Where to Stay in Mexico City by Neighborhood
Updated: Jan 30
If you had asked me before I visited Mexico City what vibes to expect, I wouldn't have told you anything about European culture. I didn't know the streets housed grand buildings, tree-lined promenades, or featured cuisine from French to Spanish.
I wouldn't have expected one of the world's largest ancient pyramids to sit a mere 30 minutes outside of town, and I definitely wouldn't have known that insects garnished most of my Mexican meals.
With this melting pot of cultures, beautiful mountain air and colorful marketplaces, I was determined to explore many of the Mexico City neighborhoods, and I did it in just 3 days!
Below find basic details on the neighborhood vibes for each of the popular touristic areas in Mexico City. Based on what there is to see and do, you can browse out to the links provided for a list of the closest and best hotels in that area.
For instance, if you love open green spaces, parks, castles and museums, Chapultapec Park is the place for you! More into upscale, businessy areas? Check out Polanco. You get the idea. Learn more about things to do in Mexico City and where to stay in Mexico city by neighborhood based on the vibes right for you.
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Need to Know
Truth be told, all you really need is a long weekend to experience Mexico City, but you should linger longer. A few tips to begin:
It's 7,382ft elevation - higher than Denver - so be sure to drink lots of water and take it easy on your body the first day.
Being at higher altitude, the weather will be chilly in the morning and evenings but the sun will be brutal during the day, even if you don't feel the heat. Wear lots of sunblock.
Uber is widely available
Taxis are a good way to get around
Subways are also an option and are very inexpensive
Mexico City's Best Neighborhoods to Stay In
Although Mexico City boasts so many more neighborhoods to explore, the ones I've listed are the ones you can prioritize if you only have a few days to soak everything in.
I suggest focusing in on Polanco, Chapultapec, Centro Historico and of course making time to see Teotihuacan. Longer visits can merit time for San Angel and beyond.
Polanco
Seek out Polanco for a feel of Europe. Tree lined streets and green spaces are plentiful in this area, along with old biddies walking their tiny poodles and teacup pups.
Restaurants offer varied European cuisine and there's a lot of your standard Marriott style hotels in this area too.
Jaleo bar de tapas is a great place for dinner in Polanco. Spilling out onto the sidewalk this is one of many great people watching restaurants in the upmarket Polanco area.
This is one of the safest neighborhoods in Mexico City, in my opinion.
Chapultapec Park
Be sure to visit Chapultapec Castle and stroll through the park. If desired, visit the Anthropology museum.
Make sure to stop and try some Dorilokos, popular taco-inspired bags of Doritos topped with taco meat and garnish. A great snack!
If time, check out the famous zoo in the park.
Want to try something a little different? Arrange for a traditional Mexican brunch in a local home near Chapultapec park. EatWith organizes these meals, and they are tremendously popular for cultural immersion. Give it a try!
(You should also check out this one, which is further out but really popular on their website).
Centro Historico
This is the buzzing heartbeat of the city.
Here you will want to visit the Mercado de la Merced. Be aware you will see a lot of "Red Light District" type of stuff going on, and big crowds. Stick close together and browse the many lanes of shopping. You'll see more local stuff here than souvenirs. Think socks, belts, kitchenwares, etc.
If you want to get an insider view of the market, consider taking the Merced adventure tour.
Definitely stop and try any one of the dozens of stands offering "tlacoyos", a Mexico City street food. It's basically a tostada with all sorts of meat, onions and flavors on top. YUM.
For more touristy shopping, try La Ciudadela Market for typical Mexican souvenirs. From there, walk the 15 min to Palacio de Bellas Artes. It's a beautiful building in itself, but grab the best views at the secret cafe across the street.
It's inside the Sears on the top floor. Order a coffee and snap some pics! It's called Cafe Don Porfirio.
Go back at night for even more stunning photos.
Walk back towards Zocalo taking Paseo Madero. Here you will find a pedestrian street with shops, restaurants and cafes.
Walk past Templo Mayor, through Zocalo square and main palace building.
Here you'll find hundreds of pedestrians at any given time. Be aware of cars in some areas, but for the most part the central square is a wide open space for roaming.
It is also in this square that you can witness a daily flag raising ceremony at 8am and lowering ceremony at sundown.
In the Centro Historico, you can also check out some ruins! Very cool to see and free to explore.
Teotihuacan
Housing the third largest pyramid in the world, Teotihuacan is an outstanding day trip, best started as soon as you wake up. 31 miles NE of Mexico City, you can take a bus or we just ponied up and took a taxi.
You do not need a tour to visit the ancient city. Just arrive at the gates and buy a ticket. Even if it is a little chilly, bring a hat, sunglasses and lots of sunblock. We were beaten by the sun the day we visited.
Enjoy the VERY large complex on foot before taking a quick walk from the pyramids over to La Gruta. Literally "cave" in Spanish, this is a great little touristy spot for outstanding cocktails and food in a cave setting. A nice and cool respite from the beating sun after a long morning of walking.
For more convenience, you may want to consider taking a tour instead of a taxi or public transportation. This tour offers early access to the pyramid complex, and a pretty cool tequila tasting experience.
You get to try tequila, mezcal and even pulque - the "nectar of the gods". Even cooler? This tour is led by an archaeologist!
Want something completely unforgettable? Try this hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan.
Roma
For a night cap, the Roma neighborhood is popular for their nightlife. Don't miss trying the pulque at La Nuclear Pulqueria. This area is definitely for the hipsters and young folk.
Boasting as the "best night ever", you can even catch a unique tour in Roma neighborhood where you get to enjoy tacos, tequila and mezcal with your new tour friends before catching the infamous masked Mexican wrestling called Lucha Libre. Tacos and lucha libre? Yes, please.
San Angel
Head down to the Saturday market at San Angel and pair it with lunch at the legendary San Angel Inn.
Xochimilco
Take a boat ride (trajinera) through the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco. They are a colorful and fun way to experience what locals do in Mexico City.
Not familiar with Xochimilco? You can also try it in Cancun for more of a party atmosphere, but basically it's an opportunity to get out on the water on colorful boats with a picnic or some cocktails.
Coyoacan
Coyoacan and the Frida Kahlo museum will have long lines to plan to arrive early!
Or, don't bother planning on your own and waiting in lines. This affordable tour offers a visit to Coyoacan, Frida Kahlo museum, and Xochimilco. Seems like a no brainer to me, if you've got the time in your itinerary!
Weekend Trips from Mexico City
When you are done in Mexico City, hop a flight to just about anywhere in Mexico.
My faves?
Guanajuato and Oaxaca.
Guanajuato is full of art, history, mountain exploration and great markets.
Oaxaca is known for it's mezcal route, Zapotec ruins and archaeological sites that rival those across the Yucatan, and of course - Oaxaca's shopping and markets where you can find black or green pottery and alebrijes. Oaxaca's foodie scene is also second to none, so if you are a lover of food and shopping, it's a good bet you'll enjoy some time in Oaxaca.
Lastly, you can head to the Yucatan for colorful colonial towns, stay in a Hacienda, and visit beaches and Mayan ruins.
There's tons to explore in Mexico!
Mexico is on my radar for a future trip!