Mexico City Travel FAQ: 15 Questions Every First-Timer Asks (Answered Honestly)
After three trips to CDMX and recommending it to dozens of friends, I've compiled every question I get asked. No sugarcoating.
Safety & Health
Q: Is Mexico City safe for tourists?
A: The tourist neighborhoods — Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacan, Centro Historico — are safe and well-policed. I've walked through Roma Norte at midnight multiple times without issues. Use the same street smarts you'd use in any major city: don't flash expensive electronics, keep bags zipped and in front, use Uber or DiDi instead of hailing street taxis.
The areas to avoid: Tepito, Doctores, and La Merced neighborhoods (La Merced market itself is fine during the day but the surrounding blocks get sketchy). Unlicensed taxis have been linked to robberies — always use app-based rides.
Q: Can you drink the tap water?
A: No. Full stop. Buy bottled water (garrafones at corner stores are cheapest) or bring a SteriPen. Ice at restaurants is usually made from purified water (hielo purificado) and is generally safe. But tap water is a definite no.
Q: How bad is the altitude sickness?
A: At 2,240 meters (7,350 ft), most people feel something. Headaches, shortness of breath going up stairs, fatigue, and sometimes nausea. I got hit hard on my first trip — spent day one with a pounding headache.
What works: drink tons of water, avoid heavy alcohol for the first 24 hours, take it easy on day one. Pharmacies sell Sorojchi Pills (aspirin + caffeine combo) over the counter. Coca tea helps too — some hotels offer it at check-in.
Most people adjust by day two.
If altitude concerns you, Cancun is at sea level and offers a very different but equally rewarding Mexican travel experience.
Q: Do I need to speak Spanish?
A: It helps enormously. English is not widely spoken outside luxury hotels and tourist-focused restaurants. But Google Translate's camera feature works well for menus, and pointing and smiling gets you surprisingly far at market stalls.
Learn these: "Cuanto cuesta?" (how much?), "La cuenta, por favor" (the check, please), "No entiendo" (I don't understand), "Donde esta...?" (where is...?).
Getting There & Around
Q: How do I get from the airport to the city?
A: Metrobus Line 4 runs from the airport terminals to the city center for about 7 MXN — absurdly cheap but can be crowded with luggage. Uber costs 100-150 MXN to Roma/Condesa. Avoid the unofficial taxi drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Q: Do I need a car?
A: Absolutely not. In fact, don't rent one. Traffic is legendary and parking is a nightmare. The metro (5 MXN per ride) covers most tourist areas, Metrobus has dedicated bus lanes (7 MXN), and Uber/DiDi work everywhere for 50-100 MXN across town.
For Teotihuacan, take the ADO bus from Terminal Norte (~100 MXN round trip, 1 hour each way).
Q: Is the metro safe?
A: During normal hours, yes. It's extremely crowded during rush hour (7-10AM, 5-8PM) though. Women and children have dedicated cars during peak times. Keep your phone in your pocket, not in your hand, especially on platforms. Off-peak, it's perfectly fine.
Money & Budget
Q: How much money do I need per day?
A: Mexico City is shockingly affordable. Here's a realistic breakdown:
The secret weapon: menu del dia lunch specials. Between noon and 3PM, restaurants offer a set lunch (soup, main, drink, sometimes dessert) for 60-100 MXN ($3-5 USD). Follow the office workers.
Q: Should I tip?
A: Yes. 10-15% at sit-down restaurants (check if propina is already included on the bill). A few pesos for bag carriers and gas station attendants. Tour guides: 100-200 MXN. In Mexico City, tipping culture is similar to the US.
Q: Credit cards or cash?
A: Both. Credit cards work at restaurants, hotels, and shops. But street food stalls, markets, colectivos, and small businesses are cash only. Hit an ATM when you arrive — bank ATMs give the best exchange rate. Avoid standalone ATMs outside of banks.
Sightseeing
Q: How many days do I need?
A: Minimum 4 days to hit the essentials (Centro Historico, Anthropology Museum, Coyoacan, one fine dining experience). A week lets you add Teotihuacan, Xochimilco, a cooking class, and actually relax. Two weeks? You'll still leave wanting more.
I'd say 5-7 days is the sweet spot for a first visit.
Q: What should I book in advance?
A: Three things, non-negotiable:
Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul — sells out daily. Book at museofridakahlo.org.mx weeks ahead. Entry ~270 MXN.
Pujol or Quintonil — fine dining reservations fill up. Book at least 2-3 weeks out.
Lucha libre tickets — Friday night at Arena Mexico is best. Buy at the box office or through the website. Tickets 100-350 MXN.
Everything else (museums, Teotihuacan, Xochimilco) can be done day-of.
Q: Is Free Museum Sunday worth it?
A: Most national museums — including the Anthropology Museum (normally 95 MXN) and Chapultepec Castle (normally 85 MXN) — are free for everyone on Sundays. The trade-off: bigger crowds. If you don't mind crowds and want to save money, go Sunday. If you want space, go Tuesday-Saturday and pay the entry fees (still very cheap).
Food & Culture
Q: What are the must-eat foods?
A: My non-negotiable list:
Tacos al pastor at El Huequito (25-35 MXN each, since 1959, Calle Ayuntamiento)
Churros con chocolate at El Moro (60 MXN, since 1935, Eje Central)
Mole — any variety. Pujol's mole madre ($150 tasting menu) or a market fonda's mole negro (60 MXN)
Tlacoyos at any mercado — stuffed corn cakes with beans, cheese, or chicharron
Cochinita pibil — Yucatecan slow-roasted pork. Cafe de Tacuba does a good version
Mezcal — artisanal, at La Clandestina in Roma (flights from 150 MXN)
A: Excellent and growing. Mexico produces exceptional coffee (Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz origins) and CDMX has a real specialty coffee culture. Cafe Avellaneda on Calle Orizaba in Roma Norte is my pick. Single-origin espresso about 50 MXN.
For a historical experience: Cafe de Tacuba in Centro Historico (since 1912). Order cafe de olla — spiced coffee made with piloncillo and cinnamon.
Q: Are there things I should know about Mexican customs?
A: A few:
Mexicans eat late. Lunch is 1-3PM. Dinner starts at 9PM. Restaurants peak at 10-11PM. Eating at 7PM means empty restaurants and sometimes a limited kitchen.
Greetings involve a kiss on the cheek (right cheek) for women meeting women or men meeting women. Men shake hands with men.
"Ahorita" technically means "right now" but actually means "sometime between now and eternity." Don't take time estimates literally.
Mexico City residents call themselves "chilangos." It used to be slightly pejorative but they've reclaimed it.
If the late dining culture appeals to you, Buenos Aires takes it even further — dinner at 10PM is considered early.
