Where to stay in Mexico City first time? for nightlife? This blog will help you to decide the best areas to stay in Mexico City for first-time tourists (include map), the advantage and disadvantage of each area, the best hotels in Mexico City for all budgets and the safest places.
Mexico City (CDMX) is the oldest capital in the Americas and the largest city in North America. It was home to the Aztecs and was influenced markedly by the Spanish occupation.
There are a huge number of historical and cultural attractions, as well as art galleries, museums, and great shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Mexico City is general a safe city for tourist, even for solo travelers but as you travel to any city, you shoud practice common sense and wise precautions. Don’t leave your drink unattended or call a taxi from the street are rules that apply in many places. Be sure to call fro sitio or turismo cars that registered with the government to avoid robberies in cabs.
If you are looking for safest neighborhoods to stay in Mexico City, look into Condesa, Reforma, Roma, Polanco, and Historical Center districts because they are populated tourist areas.
You should perhaps avoid the area around Zocalo at night if you are alone and in a poorly lit area. Similar advice applies to quiet areas after dark in most major cities in the world.
Where to stay in Mexico City first time?
The best areas to stay in Mexico City for first-time tourists are Paseo de La Reforma, Historic Centre, Polanco, Condesa, Roma, Zona Rosa, and Coyoacan. These are the most popular neighborhoods for tourists that offer a wide variety of attractions and amenities.
Mexico city’s Historic Centre is the overall best place to stay in Mexico city for first-timers due to its prime location with lots of tourist amenities. If you stay here, you will be located within walking distance to many tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops.
Polanco is the area with the best hotels, the finest restaurants, and fashion shopping. Celebrities who visit Mexico City whether for a short break or for work stay in one of the many good hotels in Polanco.
Mexico City has well-connect public transportation, you won’t need a car to get around the city. There are Metro, Metrobús, Trolebús, authorized taxis, and share ride such as, Uber, Beat, and Cabify.
| 💖 Best Area for first-timers: | Historic Centre |
| 💎 Best luxury hotel: | Grand Fiesta Americana |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Casa Prim Hotel Boutique |
| 💰 Best budget hotel: | One Ciudad de Mexico Alameda |
Overviews of best areas to stay in Mexico City for first-time tourists
Here is an overview of recommended areas in Mexico City for first-time visitors:
| Best areas in Mexico City for first-time tourists | Why should you stay in this area? |
|---|---|
| Historic Centre | Staying in the heart of the city will put you close to major attractions like the Zocalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, and Templo Mayor. It’s a great choice if you want to immerse yourself in the city’s history and culture. |
| Reforma | This area offers a mix of historic and modern elements. You’ll be near the iconic Paseo de la Reforma, the Angel of Independence, and several museums. It’s a good central location for exploring other areas. |
| Polanco | Known for its upscale vibe, Polanco offers luxury shopping, high-end dining, and a vibrant nightlife scene. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a more upscale and trendy experience. |
| Condesa | A trendy and artsy neighborhood with tree-lined streets, parks, and a lively atmosphere. Condesa is known for its cafes, restaurants, and nightlife, making it a popular choice for young travelers. |
| Roma | Adjacent to Condesa, Roma shares its bohemian vibe with a focus on art, culture, and gastronomy. It’s an excellent choice if you prefer a hip and vibrant atmosphere. |
| Zona Rosa | Zona Rosa is known for its LGBT-friendly scene, shopping, and nightlife. It’s a central location and a good choice if you want to experience Mexico City’s vibrant LGBTQ+ culture. |
| Coyoacan | This historic neighborhood is known for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul). It’s a bit farther from the city center but offers a charming and cultural experience. |
| San Angel | A more tranquil and upscale neighborhood with a colonial charm. It’s known for its art galleries, markets, and the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Studio Museum. |
| Santa Fe | If you prefer a modern, business-oriented area, Santa Fe is the financial district of Mexico City. It’s well-suited for business travelers or those with specific reasons to be in this part of the city. |
Map of areas and neighborhoods in Mexico City for tourists:
Best areas to stay in Mexico City for first-time tourists are:
1. Historic Centre
The Centro Historico is the best area to stay in Mexico city for first-timers due to its central location. It is the heart of the Mexican capital, Mexico City’s oldest neighborhood, and a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 2007.
Mexico City was built right on top of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán. The Aztecs built their Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico. Later, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in the 16th century and rebuilt the city according to Spanish style.
If you’re a history buff, you will like the neighborhood with the most noteworthy historic landmarks! It is also packed with shops, chain stores, restaurants, bars, food stands, and cafes but the main draw is sightseeing.
The Historic Centre is the area around the impressive public square, El Zocalo (Plaza de la Constitución). In the early colonial time, the zócalo was used as a bullfighting arena and market. Today, this largest gathering place in Latin America is a place for festivals, independence ceremonies, and parades.
This city’s main square is surrounded by 16th and 20th centuries historic buildings such as Templo Mayor, the Palacio Nacional, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The National Palace (Palacio Nacional) was once the residence for Spanish rulers during the colonial era. it is now the office of the Mexican president.
You can enter for free but need to show ID. Inside the palace, you can see the museum and Diego Rivera murals which were painted by Mexico’s most revered artist, Diego Rivera.
Adjacent to the Palacio Nacional sits Latine America’s biggest church, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City (Catedral Metropolitana) was built on top of a pyramid, Templo Mayor in the 1300s.
Visit the Museo de Templo Mayor to learn more about the history of the Aztec empire and Tenochtitlán. Spanish conquistadors destroyed this main religious center to build their own constructions from stones from the Aztec structures.
From Zocalo, follow the Avenida Francisco Madero pedestrian street and head to the Spanish Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts). It is often seen in travel photography from Mexico City.
The Spanish Palacio de Bellas Artes displays murals and paintings of famous painters such as Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros. The Palacio de Bellas Artes also houses a National Architecture Museum that shows the work of famous Mexican architects.
Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles) is a prominent 18th-century building with blue and white tile from the state of Puebla, making a great photo opp. You can also grab a meal of traditional Mexican in the amazing Sanborns restaurant inside the building.
If you want to have the best views of the city, head to the observation deck of the Torre Latinoamericana. You can even see the Valley of Mexico on a clear day!
If you want to relax in a big green space, visit the oldest public park in the Americas, Alameda Central. You‘ll have a chance to see birds, squirrels, and numerous statues and monuments like the outstanding Benito Juarez Hemicycle, which honors the first indigenous president of Mexico.
The beautiful, wide boulevard of Paseo de la Reforma is filled with high-rise buildings, many house restaurants, hotels, monuments, and museums such as Angel of Independence, Bosque de Chapultepec, and the Castillo de Chapultepec.
If you want more photo opportunities, head to the Palacio Postal, a working Post Office from 1907. You can enjoy the Moorish, Baroque, and Art Deco architecture, and take a few photos!
If you are looking to sample of some the best street food like quesadillas and tostadas, head to Mercado de la Merced with many local restaurants offering authentic Mexican food. Hostería de Santo Domingo was first opened in 1860, is the oldest restaurant in Mexico City, still in operation.
Head to the Plaza Garibaldi to see the Mariachi Bands who perform traditional Mexican music throughout the day.
The Centro Historico is safe neighborhood for tourist. Booking hotel in this area, you will be located in the central area. It provides some of the best hotels in Mexico, a good area to stay for all budget travelers.
Best places to stay in Centro Historico for first-time visitors:
- luxury ($$$): Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico
- mid-range ($): Hotel Zocalo Central
- budget ($): Hotel Castropol
2. Reforma
Paseo de La Reforma in an area in Downtown Mexico and is one of the best place to stay in Mexico city for first-timers because it has a central location with lots of things to do and see within walking distance. Famous tourist attractions, nightlife, shopping, nightlife are all easy reach from your hotel.
Originally named Paseo de la Emperatriz, Paseo de La Reforma is also known as Reforma by locals. This thoroughfare runs from the downtown Mexico through the financial and business districts, and one of the main tourist zones, all the way to Chapultepec Park.
It was built by Emperor Maximilian as a route from his residence at Chapultepec Castle to the National Palace. Its original name was Paseo de la Emperatriz, in honor of Carlota, and changed to Reforma, in honor of President Benito Juárez.
Reforma is considered the Times Square of Mexico City. It is filled with monuments, a vibrant nightlife scene, modern skyscrapers, high-rise office blocks, and street vendors.
Nearby the Chapultepec Castle is Latin America’s tallest building, Torre Mayor. It is 225 meters (738 feet) high and 55 stories.
You will find some famous landmarks in this area like the world-class monument Angel of the Independence, the monument to Cuauhtémoc – the last Aztec emperor, Diana the Huntress Fountain, and the monument to Christopher Columbus.
If you stay in this pedestrian-friendly area, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city at night, excellent dining options and within walking distance to major attractions.
Reforma is one of the safest area in Mexico city, that offers many tourist amenities. In Paseo de La Reforma, you will find all sorts of accommodations that suit every budget traveler ranging from budget to luxury.
Stay in Reforma if you want to stay in the heart of the city in the safest areas in Mexico City, and well connected public transport with metro and bus. It is, without doubt, one of the best neighborhoods to stay in CDMX for first-time tourists.
Best places to stay in Paseo de La Reforma for first-timers:
- luxury ($$$): Grand Fiesta Americana
- mid-range ($$): Casa Prim Hotel Boutique
- budget ($): One Ciudad de Mexico Alameda
See more: 27 Best things to do in Mexico city
3. Polanco
Polanco is an upmarket residential neighborhood located just west of Centro Historico and north of Bosque de Chapultepec, the largest park in Latin America and twice the size of New York’s Central Park
There are many things to do in the park itself, from Chapultepec Castle, Audiorama, the cinema of the lake, the nighttime picnics at the botanical gardens, the beautiful walk way of Calzada de los Poetas, and Chapultepec Zoo.
In this fashionable area of Polanco, you will also find the best fine dining, exclusive clubbing scene, upscale boutiques, the biggest concentration of high-end hotels in the city, and notable theaters, contemporary art galleries, and museums.
Polanco offers some of the best shopping in the city with plenty of designer boutiques. Antara Fashion Hall is an open-air mall with many international stores such as Zara, Mango, Carolina Herrera, and Hugo Boss.
And much more high-end shopping at the Champs-Élysées of Mexico, Presidente Masaryk Avenue. This is a Polanco’s main street where you can find Cartier, Louis Viutton, Zegna, Gucci, Uterque, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chopard, as well as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz car showrooms.
Polanco also provides the best dining with the best restaurants in the world: Quintonil and Pujo. You’ll find plenty of taco and tequila joints in Polanco as well. And enjoy the drink at the best bar in Latin America, Limantour.
For museum lovers, you will want to visit the best museums in Polanco including Museo Soumaya and Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Museum of Anthropology).
The Museo Soumaya on the district’s Plaza Carso is one of the most iconic museums in Mexico City since its opening in 2011. It is an art museum, created by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. It displays the works of Mexican artists like Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo.
Meanwhile, The National Museum of Anthropology shows pre-Hispanic artifacts. it’s the most visited museum in Mexico and one of the most important museums in the world!
Polanco is one of the safest areas in Mexico city, it has Metro line 7 link to other parts of the city, there is also a Polanco subway station. Traffic in Polanco can be heavy during rush hours as it is one of the an important business centers in the city.
With the luxurious and eclectic atmosphere, Polanco offers the most high-end accommodation in Mexico City. There are numerous of five-star hotels such as Hyatt Regency, W, JW Marriott, and Four Seasons. If you’re looking for cheaper hotels, head to the historic center.
Best Places to Stay in Mexico City in Polanco for first-timers:
- luxury ($$$): Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec
- luxury ($$$): W Mexico City
- luxury ($$$): Presidente InterContinental Mexico City, an IHG Hotel
4. Condesa
Known as one of Mexico City’s most fashionable neighborhoods, Condesa is located between Chapultepec Park and Roma. It’s a bohemian district with lots of Art Deco-style buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and plenty of cozy restaurants, cafes, and hip boutiques.
La Condesa has a good nightlife with many nightclubs, gastropubs, karaoke bars and lounges, there is something for everyone. La Condesa offers great local and international food scene, from Mexican food to Argentina, Italy, France cusines.
La Condesa is a hip neighborhood with unique boutiques, vintage shops, shoe shops, jewelers, and accessory shops lining the Avenida Amsterdam, Avenida Michoacán, Avenida Tamaulipas, and Vicente Suárez.
You can also visit the largest bookstore in Mexico that has a cafeteria and art gallery, El Pendulo Book Cafe, head to Foro Shakespeare Theater and El Plaza Theater for traditional Mexican shows.
Located in the heart of the Condesa district, Parque Mexico is a beautiful park to wander around, filled with lush trees and promenades perfect for strolling, and catching live music and dancings on weekends. Adjacent to the park, you can check Churrería El Moro for churros and hot chocolate, coffee from Blend Station, or boba tea from Gong Cha.
There is also smaller park such as Parque España that features street art murals, fountains, and sculptures. The tree-lined street of Amsterdam Street is a popular place for runners.
For a fun and very Mexican experience, be sure to visit the open-air local market, known as tianguis on the Pachuca Street every Tuesday between Juan de la Barrera and Avenida Veracruz.
La Condesa is easily explore by walking but you can catch public transportsation like buses or rent a bike, scooter, or car. This wealthy area has less crime compare with the historic center but still practive common sense to keep yourself safe.
Condesa has a wide range of hotels, which ensure a good night’s sleep thanks to the quiet surroundings, which is something not all areas of the city can guarantee.
Condesa DF is possibly the most popular hotel, and its rooftop bar is a great place for food, entertainment, and stunning views of the city.
Best places to stay in La Condesa for first-time tourists:
- luxury ($$$): Casa Corp Boutique Suites in Condesa
- mid-range ($$): Hotel Villa Condesa
- budget ($): Condesa Suites
5. Roma
Located the district in the Cuauhtémoc borough, the hipster neighborhood Colonia Roma, also known as La Roma is packed with specialty coffee shops and restaurants, tree-lined streets, architecturally-stunning buildings. It has the feel of Brooklyn.
Through the academy award-winning film Roma of Director Alfonso Cuarón, we can still see the charm, vibrancy, and magic of this neighborhood.
Roma is divided into two small neighborhoods: Roma Norte and Roma Sur. The area was designated a Barrio Mágico in 2011.
Located south of Coahuila Avenue, Roma Sur is more traditional Mexican. Roma Norte has a youthful, hipster vibe with Art Nouveau and Neoclassical buildings housing hip record shops, quirky bookstores, indie barbers, and a buzzing bar scene.
Foodies will want to visit the Mercado de Medellín in Roma Norte. With more thans 500 stalls, the market has wide variety of produces from Latin America’s countries like Colombia and Cuba. You can find everything such as craft beer, cheese, churros.
There are also Mercado el 100 which is an outdoor farmer market on Sunday, Mercado Roma with upscale food court, lovely rooftop beer garden; the El Comedor de los Milagros is also haven for foodies.
You can see The Fountain of Cybele which is the replica of the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid giving a European atmosphere. Plaza Río de Janeiro is a great place to grab coffee and pastries.
If you love history, you must visit the Museo del Objeto del Objeto (Museum of the Purpose of the Object). It is one of the best museums in Mexico City.
Another beautiful building is the Casa Universitaria del Libro, also known as University House of the Book. Built in 1920 as a residence of Joaquín Baranda MacGregor, a preeminent politician. Today, it is a venue for workshops and book publications from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
If you love art, you can check out street art, and numerous of art galeries such as the contemporary Galería OMR, and the up-and-coming art gallery called Lulu.
Other places of interest are the charming landmark Casa Lamm & Galería Casa Lamm, La Casa de las Brujas with its witch hat-shaped roofs and windows that look like big scary eyes, and the beautiful Neo-Romanesque style architecture Parroquia Verbo Encarnado Y Sagrada Familia.
The best way to explore Roma is walking and cycling, but you can find Metrobuses on the main roads. There are many EcoBici stations around Roma where you can rent a bike. Roma is well-connected to public transport and close to the Historic Centre.
Roma is one of the safest neighborhoods to stay in Mexico city. It also offers plenty of accommodations from budget to luxury, boutique hotel options, low-cost airbnb. Roma Norte is home to some of the most beautiful hotels in the world!
Best places to stay in Roma for first-time visitors:
- luxury ($$$): Brick Hotel
- mid-range ($$): Stanza Hotel
- budget ($): Hotel Tres Colonias – Sólo Adultos
6. Zona Rosa
The tourist-friendly area of Zona Rosa is famous for its nightlife, gay community, shopping, and growing Korean community.
Zona Rosa is located between Centro Historico and Polanco, adjacent to the Monumento a la Independencia. It is bordered by Paseo de la Reforma on the north, Avenida Chapultepec on the south, Niza on the east, and Avenida Floréncia on the west.
Zona Rosa, known as the Pink Zone is an LGBT neighborhood, features many gay-friendly establishments. The liveliest bars and nightclubs are in Calle Genova. You will also find shows, cabarets, and even karaoke in Japanese style.
Gay Pride Parade is a huge festival that is held every year in Amberes Street in Zona Rosa and the Paseo de la Reforma.
Not only does it have an eclectic nightlife 24/7, Zona Rosa also offers plenty of shopping opportunities at affordable prices. There are countless boutiques with international brands as well as independent shops.
For art and antique lovers, head to Calle Londres where you find unique art pieces and a number of antique sellers.
Little Korea, or Korea town, is an area with products of South Korea like cuisine, products, clothes. The Koren karaoke bars are famous around Chilangos, good to have a fun night out.
Best places to stay in Zona Rosa and Juarez for first-timers:
- luxury ($$$): Eurostars Zona Rosa Suites
- luxury ($$$): Hotel Geneve CD de Mexico
- budget ($): City Express Plus Reforma El Angel
7. Coyoacan
Located halfway between the city and Xochimilco, the place of coyotes in Nahuatl, Coyoacan was the heart of the Aztec settlement that predated the arrival of the Spanish. Hernan Cortes and the Spaniards arrived and made Coyoacan the Capital of New Spain. It was not until 1857 that Coyoacan finally became part of Mexico City.
Even then, it was not until the mid-20th Century that urban sprawl overwhelmed Coyoacan. The forests, farms, and lakes surrounding the small settlement were suddenly transformed into a developing area.
However, tourists still have the chance to walk down its cobbled streets, colorful buildings, art galleries, artisan markets, leafy parks, and relax in its plazas such as Plaza Hidalgo and Jardin Centenario.
Some of the conserved buildings date back to the 16th Century, especially those in the very heart of Coyoacan. It makes this district popular with locals on weekends, an escape from the bustle in other neighborhoods of Mexico City.
Coyoacán attracted many artists, philosophers, writers, and foreign figures seeking political asylums such as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, José Clemente Orozco, Salvador Novo, and León Trotsky.
Coyoacan is famous for being the hometown of Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist. Here you will find Frida Kahlo’s Blue House and Museum (La Casa Azul) that shows works of Kahlo and Diego Rivera, artifacts, and personal items, all of which provide an insight into the life of this celebrated Mexican artist.
History buffs will also want to visit Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli to learn more about Mexican history. it was created by Mexican muralists, Diego Rivera.
Meanwhile, the Leon Trotsky House Museum is where the Soviet leader lived in exile and was murdered by one of Stalin’s assassins. There are also UNAM Campus & Museum and National Museum of Popular Culture.
You can admire historic buildings such as Santa Catarina Church, Casa de Cultura Reyes Heroles, and Santa Catarina Theater on Francisco Sosa avenue.
Families can spend the fun day out with kids at the Los Coyotes Zoo where you can find native fauna or that from the Basin of Mexico. It was first opened in 1999 and have many activities such as sports, camping and sculpturing.
Another place to visit is the Vivero Coyoacán park, where you can find tropical plants, cacti, and Fountain of the Coyotes.
There is good tostadas at Tostadas Coyoacan in Mercado de Coyoacán, or Coyoacán market, the best traditional Mexican market.
You can easily explore Coyoacán easily on foot, but on a hot day, you can also hop on the 45-minute Coyoacan tram tour in front of Iglesia de San Juan Bautista.
Accommodation in Coyoacán is usually cheaper than in other neighborhoods of the city, because of its distance from other areas of Mexico city. There are a few international hotels, mostly family-run guesthouses and several boutique hotels.
Best places to stay in Coyoacán for the first time:
- mid-range ($$): Fiesta Inn Periferico Sur
- mid-range ($$): Suites Perisur Apartamentos Amueblados
- budget ($): One Periferico Sur
8. San Angel
The expansion of Mexico City has brought the small hamlet of San Angel, known as Ángel in Spanish, within the city’s boundaries with bus and subway links making access to the city center fairly easy.
The charming colonial town of San Angel has maintained its original feel however with cobbled streets and colonial buildings covered with colorful bougainvillea.
San Angel colonia will welcome you with flowers and art. Flowers on Avenida Revolución, contemporary art at the San Angel Culture House, and colonial art at El Carmen Museum which is a former monastery.
Plaza de San Jacinto is the heart of San Ángel. There are many high-end shops, restaurants, and galleries. It hosts a weekend craft market called Bazaar Sábado that attracts many shoppers and visitors.
There are opportunities for shopping at the El Bazaar del Sábado, where you can grab handicrafts like fine jewelry, textiles, woodwork, and ceramic.
You will find a memorial plaque with the name of names of the Irish soldiers, who belonged to the Saint Patrick’s Battalion died while trying to help the Mexicans repel the invading US armed forces in 1847.
The square is surrounded by great historical buildings such as the late 17th-century mansion, Casa del Risco, known as Centro Cultural Isidro Fabela, with an amazing Talavera fountain; and the 16th-century church Iglesia San Jacinto with an exquisite baroque alta and bright blue facade.
The stunning villa-like building of Museo Soumaya Plaza Loreto is another interesing place to visit. It is the first installment of two Soumaya museums, the second in Polanco. Founded in 1994, it has an art collection of Carlos Slim and paintings of European and Mexican artists.
If you are Art lovers, make sure to visit the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, or Casa O’Gorman, where the famous muralist and his wife lived.
If you want to do shopping, browse the shops on Altavista Avenue. This is considered to be the best shopping hall on the south side of the city with numerous exclusive stores. San Jacinto Square and the Plaza del Angel, Antique Center are also good places for shopping.
San Angel also hosts the 1968 Olympic Stadium, the National Autonomous University of Mexico Campus, Central Library of UNAM which is the main library in the Ciudad Universitaria Campus. It has the iconic murals by Juan O’Gorman.
San Angel’s hotels are regularly patronized by visitors to Mexico City. Best places to stay in San Angel for first-time visitors:
- luxury ($$$): Krystal Grand Suites Insurgentes
- budget ($): Stara San Angel Inn Boutique Hotel
9. Santa Fe
Located in the rolling hills in the west of Mexico City along the federal freeway to the Toluca, Santa Fe is the most modern district in Mexico City. Santa Fe is a good base if you want to shopping, fine dining, spas, entertainment day and night.
It’s also one of the most important business areas with high-tech and international companies, banks, Iberro Americana University, and a large shopping center. It is accessed from the center of the City via Paseo de la Reforma Avenue and Constituyentes Avenue.
Santa Fe is a new and business-oriented zone of high-rise buildings and big shopping malls. You can shop at Centro Santa Fe which is the largest in Latin America with high-end shops, and Garden Santa Fe which is the underground mall.
There are also smaller shopping malls such as Paseo de Arcos Bosques, Samara – Antonio Dovali Jaime 70, and Patio Santa Fe – Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 400.
Many large companies have their headquarters in Santa Fe. You will also find residential buildings in Santa Fe as well as three university campuses.
Santa Fe is home to Parque La Mexicana, the new lungs of the city. It’s covering 100,000 square meters, 6,200 of which are grass. It has a skatepark, lakes, amphitheater, and restaurant complex.
There are plans to improve access between Santa Fe and the center of Mexico City because the two avenues are very congested during rush hours. Those plans include building a tunnel but to date, developments are still ongoing.
best places to stay in Santa Fe:
- luxury ($$$): Live Aqua Urban Resort Mexico
- mid-range ($$): Hyatt House Mexico City Santa Fe
- mid-range ($$): Hilton Garden Inn Mexico City Santa Fe
Some tips before you travel to Mexico city:
- Don’t flush the toilet paper. Many places in Mexico have plumbing that isn’t equipped to deal with toilet paper, so make sure to throw the toilet paper to the bin.
- Don’t drink tap water as it is not safe.
- Mexican official language is Spanish, English is common in tourist areas but if you know basic Spanish, it will be helpful.
- Bring some cash with you, many places accept cash only. Pay in pesos not dollars to get better rates.
- Tipping is important in Mexico, tip 10 to 15 percent in restaurants and bars
- Avoid metro’s hora pico (rush hour) from about 7am-9am, and 5pm-7pm. It’s crowded and high risk of pickpocket.
- Don’t take shots of tequila and mezcal. There are meant to be savored and sipped.
- Be aware of earthquake, educate yourself on what to do if it happens.
Where should I stay in Mexico City for the first time?
Historic Centre and Paseo de La Reforma are the best areas to stay in Mexico city for first-timers because it has a super central location with lots of tourist amenities. If you book a hotel here, you will be located within easy access to many famous tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops.
What is the safest areas to stay in Mexico City?
If you are looking for safest neighborhoods to stay in Mexico City, look into Condesa, Reforma, Roma, Polanco, and Historical Center districts because they are populated tourist areas.
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In conclusion, , Historic Centre, Reforma, Polanco, Condesa, Roma, Zona Rosa, Coyoacan, San Angel, and Santa Fe are the best places to stay in Mexico city for tourists and first-time travelers.
Overall, the Historic Centre is the best area to stay in Mexico city for first-timers because it is the most convenient location and it has a widest range of tourist amenities such as hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. If you stay here, you will be located in the middle of the action!
You can enjoy its many landmarks, galleries, and museums on a budget and you will be all the richer for the experience. By now you should have a better idea of where to stay in Mexico City for your trip. Do you know which area is the best fit for you? If the answer is yes, then it’s time to start deciding on your perfect accommodation, and we have plenty of suggestions there too.