The Ultimate Mexico City Travel Guide
My name is Mishana Sturdivant and I own Tad Bit Rad Travels. The purpose of this blog is to share tips, stories and recommendations to empower my readers to travel efficiently and connect deeply.
After traveling to Mexico City for a few weeks, I share the ultimate guide for the best trip to this vibrant city.
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Mexico City belongs on every travel list for good reason. With its museums, stylish coffee shops, vintage shops, and acclaimed gastronomy, there’s something for everyone. After two weeks exploring the city solo, I can share the best way to experience Mexico’s capital.
When to Go
Mexico City is a good destination year-round. I went in November, right after the Day of the Dead celebrations ended. The weather was cool and pleasant. During the day, I could get away with a light jacket or long-sleeve shirt, and at night, I wore sweaters and layers. November is the end of autumn, heading into winter, so it’s chilly in the early mornings. The most popular times to visit Mexico City are spring and summer. The weather is a bit warmer; however, the streets are a bit more crowded. Mexico City has a population of 25 million people, and you feel it in the traffic. I would recommend visiting Mexico City in the shoulder period (November-Jan). There was still a ton of traffic, but it was manageable.
What to Do
There’s so much to do in Mexico City. You could easily spend months here and do something new every day. During my two weeks, I met other solo travelers rushing through all the highlights in 3-4 days. It reminded me of tourists in Tokyo trying to do everything in 2-3 days, only to feel overwhelmed and not enjoy their time. If possible, give yourself at least a week in Mexico City. Slow down. Divide each day by neighborhood. Spend a day visiting museums in the city center. Dedicate another to exploring Condesa and Roma Norte. Reserve a Saturday for Coyoacán and San Ángel.
To help you plan, here are the best things to do in Mexico City, organized by neighborhood for easier navigation.
Coyoacan:
Coyoacan has a large artisanal market that everyone recommends. Visit to form your own opinion. I found it overwhelming, especially later in the day when crowds were smaller. Earlier, it would likely be even busier. To me, the array of vendor stands seemed repetitive.
If you're a Frida Kahlo fan and want to see where she lived, the Frida Kahlo museum is worth visiting. The house is beautifully curated, and you can feel her presence throughout. Tickets often sell out months ahead, so reserve as early as possible for your preferred date.
I recommend spending a full day in Coyoacan, you can even add San Angel since it's only 10 minutes away. Explore the parks, cafes, and markets. It’s lively on the weekends and calmer during the week as expected.
San Angel:
Bazaar de Sabado – I adored this market. It’s a must-visit. There’s an outside and inside portion. Some of the artisan goods were unique here. The interior of the Bazaar featured higher-priced, hand-made goods and Mexican designers. There’s also an art street market in Plaza San Jacinto, featuring live music and a beautiful mural exhibit. I spent a few hours here before grabbing lunch at El Cardenal.
San Angel has colorful colonial homes, tiny winding roads, and pebbled streets that you can explore on foot. I would recommend spending some time exploring this neighborhood.
City Center and Polanco:
Most museums are close to each other. You can Uber or use public transportation. Mexico City public transportation during peak hours... is an experience, to say the least.
I would recommend the following museums: Anthropology Museum (I spent 4 hours here alone), Soumaya (European art), Jumex (contemporary art), and the National Museum of Revolution. I would recommend spending a day or two just focused on the museums. Sprinkle in visits to popular cafes, restaurants, and bars between museums to debrief and stay nourished.
Biblioteca Vasconcelos – the iconic library that everyone visits. Carve out time to wander and explore their collection.
Mexico City Architectural Tour – Mexico City is a vibrant and beautifully curated city. You’ll notice the murals, the intentionally crafted buildings, the vibrant décor in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and bars. I recommend booking a tour (by foot, bike, or bus) to learn more about Mexico City’s architecture. Some of the architects offer private home tours.
Lucha Libre Show
Lucha Libre – no trip to Mexico City is complete without witnessing a Lucha Libre fight. Born and celebrated in Mexico City, there is a ton of enthusiasm and pride behind Lucha Libre. It felt good to be welcomed into someone else's culture. My tour guides started the experience at a nearby market where we enjoyed tacos, mezcal, and Mexican beer. They shared the history behind Lucha Libre and taught us how to respectfully engage. They gifted us Lucha Libre masks, and then we walked to the arena to enjoy the show. You can buy tickets on your own, but I would recommend booking with a group for the shared experience.
Condesa:
Eat Like a Local Food Tour – woman-owned and locally led; I loved supporting this business. They offer a few different tours for different tastes. On my tour, we visited 11 stops and had tacos, pastries, desserts, street food, and traditional Mexican food. We visited markets and street stands. I left the tour with the itis.
Eat Like a Local Tour
Walk along Parque de España and Parque de Mexico for all the street markets, cafes, and restaurants. There are vintage shops, locally owned designers and artisans, and sometimes street entertainment. It’s quieter during the week, which is when I prefer to explore. Stay on Amsterdam Street, you will be sure to see all that’s to see in Condesa.
Roma Norte:
I enjoyed eating and bar hopping in Roma Norte. Most of the world's top bars and restaurants are in Roma Norte. On every ‘best places to eat in Mexico City’ list, many of the recommendations are in Roma Norte or Polanco. This is a good neighborhood to stay in if you are visiting the city to EAT EAT and EAT some more! I had reservations and plans for different bars and restaurants every night in Roma Norte. For my recommendations for the best places to eat, keep reading.
Day Trips:
Most day-trip excursions from Mexico City start really early, between 4 and 6am, but you should return to Mexico City by 12-3pm. You can take a nap in between and still enjoy your night out if you prefer.
Grutas Tolantongo
Grutas Tolantongo is a must-do day trip. I recommend going during the weekdays for a smaller crowd. It is a waterpark essentially. So it is busier on the weekend and during the warmer months. It’s a 4-5 hour drive from Mexico City, so you will start early, around 4am, to arrive around 8:30-9am. I would recommend my tour because we got there early, each person in our group was able to secure our own hot spring pool, and we had it to ourselves until it was time for us to leave around 9:30/9:45. It's more than just the hot springs, you visit a gruta and an underwater cave as well. We made a quick stop at the river before grabbing lunch and heading back to the city.
Teotihuacan pyramid park
Teotihuacan Pyramids – Do not leave Mexico City without visiting the pyramids. There are pyramids and ruins throughout the Americas. You may have visited ruins in other parts of the Americas, but you have not seen actual pyramids like this. Please go see them. I booked a hot-air balloon ride to view them from above, and then I opted to explore the pyramids on foot. There are many ways to view the pyramids. You can take a taxi (it's 45 min outside Mexico City) and have them drop you off at the gate. That way, you can spend as much or as little time as you want. You can book public transportation by taking the metro to the North Terminal bus station and hopping on a bus that goes directly to the entrance gate of the pyramids. Or you can do what I did and book a tour. Some tours are guided, some are go-at-your-own-pace, and some offer the hot-air balloon experience. Decide which experience you prefer and book ahead. It’s a good idea to visit the pyramids after you’ve explored the Anthropology museum. It will give you some context of the pyramid’s significance. When you hop off the bus, you'll see some people selling private or guided tours of the pyramids. It’s an option if you’re interested. I personally declined because I wanted to go at my own pace.
Parque Quetzalcoatl
Parque Quetzalcoatl – You do not need an entire day for this museum. However, it is a 45-minute Uber outside of the city. Depending on traffic, it can take a few hours round-trip. This museum is not open to the public yet, but you can tour it by booking an appointment on their Instagram page. This tour books out in advance, so I recommend booking before your trip. Reserve this for a slow day. For 2 hours, you explore the ecological campus of many architects. There are art installations, garden exhibits, and global influences throughout.
A good example of a week-long itinerary:
Monday – Arrive in Mexico City, explore the neighborhood your stay is in, and explore nightlife in Condesa or Roma Norte.
Tuesday – Grutas Tolantongo in the morning and Food Tour in Condesa or Roma Norta in the late afternoon
Wednesday – Grab a pastry to start the day and have a Museum Day.
Thursday – Visit the Pyramids in the morning and Lucha Libre at night.
Friday – slow morning, visit Parque Quetzalcoatl or book an Architectural Tour
Saturday – Cayoacan and San Angel – explore all the markets and the colorful neighborhoods, Frida Kahlo’s House, Diego’s Home/ Studio, and night markets in Condesa/Roma Norte
Sunday – Xochimilco boat tour – the weekends are the most lively. End your travels with a spa visit and explore Mexican healing practices. I enjoyed Koti Wellness for contrast therapy.
Monday - Return home
Spend your nights with table reservations at your preferred restaurants and bars in the Roma Norte, Condesa, and Polanco areas. I will highlight my favorite restaurants and bars next.
Where to Eat
There are so many great restaurants in Mexico City. You cannot go wrong. You can take my list, but you can just wander and stop at a random restaurant, bar, or bakery and be just fine. It’s really that good. The locals say the best street tacos are found on the outskirts. I believe it. Most of my recommended spots are in Roma Norte, Condesa, and Polanco.
Roma Norte
Gala Panaderia – speakeasy-like bakery
Fig Martini at the Handshake Bar
Expenido de Maiz– no reservations, communal tables, long wait time. However, the chef curated dishes are worth the chaos.
Mi Compa Chava - they specialize in raw fish, crudos, tostadas and ceviches
Jenni’s Quesadillas - street vendor with popular quesadillas
Contramar- One of my favorites
Bartola – Italian
Ojos de Agua – healthy sandwiches, bowls, juices, etc.
Bars: There are several top 50 bars in Mexico City, and I was on a mission to explore them all. Here are a list of my favorites:
Handshake Bar #2 Bar in the World and my favorite Bar in Mexico City!
Polanco:
Quintonil (Try the Mexican wine pairing!!!) #1 Restaurant in North America
Condesa
Taqueria Chinampita - great late night taco option
Bars
Where to sleep
On the grounds before boarding the Hot Air Balloon in Teotihuacan
I would recommend staying in Condesa, Reforma/Roma Norte, or Polanco. Those are the tourist-friendly areas surrounded by shops, cafes, and highly regarded restaurants. Some would recommend San Angel or Coyoacan. However, those places are far from many of the tourist attractions. I would only recommend it there if you’ve traveled to Mexico City before and don’t care to do much of the touristy activities.
There’s a huge push against non-locally owned Airbnb rentals in Mexico City because they're gentrifying neighborhoods and contributing to rising living costs. I would recommend avoiding Airbnb listings and instead staying at boutique hotels in the Condesa, Roma Norte, and Polanco areas. I wouldn’t recommend the Centro area because it is personally too busy, loud, and city-like for me. I prefer to stay in residential areas when I travel. The center location may be the most convenient. For our day excursions, we picked up some travelers from the Centro area, which had a different feel from other popular areas in Mexico City. That’s not a bad thing, just an observation worth noting.
Here are my recommended boutique hotel stays in Mexico City:
A beautiful boutique hotel with a rooftop located in Condesa
A hidden haven in Roma Norte with a Terrace
Lamartine Boutique Hotel Polanco
A luxury, discreet, and minimalist hotel in Polanco
For more recommendations, check out my Mexico City boutique hotel collection here.
What to Expect
Mexican people are friendly. The locals appreciate your attempt at Spanish. I recommend learning basic phrases for greetings, expressing appreciation, and ordering food. I would recommend at least trying to speak the language. Most Mexicans in the hospitality industry speak English, but many don’t. I recommend downloading a translator app to communicate and connect.
The traffic can be congested. I would recommend leaving 20+ minutes earlier than you normally would. Staying in Condesa, Roma Norte was just a 10-minute drive away. During dinner time, that 10-minute drive easily took 30 minutes. Returning to the city from your day excursions may take an hour longer than expected because you may hit mid-day peak traffic, especially on the weekends.
Fill in your days wandering around the city. There’s much to see in the many neighborhoods. Book your dinners and excursions in advance, but leave time in between to wander at your own pace. Do not try to do too much in a 3-day trip. Mexico City is less than a 3-hour flight from most places in the United States, and you can always return.
Uber is affordable. Public Transportation can be chaotic during peak times. I would avoid it during 5-6PM on weekdays. I used the metro and the bus during my trip. Everyone queues for the buses, so get in line. Be careful because there might be multiple queues; you don’t want to get in the wrong line. To ride the metro and buses, there are MetroCards that you can get at most stops and stations. The card costs 15 Mexican pesos; each bus ride is 6 pesos, and each metro ride is 5 pesos.
You may get off the plane and not have cellular service in Mexico. I have an international phone plan, but my domestic service includes Mexico and Canada. However, for some reason, my data was not working, and I struggled to call an Uber from the airport. To call an Uber, I had to connect with the airport WIFI (or purchase an eSIM).
Just like any other international trip, notify your bank that you are traveling to Mexico, so your credit cards don’t decline. Withdraw pesos from a local ATM. Most shops take cards; most artisanal vendors take cards as well. However, it’s nice to have pesos for tipping and for purchasing street food.
Is it Safe Solo?
Tolantongo thermal river side. Many families camp here.
Yes, Mexico City is safe solo. I comfortably visited Mexico City solo for two weeks. As a matter of fact, I met many other solo-traveling women while I was there. My taxi driver told me to stay in Condesa and Roma Norte for nightlife, and I did just that. When locals share safety tips, I follow. I felt comfortable walking alone at night and visiting the different restaurants and bars. I only used marked Uber cars. I avoid taxis anywhere I go, especially if they are cash-only and unmarked. Many popular restaurants in Mexico City had long wait times or were fully booked. However, as a solo diner, I was often squeezed in with no wait. I would recommend exploring Mexico City on your own for your first visit. This will allow you to do everything you want. Then return with a group and share your favorite spots with loved ones.
Traveling to Mexico City should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s truly the gem of North America. It’s perfect for solo travelers, couples, duos, and groups! It’s safe, vibrant, and lively, with some of the best museums, culture, food, and people. I now understand why people return and even move there.
Final Thoughts on Mexico City
Mexico City is a place you connect deeply with.
It’s early mornings with pastries and coffee before museum hopping. It’s the hum of traffic layered with street musicians and the scent of fresh tortillas in the air. It’s world-class dining one night, and tacos from a street stand the next. It’s art, architecture, history, and healing woven into everyday life.
What I loved most about Mexico City was the balance. The city moves fast, but it also invites you to slow down. It rewards curiosity. It asks you to wander without a rigid plan. It welcomes you when you attempt Spanish. It feeds you well. It reminds you that culture is alive. Not something confined to museums, but something you taste, hear, and witness daily.
As a solo traveler, I felt safe, inspired, and deeply connected. I met other women traveling alone. I had dinners where I was squeezed into fully booked restaurants. I explored neighborhoods at my own pace. Mexico City gave me independence, but it also gave me community.
Onboard the Hot Balloon above the town of Teotihuacan
If you’re considering visiting, give yourself time. Don’t rush it. Choose intention over checklists. Explore one neighborhood at a time. Make dinner reservations, but leave space to wander.
Mexico City is less than a three-hour flight from much of the United States, and once you go, you’ll realize one trip is never enough. You’ll already be planning your return.
Thank you for reading.
