Everything You Need to Know About Mexico City Before You Go
Facts & Figures
POPULATION: 9 million and growing | known as CDMX
LANGUAGE: Spanish
Mexico City is built on a lake called El Lago de Texcoco. The city is constantly sinking and has sunk more than nine meters in some areas in the last 100 years.
Mexico City has the most museums in the world, with more than 160, almost all of which are free on Sundays!
Money
CURRENCY: Mexican Peso
SYMBOL: $; MXN
EXCHANGE: 20.45 pesos = 1 USD
= 0.80 GBP
= 0.942 Euros
ATMs are located all around the city and mostly open 24 hours. Be vigilant if going late at night.
Debit and Credit Cards accepted in most restaurants and shops. Except for local markets and off the street vendors.
Tipping is expected between 10% and 15%. If you are planning on regularly returning to the same place, we suggest tipping between 18% and 20%.
Getting Around
WALKING
Walk when possible. Between Condesa and Roma you can walk anywhere.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Taxi app
Uber
Yaxi
Cabify
Metro
A bit limited, but useful when going to the south of the city or downtown. $5 MXN
More info HERE
Metrobus
$6 MXN one ticket - $30 from and to the airport
Used only in a few sections of the city. More info HERE
Ecobici
You can get a tourist pass for while you are in Mexico City. You will need to go to a customer service center so sign up and bring a valid ID. More info HERE.
Staying a While?
SUPERMARKETS
Suprema
Hours of Operation: varies by location
$$$
General grocery store. You will be able to find some organic and GF products. You may also be able to find imported products.
La Comer
Hours of Operation: varies by location
$$
Large supermarkets where you can find almost anything!
OXXO
Hours of Operation: generally 24 hours
$$
Everyone's favorite corner store. You can find ATMs, add $ to your sim card, and get daily cheap coffee.
FITNESS & CLASSES
Hours of Operation: 6:00 - 23:00
Great Gym with Yoga classes and climbing wall. This Gym has an inside coffee shop with great healthy food and also an SPA
Hours of Operation: Varies by location
4 sustainable yoga centers in CDMX
HOSPITAL
24/7
$$$
FULL SERVICE HOSPITAL WITH EMERGENCY ROOM
HOSPITAL ANGELES CLINICA LONDRES
24/7
$$$
CLINIC WITH GENERAL DOCTORS AND SOME SPECIALTIES
POST OFFICE
Juan de la Barrera 24, Condesa, 06140 Ciudad de Mexico
Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm
Sat 930am-1:30pm
Main post office in Mexico, although there are many post offices that you can find around the city
PLACES TO WORK
COWORKING SPACES
Publico
Has multiple locations across Mexico City. The Roma Norte Publico is a brand new facility. It offers a modern working habitat, outdoor private roof garden, and different levels of privacy.
Located on the heart of the city close to nightlife, cafes and restaurants. Just across the street of the biggest park in the city.
Mixed seating styles: flex cowork area, rooftop garden
300/300 Fiber line
24 hour access (registration required): uses fingerprint. Not all services available 24/7.
Free coffee, tea and water available in kitchen
Printing included
WeWork
Has multiple locations across Mexico City
Includes high speed WiFi, meeting rooms, onsite staff, enhanced cleaning services, hands-free dispensers, phone booths, business-class printers, and professional & social events
LAPTOP-FRIENDLY CAFE`S
Blend Station:
Probably my favorite place to work. Has a beautiful tree growing right in the middle of the cafe! Excellent coffee and avocado toast
PLACES TO EAT
You can (and should) easily eat your way through CDMX. The best food comes from the street stalls. Don’t leave without grabbing a taco al pastor, a torta, churros, or mango with chili salt. If street food freaks you out, here are some awesome restaurants to try too. Some restaurants located around offices will have a special lunch menu called “Comida corrida” that costs between 50 and 60 pesos and includes a first course, a main meal, water, bread, and dessert.
La Casa de Toño:
Great place to buy some quesadillas or the famous pozole. You can order to go and take your food home or sit down and eat. Very fast service.
$
No reservation needed
Hours vary by location
Bistró Chapultepec:
One of the most emblematic of all Chapultepec Park eateries, The Bistro makes the most of the lake and the park too. Best known for their brunches, the Bistro will fill up on special occasions but it’s always the perfect cap to a nice long walk in the park.
Takes reservations
Hours vary
$$$$
Los Loosers
The only vegan food bike delivery in CDMX.
Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm
Order via Instagram or Facebook
$$
Toco Madera
Gastro pub with a good ambiance and decor. It is known for the good dishes, not overpriced menu and homemade whiskey.
$$
Wednesday to Sunday
6:00pm to 2:00am
Takes reservations and has great cocktails
Mercado Roma
Mercado Roma is a public market in the format of a gourmet food. It has a biergarten on the second floor.
9:00am - 10pm daily
Rooftop opened until 1:00am on the weekend
Takes reservation
$$
La Docena
Oyster bar and grill known for it’s delicious seafood
Mon-Sun 1:30pm - 1:ooam
Takes Reservation but call a few days in advance. If not expect about 1hr wait.
$$$
Pujol
Pujol is a Mexican restaurant named by Wall Street Journal as the best in Mexico City, and ranked 17th best restaurant in the world. The chef is Enrique Olvera, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America.
Reservation Needed
Call: +525555454111
Hours vary
$$$$
NIGHTLIFE
Rhodesia:
Iconic nightclub in Roma 50mts from La Cibeles fountain
Thu-Sat 21:30-3:00
La Xampañeria:
Tuesday live Jazz, great place for mixology drinks and light music
Mon-Sun 14:00-2:30
Joy Room
One of the most modern and biggest nightclubs in the city. You have to dress-up to go to this place
Fri-Sat 22:00-3:00
Hookah Lounge:
Place with a great view of the city. Enjoy a Hookah while drinking a great cocktail.
Wed-Sat 15:00-2:00
Cielo de Cortes:
A terrace with a view! Great place to chill with lounge music and mixology
Thurs-Sat 18:00-2:00
DAY TRIPS
Teotihuacan:
The fourth highest pyramid in the world and the tallest you can climb
1.5hrs from the city by bus
Taxco:
Taxco is a town in the state of Guerrero, southwest of Mexico City, famed for its silver jewelry production and Spanish colonial architecture. Plaza Borda, the main square, is home to the landmark Iglesia de Santa Prisca, an 18th-century rose-colored church in the elaborate churrigueresque style. Nearby, the Casa Borda cultural center displays works by local artists, and hosts music and theater events.
2hrs from the city by bus
Valle de Bravo:
Valle de Bravo is a town on Lake Avándaro, west of Mexico City. The lake, ringed by wooded mountains, is a center for water sports. The town’s cobbled streets are lined with well-preserved colonial buildings. Anchoring the Plaza de la Independencia is the 17th-century San Francisco de Asis Church. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a habitat for millions of migratory butterflies, is north of town
2hrs from the city by bus
Tequisquiapan:
Is a town and municipality located in the southeast of the state of Querétaro in central Mexico. The center of the town has cobblestone streets, traditional rustic houses with wrought iron fixtures, balconies, and wooden windowsills. It is also known for its wine, cheese and vineyards. We recommend La Redonda
1.5hrs from the city by bus
Tepoztlán:
Tepoztlán is a Mexican town south of Mexico City. It’s known as the reputed birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec feathered serpent god, and for its weekly craft market. A steep trail leads to the Aztec Tepozteco pyramid, on a clifftop above the town. A 16th-century former Dominican monastery, the Tepoztlán Ex-Convent, has a local history museum. The adjacent Carlos Pellicer Museum displays pre-Hispanic art
1hr from the city by bus
Huichapán:
Considered by many to be one of the prettiest places in the country, this quaint Hidalgo town invites you to walk along its cobblestone streets and admire its colonial constructions, including the church of San Mateo and the chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Afterwards, head to nearby town El Boyé and check out the pre-historic cave paintings.
3hrs from the city by car
Coyoacán:
Coyoacán is known for its colorful markets and historic streets. Frida Kahlo’s house “La Casa Azul” is located in the historic part of Coyoacán. Enjoy a ‘Churro con cajeta’ and a coffee from the famous coffee shop El Jarocho while walking the streets of Coyoacán. In the plaza central are many restaurants and the artisans market where you can buy a present for your love ones.
In the city!
OVERNIGHT TRIPS
Playa del Carmen:
Great beach to chill-out with some friends.This is a small town close to Cancun that will taste your liver on a whole new level with all the nightclubs and bars over the 5th Avenue. It is close enough to Tulum where you can visit beautiful ruins. Do not miss checking out the Cenotes! Many music festivals happen here so make sure to check the internet if you are into that.
1hr by plane
Tulum
People say Tulum has become so overrun with tourists that it lost its vibe. That may be true but that doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful. I would still recommend visiting to enjoy the beach, cenotes, and Playa Papaya
1-2 hrs by plane + 2 hrs by bus
Grutas de Tolantongo:
Tolantongo is a box canyon and resort located 17 kilometres from Ixmiquilpan on Route 27 in the Mezquital Valley, State of Hidalgo in Mexico, It is about 1.5 hours northeast of Pachuca and 198 km or three-to-four hours northeast of Mexico City. You will need to rent a car to go here but it is 100% worth it. The resort does not take reservations. It is a first come first serve basis. We recommend you leaving the city early to guarantee your spot. They also offer camping and you can rent all the equipment from them.
4hrs by car
Oaxaca:
Oaxaca is a state in southern Mexico known for its indigenous cultures. Its capital city of the same name is noted for colonial buildings often made of green volcanic stone. In the main square, El Zócalo, stands the baroque Catedral de Oaxaca. It is known for its mezcal and its surfing waves! If you are into finding hidden spots and taking beautiful instagram photos do not miss this magical place.
7hrs by bus | 1hr by plane
Sayulita:
A charming fishing village, Sayulita is a hidden gem with picturesque beaches, charming restaurants and great food. Unlike some other Mexican towns, tourists mingle with locals in a relaxed atmosphere, without the hustle and bustle of major touristy resorts. For those seeking more nightlife, Puerto Vallarta is a mere 30 minutes away.
10hrs by car | 1hr by plane
Guanajuato:
Something Guanajuato has specialized in is making the charm of its Magic Towns, like San Miguel de Allende and Dolores Hidalgo, more tangible. Mineral de Pozos is also refining its details and creating proposals that will make your visit a relaxing, rewarding, and exciting experience. You need not worry in regard to activities, because there is an excuse for coming to this town almost every month. Once you are here, its boutique hotels shall be the reason for which you should stay
5hrs by car
SAFETY & TIPS
WALKING AROUND
In general La Condesa and Roma are safe but avoid dark zones and walking alone after 10:00pm to be extra safe. Other places in the city like Centro (Downtown) is not that safe after dark.
CRIME
Petty theft and pick-pockets are more prevalent in touristy centers. Be much more mindful in Centro, Coyoacan and Reforma.
OPENING HOURS
Supermarkets will generally be open from 9h to 21h30/22h, and some stores open 24 hours
RESTAURANTS & CAFÉ
Most restaurants open at 8:00 am for breakfast and the ones that specialise in lunch and dinner after 11:00 am
HAGGLING
Haggling is common on street markets
HOSPITALS
Unless you don’t have an international medical insurance, please avoid public hospitals. You can spend hours before you have any kind of attention. Try going to a private clinic or hospital instead.
DRINKING WATER
Generally not great, probably safest to avoid tap water.
WATER VS MINERAL WATER
Mineral water in Mexico is Soda (sparkling water) to avoid any confusion.
ALCOHOL LAWS
There is no consumption of alcohol in the street. Most stores do not sell alcohol after 1am.
GREETINGS
Typically a cheek kiss, sometimes a handshake in formal settings.
EMERGENCY
Dial 066 in case of a medical, crime, or theft emergency.