Mexico City is one of my favorite places in the world! It was my first big international travel experience when I moved there at 17 years old for a modeling contract. I have visited multiple times since, and actually had my bachelorette party there earlier this year. It’s a place I think everyone should experience in their lifetime, especially if you love food, history, fashion, and culture. But it is a trip that people tend to underprepare for.
This is not your typical Mexico trip to Cabo or Cancun. It’s a city of more than 20 million that manages to feel intimate once you’re in the right neighborhood, with a food scene that holds its own against any city in the world and a design culture that will blow you away.
Here’s what I wish someone had told me before my first visit to Mexico City.
1. Prepare For The Altitude
Mexico City sits at roughly 7,350 feet, higher than Denver, Colorado. Most people don’t get sick, but you might feel it: shorter breath on the stairs, a dull headache on day one, and cocktails that hit much faster than they should.
If I were you, I’d plan a slow first day. Drink more water (bottled water!) than you think you need, go easy on the mezcal the first night, and save the Teotihuacรกn pyramids for later in the trip. If you’re flying in from sea level, a long lunch and an early night are the perfect combination to set yourself up for a successful trip.
2. Don’t Drink The Tap Water
Tap water in Mexico City isn’t safe to drink, and the locals don’t drink it either. Stick to bottled or filtered water, and use it to brush your teeth, too. Most hotels leave bottles in the room or have a filtered jug on each floor. I always leave a small bottle of water on my bathroom sink in Mexico City so that I never forget to use that water for my toothbrush instead of the tap. I also recommend keeping your mouth closed in the shower.
When I was living in Mexico City about a decade ago, I got the infamous Montezuma’s Revenge, and it traumatized me. Take your water precautions very seriously. You’ll most likely be fine, and I haven’t had any issues since that one trip, but definitely be careful.
The Good News
Ice at restaurants, bars, and cafรฉs is almost always made from purified water, so your margarita is fine. Street food is a pure judgment call, and I usually make my decision based on how busy the stall is. A busy stand with high turnover is usually a safe bet. An empty one at 2pm is not.
3. Carry Some Cash, & Be Smart About It
The currency is the Mexican peso (MXN). Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Roma, Condesa, and Polanco, but you’ll want pesos for taco stands, markets, some cafes, small shops, and tips.
A few rules I follow:
4. The Museums Deserve More Time Than You Think
Mexico City has more than 150 museums, one of the highest counts of any city in the world. You won’t have time to see them all, so be selective.
The Museo Nacional de Antropologรญa is non-negotiable. This is genuinely one of the most impressive museums I’ve ever been to, and I’ve gone back multiple times. Give it half a day. Highly, highly recommend this one. Pair it with a visit to the Chapultepec Castle, a short walk away in the same park. The former imperial residence now houses the National History Museum, and the view down Paseo de la Reforma from its terraces is one of the best in the city.
The Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) in Coyoacรกn sells out, so book tickets online a few weeks ahead. If you care about architecture, Casa Luis Barragรกn is the one I’d prioritize over everything else. It’s tour-only, the groups are small, and slots go fast. For contemporary art, Museo Jumex in Polanco is worth the trip.
One thing that catches people off guard: most museums are closed on Mondays. Use that day for markets, a long lunch, or an aimless walk through Roma Norte.
5. Eat Everywhere, At Every Price Point!
This is the real reason to go to Mexico City. When the Michelin Guide arrived in Mexico in 2024, Pujol and Quintonil both earned two stars, and both are worth planning a trip around if you can get a reservation. Book as early as possible.
But some of my best meals in the city cost less than a coffee back home. Tacos al pastor from a street stand at midnight. Freshly cut mangoes from a man at a market corner. A long, loud lunch at Contramar, where the tuna tostadas have earned their reputation. And, of course, Jenny’s Quesadillas.
A note on timing: lunch, or comida, is the main meal here, usually between 2 and 5pm. Dinner runs late. Eat on local time, and you’ll get the city at its best. Us Americans eat so early!
Where to Stay
Base yourself in Roma Norte or Condesa. Both are walkable, leafy, and full of cafรฉs, galleries, and good restaurants. Polanco is more polished and quieter at night, which suits some travelers better. I’d skip the historic center as a base. Visit it, absolutely, but you’ll want to come home to a neighborhood that feels a little more quiet and comfortable. I’ll write a full hotel guide soon!
Mexico City rewards people who slow down. Give it at least four days, leave room in the schedule, and let the city set the pace.
