Being one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, Mexico City is known for its rich culture and breathtaking sights as well as delicious cuisine. However, before you pack those bags and get ready for the trip of your life, it’s best to plan ahead to avoid any hiccups.
Here are some of the travel tips you can keep in mind as well as must-see attractions that you should visit at least once before you head off home.
Travel Tips for Mexico City
Traveling to an entirely different city means experiencing a culture that might be different from yours. This can lead to misunderstandings and small bumps in an otherwise fun trip. Don’t let these problems spoil the trip for you! Here are some tips to keep in mind;
- Restrooms marked with M are NOT for men. The Spanish word for women is “mujeres” and restrooms marked with M are female toilets. Keep that in mind to avoid barging in the wrong restroom!
- Try the Colectivos. These are small buses or vans that are similar to carpooling. They bunch together a couple of passengers and are an ideal, cheaper alternative to other forms of transport.
- Pay with pesos. The conversion rate you may get at some places isn’t as ideal as the one you might receive from your bank. This also holds true for ATMs that may urge you to convert to dollars. Rely on your bank and pay in pesos to avoid losses.
- Build in extra time within your itinerary to avoid disappointment. Not everything may go according to plan and you should expect delays in Mexico City.
- Tap water isn’t safe. It is important to rely on bottled water in Mexico City and stay away from tap water as it isn’t filtered.
- Although Mexico City is safe, it is important to invest in some travel insurance to avoid heavy losses in case something out of the ordinary occurs.
- Do NOT flush your toilet paper in the hotels. Mexico City’s pipelines are not built to handle flushing heavy waste such as toilet paper, and it most certainly will clog the toilet!
- Stay wary of cheap car rental advertisements. They may look good on paper but are almost always unreliable.
- Mexico City’s gas stations are full-service, which means all you need to do is tell the server to fill in the required amount of gas and they will do it for you.
- Don’t just stick to the beaches. Be sure to experience all the different regions and sights Mexico City has to offer. More on that below!
Must-See Attractions
Worried about missing out on some of the attractions? Not to fret! We have listed some of the must-see attractions for you below!
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La Rifa Chocolateria
If you are in the area, make sure you visit La Rida where you can enjoy sipping chocolates (water-based). These are the closest depiction of how cacao was consumed in pre-Columbian times.
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Floating Gardens of Xochimilco Mexico City
Here’s another delight located a 40-minute drive outside the city. It is a World Heritage Site where you can board a gondola-like boat and enjoy the awe-inspiring artificial islands.
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Sculpture Garden at the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporneo Mexico City
This garden is located just outside the main Mexico City. It isn’t a place oft-visited by tourists. However, it is a one-of-a-kind sight that includes huge outdoor sculptures. One of the best is the giant crater built around lava, where you can take pictures from the ledge.
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Frida Kahlo Museum
If you are visiting Mexico City, do not hop on the flight back home till you have visited the Frida Kahlo Museum. Here you can experience some of the paintings as well as the original home which has been carefully preserved, as well as the clothes Frida wore after her accident. It is a true in-depth look into her life.
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The Flower Market
Interested in sweet-smelling flowers? Mexico City’s beautiful flower market includes ferns, lilies, roses, daisies, violets, and much more. Bring back a bundle to your hotel or take it back home to dry and frame as a souvenir.
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Mexico’s Ancient Civilizations
Want a sneak peek into Mexico’s rich history? There’s no better way to do it than to explore some of the oldest civilizations. There are many to choose from, but if you want to skip the hassle you can rely on an expert to locate the best ancient Mexican civilization to explore.
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El Moro Churerría
Love to feast on churros. You’ll find the best ones here. Shops are located in multiple places such as Polanco, Condesa, Roma, Cuauhtémoc, and more. Here you can watch the cooks knead, dip, and fry your churros and choose your favorite toppings.
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The Cuisine Scene
Want to explore Mexican food and culture? You can contact the Eat Like a Local company and immerse yourself in the food scene. This company takes you through the food scene in Mexico City and ensures you get a taste of everything.
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Luis Barragán House and Studio
This former home and studio belonged to architect Luis Barragán. It is located in Mexico City’s Hidalgo District and has now become a museum. The estate is known for its unique usage of color, light, shadow, and form, and the interiors are something you can enjoy, immersing yourself in the strikingly beautiful walls, fountains, and pools.
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Iglesia San Ignacio de Loyola
Visits to Mexico City are incomplete without a thorough view of the architecture and some of the churches in the city are the best places to enjoy that. This modernist church in Polanco was designed by Juan Sordo and was completed in 1961. It is known for its triangular structure which is covered in yellow ceramic tiles with multi-colored stained-glass windows inside the building that create a kaleidoscope effect.
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Museo Nacional de Antropología
This museum is located in Chapultepec Park and was designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez in 1964. It houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Mexican artifacts.
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Torre Latinoamericana
Built in 1965, this 44-story skyscraper is one you wouldn’t want to miss. It gets you those 360-degree city views and includes a bar/restaurant below for your convenience.
SEE ALSO: El Salvador Tourism: A Journey Through Pristine Beaches, Colorful Towns, and Enchanting Parks
Final Thoughts
Now that we are at the end of our list, have you found a spot that is worth exploring yet? Pull out a notebook and start with a checklist of what you want to explore. However, make sure you don’t get too caught up in following that list as Mexico City is best explored with a carefree mind!