{"id":4545352,"date":"2022-08-26T07:17:30","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T07:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hb4thbbsfl.onrocket.site\/?p=4545352"},"modified":"2024-03-20T08:33:21","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T08:33:21","slug":"mexico-city","status":"publish","type":"travelguides","link":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/mexico\/mexico-stad\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Mexico City Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n <\/i>Exploring Mexico City<\/span><\/a> \n <\/i>Where to stay<\/span><\/a>\n <\/i>Where to eat<\/span><\/a>\n <\/i>How to get around<\/span><\/a>\n <\/i>How to get there<\/span><\/a>\n <\/i>Favourite stays<\/span><\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of the time, people will tell you to just skip Central American capital cities. They have a bad reputation for being dangerous, with not that much to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This couldn\u2019t be more wrong when it comes to Mexico City. There\u2019s a massive preconception that surrounds Mexico\u2019s capital. If you have a negative preconceived idea about Mexico City then scrap it and put it straight in the bin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mexico City is a stunning city filled with some of the best street food in the world, more than 150 museums to explore and lush green parks nestled within the busy city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re visiting Mexico soon, you’ve come to the right place. After reading this guide, you’ll know which area to stay in, where to find the best restaurants and how to get around this bustling city in Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, check out our list of the best activities in Mexico City<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Mexico City worth visiting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Mexico
View on Mexico City <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most people who visit the capital city are pleasantly surprised with just how magnificent it is. And they usually leave with a new addiction: to Mexican street food, particularly the tacos Al Pastor tacos which can be found on almost every street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can spend days on end wandering around and admiring the city’s incredible architecture. Being one of the biggest cities in the world, Mexico City has become an enthralling mishmash of different architectural styles and cultures. Some parts will have you convinced that you\u2019ve got lost and ventured into Italy or even London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We could paint the perfect picture of Mexico City, but like all capital cities around the world, it also has some rougher places to avoid. As long as you stick to the popular tourist areas of the city, you will have the best time in Mexico City. Areas like the Historic Centre<\/a>, La Roma<\/a> and La Condesa<\/a> are totally safe to explore, just to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long should you spend in Mexico City?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cheap flights from Mexico City\u2019s international airport mean that the city is a popular transiting hub. But it deserves much more of your time than just skimming through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so much on offer, you can easily spend a week in Mexico City and have still not explored everything you wanted to. The museums alone can keep you busy for weeks. We recommend a minimum of five days in Mexico City to really get to know the city and inevitably fall in love with it. The street tacos will also make you never want to leave!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you plan your stay, check out our list of Top Things to Do in Mexico City<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Mexico City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With 350 neighbourhoods to choose from in Mexico City, picking where to stay can be quite overwhelming. Within these neighbourhoods, there are ones that you\u2019ll fall in love with and others that you definitely wouldn\u2019t want to stay in! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid staying in the wrong area, see our top 3 places to stay in Mexico City:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location #1: Historic Centre \u2014 surround yourself with history, culture and architecture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Architectures
Spanish colonial architecture in Historic Centre\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you want to be in the heart of the city, the Historic Centre<\/a> is where you\u2019ll want to base yourself. It\u2019s where the Spanish colonial city first took shape and since then the city has rapidly expanded. This area is centred around the Zocalo<\/a>, the central plaza of the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All around the plaza, you\u2019ll find stunning historic buildings, such as Mexico City Cathedral and the National Palace. These buildings have a gorgeous golden shine to them, especially during sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast to the history and culture of this area, not too far away you\u2019ll also find the shopping street. Here, you\u2019ll find plenty of shops to satisfy your shopping spree cravings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s an abundance of hotels, Airbnbs and hostels to choose from in this area, many of which are housed within beautifully-designed buildings overflowing with history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prices for a private room start at around $20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location #2: La Roma and Condesa \u2014 trendy tree-lined streets and hipster coffee shops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Roma
Streets of La Roma<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Although technically two neighbourhoods, La Roma<\/a> and Condesa<\/a> are situated right next to each other and have a lot in common. No matter which one you end up in, you’ll get the hipster chic experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both areas have a trendy and bohemian vibe: think sidewalk cafes, little boutiques, and international bistros that line the streets. La Roma especially will make you feel like you\u2019ve accidentally been transported to Europe. The architecture is similar to that found in southern Europe, with well-maintained art nouveau buildings and intricate balconies overlooking the tree-lined streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of shops, restaurants, art galleries and bars to explore in these areas. You\u2019ll also find a mix of the older and younger generations, giving the areas an interesting character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of stylish hotels and Airbnbs to be found in these areas, starting from $15 per night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location #3: Polanco \u2014 the high-end and exclusive area of Mexico City<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Polanco
High-end living in Polanco with its modern restaurants and buildings <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a sleek and posh area, where high-end restaurants, bars and shops are situated, then Polanco<\/a> is your place to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This area allows you to see a side of Mexico that most people don\u2019t expect: gated properties, luxury villas and chauffeurs driving their clients around in expensive cars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polanco is also where you\u2019ll find a lot of the city’s museums, such as the Jumex Museum<\/a>, Museum of Modern Art<\/a> and Soumaya<\/a>, to name a few. Staying here could save you travel time and money if museum hopping is what you’re after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many luxury hotels, including big-name chains such as the W. This doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t stay here if you\u2019re on a budget. You can still find prices similar to the other areas, starting at $15 per night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best places to eat in Mexico City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Mexican
Mexican chef preparing authentic chilli sauces <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mexico City has one of the best food scenes in the world! The city has perfected both cheap street food and fine dining, so whatever you\u2019re craving, you\u2019ll find it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A taco tour is one of the best ways to kick off your visit. Just wander around the streets, stopping at any taco shop or stall that takes your fancy. An added bonus, you\u2019re basically burning off the calories you\u2019re eating! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top tip: <\/strong>Make sure to check out the taco tour included in our Top Things to Do in Mexico City<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a struggle to narrow down the best places to eat in Mexico City, as there are just so many, but here are our favourite three:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Huequito \u2014 delicious and juicy tacos Al Pastor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tacos at El Huequito<\/a> are undoubtedly a 9\/10. We don\u2019t think the perfect 10\/10 taco actually exists, so this is probably as close as you can get to perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Al Pastor meat oozes with juice. There\u2019s the perfect ratio of onions to coriander and the accompanying sauces are incredible. You can even get a pile of Al Pastor pork and build your own tacos. It\u2019s a huge portion, but they\u2019re so good you\u2019ll refuse to not finish them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guacamole here is also not something to miss out on, it can take your taco to a whole new level!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secret recommendation: <\/strong>A close second when it came to tacos was a small stall parked outside a sex store<\/a>. Hear us out. It\u2019s not actually part of the sex shop; it just happens to be poorly positioned. These tacos are super cheap and tasty! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Churrer\u00eda El Moro \u2014 the best churros in the whole of Mexico City<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

El Moro<\/a> has become famous for its delicious churros, which is proven by the fact that there are always queues streaming from the front store. Don\u2019t worry about the wait, though, it goes fast and you can watch how the churros are made through the storefront window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just the process of making the churros on such a mass scale alone is impressive, but wait till you taste them. You can opt for traditional churros, vanilla, chocolate and even red velvet! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a perfect stop for a snack or dessert at the end of the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top tip: <\/strong>Churrer\u00eda El Moro has several locations in Mexico City but the original shop is in the Eje Central L\u00e1zaro C\u00e1rdenas 42, Centro Historico. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pujol \u2014 a tasting menu for a taste of Mexico<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pujol<\/a> was named by the Wall Street Journal as the best restaurant in Mexico City. The 3000-plus reviews on Google seem to also agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every element of the tasting menu has been thought through down to the very last detail. The food is complex with flavours and so beautifully presented that you almost don\u2019t want to eat it. The taco-tasting menu is a favourite, allowing you to sample a variety of sophisticated tacos and other traditional dishes such as mole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tasting menus are at the higher end of the price scale, but completely worth it as the meal is more than just the food, it\u2019s an experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Pescadito \u2014 fish and shrimp tacos to die for <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If all the al pastor and carnitas tacos have been a bit too much meat for you, head to El Pescadito<\/a> (which translates to \u2018little fish\u2019). They serve only prawn and fish tacos (including tuna and marlin). Pick your fish and then load it up at the toppings bar with all kinds of salads and salsas. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy but it\u2019s located on a lovely tree-lined street in Condesa. Come on the weekend and the place will be buzzing with locals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taquer\u00eda Orinoco \u2014 hipster taqueria for late night munchies <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With a few different locations, including in the city\u2019s coolest neighbourhoods, Taqueria Orinoco<\/a> is a hipster re-imagining of the classic taco eatery. Order a gringa and potatoes (roast potatoes in Mexico?! You\u2019ll thank me later), and an obligatory agua fresca. This place is good at all times of day but it\u2019s particularly popular as a post-night-out spot \u2014 it\u2019s open until 6 am on Fridays and Saturdays.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hamburguesas a la Parrilla \u2014 Mexican hamburgers <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You probably don\u2019t associate Mexico with hamburgers (I know I didn\u2019t) but Hamburguesas a la Parrilla<\/a> in Roma will have you dreaming about their burgers long after the trip is over. It\u2019s a humble street food stand but the meat is juicy and the flavours are on point. Get the crowd favourite: pineapple and cheeseburger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get around Mexico City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Modern
A bus stop in Mexico City <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mexico City is the 12th largest city in the world. So it\u2019s pretty big. You probably won\u2019t want to explore all areas of the city, but the popular places to visit can still be some distance away from each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a problem, though, because Mexico City has a relatively efficient metro system. Alternatively, an Uber ride to most places will also only cost you a few US dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you arrive in the neighbourhood you want to explore, walking becomes your best form of transport. That way you can make any tour of an area into a food tour!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you to get around this bustling city, we\u2019ve put together some detailed information on the best ways to get around Mexico City:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By foot <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Zocalo
Walking around the Plaza de la Constituci\u00f3n or Zocalo <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Getting around Mexico City by foot will only get you so far. It\u2019s a huge city with over 350 neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you get to a neighbourhood or area that you want to explore, it\u2019s easy to walk around the city\u2019s streets, but usually getting between these neighbourhoods is too far to walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By taxi (Uber)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first pieces of advice that you\u2019ll be given when you arrive in Mexico City is not to use the local taxi service, stick to Uber. There have been a number of incidents with both tourists and locals when it comes to using the local taxis so it\u2019s not worth taking the risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uber is also super cheap in Mexico City, safer and just all-around more efficient as you can hail a ride from your phone, from anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One place to definitely use an Uber is when you arrive at either the bus station or the airport. The local taxis charge extortionate fees whereas an Uber from the bus station or airport to the Historic Centre costs around 50 MXN ($3) and 150 MXN ($8.90) respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By metro<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mexico City\u2019s metro can be a fast and cheap way to get around the large city. The metro system has twelve lines connecting the huge city together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter where you\u2019re going within the city, tickets cost just 5 MXN ($0.30). All you have to do is go up to one of the ticket counters, buy your ticket and then pop it into one of the turnstiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make it even simpler, the maps within the stations are really easy to use and Google Maps can plan out your whole route for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metros can get busy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Metro
Taking the metro in Mexico City is a cheap way to get somewhere, but they can get pretty crowded<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The only downside is that each of the trains usually has nine cars. This is nowhere near enough during the rush hour, between 16:00 and 19:00 on weekdays. During this time, the metro gets really busy. We\u2019re talking sardine kind of conditions, and cooked sardines during the summer as it can get pretty hot down there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019d recommend taking the bus or a taxi during these times, or if you do choose to still use the metro, make sure to keep an eye on your bags and pockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a woman or a child, you\u2019re slightly more fortunate as they have separate cars for you, which are slightly less crowded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Monday to Friday, the metro runs from 05:00 to midnight. On Saturdays, it’s from 06:00 to midnight and on Sundays, from 07:00 to midnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By bus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Metrobus
Travel quickly and cheaply with Metrobus <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mexico City has two types of buses: the normal local bus and a newer Metrobus. The Metrobus is the most efficient option as it has its own lane across the city, meaning that it can avoid frequent traffic jams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of bus stops scattered around the city, so you\u2019ll never be too far away from one. The bus stops themselves offer information on the routes available, or alternatively, you can just use Google Maps to plan your route for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A ticket for the local bus will cost you 6 MXN ($0.40), whilst the Metrobus costs 5 MXN ($0.30). However, to board the Metrobus you can\u2019t use cash. Instead, you have to buy a smartcard from one of the metro stations for 15 MXN ($0.90), which you can then load money onto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Mexico City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Leaving from<\/th>Duration<\/th>Prices from<\/th><\/th>See details<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Acapulco<\/td>2.5-5.5 hours<\/td>from 655 MXN ($39)<\/td><\/td>Acapulco to Mexico City<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Cancun<\/td>3.5-28 hours<\/td>from 810 MXN ($47.50)<\/td><\/td>Cancun to Mexico City<\/a> <\/td><\/tr>
Guadalajara<\/td>3-8.5 hours<\/td>from 785 MXN ($46.50)<\/td><\/td>Guadalajara to Mexico City<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Mexico City<\/td>25-50 minutes<\/td>from 5 MXN ($0.30)<\/td><\/td>Mexico City Airport<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Oaxaca<\/td>hs 10m-7.5 hours<\/td>from 560 MXN ($33)<\/td><\/td>Oaxaca to Mexico City<\/a> <\/td><\/tr>
Puebla<\/td>2-3 hours<\/td>from 330 MXN ($19.50)<\/td><\/td>Puebla to Mexico City<\/a> <\/td><\/tr>
Puerto Escondido<\/td>hs – 20hrs 45m<\/td>from 775 MXN ($45.50)<\/td><\/td>Puerto Escondido to Mexico City<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
San Miguel de Allende<\/td>4-6 hours<\/td>from 455 MXN ($27)<\/td><\/td>San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In summary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019ve finished reading this guide, you’re almost ready for your adventure in Mexico City. The next step is to create your personalised itinerary with our top picks of things to do in Mexico City<\/a>. Simply choose your favourite activities and places to visit, and you’re all set to make lasting memories in Mexico City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Exploring Mexico City Where to stay Where to eat How to get around How to get there Favourite …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9026,"featured_media":4537577,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[900283,900332],"travelguides_tag":[],"class_list":["post-4545352","travelguides","type-travelguides","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mexico","category-mexico-city"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/travelguides\/4545352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/travelguides"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/travelguides"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9026"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4545352"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/travelguides\/4545352\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4537577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4545352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4545352"},{"taxonomy":"travelguides_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/old.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/travelguides_tag?post=4545352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}