🇲🇽 Mexico City Travel Guide

The complete guide to 14 things to do in Mexico City, Mexico — with prices, tips, and a 3-day itinerary.

📧 Get This Guide in Your Inbox

Enter your email and we'll send you this guide plus exclusive travel tips.

📍 Quick Facts

Best Time to VisitMarch to May (warm, dry, jacaranda season)
Daily Budget$40-120/day
CurrencyMXN (Mexican Peso)
Total Attractions14
Insider TipMexico City is at 7,350 feet elevation. Drink extra water your first two days and take it easy — altitude sickness is real even for fit travelers.

📅 Suggested 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Highlights & Landmarks

Teotihuacan Pyramids Day Trip ⏱ Half day • $45
Climb the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon at this UNESCO World Heritage site — one of the largest ancient cities ever built, predating the Aztecs by centuries.
Street Food Tour ⏱ 4 hours • $55
Tacos al pastor, tlacoyos, tamales, churros, and mezcal — hit 8-10 street stalls across 3 neighborhoods with a local guide who knows every vendor by name.
Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) ⏱ 2 hours • $15
The iconic Blue House where Frida was born, lived, and died. See her personal belongings, paintings, and the garden that inspired her art.
Xochimilco Floating Gardens ⏱ 4 hours • $25
Drift through ancient Aztec canals on a colorful trajinera boat while mariachi bands play and food vendors paddle alongside. Bring your own drinks.
National Museum of Anthropology ⏱ 3 hours • $5
One of the world's great museums. The Aztec Sun Stone alone is worth the trip. Covers 4,000 years of Mesoamerican civilization across 23 exhibit halls.

Day 2 — Culture & Experiences

Chapultepec Castle & Park ⏱ 3 hours • $5
The only royal castle in the Americas, perched on a hilltop with panoramic city views. The park below is twice the size of Central Park with a zoo, lakes, and gardens.
Coyoacan Neighborhood Walk ⏱ 3 hours • Free
Cobblestone streets, artisan markets, the best churros in the city, and the plaza where Cortez built his palace. This is the Mexico City that locals love.
Lucha Libre Wrestling ⏱ 3 hours • $20
Masked wrestlers, theatrical drama, and a crowd atmosphere unlike any sporting event you've experienced. Arena Mexico on Friday nights is the best show.
Palacio de Bellas Artes ⏱ 2 hours • $5
Art Deco and Art Nouveau architecture with murals by Diego Rivera, Siqueiros, and Orozco inside. The building itself is the main attraction.
Roma & Condesa Food Walk ⏱ 3 hours • $45
The hippest neighborhoods in Latin America — craft coffee, mezcal bars, art galleries, and restaurants that rival anything in New York at a third of the price.

Day 3 — Exploration & Day Trips

Templo Mayor Ruins ⏱ 2 hours • $5
The main temple of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, discovered under Mexico City in 1978. The adjacent museum displays over 7,000 artifacts including the massive Coyolxauhqui stone.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe ⏱ 2 hours • Free
The most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world — 10 million visitors annually. The tilma image of the Virgin is displayed in the modern basilica.
Mexican Cooking Class ⏱ 4 hours • $70
Learn to make mole, handmade tortillas, and salsas from scratch in a local chef's home kitchen. Includes market tour to pick ingredients. You eat everything you cook.
Mezcal Tasting Experience ⏱ 2 hours • $35
Taste 5-7 artisanal mezcals from Oaxaca with a certified sommelier who explains the difference between espadin, tobala, and wild agave varieties.

🎯 All Attractions by Category

Landmarks & Monuments (5)

Teotihuacan Pyramids Day Trip Top Pick
⭐ 4.8 (28,400 reviews) • ⏱ Half day • $45
Climb the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon at this UNESCO World Heritage site — one of the largest ancient cities ever built, predating the Aztecs by centuries.
Chapultepec Castle & Park Historic
⭐ 4.6 (14,200 reviews) • ⏱ 3 hours • $5
The only royal castle in the Americas, perched on a hilltop with panoramic city views. The park below is twice the size of Central Park with a zoo, lakes, and gardens.
Palacio de Bellas Artes Stunning
⭐ 4.8 (11,500 reviews) • ⏱ 2 hours • $5
Art Deco and Art Nouveau architecture with murals by Diego Rivera, Siqueiros, and Orozco inside. The building itself is the main attraction.
Templo Mayor Ruins Historic
⭐ 4.5 (9,200 reviews) • ⏱ 2 hours • $5
The main temple of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, discovered under Mexico City in 1978. The adjacent museum displays over 7,000 artifacts including the massive Coyolxauhqui stone.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage
⭐ 4.7 (16,800 reviews) • ⏱ 2 hours • Free
The most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world — 10 million visitors annually. The tilma image of the Virgin is displayed in the modern basilica.

Food & Drink (4)

Street Food Tour Top Rated
⭐ 4.9 (12,800 reviews) • ⏱ 4 hours • $55
Tacos al pastor, tlacoyos, tamales, churros, and mezcal — hit 8-10 street stalls across 3 neighborhoods with a local guide who knows every vendor by name.
Roma & Condesa Food Walk Trendy
⭐ 4.8 (7,600 reviews) • ⏱ 3 hours • $45
The hippest neighborhoods in Latin America — craft coffee, mezcal bars, art galleries, and restaurants that rival anything in New York at a third of the price.
Mexican Cooking Class Hands-On
⭐ 4.9 (5,400 reviews) • ⏱ 4 hours • $70
Learn to make mole, handmade tortillas, and salsas from scratch in a local chef's home kitchen. Includes market tour to pick ingredients. You eat everything you cook.
Mezcal Tasting Experience Adult
⭐ 4.6 (6,200 reviews) • ⏱ 2 hours • $35
Taste 5-7 artisanal mezcals from Oaxaca with a certified sommelier who explains the difference between espadin, tobala, and wild agave varieties.

Museums & Art (2)

Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) Must-See
⭐ 4.7 (21,300 reviews) • ⏱ 2 hours • $15
The iconic Blue House where Frida was born, lived, and died. See her personal belongings, paintings, and the garden that inspired her art.
National Museum of Anthropology World-Class
⭐ 4.8 (18,900 reviews) • ⏱ 3 hours • $5
One of the world's great museums. The Aztec Sun Stone alone is worth the trip. Covers 4,000 years of Mesoamerican civilization across 23 exhibit halls.

Tours & Sightseeing (2)

Xochimilco Floating Gardens Unique
⭐ 4.5 (15,600 reviews) • ⏱ 4 hours • $25
Drift through ancient Aztec canals on a colorful trajinera boat while mariachi bands play and food vendors paddle alongside. Bring your own drinks.
Coyoacan Neighborhood Walk Local Favorite
⭐ 4.7 (9,800 reviews) • ⏱ 3 hours • Free
Cobblestone streets, artisan markets, the best churros in the city, and the plaza where Cortez built his palace. This is the Mexico City that locals love.

Shows & Entertainment (1)

Lucha Libre Wrestling Unique
⭐ 4.6 (8,400 reviews) • ⏱ 3 hours • $20
Masked wrestlers, theatrical drama, and a crowd atmosphere unlike any sporting event you've experienced. Arena Mexico on Friday nights is the best show.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mexico City safe for tourists?

Yes, the tourist areas (Roma, Condesa, Coyoacan, Centro Historico, Polanco) are very safe and well-policed. Use the same common sense as any large city — avoid flashing expensive items, use Uber instead of street taxis at night, and stay aware of your surroundings. Millions of tourists visit safely every year.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

Uber from AICM airport to Roma/Condesa costs 150-250 MXN ($8-14). Official airport taxis (buy a ticket inside the terminal) cost 250-350 MXN. The Metro is cheapest (5 MXN) but difficult with luggage. Never take unofficial taxis outside the terminal.

Is the water safe to drink?

Do not drink tap water. Buy bottled water (garrafones are cheapest from OXXO stores). Ice in restaurants is generally safe as it is made from purified water. Street food is safe — the high turnover means ingredients are fresh. Avoid raw lettuce at street stalls.

What are the best neighborhoods to stay in?

Roma Norte for first-timers (walkable, safe, great restaurants). Condesa for parks and nightlife. Coyoacan for a quieter, local feel near Frida Kahlo. Polanco for luxury hotels and upscale dining. Centro Historico for history buffs on a budget.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

Helpful but not required in tourist areas. Most restaurant menus in Roma/Condesa have English. Uber works without Spanish. Learning basics (por favor, gracias, la cuenta, cuanto cuesta) goes a long way and locals appreciate the effort.

Use your browser's "Save as PDF" option for a downloadable guide.