Mexico City, Mexico

With nearly 20 million people in the greater Mexico City population, you can spend a day exploring 1-2 neighborhoods. It is particularly fun to be there during the national holiday of Dia De Los Muertos (the first days of November).

— Monica Coakley

More about your oliver guide: Monica Coakley
Trip type: Adult, City
Activity level: moderate
Ideal length of trip: 2-3 DAYS

to & from

United has a direct flight from SFO to MEX, as well as AeroMexico. Taxis are reliable from the airport and the fare needs to be purchased ahead of time. After your initial taxi ride, Uber is very reliable and unbelievably inexpensive (i.e., 1 hour ride for $7USD). No need to rent a car, as the traffic is horrible and Uber/taxi is such a deal.

Where to Stay

Where to Eat and Drink

Maque (Condesa)
Eno (Polanco)
Cabanna (Polanco)
El Balcon del Zocalo (great place to have brunch before/after viewing the Cathedral and Zocalo Square)
Huset
Azul Historico
Maximo Bistro
Biko
Casa Virginia
Contramar
Pujol

What to Do

Lucha Libre (Mexico Wrestling)
Museo Frida Kahlo
Palacio Nacional
Palacio De Bellas Artes
Zocalo
Casa Barragan
Chapultepec Park

inside scoop

Get tickets in advance (online) for all museums. The Frida Kahlo museum is worthwhile it's in her home but is very popular.
Sundays Mexican familes congregate in indoor markets to have lunch and shop. Buy a Mexican bottled Coca Cola and walk around the market, a great way to get a feel for the culture.
Sunday is a great DAY to explore the city because traffic is much better, so driving to/from different areas will take 1/2 the time then during the week.
Sunday PM's most restaurants close by 5:00pm- so consider having a late lunch and if hungry later, eat at your hotel.
Don't drink the water. Always drink bottled water. Most of the hotels are safe, but you can never be too careful.
Take ubers and always account for traffic. It can take 60-80 minutes to drive across the city depending on traffic, which is one of the most congested city's in the world.
Take out pesos. While most places accept credit cards, it's much easier and more accepted to pay in cash.

skip it

Unlike most other cities, I recommend NOT staying in the downtown Centro Historico part of town. There are really interesting other neighborhoods with more culture and more to do during the day and night.