Ancient Civilisations, Art and Tacos
Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world, which might scare away a few people, but the city is full of activities that can keep you occupied for months. From ancient civilisations to massive museums, historic neighbourhoods, parks and of course, tacos!
In this Mexico City travel guide we will explore some of the best activities as well as budget, transportation and accommodation in this marvellous city. Vamos!
How much time do I need?
Like I said, the capital of Mexico is one of the biggest in the world! That means if you only have a few days you might have to sacrifice some places and activities or literally run from place to place. I think having a week is a great amount of time for Mexico City, with 4-5 being a good minimum time to budget. Anything less will be stressful.
Of course if you have the time to really get to know the city over a month or two, you will get a unique look into the life in the capital. It’s a great place for nomads where history meets the modern world. Most western countries have a 180-day tourist visa on arrival which is great for spending longer periods here!
Top Activities
If you are unsure about all the activities that the city has to offer, here is a list of some of my favourite things to do in Mexico City!
Teotihuacán
This place is a must visit! Located about 45km outside of the capital, the ancient city of Teotihuacán was once the biggest in the Americas with more than 125 000 people. Consisting of the great Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, connected by the Avenue of the Dead, this place is majestic. Next to it, there is also a museum that is highly recommended with artefacts from the heyday of the city.
The entrance fee is 80 MXN. You can also book a tour which will be more expensive but include transportation. Or you can take the metro and a bus for a fraction of the cost.
Museum of Anthropology
Museum of Anthropology is massive! Consisting of various parts of Mexican history, from the early settlements to the Aztecs, to Mayas and the Spanish Inquisition. Expect to spend at least 3-4 hours here if you want to go through all of it. The entrance fee is 90 MXN.
Frida Kahlo & Coyoacán
Head out to the neighbourhood of Coyoacán, a charming and colorful neighbourhood that is famous for being the area where Frida Kahlo lived. This is also where you’ll find her house which is now a very famous museum. If you wish to enter make sure you book a ticket well in advance, as it tends to sell out. The entrance fee is 320 MXN.
Street Food
A visit to Mexico City is not complete without eating as much tacos as possible. There are many restaurants including the more fancy ones all over the city, but street tacos are everywhere 24/7. Nothing beat going up to a stall and ordering as many different tacos as you can eat for a super affordable price. This place is a backpackers dream. And yeah, the tacos are absolutely delicious!
Xochimilco
A neighbourhood located to the south of the city, this place is famous for its floating gardens, known as chinampas. A popular spot for tourist to hop on one of the colorful boats for a ride on what can be a sort of booze cruise with tequila and music. Not particularly a cheap activity as they charge by the hour and has been nicknamed Venice of Mexico City.
Lucha Libre
Even if you’re not really interested in the likes of wrestling, you should consider going to Lucha Libre if you can. An incredible spectacle that gives you a unique experience for sure! It is often an activity hosted by hostels in Mexico City which is a great way to make some friends and have a good time along the way!
Guadeloupe Basilica
A Basilica of the Catholic Church, the Basilica of our Lady of Guadeloupe is a popular destination not only for tourists but for pilgrims as well with over 20 million going each year. The entrance to the Basilica is free. Located a little outside of the main areas, but definitely worth a visit!
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Palacio de Bellas Artes is a beautiful building where you can just to sit outside and enjoy the view. Located next to a nice park, this place is the home of theatre and the opera in Mexico City. There is an opportunity to go inside and check out the small exhibition as well as the interior of the building for about 75 MXN.
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
The Cathedral is located in the city centre next to Plaza de la Constitucion and was built on top of the former Aztec sacred precinct. A great place to go for a stroll around the plaza taking in the view of the old cathedral and the old ruins next to it.
Budget
For Mexico City you can survive on about $40 a day. This includes staying in hostels, eating mostly street food and using local transportation. Mexico City can be surprisingly affordable for backpackers with plenty of options, in contrast to the much more touristic spots of Mexico where everything is overpriced.
Food
As mentioned, Mexico City is the place for food! Just walking around you will find street food everywhere at very backpacker friendly prices. They often come in combos like 5 for 60 MXN or similar. It is a great way to fill up throughout the day, and lets you try all kinds of meat and styles. From meats you are more accustomed to, to tongue, eyeballs and intestines!
You can also find restaurants that serve tacos with a little higher prices if you’d like. Although by experience, fancier places does not equal better tacos in Mexico City.
Accommodation
There are plenty of hostels in Mexico City, with prices between $15-20 for a night in a dorm. It can be a little on the high side compared to other places in Central America, but you make that back from the cheaper food and transportation.
Transportation
The best way to get around the city is the metro system which works really well and takes you to the most important parts of town. It’s only 5 MXN to go as far as you need, which makes it incredibly affordable to move around.
Also, if you get yourself a smartcard, you can use the city’s metro bus system which is a great addition to the metro. Cost is 15MXN which includes a trip, which afterwords cost 6MXN to recharge.
When to go
The best time to go to Mexico City is during the dry season between November and April. A great time is between March and May, right before the rainy season as you get comfortable temperatures without the rain. It is also a busy time for the city so keep that in mind.
Visiting during the rainy season is not a bad idea since the rain usually falls in the afternoons and evenings and for shorter periods. It all comes down to your preferences.
Safety
Mexico City is like any city in Latin-America. Walking around alone at night is not recommended depending on the nighbourhood you’re staying. Ask at the hostel for advice in your area. By taking some precautions though you will have a wonderful time in this energetic place! Just remember to never travel without travel insurance.
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Mexico City, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Mexico City? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
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