Exploring Mexico City: Insider Tips from a Former Local
- Shauna Leff
- Mar 1, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 12, 2025
Shop, Eat & Sightsee
Introduction
Mexico City, or "DF" (Distrito Federal) as the locals call it, is a city of vibrant culture, rich history, and endless culinary delights. I had the privilege of calling DF home for ten years, after moving there from San Francisco to be with my now-husband. My children were born there, and though we now reside in the U.S., we frequently return to visit family and friends. Over the years, I became the go-to tour guide for visiting friends and family. When we were not there anymore to play host, I compiled a list of must-know travel tips. What started as a simple email has evolved into this basic guide, which I continuously try to update to help others navigate this incredible city like a local.
*Please note, my tips are just a sliver of what Mexico City has to offer.
Best time to visit
Personally, I love spring (end of February through May) when the jacaranda trees are in bloom, and you can count on perfect sunny weather daily. The month of October leading into Dias de Los Muertos on November 2 is also a very exciting time to visit.
Where to stay
When we visit, we rent an apartment via Airbnb in Colonial Polanco and try to stay close to Parque Lincoln, as we stay normally for more than a week. It’s central for us to see friends and family and get around town. There is an abundance of restaurants and shopping. We also feel very safe to walk around late at night- especially after late night tacos. Another neighborhood option for Airbnb would be La Condesa.
There are a few boutique hotel options in Polanco you may want to also explore especially if you are just staying for a long weekend:
If you prefer a bigger chain hotel the Intercontinental or JW Marriot are in a good location around the corner from Parque Lincoln. They both have great views of the city.
There are plenty of nice hotel options that line Reforma and in colonial Roma, but I would avoid those. Even though it’s lovely to walk up and down Reforma during the day, I wouldn’t want to be walking in that area late at night.
Clothing
Bring layers. Mornings and evenings can be cool, while afternoons are typically warm and sunny. What I love about DF, is that it’s dry heat. If you are there during rainy season (June-August), bring a raincoat.
Transportation
From the airport: Always use a taxi service from a kiosk inside the airport. Look for the "Sitio" taxi option, which allows credit card payment. When you come out of the baggage area, while you are still inside the airport, you will turn right and there are plenty of options. Once you tell them where you are going and pay, they will walk you out to your taxi. Avoid anyone offering a taxi outside of the official kiosks.
Getting around the city:
Uber is safe and a convenient option- especially if you do not speak Spanish.
Sitio taxis (official taxi stands) are also reliable if needed. Only take a “Sitio” taxi. Do not get into just any taxi you see on the street.
Avoid public transportation, especially as a tourist.
Biking can be fun in areas like Condesa but be extremely cautious as drivers do not always follow traffic rules. On Sundays, Reforma Avenue is closed to cars and open exclusively for cyclists. There are areas of the city you can rent bikes. You will see the bike stands.
Walking within a neighborhood (colonials) is great, but walking between neighborhoods is not ideal due to DF’s sprawling layout. Check out this walking guide (link).
Turibus: A hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus that’s a great way to see key areas, such as Centro, Polanco, and Bosque de Chapultepec. Pick it up at the "Auditorio Nacional." Be sure to sit on the top deck!
Cablebús Line 2 (link): The longest cable car line in the world, it cuts across south eastern Iztapalapa, and connects on both ends with the City's Metro system.
Altitude:
DF sits at a high altitude (2,200 meters or 7,200 feet above sea level) because it's located in the Valley of Mexico, a basin surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, including the remnants of the ancient Lake Texcoco. If you don’t want a headache and to fight off feeling tired, drink plenty of water, especially after you arrive to stay hydrated. At high altitudes, your body works harder and loses water faster, so it's crucial to drink more than usual. While tap water isn't drinkable, you can brush your teeth with it. Buy bottled water at supermarkets like Superama or 7/11.
Greetings
When meeting someone, say “Mucho gusto” (nice to meet you)—it goes a long way!
Tour Guide
I know a great tour guide. Her name is Lynda Martinez. She is from the U.S.- her husband Is Mexican. She is wonderful! This is her webpage. She is located in DF. She can customize a trip for you. I had done a few of her tours when I first moved to Mexico and have sent countless people to her over the years. Here is the link to her website (link).
Food Tour
From the quesadillas vendors in the market to the master chocolatier at their workshop, the taqueros, baristas and everything in between, go on a food tour with Anais Martinez with Devoured. I was told this one is pretty special: Xochimilco at Dawn (link)
My Taqueria Favorites
In case you want some help on what to order at a taqueria.
Food
Tacos al Pastor – “con todo” (with everything). You can opt for the chicken version. Here is a link to a video I did for Inside Mexico on Tacos al Pastor with food writer and critic, Nicolas Gilman (Link)
Chicharrón de queso – A crispy cheese roll worth trying!
Cebollas preparadas – grilled chambray onions with magi sauce
Pozole rojo con pollo – A traditional Mexican soup.
Sopa de tortilla – A must-try!
Tacos de Bistec con todo (cilantro, limon, and onion) – My chidlren love these tacos.
Drinks
Agua de Jamaica – A delicious hibiscus tea - cold.
Horchata – cinnamon rice drink.
Michelada – A refreshing beer-based drink with lime and salt.
Limonada – Mexican version of a lemonade but it's made with limon.
Breakfast Favorites
Don’t skip "pan dulce" (sweet bread). I personally like pan de elote, concha de vanilla, or a croissant.
Papaya with limon and a side of yogurt
Jugo verde (green juice)
Chilaquiles with eggs or chicken are a classic Mexican breakfast.
Enfrijoladas, a Mexican dish made of corn tortillas covered in a flavorful bean sauce stuffed with cheese (I only order this dish if I’m at Saks)
Tamales (my favorite flavors are pollo verde, mole rojo or rajas).
I refer to specific restaurants below inside individual neighborhoods. For more food recommendations, check out Nicolas Gilman and his new book on best tacos in Mexico City
NOTE:
THERE ARE SOOO MANY AMAZING FOOD OPTIONS. TOO MANY TO LIST HERE IN THIS BLOG. Here is a list of some top places to eat (Link)
I also wanted to provide the favorite restaurant list from a good friend of mine who is still living in DF and very much part of the foodie scene. If she recommends these places, then they are 100% worth checking out:
Elly’s
Hugo
Mendis
Ikigai Sushi
Entremar roof
Tecuchi
Neighborhood Highlights
Centro Histórico
I would start at Bellas Artes. Try to see a Ballet Folkorico show in the morning. Then see the art galleries in the building and murals by Diego Rivera..
From there I would walk to the Catedral and Templo Mayor. You can get a shaman cleanse outside the Templo Mayor. Usually there is lots of traditional Aztec dancing and drumming. It can be one of your stops off the Turi Bus. Then after, walk to have food at Cafe Tacuba, located at Calle de Tacuba 28 Col. Centro, Mexico City, Mexico. It’s an iconic place. Order the special traditional mexican drinks like Atole or cafe Olla. Their tamales are great. They usually have amazing mariachi bands that play inside there. Think of this place for breakfast, lunch or just a snack (link).
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Walking back from Cafe Tacuba toward Bella Artes- you can stop off at Franz Mayer Museum. Another great museum. It’s across from Bella Artes.
Other Sites:
Zócalo: Walk to the Zocalo from Bella Artes. All the streets to get there are interesting.
Walk through Mexico City’s historic heart, visit the Catedral Metropolitana and Templo Mayor, and watch traditional Aztec dancers.
Museo de Arte Popular
Dining:
Café de Tacuba – An iconic spot known for its Mexican hot chocolate and tamales.
Azul Histórico – A fantastic place to try authentic Mexican cuisine.
El Cardenal – My husband’s favorite breakfast spot—order the “nata” and a Mexican hot chocolate.
The Centro is PACKED with things to do. There are worlds within worlds to explore.
POLANCO
Polanco is a great neighborhood to stay in. It’s a very safe neighborhood to walk around and very central to get around the city. There are lots of galleries, high end shopping, families out for breakfast and lunch and strolling around the Parque Lincoln. Stroll along Presidente Masaryk and visit Palacio de Hierro for high-end shopping and an incredible gourmet food court.
Museums:
National Museum of Anthropology, one of the best museums in the world.
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
Museo Tamayo
Food:
There is no shortage of high end amazing restaurants in Polanco. Here are just a few to add to your list.
Saks (Campos Eliseos) – A fantastic breakfast spot; try the "pan de elote" and a "jugo verde."
Pujol – One of Mexico’s top-ranked restaurants. Good for lunch or dinner
Roxy- for ice cream
Churros- Churrería el Moro
Ivoire- Has always been one of my favorite restaurants right off Parque Lincoln
El Sur: Coyoacán & San Ángel
Frida Kahlo Museum: A must-visit in Coyoacán.
Coyoacán Center: Enjoy street food, hot chocolate, esquites (Mexican street corn), and paletas (popsicles)
Bazar Sábado (San Ángel): A must-visit Saturday-only art market
NOTE: MORE NEIGHBORHOODS WILL BE LISTED SOON...
Unique Experiences
Lucha Libre:
If you’re in town on the right night, don’t miss a Lucha Libre wrestling match—it’s a fun and authentic Mexican experience! Grab late-night tacos after.
Mercados / Markets:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE going to mercados. It’s such the heart of Mexico. Try to hit one if you can. I personally love the flower market known as Mercado Jamaica. I found this link that has info. I had produced video segments on the market but they are sadly not published anymore.
Mercado de Sonora - also known as the witchcraft market is fun to explore. You can buy potions and spells.
La Ciudadela Artisan Market (Mercado de Artesanías de La Ciudadela) is one of the great treats of any visit to Mexico City. You may wish you had a whole extra suitcase. (link)
Roma Bazar - a central place to buy Mexican artisans (link)
Market Guides:
Day Trips
Pyramids- Teotihuacan
You should definitely put the pyramids on your hit list (link). It’s a half day trip, if you plan it out right or you can make an entire day of it and go on a tour that will also take you to the Basilica de Guadalupe. There is a tour that goes out of the Camino Real Hotel in Polanco. You will need to call the day before and make a reservation with the concierge. It’s close to get to from Condesa- where i think you are staying.
However, Linda, who I mentioned above can also do those tours and she has a car. Linda can also take you to some authentic markets/ mercados and countless other experiences.
Tepotzlan
Another day or overnight trip, if you have the time, is Tepotzlan, known as a magical town.If you want to do something active - then walk up to top of the mountain cliff to see the Piramide del Tepozteco. This article may be helpful if you are interested in going. If you do that- then you need to hit a place off the highway to get food. it’s a place with all taco quesadillas stands called Tres Marias.
Conclusion
Mexico City is a place that can’t be fully explored in just one visit. Whether you’re indulging in tacos, world-class cuisine, marveling at historic landmarks, museum hopping, or simply wandering through its vibrant neighborhoods, DF has something for everyone. This guide is just a starting point—I hope it helps you experience the magic of the city I once called home. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. ¡Buen viaje!
PHOTO GALLERY
