Mexico City

See

Downtown Mexico City has been an urban area since the foundation of Tenochtitlán in 1325, and the city is filled with historical buildings and landmarks from every epoch since then. It is also known as the City of Palaces, because of the large number of stately buildings, especially in the Centro. Mexico City has three World Heritage Sites: the Centro Histórico and Xochimilco, the house of architect Luis Barragán and the University City campus of UNAM. In addition, Mexico is one of the cities with the largest number of museums in the world.

Do

thumb|300px | NASCAR race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez As the world's 7th largest city, Mexico City offers something for everyone and for every budget. Attractions in Mexico City focus less on lazing on the beach (there are no beaches in Mexico City!) and more on exploring the culture and urban culture of Mexico.

Eat

You can find almost any kind of food in this city. There are regional specialties from all over Mexico as well as international cuisine, including Japanese, Chinese, French, Polish, Italian, Argentinean, Belgian, Irish, you name it. The main restaurant areas are in Polanco, Condesa, Centro, Zona Rosa, along Avenida Insurgentes from Viaducto to Copilco and more recently Santa Fe.

There are several Mexican chain family restaurants that can be assumed to be safe and similar no matter where you are, including Vips, Toks, La Casa de Toño and the more traditional Sanborns, all reminiscent of Denny's in the United States. They are uniformly good (if never excellent) and relatively approachable to those who have trepidation around Mexican cuisine. El Globo, a French-style bakery, has locations throughout the city selling both French and traditional Mexican pastries, like orejas (little ears), éclairs, empanadas, and rosca during New Year's. It can't be beat for a quick snack or bagful of pastries to eat later.

If you're on a budget, you can also try one of the myriad comida corrida (set menu) restaurants, frequented by many office workers. Some of these offer very good food, are usually safe, and should range between M$70-110 (March 2022).

Perhaps the most ubiquitous type of food almost anywhere in Mexico city are fast food outlets, located on the ground floor of a street-facing building, or puestos, street stands located on a sidewalk or almost anywhere there is room. Most of the…

Drink

Mexico City's nightlife is like all other aspects of the city; it is huge. There is an enormous selection of venues: clubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, and variations and combinations thereof to choose from. There is incredible variation, from ultramodern lounges in Santa Fe and Reforma, to centuries-old dance halls in Centro and Roma. There are also pubs in Tlalpan and Coyoacán and clubs of every stripe in Insurgentes, Polanco, Condesa and the Zona Rosa.

Traveling by yourself at night in certain areas of Mexico City is not a good idea, especially in Plaza Garibaldi, where pickpocketers are ever ready to relieve you of your unguarded cash. One of the ways you can check out the night life safely is by doing a Night Club Tour. These tours will typically take you to a few clubs and include transportation. Mexicans are for the most part very friendly and enjoy socializing.

The typical Mexican place to go to drink is the cantina, a bar where food is usually free, and you pay for drinks (exact policies and minimums vary). Cantinas serve a wide range of Mexican and foreign drinks, with prices usually reasonable compared to prices in the US, and you'll be continually served various Mexican foods, such as tacos (you should ask for 'Botana'). If your tolerance for Mexican music (mariachi or otherwise) and lots of noise is low however, this may not be your kind of place. Cantinas are open moderately late, usually past midnight at the very least. However some cantinas, like La Victoria, …

Sleep

thumb|200px|Embassy Suites hotel facing Cristobal Colon statue in Reforma.

The city has more than 3,000 hotels in all price ranges. Details about individual properties are in the various District articles.

Budget Hotels: Look in the Centro Histórico where you will find myriad hostels and budget hotels rich in character and charm. Standouts include the Hostel Mexico City, the Casa de los Amigos, and the Hotel MX chain which has several low-priced properties to choose from. Moderate Hotels: Zona Rosa is a tourist haven with mid-range prices and good amenities at places like the Galerias Plaza. A number of stately older hotels along Paseo de la Reforma leading towards Centro Histórico offer character and affordability. A good value in this area is the Barcelo Mexico Reforma. Splurge Hotels: Look in the Polanco district, where high-end hotels thrive (along with trendy restaurants and clubs, upscale shopping and elegant older homes). Chapultepec has several modern high-rise hotels by international chains like JW Marriott, Fiesta Americana and St Regis. The Marquis Reforma is a good bet here. Boutique Hotels: Small hotels that deliver charming local character, preserve historical integrity, and provide personal service are found in many parts of Mexico City, particularly in Condesa and Roma and Polanco.

Stay safe

Despite its reputation, travel in Mexico City is generally safe and most people find it surprisingly non-threatening. Areas around the historic center and other places where tourists usually go are generally well-lit and patrolled in the early evening. Much of your travel within the city will be done via public transportation or walking.

Most people in Mexico City are quite hospitable and some will speak English, and people who work for hotels and other hospitality-oriented businesses will always help. This will help in avoiding confusion, becoming lost or stranded. Also, you can ask a local for advice to get somewhere, though you might need basic Spanish to do this. In the Polanco, Sante Fe and Lomas districts, some police officers and many business people and younger children speak English, as it is very common to learn it in school.

The least safe places where tourists often go are around the north part of the Centro Historico, such as around Garibaldi Square. Be extra vigilant if you go there at night. There is a detailed crime map based on official statistics.

In case of emergency, dial 911, the number for all emergencies (fire, police and medical).