Mexico City Guide
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Mexico City, the largest city in North America (yes, even bigger than New York City) has been rapidly increasing in popularity for US travelers as more folks discover the incredible people, food, culture, and nightlife this metropolis of 20 million plus offers. Pair this with nearly perfect weather in the winter and the strong dollar to Peso value, and you get an incredible destination that is surely not to be missed.
You have likely seen on Instagram some of the main sights, from the bustling Centro with ornate churches, palaces, and ancient ruins from the times of the Aztecs. Beyond the sights and museums, you’ll also find one of a kind travel experiences like the ancient pyramids, ruins, and floating cities.
Combining this with some of the best gastronomic offerings at significantly more reasonable prices to its neighbor to the north, vibrant nightlife, and some of the greenest and most livable urban neighborhoods, you’ll wonder how or why you’ve been sleeping on this city and spending all your time just in the touristy beach areas of Mexico.
I traveled to Mexico city for the first time in 2022, and after spending two days there, I immediately fell in love with the city, and the day I got home I booked a multi-week trip in November. After those weeks living and working there, lots of research and local recommendations, I pulled together this guide to help plan and maximize your time in this massive and incredible city.
Mexico City has two distinct seasons, a wet, rainy period and a dry season. It is recommend to visit during the dry season for the best weather, which fortunately coincides with winter and colder weather in the US and Europe.
Temperatures remain quite pleasant year round due to the location and elevation of the city, so winter is pleasant, and summer is not too hot. Due to this, some buildings and hotels may not have air conditioning or central heating since temperatures rarely extend into ranges where these services are needed.
When to Visit
The most popular areas for foreign travelers are below, with one notable spot missing, Centro. While Centro is another great spot to stay, it was just too crowded, bustling, and felt less safe than the following neighborhoods, which had better restaurants, atmospheres, and nightlife offerings vs. Centro.
La Condesa
Roma Norte
Polanco
Reforma (Zone Rosa)
Where to Stay
La Condesa
La Condesa is my favorite neighborhood, incredibly green, safe, walkable, with fantastic parks, gardens, architecture, cafes, and a quick jump to other popular neighborhoods.
Recommended if: You want to stay in one of the trendiest, but peaceful neighborhoods with great culinary options and striking distance to nightlife.
Comparable to: The West Village in NYC, the vibe, green space, and restaurants are the main draw. Nightlife is there, but it’s not super bustling.
I’d recommend staying anywhere in the adjacent map area during your visit. The best area is just around Parque Mexico or on Calle Amsterdam, which has a beautiful, tree lined pedestrian circle pathway great for walking and running.
Roma Norte
Roma Norte is a popular and growing neighborhood in Mexico city that has undergone a lot of change, is a bit more bustling than Condesa, and slightly has the edge over Condesa when it comes to restaurant and bar options.
Recommended if: You want to stay in a young, trendy, area with great vibes and restaurants that feels more like a city.
Comparable to: Chelsea or Williamsburg in NYC, or River North in Chicago – gorgeous architecture and parks but feels like a city. Crowd is young, trendy, and bohemian with good restaurants and nightlife options.
Recommend staying within map area, particularly around the parks off Orizaba or the two streets to the north of Alvaro Obregon between Calle Colima.
Polanco
Polanco is a luxury area of Mexico City and home to high end hotels and some of the best dining and shopping in the city – the luxury offerings tend to me a lot similar to experiences you can have in other major cities, but at its core is a bit high end touristy.
Recommended if: Your primary goal is dining at the most expensive restaurants or shopping, and you want to stay in the high end area of town.
Comparable to: The meatpacking district in NYC, Beverly Hills or the Sunset Strip in LA
Reforma / Zona Rosa
Reforma / Zona Rosa is the main touristy part of town where hotels are clustered, so you’ll have a ton of hotel recommendations but it’s not the best neighborhood in terms of vibe, restaurants, or culture, but lots of nightlife nearby
Recommended if: You have a short time in CDMX and want to stay in a really nice high rise hotel with a cool view with a lot of touristy things and nightlife close by
Comparable to: Midtown Manhattan, (i.e. Times Square area) Miracle Mile (Chicago)
Hotel Recommendations
Luxury Hotels
Hotel Condesa DF (La Condesa)
Choose if: You want to stay in the trendiest, greenest, and most peaceful neighborhoods. The Hotel Condesa is the best hotel in the area and has a great rooms, rooftop bar, décor, and vibe overall.
Note: Links May contain Affiliate Links
Brick Hotel (Roma Norte)
Choose if: You want to stay in a young, vibey trendy area in a perfect location right around the corner from some of Mexico City’s best restaurants.
W Polanco (Polanco)
Choose if: You are looking for a true luxury experience and to be in walking distance to lots of shopping, luxury goods, and high end restaurants
Sofitel Reforma (Reforma/Zona Rosa)
Choose if: You’re looking for a high end, high rise luxury experience and value hotel amenities above location and neighborhood.
Mid-Range Hotels
Hotel Circulo (La Condesa)
Choose if: Location, Location, Location - You are looking for a modern option with in a great location - rooms don’t have a ton of character but the location is fantastic at a very fair price
Note: Links May contain Affiliate Links
Four Points by Sheraton Mexico City, Colonia Roma (Roma Norte)
Choose if: You’re more comfortable staying at a US based chain or have significant Marriott Bonvoy Points - while there are better hotels in the area it’s well priced and in a great location in Roma Norte.
Intercontinental Presidente Mexico City (Polanco)
Choose if: You are looking a luxury experience at the best possible price and aren’t looking to leverage hotel points to cover the stay. This will be one of the more reasonably priced luxury options in Polanco.
Hyatt Regency Mexico City (Polanco)
Choose if: You are looking a luxury experience at a mid-range price in a high rise with a view and have Hyatt Points you’re looking to leverage
Mexico City Marriott Reforma Hotel (Reforma/Zona Rosa)
Choose if: You want a modern, high end building right on the main strip and luxury amenities at a very reasonable price, and have Bonvoy points to burn!
Things to Do
Ranked Top Attractions:
See the Full Article on Things to do!
Chapultepec Castle
Explore La Condesa
Explore Roma Norte
Anthropology Museum
Xochimilco Floating Market
Eat Street Tacos
Dinner or Brunch in Polanco
Centro Walking Tour
Coyoacan & Frida Khalo Museum
Visit Ruins outside of city (Hot air balloon option!)
Most Instagrammed Places
Most Popular Posts:
View from Chapultepec Castle
Hot Air balloon Ride at Teotihuacan Pyramids
Condesa Tree Lined Street or in front of unique Architecture
The Rooftop Cafe at Finca Don Porfirio across from Palacio de Bellas Artes
Xochimilco Floating Market
Restaurant Recommendations
Mexico City has truly incredible dining options that range from some of the best street food and tacos you’ll ever eat to one of a kind luxury experiences at a fraction of the price they cost in other major cities like New York or Los Angeles. With fantastic, memorable dining experiences scattered throughout the city, you’re certain to leave CDMX satisfied!
Bougie Restaurants
Pujol (Polanco - Reservation Required) – Pujol is one of the most popular and best restaurants in Mexico City, and due to it’s popularity books up months in advance. Make sure you plan ahead to book this, it’s not to be missed!
Animal (Polanco - Reservation Required) – If the jungle décor and vibe won’t sell you, the incredibly prepared and presented food will. As one of the most popular and instagrammable spots in Polanco, it’s worth the stop!
KYU (Polanco - Reservation Required) – An exceptional Asian fusion spot with a great vibe
Ling Ling by Hakkasan (Reforma / Zona Rosa – Reservation Required) – Perched high above the city in the Ritz Carlton, Ling Ling is an incredible dining experience, from cocktails to dessert. Also a great spot for brunch.
Blanco Colima (pictured) (Roma Norte - Reservation Required) – Located in one of the coolest architectural style buildings in the neighborhood, inside of this uplit masterpiece has a variety of mouthwatering cuisine options that you don’t want to miss.
Meroma (Roma Norte - Reservation Required) – This intimate space with a roof garden offers a thrilling journey for the taste buds paired with fantastic wine, cocktails and more. Be sure to book a reservation a few weeks in advance.
Mid Range Restaurants
La Capital - (La Condesa, Mexican) – Great spot in Condesa offers a variety of Mexican dishes with delightful presentations in a chic, two story space
Carajillo (Polanco, Mexican) – This lively spot in Polanco offers Mexican classic and excellent cocktails in a party like atmosphere - stay for the live performances and sparklers on weekends
Paramo (pictured) - (Roma Norte, Mexican ) – Climb the stairs to the cool open spot serving all kinds of tacos and delicious cocktails with a unique vibe.
Restaurante Rosetta (Roma Norte, Mexican) – One of the most popular restaurants in Roma Norte, with a beautiful garden style decor– make sure you book weeks in advance as it’s quite popular!
Azul Historico – (Centro, Mexican) – A spectacular two story courtyard with uplit trees creates a magical atmosphere for dining on smart Mexican classics with artful presentation. Make sure to book weeks in advance as it books up far in advance.
Botanico (La condesa, Mexican) – This ultra vibey, garden style restaurant specializes in cocktails and is a great spot to kick off a fun evening out.
Galanga - (Roma Norte, Thai) – Great Thai spot with cool décor, hanging lamps, and amazing food and drinks, particularly the sticky mango rice cocktail!
Brunch Restaurants
Cedron (Condesa) - Delicious Brunch options in an urban jungle atmosphere with gorgeous outdoor, plant filled table cafes
Lardo (Condesa) - Beautiful and very popular spot with a great bakery attached, indoor/outdoor vibe and often playing live music.
Maque (Condesa) - Highly recommended by locals, Maque is in one of the best spots in La Condesa with a great location near Parque Mexico and the famous Amsterdam Tree Lined avenue. It’s particularly known for its bunch offerings and Mexican classics.
Panadaria Rosetta (Roma Norte) - Extremely popular spot on one of the most popular streets, expect a long line and a great indoor/outdoor vibe with delicious brunch and Mexican dishes.
Madre Café (Roma Norte) - Great outdoor spot with upbeat, vibey music serving brunch classics with a young, smart dressed crowd
Budget Restaurants
Tacos Don Juan - Hands down my favorite tacos I had in Mexico City. This no frills, but top rated and usually a long line of locals, the Al Pastor literally changed my life and you simply must go here when in Mexico City, you won’t regret it.
Tacos Orinoco - Super popular chain that is open late and will often have long lines, there are locations in multiple parts of the city, including Condesa, Roma Norte, and Zona Rosa.
Jenni’s Street Quesadillas - Jenni is super well known and popular in the Roma Norte neighborhood, but you can literally stop at any street side taco stand for some of the best taco’s you’ll ever have.
Mercado Roma - Food market with tons of vendors and stalls - great food at a reasonable price, great spot to stop in for lunch or a quick bite if you’re staying in Condesa or Roma Norte.
Cafeteria Pendulo - This bookstore and cafe chain has locations all over the city, and each of them is unique and worth stopping at. For digital nomads, it’s a great place to get a table and work for a few hours. For travelers passing through, it’s a great spot spot for an instagram among the spiral staircases and rows and rows of books
CDMX Staples
Don’t Leave CDMX Without trying at least a few of the following staples!
Street Tacos - Is any further description needed?
Pendulo - Bookstore and cafe chain with amazing architecture throughout CDMX
Churros - Try Morro in Roma Norte or Polanco or Churreria de Coyoacan
Tamales - lots of vendors and options in Coyoacan
Elotes (Street Corn) - great options in Coyoacan
Mexico City Nightlife
La Condesa
Condesa is a better spot to stay, dine and relax than to have a wild night out. That being said, after highly recommend grabbing dinner and a few drinks there before moving to Roma Norte, Zona Rosa, Centro or Polanco to really dial things up.
Cocktails - La Terraza (Rooftop Bar on Condesa DF Hotel)
Bars - La Xampa (Great vibe and live DJ on weekends for drinks)
Gay Bar - Tom’s Leather Bar (most popular on Tuesday)
Roma Norte
Roma Norte offers really fantastic restaurants and also a great selection of bars and nightlife, especially in the high foot traffic areas.
Cocktails
Gin Gin - Specialized Gin drinks in a dark and intimate atmosphere, famous on instagram for it’s wall of skulls, a great spot for cocktails to kick off a night
Madre Roof - Can be hit or miss, but sophisticated cocktail options and bites in a lovely open air environment, Madre cafe is a good alternative on weeknights
Licorería Limantour - Lively spot for great cocktails any night of the week (usually full even on a Monday or a Tuesday), renowned by visitors and locals
Club - Guilt - Guilt is a queer friendly nightclub that hosts an absolutely incredible Drag event called Dragaret (link) every Thursday (and sometimes Friday). A fully choreographed spectacle, it features live performances, drag, multiple dancers and shows that will keep you entertained through three acts late into the night. As someone who lives in NYC, I’m used to incredible Drag and live performances, but Dragaret is truly one of the best Drag and live performances I’ve ever seen - just check out the videos below - it is INSANE. I highly recommend getting to the venue by 10:30-11:00 PM in order to secure a table in a good location. The show goes until after 2:00 AM and dancing ensues until late into the night. Guilt is a fantastic club even on non-Dragaret nights, and is very popular with the young, handsome local Mexico City crowd.
Drunk food - Tacos Orinoco
Zona Rosa / Reforma
he Zona Rosa / Reforma area is densely packed with high rise hotels, and the adjacent nightlife is bustling, and partially caters to the large tourist crowds nearby. The are just south of Reforma is called Zona Rosa, and is home to a plethora of bars, clubs, and rooftops to dance the night away. Zona Rosa in particular has the cities highest concentration of gay bars and clubs, for LGBT visitors, (similar to Hell’s Kitchen in NYC or West Hollywood in LA), but isn’t the local favorite spot for a night out. There are handful of smaller venues and clubs to check out, but I’ve highlighted the best and most recommended spots below:
Cocktails:
Handshake Speakeasy - popular spot for well curated craft cocktails in
Ling Ling by Hakasan - Located on a top floor of the Ritz Carlton Mexico City, this posh spot includes delicious craft cocktails that rival the incredible views from the top of the tower. Pro Tip - Go around sunset and watch Mexico City come alive from above
King Cole Bar - This bougie bar in the St. Regis Reforma is a great spot for a pre-dinner drink before healing to restaurants or nearby nightlife
Clubs:
KinkyBar - This multi-Level club is one of the most popular clubs in Reforma. While it’s a gay bar, the crowd is very mixed and the most packed dancefloor is up on the third floor roof deck, so don’t be fooled into getting a table on the lower levels by the very persuasive bottle service boys. Make sure you have cash for cover, as the party will go late into the night,
SIC Club - Usually open only on Saturday, SIC Club is a massive space with multiple rooms and and underground vibe. My local, queer friends preferred and recommended SIC vs. other venues in Zona Rosa, and it was easy to see why as the party had a great, energetic crowd, different music and rooms, and went late into the night.
Centro
As the center of Mexico City, Centro is packed with both locals and tourists at all days and all times. While I’d recommend other areas above ahead of Centro, there are definitely some great spots in Centro worth checking out. Exercise increased caution at night, particularly around here as pickpockets are more common
Baby - is another popular Queer nightspot with a very mixed crowd. There will often be drag shows, and has hosted many famous queens from drag race (i.e. Aquaria) and other stalwarts of Queer nightlife like Amanda Lapore.
Sunday Sunday- A really cool Sunday party spot and club with a great crowd, music, and vibes up on a high floor overlooking Centro and Mexico City. Make sure you get there early enough to enjoy the sunset, beats will continue spinning well into the night.
Helpful Tips & Resources
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