Mexico City

Mexico City is North America's largest city and the world's largest Spanish-speaking city, with 9.2 million inhabitants in the city proper. It is built on the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, and later became the capital of New Spain. The city is a financial and cultural center, with three World Heritage Sites: the Centro Histórico, the Luis Barragán house, and UNAM campus. The metropolitan area has 22 million people. The city sits at 2,230 m elevation in the Valley of Mexico, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes.

Mexico City is served by Benito Juarez International Airport (AICM) and nearby Felipe Ángeles and Toluca airports. Long-distance buses arrive at four main terminals: Norte (north), Poniente (west), Sur (south), and Oriente (TAPO, east), each serving different regions of the country. There is also a commuter train (Ferrocarril Suburbano) from Buenavista station.

The city operates the Metro and Metrobús bus rapid transit systems, which are cheap and reliable but can be very crowded during rush hour. There are also peseros and combis (private minibuses), taxis, and ride-hailing services. Metro fare is cheap (around M$5). Ecobici bike-sharing is available in central areas with 444 stations.

Mexico City has a temperate climate with five seasons. Spring is mild and sunny, summer warm and humid, monsoon from June to September with afternoon rains. Autumn and winter mornings are cold but skies are clear. Temperatures range from 0°C in winter mornings to 32°C in spring midday. Major festivals include Independence Day (Sep 15-16), Day of the Dead (Nov 1-2), and Art Week in February.

The city has over 3,000 hotels in all price ranges. Budget accommodations are concentrated in the Centro Histórico, with hostels like Hostel Mexico City and Casa de los Amigos. Mid-range options are in Zona Rosa and along Paseo de la Reforma. Splurge hotels are in Polanco and Chapultepec. Boutique hotels are found in Condesa, Roma, and Polanco.

You can find almost any kind of food. Budget travelers can eat at comida corrida restaurants for M$70-110 (March 2022). Street stands serve tacos and tortas cheaply. Popular areas include Polanco, Condesa, Roma, Centro, and Zona Rosa. Markets like Mercado La Merced and Mercado San Juan offer authentic food. For drinks, cantinas serve free food with drinks, pulquerías offer fermented agave drink pulque. Nightlife is huge with clubs, bars, and lounges.

Mexico City has numerous museums: National Museum of Anthropology, Frida Kahlo Museum, Museo Soumaya, and many more. Historic sites include the Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor, and Chapultepec Castle. For entertainment, see lucha libre at Arena México, watch a soccer match at Estadio Azteca, or visit Six Flags Mexico. Cultural events include the Alebrijes Parade in October and Day of the Dead celebrations.

Travel in Mexico City is generally safe, especially in tourist areas. Be vigilant in the north of Centro Histórico around Garibaldi Square at night. Emergency number is 911. Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps at night. The city has a detailed crime map available online.

A budget traveler can get by on around M$500-800 per day, including dorm accommodation (M$200-400), comida corrida meals (M$70-110 each), metro rides (M$5), and some attractions. Street food and markets are the cheapest options.

Several World Heritage Sites can be visited as day trips from Mexico City, including the ancient city of Teotihuacán, the colonial town of Puebla, and the floating gardens of Xochimilco.

Locals rarely wear shorts; avoid wearing them to not stand out as a tourist. Some churches may deny entry if you are wearing shorts. When approached by street vendors, it is not considered rude to ignore them if not interested. Police types include Policia (regular), Policia Auxiliar (blue uniform), and Policia de Transito (yellow hat).

Mexico City has the largest concentration of universities in the country, including UNAM (the second oldest in the Americas), Instituto Politécnico Nacional, and several private universities. UNAM's main campus in Coyoacán is a World Heritage Site.

Mexico has strict immigration laws for working. A permit (FM2 or FM3) is hard to obtain unless marrying a Mexican citizen or working for a multinational. Foreigners often work as language teachers, waiters, or own businesses without permits, which risks fines or deportation.