Mexico City

Mexico City welcomes millions of tourists every year. Despite its former rough reputation, Mexico City is a cosmopolitan city filled with culinary adventures, museums, arts, nightlife, and so much more. There are endless opportunities to explore the most populous city in North America. 

What to Know

Mexico City is commonly referred to as CDMX, which stands for “Cuidad de Mexico.” Prior to 2016, Mexico City was referred to as “D.F.” or Districto Federal. The city has embraced the change, and you will find plenty of CDMX signs downtown for the perfect photo moment. 

Mexico City has an elevation of roughly 7,350 ft (2,240 m). Depending on where you arrive from, this can be quite a change. Expect your heart rate to be elevated for the first few days of your stay, so try to take it easy as your body adjusts. The elevation also affects the weather, seemingly rainy in the summer months while cooler in the winter. Even if you are traveling in the summer, bring a jacket for the cooler evenings.

Spanish is the dominant language spoken in Mexico City, and pesos are the main form of currency; however, most places are debit and credit card friendly.

Neighborhoods in CDMX

Polanco – Polanco is known as the “Beverly Hills” of Mexico City. It has several boutiques, Michelin-star restaurants, and is home to many art galleries.

Centro Histórico – Located in the heart of Zolanco, Centro Histórico is a popular neighborhood due to its walkability and colonial culture.

Juárez – This up-and-coming neighborhood is known for its artistic young residents.

San Rafael – If you are looking for a budget-friendly neighborhood, San Rafael is a great choice. San Rafael has become home to many expats and digital nomads due to its affordability and low crime rate.

Canals of Xochimilco

If you’re looking for a fun half-day trip, check out the canals of Xochimilco. Often compared to Venice, the canals are just a short drive south of Mexico City. The canals were created by the Aztecs and are surrounded by floating gardens (chinampas), food and souvenir vendors, and musicians. These flat boats, called trajineras, are steered by captains using a single piece of long bamboo. They each are named and covered in colorful paint. Think of it as a floating fiesta.

As your captain navigates the canals, vendors float by offering different goodies to buy. You are allowed to bring your own food and beverages if you’d prefer. The musicians even board your trajinera to entertain you as you admire the homes and gardens while sailing down the canal. Once your cruise has come to and end, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the souvenir stalls and barter to bring home one-of-a-kind finds. The stalls have everything from blankets, clothing, flowers, and even spices. Bring cash to pay for the vendors, food, beer, and musicians.

Museo Frida Kahlo

There are several tour groups that offer a canal experience bundled with a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum and her home. Both are close in distance to the canal experience, so if you have the time, locals highly recommend visiting both. Here, you will learn about the tumultuous relationship between Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. You’ll gain entrance to both Rivera’s and Kahlo’s homes, connected by a walkway staircase. Both homes have original murals and art from both artists. If you are not traveling with a tour group or guide, there is an option to rent the audio tour that helps explain and better tell the story of both artists.

Tamale Making Class + Other Experiences

Some local experiences in the CDMX area include exploring the pyramids, visiting hot springs, cooking classes, mezcal tasting, and more. We booked a tamale making class in Juarez, and it was one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip. Our guide, Arturo, hosted the class in his own home, where he welcomed us with a glass of fresh orange juice. Arturo already prepared the tamale masa before we arrived, so we started by making two different kinds of salsa. Arturo instructed us how to roast the tomatoes and blend the spices. After we finished preparing the salsa, we learned how to make two different kinds of tamales, and once they were finished cooking, we enjoyed our lunch on the rooftop overlooking the city. 

Teotihuacan Pyramids

You can’t visit Mexico City without planning a visit to the famous Teotihuacan Pyramids. The pyramids were built by the Aztecs in the valley of Mexico, about an hour outside of the city. Not only can you walk around and explore the ruins, but you can even climb the pyramid. Be careful; the pyramid has extremely steep steps, so plan on wearing appropriate shoes for the climb.

Protect Your Trip

After you’ve booked your dream trip to Mexico City, don’t forget to purchase travel insurance. Our iTravelInsured travel protection plans offer various coverage levels for trip cancellation, baggage delay, trip interruption, medical benefits, and several other travel-related events and expenses.

In addition, our Patriot Travel plans provide temporary medical insurance while traveling outside your home country and cover unexpected accidents or illnesses that may arise during your trip. While it is not required to have travel medical insurance to enter Mexico, it is strongly encouraged.