Mexico City Travel FAQ: 15 Questions Every First-Timer Asks (Answered Honestly)

Mexico City Travel FAQ: 15 Questions Every First-Timer Asks (Answered Honestly)

Every first-timer to CDMX shows up with the same fifteen questions. Here they are, answered straight — no sugarcoating, just the details that make the difference between a good trip and a great one.

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Safety & Health

Q: Is Mexico City safe for tourists?

A: The tourist neighborhoods — Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacan, Centro Historico — are safe and well-policed. Roma Norte at midnight is a calm, walkable stretch of taquerias and tree-lined streets. 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 skip: 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. Day one can hit hard, so plan for a gentle start.

What works: drink tons of water, avoid heavy alcohol for the first 24 hours, and take it easy on day one. Pharmacies sell Sorojchi Pills (aspirin + caffeine combo) over the counter. Coca tea helps too — it's the same Andean altitude remedy travelers sip before the climb to Machu Picchu, and some hotels here 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 you 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 you 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 it can be crowded with luggage. Uber costs 100-150 MXN to Roma/Condesa. Skip the unofficial taxi drivers who approach you inside the terminal.

Q: Do you 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 you 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 you 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 you 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.

Call it 5-7 days for the sweet spot on a first visit.

Q: What should you book in advance?

A: Three things, non-negotiable:

1. Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul — sells out daily. Book at museofridakahlo.org.mx weeks ahead. Entry ~270 MXN.
2. Pujol or Quintonil — fine dining reservations fill up. Book at least 2-3 weeks out.
3. 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: The 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)

For more food details, read our Mexico City food deep dive.

Q: What's the coffee scene like?

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 the standout. Single-origin espresso runs 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 you 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.

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