Table of Contents
Mexico City on $35 Daily
Mexico City costs $30-45 (MXN 600-900) daily if you eat street tacos for $0.50 each instead of Condesa’s $15 hipster versions, stay in Roma Norte where locals actually live versus Polanco’s overpriced boutique hotels, and accept that Teotihuacán pyramids require 6am departures to avoid tour bus hordes climbing the same steps as you. The city delivers 2,000-year-old Aztec ruins underneath Spanish colonial churches, street food culture where $5 buys enough tacos/tlacoyos/quesadillas to feed three people, and museums housing Diego Rivera murals that UNESCO protects—but only if you avoid Zona Rosa tourist restaurants charging American prices for mediocre mole, skip Xochimilco’s drunk trajinera boat parties that locals abandoned years ago, and learn that “CDMX” (what residents call it) operates as 9-million-person megalopolis where neighborhoods matter more than generic “Mexico City” advice.
This is the honest Mexico City travel guide that tells you the metro costs $0.25 per ride making it world’s cheapest subway (and actually works efficiently), Uber/Didi rides across entire city rarely exceed $5-8, and museum admission rarely tops $5 while European equivalents charge $20+—but also how altitude sickness hits harder than expected at 2,240 meters (7,350 feet), tap water absolutely will make you sick, and “just one taco” turns into six because they’re small and cost $0.50 so you keep ordering until suddenly you’re full and spent $3 total wondering how this math works.
Target daily budget: $30-45 (MXN 600-900)
Optimal duration: 5-7 days
Best time: October-April (dry season)
Biggest surprise: Safer than reputation suggests, cheaper than Southeast Asia
Part I: The $30-45 Daily Budget Nobody Believes
Breaking Down Mexico City Costs
Accommodation: $12-25 per night
- Hostel bed Roma/Condesa: $12-18 (MXN 240-360)
- Budget hotel: $25-40 (MXN 500-800) split between two = $12-20 each
- Airbnb private room: $18-30 (MXN 360-600)
- Couchsurfing: Free (active community, safe hosts)
Skip: Polanco (expensive, sterile), Zona Rosa (touristy, sketchy at night)
Stay: Roma Norte (hipster cafés, walkable, safe), Condesa (parks, Art Deco, restaurants), Centro Histórico (cheap, central, grittier)
Meals: $5-12 daily
- Street breakfast: Tamales + atole $1.50 (MXN 30)
- Street tacos lunch: 6 tacos + agua fresca $3 (MXN 60)
- Market comida corrida: 3-course set menu $3.50-5 (MXN 70-100)
- Dinner tacos/quesadillas: $2.50-4 (MXN 50-80)
- Snacks: $1-2 (MXN 20-40)
Skip: Polanco restaurants ($20-40 meals), Condesa brunch spots ($12-18)
Eat: Street stands with locals queuing, mercados (markets), fondas (small local restaurants)
Transport: $2-5 daily
- Metro: $0.25 per ride (MXN 5), unlimited transfers
- Metrobús: $0.30 per ride (MXN 6)
- Uber/Didi: $2-8 most rides (MXN 40-160)
- Walking: Roma/Condesa/Centro very walkable
Skip: Turibus ($25 hop-on-hop-off), taxis (meter manipulation)
Use: Metro (fastest, cheapest), Uber (safe, transparent pricing)
Attractions: $3-10 daily
- Free: Zócalo, Chapultepec Park, Bellas Artes exterior, Roma/Condesa architecture
- Cheap: Most museums $3-5 (MXN 60-100), Teotihuacán $5 (MXN 100)
- Sunday free: Many museums free Sundays (expect crowds)
Total: $22-52 depending on choices
Ultra-budget: $22-30 (hostel, 100% street food, metro only, free activities)
Comfortable: $30-45 (budget hotel/Airbnb, mix street food and restaurants, occasional Uber, paid attractions)
Splurge: $45-60 (nice hotel, restaurants, multiple museums, daily Ubers)
The Comida Corrida Secret
Every market and neighborhood fonda serves comida corrida (set menu) for lunch: soup, rice/beans, main course, agua fresca (fruit water), and sometimes dessert for $3.50-5 (MXN 70-100).
Typical comida corrida:
- Sopa (soup): Caldo de pollo, sopa de tortilla, caldo tlalpeño
- Arroz/frijoles (rice and beans): Essential sides
- Plato fuerte (main): Chicken, pork, beef, fish, or vegetarian option
- Agua fresca: Horchata, Jamaica (hibiscus), tamarindo, limón
- Tortillas: Unlimited, freshly made
Where to find:
Any market (Mercado Roma, Mercado Coyoacán, Mercado de San Juan), neighborhood fondas with “Comida Corrida” signs, workers eating lunch 2-4pm = good sign.
Why it’s brilliant: Restaurant quality meal for street food prices, fills you completely, authentic Mexican home cooking, supports small family businesses.
Street Tacos Math That Defies Logic
Street tacos cost $0.40-0.60 each (MXN 8-12). They’re small (2-3 bites), so you order 4-6, thinking “I’ll get more if needed.” Then you realize you’re full and spent $2.50-3 (MXN 50-60) for complete meal including drinks.
Essential taco varieties:
- Pastor: Marinated pork cooked on vertical spit (like döner), served with pineapple
- Suadero: Beef brisket, tender and fatty
- Carnitas: Braised pork, crispy edges
- Barbacoa: Slow-cooked lamb or beef (weekend specialty)
- Lengua: Beef tongue (surprisingly delicious, tender)
- Tripa: Intestines (crispy, adventurous eaters only)
How to order:
Point at meat, hold up fingers for quantity (“Tres de pastor, dos de suadero”), taquero assembles, you add toppings from salsa bar (different salsas, cilantro, onions, radishes, lime), pay when leaving.
Best taco hours:
Late night (11pm-3am) when street vendors feed drunk crowds, early morning (7-9am) breakfast tacos, Sunday afternoon (2-5pm) barbacoa stands.
Part II: Roma Norte vs Condesa vs Centro Histórico
Roma Norte: Hipster Heaven That Actually Works
Mexico City’s Brooklyn/Silver Lake equivalent: Tree-lined streets, Art Nouveau buildings, specialty coffee shops, boutique hotels, international restaurants, and enough mezcal bars to blur several nights into one confused memory.
Why Roma Norte wins for first-timers:
- Walkable: Grid layout, everything within 15-20 minute walk
- Safe: Low crime, well-lit, police presence, locals walk at night
- Food variety: Street tacos to fine dining, every cuisine
- Hostel/hotel concentration: Budget to luxury all here
- Metro access: 3 stations serving different Roma sections
- English spoken: Many expats, service staff accommodate
What you sacrifice:
- Authenticity: Gentrified, fewer working-class Mexicans
- Higher prices: Street tacos $0.60-0.80 vs $0.40 elsewhere
- Tourist concentration: Still less than Polanco, but noticeable
Best Roma Norte streets:
- Álvaro Obregón: Restaurants, bars, weekend market
- Colima: Cafés, bookstores, quiet residential
- Orizaba: Plaza Río de Janeiro park, architecture
Accommodation: Hostel Home ($14 beds), Chaya B&B ($25-35 rooms)
Condesa: If Roma and Central Park Had a Baby
Adjacent to Roma (15-minute walk), Condesa emphasizes parks (Parque México, Parque España), Art Deco architecture, and slightly older/wealthier crowd than Roma’s younger hipsters.
Why Condesa appeals:
- Parks: Green space for jogging, picnics, dog-watching
- Architecture: Best preserved Art Deco in Latin America
- Restaurants: Excellent quality, less scene-y than Roma
- Residential feel: More locals living here, fewer tourists
- Safe: Even safer than Roma (if that’s possible)
Downsides:
- More expensive: Accommodation $20-30 vs Roma’s $12-18 beds
- Less nightlife: Quieter, fewer bars (pro or con depending)
- Fewer hostels: Mostly hotels and Airbnbs
Good for: Couples, 30+ travelers, those prioritizing calm over scene, dog lovers (everyone walks dogs in parks)
Centro Histórico: Gritty, Cheap, Historic
Colonial heart of CDMX: Zócalo (main plaza), Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace, Templo Mayor Aztec ruins, Bellas Artes palace—basically every major historic sight within walking distance.
Why budget travelers love it:
- Cheapest accommodation: Hostels $8-12, hotels $15-25
- Free attractions: Zócalo, Cathedral exterior, daily flag ceremony
- Transport hub: Multiple metro lines converge here
- Street food abundance: Taco stands every block
- Museums: National Palace murals free, Templo Mayor $5
Why others avoid:
- Sketchy at night: Empty streets after 9pm, prostitution, pickpockets
- Noise: Constant traffic, vendors, crowds until evening
- Pollution: Heavy traffic, fewer trees than Roma/Condesa
- Less English: Working-class neighborhood, fewer expats
Smart approach: Stay in Roma/Condesa, visit Centro during day, take Uber back at night if staying late.
Polanco: Skip Unless You’re Rich
Mexico City’s Beverly Hills: Designer shopping (Rolex, Hermès, Louis Vuitton), expensive restaurants, Museo Soumaya (free Carlos Slim museum shaped like giant shiny blob), and zero budget travel appeal.
Why skip: Everything costs 3-4x elsewhere, sterile atmosphere, no street food culture, locals are tourists and wealthy Mexicans
When to visit: Museo Soumaya (free, interesting architecture if nothing else), Anthropology Museum (here but accessible via metro from Roma)
Part III: Altitude, Pollution, and Health Reality
The 2,240-Meter Problem
Mexico City sits at 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) elevation—higher than Denver, comparable to Bogotá. Your body notices immediately.
Symptoms affecting 30-50% of visitors:
- Shortness of breath walking upstairs
- Headaches first 24-48 hours
- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Faster intoxication (alcohol hits harder at altitude)
Adaptation strategies:
- Hydrate constantly: 3-4 liters daily first few days
- Take it easy: Don’t sprint upstairs, walk slowly, rest when needed
- Avoid alcohol: First day especially, worsens dehydration
- Sleep: Extra rest helps body adjust
- Coca tea: If you can find it (not common in CDMX)
Timeline: Most people adjust 48-72 hours, symptoms fade, feel normal by day 3-4.
Who struggles most: Smokers, those from sea level cities, people with respiratory issues
Tap Water Will Make You Sick
Don’t drink tap water. Period. Even locals drink bottled/filtered water. Brushing teeth with tap water probably fine, but rinsing mouth with bottled safer.
Safe drinking:
- Bottled water: $0.80-1 per liter (MXN 16-20) at OXXO/7-Eleven
- Restaurants: Order “agua mineral” (sparkling) or “agua natural embotellada” (still bottled)
- Ice: Usually made from purified water at established restaurants, avoid at street stands
- Fruits/vegetables: Washed in tap water, peel yourself or skip raw salads first few days
Montezuma’s Revenge (traveler’s diarrhea):
Affects 20-50% of visitors at some point. Caused by unfamiliar bacteria, not necessarily contamination.
Prevention:
- Bottled water exclusively
- Avoid raw vegetables first few days (let stomach adjust)
- Probiotics daily
- Wash hands obsessively
- Pepto-Bismol preventatively (controversial but some swear by it)
Treatment:
- Hydration (ORS – oral rehydration salts from pharmacy)
- Imodium (stops symptoms but doesn’t cure)
- Probiotics
- Bland food (rice, toast)
- Serious cases: Cipro antibiotic (prescription from farmacias similares ~$5)
Pollution: Real But Overblown
CDMX has pollution—you’ll see brownish haze on bad days, smell exhaust, maybe feel throat irritation. But it’s improved dramatically from 1990s apocalypse levels.
Reality: Comparable to Los Angeles, Delhi/Beijing at their worst (but CDMX rarely reaches those extremes now), worse than European cities.
Who’s affected:
- Asthmatics/respiratory conditions (bring inhaler, consider visiting elsewhere)
- Sensitive individuals (some people react more)
- Most healthy travelers: Notice pollution exists but not debilitating
Better air neighborhoods:
- Coyoacán, San Ángel: South, higher elevation, more trees
- Roma/Condesa: Better than Centro, worse than suburbs
Worst air:
- Centro Histórico: Heavy traffic concentration
- Winter months (December-February): Thermal inversion traps pollution
Part IV: Safety – The Reputation vs Reality Gap
CDMX Is Safer Than Reputation Suggests
Mexico’s violence (cartels, border cities) dominates news, creating impression entire country is dangerous war zone. CDMX reality: Significantly safer than Cancún, Acapulco, border cities, and statistically comparable to many U.S. cities.
2024 Mexico City crime stats:
- Homicide rate: 8 per 100,000 (lower than Baltimore 58, St. Louis 65, Detroit 41)
- Tourist-targeted violent crime: Extremely rare
- Petty crime: Pickpocketing, phone snatching exist but preventable
Safe neighborhoods (where tourists stay):
- Roma Norte: Very safe, walk at night fine
- Condesa: Even safer than Roma
- Coyoacán: Safe, family-friendly
- Polanco: Safest (also most expensive)
- San Ángel: Safe, residential
Avoid/Be Cautious:
- Tepito (market neighborhood): Pickpockets, counterfeit goods, sketchy after dark
- Doctores: High crime, no tourist reason to visit
- Late-night Centro Histórico: Empty streets, prostitution, pickpockets
- Empty metro cars late night: Robbery risk, ride in populated cars
Uber/Didi: Your Safety Solution
Taxis = risk (meter manipulation, rare kidnapping/robbery, unlicensed drivers)
Uber/Didi = safe (GPS tracking, driver accountability, transparent pricing, cashless)
Uber/Didi advantages:
- Cost: $2-8 for most rides (MXN 40-160)
- Safety: Driver ID, license plate verified
- No Spanish needed: Enter address in app
- Split fares with friends
- Rate drivers (bad drivers removed)
When to use:
- Night (after 10pm, don’t walk even in Roma)
- Long distances (Centro to Coyoacán, etc.)
- Carrying valuables (museum visit, shopping)
- Solo female travelers (anytime preferred)
- Airport/bus station transfers
Cost comparison:
- Uber Roma to Centro: $3-4 (MXN 60-80)
- Metro Roma to Centro: $0.25 (MXN 5)
- Uber wins when time/safety valued, metro wins for daytime budget travel
Solo Female Travel Reality
Many solo female travelers visit CDMX safely, but awareness required more than, say, Japan or Portugal.
Common issues:
- Catcalling: Happens, especially Centro, ignore and keep walking
- Metro crowding: Rush hour pressed bodies, occasional groping—women-only cars front of train peak hours
- Night walking: Even safe neighborhoods, Uber after 10pm recommended
- Drink caution: Don’t leave drinks unattended, bar drug-spiking rare but exists
Strategies that work:
- Stay in Roma/Condesa (safest tourist areas)
- Uber at night (cheap enough to always use)
- Women-only metro cars: Pink signs, front cars, morning/evening rush
- Hostels: Meet other travelers, group activities
- Spanish basics: “No, gracias” firmly, walk confidently
- WhatsApp location sharing: Share live location with friends/family
Verdict: CDMX welcomes solo female travelers but requires street smarts similar to Barcelona, Istanbul, or Buenos Aires—not dangerous, just pay attention.
Part V: Teotihuacán Pyramids Without Tour Groups
The Teotihuacán Problem
50km northeast of CDMX, Teotihuacán (“place where gods were created”) features massive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon—Mexico’s most visited archaeological site attracting 4+ million annually.
Tour group hell:
- Tours leave CDMX 9-10am, arrive Teotihuacán 10:30-11:30am
- Site fills with hundreds of tour buses simultaneously
- Pyramid of the Sun has 300+ people climbing at peak
- Vendors aggressively sell trinkets, tours rush you through
The 6am solution:
Option A: Early Bus (Best Budget Option)
- Metro to Terminal Norte bus station (Line 5)
- Autobuses Teotihuacán: Buses every 30 minutes, $3 each way (MXN 50-60)
- Leave CDMX 6-6:30am, arrive Teotihuacán 7:30-8am
- Site opens 8am, you’re among first 50 people there
- Climb pyramids alone, photograph empty ruins, leave by 11am before crowds
- Return bus same frequency, back in CDMX by 1pm
Total cost: $11 (MXN 200): $6 bus round-trip, $5 entry
Option B: Uber/Didi (Comfort Option)
- Leave CDMX 6am, arrive 7am (less traffic), cost $25-35 (MXN 500-700)
- Driver waits 2-3 hours (negotiate price, or book return separately)
- Total: $50-70 (MXN 1,000-1,400) but split among 2-4 people = reasonable
- Flexibility to leave when ready
Option C: Skip It
Controversial opinion: Teotihuacán impressive but CDMX has Templo Mayor Aztec ruins ($5, no travel), Anthropology Museum (world-class, $5), and Tlatelolco (free). If time/energy limited, seeing pyramids not mandatory.
Climbing Strategy (If You Go)
Site layout:
- Avenue of the Dead: 2km main path
- Pyramid of the Sun: Larger (65m/213ft), east side
- Pyramid of the Moon: Smaller (43m/141ft), north end
- Temple of Quetzalcoatl: Ornate carvings, south end
Smart route:
- Enter, immediately head to Pyramid of the Moon (farthest, smaller crowds early)
- Climb Moon pyramid, photograph Sun pyramid from top
- Walk to Pyramid of the Sun, climb (steeper, more impressive)
- Temple of Quetzalcoatl on way out
- Exit before 11am (tour groups arriving)
Climbing tips:
- Wear good shoes: Steps uneven, steep, slippery when wet
- Bring water: Sun exposure, altitude, exertion combine
- Slow and steady: Altitude + steep stairs + sun = don’t rush
- Descending scarier: Going down more dangerous than up, take time
What vendors sell:
Obsidian blades, jaguar whistles, ponchos, sombreros, jade jewelry (probably not real jade), mezcal—aggressive sales tactics, okay to firmly decline.
Part VI: Mexico City Food Beyond Street Tacos
Markets Where Locals Actually Eat
Mercado de San Juan (Centro Histórico):
Exotic ingredients market—crickets, ant eggs, exotic cheeses, imported goods—but also excellent fondas serving comida corrida $4-5.
Why visit: Exotic food tourism (try crickets, ant eggs, exotic meats), lunch at fondas, specialty ingredients
Mercado Coyoacán:
Traditional neighborhood market, tostadas stalls, quesadillas, fruit stands, non-touristy despite Coyoacán’s Frida Kahlo crowds.
Why visit: Authentic market experience, excellent tostadas ($1.50-2 each), near Frida Kahlo Museum
Mercado Roma:
Bougie food hall (think Chelsea Market NYC)—artisanal everything, craft beer, organic produce, Instagram-friendly.
Why visit: Higher-end Mexican food in clean modern setting, craft beer selection, comfortable for food-cautious travelers
Cost: $8-15 meals vs $3-5 traditional markets, but quality excellent
Breakfast Culture: Tamales and Atole
Tamales: Corn dough (masa) filled with meat/cheese/peppers, wrapped in corn husk or banana leaf, steamed.
Where: Street vendors push carts morning (7-10am), shout “Tamales!” through neighborhoods, locals buy dozen for family breakfast.
Cost: $0.40-0.60 each (MXN 8-12), order 2-3
Varieties:
- Verdes: Green salsa, chicken
- Rojos: Red salsa, pork
- Rajas con queso: Poblano peppers, cheese
- Dulce: Sweet (pineapple, strawberry)
- Oaxaqueños: Wrapped in banana leaf (larger, richer)
Atole: Hot corn-based drink, thick and sweet, flavored with chocolate (champurrado), vanilla, strawberry.
Why together: Traditional pairing, sweet atole balances savory tamales
Mezcal vs Tequila: The Real Difference
Both made from agave, but:
Tequila:
- Only from blue agave
- Jalisco state primarily
- Industrial production common
- Smoother, less complex
Mezcal:
- Various agave species (espadín, tobalá, etc.)
- Oaxaca primarily
- Artisanal production (roasted in earth pits creating smoke flavor)
- More complex, smoky
CDMX mezcal culture:
Mezcalerías throughout Roma/Condesa serve flights ($8-15, MXN 160-300) letting you taste different agaves/regions.
How to drink:
- Sip slowly (not shots)
- “Beso” first (kiss): Small sip to coat mouth
- Then normal sips
- Orange slice with sal de gusano (worm salt—actually ground up moth larvae, surprisingly good)
Where: La Clandestina, Bósforo, Mezcal El Palenquito
Mole: 20+ Ingredient Sauce Worth Trying Once
Mole (pronounced MO-lay): Complex sauce with 20-30 ingredients including chocolate, chilies, spices, nuts, simmered for hours.
Why tourists struggle: Expectation vs reality—sounds like “chocolate chicken,” tastes rich/complex/savory/slightly sweet but not dessert-like.
Best mole: Mole negro (Oaxacan black mole), mole poblano (Puebla-style, most famous)
Where: Pujol ($150+ MXN 3,000+, famous but overpriced), Azul Histórico ($20-30 MXN 400-600, good quality accessible), any Oaxacan restaurant
Verdict: Try it once to understand Mexican culinary pride, but if you don’t love it, plenty other options exist.
Part VII: Museums That Justify $5 Admission
National Museum of Anthropology: World-Class
Best museum in Mexico, top 10 globally—22 rooms covering Mesoamerican civilizations (Aztec, Maya, Olmec, Teotihuacán, etc.), massive Aztec Sun Stone, reconstructions, artifacts.
Entry: $5 (MXN 100), Sunday free (expect 2-hour queue)
Time needed: 3-4 hours minimum, 6+ hours for thorough visit
Must-see rooms:
- Mexica/Aztec: Sun Stone, Tlaloc statue
- Maya: Jade masks, stelae
- Teotihuacán: Mural reproductions
- Oaxaca: Zapotec/Mixtec artifacts
Strategy:
- Arrive at opening (9am Tuesday-Saturday, 10am Sunday) before school groups
- Counter-clockwise route (start Mexica room, most impressive first)
- Audio guide available ($5 extra, worth it)
Location: Chapultepec Park, metro Auditorio (Line 7)
Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul): Overrated or Essential?
Frida’s childhood home in Coyoacán, now museum displaying personal items, art, garden.
Entry: $15 (MXN 300) foreigners vs $6 locals—controversial pricing
Why people love it:
- Frida obsession (justified—her art and life fascinating)
- Casa Azul beautiful (cobalt blue house, courtyard garden)
- Personal items (wheelchair, bed where she painted, letters)
Why people disappointed:
- Few actual paintings (major works in other museums)
- Crowded always (book online days ahead or face denial)
- Expensive relative to other CDMX museums
- Nearby Diego Rivera Museum better art collection
Verdict:
- Frida fans: Absolutely visit, book online immediately
- Casual interest: Skip, see her art at Bellas Artes/Dolores Olmedo free or cheaper
- Photography: Minimal allowed inside, mostly garden shots
Palacio de Bellas Artes: Free Exterior, $5 Interior
Art Nouveau/Art Deco palace housing murals by Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros—Mexican muralism’s greatest hits.
Entry: Free to admire exterior/lobby, $5 (MXN 100) for museum
What’s inside:
- Diego Rivera “Man at Crossroads” (reproduction—Rockefeller Center destroyed original for communist imagery)
- Orozco “Catharsis”
- Siqueiros “New Democracy”
- Rotating exhibitions (variable quality)
Worth it? Yes—$5 for world-famous murals in stunning building = excellent value
When: Sunday performances (Ballet Folklórico) $20-50 (MXN 400-1,000), not mandatory but popular
Part VIII: Common Mexico City Travel Mistakes
Mistake #1: Staying Near Airport
Airport 13km from city center, hotels near it are expensive and boring. Take Uber to Roma ($10-12, MXN 200-240), enjoy actual city.
Mistake #2: Only Eating at Restaurants
You’re missing 90% of Mexican food culture. Street tacos, market fondas, tamale vendors = where flavor lives at 1/4 restaurant prices.
Mistake #3: Taking Taxis Instead of Uber
Meter manipulation, unlicensed drivers, occasional robbery. Uber costs same or less, infinitely safer, transparent pricing.
Mistake #4: Booking Xochimilco Trajinera on Weekend
“Floating gardens” boat rides = drunk Mexican bachelor parties blasting reggaeton, trash in canals, aggressive vendors. Go Tuesday-Thursday afternoon or skip entirely.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Altitude First Day
Trying to walk everywhere, drinking heavily first night, not hydrating = guaranteed headache and misery. Take it easy 48 hours, hydrate constantly.
Mistake #6: Comparing to Cancún/Playa del Carmen
CDMX is genuine Mexico—9 million locals living their lives, not tourism-dependent beach resort. Different experience entirely, set expectations accordingly.
Mistake #7: Not Learning Basic Spanish
English works in Roma/Condesa tourist areas, fails everywhere else. “Cuánto cuesta?” (how much?), “Gracias,” “Por favor,” “La cuenta” (the check) open doors.
Mistake #8: Skipping Anthropology Museum for Xochimilco
Anthropology Museum is world-class, Xochimilco is drunk boat ride. Your time/energy better spent on museum.
Mistake #9: Overpacking Schedule
Altitude exhausts you, CDMX traffic slows everything, 3-4 activities daily = realistic maximum. Leave breathing room.
Mistake #10: Worrying Too Much About Safety
Yes, stay aware. No, you won’t get kidnapped walking Roma at 8pm. CDMX has 9 million residents living normal lives—use street smarts (phone awareness, Uber at night, don’t flash wealth), you’ll be fine.
Part IX: Your Mexico City Questions Answered
How many days do I need?
5-7 days comfortable. Day 1: Centro Histórico, Zócalo, Bellas Artes, Templo Mayor. Day 2: Anthropology Museum, Chapultepec Park. Day 3: Teotihuacán early morning. Day 4: Coyoacán, Frida Kahlo Museum. Day 5: Roma/Condesa wandering, markets. Days 6-7: Day trips (Puebla, Taxco) or deeper neighborhood exploration. Less than 4 days rushed, more than 10 requires additional day trips.
Is Mexico City safe?
Safer than reputation suggests. Roma/Condesa/Coyoacán/Polanco very safe (walk at night fine in Roma/Condesa). Centro Histórico grittier but daylight safe. Avoid Tepito, Doctores, empty late-night Centro. Main risks: pickpocketing (metro, crowded areas), phone snatching (use phone awareness on streets), taxi scams (use Uber instead). Violent crime against tourists rare. Solo female travelers visit safely with normal precautions. Statistically safer than many U.S. cities.
Do I need Spanish?
Helpful but not mandatory. Roma/Condesa/Polanco tourist areas have English speakers. Centro Histórico, markets, street vendors—minimal English. Uber eliminates taxi Spanish needs. Google Translate camera mode reads menus. Learn survival phrases: “Cuánto cuesta?” (how much?), “Dónde está…?” (where is?), “No entiendo” (I don’t understand). CDMX more patient with Spanish attempts than Barcelona/Paris—locals appreciate effort even if you’re terrible.
When should I visit?
October-April (dry season) best. October-December: Perfect weather (15-25°C/59-77°F), Día de Muertos festivities (November 1-2 spectacular), clear skies. January-April: Still dry, slightly warmer. Avoid May-September: Rainy season (afternoon downpours daily), worse pollution (rainy season actually traps smog), humid. Exception: September 15-16 Independence Day celebrations if crowds/festivities appeal.
How bad is Montezuma’s Revenge?
20-50% of visitors get mild stomach issues. Usually 24-48 hour inconvenience (diarrhea, cramps), not week-long illness. Prevention: Bottled water exclusively, avoid raw vegetables first 2-3 days (let stomach adjust), probiotics daily, wash hands obsessively. If it hits: Hydration (ORS from pharmacy), Imodium, rest. Serious cases (fever, blood, 3+ days): Doctor visit (private clinics ~$30, good care, prescribe antibiotics if needed). Most travelers: Either avoid it or deal with 1-2 uncomfortable days, then fine.
Can vegetarians eat well?
Easily. Quesadillas, tlacoyos (bean-stuffed corn cakes), huaraches (oval flatbread with beans/cheese), nopal (cactus) tacos, enfrijoladas (tortillas in bean sauce), countless market options. Mexico’s indigenous cuisine is bean/corn/vegetable-based—meat added later. Phrases: “Sin carne” (without meat), “Vegetariano.” Vegan harder (cheese/lard common) but Roma/Condesa have specific vegan restaurants.
What about altitude sickness?
30-50% feel mild symptoms first 24-48 hours: Shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, sleep difficulty. Prevention: Hydrate (3-4 liters daily), take it easy first day (don’t overexert), limit alcohol, rest more than usual. Most people adjust within 2-3 days, feel normal by day 4. Severe cases rare but possible—persistent symptoms see doctor. Coca tea helps (but uncommon in CDMX). If you struggled in Denver, Cusco, or Bogotá before, expect similar issues.
How much Spanish do I actually need?
Zero for survival, basic for enhanced experience. Uber eliminates taxi Spanish, Roma/Condesa hospitality speaks English, pointing at market food works. But learning 20-30 phrases transforms experience: vendors smile, prices sometimes drop, locals help more enthusiastically. CDMX residents appreciate Spanish attempts unlike Barcelona (where locals often switch to English impatiently). Even terrible Spanish earns goodwill. Download Google Translate, learn numbers 1-10, basic courtesies, you’ll manage fine.
Is the metro safe?
Generally yes, with awareness. Daytime safe, rush hour very crowded (pickpocket risk, women use women-only front cars). Late night (after 11pm) emptier = higher robbery risk (ride populated cars, not empty ones). Phone awareness (don’t wave iPhone around). Backpacks forward. Metro costs $0.25—incredible value. Millions of Mexicans use it daily safely. Just maintain awareness like any major city subway.
Mexico City’s Unexpected Appeal
Mexico City delivers 2,000-year-old Aztec ruins underneath Spanish colonial palaces, UNESCO-listed murals by Diego Rivera depicting communist revolution, and street food culture where $0.50 tacos taste better than $15 restaurant versions—accomplishing this while costing $30-45 daily (cheaper than Southeast Asia), operating with public transport efficiency rivaling Tokyo (metro $0.25 per ride, on-time, clean), and maintaining 9-million-person megalopolis where neighborhoods like Roma Norte feel safer than many U.S. cities despite Mexico’s violent reputation from border news.
Successful Mexico City travel means staying in Roma Norte or Condesa (not Zona Rosa tourist traps), eating street tacos and market comida corrida (not Polanco’s $30 meals), using Uber exclusively over taxis (safety + transparency), and accepting altitude takes 48 hours adjustment while tap water absolutely will make you sick if you ignore warnings—but rewards travelers with $5 Anthropology Museum admission that would cost $25 in Europe, Teotihuacán pyramids accessible via $3 bus, and neighborhoods where laundry hangs from Art Deco balconies while street vendors sell tamales at dawn creating authentic urban experience Instagram influencers photograph but rarely explain how to access affordably.
The Anthropology Museum genuinely rivals world’s best for $5 entry, Bellas Artes murals justify UNESCO protection, and climbing Pyramid of the Sun at 7am before tour bus hordes delivers legitimate archaeological wonder—accomplishing this while maintaining budgets that make Bangkok look expensive, proving that North America’s cheapest compelling capital city exists not in U.S./Canada but 2,240 meters above sea level in country whose reputation for danger obscures reality that CDMX operates more safely, efficiently, and affordably than tourism industry acknowledges because if budget travelers discovered Mexico City’s actual appeal, Cancún’s overpriced beach resort model would lose millions to capital city offering real Mexico for fraction of cost.
Discover. Learn. Travel Better.
Explore trusted insights and travel smart with expert guides and curated recommendations for your next journey.