Mexico City Travel Guide

A frenzied, colourful and ancient city with both Aztec and Spanish influences, Mexico City is a fascinating but challenging destination. As one of the world's biggest cities and a hip and happening place to be, it's not surprising trendy travellers are increasingly choosing to holiday in Mexico City. The sprawling and untidy modern metropolis is spiced with ancient Aztec undertones. People are attracted to the city by its inexpensive restaurants, wild and varied nightlife, dozens of wonderful museums and colourful craft markets. Anyone who enjoys a fast-paced urban playground will relish a holiday in this rambunctious capital, but some travellers may find the bustling cityscape a bit overwhelming.

Mexico City is a day-trippers paradise, and many use it as a base for excursions to the nearby ancient city of Teotihuacán and the numerous charming colonial towns within easy reach. While some travellers visit the city as a transit point on a resort holiday, it's so vast and has so many worthwhile attractions that it's impossible to cover everything in a single holiday, let alone a single weekend.

Best time to visit Mexico City

The climate of Mexico City is generally mild year round, with the best time to travel during the warmest months of April and May. Winter (December, January) can be rather cold and the city's smog is at its worst during this period. The rainy season runs from May to October, but if travellers choose to holiday in Mexico City during this period, they should still have plenty of sunny days between the downpours.

What to see in Mexico City

-See the cathedrals, palaces and artisans at El Zocalo, Mexico City's historic centre.

-Visit the impressive Templo Mayor, once the principal temple of the Aztecs.

-See the impressive stained glass hallways and fascinating displays at the National History Museum in Chapultepec Castle.

-Marvel at the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Teotihuacan, one of Mexico's must-see attractions.

What to do in Mexico City

-Stroll, picnic and museum-hop in the enormous Bosque de Chapultepec park.

-Take a bus to the picturesque colonial town of Guanajuato.

-Explore the charming suburb of San Angel, an artsy district full of cafes, museums and markets.

-Enjoy the bars, restaurants and dance clubs of Mexico City's party district, the Zona Rosa.

Beyond Mexico City

Mexico City is the main travel hub of the country and a common starting point for all sorts of Mexican holidays. One of the advantages of using the city as a base is the plethora of great daytrips made possible by the proximity of many interesting towns and natural attractions. Nearby towns such as Guanajuato, Tepotzotlan, Tlaxcala and Puebla are notable for their colonial features; a breathtakingly scenic road winds to Cuetzalan, 113 miles (182km) east of Mexico City; and Tepoztlan, an hour's drive south of the city, is wonderful for hiking and a taste of Aztec culture.

Getting there

Mexico City International Airport, officially called Benito Juarez International Airport, is situated six miles (10km) east of Mexico City and is the busiest airport in the country. In fact, it is so busy that it can be a frustrating airport and visitors should anticipate long queues. There are direct flights to Mexico City from London and a number of European cities, and numerous cheap flights from all over the US.

Did you know?

-Perhaps jealous of the coastal resorts, Mexico City has several artificial beaches.

-The National University of Mexico is the oldest university in North America.

-Mexico City is one of the most populous cities in the world.

Things to do in Mexico City

The culturally colourful and historically fascinating Mexico City has plenty to see and do for visitors from all walks of life. The city is well worth exploring en route to the resorts, and is a great place for a lively weekend away or even a holiday destination in its own right. Mexico City is also reputed to be the city with the most museums in the world and is sure to appeal to history buffs and art lovers.

With ancient ruins just a stone's throw from the city, tourists will want to visit the Templo Mayor, the principal temple of the Aztecs and part of Tenochtitlán, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan, which is the site of Mexico's largest ancient city and dates back to around 300 to 600 BC. For a more colonial flavour, travellers should visit the beautiful nearby town of Guanajuato, discovered by the Spanish in 1558 for its silver deposits.

Downtown Mexico City is a great place to soak up the architecture and atmosphere of the stately buildings. The Zócalo is the main gathering point in the city and is surrounded by historic buildings. The Plaza Garibaldi-Mariachi is surrounded by cafés and restaurants and is also a favourite spot for tourists. To see the city at its most picturesque, visitors should stroll along the cobbled streets of San Angel where ancient mansions and colonial houses make for wonderful photo opportunities.

Art lovers will enjoy the Palacio de Bellas Artes, which features the works of Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, as well as 6,000 other works of art. Another of Mexico City's most popular attractions is undoubtedly the Bosque de Chapultepe. It's the destination's largest park and covers an enormous area containing lakes, a zoo and several museums, including the Museo Nacional de Antropología.

San Miguel de Allende photo

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende has retained its historical charm with beautiful 17th- and 18-century Baroque buildings. Narrow cobbled lanes are framed by yellow, orange and ochre buildings covered with bougainvillea vines. The city has a number of beautiful buildings including the pink Gothic parish church of La Parroquia, the magnificent Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramiez and the richly-decorated Oratorio de San Felipe Neri Church. A centre of Bohemian creativity in the 20th century, San Miguel de Allende is very popular with foreign expats and tourists in Mexico, having been noted as a desirable retirement destination for Americans. San Miguel de Allende also has a lively arts community, with productions hosted regularly at the Angela Peralta Theatre and the Otra Cara de México. The city is a three and a half hour drive from Mexico City.

El Zocalo photo

El Zocalo

The enormous paved Plaza de la Constitución, or Zocalo, is the second largest city square in the world. Dominated on one side by the magnificent colonial Presidential Palace, and on the other by the great Metropolitan Cathedral with its ornate interior, the square is Mexico City's centre of government and religion. The square itself is always filled with activity, with vendors, buskers and informal performances and passing tourists. Every evening the presidential guards lower the national flag from the central flagpole. The square is constantly encircled by the city's ubiquitous green Volkswagen taxis and is a good starting point for those wanting to explore the city.

Templo Mayor photo

Templo Mayor

Templo Mayor was the principal temple of the Aztecs, believed to mark the centre of the universe. It was part of the sacred complex of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan, and today it has been excavated to show the multiple layers of construction. The temple was first built in 1375 and enlarged several times, each rebuilding accompanied by a bloody sacrifice of captured warriors to rededicate the sacred area. Within the site is the excellent Museo del Templo Mayor, displaying artefacts from the original site including a great wheel-like stone carving of the Aztec goddess of the moon, Coyilxauhqui.

San Angel photo

San Angel

Formerly a separate village, San Angel is one of the more charming of Mexico's suburbs, an exclusive neighbourhood with ancient mansions and colonial houses along cobbled streets. It's famed for its Saturday craft market in the pretty Plaza San Jacinto, which brings colour, crowds and a festive atmosphere to the area, and has excellent art and handicrafts for sale. The suburb is crammed with little restaurants and cafes, several museums exhibiting the works of Frida Kahlo and others, and the lovely El Carmen complex consisting of a triple-domed church, a former monastery and a museum. San Angel is surrounded by a volcanic rock bed called the Pedregal. Parts of this unusual landscape have been declared protected areas where visitors can see the endemic flora and fauna.

Zona Rosa photo

Zona Rosa

The Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) is Mexico City's major dining, nightlife and shopping district, crammed with bars, shops, boutiques, restaurants and hotels. The district has subtly shifted in its appeal recently. Once a fashionable hub for youth and the upper classes, the Zona Rosa is now also frequented by the city's gay community and tourists. The symbol of Mexico City, a gilded statue of Winged Victory, looms above the district and is one of the city's most photographic features. There is accomodation available in the area, but visitors are advised that it can be noisy at night.

Teotihuacan photo

Teotihuacan

Situated 31 miles (50km) from Mexico City, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan is the country's largest ancient city, dating from around 300 to 600 BC. Legend has it the Aztecs found the abandoned city, recognising signs of its previous magnificence and naming it Teotihuacan (Place of the Gods). The central thoroughfare of Teotihuacan is the Avenue of the Dead, a 1,3 mile (2km) stretch connecting the three main attractions. The Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest in the world, a huge red painted structure over a cave with spectacular views from the top. The smaller, more graceful Pyramid of the Moon contains an altar believed to have been used for religious dancing. The Citadel is a large square complex that was once the residence of the city's ruler. Within the walls is its main feature, the Templo de Quetzalcoatl.

Guanajuato photo

Guanajuato

Guanajuato is a colonial gem, founded around the rich silver deposits discovered by the Spanish in 1558. The city has an unusual layout, crammed into a narrow valley with houses and streets forced into irregular positions due to the naturally hilly topography. Brightly painted houses perch on slopes reached by narrow cobbled alleyways, hidden plazas, steep stairways and underground tunnels. The most narrow, and most visited, alley is the Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss) where the balconies of the leaning houses on either side almost touch each other, a feature in the local romantic legend about furtive lovers exchanging kisses. Every weekend the famous strolling musicians lead processions through the narrow winding alleyways, strumming, singing and telling stories to following crowds.

Bosque de Chapultepec photo

Bosque de Chapultepec

Bosque de Chapultepec is a truly immense urban park. Mexico's answer to Central Park spans over 686 hectares (1,695 acres), and on any given day is brimming with people. The park is home to boating lakes, monuments, a zoo, playing fields, and Chapultepec Castle. The castle stands on a hill in the centre of the park, housing the Natural History Museum and offering incredible views of the city. There's plenty to see and do in the park, but most people come to relax on lunch breaks or weekends.

Getting Around

The efficient and very cheap public transport system makes Mexico City surprisingly easy to get around. It consists of the metro, buses, trolley buses and peseros (minibuses). The metro is the best method of travel, being fast and easy to use (6am to midnight), but bus routes are also very extensive and the buses are generally reliable, although more complicated for non-Spanish speakers to use. Peseros are smaller, more comfortable, and faster than buses, but slightly more expensive, and can be stopped anywhere along their set routes.

All forms of public transport are heavily crowded during peak hours and are best avoided at this time, and they should also be avoided at night. Visitors should be aware that crime levels are high on all buses and the metro, particularly when crowded; passengers should take care of their possessions. Visitors should not hail taxis on the streets. Most hotels have official taxi drivers assigned to them, or hotels and restaurants can call radio taxis, both of which are more expensive but safer and more reliable. Driving in the city is a nightmare and cars should be left in secure parking; renting is expensive and lone drivers are vulnerable to criminal assaults at night.

Mexico City Climate and Weather

Mexico City has a subtropical highland climate, with warm summers and mild winters, and an annual average temperature of 64F (18C). Seasonal variations in temperature are small, but May is the warmest month of the year, and January the coldest, when night frosts are possible. The average maximum temperatures of late spring and summer may reach up to 77F (25C), and the average low winter temperatures reach 45F (7C). Mexico City has a high average annual rainfall, with the wettest month being July, and the driest month February. Even during the summer rainy season, travellers are likely to get plenty of sunshine between showers. Mexico City suffers from terrible air pollution and the city is often smoggy, with poor visibility. This air pollution is at its worst during winter. The city is a year-round travel destination, but the best time to visit Mexico City is in the spring months of April and May.

Mexico travel info

Electricity

The electrical current is 110 to 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade attachment plugs are standard.

Language

Spanish is the official language in Mexico. Some English is spoken in tourist regions.

Money

The local currency is the Mexican peso (MXN), which is divided into 100 centavos. Most international hotels and tourist facilities accept credit and debit cards, though visitors should take care as credit card fraud occurs. ATMs are available in most cities and towns, and are the most convenient way to get money. However, for safety reasons they should only be used during business hours and vigilance is advised. Travellers should carry cash if they're visiting rural areas. US dollars are widely accepted in holiday resort areas; foreign currency can be exchanged at one of many casas de cambio (exchange houses), which have longer hours and offer a quicker service than the banks.

Tipping

Waiters and bar staff should be tipped 10 to 15 percent if a service charge hasn't already been added to the bill. Tips of 15 to 20 percent are the norm at international resorts, including those in Los Cabos.

Health

Malaria and dengue fever occur in some rural areas but not on the Pacific and Gulf coasts; Zika is still a risk in Mexico. Travellers should consider a rabies vaccination as dogs and some wildlife such as bats carry the disease. It's best to follow sensible precautions regarding food and water, such as only eating foods that are cooked and served hot, and sticking to bottled water.

Medical facilities in major cities may be good, but are usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas. Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended. As medicines may be in short supply, travellers should consider taking prescription medications in their original packaging, accompanied by a signed and dated letter from a doctor detailing what the medications are and why they are needed.

Safety

Travellers should be cautious in big cities such as Mexico City, where crime can pose a risk for foreigners. In particular, women on their own should be vigilant and take care of their belongings, especially on public transport. It's best to only use authorised taxi services and to avoid bus travel at night.

Visitors are advised to be wary of people presenting themselves as police officers who attempt to fine or arrest them for no apparent reason, as these situations can lead to theft or assault. If in doubt, travellers should ask for identification.

Most of the violence related to drug cartel wars in Mexico is concentrated along the border between Mexico and the United States, with tourist zones generally unaffected. Hurricanes may affect the coastal areas between June and November.

Local customs

Mexicans are not impatient and do not appreciate impatience in others, so travellers should expect opening hours and public transport times to be flexible and laid back. Locals are also friendly and hospitable people who greatly appreciate courteous behaviour. Travellers should note that it's common for Mexicans to communicate closer than one arm's length from each other, and that it's not an attempt to be forward.

Doing business

Though many Mexican businessmen speak perfect English, Spanish is the official language of business in the country, so learning a few choice words and phrases will go a long way toward developing a relationship with local associates. Business etiquette in Mexico is marked by a combination of formality and friendliness.

It's very rare to hear the word 'no' being used in a direct or confrontational way (bald refusals are seen as rude), and it's best to use titles ('señhor' and 'señhora') until specifically instructed not to. However, foreigners should not shrink away from engaging in personal discussions with their Mexican colleagues. Business meetings must be scheduled in advance, and then confirmed a few days before they are due to take place.

The dress code for the Mexican business world is smart and formal; business hours are generally from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with a two or three-hour siesta in the early afternoon.

Duty free

Travellers to Mexico who are over 18 years of age do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g tobacco; 3 litres spirits or 6 litres wine. Other goods to the value of US$500 for those arriving by air, or US$300 for those arriving by land are premitted without incurring duty fees. Prohibited goods include narcotics, firearms and used clothing that is not part of a traveller's personal luggage. The export of archaeological artefacts is strictly forbidden.

Communications

The international access code for Mexico is +52. Travellers can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones or use eSIMs if their cellular providers support it on their networks. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi are widely available.

Passport & Visa

All foreign passengers to Mexico must hold a Mexico Visitor's Permit (FMM), which is issued free of charge, and obtainable from airlines, Mexican Consulates, Mexican international airports, and border crossing points. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers transiting through the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States. Foreign passengers to Mexico should ensure that their passports and other travel documents are in good condition, as even slightly torn passports will not be accepted. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US citizens must have a passport that is valid at the time of entry. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

British citizens must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

Australian US must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Mexico. A visa is required. Passengers with a valid visa issued by Canada, Japan, USA, United Kingdom or a Schengen Member State are visa exempt for a maximum stay of 180 days.

Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

Useful contacts

Mexico Tourism Board: +52 55 5278 4200 or www.visitmexico.com

911 (General Emergency Hotline)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Mexican Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 728 1600.

Mexican Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7499 8586.

Mexican Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 233 8988.

Mexican Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6273 3963.

Mexican Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 460 1004.

Mexican Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 667 3105.

Mexican Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 472 0555.

Embassies / consulates in Mexico

United States Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 5080 2000.

British Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 1670 3200.

Canadian Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 5724 7900.

Australian Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 1101 2200.

South African Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 1100 4970.

Irish Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 5520 5803.

New Zealand Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 5283 9460.