An Insider’s Guide to Mexico City
Mexico City sits 7,000 feet up in the sky, built right on top of the old Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. Wild, right? Hernán Cortés may have torn the original city down, but CDMX rebuilt itself into this huge, layered, culture-soaked metropolis that honestly feels like several eras are happening at once.
You’ve got Aztec ruins chilling next to grand Spanish cathedrals, which sit next to some of the best modern art museums in the world. It’s chaotic in the best way — color, food, architecture, green spaces, and energy at every corner. CDMX is one of those cities that gets under your skin in the “I’m definitely coming back” kind of way.
Below is just a little taste of what this massive, sprawling city brings to the table. It’s huge — like, you’ll never finish it in one trip. That’s where I come in. If you want a tailored itinerary that matches your vibe, budget, and travel style, I’ve got you. I’ll help you spend your time wisely and make sure each trip gets better than the last.
Need to know:
Currency: $, Mexican peso (MXN)
Language: Spanish
Airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (MEX)
Transportation: Stick to official taxis (go to a designated taxi stand or have your restaurant or hotel call one for you) and Uber Black (the lower categories are not as reliable).
Best time to visit: Mexico City is beautiful year-round.
Ideal length of stay: You can spend a long time here, but it’s great for a three- or four-night stay — or even a long weekend. You could also easily add it on as part of a longer Mexico trip.
Signature dishes: tacos al pastor (pork tacos commonly served with onion, cilantro and pineapple), frutas en tacha (syrup-covered fruit), tlacoyos (thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and beans), elote (corn on a stick), peneques (deep-fried, cheese-filled masa boats bathed in tomato broth), pozole (a warming soup made with hominy)
Key phrases: hola (hello), mucho gusto (nice to meet you), estuvo delicioso (it was delicious), qué tal (what’s up), gracias (thank you), por favor (please), salud (cheers)
Dress code: Trendy and chic — something fun and artsy. Bring light layers for mild evenings spent on romantic outdoor terraces.
Where to stay in Mexico City
Casa Polanco
Casa Polanco: A sleek, contemporary 19-room mansion with beautiful outdoor spaces. Fora’s VIP perks include $100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Brick Hotel: A moody, chic and sexy 19-room stunner. Fora Perks include $25 food / beverage credit, a welcome amenity, an upgrade and late check-out whenever possible.
Hotel San Fernando: Hip, youthful and effortlessly cool. Fora’s Standard Secret Agent partner perks include $25 food / beverage credit for stays of at least three nights.
La Valise Mexico City
La Valise Mexico City: An eight-room hidden gem in Roma, where each room is a single, design-forward floor. Fora Perks include welcome amenities, complimentary minibar beverages and an upgrade whenever possible.
Las Alcobas, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City: An intimate boutique option great for couples and solo travelers. Fora’s Marriott STARS partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Condesa DF: A 20-room hotel with a historic façade and a contemporary interior. Fora Perks include welcome amenities, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Sofitel Mexico City Reforma: A modern glass building with spacious rooms and massive bathtubs. Fora’s Accor Preferred by HERA partner perks include $100 hotel credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City
Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City: A Mexico City classic with a central courtyard and fantastic restaurants. Book with me to snag exclusive Four Seasons Preferred partner perks.
The St. Regis Mexico City: Big and luxurious, with beautiful views. Fora’s Marriott STARS partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Andaz Condesa Mexico City: Vibrant and modern, with an Art Deco flair. Fora’s Hyatt Privé partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and early check-in whenever possible.
Hyatt Regency Mexico City: A comfortable stay with an approachable price point, in the heart of the lively Polanco neighborhood. Fora’s Hyatt Privé partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and early check-in whenever possible.
Mondrian Mexico City Condesa: A stylish bold stay at the intersection of Condesa and Roma. Fora’s Accor Preferred by HERA partner perks include $100 hotel credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Colima 71: An art-forward boutique getaway in Roma. Fora’s partner perks include a complimentary one-way airport transfer, a welcome amenity, an upgrade whenever possible and guaranteed late check-out.
What to do in Mexico City
Mexico City’s history runs deep. We’re talking one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth — which is why wandering CDMX feels like time-traveling without the sci-fi costume.
Start in Centro Histórico, the city’s beating heart. The Zócalo plaza puts everything in one frame: the Metropolitan Cathedral, the ruins of Templo Mayor (the main Aztec temple of Tenochtitlán), and the dramatic Palacio de Bellas Artes glowing around golden hour. Swing by the Palacio Nacional for Diego Rivera’s giant murals — and if the crowds are giving “no ma’am,” go to Museo Mural Diego Rivera instead for a smaller, calmer look at his work.
Chapultepec Park + Museums (But Not Too Many)
Around the park, you get some heavy hitters:
• Museo Nacional de Antropología — Mexico’s pre-Hispanic history, done beautifully, with a great gift shop.
• Museo Tamayo — chic contemporary art, smaller and more digestible.
• Jumex + Soumaya — modern art + wildly photogenic architecture in one quick neighborhood stop.
You don’t need to hit all of them. Pick one or two based on your mood — CDMX is about vibing, not museum marathoning.
For Architecture + Design Lovers
Spend half a day in Miguel Hidalgo:
• Casa Estudio Luis Barragán — minimalist color theory heaven, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Archivo Diseño y Arquitectura — peaceful, curated, beautifully designed.
• LABOR — bold contemporary art if you’re craving something unconventional.
Coyoacán + San Ángel (Your Artsy Day Trip Inside the City)
This is where Frida and Diego lived, loved, and made magic:
• Casa Azul — Frida’s home, full of color and emotion.
• Museo Anahuacalli — Diego’s volcanic-stone studio and collection.
• Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo in San Ángel — their shared home.
Then reward yourself with a margarita at San Ángel Inn because the aesthetic alone deserves applause.
Adventure Mode: Activated
Want something unforgettable?
Hot air balloon over Teotihuacán
Wake up early and float over the ancient pyramids. The Pyramid of the Sun at sunrise is a core memory.
Natural Hot Springs + Waterfalls Day Trip
About two hours outside the city, you’ll find Grutas Tolantongo — natural hot springs tucked into the mountains with warm turquoise pools, cave baths, waterfalls, and views that look ripped straight off Pinterest. There’s also the bright-blue river at the bottom of the canyon where you can swim, soak, or just vibe. It’s a full-day adventure and absolutely worth the trek if you want nature, relaxation, and “omg how is this real” scenery.
Xochimilco Trajineras
The colorful party boats. Music, food vendors pulling up to your boat, chaotic joy. Perfect for groups and birthdays.
Lucha Libre
CDMX’s version of theater — loud, glittery, dramatic, campy, iconic. Grab a beer and let the masked wrestlers do their thing.
Salsa Dancing
You have to go out dancing here. Try spots like:
• Mama Rumba — classic, sweaty, joyful.
• Bar Sevilla — live music and great energy.
• Patrick Miller — not salsa, but a legendary dance club if you want to watch people SERIOUSLY show off.
Markets + Shopping
CDMX is a shopper’s dream:
El Bazar Sábado (Saturdays only)
Crafts, textiles, prints, flowers — a perfect place to pick up something that doesn’t scream “airport souvenir.”
Mercado Roma
Trendy, gourmet, easy snacking. Great stop between neighborhoods.
Polanco Shopping
High-end and polished — think luxury brands, chic boutiques, and Mexico’s top designers. Stroll Avenida Masaryk, aka the city’s Fifth Avenue but with better food, better architecture, and better people-watching.
Where to eat in Mexico City
Pujol
Mexico City is a foodie’s fever dream — like “I could move here just for the food” level. The city is bursting with flavors, techniques, and traditions so special that UNESCO literally named Mexican cuisine a cultural treasure of humanity in 2010. So yes, when you eat here, you’re not just having dinner… you’re participating in history.
Where to Eat (a.k.a. Where to Have Your Life Changed)
If you want the full tasting-menu moment, Quintonil and Pujol are the crown jewels. Quintonil is elegant and intimate; Pujol is iconic and inventive — both are the type of meals you talk about for years.
For something more low-key but still “I’m in my culinary era,” try Botánico (leafy, local, and beautiful) or the modern cantina vibes at El Tigre Silencioso. Near the Zócalo, Azul Histórico is your go-to for a fun, easy refuel between sightseeing.
If you like moody lighting and food that tastes like a secret, Em is perfection — seasonal, thoughtful, sourced from small producers. Galanga is your Thai fix when you need comfort and spice. Sartoria delivers refined Italian. Rosetta (Michelin-starred) offers Mexican-ingredient-forward dishes that feel couture. Pizzería della Madonna is the pizza stop. Havre 77 for French excellence. Restaurante Máximo blends French technique with Mexican soul. And for breakfast, Lardo is queen.
Your mandatory stop: Páramo. Tacos, music, energy — it’s a whole personality in restaurant form.
The “Tell the Chef Your Vibe and He Cooks You a Meal” Experience
If you want something special, intimate, and truly CDMX, book the chef’s counter at Emilio. There’s no menu — you literally tell the chef what flavors, textures, and vibes you’re into, and he builds a personalized meal around you. It’s like culinary therapy. People leave whispering, “Did he just read my soul??”
Bars That Rank Among the Best in the World
CDMX is stacked with world-class cocktail bars — like top of the global list level:
Handshake Speakeasy — consistently ranked among the world’s best; sleek, sexy, award-winning cocktails.
Licorería Limantour — bright, fun, legendary.
Baltra Bar — cozy neighborhood spot with insane mixology.
Rayo — creative cocktails with a modern, cosmological twist.
Hanky Panky — ultra-exclusive speakeasy; you need a reservation.
Sabina Sabe (more casual, Oaxaca vibes, but the cocktails HIT).
If you like mezcal? Oh baby.
Go to La Clandestina, Bosforo, or La Botica.
Must-Try Foods in CDMX — And Where to Get Them
You have to eat the classics — but let me plug you into the RIGHT places:
Tacos al pastor
• El Tizoncito (claims to be the origin)
• El Vilsito (car shop by day, taco temple by night)
Barbacoa (lamb)
• La Hidalguense (open on weekends only — pull up early)
Tamales + Atole
• Street stalls in Roma Norte early in the morning
• Or go to Tamales Doña Emi
Churros
• El Moro (the classic)
• Churrería General de la República (trendier, still great)
Tlayudas
• Tlayudas El Jarocho in Narvarte
Cochinita pibil
• La Cochinita Pibil de La Roma
Pozole
• La Casa de Toño (classic chain)
• Pozolería Moctezuma (more local, more depth of flavor)
Tlacoyos
• Street vendors near Chapultepec Park
• Or Tlacoyos Queseria in Coyoacán
Pan dulce
• Panadería Rosetta (the guava roll will change you)
• Panadería Sucre i Cacao
And Here’s the Truth… the Best Way to Eat CDMX Is NOT in Restaurants
Restaurants are incredible, yes. But the real magic — the soul of this cuisine — lives in:
✨ Street food crawls
✨ Market tours
✨ Cooking classes with local chefs
✨ Food tours that take you deep into neighborhoods you’d never find alone
I always recommend these to my travelers because you get:
Way more variety
The cultural stories behind the dishes
Local vendors and generational recipes
Hidden spots that aren’t on TikTok AND won’t be overrun with tourists
A deeper understanding of why Mexican cuisine was declared world heritage
It’s immersive, it’s intimate, and it’s how you truly connect with Mexico City through your senses.
If you want, I can pair your restaurant style with the perfect food tour or build a full “Eat Your Way Through CDMX” itinerary that hits all your tastes, all your vibes, and none of the tourist traps.
This may be information overload, but that's where I come in. Above is just a taste of all that Mexico City offers. Connect with me for a tailored trip. I'll work to understand your vibe and what you're after, and design your dream CDMX getaway, complete with VIP perks and priority status at the city's best hotels.