Top places to visit in Mexico City

• Museo Nacional de Antropología

  Museum · 4.9 rating · about 3 h · entry $90 (≈ ₹470)

  One of the world's greatest archaeology museums — 12 halls spanning 4,000 years of Mesoamerican civilisation, anchored by the 25-ton Aztec Sun Stone.

• Zócalo — Plaza de la Constitución

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the world's largest public squares — flanked by the 1573 Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace with Diego Rivera murals, and Aztec Templo Mayor ruins.

• Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)

  Museum · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry $270 (≈ ₹1,400)

  Frida Kahlo's birthplace in Coyoacán, preserved with her studio, belongings, pre-Hispanic art, and paintings. Mexico's most in-demand museum ticket.

• Bosque de Chapultepec

  Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 686-hectare urban forest larger than Central Park, containing the Anthropology Museum, Chapultepec Castle (Mexico's only royal castle), two lakes, and dozens of monuments.

• Templo Mayor Museum

  Museum · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry $85 (≈ ₹440)

  Excavated ruins of the Aztec empire's holiest temple, rediscovered 1978 beneath the Zócalo. Museum holds 6,000+ artefacts including the 24-ton Coyolxauhqui moon disc.

• Palacio de Bellas Artes

  Heritage · about 1.5 h · entry $90 (≈ ₹470)

  Art Nouveau/Art Deco cultural palace with Diego Rivera and Orozco murals and a Tiffany glass curtain.

• Catedral Metropolitana

  Church · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest cathedral in the Americas, built 1573–1813 on the north side of the Zócalo.

• Torre Latinoamericana

  Viewpoint · about 1 h · entry $200 (≈ ₹1,040)

  1956 skyscraper with a 44th-floor observation deck offering 360° views of the valley.

• Palacio Nacional

  Heritage · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Seat of the federal executive, home to Diego Rivera's sweeping History of Mexico stairwell murals.

• Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe

  Church · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Mexico's holiest Catholic shrine and one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.

• Xochimilco Trajinera Canals

  Nature · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  UNESCO-listed network of pre-Hispanic canals and chinampas plied by colourful trajinera boats.

• Museo Soumaya

  Museum · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Silver-clad landmark museum with Rodin, European masters and Mexican art — free entry.

Things to do

• Teotihuacán Pyramids Adventure · 4 h · from MXN 80 per person
• Xochimilco Trajinera Boat Ride Cultural · 3 h · from MXN 400 per person
• Lucha Libre Wrestling Show Entertainment · 3 h · from MXN 250 per person
• Centro Histórico Walking & Street-Food Tour Food Tour · 4 h · from MXN 650 per person
• Xochimilco Trajinera & Coyoacán Tour Tour · 6 h · from MXN 900 per person
• Reforma & Chapultepec Bike Tour Tour · 3 h · from MXN 500 per person
• Guadalupe Basilica & Tlatelolco Tour Tour · 5 h · from MXN 700 per person
• Mezcal & Cantina Tasting Tour · 2.5 h · from MXN 850 per person

Day trips and tours

• Teotihuacán Sunrise + Mezcal Tasting 8 h · from 3,500
• CDMX: Frida + Xochimilco + Street Food 7 h · from 1,800

Where to stay in Mexico City

• Roma & Condesa about MXN 2,500 per night

  Leafy, walkable neighbourhoods packed with cafés, bars and boutique hotels — the top pick for first-timers.

• Roma Norte about MXN 2,800 per night

  The hippest neighbourhood in Latin America — tree-lined streets, art-deco mansions, independent cafés, galleries, and the best restaurant scene in CDMX. Perfect base for first-time visitors.

• Polanco about MXN 14,000 per night

  CDMX's most upscale neighbourhood — luxury hotels, Antara Fashion Hall, fine dining, museums. Best for business travellers or those wanting maximum comfort.

• Condesa about MXN 3,500 per night

  Roma Norte's calmer sister — beautiful Art Deco architecture, park-lined streets, boutique hotels, excellent brunch spots. Great for couples and slow travel.

• Centro Histórico about MXN 1,200 per night

  Maximum cultural immersion — near Zócalo, Templo Mayor, Bellas Artes, and markets. Budget-friendly but street-savvy awareness required. Fascinating but not for everyone.

Hotels

• Four Seasons Mexico City 5-star · MXN 14,000 to MXN 35,000 per night
• Casa Chiquita 4-star · MXN 2,800 to MXN 4,500 per night
• Casa Goliana 4-star · MXN 2,200 to MXN 3,400 per night
• Hostal Home 1-star · MXN 350 to MXN 700 per night
• Gran Hotel Ciudad de México 5-star · MXN 4,500 to MXN 9,000 per night
• Hotel Carlota 4-star · MXN 2,800 to MXN 4,500 per night

Where to eat

• Contramar seafood, mexican · about MXN 600 per person
• El Cardenal mexican, traditional · about MXN 280 per person
• Pujol mexican, contemporary · about MXN 3,500 per person
• Quintonil Mexican, Fine Dining · about MXN 2,800 per person
• Rosetta Italian, Mexican · about MXN 1,400 per person
• Azul Histórico Mexican · about MXN 700 per person
• El Moro Dessert, Cafe · about MXN 120 per person
• Café de Tacuba Mexican · about MXN 450 per person

Getting to Mexico City

Airport: Mexico City (MEX)

How visitors arrive in Mexico City

• Flight into Benito Juárez International Airport By air from Domestic and international origins · most visitors

  The page says most travellers arrive by air to Benito Juárez; Felipe Ángeles is a secondary airport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Intercity bus By road from Puebla, Cuernavaca, Querétaro and other cities · common

  Four main bus terminals serve the north, west, south and east of the country. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Metro Line 5 to Terminal Aerea

  Terminal Aerea station on Line 5 serves the airport. Do not confuse it with Boulevard Puerto Aereo on Line 1, which is a walk away. Source: mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx

• Metrobus Line 4

  Line 4 links the airport terminals with the Historic Center and Bellas Artes. Cash is not accepted; pay with a Mi card, contactless bank card or phone wallet at the stop. Source: mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx

• Uber, Cabify or DiDi

  These apps operate in the city. Turn on the in-app PIN feature or pay in cash to avoid drivers who mark you picked up and leave. Source: mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx

• Use official sitio or radio taxis, check the plate carries the TAXI marking, and share the plate number with someone you trust. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus useful for some trips

  Buses in Mexico City include the Metrobus rapid transit lines on avenues such as Insurgentes and Reforma, plus city-run RTP and private routes.

• Metro

  The Metro is the capital's underground rail network and reaches many neighbourhoods across the city.

• Taxi

  Taxis can be hailed on the street, found at ranks or booked through an app or by phone.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Unofficial "libre" taxis

  Airport and street hails

  Unlicensed taxis overcharge or take long routes; rare express-kidnapping risk.

  How to avoid it: Use authorised airport taxi booths or Uber/DiDi; avoid hailing on the street at night.

• ATM card skimming

  Standalone ATMs in tourist zones

  Skimmers and shoulder-surfers capture card data at non-bank ATMs.

  How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks during the day and cover the keypad.

• ATM Skimming

  ATMs near tourist areas and airport in CDMX

  Criminals attach skimming devices to ATM card slots, often with a hidden camera to capture your PIN. Compromised machines may look identical to real ones.

  How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside bank branches during business hours only, cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Check for loose card slots before inserting your card.

• Fake Police Officers

  Centro Histórico, Zona Rosa, near markets

  Men in police uniforms approach tourists claiming to inspect their currency for "counterfeit" bills. They pocket real bills and return fakes, or demand a bribe to avoid "arrest".

  How to avoid it: Legitimate police do not randomly inspect your wallet. Ask for the officer's badge number and call 089 (police non-emergency) if pressured. Refuse to hand over your wallet.

• Express Kidnapping (Secuestro Exprés)

  Taxi ranks at bus terminals, airport, nightlife areas

  A fake taxi picks you up, drives to an ATM, forces you to withdraw cash at gunpoint, holds you until limit is depleted. Can last hours.

  How to avoid it: Never hail a taxi from the street. Always use Uber, DiDi, Cabify, or InDriver — app-based rides with driver tracking. At the airport, use pre-paid official taxis only.

• Timeshare Presentation Scam

  Everywhere — hotel lobbies, tourist strips

  Friendly reps offer "free tours", show tickets, or restaurant vouchers. In return you must attend a 90-minute presentation that lasts 4+ hours, with aggressive high-pressure sales tactics.

  How to avoid it: Decline any offer of free gifts requiring you to attend a presentation. If approached, say "no thank you" and walk away immediately.

• Luggage Theft at Tapo/Norte Bus Terminals

  TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses del Oriente), Norte Terminal

  Thieves work in teams — one distracts you while another grabs your bag. Common in the waiting areas and bathrooms at major CDMX bus terminals.

  How to avoid it: Keep bags on your lap or between your feet, never out of sight. Use the luggage storage rooms if you need to step away. Buy tickets directly from ticket windows, not touts outside.

Best time to visit Mexico City

• Jan 22°C
• Feb 24°C
• Mar 26°C
• Apr 28°C
• May 27°C
• Jun 26°C
• Jul 25°C
• Aug 25°C
• Sep 24°C
• Oct 24°C
• Nov 23°C
• Dec 22°C

More in Mexico

• Cancún
• Playa del Carmen
• Cabo San Lucas
• Oaxaca City
• Puerto Vallarta
• Tulum

Frequently asked questions about Mexico City

What are the top-rated places to visit in Mexico City?

The highest-rated places in our Mexico City guide are Museo Nacional de Antropología, Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul), Templo Mayor Museum, Zócalo — Plaza de la Constitución, Bosque de Chapultepec.

Where should I stay in Mexico City?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Mexico City: Roma & Condesa, Roma Norte, Polanco, Condesa.

How do I get around Mexico City?

Ways to get around Mexico City covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Mexico City?

Scams reported to us for Mexico City include Unofficial "libre" taxis; ATM card skimming; ATM Skimming. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Mexico City?

Average daytime highs in Mexico City run from 22°C in Jan to 28°C in Apr.

Which airport is nearest to Mexico City?

The nearest airport to Mexico City has the code MEX.