico and is in operation at airports in Mexico City, San Jose del Cabo, and Cancun. The application may be made online. Once preapproved, applicants must undergo an interview at an enrollment center at one of the three Mexican airports for final approval. Membership is good for five years and you can apply at https://www.inm.gob.mx/viajero-confiable/publico/solicitud.html . NEXUS offers benefits at airport and land border ports of entry in Canada. For more information visit the NEXUS site: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html . Those who cross the U.S. land border regularly but don’t need the full benefits of Global Entry might be interested in membership in SENTRI, open to all nationalities who meet membership criteria. The program is available at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri .

Mexico’s currency is the Mexican peso. In the first half of 2019, the average exchange rate was 19.25 pesos to the U.S. dollar. In most cities and tourist areas, credit and debit cards are widely accepted in established businesses. There is usually easy access to ATMs that accept U.S. ATM networks. Take the usual precautions to prevent skimming or theft of your card and banking information, including your PIN, and be cautious of anyone approaching you when at ATM machines.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Telephone services.

Telephone service is usually reliable, though certain remote locations in Mexico do not have direct dialing to the United States. Telephone service is heavily taxed in Mexico, and fees are relatively high. Select calling cards may be used in Mexico. More commonly, cellular telephones and smart phones are available and widely used. On mobile devices, country codes may be dialed with a plus sign (+) before the country code. Mexico’s country code is +52 and it is +1 for the United States. In August 2019, the Mexican telephone system simplified dialing prefixes for Mexican numbers. To dial or send a message to a Mexican you are now required to enter only the 10-digit number consisting of the area code and phone number. The three main mobile carriers, Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T offer national coverage and international roaming services. Telcel and AT&T offer packages with no roaming charges throughout North America available through T-Mobile and AT&T in the United States. The best reception is found on federal highways and in the top 50 cities in the country, including beach resorts. It is very likely that you will be able to use your mobile phone while traveling to Mexico, regardless of the company and technology (GSM, CDMA or PTT) you use. Roaming services apply to both voice and data services. You can use data on your mobile phone if you have contracted such a service in the United States. However, if you do not have an international plan, roaming fees (voice and data) can be substantial.

Internet Services

Tourist and business hotels provide internet services in rooms, or at a minimum, in business centers. Internet hotspots are now common. Free Wi-Fi is offered in select public spaces through the government-sponsored Mexico Conectado program, and most restaurants and cafés offer free Wi-Fi to patrons. Because internet penetration in residential areas was relatively low until recently, Mexico still has many internet cafés that offer internet access for a fee.

Electricity

Mexico uses the same voltage (120v) and the same size wall plugs as the United States.

Tra nsportation

Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, Querétaro, and other Mexican cities have frequent direct and non-stop flights from major U.S. cities. American carriers to Mexico include American, Delta, U.S. Airways, United, Jet Blue, and Southwest. Mexican carriers providing scheduled service within Mexico include Aeromexico, Volaris, Interjet, and Viva Aerobus.

Taxis, Uber, and Road Transportation

It is important to ONLY use registered sitio taxi services or application-based car services such as Uber throughout the country, including using only the taxi vendor booths located INSIDE the airports. For Uber or other app-based services such as Cabify, you will need to check there is service in your city of destination, download the app, and configure a profile and payment account (preferably prior to arrival). Hotels and restaurants can also call a sitio or radio taxi for you. The taxi driver will provide you with a receipt ( un recibo ) upon request. For airport taxis, the receipt is usually the pre-paid stub from your ticket. App-based services may face local resistance. For more information, please see the Travel Advisory as well as the Travel and Transportation section at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html .

Airport Arrivals

The Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport offers a fixed price taxi service to any point in the city. You can pay with a credit card or pesos, and you purchase tickets at one of several taxi company booths just after exiting the customs area. The fare from the airport to most areas within the city can vary widely as Mexico City is so large but should average MXN 200-350 for car service (rates are higher for an SUV). Alternatively, travelers can use the Uber app for an airport pickup and to move around Mexico City. Allow time for travel to and from the airport to major hotels. While the trip can take as little as 20 minutes in light traffic in the middle of the night, the same trip can take nearly two hours if accidents, demonstrations, rain, or other occurrences disrupt traffic. The Monterrey General Mariano Escobedo Airport has a very similar taxi service. The fare to most locations in Monterrey is about MXN 250-300. With your ticket in hand, exit the lobby, and an attendant from the taxi company will guide you to your taxi. Alternatively, travelers can use the Uber app for an airport pickup and to move around Monterrey. Airport and Flight Information is available by calling +52 (81) 8345 4434. The fare from Guadalajara International Airport to most locations in Guadalajara is about MXN 260-420. The trip from the airport to Guadalajara can take up to 45 minutes, depending upon traffic. Alternatively, travelers can use the Uber app for an airport pickup and to move around Guadalajara. For airport and flight Information, call +52 (33) 3688-5894. Sitio taxi services and Uber (depending upon location) are available at other airports and hotels around the country as well.

Spanish is the official language of Mexico. While many people in the large cities speak some English, it may be difficult for them to conduct detailed business discussions in English. Non-Spanish-speaking visitors to Mexico should consider hiring an interpreter for formal business meetings. It is considered courteous for U.S. business people to speak a few words of Spanish. Many mid- and high-level government officials and business executives speak English, and many are U.S.-educated.

A high standard of medical care is available in the principal cities, especially from the main private hospitals and doctors. Many private Mexican doctors have U.S. training and speak English. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a website with health recommendations for travelers at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ . The Embassy and Consulates maintain lists of hospitals. For the three top cities, you can consult the following links:

Mexico City

Guadalajara

The U.S. Embassy does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms whose names appear on the above lists. In case of medical emergency, U.S. citizens may call the American Citizen Services at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate for help. Please find additional information and contacts for all U.S. consulate locations in Mexico at https://mx.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/find-your-consular-location/ . Mexico does have health concerns. You should take normal tourist precautions regarding drinking water and eating uncooked items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads. Some individuals react to the pollution and high altitude of various cities, so take things slowly at first. Travelers to Mexico City may require some time to adjust to the altitude (7,400 ft.), which can adversely affect blood pressure, digestion, sleep, and energy level. Individuals with sickle cell trait should consult with the appropriate medical unit or their personal physician before commencing travel. Visitors on short-term assignments carry an added risk because of the lack of time to acclimatize. Dehydration, stress, or illnesses compound the basic risks of high altitude. For more information, contact your health provider. Please note that health insurance is an important consideration. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Mexico. All travelers should be aware that the CDC has issued a Travel Alert Level 2 “Practice Enhanced Precaution for Mexico.” Comprehensive information regarding Zika and risks to travelers is posted on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html .

Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays

Mexico spans several time zones, as does the United States. From the Yucatán Peninsula to Tijuana, there is a three-hour time difference. Mexico City and Central Mexico are on Central Standard Time (CST). Mexico has Daylight Savings time, though there is a difference of a few weeks from when it changes in the United States, except for certain border regions. Listed below are Mexican holidays for 2019-2020. On these days, banks will not open and most businesses will be closed. Be aware of the popular " puentes, " which is the local term for when holidays fall near the weekend. As in the United States, holidays falling on a Thursday, Friday, Monday, or Tuesday are rapidly converted into long weekends and are not a good time to schedule business trips. Also review the Business Customs topic above for notes on business hours and meal times. Mexican Holiday Schedule (July 2019-December 2020) 2019

September 16, Monday, Mexican Independence Day

November 1, Friday, All Souls’ Day

November 18, Monday, Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution

December 12, Thursday, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

January 1, Wednesday, New Year’s Day

February 5, Wednesday, Anniversary of the Mexican Constitution

March 16, Monday, Birthday of Benito Juarez

April 9, Thursday, Holy Thursday

April 10, Friday, Good Friday

May 1, Friday, Mexican Labor Day

September 16, Wednesday, Mexican Independence Day

November 2, Monday, All Souls’ Day

November 16, Monday, Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution

December 12, Saturday, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

December 25, Friday, Christmas Day

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Please refer to the Customs, Regulations and Standards topic in the Temporary Entry section.

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Mexico city, distrito federal hotels and city guide.

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Mexico City - Business Tips

Mexico City Dress Code

Loose, light fabrics are favored in the Mexico City climate. Daytime wear is cool and casual with suits not necessarily required for business, although this depends on the occasion as more formal meetings require formal dress, such as a suit and tie or tailored dress. Some people prefer to be slightly dressier for the evening, and several of the more expensive hotels and restaurants may expect a suit and tie or similar clothing. A warm jacket can be useful as the evenings can become cool.

Greeting Someone in Mexico City

Generally, most people address each other on first-name terms. The standard business greeting is a handshake. However, Mexico City is a great deal more formal than the resort towns, as might be expected for a city of its size, and people here can be less friendly than elsewhere in Mexico - so bear this in mind.

Mexico City Business Hours and Banking

In Mexico City, most offices are open from 09:00 to 17:00 or even 19:00, Monday to Friday. Most people leave for the afternoon meal around 14:00 and take between 1 and 2 hours. The Mexican government normally works from 10:00 to 20:00 (if not later) lunch is usually one hour sometimes two and is taken somewhere between 14:00 and 17:00. All banks are open from 09:00 to 13:30, Monday to Friday. Branches in Mexico City center tend to operate from 8:00 to 19:00.

Mexico City Smoking

Mexican restaurants are keen to offer areas that cater for those who smoke and those who don't, with some operating complete No-Smoking policies. In business, it is advisable to refrain and take cues from the host.

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Summer 2017

Mexico city, mexico.

The Mexican capital should not be overlooked based on an out of date reputation. Its buzzing cosmopolitan atmosphere, environmental commitments and rich culture will not fail to charm

Headlines over the years have steadily generated a less-than-favourable reputation for Mexico City, painting it as dirty, dangerous, polluted and violent. Such reputations are sticky, and many remain somewhat hesitant about venturing to the city. And yet, a lot has changed over the past decade or so. The sprawling metropolis of 22 million people has so much to discover that people rarely visit just once.

It is certainly true that in the 1990s, pollution levels in the city were among the highest in the world. At present, however, the issue is far from being one of the city’s distinguishing characteristics. A concerted effort by government officials has drastically improved air quality and scrubbed up Mexico City’s once-grubby streets.

The city’s transport chief, Secretary Tanya Müller García, has recently been quoted passing on tips to London’s own authorities as to how best they might achieve cleaner air. Indeed, according to the World Health Organisation, one is now more likely to die in the UK as a result of pollution-related illnesses than in Mexico.

Forget what you’ve heard Another reputation that continues to plague the city is its association with crime, kidnappings, corruption and narcotics-related violence. Once again, this status is largely out of date. While it cannot be said that crime has been driven out altogether, the city is certainly much safer than it once was.

Although it would be wise for visitors to take certain precautions with regards to taxis and pickpockets, the city’s wider reputation for violent crimes is altogether rather inflated. Indeed, while Mexico’s drug battles and homicide rates often feature in the international press, Mexico City itself has become something close to a safe haven. A single glance at its much-maligned homicide rates would indicate that it is actually safer than the likes of New Orleans, Detroit and Baltimore.

Mexico City is establishing a name for itself as a tech hub and thriving modern business environment

Today, Mexico City is establishing a name for itself as a tech hub and thriving modern business environment. The business world, for one, is beginning to take note of the city’s remarkable progress. Drawn by Mexico City’s tourism appeal, MICE tourism has been rapidly accelerating in recent years – indeed, according to the International Congress and Convention Association’s annual statistics report, Mexico City beat Washington DC, New York City, Geneva and Dubai in the global ranking of meetings per city last year.

A cultural Mecca This booming business scene no doubt comes down the fact that Mexico City presents a unique opportunity to mesh business and culture. Not only is the city an important financial centre and a global economic hub, it is often described as the cultural Mecca of Latin America. Illustratively, it is even possible to host business events in the house where Frida Kahlo once lived.

Mexico City has long been an important artistic and political hub, and its fascinating history inevitably seeps through into its modern day culture. In the early 19th century, it was called “the city of the palaces” by Prussian scientist Baron Alexander von Humboldt, who allegedly sent a letter home saying that it could rival any major city in Europe.

The city has since endured decades of Spanish colonisation and a bloody fight for independence, but this nickname has stuck, becoming something of a city motto. Today, while its streets are lined with a charming mélange of cafés, plazas, galleries and street food vendors, many of Mexico City’s ancient palaces and other historical treasures are still standing.

Visiting Mexico City, one cannot fail to pick up on its remarkable energy. The combination of its teeming cosmopolitan atmosphere, superb cuisine, sprawling nightlife and wealth of art and history make it a truly unforgettable destination.

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How to Plan a Trip to Mexico City — Including the Best Restaurants, Hotels, and Things to Do

Discover the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Mexico City with this travel editor–curated guide.

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Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure

Tenochtitlan, el Distrito Federal, la Ciudad de México — Mexico City has been known by many names in its centuries-long history. Home to more than 21 million residents, this sprawling metropolitan area is the capital of Mexico and one of the  best cities in the world , as determined by Travel + Leisure's reader-voted 2022  World's Best Awards .

"You can’t understand Mexico without first understanding Mexico City," Zachary Rabinor , a T+L A-List advisor and the CEO of Journey Mexico , said. "The vibrant capital encapsulates the country’s diversity culturally, historically, politically, artistically, musically, creatively, and more. If you want to know what is going on in Mexico, start with Mexico City."

Museums, cultural experiences, and incredible food can be found around every corner in CDMX. Even if you're in town for a single day, try to balance your itinerary with old and new. Head downtown to admire classic Mexican murals inside the Palacio de Bellas Artes and to grab an elote from a street vendor along the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square. Museum hop through town, stopping at Museo Frida Kahlo, Castillo de Chapultepec, and Museo Soumaya. And once you've worked up an appetite, get tacos al pastor from a local taquería — it won't be hard to find. And if you can't see everything in one trip, Mexico City will happily welcome you back. Here are our top recommendations for travelers in this incredible capital city.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Casa Azul was once the home of famed artist Frida Kahlo and now functions as a museum filled with her work.
• Stop in at Mercado de Artesanias La Ciudadela for handmade goods from all over Mexico.
• Café de Tacuba in Mexico City's center is more than 100 years old and has been frequented by many famous guests.
• Museo Soumaya houses one of the most impressive art collections in the city, and it has a stunning exterior made of more than 16,000 reflective hexagons.
• Galería Mexicana de Diseño sells incredible home goods, perfect for those looking to take a little of Mexico City back home.

The St. Regis Mexico City

The St. Regis Mexico City sits on Reforma Avenue, one of capital's busiest streets and a hub for business headquarters and embassies. It also puts you close to a number of key landmarks, including the iconic Ángel de la Independencia statue and Chapultepec Park. Check out on-site restaurant Diana — named after the fountain of the Greek goddess just outside — for classic Mexican dishes like tuna tostadas, or modern creations like avocado pizza and cauliflower ceviche. This hotel is consistently voted one of the best hotels in Mexico City by T+L readers.

Courtesy of The St. Regis

Casa Decu Condesa

On the tree-lined streets of Condesa, you will find Casa Decu , an art deco dream filled with funky tile floors, private patios, and a rooftop restaurant and garden space. The 27-room boutique hotel is pet-friendly and offers continental breakfast each morning. Its location is great, too; it's just a short walk from Parque México, a former horse-racing track turned into a park, plus lots of cozy cafés and the famous Esquina de Chilaquil, a street stand serving up only-in-Mexico City tortas de chilaquiles that locals line up for.

Ignacia Guest House

At Ignacia Guest House , guests choose from black, yellow, pink, blue, or green rooms, each one decked out from floor to ceiling in its named hue. This historic estate house is in La Roma, one of Mexico City's trendiest neighborhoods, and just blocks from Metro and Metrobús stations and across the street from the cool community space and outdoor garden, Huerto Roma Verde .

Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City

Las Alcobas , a 35-room boutique hotel, is in the posh Polanco neighborhood, right near Chapultepec Park. It was voted the  No. 2 city hotel in Mexico  in T+L's 2022 World’s Best Awards, and travel writer Sophie Dodd reported for T+L that her favorite part of the hotel is its bath service. "I ordered a 'Jet Lag' bath, which meant a staff member came to run the bath for me (a spectacular luxury) and infused it with a sachet of herbs designed to help me relax and reset after the nearly six-hour flight."

El Patio 77

Each accommodation in the eight-room El Patio 77 is named and styled after states surrounding Mexico City. It's an intimate space, occupying an 1890s mansion in the San Rafael neighborhood, and the hotel prides itself on its eco-friendliness, with a rainwater collection system and gray water recycling program. Even some of the furniture is upcycled, giving the hotel an eclectic (yet still luxurious) feel.

El Centro Histórico

Mexico City's Centro Histórico, or Historic Center, is where centuries-old constructions clash with American-inspired skyscrapers, street markets, and more museums than you can count. "From ancient Aztec times to modern-day Mexico, the square has been an important gathering place through the centuries," Rabinor said. "Within the Zócalo, you'll see symbolic buildings from pre-Colombian, colonial, and contemporary Mexico."

Highlights here include the Palacio de Bellas Artes , filled with Diego Rivera murals and fine arts exhibitions; the Zócalo and its Metropolitan Cathedral ; and Mercado Ciudadela, home to aisles and aisles of craft stalls selling artisan goods. Rabinor also recommends visiting Avenida Francisco Madero, a pedestrian-only street where "you can best soak in all the energy of the busy capital."

La Casa Azul/Museo Frida Kahlo

Get your tickets well advance to tour Casa Azul , which is where Frida Kahlo lived most of her life. Expect to see many pieces of her artwork here, plus rooms left so untouched that it feels like the artist could return at a moment's notice. A ticket to this museum also gives you entry to Diego Rivera's Museo Anahuacalli , a 15-minute drive away.

Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure

Bosque de Chapultepec

Not even New York's Central Park can beat this green space, a massive urban forest spanning nearly three square miles. The Bosque de Chapultepec is packed with gems, including the Castillo de Chapultepec (the only castle in the Americas ever occupied by European royalty), Museo Nacional de Antropología , and Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo .

Museo Soumaya

Arguably the most dazzling museum in Mexico City, with an exterior that twists to the sky and is made of more than 16,000 reflective hexagons, Museo Soumaya houses one of the most impressive art collections in town. Not-to-miss works include Auguste Rodin's "La Porte de l'Enfer" and "The Thinker."

Parque México

Parque México is sometimes called "the lungs of the city" — the tree-lined green space can either be a place to pick up the pace for a good walk, or a place to catch your breath and slow way down. Head to the park's main plaza to watch break dancers, musicians, and quinceñeras collide. When you're ready for a snack, go to Churrería El Moro for delicious ready-made churros and a Mexican hot chocolate

Read More: 26 Best Things to Do in Mexico City, From Fine Art to Fine Dining and Shopping

Mercado de Artesanias La Ciudadela

If you're looking for handmade goods, Mercado de Artesanias La Ciudadela is the place to go. This market in Colonia Centro has ceramics, silver jewelry, wool blankets, and art made from all over Mexico. Be sure to bring some cash, as not all vendors accept credit cards.

Barrio Alameda

The Barrio Alameda , constructed in the late 1920s, bills itself as an "urban meeting point," where food, drink, fashion, and art mingle. Shop for vintage clothes, old-school vinyls, and handmade patches from various storefronts, all under one roof.

Jorge Castro/Travel + Leisure

Galería Mexicana de Diseño

If you're looking to take a piece of Mexico back home, hit up this gallery for its variety of modern Mexican wares. Whether you opt for an Acapulco chair, hand-felted print rugs, or a monstera-leaf gold lamp, every item can be shipped home for you.

Routinely picked as one of the best restaurants in Mexico City, Contramar serves the freshest seafood in town. Make a reservation beforehand, and be sure to order the tuna tostadas, and pescado a la talla — Contramar's signature snapper, split in half and topped with red chili sauce on one side and parsley sauce on the other.

Pastelería Maque

Make your brunch dreams come true at this French-inspired pasterlería near the leafy Parque México. Sip on a cappuccino and people watch from the wide-open windows, or head upstairs, where you can tear open a fresh-baked concha and dig into a steaming plate of enmoladas .

Café de Tacuba

Mexico City's historic center has a number of well-known restaurants, but perhaps none as famous as Café de Tacuba . More than one hundred years old, this restaurant has been popular among presidents and artists alike, and is even where Diego Rivera had his (first) wedding reception. If you're looking for a true, traditional Mexican meal, you'll find it here.

Taquería Orinoco

Get a taste of northern Mexico at Taquería Orinoco , a chain from Monterrey with seven locations. Try tacos de chicharrón , bistec , or al pastor , all served up on flaky flour tortillas. Corn tortillas are an option, too, as is a  costra , or a crust of cheese layered across the top. Since these taco shops are sometimes open until 4 or 5 a.m., they're very popular with the city's late-night partygoers.

Los Danzantes

Snag a patio spot at Los Danzantes in Coyoacán, one of the best places in the neighborhood's central square to grab a bite and watch as street performers, vendors, and locals pass you by. Here you can try dishes like chapulines (fried grasshoppers) served with queso fresco and guacamole, duck tacos, and squash blossom–stuffed chicken breast.

Mexico City is always bustling, no matter what time of the year you decide to go. According to Rabinor, the sunniest and driest months are the end of October through March.

In late October, you'll see Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations and decor. Orange and pink marigolds pop up all over town, adorning altars to the city's departed. If you check-in before Sept. 15, that's the day that Mexico's president yells out in celebration at 11 p.m. from the National Palace, marking the country's independence from Spain and ushering in further cries (and parties) from locals. If you're looking for a more low-key time to visit, wait until spring, when the purple jacarandas bloom all over town.

Rabinor also noted that locals go to the beach during major holidays and in the summer, so while this "diminishes the local color," it also means visitors can enjoy a "quieter time, with less people and traffic in our famously congested city."

Mexico City is best reached by flying into its international airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (MEX). While there are direct flights from U.S. hubs like Los Angeles (LAX), New York City (JFK), and Phoenix (PHX), travelers can get better fares with layovers closer to the border, like the Dallas/Forth Worth area (DFW) and Miami (MIA).

Mexico City is a little bit like New York in that it's made up of  alcaldías , which are similar to boroughs. There are 16 total, but during your stay, you'll most likely only stop through three or four. Each  alcaldía  is made up of  colonias , or neighborhoods. Below are five that are popular with guests.

El Centro Histórico : Mexico City's downtown is always bustling, and it's where many of the city's residents go on weekends. You might see protesters in the main square, vendors hawking their wares through the streets, and visitors brunching among the surrounding terraces. According to Rabinor, "[Centro Histórico is] the beating heart of not just the city, but the entire country."

La Roma : Filled with fin de siècle mansions, art deco dwellings, and art nouveau–style storefronts, any architecture lover needs to stroll through this colonia . Originally a middle-class residential neighborhood, it was left destroyed after a massive earthquake rocked Mexico City in 1985. Today, La Roma has found new life as a hot spot for artists, 20-somethings, and tourists from all over.

La Condesa : La Roma's fancier cousin next door, La Condesa is a tree-lined paradise built for walking. Parque México and Parque España are popular places for residents to relax, and cafés, bookstores, and restaurants abound in this neighborhood. (Note: Rabinor's expert advice to travelers is to remember that "Mexico City is much more than Roma, Condesa, and Polanco.") Coyoacán : This is the neighborhood that Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera called home, and Coyoacán has built a reputation for itself as a bohemian haven. Don't miss the performers around the main square's kiosco and the Parroquia San Juan Bautista Coyoacán next door – which has a cafe in the back if you're ready to take a break – along with the Mercado de Artesanias and the Mercado de Coyoacán, each selling snacks, artisan goods, and more.

Polanco : A trip to Mexico City isn't complete for any shopping lover without a visit to Polanco's Avenida Presidente Masaryk. If that's not your style, a number of Michelin-worthy restaurants like Pujol and Quintonil are just down the road, and the neighborhood's brick-lined streets are just a few blocks from the Bosque de Chapultepec. Rabinor recommends this neighborhood for first-time visitors, noting that it's ideal for "those who prefer their travel scenery and vibe very manicured and posh."

Cars and bikes : You most likely won't need a car to get around in Mexico City, though it can be more convenient if you're making a day trip to a neighboring town. (Rabinor swears by Waze to manage the congestion and traffic.) You can also rent bikes from the city's Ecobici program, or apps like Dezba .

Trains: Mexico City's Metro system is one of the most expansive and affordable in the world. Buy a reloadable card to get around (for 15 pesos, or about 75 cents). This card will work across the city's transit system, and you can load it up in Metro ticket booths or the machines outside Metrobús stations. Each ride costs five pesos, which is roughly 20 cents. Note that both the Metro and Metrobús have women-only cars, and that they usually have separate boarding zones.

Buses: In Mexico City's central neighborhoods and wherever the Metro doesn't go, the Metrobús does. They have their own lane of traffic, so they can be faster than taking a car or taxi, and a ride is just six pesos. The city's trolebús functions similarly, while the RTP buses (for Red de Transporte de Pasajeros , or Passenger Transport Network) cost between two and seven pesos. At the same bus stops, you may see non-city buses or vans taking passengers. If you're curious where these go, they'll have their stops scrawled on the windshield.

Taxis: It won't be hard to flag down a pink and white taxi in most parts of town. You can also order one by downloading the city's official "App CDMX," available on iPhone and Android. You can use the app to pay with a debit or credit card, but most drivers still prefer cash.

Ride service: Uber, Beat, and Cabify are just a few of the rideshare apps in town. (Pro-tip: Rabinor said the quickest and easiest way to get a taxi in Mexico City is Uber.) If Uber's surge rate seems pricey during rush hour, check Beat or Cabify to see if you can find a deal.

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Mexico City for Business

Posted by Travel Guide Reviews | Dec 4, 2012 | Business Travel News

Mexico City, by some measures the world’s most populous conurbation, is becoming more and more important as a business destination too.

The world’s richest man, according to Forbes’ most recent list, is a Mexican: the tycoon Carlos Slim. His $69bn fortune was made in the telecommunications industry, reflecting the growth of modern infrastructure in the past two decades all over Mexico, but especially in the capital. No longer are holidays to Mexico from Holiday Hypermarket and other budget suppliers the only reason for visiting this sprawling city. Business travellers will also benefit from Slim’s success, finding an array of ultra-modern conference facilities and exhibition spaces, all competing with incentivised deals to attract clients.

Courtesy image

As with any mega city, life outside is bustling and chaotic, but there is no shortage of well-appointed, yet convenient hotels near the centre in which business travellers can base themselves. A multitude of options exist, but a good choice is the Hotel Mision Express Zona Rosa. Its location in the financial district is handy for business, while its relatively small size, with only 50 guestrooms, makes it more intimate than some of the larger and more famous hotel names. Even if you’re on a business trip to Mexico City, you shouldn’t miss out on its entertainment, not least because it is a lesson in unmistakable branding. The image of Mariachi singers in the old-style cantinas, strumming mournful ballads, is impossible to replicate anywhere else.

A free night in the city after meetings, perhaps entertaining clients, is best spent in El Tenanpa in Plaza Garibaldi, one of the last cantinas which unashamedly pays homage to this sentimental tradition. Murals featuring the great singers of the genre, like the legendary Pedro Infante, adorn the walls in El Tenanpa, opened in 1923. As you would expect, this place doesn’t send its patrons home early, staying open until between 3 and 4am.

Mexicans, even those in business, take their meal times seriously. For a long lunch break or evening meal visit El Cardenal, one of the city’s finest restaurants. It’s conveniently located on the Palma, right in the centre, and prides itself on producing its own staples such as tortillas on the premises using the traditional methods. Its popularity means it is best to book ahead.

Any extra downtime would be a superb chance to take in the museums in the historic city centre, of which the most interesting is the Museo de Arte Popular. Here you can experience the art which breathes in every aspect of Mexican life, from the colourful floats of carnival time, to the adornments which families place on the graves of their loved ones on The Day of the Dead. Closed on Mondays, the museum is open every other day from 10am until 6pm, and 9pm on Wednesdays.

For art-loving business travellers willing to take a metro or taxi a short way out of the centre, a visit to the Frieda Kahlo Museum in the Coyoacan district is well worth the effort. Located in the Casa Azul, this is the house the painter shared with her husband and fellow painter Diego Rivera, and the museum offers an intimate look at an artist whose status has made her one of Mexico’s most famous exports. Opening hours are 10am to 6pm, every day except Mondays, and definitely worth a visit if meetings allow.

This post is contributed by Holiday Hypermarket.

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

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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.

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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…

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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…

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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. 

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

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

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16 Best Things To Do in Mexico City

Mexico City, officially known as Ciudad de México (CDMX), is a growing and vibrant metropolis nestled in the heart of Mexico. The capital city of Mexico offers a blend of history, culture and gastronomy that attracts millions of annual visitors. From

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Museo Nacional de Antropología Museo Nacional de Antropología

Located within the sprawling Chapultepec Forest , the Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology) showcases artifacts from Mexico's pre-Columbian era, dating from about 100 B.C. to A.D. 1521. Housed within the facility’s 22 rooms are artifacts, including the famous Aztec Calendar Stone, known as Piedra del Sol, as well as the ancient statue of Xochipilli, the Aztec god of art, games, beauty, dance and maize (among others). The museum offers a look at how tradition, culture and life were formed in all regions of Mexico, and it also educates visitors on how Mexico’s indigenous descendants live today. 

Past visitors said this is a must-see if you’re interested in the ancient cultures of Mexico/Mesoamerica. Reviewers appreciated that the explanatory text features English translations. The museum is so extensive that many travelers said you can spend a whole day exploring the many collections and exhibits and recommend giving yourself plenty of time to visit. As one of the largest and most visited museums in Mexico, the grounds are also home to a gift shop, a cafeteria and the National Library of Anthropology and History. 

Bosque de Chapultepec Bosque de Chapultepec free

The main park in Mexico City, Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Forest) was once the temporary home of the Aztec empire after its citizens migrated to modern-day Mexico City in the 13th century. Today, the 1,600-acre Chapultepec is Mexico City's largest park and is popular among families seeking respite from the busy and crowded city.

Divided into three sections, the park is home to many cultural interests, such as the presidential residence, the former presidential palace, a zoo and several museums (including the highly recommended Museo Nacional de Antropología ). The park also hosts numerous military monuments and effigies of Aztec kings, as well as restaurants and playgrounds, plus lots of green space for stretching. What's more, the park features a large lake, where visitors and locals alike can rent pedal boats to cruise around the water (a particular highlight for kids). On the weekends, local vendors fill the park and sell everything from souvenirs to art to snacks.

Palacio de Bellas Artes Palacio de Bellas Artes free

Considered the cultural center of Mexico City, the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) is a must-visit. The exterior of this 20th-century palace showcases art nouveau and art deco-style architecture, while the inside features marble floors and vaulted glass windows. 

In addition to its architectural grandeur, the building hosts cultural events in the national theater, including music, dance, theater, opera and literary performances. The museum at the palace also houses several famous murals, including the work of the famous Mexican muralist Rufino Tamayo. On the top floor, you'll find the National Museum of Architecture, which showcases the work and lives of famous Mexican architects, and multiple art museums and galleries. 

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Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución) Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución) free

U.S. News Insider Tip: The Zócalo attracts throngs of visitors and locals, so visit in the early morning or afternoon during a weekday to avoid the heaviest crowds. – Kayla Hui

Officially known as Plaza de la Constitución, El Zócalo is the main public square and one of the most recognizable places in Mexico City. It’s also one of the world’s largest city squares. It contains a giant Mexican flag at its center and has been the centerpiece of public gatherings since the days of the Aztec empire (it was considered the ceremonial center of Tenochtitlán). The site also hosts annual, widely attended religious events during Holy Week and for Corpus Christi, as well as fairs, concerts, and parades. Several historic buildings also border the square, including the city's national cathedral , the National Palace  and federal buildings.

Museo Frida Kahlo Museo Frida Kahlo

One of the best-known museums in Mexico City exhibits the life and work of its most famous artist: Frida Kahlo. The museum, located in the Coyoacan suburb, is also known as La Casa Azul (The Blue House), and was Kahlo's former residence. It hosts some impressive examples of her works, but travelers say that the best part of visiting the house is seeing where the artist lived and painted with her husband, artist Diego Rivera. Along with paintings by both artists, folk art, photos, documents, books and furnishings, the house also displays personal objects.

Recent visitors to the property said it's a must-see for fans of the artist, saying it shows her life and work in a very personal light. Reviewers were particularly impressed with the display of her clothing and dresses. If you want to take photos, there is an additional modest “permit” fee. 

Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe free

U.S. News Insider Tip: During the summer months, pack a hat and water bottle (there is little shade within the complex). If you plan to use the bathroom on site, bring a couple of pesos with you to use the bathroom and buy toilet paper. – Kayla Hui 

The Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe) is an important religious site in Mexico City. Construction for the first shrine built to honor the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe started in 1695 on Tepeyac Hill. However, nearly 300 years' worth of construction and environmental damage threatened the integrity of the basilica, so a new basilica was built on the same plaza in the 1970s.

Templo Mayor Templo Mayor

Before Spanish colonization, Templo Mayor served as the religious center for the Aztec people. When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the early 16th century, the temple was among many structures that were destroyed and a new cathedral was built on top of the ruins. It wasn't until 1978 that the temple dedicated to the Aztec gods Huitzilopochtli and Tláloc (gods of war and water) was unearthed in the heart of Mexico City. Today, the area remains an active archeological site and the adjoining museum houses thousands of  artifacts, including 2,500 wooden objects from the site. 

Recent visitors said it's fascinating to see the ancient ruins that are tucked away in the center of the city. Many said it's worth spending time in the museum as well, but the site and scale can't match up to the massive Museo Nacional de Antropología . Still, the whole complex has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Mexico City's most popular attractions. If you’re visiting during the summer months, travelers suggest you time your visit for the morning to avoid the sweltering midday heat. Reviewers also warn that most of the information is listed in Spanish only.

Museo de Arte Popular Museo de Arte Popular

U.S. News Insider Tip: Ditch the large bags and water bottles prior to your visit as you may be denied entry. – Kayla Hui

This folk art museum features handicrafts from all across Mexico and details the country's history and its many cultures. If you want to find out more about the country’s indigenous communities, this is the place to go, according to travelers. Exhibits include glasswork from Tecali, pottery from Michoacán, masks from Chiapas and alebrijes , the colorful painted animal figures from Oaxaca, among other treasures. Make sure to take time to admire the building itself – the 1920s art deco building was the former headquarters of the fire department.

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Chalpultepec Castle Chalpultepec Castle

U.S. News Insider Tip: Sundays are free for all residents of Mexico and expats living in Mexico, so try to avoid visiting that day if you can. It can get crowded, so it’s recommended to go in the morning when the castle first opens. – Kayla Hui

Constructed beginning in 1725, Chalpultepec Castle has served many purposes in its centuries of use; it was a military academy, an observatory, and the only castle in North America to house rulers, including Emperor Maximilian I and his wife Empress Carlota. It would later be established as the National Museum of History by Lázaro Cárdenas in 1939, which would open the castle to visitors. Located at the entrance of Chalpultepec Park , it’s a historical site that can’t be missed on your next visit to Mexico City. 

Catedral Metropolitana Catedral Metropolitana free

Mexico's national cathedral – the vaulting, austere, ornate church on the Zócalo' s north end – was once the site of an ancient Aztec precinct, so it has housed the city's spiritual core for centuries. The cathedral was built between 1573 and 1813 after the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan and is considered one of Mexico City's many must-see attractions. What’s more, the cathedral is one of the largest churches in Latin America. It’s believed that the materials used to construct the church were taken from the destroyed pyramids and structures belonging to the Aztecs. Highlights of the massive cathedral include five naves, 14 chapels, two of the largest 18th-century organs in the Americas, 150 windows and a painting by famed Spanish artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo.

Depending on your interest in Mexican history and architecture, you could spend anywhere from an hour to a half a day at the cathedral (it’s free to enter). Past visitors recommended paying to take a tour of the interior with a member of the cathedral’s staff, who reviewers say offer a wealth of information about the cathedral’s far-reaching history. According to recent visitors, tours cost approximately 100 Mexican pesos (about $6). Recent visitors said the massive structure is stunning to behold, and even if you don't want to take the time to explore the inside, it's worth the photo-op of the exterior. The cathedral is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and admission is free. Many of the best Mexico City walking tours make stops here, which can be another way to hear an in-depth retelling of the cathedral’s history and significance.  For more information, including Mass times, visit the cathedral's website (in Spanish).

Museo Soumaya Museo Soumaya free

From exceptional architecture to more than 66,000 featured works, Museo Soumaya is one of Mexico City’s most iconic museums. Established in 1994, Museo Soumaya’s main goal is to preserve and exhibit Mexico and Europe’s artistry. Currently, it houses the largest collection of works by Auguste Rodin outside of France, in addition to artwork by Diego Rivera, Titian, Picasso, Monet and more. 

Beyond the art, the architecture alone is worth seeing. The exterior of the six-story building is wrapped in mirrored hexagons, and the building is the brainchild of Mexican architect Fernando Romero. Recent travelers say Museo Soumaya is reminiscent of New York City’s Guggenheim (both museums are architecturally stunning and feature a circular interior with each floor organized by art type). Some reviewers recommend starting your visit at the top and winding your way down. 

Palacio Nacional Palacio Nacional free

The National Palace holds the federal executive branch of the Mexican government and sits along Mexico City's main public square, El Zócalo . The palace itself is a massive, ornate building that contains several gardens, murals and fountains in the Spanish Renaissance architectural style. Its highlights are several Diego Rivera murals painted in panoramic style across the palace's walls, which past visitors say are a must-see. These murals depict the stages of Mexican history, from pre-Columbian days to the current age.

Because the Mexican president lives and works within the palace, visitors can only access the site on a guided tour. Tours are free, but can’t be booked in advance online. According to recent visitors, you must go to the ticket office at the Museum of Art of the Ministry of Finance & Public Credit, where you can inquire about tour availability and make reservations in person (this is also where tours depart from). Some reviewers reported success booking tickets in advance by emailing [email protected] with information about the preferred tour date and number of people attending. Along the approximately hourlong tours, you’ll see the Rivera mural collections and the courtyards. You may also get the chance to glimpse the exterior of the legislative chambers. 

Museo Casa Luis Barragán Museo Casa Luis Barragán

Luis Barragán was a prominent Mexican architect renowned for his modernist style, and his former home – which was first constructed in 1947 and now functions as a museum – is one of the finest examples of his work. The museum is an off-the-beaten-path attraction that travelers say will please all, even those not schooled in architectural history. The house is known for its vivid colors, brilliant use of natural light and its impressive garden with a maze of corridors and trees. In 2004, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Recent visitors said the history of the house, in addition to its interesting architecture, is captivating. However, a handful of recent reviewers were disappointed with the ticket reservation process. To visit, you must book a self-guided or guided tour (available in Spanish and English). Self-guided visits are only available on Thursdays at select times. Tickets for self-guided tours cost 450 Mexican pesos (about $26) per person (note that children 12 and younger are not permitted in the house). Guided tours are available at select times Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Tickets for guided tours cost more. Tickets are released every Tuesday at noon (Mexico City time).  

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Torre Latinoamericana Torre Latinoamericana

Open since 1956, Torre Latinoamericana, the 44-story skyscraper in Centro Histórico, is the place to go if you want the best views of the city. Similar to the Empire State Building in New York City , this tower offers visitors jaw-dropping views from its observation deck and restaurant, making it the perfect opportunity to pull out your camera for that Instagram-worthy picture. 

Recent visitors recommended heading up to the top of the tower during sunset to admire the shifting light as it illuminates buildings like the neighboring Palace of Fine Arts. Travelers also warned that if smog levels are high, you won’t be able to see much from the tower’s peak. Some reviewers recommend spending time in the on-site museum, which details the history of Mexico City and the construction of the tower. 

Teotihuacán Teotihuacán

U.S. News Insider Tip: There is no shade inside the archeological site, so you’ll want to wear a hat. It’s also helpful to have a small backpack to hold a water bottle, sunscreen and toilet paper to use in the washrooms at the site. – Kayla Hui

One of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Mexico City region, Teotihuacán ( teh -o-tee-wa- can ) contains some of the largest pre-Hispanic pyramids in all of Mexico. The site contains many popular constructions, including the Palace of the Plumed Butterfly, which showcases various columns of winged creatures, and the awesome Pyramid of the Sun, which sits at the heart of the small city. The nearby museum, Museo de la Sitio, also holds many artifacts from the period.

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) free

The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (Central University City Campus of the National University of Mexico) includes 32 academic programs, the Mexican Olympic stadium, a Mexican cultural center, a nature preserve and the city's Central Library. The main campus is now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city's famous muralists have made their mark on the campus, and travelers recommend you check out the work of famous painter David Alfaro Siqueiros at the Rectorate Tower or the work of Juan O'Gorman at the Central Library. The campus also holds the University Museum of Contemporary Art, an excellent spot for viewing Mexico's more recent cultural offerings. The sculpture garden at the art museum is a particular highlight for past visitors, as is the botanic garden.

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Mexico City Travel Guide

The high-octane capital pulsating with colour and vibrancy, peel back the covers on the megalopolis of Mexico City – the Western Hemisphere’s oldest urban centre.

MEXICO CITY

Over seven centuries ago, what we know today as Mexico City (CDMX), rose from the swamps, as the ancient Aztecs founded their capital and named it Tenochtitlán. An island settlement laid on the bed of Lake Texcoco, Tenochtitlán flourished before the age of the Spanish conquistadors, lured by the city’s riches that made for ripe conquest. 

Today, the urban sprawl of CDMX stands as Mexico’s capital in every possible way, as a true beacon of the arts, politics, and culture. Indeed, CDMX numbers amongst the world’s mega-cities, home to almost 25 million people. 

Relics of the pre-Hispanic era still stand, witnessed by the formidable pyramids of Teotihuacán, City of the Gods, on the outskirts of the city beyond the CDMX, to the remains of the Mexica temple buried beneath the colonial splendour of the Templo Mayor and in the historic plaza of the Zócalo – the true soul of the city. Elsewhere, the Plaza Garibaldi resounds with the sound of mariachi, while La Merced boasts the city’s largest market. Mexico City’s history is intrinsically bound to legendary figures, from the murals of Diego Rivera to be discovered in the museum of his name in Alameda, to the iconic Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo in colourful Coyoacán.

A cosmopolitan destination bursting with creativity, stroll through leafy neighbourhoods and upmarket districts, taking in bohemian cafes and lazy ancient canals, reminiscent of the city’s island past. Home to a cutting-edge design and art scene of worldwide renown, CDMX is a true feast for any cultural connoisseur, with the city hosting a true renaissance in its galleries and public spaces. 

Turning to the culinary scene, you will be torn between traditional cantinas, classic taco spots, and mezcal bars that beg exploration on heady city evenings against a backdrop of robust palm trees. The tangible marriage of Aztec and Spanish influence abounds, from architecture to gastronomy. Yet above all, it is the famous hospitality of the Mexican people that prevails.

TOURISM INSIGHTS: GOBIERNO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO

Since 1900, the Gobierno de la Ciudad de México (GCM) has been the government agency dedicated to the promotion of Mexico City as an attractive tourist destination. We examine COVID-19 recovery and reasons to make Mexico City your destination of choice with the association’s Secretary of Tourism, Carlos Mackinlay, as the country celebrates 700 years of CDMX.

Q&A WITH CARLOS MACKINLAY, SECRETARY OF TOURISM, GCM

What are your organisation’s current goals?

Carlos Mackinlay, Secretary of Tourism (CM):  Our main objective is to return to the same continuous growth that we had prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Mexico City is in reactivation mode, especially after successfully facing the third wave of the virus. Today, we need to focus on increasing the arrival of national and international tourists. We need to generate a greater economic spill over and therefore improve the economic situation of the tourism industry in general. 

Today, beginning in September, the occupancy rate in hotels is reaching from 37 percent to 40 percent, far from our 70 percent rate that we were used to. However, our main priority is to gain the confidence of our tourists in order for them to return, and to achieve this we need not only to promote the city from a tourism point of view, but also on the sanitary measures implemented. The city has the ‘Safe Travels’ seal that has been granted to more than 1,000 companies. Also, we have the ‘Tourist Security Stamp’ that has already been received by more than 20,000 tourism establishments, and above all the successful vaccination process, which in perspective, by the end of October the entire population above 18-year-olds in the city will be fully vaccinated.

How do you market Mexico City as both a business and leisure travel destination?

CM:  We have launched a campaign called ‘Mexico City – The City That Has It All’ (La Ciudad que lo tiene todo). As a secure city, that is mainly focused on the national cultural segment, for those living close to the city and can travel by car. However, this is also targeted towards international tourism at the Mexico City International Airport. Furthermore, all the airports in the country have never closed during the pandemic. This has made Mexico the third largest recipient country according to the Organizacion Mundial del Turismo (OMT) figures, which is a classification that will be temporary, but that shows that the country has always been open to tourism. 

‘The City That Has It All’ campaign is being communicated through the national and foreign airlines, with billboards and adverts throughout the country, including Mexico City and its surroundings, and spread further still through the virtuous relationship with all the tourism associations that are replicating it within their social media campaigns. The campaign has already given good results in this first month of launch. 

It is important to consider that the offer in the campaign is mainly focused on the cultural or leisure segments, since it includes second semester activities such as the Day of the Dead festivities (Día de los Muertos), the Formula One (F1), the historic commemorations that have been accumulated throughout this year and the end of year activities. Great cultural events include the Frida Kahlo experience, Van Gogh Alive, or Da Vinci. There are concerts already scheduled, for example the Corona Capital, amongst others.

Regarding the meetings and conventions segment, this was greatly affected by the health crisis, however congress and conventions, fairs and exhibitions are already allowed again, so this will surely start growing by the end of the year or first quarter of 2022. The promotion targeted for this segment is being articulated together with the specialised agencies in the field.

Are there any interesting upcoming events or occasions in the city that you would like to highlight? For instance, I understand that this year you are celebrating 700 years of Mexico City?  

CM:  As I mentioned, the greatest events that are upcoming include the Day of the Dead festivities, and the F1, but 2021 is also the year that we celebrated 700 years since the city’s foundation. It is officially 500 years since the Mexico Tenochtitlan falling and the beginning of indigenous resistance. Now in September we will be celebrating 200 years of Mexican Independence. 

So, we worked on a tourism guide named Mexico Tenochtitlán, and also there have been a great number of forums, symposiums, debates, discussions and publications about the relevance of this year’s historic commemorations. This has been exploited and promoted for the cultural segment, fortunately now the archaeological sites as well as museums are already open to be visited.   

Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Mexico City?    

CM:  There are many good reasons why someone should visit Mexico City. First it is one of the most interesting and vibrant metropolises in the world.  From pre-Hispanic spaces, to over 1,400 colonial buildings within the downtown area, and one of the brightest and modern architectural sights that can be seen in Santa Fe or by visiting the Luis Barragán house that was awarded the Pritzker architecture prize.  

Other reasons are the spaces that can be discovered throughout the city – its four world heritage sites, 182 museums, and the permanent number of exhibitions. As a result of this, Mexico City has experienced a contemporary art boom whereby there is a week at the beginning of each year that features four to five contemporary art fairs. 

However, the main reason why someone must visit Mexico City is because of the hospitality of its people and the service offered by its establishments. We are very interested in the city becoming known for these factors.

What are some of the country’s most unique landmarks?  

CM:  If I had to recommend visiting the city for a few days, I would recommend Chapultepec Park, the Museum of Anthropology, the Chapultepec Castle and taking a tourist bus – such as Turibus or Capital Bus – on their routes downtown to view the zócalo (main square), Templo Mayor, Plaza Santo Domingo, Francisco I Madero Street, Bellas Artes Palace and to explore some of the great colonial buildings in the area. 

Staying on a Saturday, you can’t miss visiting San Angel, Coyoacán and Xochimilco area, in the south part of the city. Also walking through the most trendy and bohemian neighbourhoods like Condesa, Roma or Santa Maria La Ribera. Furthermore, many don’t know that over 60 percent of the city’s territory is rural, so there is a great opportunity here for rural tourism, for instance if you like to explore volcanoes or caving. You can also practice kayaking in the natural channels in the Xochimilco area. The city also offers familiar alternatives, by visiting the zoos, amusement parks and specialised museums for kids. There are a lot of places to go. To really enjoy the city, I would recommend seven days, six nights stay for all our visitors.

What trends are currently transforming tourism across Mexico, how are you utilising them?

CM:   One of the trends that we have been having in the city has to be with the mobility of people, having the flexibility of working from any place on the planet. A lot of foreign visitors come to the city and make their home office here, integrating themselves to their neighbourhoods, walking their dogs, eating the traditional food and taking advantage of the wealth of history that it offers. These people usually use the interactive platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway, among others and they stay at the city from 14 days to months. 

Another trend concerns undertaking more individualised tourism, where you can walk through great outdoor spaces. Mexico City has modified, renovated and created parks like Xochimilco ecological park, Aragón Forest, and the fourth section of the Chapultepec Park, which was a reserve area and is now becoming a touristic attraction. The city has combined these new trends with the conditions that the coronavirus has imposed on us, being designed more for small groups rather than larger tours.

What are the greatest challenges experienced by the tourism industry in your region?

CM:  One of the most important challenges that we face is to regain confidence and trust in the city, since, as you know major cities around the world were the most impacted by the sanitary crisis. The second great challenge is to promote the city according to the new needs of our national and international target. Without any doubt, we must position Mexico City as a great place to do cultural, leisure, and business travel. I am certain that we will fulfil these challenges very soon. 

Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Mexico City, particularly with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic?

CM:  Of course, we feel optimistic about tourism in Mexico City. We have discovered many very interesting things throughout this pandemic – first of all the great willingness of tourism service providers to work with strict protocols, applying all safety and hygiene measures, and to support the promotion of the city as they have never done before. 

Another important factor is the tourism investments in this city. Currently there are more than 20 hotel constructions projects, all of them are luxury hotels that are generating employment throughout their construction and will create a very important and stable employment when they are finished. These investments represent more than 4,300 hotel rooms, which is practically 10 percent of the hotel capacity offered today. 

We will recover the tourism that we used to have, since it is an activity that has not stopped growing, obviously except in the pandemic, but it is still an activity that the world will gradually recover. We already have that certainty that in the second half of the year our situation will improve significantly, and that in 2022 we will in the process of reaching the 2019 data. 

It is very important to emphasise that this government is doing many things and doing them very well. The recovery of public spaces, social policies, security, lighting, and the vaccination process, all these elements make this city remain the friendliest of the cities in the world, as the city that has it all.

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

FOR CONTEMPORARY MEXICAN GASTRONOMY 

Tipped by the Wall Street Journal as the best restaurant in Mexico City and ranked amongst the top 50 in the world,  Pujol  boasts Mexican cuisine and an ever-changing menu with an on-site organic garden. 

FOR LATE NIGHT TACO CRAVINGS

Long after restaurant closing hours, many taco joints across CDMX remain open. Rather than sniffing them out solo, be led around some of the finest spots in the world’s taco capital. Book experiences through  Club Tengo Hambre .

FOR EXPLORING THE CITY LIKE A LOCAL 

Consistently ranked as a TripAdvisor favourite,  Mexico a Pie Walking Tours & Travel Experiences  offer a full range of either private or group excursions to uncover the city on foot. Head to their website to explore their selection of immersive travel experiences with expert local guides.

FOR TRADITIONAL SPLENDOUR WITH MODERN COMFORT

Stay in the beating heart of the Centro Histórico in characterful rooms at the  Hotel Zócalo Central .

FOR CAPITAL CONVENIENCE

Boasting sophistication and warmth in a beautifully restored building –  Histórico Central Hotel  – the second hotel in the Central string, is another fantastic option.

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS IN FOCUS

Commonly mistaken as ‘Mexican Halloween’, the annual event of Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a pagan event rooted in pre-Hispanic tradition. The celebration is steeped in indigenous beliefs, a culmination of both Aztec, Maya and Toltec, so it is not surprising that the festival’s traditions are most fervently upheld in areas where pre-Hispanic heritage is prevalent. 

Celebrated annually between the 31st October and 2nd November, the occasion marks the period when the souls of the dead are believed to return to the worldly realm. It is overridden by a tone of celebration, far from a time of mourning which is believed in many pre-Hispanic cultures to be a sign of disrespect, since death is conceived as merely another stage in life’s long journey.

A joyous event, families unite to celebrate the memories of lost loved ones, paying a visit to the family plot at the local cemetery. In homage, candles are lit, foods are prepared, and altars or  ofrendas  are constructed either in the family home or at the graveside by way of a welcoming portal, marking the gateway for souls to pass through. 

Ritual traditions abound, including cleaning the home in preparation for this sacred time.  Pan de muerto , or bread of the dead, is baked to nourish souls after their long journey from the afterlife. Come evening, locals gather in cemeteries to enjoy home prepared meals and sip their relative’s favourite drinks – most commonly hot chocolate or some warming tequila.

Sporadic and chaotic parades take to the streets, serenaded by a cacophony of mariachi trumpets, and the scent of cinnamon fills the air as traditional candied pumpkins are offered as street snacks. The figure of ‘La Catrina’ dominates, particularly on the ubiquitous sugar skulls, depicting the aristocratic and overtly European woman-cum-skeleton, as a reminder that death is the greatest leveller of all. 

Celebrations begin on October 31st with the Night of the Witches, followed by the Day of the Innocents in honour of departed children. Parades in Mexico City commonly take place on the official day of celebration – November 2nd.

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

A striking cobalt landmark in the historic Coyoacán district, Casa Azul is the childhood home of Frida Kahlo. It was here that the legendary artist was born, and indeed died, before mastering her painterly craft whilst bedbound following a horrific bus accident. Wander through the rooms and gardens to discover the true nexus of Kahlo’s life and works. 

PALACIO DE BELLAS ARTES

Testament to CDMX’s artistic heritage, the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Alameda is a monument in itself, as an awe-inspiring white marble palace. Inside, marvel at the art deco interiors and iconic murals in true celebration of Mexican culture. Encasing the creative soul of Mexico City, the building is also a renowned performance space.

TEOTIHUACÁN

Located some 50 kilometres outside of the city in the Valle de México, discover the largest pre-Hispanic site in Mexico at the Pyramids of Teotihuacán. The enigmatic ruins of the Pirámide de Sol and slightly smaller Pirámide de la Luna can be explored in a day-trip from the city and stand as the impressive archaeological remains of the ancient capital.

GETTING THERE & AROUND

It may be easy to feel dwarfed by such an enormous destination, reputed for some of the worst traffic jams in the world, which makes public transport a great way to explore CDMX. As one of the world’s cheapest subways, the Metro system is the quickest way to explore, with regular and relatively user-friendly schedules. That being said, crowds are to be expected, particularly during rush hour. Buses and the Metrobus are also viable options, and we also recommend taking advantage of complimentary bike hire that can be found in booths in certain areas across the city. 

Regular and competitive international flights arrive into Mexico City International Airport (MEX), which is well-served by Mexico’s largest airline Aeroméxico. From here, there are a wealth of public transport options or taxis available to venture downtown.

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The 20 Best Things to Do in Mexico City

Mexico City is the fifth largest city in the world, a sprawling metropolis where history and culture converge in a dynamic tapestry of bright colors, diverse cuisines, and lively districts.

I love it here. I’ve been a handful of times and never get tired of exploring and eating my way around the city. I always have an amazing time. In fact, I love the city so much I even ran tours here (and every single person I showed around was blown away). No one hates this place.

Unsurprisingly, in a city so large and with such a long history, there’s a ton to see and do here, from visiting world-class museums to feasting at tiny taco stands to exploring offbeat neighborhoods. You could easily spend a week here and not even scratch the surface.

Here are what I think are best things to do in Mexico City so that you can have fun and really get to know the city and culture on your trip to this vibrant capital!

Table of Contents

1. Take a Walking Tour

2. visit the museo nacional de antropología, 3. tour frida kahlo’s house, 4. attend a lucha libre, 5. day trip to teotihuacán, 6. peruse the mercados, 7. take a food tour, 8. sample mezcal, 9. float along the xochimilco canals, 10. admire the view from torre latinoamericana, 11. wander the zócalo, 12. relax in chapultepec park, 13. visit castillo de chapultepec, 14. check out the art and history museums, 15. tour a megalibrary, 16. marvel at the soumaya museum, 17. escape to the unam botanical garden, 18. stroll around roma and condesa, 19. visit a pueblo mágico, 20. offbeat things to do in mexico city.

Walking tours are an excellent way to learn a destination’s history and avoid missing any must-see stops. I always start my trips off with at least one walking tour as it’s the best way to get the lay of the land and connect with a local guide that can answer all your questions.

Estación Mexico Free Tours and the Monkey Experience both have a free historic downtown tour that can show you what the city has to offer. The former also offers four other free tours of different neighborhoods too. Even though the tours are technically free, always remember to tip your guide at the end!

For more walking tour recommendations (including paid options), check out this post .

Found within Chapultepec Park, this world-class anthropology museum is the largest museum in Mexico (it’s also the most visited, receiving over two million guests per year). Since 1964, it has housed the largest global collection of sculptures, jewels, and artifacts from ancient Mexican civilizations. The different time periods are grouped into comprehensive (and massive) exhibition halls with bilingual information signs, so be sure to give yourself ample time to explore it all. There’s a beautiful courtyard in the center where you can sit and people-watch for a bit.

Av. P.º de la Reforma s/n, +52 (55) 5553-6266, mna.inah.gob.mx. Open Tues-Sun 9am-6pm. Tickets are 95 MXN. Guided tours of the highlights start at 375 MXN (includes admission).

Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera are two of the biggest names in Mexican art. Frida was particularly famous for her portraits and self-portraits. A tour of their old home (“Casa Azul”) is a worthwhile experience to see where and how she lived, as well as some of her original artwork. It’s a really interesting house with a beautiful garden and lots of information about her life. The residence also hosts a variety of artistic workshops monthly, so check out the schedule if you’re interested.

This guided tour of Coyoacán (the surrounding neighborhood) includes a ticket to the museum, which you’ll visit at your own pace after learning about the area in which the two artists lived and worked.

Londres 247, Del Carmen, +52 55 5554 5999, museofridakahlo.org.mx. Open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm (Wednesdays at 11am-6pm). Tickets are 250 MXN (270 MXN on the weekends). You must buy your tickets well in advance (at least a month out), because they are in incredibly high demand.

Mexican “free wrestling” is a favorite national pastime. Extremely entertaining and affordable, lucha libre takes the sport to a whole new level. Grab a beer or a shot of tequila, and whatever you do, do not look away during a match as anything can — and will — happen. (Do not bring your camera though, as you will be forced to check it at the door.)

Arena México and Arena Coliseo are the main places to see a match. General seating tickets can be as little as 56 MXN (do not buy from scalpers, because the police are always around and you’ll get in trouble). Look for a taquilla (ticket booth) sign to be sure that you are paying the right price.

Guided experiences, like this lucha libre experience , are also available. During the match, you’ll enjoy a mezcal tasting and munch on chips and guacamole, and at the end, you’ll leave with your very own lucha libre mask.

Arena México: Dr. Lavista 189, +52 55 5588 0266, cmll.com/arenas/arena-mexico. Shows on Fridays at 8:30pm, Sundays at 5pm, and Tuesdays at 7:30pm

Arena Coliseo: República de Perú 77, +52 55 5588 0266, cmll.com/arenas/arena-coliseo. Shows on Saturday nights at 7:30pm.

I’ve been a few times and can’t recommend it enough (especially if you’re a history buff). We took our tour groups here and everyone always had an amazing time.

You can either do the day trip yourself (there are plenty of buses) or go on a guided tour that also stops at the Guadalupe Basilica , an important pilgrimage site. Either way, don’t forget to bring sunscreen, as the sun is punishing, and there’s little to no shade.

Admission to the pyramids is 80 MXN, while a full-day tour including transportation and a local guide is 540 MXN.

Mexico City boasts a kaleidoscope of bustling markets, each with its own unique charm. Among the most famous is Mercado de la Merced, a sprawling market hailed as the largest in town. Located east of the Zócalo, it’s mainly focused on food, with vibrant displays of fruits, vegetables, meats, and spices.

Another iconic market is Mercado Roma, a contemporary gastronomic hub that showcases the city’s culinary diversity through gourmet treats and artisanal products. For something a little different, Mercado Jamaica is a beautiful flower market, full of vibrant colors and fragrances. And for unique souvenirs, head to La Ciudadela, an artisan market which boasts an extensive collection of traditional textiles and handicrafts.

Finally, Mercado de Sonora stands out for its mystical ambiance, renowned for catering to spiritual and esoteric needs, offering everything from traditional herbs and potions to ritualistic artifacts. There’s truly a market for everything in Mexico City!

If you don’t want to explore on your own, you can join a guided tour that visits both Mercado de la Merced and Mercado de Sonora, including many stops to sample lots of authentic local treats Tickets are around 1,100 MXN.

My friend Anais runs Devoured Tours , offering in-depth tours into the food scene of CMDX, with five different four-hour options to choose from. On each tour, you’ll meet a local “tastemaker,” an expert in their craft who shares the process behind Mexican gastronomic traditions like making mouthwatering tacos or crafting exquisite mezcal cocktails. Tours start at 1,625 MXN.

If you just want to eat all the tacos (who doesn’t), join Sabores Mexico Food Tours on its Tacos & Mezcal Night Food Tour . You’ll enjoy tacos at a mix of traditional and contemporary taquerias and end your night sampling in the first mezcal bar in Mexico City.

I love mezcal. It’s is a traditional Mexican distilled spirit, crafted from agave, that’s renowned for its smoky flavor and complexity. I’ve learned a ton about it over the course of my visits to Mexico, but I’m always looking to try new flavors and dive deeper into the distilling process.

If you want to try mezcal and learn more about it, some unique places to sample it include La Mezcaloteca (a bar/library where you can do a tasting of five mezcals) and La Clandestina in Condesa (with 25 mezcals from all over the country)

At the Museum of Tequila and Mezcal near Plaza Garibaldi, knowledgeable guides will lead you through the intricate process of production, from harvest to distillation. You’ll also get to sample types of mezcal alongside different tequilas, so you can appreciate the differences between Mexico’s main two spirits. A ticket that includes tastings costs 340 MXN.

If you’re an early riser, you can even opt for a sunrise tour, during which you’ll get the waterways virtually to yourself. Tours start at 890 MXN.

Torre Latinoamericana is an iconic skyscraper in the heart of Mexico City. Completed in 1956, it was once the tallest building in Latin America. Designed by architect Augusto H. Álvarez, the tower rises 183 meters (600 feet) and consists of 44 floors. (It has resisted numerous earthquakes, thanks to its innovative design featuring a stabilizing core.)

The tower offers panoramic views from its observation deck, giving a good perspective on just how massive the city is. It costs 200 MXN to visit the observation floor ( get advance tickets here ), but if you go to the bar on the floor just below, you’ll get the same view for the price of a drink.

Francisco I. Madero Avenue 1, +52 55 5518 7423, miradorlatino.com. Open daily 9am-10pm. Tickets are 200 MXN.

Originally the main ceremonial center in the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlán (located where Mexico City now stands), the Templo Mayor was destroyed to make room for the cathedral in 1521. In fact, the very stones that made up the temple were used to create the cathedral. You can now view ancient artifacts uncovered from the site, rediscovered in the 1970s, at the Museo del Templo Mayor (95 MXN to enter the museum and archaeological site).

When you’re done, head over to admire the stunning Spanish colonial architecture of the La Catedral Metropolitana. This 16th-century building dominates the northern half of the Zócalo and is free to enter. Inside, it’s incredibly ornate, with a floor that’s noticeably tilted thanks to the perpetual sinking of the city (due to its construction on a lake and swamp).

Chapultepec means “Hill of the Grasshopper” in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. Spanning 686 hectares (1,700 acres), this park in the heart of Mexico City is the second largest urban park in Latin America (the biggest is in Santiago, Chile ). It’s one of the world’s most visited too, not only by visitors but locals, who love to set up shop grilling and picnicking on Sundays. You can also rent a rowboat or paddleboat and go out on Chapultepec Lake. Whenever I want to just relax and soak up the sun, this is where I go.

In addition to the countless paths to stroll, Chapultepec is home to a zoo and several important museums, including the Museum of Anthropology (mentioned earlier) and Chapultepec Castle (see below).

The park is divided into three sections. Section 1 houses most of the museums and is open Tuesday-Sunday 5am-6pm. Sections 2 and 3 are open 24/7, though like many city parks, it’s likely not the best idea to walk through it alone after dark.

The only castle in North America to house monarchs, Chapultepec Castle was built in 1725 as a large manor house for the viceroy (the Spanish colonial administrator). Abandoned during the Mexican War of Independence in 1810, it later became the residence of Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Carlota in 1864, during the Second Mexican Empire (1864–67).

Today, you can visit the castle and meander through the magnificently decorated period rooms, manicured gardens, and terraces offering impressive panoramas. The castle is also home to the Museo Nacional de Historia (see below), which tells the story of Mexico from the time of Tenochtitlán to the Mexican Revolution.

Bosque de Chapultepec, Section I, +52 55 5256 5464, mnh.inah.gob.mx. Open Tues-Sun 9am-5pm. Admission 95 MXN.

• Palacio de Bellas Artes (Fine Art Museum) : This impressive Art Nouveau building with an Art Deco interior is a massive cultural center that hosts performing arts events. Its various galleries include murals by Diego Rivera and rotating temporary exhibitions. It is also home to the Museum of Architecture.
• Museo Nacional de Historia (National History Museum) : This museum, located in Chapultepec Castle, tells the history of Mexico over 12 permanent exhibition halls.
• Museo de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art) : Located within Chapultepec Park, this museum focuses on modern Mexican art. Its most famous piece is Frida Kahlo’s The Two Fridas .
• MUAC (University Museum of Contemporary Art of UNAM) : This art museum on the university’s grounds also focuses on contemporary Mexican art, with video and sound installations, paintings, drawings, and more.
• Museo Nacional de Arte (National Art Museum) : Mexican art from the mid-16th century to the mid-20th century is divided into three main time periods (colonial, post-independence, and post-revolution).
• Museo de Arte Popular (Folk Art Museum) : This museum’s collection of Mexican folk art and handicrafts features traditional textiles, pottery, glass, piñatas, and alebrijes (brightly colored sculptures of fantastical creatures).
• Memory and Tolerance Museum : This newer museum tells the history of genocides and crimes against humanity, with a section promoting tolerance and inclusion of all groups of people.
• Tamayo Museum : Born out of the private collection of artist Rufino Tamayo, this museum concentrates on 20th-century international art (especially of the avant-garde variety).

Ticket prices vary, but generally range from free to 100 MXN.

The Biblioteca Vasconcelos, located in the Buenavista neighborhood, is a temple to books, often referred to as a “megalibrary.” The largest library in the entire country, it opened in 2006, covers an incredible 38,000 square meters (409,000 square feet), and houses over 600,000 books.

But the real draw for the visitor is not in the collection (which, though large, isn’t particularly noteworthy) but the building itself. The architecture is stunning, featuring transparent walls, six intentionally mismatched floors, and sculptures by prominent artists. It also has a focus on sustainability, with rainwater collection barrels on the roof, windows designed to light almost the entire interior naturally (yet without harming the books), and a green roof covered in plants that keep the building cool.

Don’t miss popping around the back to stroll through the quiet and spacious garden filled with trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Admission is free.

Housing 66,000 pieces of Central American and European art, the Soumaya Museum displays works not only by Mexican artists such as Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo but also by famous masters such as Botticelli, Dalí, and Rodin. The museum was donated and constructed by one of the world’s richest men, Carlos Slim Helú (a Mexican business magnate). The Soumaya is a stunning piece of art on its own, as it is covered in 16,000 hexagonal aluminum tiles that sparkle in the sunlight. It’s considered the most beautiful modern building in Mexico City. Admission is free.

Blvd. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. +52 55 1103 9800, www.museosoumaya.org/. Open daily, 10:30am-6:30pm. Free entry.

If you’re seeking a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City, look no further than the Botanical Garden at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Rooted in Aztec traditions that valued gardens for both medicinal and ornamental purposes, this sanctuary also emphasizes conservation and environmental education. It’s situated around lava formations from the Xitle volcano eruption, and the paths meander through naturally formed grottoes and past waterfalls and ponds teeming with koi and turtles.

The plants you can admire here include the world’s most diverse cactus collection, with 800 different varieties; there’s also an orchidarium and a medicinal garden. This is also a habitat for wildlife: keep an eye out for woodpeckers, owls, hummingbirds, rattlesnakes, lizards, and the Pedregal tarantula, a species exclusive to this small area of Mexico City.

University City, Coyoacán. +52 56 22 90 63. www.ib.unam.mx/ib/jb/. Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, Saturdays from 9am-3pm. Admission is free.

Roma is renowned for its bohemian atmosphere, European-inspired architecture, and colorful street art. Condesa is a bit more laid-back, high-class, and refined, featuring Art Deco buildings and lots of sidewalk cafés. Parque México and Parque España are iconic green spaces that divide the two neighborhoods and are perfect places to sit and people-watch for a bit.

The pueblos mágicos (magical towns) are towns and villages that the Mexican government has recognized for their cultural, historical, and natural significance. To be so designated, a place must meet specific criteria, including having historical and cultural richness and unique architecture, traditions, and folklore. These towns often feature well-preserved colonial architecture, lively cultural traditions, and a welcoming atmosphere.

While they are scattered all across the country, there’s one located just over an hour from Mexico City: Tepotzotlán.

Known for its beautiful colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, vibrant murals, and hikes to sacred sites in the surrounding mountains, it makes for a fun day trip, or if you have the time, even an overnight. There are buses that go to Tepotzotlán from Taxqueña (Mexico City’s southern bus station) every 30 minutes. A ticket is 184 MXN.

There are lots of unconventional things to see and do that a lot of visitors don’t experience. Here are a few suggestions of some of my favorites:

• Palacio de Correos de México : This beautiful post office is a fascinating mix of architectural styles, including Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Gothic Revival, and others. There’s a free museum on the ground floor featuring various elements of the post office’s history, including a huge mural made entirely of stamps!
• Ballet Folklórico de México : This renowned folk-dance ensemble showcases traditional Mexican dance and music. Their permanent home is the Palacio de Bellas Artes, where tickets start at 1,200 MXN .
• Museo del Objeto del Objeto (Museum of the Object of the Object) : This quirky museum is dedicated to everyday objects, showcasing the evolution of design and consumer culture in Mexico. Free admission.
• Museo del Chocolate : Learn about the importance and cultivation of cacao throughout Mexico’s history. There’s also an attached café, where you can sample chocolates in plenty of different forms. Museum admission is 80 MXN.

Mexico City is one of the world’s greatest metropolises. From iconic landmarks like the historic Zócalo and the majestic Teotihuacán pyramids to the vibrant markets, diverse neighborhoods, and thriving culinary scene, it is utterly captivating. No matter how long you have here, these things to do will keep you busy and ensure that you have an amazing visit.

Book Your Trip to Mexico City: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, here are my favorite hostels in Mexico City .

This post can help you pick the best neighborhoods to stay in .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Mexico City? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Mexico City for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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7 Tips for Finding Budget-Friendly Mexico City Airport Transportation

L anded at the sprawling metropolis and feeling the pinch of pricey cabs? Let’s cut straight to the chase: snagging budget-friendly Mexico City airport transportation is your first step towards a savvy travel experience.

Forget the stress of haggling with taxi drivers or navigating a complex public transport system right off the bat. Whether you’re here to explore the vibrant streets, dive into the rich history, or indulge in the culinary delights, how you get from the airport sets the tone for your entire trip.

This article is your golden ticket to avoiding those wallet-thinning rides. Here, we’re laying out seven unbeatable tips that promise not just savings but a smooth start to your adventure in Mexico City. Ready to make your travel budget work harder for you? Stick with us to uncover the secrets to cost-effective commuting right from your touchdown.

1. Use the Metro System

When you land in Mexico City, one of the most budget-friendly ways to start your adventure is by hopping on the Metro. It’s not just cheap. It’s a direct line into the city’s heart.

The Metro offers a straightforward route for getting to your hotel without the high costs of other transportation options. Look for the Line 5, which is a short walk from Terminal 1.

This is the cheapest way to travel from the airport with tickets costing around 5 MXN ($0.20). It takes around 50 minutes to reach most locations in central Mexico City.

Traveling with lots of luggage? Keep in mind that large luggage is technically not allowed but this is rarely enforced. You might struggle during busy periods, however, as the Metro can get very crowded during rush hours in the morning and evening .

2. Consider Ride-Sharing Apps

Ride-sharing apps have changed the game when it comes to vacation transportation. In Mexico City, these apps provide a viable alternative to traditional taxis, often at a lower cost.

Apps like Uber and Didi are popular and offer transparent pricing and the convenience of booking a ride right from your phone. This makes managing your travel plans a breeze. Plus, you can see the cost upfront, so there are no surprises.

When using these apps, double-check the vehicle and driver details before you get in for a secure journey to your destination.

3. Look into Authorized Taxis

Authorized taxis at Mexico City’s airport offer a stress-free option for getting where you need to go. These taxis are regulated which ensures fair, fixed rates and a safe ride.

To use this service, look for the authorized taxi stands inside the airport with the sign “Transporte Terrestre”. Here, you’ll purchase a prepaid ticket for your destination. This system prevents any unexpected costs which makes it a reliable part of your vacation transportation.

Remember, picking a taxi outside the airport might not guarantee the same security and fixed pricing as the authorized services do.

4. Explore Bus Services

Bus services from Mexico City’s airport are another economical choice for travelers. These buses are not only affordable but also connect you directly to key points across the city.

They’re an integral part of the types of transportation available for newcomers and locals alike. For instance, the Metrobus Line 4 extends from the airport to the historic city center and offers a convenient route for tourists.

Buses run frequently, so waiting times are minimal. Plus, traveling by bus gives you a unique view of the city’s landscape as you head to your hotel or next destination.

5. Research Shuttle Services

Finding a ride from the airport that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg can be a real headache. Shuttle services are a lifesaver for the solo traveler with a tight budget, especially if you’re lugging around a suitcase or two.

You can book a spot on a shuttle, which is usually a minibus or large car, right at the airport. Head over to the kiosks in the arrivals hall to secure your seat.

It’s a bit cheaper than a cab, costing around $9 per person to the city center. Sure, it might take a tad longer since you’ll be dropping off other folks along the way, but if you’re not in a rush, it’s worth the savings.

However, weigh your options because sometimes, the difference in price and time might not be as significant as you’d think.

6. Rent a Car

If you’re feeling bold and want total freedom to explore, renting a car might be up your alley. It’s the priciest option for getting out of Mexico City’s airport but could be a good investment for those planning to venture beyond the city.

Driving here is no joke, though. With the bustling traffic and the challenge of finding parking, it’s not for everyone. If you do decide to rent, try to avoid peak traffic hours to make your escape from the airport a little smoother.

You’ll find all the major rental companies at the airport, but booking online in advance is a smart move to snag the best deal. Just remember, navigating the city’s busy streets requires confidence and a bit of courage.

7. Book Transportation in Advance

To dodge the stress of last-minute decisions, consider booking your airport transfers before you even pack your bags. Doing this can lock in some pretty decent rates and save you money and time. Whether it’s a shuttle, a taxi, or a private car, early bookings mean you won’t be left stranded or paying through the nose.

For those staying at hotels, check if they offer shuttle services. Sometimes they’re free or at a discounted rate.

Planning ahead not only makes your travel smoother but also gives you peace of mind. After all, who wants to haggle with taxi drivers or navigate public transport systems after a long flight?

Explore More Mexico City Airport Transportation Tips

Navigating Mexico City airport transportation doesn’t have to be a budget-buster. Armed with our seven tips, you’re all set to make your way through this bustling city with more pesos in your pocket. From the convenience of ride-sharing apps to the economic efficiency of the metro, these strategies ensure your travel plans are as seamless as they are cost-effective.

Don’t let transportation hiccups dampen your Mexico City adventure. Dive deeper into our blog for more insights on getting around like a local without breaking the bank.

This article is published by NYTech in collaboration with Syndication Cloud.

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Mexico City's Unconventional Culinary Adventures

A hop across unique dining experiences and offbeat eateries in cdmx..

Food—the simple act of eating and sharing in a traditional sobremesa —lies at the heart of Mexican culture and has contributed to the surge in tourism to Mexico City. As the traditional potluck-style service has evolved into a dynamic gastronomic scene and auteur cuisine across the city, there is a growing effort to move away from conventional restaurant tables and establishments. Chefs strive to create more intimate experiences where guests can get their hands dirty—quite literally—whether by mushroom picking or indulging in oily Mexican matcha sauce.

“If we Google ‘Mexico City restaurants,’ we already know which places are going to pop up—and yes, many are excellent,” says Cristina Alonso , author of Art and Fiesta in Mexico City. “However, I think we've reached a point where we want to go to the next level, especially understanding that Mexico City, and Mexico as a country, has an immense culinary richness and that there is so much more to discover.”

With over 57,000 dining venues within the city alone, new establishments are popping up almost every day, says Alonso. "We're witnessing a surge in all-day cafes, wine bars, Asian eateries, and European-inspired venues featuring shared plates.” Yet, for those seeking something beyond the ordinary, there's a realm of off-the-beaten-path cuisine waiting to be explored.

In tandem with this trend, we're witnessing a wave of new projects and longstanding endeavors that reconnect diners with the building blocks of Mexican cuisine. Often, this entails a focus on ingredient sourcing, mycology, vegan/vegetarian offerings, and agrotourism. Despite being one of the world's largest cities, Mexico City has somewhat lost its connection with its agricultural heritage. "While many may not initially associate Mexico City with nature, the city boasts a fascinating agricultural history,” says Alonso. To witness this firsthand, one only needs to visit Xochimilco and navigate its canals. Still, beyond that, Mexico City offers opportunities to engage with ingredients, ancient traditions, and diverse urban culinary offerings, fostering a harmonious balance between urban life and natural bounty.

Gastronomy professionals garner praise for crafting sustainable missions that blend aesthetic experiences with educational values that apply to everyday life. From enjoying a floating breakfast on the chinampas to embarking on a weekend getaway near the city, dining with strangers, or partaking in cacao ceremonies, there are more enriching ways to explore Mexico City's cuisine than securing a coveted seat at a secret chef's table we-know-where. These experiences are unconventional in every aspect, including the booking process, which often involves direct communication via WhatsApp or Instagram and occasionally even with the owners themselves. It’s all about the closeness and swinging away from booking websites' streamlined and impersonal processes.

Esquina Comun

Courtesy of Esquina Comun

Esquina Comun is a labor of love created by two chefs and food enthusiasts who initially launched the venture from their own apartment in November 2021. What began as a simple "common corner" has blossomed into a full-fledged terrace adorned with eclectic decor, plants, nostalgic music, and personal memorabilia. Open only on Friday through Sunday, with two additional prep days, the kitchen works wonders to deliver epicurean delights within a cozy, homey ambiance. "We aimed to create an experience reminiscent of the kind we ourselves enjoy when dining out. Unassuming yet impeccable service, delectable and flavorful dishes—nothing more, nothing less," shares Mexico City chef Ana Dolores, previously associated with the popular project Expendio de Maíz . Esquina Comun, which she co-owns with Carlos Pérez-Puelles, embodies a rebellious spirit, excelling in every aspect of food service while embracing a distinctly unique approach. For instance, they prioritize organic wines, frequently rotate their menu (except for the cult favorite—the K-Pop fried chicken), and cultivate an overall laid-back atmosphere. Operating on a reservation-only basis, Esquina Comun, born out of the last of their savings, serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty inherent in chasing one's dreams.

Address provided upon reservation confirmation. Book directly via their Instagram DM. Á la carte menu.

Sobremesa Cooking Classes

Courtesy of Sobremesa

"For me, it's all about being present while cooking. I always say that just by having your hands in what you're doing and not being on your phone, it becomes a moment of presence," says Lucía Benítez, co-founder of Sobremesa . Over seven years and across two homes, located in Roma Norte and the Colonia Juárez neighborhood, this collective of chefs has been offering ethically sourced cooking classes in their charming residential-style spaces. They exude character with patina walls, courtyards, and colonial flair, fostering an atmosphere of familiarity. Sobremesa hosts a variety of master classes with their in-house chefs, cooking classes with chefs from renowned establishments like Tamales Madre, and dinner-party options. Guests are encouraged to make the space their own as they virtually rent it out, bringing in their choice of wine and music and becoming hosts in a space where they create their own meals. Options for drop-in group classes are also available in both Spanish and English, where an array of strangers join to prepare an extensive meal. In a time when the connection between the creation of food and its consumer is increasingly lost, Sobremesa revives the essence of the dinner party.

Book online at Sobremesa.mx ; starts at $1,500 MXN (about 90 USD.)

Courtesy of Cubo

Imagine awakening early one Saturday morning, embarking on an hour-long journey to Bosque Otomí–where cellular signals fade into the wilderness–and finally arriving at a renowned architect-designed lodge. Here, you’ll set out mushroom picking, before engaging in an ancestral ceremony and savoring a heartfelt meal that stretches on for hours. Roberto Lingard, founder and resident of Cubo explains: “I did exactly what I like to do for fun.” As Cubo celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, Lingard reflects on nearly 15 years of scavenging for mushrooms and sharing his discoveries with acclaimed chefs from Mexico City. The forest teems with close to 40 species of mushrooms, particularly during the summer season, along with an abundance of other edible herbs. Cubo offers an immersive experience for guests, including an on-site breakfast, an Otomí ceremony and a forest stroll, and a sumptuous 5-course menu with beverage pairings. While Lingard occasionally invites guest chefs, he takes pride in curating a seasonal menu that showcases local ingredients to their fullest. “These experiences create positive memories—memories of joy, nostalgia, and contentment,” Lingard explains. “For me, the kitchen has always been a place where people gather to socialize, to converse.” As a gracious host, Roberto ensures that guests of all ages have an unforgettable experience and depart with cherished memories, along with a newfound appreciation for Mexican distillates and the art of disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Book directly through Cubo’s Whatsapp; starts at $2,400 MXN (about 150 USD.)

Maria Cacao

Courtesy of Maria Cacao

Ingredients indigenous to Mexico are often exclusive to the region or heavily exploited elsewhere. This is precisely what happened with cacao, leading to María Cacao 's motto: "It's not chocolate." María Cacao is a Mexican cacao brand with a showroom and communal space situated in Roma Norte, Mexico City. María, the founder, is not only a trained chef but also a passionate cacao enthusiast. "I fell in love with cacao when I discovered that all pre-Hispanic civilizations in the region now known as Mexico revered cacao as a divine element," she explains. Her aim was to re-introduce a raw and health-conscious form of cacao distinct from chocolate. Through public education initiatives, María effectively conveys the values of cacao consumption, highlighting its positive effects on brain health and the release of mood-enhancing hormones like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. Collaborating with producers from Tabasco, she developed cacao-shaped snacks and bars, the latter she also uses for cacao ceremonies with their 100 percent pure cacao concentration. Maria hosts ceremonies at her studio and organizes events at venues across the city, providing attendees with an opportunity to delve into this ubiquitous product and gain a wealth of knowledge to take home.

Book online at mariacacao.mx/pages/ceremonias-de-cacao .

Dinner with Strangers

Courtesy of Dinner with Strangers

Shattering the norm of typical dining habits, Dinner with Strangers presents an exciting new concept. Unlike traditional gatherings with friends and family or solitary bar lounging, this experience introduces a novel twist. After completing your registration form, they will match you with an ideal group of strangers who share something in common, enabling you to connect with compatible people, all of whom you'll have the chance to meet for the first time at the table. Here, you won't find renowned chefs cooking for a group of ten. Instead, a combination of chefs and hosts curate private dinners across the city. "In today's chaotic world, relationships matter most," says founder Angélica "Kika" Flores Medina, previously known for founding the popular bazaar La Japi House. "Expanding one's social circle is invaluable." With this latest venture, Flores aims to do just that—broaden social circles and spark engaging conversations among diverse individuals.

Arca Tierra

Courtesy of Arca Tierra

As the sun rises over the chinampas of Xochimilco, you glide across the tranquil morning waters, the fog parting before your trajinera boat. Arca Tierra pays homage to the traditional methods of food cultivation in Mexico City and collaborates with local farmers to form a cooperative. "It's a local network of professionals dedicated to the sustainable production of fresh, delicious, and nutritious food, bridging the gap from the field to your table. We have our own production as well as demonstration plots where we experiment with seeds, techniques, and designs," explains Joahna Hernandez. Within the space, Arca Tierra hosts a variety of events, including their Amanecer Chinampero, a sunrise breakfast experience at the floating islands. Guests receive a tour and comprehensive insight into the chinampa cultivation systems, along with a traditional Mexican breakfast featuring locally grown ingredients. "More and more chefs are keen on working with high-quality ingredients and understanding the processes involved in their cultivation and harvesting. Ultimately, their profession would not be viable without the labor of farmers. That's why every month we organize chinampa meals, a collaboration between Arca Tierra and chefs from Mexico and around the world who share our values of sustainability, traceability, and commitment to rural communities." A serene morning excursion to the city is the perfect way to kick off your weekend in Mexico City with meaning.

Book directly online at arcatierra.com/eventos ; starting at $990 MXN (about $60 USD.)

Margarita Concept Garden

Courtesy of Margarita Concept

On a good (traffic-free) day, the enchanting town of Tepoztlán lies just over an hour away from the bustling Mexican capital, offering a tranquil escape. Margarita Concept Garden was conceived as a sanctuary–a natural refuge from the urban hustle and bustle—aiming to provide a reprieve from the concrete jungle. An intriguing aspect of this restaurant is how it subtly emerged with a completely vegetarian menu under the guidance of Chef Christian Laguna. Interestingly, many patrons remain unaware of this fact, yet they find themselves enchanted by the lush gardens of Margarita, spending hours amidst its lush foliage. "Margarita seeks to offer an escape, allowing visitors to truly immerse themselves in nature. The surrounding gardens create a sense of seclusion, with small pockets of greenery acting as 'verdant islands' between tables. It's about fostering a feeling of independence as if you're in your own space while still being in close proximity to others. Moreover, these pathways through the garden allow for leisurely strolls," explains co-founder Santiago Camarena García. Mirroring the rhythm of its natural environment, the restaurant's menu evolves in two distinct seasons (dry and rainy), ensuring an experience that harmonizes with its surroundings. A few of their beloved dishes now include gorditas and tostadas, reminiscent of their animal-based counterparts yet inspired by innovative projects like Eleven Madison Park, which has transitioned to a fully vegan menu.

Book directly via their Instagram DM. Á la carte menu.

Courtesy of Tencüi

This establishment is a major player in Mexico City's culinary landscape, quite literally rooted in its mycelium. While not explicitly advertised as vegetarian, the restaurant places a strong emphasis on fungi, which they cultivate on the second level of the premises. "One of the most remarkable discoveries I've made recently is Chef Mario Espinosa's Tencüi , located in Santa María de la Ribera," says Alonso. "Here, mushrooms take center stage in every dish (even the drinks), and it's truly spectacular. They have a dedicated chamber for mushroom cultivation on the restaurant's second floor and, after your meal, they invite you to visit it to see where it all originates." This space has garnered high praise and redefines the relationship between the bustling metropolis and delicate raw materials, transforming an industrial neighborhood into a hub for mushroom cultivation. "Tencüi" means "to connect" in Nahuatl, and that's precisely what Espinosa aims to achieve with his creations. His culinary concept, centered around mushrooms, broadens our culinary horizons with dishes featuring mushroom blends, beverages infused with mushrooms, and even desserts incorporating this remarkable ingredient.

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Mexico- Business Travel Mexico- Business Travel

Business customs.

Mexican business people in major cities place a great deal of importance on appearances, and in many settings generally dress more formally than in most U.S. cities. We recommend wearing professional attire when meeting with prospective business partners in Mexico and avoiding overly casual clothes and athletic shoes when going out to business meals.  Being sensitive to typical business hours and mealtimes is extremely important. It is not uncommon for offices to open at 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. and for people to work until 8 p.m. or later. This means that during the week, many Mexicans follow a pattern of five meals, with desayuno consisting of fruit or a pastry between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. before going to work, a somewhat heavier almuerzo around 10:30 or 11:30 a.m., a heavy lunch called comida generally after 2 p.m., an evening snack called merienda , and/or a light dinner or cena after 8 p.m. Don’t try to schedule a meeting between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. unless you intend for it to be a lunch meeting. The business lunch is a key tool in Mexico. Use it to build relationships and discuss matters in greater leisure. Before beginning a business discussion, it is common to discuss family, recent events, or other social themes. Mexican business people and government contacts may smoke and drink during business meals. Business lunches can span two hours or more and, again, usually do not begin until 2 or 3 p.m. Many restaurants do not open for lunch before 1:30 p.m. and most restaurants will not even begin offering dinner before 7:30 p.m. Patience is key when doing business in Mexico. Business meetings in Mexico will often take longer than they would in the United States. Mexican social etiquette often includes more small talk before business. Social custom makes it difficult to say no. Therefore, “yes” does not always mean yes. In conversation, Mexicans emphasize tactful and indirect phrasing, and may be more effusive than Americans with praise and emotional expressions. Email communication may be significantly more formal than it is in U.S. practice, and it is courteous to mirror this formality in your own emails. The mobile messaging application WhatsApp is popular for quick, informal communications. Do not be overly aggressive while negotiating. It is considered rude. The concept of time is flexible in Mexico. Guests to social events (except in the case of cities in the North) can arrive up to an hour late. However, punctuality is the norm for most business and government appointments. Business cards are used extensively. Come with a large supply. Mexican pesos are used throughout the country. It is not legal or common to pay with U.S. dollars (although in border areas and tourist areas dollars are sometimes accepted).

Travel Advisory

The State Department provides a security assessment of every state in Mexico. All U.S. travelers and investors to the country are strongly encouraged to visit the Department of State’s Travel Warning website . We also recommend you register your trips through the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program , which will allow you to receive security updates and instructions in the event of a natural disaster or other incident.

Visa Requirements

If a U.S. business person wants to reside in Mexico and work on a more permanent basis, it is necessary to obtain a Temporary Mexico Resident Card. This form may be obtained with validity up to one year, renewable up to a total of five years. For definitive immigration regulations from the Mexican Government, please review the information on the immigration work permit form and the overall immigration law and regulations . All U.S. citizens must have a passport or passport card to enter Mexico. Passport cards can be used only to cross into Mexico within 13 miles from the border. Passports are required for air travel or for land border travel when visiting any State of Mexico that is more than 13 miles from the border. There is a single visa form for tourist and business visitors, valid for 180 days upon entry with no fee. This form is normally distributed on all arriving aircraft. The bottom portion of this form will be torn off and handed back to you to become your Visitor Card ( Forma Migratoria Múltiple or FMM), which you should keep in your passport. IMPORTANT NOTE: All foreign visitors should keep their Visitor Card (FMM) bearing the official entry stamp as it must be surrendered upon departure from the country. It is extremely important to keep this form in a safe location. Upon exiting the country at a Mexican Immigration ( Instituto Nacional de México or INM) departure check point, U.S. citizens are required to turn in this form. We are aware of cases where U.S. citizens without their FMM have been required to change their flight (at personal expense), file a police report with local authorities regarding the missing document, and visit an INM office to pay a fine and obtain a valid exit visa. In other cases, travelers have been able to continue their journey after paying a fine. If you enter Mexico by land and expect to depart by air or land, be sure to receive the FMM when entering Mexico, either at the initial border entry or at the interior checkpoint 21 km past the border. While it is always provided at Mexican international airports as part of immigration procedures, it is not always automatically given at land crossing. If you then try to return to the United States by air without the card you can be subject to a fine of up to USD 400 or may be detained and deported if stopped in the interior of the country.  For further information please visit the Mexican Secretariat of Tourism website . U.S. companies that require travel of foreign business persons to the United States should ensure the Mexican or third-country national applies for their U.S. visa well in advance. Applicants for a U.S. visa should go to the following links:

State Department Visa Website https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

U.S. Embassy Mexico Visa Information https://mx.usembassy.gov/visas/

Expedited Entry into the U.S. and Mexico

Members of the U.S. Global Entry program know how convenient it is for entry to the United States. Global Entry allows U.S. citizens and residents of select countries, including Mexico, who have applied and been approved to have expedited entry at airport immigration and customs facilities when returning to the United States. Global Entry membership also gives you access to SENTRI lanes at the U.S.-Mexico land border. If you are not a Global Entry member, you can get more information and apply at through the Global Entry website . Mexico has a similar program for frequent travelers entering Mexico by air. It’s called the Programa Viajero Confiable (Trusted Traveler Program). Members of Viajero Confiable who are Mexican Nationals can now also apply for NEXUS to have expedited entry at airports in Canada. Viajero Confiable provides similar benefits for entering Mexico and is in operation at airports in Mexico City, San Jose del Cabo, and Cancun. The application may be made online. Once preapproved, applicants must undergo an interview at an enrollment center at one of the three Mexican airports for final approval. Membership is good for five years and you can apply at https://www.inm.gob.mx/viajero-confiable/publico/solicitud.html . NEXUS offers benefits at airport and land border ports of entry in Canada. For more information visit the NEXUS site: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html . Those who cross the U.S. land border regularly but don’t need the full benefits of Global Entry might be interested in membership in SENTRI, open to all nationalities who meet membership criteria. The program is available at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri .

Mexico’s currency is the Mexican peso. In the first half of 2019, the average exchange rate was 19.25 pesos to the U.S. dollar. In most cities and tourist areas, credit and debit cards are widely accepted in established businesses. There is usually easy access to ATMs that accept U.S. ATM networks. Take the usual precautions to prevent skimming or theft of your card and banking information, including your PIN, and be cautious of anyone approaching you when at ATM machines.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Telephone services.

Telephone service is usually reliable, though certain remote locations in Mexico do not have direct dialing to the United States. Telephone service is heavily taxed in Mexico, and fees are relatively high. Select calling cards may be used in Mexico. More commonly, cellular telephones and smart phones are available and widely used. On mobile devices, country codes may be dialed with a plus sign (+) before the country code. Mexico’s country code is +52 and it is +1 for the United States. In August 2019, the Mexican telephone system simplified dialing prefixes for Mexican numbers. To dial or send a message to a Mexican you are now required to enter only the 10-digit number consisting of the area code and phone number. The three main mobile carriers, Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T offer national coverage and international roaming services. Telcel and AT&T offer packages with no roaming charges throughout North America available through T-Mobile and AT&T in the United States. The best reception is found on federal highways and in the top 50 cities in the country, including beach resorts. It is very likely that you will be able to use your mobile phone while traveling to Mexico, regardless of the company and technology (GSM, CDMA or PTT) you use. Roaming services apply to both voice and data services. You can use data on your mobile phone if you have contracted such a service in the United States. However, if you do not have an international plan, roaming fees (voice and data) can be substantial.

Internet Services

Tourist and business hotels provide internet services in rooms, or at a minimum, in business centers. Internet hotspots are now common. Free Wi-Fi is offered in select public spaces through the government-sponsored Mexico Conectado program, and most restaurants and cafés offer free Wi-Fi to patrons. Because internet penetration in residential areas was relatively low until recently, Mexico still has many internet cafés that offer internet access for a fee.

Electricity

Mexico uses the same voltage (120v) and the same size wall plugs as the United States.

Tra nsportation

Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, Querétaro, and other Mexican cities have frequent direct and non-stop flights from major U.S. cities. American carriers to Mexico include American, Delta, U.S. Airways, United, Jet Blue, and Southwest. Mexican carriers providing scheduled service within Mexico include Aeromexico, Volaris, Interjet, and Viva Aerobus.

Taxis, Uber, and Road Transportation

It is important to ONLY use registered sitio taxi services or application-based car services such as Uber throughout the country, including using only the taxi vendor booths located INSIDE the airports. For Uber or other app-based services such as Cabify, you will need to check there is service in your city of destination, download the app, and configure a profile and payment account (preferably prior to arrival). Hotels and restaurants can also call a sitio or radio taxi for you. The taxi driver will provide you with a receipt ( un recibo ) upon request. For airport taxis, the receipt is usually the pre-paid stub from your ticket. App-based services may face local resistance. For more information, please see the Travel Advisory as well as the Travel and Transportation section at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html .

Airport Arrivals

The Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport offers a fixed price taxi service to any point in the city. You can pay with a credit card or pesos, and you purchase tickets at one of several taxi company booths just after exiting the customs area. The fare from the airport to most areas within the city can vary widely as Mexico City is so large but should average MXN 200-350 for car service (rates are higher for an SUV). Alternatively, travelers can use the Uber app for an airport pickup and to move around Mexico City. Allow time for travel to and from the airport to major hotels. While the trip can take as little as 20 minutes in light traffic in the middle of the night, the same trip can take nearly two hours if accidents, demonstrations, rain, or other occurrences disrupt traffic. The Monterrey General Mariano Escobedo Airport has a very similar taxi service. The fare to most locations in Monterrey is about MXN 250-300. With your ticket in hand, exit the lobby, and an attendant from the taxi company will guide you to your taxi. Alternatively, travelers can use the Uber app for an airport pickup and to move around Monterrey. Airport and Flight Information is available by calling +52 (81) 8345 4434. The fare from Guadalajara International Airport to most locations in Guadalajara is about MXN 260-420. The trip from the airport to Guadalajara can take up to 45 minutes, depending upon traffic. Alternatively, travelers can use the Uber app for an airport pickup and to move around Guadalajara. For airport and flight Information, call +52 (33) 3688-5894. Sitio taxi services and Uber (depending upon location) are available at other airports and hotels around the country as well.

Spanish is the official language of Mexico. While many people in the large cities speak some English, it may be difficult for them to conduct detailed business discussions in English. Non-Spanish-speaking visitors to Mexico should consider hiring an interpreter for formal business meetings. It is considered courteous for U.S. business people to speak a few words of Spanish. Many mid- and high-level government officials and business executives speak English, and many are U.S.-educated.

A high standard of medical care is available in the principal cities, especially from the main private hospitals and doctors. Many private Mexican doctors have U.S. training and speak English. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a website with health recommendations for travelers at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ . The Embassy and Consulates maintain lists of hospitals. For the three top cities, you can consult the following links:

Mexico City

Guadalajara

The U.S. Embassy does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms whose names appear on the above lists. In case of medical emergency, U.S. citizens may call the American Citizen Services at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate for help. Please find additional information and contacts for all U.S. consulate locations in Mexico at https://mx.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/find-your-consular-location/ . Mexico does have health concerns. You should take normal tourist precautions regarding drinking water and eating uncooked items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads. Some individuals react to the pollution and high altitude of various cities, so take things slowly at first. Travelers to Mexico City may require some time to adjust to the altitude (7,400 ft.), which can adversely affect blood pressure, digestion, sleep, and energy level. Individuals with sickle cell trait should consult with the appropriate medical unit or their personal physician before commencing travel. Visitors on short-term assignments carry an added risk because of the lack of time to acclimatize. Dehydration, stress, or illnesses compound the basic risks of high altitude. For more information, contact your health provider. Please note that health insurance is an important consideration. Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health coverage while in Mexico. All travelers should be aware that the CDC has issued a Travel Alert Level 2 “Practice Enhanced Precaution for Mexico.” Comprehensive information regarding Zika and risks to travelers is posted on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html .

Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays

Mexico spans several time zones, as does the United States. From the Yucatán Peninsula to Tijuana, there is a three-hour time difference. Mexico City and Central Mexico are on Central Standard Time (CST). Mexico has Daylight Savings time, though there is a difference of a few weeks from when it changes in the United States, except for certain border regions. Listed below are Mexican holidays for 2019-2020. On these days, banks will not open and most businesses will be closed. Be aware of the popular " puentes, " which is the local term for when holidays fall near the weekend. As in the United States, holidays falling on a Thursday, Friday, Monday, or Tuesday are rapidly converted into long weekends and are not a good time to schedule business trips. Also review the Business Customs topic above for notes on business hours and meal times. Mexican Holiday Schedule (July 2019-December 2020) 2019

September 16, Monday, Mexican Independence Day

November 1, Friday, All Souls’ Day

November 18, Monday, Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution

December 12, Thursday, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

January 1, Wednesday, New Year’s Day

February 5, Wednesday, Anniversary of the Mexican Constitution

March 16, Monday, Birthday of Benito Juarez

April 9, Thursday, Holy Thursday

April 10, Friday, Good Friday

May 1, Friday, Mexican Labor Day

September 16, Wednesday, Mexican Independence Day

November 2, Monday, All Souls’ Day

November 16, Monday, Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution

December 12, Saturday, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

December 25, Friday, Christmas Day

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Please refer to the Customs, Regulations and Standards topic in the Temporary Entry section.

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