Visiting Mexico City? Essential Tips on Altitude, Safety, and Budget

Mexico City (CDMX) is a destination where we could easily spend six months, given the endless opportunities for exploration. We packed our carry-ons, our appetites, and walking shoes to explore North America’s largest city for a long weekend. Join us for a quick trip recap with essential tips for planning your visit!

Why Mexico City?

As lovers of Mexican food—arguably our favorite cuisine—there is no better place to enjoy the country’s vast culinary delights than this bustling metropolis. With an estimated 18,000 registered and unregistered taquerias, you could spend your entire trip just sampling tacos. Options range from humble street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants. The food scene doesn’t stop there; you can find everything from Japanese to Uruguayan cuisine if you are willing to wander and look.

Founded in 1325 as Tenochtitlan, the city and its surrounding areas are home to stunning architecture and profound historical sites. While travelers traditionally flock to London, Paris, and Rome for city getaways, this trend is changing. Since the end of the pandemic, Mexico City, once an underdog destination, has seen a surge in visitors eager to experience its rich heritage and vibrant culture.

Is Mexico City Safe?

Safety in Mexico is a contentious topic, often fueled by sensationalized online articles that are featured regularly on the new cycle, which we talk about in this post: Travel Advisory for Mexico – A Vacation Horror Story. While problems exist across Mexico, including in CDMX, our general opinion is that it is safe for tourists who take basic precautions. These include: not wandering alone late at night, knowing your neighborhood, and maintaining a low profile/not flashing super expensive things (“no dar papaya“).

Throughout our explorations of Roma Norte and Condesa, the most popular tourist areas, we felt as safe as we do at home. We had no issues taking the Metro to Coyoacán, though we were extra vigilant with our belongings to prevent pickpocketing. One safety tip: we recommend always choosing Uber Comfort. We once used UberX and ended up in a car in poor condition without working seatbelts.

Where to Stay?

We recommend staying in tourist-friendly areas that offer easy walkability. We have detailed reviews for the following hotels we have stayed at:

Ignacia Guest House (Roma Norte): The most unique option; a few rooms in a beautifully renovated house. Full review here.
Andaz Mexico City (Condesa): The most convenient location, but the hotel itself had both pros and cons. Full review here.
Ritz-Carlton (Reforma): Spectacular high-rise luxury, though Reforma has a more business-centric feel. Full review here.

What to Do?

You can do as much or as little as you want:

Explore the historic Zócalo and Cathedral.
Visit Aztec ruins and various museums.
Wander Coyoacán’s cobblestone streets and market.
See Teotihuacan (from the ground or by hot air balloon).
Take a boat ride on the canals of Xochimilco.
Shop for artisanal Mexican products.
Go on food tours, cooking classes, or taco crawls.
Simply wander and soak in the atmosphere and architecture.

What Else Should I Know? (Tips & Information)

High Altitude: CDMX sits at 2,240 meters (7,350 feet), so acclimatization takes time. Headaches, shortness of breath, and reduced appetite are common. Hydration is key—drink more water than usual. Also, be mindful that the effects of alcohol are felt quicker.

Weather: While often perceived as hot, the summer months (June–October) are actually the rainy season. The high altitude keeps temperatures moderate. We visited in March, May, and August and found the temperature similar at about 25 Celsius (77 Fahrenheit) with dry weather. In August, it was cooler and often rained around sunset. Visit in the spring to see the stunning purple jacaranda trees in full bloom across the city.

Cost: You might be surprised by the cost of things in Mexico City. An influx of tourism and digital nomads has increased prices for food, beverages, and accommodations. Local protests have even been held regarding the rising cost of living due to tourism, I.e. housing affordability and availability due to Airbnb, small local businesses being displaced and replaced by more expensive shops, etc.. We have noticed a clear price increase from our past visits. Meals at some mid-range restaurants can cost the same as in Vancouver. However, CDMX can be as cheap as you want it to be if you stick to budget options.

Cash vs. Card: Always carry Mexican pesos. Credit cards are widely accepted, and it’s now more common to be able to add a tip to the card. Most places will include a service charge, but you can add an extra tip for good service.

Language: Outside of main tourist zones and hotels, English is not always spoken. We recommend having a basic knowledge of Spanish or a translation app.

Taking the Metro: To use public transit, buy and load a rechargeable transit card at the metro station machine or via your phone.

The Airport (MEX): We flew into Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) and took an Uber to our hotel. The airport is dated and chaotic. The lounges are generally not worth arriving early for; most operate like restaurants, and you should expect to pay for food and premium drinks. During our visit, both Aeromexico flagship lounges were closed, but they are expected to re-open in December 2025.

Summary

Based on our travel preferences, Mexico City is by far one of the most interesting and compelling cities we have ever visited. It’s a quick six-hour flight from Vancouver, yet it offers so much. We left with so much unfinished business, and it is high on our list of places to revisit soon!

Hotel Reviews:

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