Insider’s Guide to Mexico City: Where to Stay, Eat & Play

Mexico City, a 7,000-foot-high metropolis, was built atop the ruins of the impressive island-city of Tenochtitlán. Hernán Cortés and his army conquered the glistening Aztec capital in the early 16th century. 

Today, CDMX bears its long, complex and dynamic history. Aztec ruins sit beside Spanish cathedrals, which in turn sit beside modern art museums — some of the best in the world. The city is a vibrant mélange of stunning architecture, leafy green spaces, excellent shopping and out-of-this-world cuisine. In short, Mexico City enchants. 

Below is a taste of all Mexico’s capital has to offer. The sprawling city is one of the world’s largest — both in terms of size and population. There is so much to do here. You’ll likely find yourself returning more than a few times. Connect with me for a tailored itinerary based on your unique interests, style, taste and budget. I’ll help you get the most out of your trip (and each one thereafter).

Mexico City Street

Need to Know

Currency: $, Mexican peso (MXN)

Language: Spanish

Airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juarez (MEX)

Transportation: Stick to official taxis (go to a designated taxi stand or have your restaurant or hotel call one for you) and Uber Black (the lowest categories are not as reliable).

Best Time to Visit: Mexico City is beautiful year-round.

Ideal Length of Stay: You can spend a long time here, though it’s great for a three- or four-night stay, and even a long weekend (depending upon from where you are traveling). You could also easily add it on as a part of a longer Mexico trip.

Key Phrases: Hola (hello), mucho gusto (nice to meet you), estuvo delicioso (it was delicious), que’ tal (what’s up), gracias (thank you), por favor (please), salud (cheers).

Signature Dishes: Tacos al pastor (pork tacos commonly served with onion, cilantro, pineapple), frutas en tacha (syrup covered fruit), tlacoyos (thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and beans), elote (corn on a stick), peneques (deep-fried, cheese filled masa boats bathed in tomato broth), pozole (a warming soup made with hominy)

Dress Code: Trendy and chic; something fun and artsy. Bring light layers for mild evenings spent outside.

Where to Stay in Mexico City

Deluxe Room | Brick Hotel

Casa Polanco: A sleek, contemporary 19-room mansion with beautiful outdoor spaces. Book with me to receive a $100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible. 

Brick Hotel: A moody, chic and sexy 19-room stunner. Book with me to receive a $25 food / beverage credit, a welcome amenity, an upgrade and late check-out whenever possible.

La Valise Mexico City: An eight-room hidden gem in the La Roma neighborhood, where each room is a single, design-forward floor. Book with me to receive welcome amenities, complimentary minibar beverages and an upgrade whenever possible.

Las Alcobas, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City: An intimate boutique option great for couples and solo travelers. Book with me to receive Marriott STARS partner perks including a $100 hotel credit, welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Condesa DF: A 20-room hotel with a historic façade and a contemporary interior. Book with me to receive welcome amenities, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Where to play in Mexico City

Casa Azul | Mexico City

Mexico City’s museum scene is among the best in the world. Many are found near Chapultepec Park, the city’s main green space. You could easily spend hours upon hours at the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico’s most-visited museum. It covers Mexico’s vast pre-Hispanic history. (It also has an excellent gift shop, like most of the museums in CDMX.) For additional history, check out the Museo Nacional de Historia Castillo de Chapultepec, Mexico’s national history museum, housed in the 18th-century hilltop Chapultepec Castle. Also near Chapultepec is El Museo Tamayo, a contemporary art museum named after the Mexican muralist Rufino Tamayo.

Reserve half a day for a visit to the city’s Miguel Hidalgo district, chiefly to explore Casa Estudio Luis Barragán, the house and workshop of its eponymous architect, and its neighboring galleries. The mid-20th-century site is a sleek concrete structure with modern interiors, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just next door is the Galería Archivo Diseño y Arquitectura, a tranquil gallery displaying the beauty of everyday design. Complete the modern-design trifecta with the edgy contemporary-art gallery LABOR. Other can’t-miss museums include the David Chipperfield-designed modern-art museum Museo Jumex and Museo Soumaya, which displays the ever-rotating private collection of Carlos Slim.

You could easily spend a whole day in Coyoacán, which used to be separate from Mexico City proper. But the country’s capital has since grown to encompass the area. You’ll find both Casa Azul, Frida Khalo’s former home, and Museo Anahuacalli, Diego Rivera’s former studio, here. Round out your Frida-and-Diego fix at Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, in San Ángel, the pair’s shared home designed by their friend, the muralist Juan O’Gorman. Afterward, grab a margarita at the San Ángel Inn across the street. Another great option is Museo Dolores Olmedo, the former estate of its namesake Mexican businesswoman (and rumored lover of both Diego and Frida), which also shows the artists’ work. 

Mexico City’s history is vast. It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. To immerse yourself in its dynamic past, the Centro Histórico neighborhood, centered on the Zócalo plaza, is the place to be. This is where you’ll find the Metropolitan Cathedral and the ruins of Templo Mayor, which was the main Aztec temple of Tenochtitlan. Check out the beautiful Art Nouveau Palacio de Bellas Artes, an expansive museum and event space, as well as the Palacio Nacional, home to some of Diego Rivera’s most famous murals. If the latter’s a bit too crowded, or if you’re after a more intimate experience, opt for the Museo Mural Diego Rivera.

For something especially fun, relish in the spectacle of the masked luchadores, Mexican wrestlers, during a Lucha Libre match. You can pop in and out as you please. There are several places to witness the tradition throughout the city. Also consider an eco-tour in Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco, where you can explore the area’s canals. Xochimilco is the lake on which the Aztecs built their chinampas, or floating agricultural gardens. 

Mexico City is also home to numerous incredible markets. A couple favorites include the hip, gourmet Mercado Roma and El Bazaar Sábado, a Saturday market in San Ángel selling everything from flowers and crafts to art and food.

Where to Eat in Mexico City

2,500 day mole | Pujol

Mexico City is a foodie’s paradise. There’s the sleek, tasting-menu hotspot Quintonil, helmed by the übertalented Alejandra Flores and her husband, chef Jorge Vallejo. Enrique Olivera’s Pujol is equally memorable and serves an exquisite tasting menu in chic environs. (I highly recommend Olvera’s mole; takes 2,500 days to get the flavor just right!) Savor additional excellent Mexican food at the leafy, local Botánico, as well as at the hip gourmet cantina El Tigre Silencioso. If you’re around Zócalo, Azul Histórico is a fun place to refuel.

Try the cozy, dimly lit Em for seasonal fare sourced from small local producers, and Galanga for great Thai food in a cool, casual space. The trendy Sartoria is perfect for refined Italian cuisine, as is the Michelin-Starred Rosetta, where top-tier Mexican ingredients take center stage. If you want French, head to the sophisticated Havre 77. Restaurante Máximo offers Mexican food with a French flair. And for a delicious breakfast, you can’t go wrong with the lovely, rustic-chic Lardo. Finally, a trip to CDMX would not be complete without visiting Páramo, a lively cantina with great tacos, great music and the best vibes.

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