Mexico City travel guide

Zócalo

You are standing on the heart of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, in one of the largest city squares in the world, with a giant flag at its centre. The Metropolitan Cathedral fills the north side, and along the east runs the National Palace, where Diego Rivera's murals of Mexican history cover the main staircase. Rooftop cafés on the west side give the best view across it.

Templo Mayor

Beside the cathedral lie the stone stairs and serpent heads of the Aztecs' great temple, uncovered after electricity workers struck a huge carved disc in 1978. That disc, the dismembered moon goddess Coyolxauhqui, more than three metres across, is now in the site museum with offerings found in the temple's layers. Closed on Mondays.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

White marble and Art Nouveau outside, Art Deco inside, the palace holds murals by Rivera, Orozco and Siqueiros on its upper floors, including Rivera's repainting of the mural Rockefeller Center destroyed in New York. The museum is closed on Mondays. The Ballet Folklórico de México usually performs here on Wednesdays and Sundays; check its calendar and book ahead.

National Museum of Anthropology

A vast concrete canopy on a single pillar pours a curtain of water into the courtyard, and around it are the treasures of ancient Mexico: the Aztec Sun Stone in the Mexica hall, Olmec colossal heads and a replica of the Maya king Pakal's tomb. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm; it easily fills half a day.

Chapultepec Castle

Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlota lived in this hilltop castle in the 1860s, and their furnished rooms, terraces and gardens look down Paseo de la Reforma, the avenue he laid out to reach it. It is now the National History Museum. It is a short walk through the park from the anthropology museum and, like it, closes on Mondays.

Frida Kahlo Museum

Kahlo was born and died in this cobalt-blue house in Coyoacán, and it still feels lived in, from her wheelchair at the easel in the studio to the kitchen and the embroidered dresses and corsets she wore. Tickets are sold only on the museum's own website for a fixed date and time, popular slots sell out, and the museum is closed on Mondays.

Xochimilco

Painted trajineras, each with a woman's name on its arch, glide along canals past the chinampas, the farmed islands of the Aztec era, while boats of mariachis and food sellers pull alongside. The borough sets an hourly price per boat, posted at each official landing; agree the length of the ride before you push off. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends.

Teotihuacan

Walk the Avenue of the Dead between the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon in a city that was among the largest in the world around 500 AD, and already in ruins when the Aztecs found it and named it. It is about 50 km northeast, an hour or more by road. The Pyramid of the Sun cannot be climbed; since May 2025 visitors may again go up the first level of the Pyramid of the Moon. Get there at opening, before the heat and the tour buses.

Tacos al pastor

The city's own taco grew out of the spit-roast meat Lebanese immigrants brought: pork marinated in chilli and achiote, roasted on a vertical spit and shaved onto small tortillas with a sliver of pineapple. Taquerías fire up in the evening; pick the stand with the longest queue.

Mercado de Coyoacán

Crunchy tostadas piled high with ceviche, shrimp or chicken tinga, eaten at the counter stools, are why people queue in this covered neighbourhood market. It is a few blocks from the Frida Kahlo Museum, so it folds easily into the Coyoacán day.

Mercado de San Juan

Chefs shop here for things you won't see elsewhere: rare cheeses and cured meats, game, and edible insects such as chapulines (grasshoppers) and escamoles (ant larvae). It is near the historic centre. Come hungry and order small plates from the counters inside.

Tamales and atole

Early in the morning, carts outside Metro stations sell commuters steamed corn tamales and atole, a warm, thick corn drink. Ask for a guajolota and you get the tamal tucked inside a bread roll.

Churros at El Moro

Long ridged churros come out of the oil hot, rolled in sugar, at this churrería on Eje Central near Bellas Artes, frying since the 1930s. Order them with a cup of thick hot chocolate for dunking.

Best: Late October to early November

Day of the Dead celebrations fill the city with altars, parades and festivities.

Best: December to February

Cool, dry days and chilly nights, ideal for long walks through the historic centre.

Harder: June to September

Rainy season, with warm afternoons and short, heavy downpours that usually clear by evening.

Best: February to April

Warm, dry days, with jacaranda trees in purple bloom across the city.

How do you get around Mexico City?

• Transit cardBuy the MI Card at a Metro ticket booth or a Metrobús machine, then top it up with cash at either.
• Phone walletIf your phone has NFC, you can add balance to the card in the official CDMX app or Mercado Pago.
• Metro and MetrobúsPaper tickets are no longer sold at metro booths, so the MI Card is the only way in.
• TaxisUse official taxi stands or book by phone, and avoid hailing taxis on the street.
• Airport transferMetrobús Line 4 runs from both airport terminals through the historic centre to Paseo de la Reforma; tap an MI Card or a contactless bank card. Metro Line 5's Terminal Aérea station is a short walk from Terminal 1.
• Airport taxisAt the airport, use the authorised taxi booths inside arrivals, where you pay before you ride. Ride-hailing pickups at the terminals have been restricted and enforcement has varied.

Do you need cash in Mexico City, and do you tip?

• Cash still mattersCarry some pesos for markets, small stalls and taxis, since cards are not taken everywhere.
• Withdraw from ATMsTake pesos from bank ATMs, and decline the machine's own conversion if it offers one.
• TippingAbout 10% is the custom in restaurants, cafés and bars, up to 15% for excellent service. Some places add it to the bill, so check first.

Useful phrases

• HelloHola
• Good morningBuenos días
• Thank youGracias
• PleasePor favor
• How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?
• Excuse me / sorryPerdón
• The bill, pleaseLa cuenta, por favor

Local manners

• GreetingsSay buenos días or buenas tardes before asking for anything.
• GraciasA quick thank you goes a long way in shops, cafés and taxis.
• BargainingPrices in food markets are fixed. Gentle haggling is fine at craft stalls, but keep it friendly.
• Meal timesThe main meal is a long lunch, from about 2 to 5 pm; dinner is lighter and later.

Useful apps

• Uber: Rides, eats, and moreRide-hailing around Mexico City with fixed fares
• Google MapsWalking and transit directions across Mexico City
• Google TranslateTranslating Spanish menus, signs and conversations
• Rappi: Food, delivery & moreFood and grocery delivery to your door

Download links for these are in the Mexico City guide in the Journey app.

Before you book

Check your government’s travel advice before you book.