Mexico City: Cheap Flights & Best Hotels

Mexico City Travel Guide

Introduction

Mexico City, known locally as CDMX, is one of the largest cities in the Americas and one of its great cultural capitals. Aztec temples lie beneath colonial cathedrals, world-class museums sit beside leafy parks, and the street food is reason enough to visit. It sits at high altitude in a mountain-ringed valley, which shapes everything from the climate to how quickly you tire on your first day.

Best Time to Visit

The city is spring-like for much of the year thanks to its altitude.

• Dry season (November to April): Sunny days and cool nights. March and April are warmer, and the jacaranda trees turn the streets purple. Air quality can be poorer in the dry months.
• Rainy season (May to October): Mornings are usually bright, with heavy showers in the afternoon or evening. Greener and often quieter.
• Special dates: Día de Muertos around 1–2 November brings altars, parades and marigolds across the city, and hotels fill up quickly.

Top Attractions

1. Zócalo and the Historic Centre – The vast main square is framed by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, home to Diego Rivera's murals.
2. Templo Mayor – The excavated ruins of the main Aztec temple of Tenochtitlan, with a museum of finds, right beside the Zócalo.
3. National Museum of Anthropology – One of the most important museums in the Americas, home to the Aztec Sun Stone. Allow at least half a day.
4. Chapultepec Park and Castle – A huge park with a hilltop castle, museums and a lake.
5. Coyoacán – A colourful, village-like district home to the Frida Kahlo Museum (the Blue House); tickets often need booking ahead.
6. Xochimilco – Hire a colourful trajinera boat along the ancient canals, best with a group.
7. Teotihuacán – An ancient city about an hour or so north, with the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Go early to beat heat and crowds.
8. Palacio de Bellas Artes – A striking white marble arts palace, also known for the Ballet Folklórico.

Food to Try

Mexico City is one of the best food cities in the world. Start with tacos al pastor, carved from a vertical spit, then try tlacoyos, quesadillas (here not always with cheese), tamales for breakfast and chilaquiles. Mole sauces, pozole soup and churros with hot chocolate are classics. Markets such as Mercado de Coyoacán and Mercado de San Juan are great for exploring. Vegetarian options are easy to find, from mushroom and squash-blossom quesadillas to nopal (cactus) dishes. Drink bottled or filtered water, not tap water.

Getting There and Getting Around

Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) is close to the city centre. Use authorised airport taxis, bought from official booths inside the terminal, or ride-hailing apps. Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU), further out, handles some domestic and international routes.

The Metro is extensive and very cheap but crowded at rush hour; some lines have women-and-children-only carriages. The Metrobús rapid bus network is useful. Ride-hailing apps are widely used and considered a safer alternative to hailing taxis on the street. Colonia Roma, Condesa and the centre are walkable, and the city has a public bike scheme, Ecobici.

Where to Stay

• Roma Norte and Condesa: Tree-lined streets, Art Deco buildings, cafés and nightlife. The most popular choice for visitors.
• Centro Histórico: Close to the main sights and good value, quieter after dark in some streets.
• Polanco: Upscale hotels, fine dining and shopping, near Chapultepec.
• Coyoacán: Relaxed and residential, further from the centre.

Budget Tips

• Street food and market stalls are excellent and inexpensive; look for busy stalls with high turnover.
• Several museums have free-entry days for residents, and many churches and public spaces are free. Check each museum's website.
• The Metro and Metrobús are very cheap ways to cross the city.
• Look for a "comida corrida", a set lunch menu at local restaurants.
• Visit Teotihuacán by public bus from the Northern Bus Terminal rather than on a private tour if you are comfortable navigating.

Practical and Visa Information

• Visa: Entry rules depend on nationality. Some travellers can enter visa-free, and some may qualify if they hold certain valid visas such as a US visa. Check the official Mexican government or embassy website.
• Currency: Mexican peso (MXN). Carry some cash for markets and street food.
• Language: Spanish. Learning a few basic phrases helps a lot.
• Altitude: The city is high above sea level. Take it easy on your first day, drink water and go light on alcohol.
• Safety: Stay alert in crowded places, use ride-hailing or authorised taxis at night and keep valuables out of sight.
• Earthquakes: The city is in a seismic zone and has public alert sirens. Note the emergency exits in your hotel.
• Plugs: Type A and B.

Plan Your Trip

Fares to Mexico City vary widely by route. voyagiro.com compares 27+ booking sites for free, so you can line up flights and hotels for CDMX in one search.