Your Complete Mexico City Travel Guide

Updated On: April 17, 2024 by   Omnia Essawy

A true original yet always changing, a historic giant yet cutting-edge, a dynamic bustling town yet sophisticated and chic, it’s the one and only, Mexico City where contrasts meet and find a way to always harmonize. 

If you are considering the capital city of Mexico as a destination for your next adventure, then you are off to a great start. However, because what Mexico City has to offer is way too much to enjoy over the duration of one vacation, you’ll need our thorough guide to the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Mexico City to enjoy on your first visit to the Latin American beauty.

Best time to visit Mexico City:

The best time to visit Mexico City is between March and May because the weather is at its best and you avoid the chilly winters and rainy summers. However, if you want to catch the Day of the Dead, then you might want to try to aim for late October when pink and orange take over the town. 

Best hotels: 

New Mexico houses all types and kinds of hotels, from world-class 5-star resorts to more budget-friendly accommodation options.

Here are some of the best hotels you can stay at in Mexico City: 

• Hotel Downtown

Right in the middle of the historic city center, stands this 17-century construction filled with modern luxuries. While you are there, be sure to check out the sweeping fresco by the Mexican muralist Manuel Rodriguez Lozano. Aside from a terrace restaurant and a rooftop pool, the rooftop of Hotel Downtown offers incredible views of the city’s beautiful skyline. 

• InterContinental Presidente Mexico City

If you are going for fancy and classy, then this is the hotel for you. Located in the upscale Polanco neighborhood, the Intercontinental Presidente hotel is fairly close to the town’s best shopping spots. Inside the hotel, you can enjoy fine dining at any of the hotel’s restaurants, including Au Pied de Cochon and Chapulin. 

• Nima Local House Hotel

Located in the La Roma neighborhood, Nima Local House features a classic Mexican-French fusion design known as Porforoan architecture. Aligned with its design style, Nima offers open-air terraces, art nouveau-inspired wrought-iron railings, and a marble-lined breakfast nook. Thanks to its excellent location, while staying in Nima Local House Hotel, you’ll be quite close to multiple local parks, popular shops, and restaurants.

• El Patio 77

Housed in an 1890s historic mansion in the San Rafael neighborhood, El Patio 77 is a cozy and charming 8-room hotel with rooms styled and decorated after different states around Mexico City. El Patio 77 manages to keep its luxury status while being one of the most eco-friendly hotels in Mexico City as it has a rainwater collection system as well as a gray water recycling program. Some of the furniture is even upcycled.

Best Restaurants: 

The Mexican culinary experience isn’t like any other. So bring your appetite along, because you’ll definitely need it. Especially, if you are planning to visit any of the following restaurants.

• Comedor de los Milagros

Right from the heart of the La Roma neighborhood, Comedor de Los Milagros takes you on a virtual trip all around Latin America with meals like the Colombian aborrajados, Argentinian chorizo, and Mexican volcanoes. So definitely plan to pay a visit if you feel like diving into the Latin American cuisines. 

• Café de Tacuba

The most popular in Mexico city’s historic center, Cafe de Tacuba is over 100 years old and has been known as the go-to hub for presidents and artists alike. So if you are looking to try an authentic traditional Mexican meal, you couldn’t pick a better place to dine. 

• Pastelería Maque

This French-inspired pasterleria near the leafy Parque Mexico is the place to go when you are looking to have a relaxed low-key fancy brunch. Thanks to its large glass windows, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the city and its people while you sip on your deliciously made cappuccino. 

• Contramar

Contramar is usually picked as one of Mexico City’s best restaurants for serving up the freshest seafood in town. The most recommended dishes are the tuna tostadas and the Pescado a la Talla, split in half and topped with red chili sauce on one side and parsley sauce on the other. 

Best Attractions and Things to Do 

Mexico City is a city of many names, some of the world’s best artists, breathtaking nature, great food, and undeniably significant history. Therefore, the things to see and do in this Latin American capital city are countless.

Here are some of the best ones to help get your Mexico City itinerary on track: 

Palacio de Bellas Artes

One of the highlights of Mexico City’s most significant landmarks, Palacio de Bellas Artes is famous for its immense murals which were painted by world-famous Mexican artists many decades ago. This is in addition to the building’s arts center and concert hall which were commissioned by Mexican president Porfirio Diaz. 

Palacio Nacional 

Aside from being the home to the offices of the Mexican president and the Federal branch of the Mexican government, the Palacio Nacional (National Palace) is also the home to the country’s most significant libraries: Biblioteca Miguel Lerdo de Tejada, as well as exceptional murals covering its walls. However, the Palacio Nacional is probably most famous for containing a collection of stunning artworks by Diego Rivera, one of the world’s most famous Mexican artists. 

Museo Frida Kahlo

You can’t make a trip out to Mexico City without paying a visit to the place where the renowned Mexican artist and feminine icon, Frida Kahlo was born, lived, and died. Casa Azul (Blue House), now a museum, lets you into the artist’s world and gives you a better chance at understanding the phenomenal painter. You can even get a close look at a lot of the artist’s mementos and personal belongings as well as things that played a role in inspiring some of her art. 

Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

A 15- to 20-minute car ride from Museo Frida Kahlo stands her other home where she lived with her husband, Diego Rivera, and their architect and painter friend, Juan O’Gorman from 1934 to 1940. Frida, Diego, and O’Gorman each had their own separate house, but all houses were joined together by a hallway. As for the inside of the houses; Rivera’s abode preserves his upstairs studio with tools and papier-mache figures; Frida’s and O’Gorman’s, on the other hand, have been cleared out for temporary exhibits. 

Catedral Metropolitana

Started in 1573, Catedral Metropolitana remained a work in progress all throughout the colonial period. Therefore, it features what could be called a catalog of architectural styles. 109m long, 59m wide, and 65m high, Catedral Metropolitana is definitely one of the most iconic structures and monumental buildings in all of Mexico. 

The places to see and things to try in Mexico City could fill an entire book. So if you feel like you still need to know more about the enchanting Mexican capital, stay with us for more information about the best attractions in Mexico City.