With a inhabitants of over 21 million folks, Mexico City is a densely packed metropolis with Indigenous origins relationship again to the 1300s, when it was referred to as Tenochtitlan.

This stunning but chaotic metropolis is my hometown. After a lifetime spent right here, CDMX (because it’s usually referred to) nonetheless surprises me with its sense of group and the way locals – generally known as chilangos – personal and luxuriate in public areas comparable to parks and plazas. Individuals-watching is a factor right here, and simply going out for the sake of strolling round and having a late-night snack is a type of social leisure.

Lately, Mexico Metropolis has turn into a sought-after vacation spot for vacationers looking for to bask in Mexico’s wealthy culinary heritage, admire town’s beautiful structure, or stroll across the central and most picturesque neighborhoods comparable to Roma, Polanco, Juárez, and Condesa.

But, all through my years as a journey author and fixer in Mexico, I nonetheless hear questions that mirror specific misconceptions in regards to the metropolis. So, listed here are some solutions that will help you plan your journey to Mexico Metropolis and really feel extra assured and comfortable earlier than boarding the airplane.

1. What ought to I pack for Mexico Metropolis?

Mexico Metropolis is privileged within the climate division because it enjoys a constant temperature averaging the low 20°Cs most of the year. Summer time is taken into account the wet season. It should seemingly rain throughout the night from late June till mid-October, both an enormous 20-minute downpour or only a sprinkle right here and there, however relaxation assured: it should rain. 

Pack a light-weight, waterproof jacket, however skip the umbrella. In case you get caught within the rain, avenue distributors promote umbrellas for 60 pesos on common. Pack comfy sneakers because you may do a number of strolling as you explore the city. Convey a button-down shirt or a summery or informal costume if visiting high-end eating places. Chilangos are usually dressier and stylish when going out.

2. Some eating places and museums needs to be booked months upfront

The Mexico City dining and bar scene is energetic and consists of among the greatest eating places in North America, and the world. You need to guide lunch or dinner reservations upfront when you’ve got Pujol or Quintonil in your record of locations to eat. 

If touring to Mexico Metropolis with mates or household, it is also value reserving lunch and dinner reservations upfront as a result of it is going to be more durable for sought-after eating places and bars to accommodate walk-ins of enormous events.

Purchase tickets to the Frida Kahlo Museum or the Luis Barragan House with loads of time, and plan the itinerary of your journey across the reservations which can be more durable to get.

February to early Could and September to December are usually the busiest months to go to Mexico Metropolis, so plan round that when you want to keep away from crowds.

3. How lengthy ought to I keep?

Plan a four- to five-day journey to have sufficient time to discover town’s most popular neighborhoods and sights. In case you want to go to Teotihuacan – an archaeological web site positioned 39km northeast of Mexico City – or Xochimilco’s Cuemanco ecological area within the southern a part of town, put aside a whole morning for every exercise since it might take round 1.5 hours to achieve every vacation spot coming from the central areas of town.

The National Museum of Archaeology and the Chapultepec Castle deserve no less than 4 or 5 hours of your time. Enable a full day to stroll round Centro Histórico (Mexico Metropolis’s downtown space), visiting websites comparable to Bellas Artes, the Diego Rivera murals, Catedral Metropolitana, and Templo Mayor.

Give your self a while to expertise Mexico Metropolis’s tempo of life. It may be hectic however quiet sufficient to get pleasure from a espresso or a cocktail and unwind.

4. How a lot ought to I tip and when?

Mexico Metropolis is a predominantly working-class metropolis, and there’s a lot of financial disparity within the service and hospitality trade. Think about a 15% tip as the usual and even 20% based mostly on the complete tab at eating places, bars, and low retailers or the quantity paid for reserving experiences and companies. 

Service workers at eating places and bars will ask when you want to add a tip earlier than swiping your card. Alternatively, when you resolve to take a tour or rent a metropolis information, tip with money, ideally in pesos. 

Tipping an Uber driver shouldn’t be frequent, however when you rent a private chauffeur all through your journey, tipping shall be anticipated. In case you go to a grocery store and somebody assists you in packing your groceries, tip 10 to fifteen pesos.

5. Mexico Metropolis shouldn’t be low cost

A number of worldwide vacationers and distant staff have been referred to as out on social media for posting: “Mexico Metropolis is so low cost!”. In case you earn USD, Euros or GBP, you can find that your earnings or travel budget goes additional in Mexico Metropolis than, for instance, New York, San Francisco, or London. 

Nonetheless, Mexico Metropolis shouldn’t be low cost for Mexicans, and the price of dwelling has risen significantly for locals within the final 5 years, particularly in housing prices resulting from short-term leases and Airbnb. Chilangos are typically welcoming and hospitable, however feedback from vacationers in regards to the decrease relative prices within the metropolis are unlikely to be appreciated.

6. Mexican avenue meals is scrumptious, however not very accommodating

Sadly, strict veganism or vegetarianism, gluten intolerance, extreme allergy symptoms, or different spiritual or cultural-related meals restrictions shall be onerous to accommodate in most locations, particularly when visiting avenue meals stands. 

Taco stands or quesadilla distributors may prepare dinner vegetarian dishes with lard or close to animal proteins; some mole and salsas might have peanuts or different nuts. Most native markets have sections the place conventional butchery is on full show. In case you’re a meat-eater, be open to the thought and train a level of flexibility. You may find yourself making an attempt scrumptious Mexican meals.

When visiting a taco stand, locals may warn you in regards to the spiciness of the salsas, and it could be a bit extra spicy than what you might be used to. In Spanish, picante means spicy. 

Mexican eateries – fondas – prepare dinner principally from scratch and at all times have a vegetarian dish on the every day menu. Corn tortillas are in all places in Mexico Metropolis, so you can be good to go in case your restriction is gluten.

These days, most eating places are conscious of meals restrictions and allergy symptoms and may make options based mostly on their present menu. However count on them to maintain a dish the identical, accommodating your request in one of the simplest ways potential.

7. How protected is the water?

An excellent rule of thumb is which you could brush your tooth, however don’t swallow any water. Relying on town borough, the standard and sanitation of the faucet water may change. 

Consequently, Mexico Metropolis residents drink solely filtered or bottled water. Since 2014, Mexico Metropolis eating places have been required by native authorities to serve filtered water to customers at no additional value.

Any ice used to organize drinks, aguas frescas (fruity drinks), and cocktails is made with filtered water. Espresso retailers and juice stands put together drinks with filtered water as nicely. 

8. What about crime? Is Mexico Metropolis protected?

The reply to this query actually depends upon the place you might be coming from. Strolling round central neighborhoods like Roma, Polanco, Coyoacán or Condesa is method safer than strolling, for instance, in sure areas of cities comparable to San Francisco, Philadelphia, Phoenix, LA, Washington DC, or Chicago. Lately, Mexico Metropolis’s authorities has elevated safety patrols in most areas, and total, town is protected. 

As in any main metropolis, pay attention to your environment and at all times be conscious of your belongings. Be careful for petty crime and pickpocketing in vacationer areas. If you find yourself in a crowded place like a soccer stadium, a live performance, or a music competition, maintain your valuables near you. Go away any flashy jewellery or watches on the resort.

If taking public transportation just like the Metro (because the subway system is known as) or buses, pay attention to pickpockets. Avoid common taxis and go for Uber as an alternative.

There are, for certain, neighborhoods in Mexico Metropolis the place even residents advise warning, so at all times discuss with native intel if you’re planning to discover the outer areas of town. If an space feels edgy and unsafe, staying away is greatest.

9. Do not drink alcohol within the streets and keep away from weed

Consuming within the streets of Mexico Metropolis is illegitimate. Mexico Metropolis shouldn’t be Tulum, Cancún or Los Cabos. In case you get caught by the police consuming alcohol within the streets, you might face or positive or jail time. 

In 2009, the Mexican authorities adopted legislation to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs for private and instant use. Nonetheless, it is best to keep away from consuming any sort of medicine in Mexico to keep away from the authorized grey matter. 

10. Keep hydrated to assist with the altitude

Mexico Metropolis sits in a valley within the excessive Mexican central plateau with an elevation of 2240m. You may discover you might be extra drained than typical after a day or two of arrival. Drink sufficient water and keep hydrated always. You may also expertise that alcohol hits you quicker right here, and it’s all due to the excessive elevation. 

Fortunately, you will discover bottles of electrolytes in each OXXO or 7-11 retailer. Locals name them electrolitos, and when you acknowledge the bottles, you’ll catch them in all places. Electrolitos come in numerous flavors: coco, lime, strawberry and so forth, and are nice for curing a hangover. 

11. There’s an opportunity of earthquakes 

Mexico Metropolis experiences earthquakes often, and town and its residents are ready to deal with the scenario. Mexico has a classy seismic alarm system that provides as much as a 60-second warning earlier than an earthquake hits town. 

In case you hear the alarm, keep calm, do not run, and observe the locals’ result in a protected place to see the earthquake by. Inns, eating places, authorities buildings, house buildings, places of work, and faculties observe a security protocol. 

Mexico Metropolis schedules earthquake drills annually to bolster first responders’ security measures and permit residents to follow earthquake security protocols. In case you occur to be in Mexico Metropolis throughout an earthquake, staying calm is essentially the most essential step to staying protected.