Is Mexico City worth visiting? Here’s the tldr; yes! Go book your flight.
If you need more than that, read on.
Mexico City, or CDMX (Ciudad de México), is one of the coolest cities in North America and perfect for a short vacation or long weekend. If you have a week to explore, all the better.
We recently spent four days in Mexico City and had a blast. The flight is quick from the USA so you’re not dealing with jet lag and can get right to exploring. It’s a decent city for travelers on a budget, though it is still a major metropolitan area so it isn’t the cheapest place to visit.
From some of the best food in the world to centuries of incredible history, CDMX is packed with unforgettable experiences. Here are 10 reasons why you should visit Mexico City.
1. The Street Food
Let’s start with what’s likely to steal your heart (and your stomach): the street food. This is Number One on the list for a reason.
In Mexico City, street food isn’t just a snack—it’s a culinary explosion. From mouthwatering tacos al pastor served from corner stands to tamales, elote (corn on the cob), and blue corn quesadillas, it’s a full menu of delights on every block. Don’t miss my full guide on what foods to eat in Mexico City.
While Mexico City is known for more than just tacos, their tacos are the best you’ll have in the world. Most stands sell the small tacos for about $0.50 USD each, so you can sample them to your heart’s delight. Just don’t forget the Tums.
We did this street food tour on bicycles and highly recommend it. We covered a ton of distance around the city and got to try foods from a bunch of different neighborhoods. Learn more or book here.
Or just let your nose guide you from stand to stand; either way, you’ll quickly see why Mexico City is a top foodie destination.
Don’t miss my full guide on what foods to eat in Mexico City.
2. The History
Mexico City is practically a living museum. Built on top of the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán, it’s a city with layers of history to explore.
The National Museum of Anthropology is packed with relics from Mexico’s past, including the iconic Aztec Sun Stone. The museum is open every day of the week except for Monday and is a very well curated museum.
My favorite exhibit explains the Aztec ball game that used to be played. And don’t come at me for sloppy writing, it was literally called the bally game.
Nearby the museum is architecturally impressive Castillo de Chapultepec, a castle with panoramic city views and a past that includes emperors and presidential quarters. It is a hike to get to the top of the hill where the castle is located, but fun to explore the grounds. My favorite was the carriage hall that featured carriages from emperors of old.
Or, if you have an extra day, hop out of the city to the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan and explore one of the oldest and most mysterious sites in North America.
3. The Art Scene
From museums to street murals, Mexico City has an art scene that rivals any major city. You can see works by iconic Mexican artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in the Frida Kahlo Museum. Admittedly, the Frida Kahlo Museum does not feature much of her actual art, but rather gives the intimate details of the famous artist’s life.
Follow my tips for visiting Mexico City for the first time and book your tickets in advance.
Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes also features murals from some of Mexico City’s most famous artists, including Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Robert Montenegro.
But the art isn’t just confined to museums in Mexico City. Walking through neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa, you’ll encounter stunning murals, tiny galleries, and art installations on nearly every street.
The city’s creativity spills out into public spaces, making it an open-air gallery where the walls themselves are part of the exhibit.
4. The World’s Top Bars
Yes, you read that right. Mexico City has not one, but several bars that regularly top the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars. As of the recently released list in 2024, Mexico City is actually home to the #1 Bar – Handshake Speakeasy.
Tlecan is rated #20, Licoreria Limantour, is rated #32. Hanky Panky has topped the list in previous years but did not make the Top 50 in 2024.
These speakeasy-style spots are hidden gems (literally) where you’ll need a reservation and maybe a little patience to find the door. Once inside, you’re treated to some of the best mixology around, with cocktails that are as Instagram-worthy as they are delicious.
We visited Handshake and enjoyed every minute of our 90 minute reservation (that’s all you’re allowed if others are waiting). We were seated at the bar and were delighted to watch the bartender concoct the drinks.
My favorite was their spin on the pina colada, but my husband personally enjoyed their peanut butter and jelly drink that was complete with a white chocolate mini sandwich.
5. Great Non-MexicanFood
Sure, you’ll want to sample all the tacos, but Mexico City also has an international food scene that’s hard to beat. From Italian to Japanese, the city’s diverse culinary offerings might surprise you and you would do well to take advantage of it.
For example, you can get handmade pasta at Sartoria or incredible ramen at Rokai. And you should go to Sartoria, because the handmade pasta was incredible, as was the tiramisu. Better than any Italian food I’ve had anywhere outside of Italy, and I’m pretty discerning about my Italian food.*
*OK that’s not true, I love it all.
But this is a city that celebrates all types of food, and it’s affordable to boot, making it a dream for budget travelers who still want to indulge in top-quality cuisine.
6. Proximity to Nearby Wonders
If you’re the type to chase history beyond the city limits, Mexico City’s proximity to the ancient pyramids at Teotihuacan is unbeatable.
Just an hour’s drive away, these iconic pyramids are a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a glimpse into a civilization that flourished long before the Spanish arrived. You can climb the Pyramid of the Sun and explore the Avenue of the Dead.
You can hire a driver to take you there or join an organized tour to the pyramids to get the most out of the experience.
Or, if you are feeling extra fancy, you can even take a hot air balloon ride for a bird’s eye view of this awe-inspiring landscape.
It’s the perfect day trip that feels worlds away from the bustling city.
Mexico City is also located within driving distance of Tolantongo, an incredible aquatic wonder (pictured below). If we had one more day in CDMX, we would have done this day trip in a heart beat.
7. Great Weather
Another reason Mexico City is worth visiting is that it has the kind of weather that just about everyone can agree on. With a mild, temperate climate all year round, CDMX rarely hits extreme highs or lows. You’ll most likely encounter highs somewhere in the 70s° and lows somewhere in the 50s°
That means you can explore comfortably, whether you’re wandering through Chapultepec Park or shopping your way through Coyoacán’s street markets. Even during the rainy season like in the fall when we visited, showers are usually brief and refreshing, leaving you free to enjoy the city’s outdoor spaces without a care.
8. Friendly People
One thing visitors to Mexico City always talk about is the warmth and friendliness of the locals and they are not wrong. Everyone we met in CDMX was so friendly.
Don’t be surprised if strangers help you with directions, chat with you in a café, or eagerly offer recommendations. This friendliness extends to vendors, Uber drivers, and servers, too, who will often go out of their way to make sure you’re having the best experience.
So if you’re worried about a language barrier or navigating a big city, don’t be—people in CDMX make it easy to feel welcome.
9. All the Green Space
For a city of 22 million people, CDMX has a surprising amount of green space. Bosque de Chapultepec alone is one of the largest urban parks in the world, with lakes, gardens, and even a zoo. It is twice the size of New York City’s Central Park.
Mexico City isn’t exactly known for its air quality, but having that urban jungle right in the middle of the city was literally a breath of fresh air when we were visiting.
Take a stroll through Alameda Central, or head to Parque España for a break from the bustling streets. These green oases are where locals come to picnic, relax, and escape the urban grind. You can even rent a paddle boat or bring a picnic, and spend an afternoon unwinding like a local.
Make sure to follow my Mexico City packing list so that you’re prepared to make the most of your trip.
10. Cultural Holidays
If you time your trip right, you might get to experience one of Mexico City’s legendary cultural holidays. Visiting in early November means you’ll catch Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), an unforgettable celebration of life and death that fills the streets with colorful altars, parades, and painted faces.
We visited in early October so we were too soon for the full celebration but already the city was decked out in orange marigold flowers that are paramount to the celebration.
Other holidays like Independence Day (September 16) and Semana Santa (Holy Week) also bring unique festivities to CDMX. These celebrations are vibrant, authentic, and deeply rooted in Mexican culture, offering a peek into local traditions that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
If you came here wondering if Mexico City is a good place to visit, hopefully I’ve more than convinced you that it is. If not, DM me, I’ll try to make my pitch even more compelling.
It’s the kind of place that gets under your skin and makes you want to come back. Which is easy for people in the United States to do, given how close it is.
Whether you’re there for a long weekend or a week, Mexico City offers experiences you won’t soon forget. Grab a taco, find a rooftop bar, and dive into this lively city—chances are you’ll be like my husband and I and be planning your next trip before you even leave.
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