Published Date: 11/28/2022 | November 28, 2022 Mexico City used to be off the radar for many travelers because it was seen as dangerous. But things have changed in CDMX (Ciudad de México for short) and today it is one of the most popular places to visit in the country. I loved my time in Mexico City. It’s a great destination for food, has a fun nightlife, lots of history, green spaces, and has plenty of galleries and museums to explore. (The art and literature scene here is some of the best in the world.) It’s also a huge, sprawling city, so it’s important to pick the right neighborhood to stay in—one that aligns with your interests and travel style. Traffic can be slow, so you don’t want to waste your visit stuck in transit – or risk your safety by staying in the wrong neighborhood. To help you decide where to stay in Mexico City, here’s my breakdown of the best neighborhoods for visitors (plus suggested accommodations in each). But, before I get to that, here are some frequently asked questions about accommodation in Mexico City: What’s the best neighborhood for a foodie? Although the entire city is a foodie’s paradise, Condesa and Roma Norte are two neighboring areas with excellent food markets, street food, and restaurants. What is the best neighborhood for families? Coyoacán is located quite far from the center, but that is what makes it ideal for families: there is a subway connection and the area is quiet and safe. What’s the best neighborhood for parties? You can find a party anywhere you go but Condesa and Roma Norte are still some of the best places for tourists. Zona Rosa and Jaurez also have plenty of bars and a buzzing nightlife. What is the best neighborhood for history lovers? Mexico City’s Centro Histórico is full of interesting historical sites and is pretty much unavoidable anyway, since it’s the most centrally located neighborhood. What is the best neighborhood for shopping? Upscale and trendy, Polanco abounds with high-end boutiques and outposts of famous fashion designers. If you like to shop till you hit (and maybe max out your credit card), this is the place to do it. What is the best neighborhood overall? For me, Roma Norte is the best neighborhood to stay in. It’s beautiful, has lots of green space, is safe, centrally located, and has a lot of the best restaurants in town. It’s the right place for you. With those questions answered, here’s my breakdown of each neighborhood! Where to Stay in Mexico City for Overal: Roma Norte or Condesa Roma Norte and Condesa sit next to each other and are referred to as the “sister neighborhoods.” Both leafy and safe, the streets are lined with world-class restaurants, great taco stands, trendy coffee shops, craft cocktail bars, and large food markets. This is the chic and artsy area of the city and is one of my most favourites. (It’s also the most “foreign” of places since most visitors and expats stay here, so you’ll see more Gringos here than anywhere else in the city.) BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CONdesa AND ROMA BUDGET: Hostel Home – Located in Rome, Mexico City Offers First hostel Free and fast Wi-Fi, comfy beds and free bottled water. The homey interior is filled with potted plants and comfortable furniture. If you like an ‘old school’ hostel atmosphere, this is the place for you. MIDRANGE: Hotel Villa Condesa – Fifteen spacious and comfortable suites feature this boutique property in Condesa. Housed in a former 19th century mansion, the hotel is elegant and the staff go out of their way to be welcoming and friendly. Some rooms have balconies, and there is also a nice balcony to relax on. LUXURY: Condesa DF – This boutique hotel is one of the coolest and most elegant hotels in Condesa. The interior is retro-chic, and rooms are equipped with Bluetooth LCD speakers, rainfall showerheads, and Malin + Goetz bath products. The property also has a fleet of bicycles that guests can use to further explore the neighborhood. Where to Stay in Mexico City for Families: Coyoacán Coyoacán, located about a 35-minute metro ride from the Zócalo (main square), in the southern part of town, is one of the nicest neighborhoods in Mexico City. Cobblestone streets and colonial homes give the area a charming atmosphere. It’s quiet and safe here too. The neighborhood’s central park, Jardín Centenario, is a great place to hang out and people-watch. Coyoacán is also home to the Frida Kahlo Museum and an array of great food and clothing markets. It’s a really good place to stay if you want to get away from the big crowds. BEST PLACES TO STAY IN COYOáCAN BUDGET: Hostel Cuija Coyoacán – Within walking distance of all the neighborhood attractions, Hostel Cuija offers free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. While the beds are simple, the bathrooms are clean and the staff go out of their way to help you make the most of your visit. MIDRANGE: HOTEL Ágata – This ultra-chic Coyoácan boutique property features plush robes, in-room coffeemakers and large-size TVs. The Mexican breakfast is free (and delicious). LUXURY: H21 – A true boutique hotel, H21 only has five rooms. Each is decorated with unique design and color schemes, and all feature private patios, art by local artists and artisan makers, in-room coffeemakers, and quality bath products. Where to stay in Mexico City for history buffs: Centro Histórico Centro Histórico is home to all the must-see historic sites like the Zócalo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace (and Diego Rivera’s murals inside), the Palacio de Bellas Artes Cultural Center, and the Torre Latinoamericana skyscraper. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, staying here for at least part of your visit is worth considering. BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CENTRO HISTORICO BUDGET: Selina – The best hostel in Mexico City, this hostel is spacious, clean, and has a fun vibe. There are plenty of common spaces to hang out, and the staff is always organizing events so it’s easy to meet people. MIDRANGE: Zócalo Central Mexico City – Housed in a late 1800s building, this centrally located property offers free bikes for guests, a fitness center, and a steam room. Guestrooms are fitted with hardwood floors, large-size TVs, air-conditioning and coffee makers. LUXURY: Gran Hotel Ciudad de México – This luxurious, historic Art Nouveau hotel offers rooms overlooking the Zócalo, the famous central square. The inner lobby, with its wrought-iron elevators and balustrades, is pleasing to the eyes. The huge rooms have marble bathrooms, large TVs, desks and air-conditioning. Where to Stay in Mexico City for Luxury and Shopping: Polanco This posh area is known as the “Beverly Hills of Mexico” and is home to Pujol, perhaps the best restaurant in the country, as well as upscale restaurants Mr. Chow, Morimoto, Nobu, and the molecular restaurant Basque/Pico. It’s also where you’ll find the densest collection of luxury shopping in the country (Antara Fashion Hall, an upscale shopping mall, is located here). Come here to max out your card on clothes, or just stroll the streets to the window shop. BEST PLACES TO STAY IN POLANCO BUDGET: Golden Buda – One of the few budget options in Polanco, Golden Buda is a no-frills inn with decent showers, free breakfast, and yoga and meditation classes. The beds aren’t amazing, but you can’t beat the price. MIDRANGE: Green Park Hotel – Housed in a gorgeous Art Deco building, Green Park is a heavy dose of comfort in the center of Polanco. Its suites are full of amenities and overlook the adjacent park or patio. The rooftop bar is also a fun place to hang out. LUXURY: Pug Seal – This 20-room boutique hotel on Calle Edgar Allan Poe is a quirky yet luxurious place to stay in the neighborhood. Each room is unique, designed by a different Mexican artist. Breakfast is included in the rate, and guests can also ride a fleet of bicycles to explore the area further. *** Mexico City is a huge and bustling city and you need to take the time to plan where you will stay. By researching the best neighborhoods in town, you’ll be able to stay safe, save money, and make the most of your time in this amazing and underrated destination. Book your flight: logistics tips and tricks Book your flight Find a cheap flight with Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the world so you’ll always know that no stone is left unturned. Book your accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it constantly shows the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you from illness, injury, theft and cancellation. It is comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Would you like to fly for free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation. They are what makes me travel so much for so little. Check out my guide to choosing the right card, current favorites to get started, and see the latest best deals. Are you ready to book your flight? Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list everything I use when I travel. It’s the best in class and you can’t go wrong with it on your trip.
