Are you planning a trip to Mexico City as a first-time traveler? Then, it's obvious you're searching for what to do or avoid while visiting Mexico's capital city. With a population of over 22 million people, Mexico City is one of the most popular travel destinations in North America, nay, in the world.
There is so much I love about this dynamic city, from the hipster neighborhoods like Polanco, Roma, and Condesa and stunning architecture to street popular and many day trips from Mexico City.
As someone who has visited Mexico City more than a dozen times, I still hear many misconceptions and misleading information. Forget about the rumors you might have heard—Mexico City is affordable, easy to travel to, and filled with endless things to do.
To help you save money, time, and sanity, I've compiled a list of 20 things you should know before a trip to Mexico City. This list includes cultural nuances, safety tips, money-saving tips, and practical tips. These Mexico City travel tips will help you fit in like a local and make your trip fun and worry-free. So, without any further ado, let's begin!
Mexico City at a Glance
Before going into the Mexico City travel tips, let me first give a quick introduction to the capital city.
- Mexico City (Ciudad de México in Spanish) is the capital and largest city of Mexico. It is the most populous city in North America.
- Locals of Mexico City are known as chilangos.
- Mexico City is located at an elevation of 2200 meters, sitting on the top of a drained lake. Because of that, the city is constantly sinking, about 12 centimeters per year.
- The original name of Mexico City was Tenochtitlan, in the local Nahuatl language. Later, it was changed to Mexico.
- Chapultepec Forest in Mexico City is the largest urban park in North America.
- Mexico City has over 180 museums, more than any other city in the world.
- Mexico City has the largest subway system in Latin America. About 7 million people use it daily. It is also the cheapest in the world: one ride costs only 5 pesos.
- The city has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the UNAM Campus, the Historic Center, Xochimilco, and Luis Barragan's House and Studio.
- The best time to go to Mexico City is from March to May.
Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Mexico City
Below are some of the best tips and tricks you must know when traveling to Mexico City.
1. Learn Some Basic Spanish
Many travelers ask if they need to learn Spanish before visiting Mexico City. It depends on how long you're planning to stay in the city. If you plan a short trip to Mexico City in less than two weeks, then you don't need to be a master in Spanish other than some basic phrases. In the tourist areas and expat-friendly neighborhoods, like Centro Historico, Condesa, and Coyacan, you'll see most people communicating in English.
Some useful phrases you need to know are:
- Hello – Hola
- Pardon – Mande
- Goodbye – Adios
- Please – Por favor
- Excuse me – Con permiso
- Bus – Camion
- Where is the bathroom? – Donde esta bano?
- How much does it cost? – Cuanto cuesta?
- I don't speak Spanish – No hablo espanol
Brush up in advance if you can. Otherwise, make sure to download the Google Translate app to avoid any difficulty.
Health-Related Mexico City Travel Tips
The last thing you want on your vacation is to get sick, especially in a country where you don't speak the local language. Here are some health-related tips every traveler should know before a trip to Mexico City.
2. Start Taking Probiotics Before Traveling
Traveling to a new destination means experiencing a different climate, water, food, and time zones. These strain our bodies and often lead to health issues, especially related to the digestive system, such as food poisoning, constipation, and traveler's diarrhea (TD). Probiotics can help prevent digestive disorders.
Start taking probiotics at least a week before your trip. Continue taking them daily during your vacation to maintain a steady supply of beneficial bacteria.
For traveling, I recommend probiotics with a CFU of 30 billion and that contain strains supporting the digestive system, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Buy shelf-stable probiotics. My recommendations are Future Kind, Culturelle, and YourBiology.
3. Air Quality Index in Mexico City
Travelers going to Mexico City for the first time must be aware of the city's air quality index (AQI). Mexico City's air quality is rated good, moderate, bad, or worst. On a common day in the capital city, the AQI lingers around 100, mainly due to pollutants from vehicle emissions.
Mexico City sees its worst air quality during the winter-spring season, starting from late October. During this time, warm and still air settles in the high-altitude basin ringed by volcanic mountains.
If you're visiting Mexico during this time, be sure to take safety measures. Those suffering from respiratory problems or regular allergies should pack some additional supplies. If you wear contact lenses, I suggest carrying eyedrops with you.
I don't think air quality should deter anyone from visiting Mexico City. Instead, it's just useful to be aware of it beforehand so you can prepare accordingly.
4. Be aware of Altitude Sickness in Mexico City
Many travelers experience altitude sickness in Mexico City due to its elevation of 2,200 meters (7,350) above sea level. As a result, the reduced oxygen level and thin air can cause several symptoms associated with altitude sickness. When combined with the city's poor air quality, it's no surprise that many travelers feel crappy when they arrive.
You might experience a severe headache or migraine on the first day of your trip. Dehydration is one of the main causes of altitude sickness, so make sure to drink plenty of water when visiting Mexico City. Moreover, avoid strenuous activities for the first few days to help your body acclimate.
5. Drinking Tap Water in Mexico City
One of the stereotypical fears of every traveler is whether they can drink tap water in Mexico City or not. A big NO! Tap water in Mexico City is completely unsafe to drink. Even the locals avoid it. They prefer to use bottled and filtered water. I would recommend the same. Bottled water is available everywhere in Mexico City and is affordable – usually about a dollar. Also, skip the ice in your drinks if they are made of tap water. If you're more conscious about your health, use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing your teeth.
6. Get Travel Insurance
Although Mexico City is safe to travel to, you never know what can happen on your trip. Therefore, I always recommend getting travel insurance for every trip, especially if you're traveling with family. Travel insurance can protect you in case of unexpected expenses such as injury, theft, illness, and cancellations. If you're coming from Europe, True Traveller is a good option. For travelers from other countries, I recommend HeyMondo, and for long-term nomads, SafetyWing is the best travel insurance.
7. Check Out Visa and Entry Requirements
This is one of the most important things you should know before a trip to Mexico City.
Depending on your nationality, you might need a visa to enter Mexico City. However, citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries don't need a visa to enter Mexico City as tourists. Tourists can stay in Mexico City for 180 days. If you want to extend your stay, you'll need a special permit.
All visitors, regardless of nationality, must have a valid passport and a tourist card (FMM—Forma Migratoria Multiple). You can get the card from your airline or travel agent or apply online. The tourist card is valid for a single entry, and you don't lose it until you exit. If you lose it, you have to pay a fine of $40 when exiting Mexico. The card also tracks your entry date to ensure you don't exceed the 180-day limit.
8. Mexico City Safety Tips
One of the biggest concerns of every first-time visitor is – Is Mexico City Safe to Travel in 2024? The short answer is yes! However, I want to make it clear that you must be careful at all times. Like any densely populated city, crimes are not uncommon in Mexico City. Here are a few safety tips you should know before a trip to Mexico City.
- Stay in the tourist hotspots like Polanco, Condesa, Roma Norte, and Centro Historico, which are considered safer neighborhoods in Mexico City.
- Some neighborhoods in Mexico City are thought to be risky to stay in. These include Tepito, Doctores, La Lagunilla, Mercado Merced, Iztapalapa. When visiting these areas, stay on well-lit, main streets and avoid them after dark.
- Use public transport during the day and take private transport at night.
- When using public transport, female travelers should take advantage of female-only cabins available on the Metro.
- Use official taxis and ride-sharing apps like Cabify, Didi, or Uber, and avoid hailing taxis on the CDMX streets.
- You should be wary of scams and petty crimes targeting tourists. Pickpockets are more active around crowded sites and on public transport.
- Avoid flashing your valuables, such as expensive cameras, smartphones, jewelry, and cash.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol are illegal on the streets of Mexico City. Importing vaping devices and electronic cigarettes is also prohibited. You can be fined or arrested.
- Be sure to familiarize yourself with the emergency numbers when traveling to a foreign country. In Mexico City, you can reach the police by dialing 911, and ambulance and fire services are available by calling 066 or 080.
9. Earthquakes in Mexico City
I don't want to scare you with this Mexico City travel tip. But it's always best to be aware of any unexpected occurrences when planning your trip. Mexico City experiences earthquakes occasionally due to its location in the subduction zone. But no worries, the city and its residents know how to handle the disaster. Mexico City uses the seismic alarm system to warn the people 60 seconds before the earthquake hits the city. If you hear the alarm, don't panic, and follow the locals to the closest safe place.
10. Packing Essentials for Mexico City Trip
When planning a trip to Mexico City, you might wonder what I should take with me. Here are some items I recommend adding to your packing list. Due to its high altitude, Mexico City maintains average temperatures below 20s throughout the year with chilly nights. So, don't assume that you can get away with packing swimwear and shorts.
Pack jeans, a sweater, and a light, waterproof jacket. Bring comfy sneakers, as you'll likely do a lot of walking. For high-end restaurants, I recommend packing nicer clothes, as Chilangos tend to dress stylishly when going out. Other packing essentials include a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle, and the Lonely Planet Mexican Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary.
Travel Tips For After Arriving in Mexico City
Here are some tips that will help you during your trip to Mexico City.
11. Get a SIM Card in Mexico City
The first thing to do after arriving in Mexico City is get a SIM card. You'll need a SIM card to use online maps, call Uber, and search for other information about Mexico City. Travelers can buy a local SIM card at the Telcel office in Terminal 1 or 7-11 store. Telcel SIMs are very affordable. For 150 pesos, you get unlimited phone calls, social media access, and 4 GB of data.
12. Pay Local Car Insurance in Mexico City
If you plan to rent a car in Mexico City during your trip, this travel tip is for you. Mexico is among the few countries that mandate international travelers to get local liability insurance before renting a car. This liability insurance is different from the travel insurance I talked about above, and you have to purchase it separately.
Therefore, carefully check the car rental agency reviews before making any decision. My recommendation is DiscoverCars, one of the most reputable companies.
13. Always Pay in the Pesos
The official currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). Cash is still king in Mexico City. While some places, especially tourist hotspots, accept US dollars, using pesos is usually more cost-effective. You can exchange your currency for pesos at exchange bureaus, banks, or airports. For better rates, I recommend withdrawing pesos directly from ATMs. You can also use a credit card that offers favorable exchange rates without foreign transaction fees. But, whichever payment method you choose, always pay in pesos.
14. Use Public Transport
The most affordable and convenient way to get around Mexico City is through public transport. CDMX public transportation includes seven Metrobus lines and 12 Metro (subway lines). Other transit options include public buses, trolleybuses, RTP buses, public taxis, shared taxis, bikes, and more.
15. Restroom Doors Marked with an M are For Women
One of the interesting things you should know when visiting Mexico City is that the Spanish word for female is "mujeres." So, guys, if you see restroom doors marked with M, don't assume it is the men's room. Instead, find doors marked with a C (for Caballeros) or H (for hombres).
16. Don't Flush Toilet Papers
If you're coming from the US, this might be a big cultural difference. In Mexico, sometimes, you have to pay about fifty cents to use a restroom. Another practice is to throw your toilet paper in the garbage. In many places in Mexico City, the plumbing system can't handle toilet paper, so always avoid flushing it. Another important thing is that most public bathrooms don't have toilet paper, so remember to carry extra toilet paper with you.
17. Try Local Food
One of the best things about a Mexico City trip is comida (food), especially street food. You might be familiar with some Mexican staples such as tacos, tortas, tamales, and quesadillas. But Mexico City's food scene has much more to offer. If you're on a budget, try the three-course lunches (comida corrida) that many restaurants offer at a reasonable price. Lunch is the main meal of the day and must include tequila or cerveza (beer). Some local specialties include huarache, which are fried corn tortillas topped with cheese, meat, beans, potatoes, salsa, and cream. Food lovers who want to explore the city's food culture can join Mexico City food tours.
18. Tipping is Most Important in Mexico City
Be ready to tip everywhere in Mexico City. Generally, a minimum tip of 10% is appreciated at bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. If you're paying by card, the staff may often ask you if you'd like to add a tip before processing your payment. If someone helps pack your groceries or shopping bag, it is customary to tip 10 to 15 pesos.
19. Book Your Stay Ahead
If you want to experience Mexico City like a local, live like a local. Whether you want a cozy hotel in Condesa, a trendy apartment in La Roma, or a beautiful B&B in Coyoacan, Mexico City has numerous accommodation options.
If you're coming to Mexico City for a few weeks or months, consider subleasing an apartment in one of CDMX's neighborhoods directly from an owner. Renting a room or apartment using sublease.ai will not only give you a more authentic experience but it's likely you'll save quite a bit over a hotel or an AirBnb. Booking your stay before you travel will give you peace of mind and save you from any last-minute hassle.
20. Experience the Day Trips From Mexico City
My final Mexico City Travel tip is to extend your trip to other Mexican cities. Once you're done exploring the food, culture, architecture, and museums of Mexico City, it's time to go beyond this buzzing metropolis. The city is surrounded by numerous Pueblos Magicos (magic towns), colonial cities, and historical sites, many of which are perfect for a day trip. From the Teotihuacan pyramids and Iztaccihuatl Volcano to Michoacan monarch butterfly reserves, there are endless options for day trips from Mexico City.
FAQs
How Long Should I Stay in Mexico City?
Plan a four- to five-day trip to Mexico City to explore its main attractions and tourist areas, such as the Frida Kahlo Museum, Teotihuacan, and Basílica de Guad
alupe. Xochimilco, and more.
Is Mexico City Cheap to Visit?
A trip to Mexico City can be cheap or expensive as you make it. If you stick to street food, public transport, self-guided free attractions, and free walking tours, you can spend less or save more. However, Mexico City is not cheap for Mexicans.
How to Get to Mexico City?
It depends on where you're coming from. If you're traveling internationally, flying is the cheapest and fastest way to get to Mexico City. If you're coming from neighboring countries, you can travel by car or bus.
How Much Money Do I Need When Visiting Mexico City for a Week?
This completely depends on your travel style. If you're traveling on a budget, you can expect to bring $560, which will cover your food, accommodation, and transport. Mid-range travelers may need $1100, and for luxury travelers, it can be about $3000.
Final Thoughts
There you go! I hope this guide has covered all your queries about traveling to Mexico City as a first-time traveler. Now, you should be feeling much more prepared and excited about your trip to Mexico City. From entering Mexico City to getting around, sightseeing, enjoying the cuisine, and staying safe, these tips will help you at every step during your visit to this capital city. So, make sure to follow these Mexico City travel tips, and you may be mistaken for a local. Safe travels!
