Where to Stay in Mexico City: Local Guide

A trip to Mexico’s capital city will be nothing short of amazing. Mexico City, or CDMX—as it’s now known, is filled to the brim with incredible art, culture, a rich history, and food you will surely crave after you leave.

Mexico City is quite large, and the different areas are pretty spread out. Each unique area offers something special, and there are over a dozen different neighborhoods. How will you know which is the best neighborhood to stay in Mexico City?

I’ve lived in Mexico City for a few years (before moving to Playa del Carmen) I moved many times and can say that I lived in pretty much every central and semi-central part of the city. I also revisited the city numerous times after I moved away, so as a result, I was able to stay in a number of different hotels.

Read on to find where to stay in Mexico City, learn some fun facts, and start planning your activities for your once in a lifetime trip to the beautiful capital. Whether you’re looking for a Mexico City Airbnb, a 5-star hotel, or a quaint boutique hotel, I got you covered.

Where to Stay in Mexico City – Quick Summary

(For more detailed descriptions keeps scrolling)

★ Where to Stay in Mexico City for First Time Visit – Roma & Zona Rosa

★ Budget Area to Stay in Mexico City – Zocalo / Centro Historico

★ For the Luxury Travelers – Polanco

★ Best Place to Stay in Mexico City with Family – Reforma

★ Where to Stay in Mexico City for Nightlife – La Condesa

★ Coolest Area to Stay in Mexico City – Coyoacan

★ Other Areas of Mexico City Worth Mentioning

★ Where NOT to Stay in Mexico City

Best Hotels to Stay in Mexico City:

Best Luxury Hotels in Mexico City
Hotel Marquis • Sheraton Maria Isabel • Orchid House Polanco • Grand Hotel CDMX

Guesthouses in CDMX
Casa Coyoacán • Art Residence San Angel • Casa Corp

Design Hotels in CDMX
Pug Seal Tennyson • Quetzalcoatl`s Nest

Best Budget Accommodation in Mexico City
Capsule Hostel • Hostal La Encantada • Casa Pepe

Important Things to Note:

Consider Traffic Jam

Mexico City is one of the most populated cities in the world (along with Tokyo). Luckily, there is a fair amount of public transport, taxis, and Ubers to get around the city swiftly.

But, it can take forever to get around. I would compare Mexico City to Los Angeles in terms of traffic – if you get stuck, you’re stuck. I still remember that time when I was stuck in a taxi and managed to watch a full movie on my phone until I reached my destination – and it was only 6 miles away!

That said, avoid planning your journeys to the other part of the city during rush hour, unless you’re going by Metro.

Coming from the airport you can easily take Uber, but in case your internet doesn’t work (wifi doesn’t always work at the airport) or you feel more comfortable pre-booking a shuttle, this is a reliable option.

Don’t Rent a Car in the City

While I highly recommend renting a car in Cancun and Yucatan Peninsula, I would advise against in Mexico City. The traffic is horrible, there’s nowhere to park and driving in Mexico City requires extra skills.

It’s not for faint-hearted. Most driving rules can suddenly disappear and you would have to be turn left on a roundabout because locals are too lazy to go around.

If you’re comfortable with the crowds of public transportation, you can jump on a hop-on-hop-off bus. It’s actually fun, even celebrities go on it, and somehow different than in other cities where it’s annoying.

Map of Mexico City

Before we start, let’s make sure you understand how does the city work, as it could be confusing for travelers.

Mexico City is divided up into 16 different delegaciones – districts. Then, each district is divided into colonias (smaller areas). Then each delegation is also divided into different administrative zones (coordinaciones territoriales).

For instance, Cuauhtémoc district has 33 colonias and it’s organized into 6 administrative zones. Cuauhtemoc is also the best zone to stay in CDMX (with a few exceptions).

Understanding Mexico City

Even after living in Mexico City for almost two years, I still cannot say that I’ve seen the whole city. DF has 16 ‘delegaciones’ which can be understood as boroughs and some parts of Estado de Mexico (The State of Mexico), which is technically a different state, are also considered as part of the city by locals. Each ‘delegacion’ is divided into different ‘colonias’.

In Mexico City there’s no such thing as a totally bad or unsafe delegation as even within colonias you might see both good and bad aspects. Quite often to get from one luxurious and safe zone to another nice neighborhood, you might have to drive or bus through a ‘pueblito.’

But don’t worry, it might be less safe in pueblitos than in other areas, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be robbed and killed. I often passed through pueblitos in a bus or car and sometimes I even had to hang around there for a while. Unless you’re really showing off your expensive jewelry or electronics, you’ll be fine. Just be reasonable.

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Right: Delegaciones in CDMX, Left: Cuauhtémoc with its colonias

Mexico City Neighborhoods:

Roma Norte & Zona Rosa (del. Cuauhtemoc)

If you’re a night owl, then the Zona Rosa section of the Juarez neighborhood is for you. For the most central location in Mexico City, this is your number one spot. You’ll easily get anywhere in Mexico City relatively fast from there.

During my last trip to Mexico when I had to take a few medical tourism trips to Zocalo and visit friends in the western part of the city, it was just perfect.

The central neighborhood has some of the best clubs in town, but also a few more quiet places for a glass of wine or a cocktail. Plus, it serves as the LGBT core of the city (hence the name).

Wait for the sun to go down; they light up the headstones at night. It’s not a 24/7 party though, in Zona Rosa, they also have some excellent street food.

Top 3 Activities in Zona Rosa:

1. In an area famous for being a tourist and gay-friendly neighborhood, it’s no doubt the Gay Pride Parade is held here each year. The even is filled with color and fun. It commences in Zona Rosa and ends in Paseo de la Reforma. The exact parade dates may vary, but it always happens during the month of June.

2. Check out the unique art pieces on Calle Londres. Buddist artists will line the streets, proudly showing off their creations. Also along the road are a number of antique sellers. Maybe you will find a hidden gem there.

3. While it may seem a bit out of place to learn about Korean culture while on a trip to Mexico City, “Little Seoul” or “Koreatown” shouldn’t be missed. To explore the flavors of South Korea, try some of the tasty street food, or try some specialty products imported directly from South Korea. It will almost feel like you went to two countries on one trip with a stop at Little Korea.

Fun Facts About Zona Rosa:

Recently, a Korean community was established there.
The Koren karaoke bars are popular among Chilangos, looking to have a fun night out.
It was one of the first unconventional areas of Mexico City. Many say it was the birthplace of the bohemian lifestyle in Mexico City.

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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel Geneve

Beautiful historic hotel (Frida’s dad painted it!) that serves also as a museum. Many notable historical figures stayed there, including Churchill. I stayed there during my last visit and had no complaints. It’s not your most modern hotel with sterile design, but the interiors are gorgeous!

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[su_box title=”Budget:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel MX Roma

Recently completely remodeled hotel with a quirky design. Truth to be told I actually lived there for a few weeks when I was conducting my human rights research in Mexico City for my book. It was a comfortable spot close to metro, buses, shops and nightlife.

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Zocalo / Centro Historico (del. Cuauhtemoc)

If you enjoy wandering around museums, cheap food and want to learn more about Mexican culture, Centro Historico is the best neighborhood to stay in Mexico City. The neighborhood is home to Zocalo Square, one of Mexico City’s most iconic landmarks.

It’s almost impossible to take a trip to Mexico City and not visit the famous central square. While Centro Historico is known to be a safe area, some say at night it can get a bit dodgy, so just keep that in mind while you’re strolling the streets after dark.

Top 3 Activities in Centro Historico:

1. For a deep and interesting history lesson, head over to the Templo Mayor Museum. It’s known to be one of the coolest attractions in Mexico City, and the museum is continually adding new exhibits. Here you will find collections of political, military and aesthetic, relevant to Mexico City.

2. Music lovers should head over to the Plaza Garibaldi, strongly associated with mariachi music. Open your ears, and you’ll find musicians offering songs throughout the day. Want to experience the plaza at night? Be sure to check out the Lucha Libre & Mariachis Night Tour, or just Garibaldi Night Tour.

3. Grab a bite to eat at El Huequito Tacos. They serve up some of the best authentic Mexican street food you will find in Centro Historico. They have been around since 1959, and it’s safe to say they have perfected the favorite Mexican snack food, the taco, of course.

Fun Facts About Centro Historico:

The Zocalo is the largest plaza in Latin America, and it can hold almost 100,000 people.
The city correlates with the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan.
Every year thousands of ice skaters flock to Zocalo, where it’s transformed into one of the world’s largest skating rinks.

This hotel doesn’t need much introduction as it’s on the main square of Zocalo. It has a lot of character (ceilings!). Great view from Restaurant La Terraza on 4th floor.

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I spent a few days there some time ago and loved it. It’s a hostel, but it doesn’t have private rooms as well. The atmosphere on the roof terrace is awesome.

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Polanco (del. Miguel Hidalgo)

Polanco is the most high-end area on the list. This sleek and posh neighborhood is the best place to stay in Mexico City for fancy food lovers. Many of the wealthiest people of Mexico City reside here, so homes are stunning. But, it’s also the area with one of the worst traffic in Mexico City.

The upscale part of town is home to two of the world’s best restaurants, Pujol and Quintonil. I’m personally not the biggest fan of Pujol (especially not recommended if you don’t eat meat), but I can highly recommend Rosa Negra, Cabanna, or La Única.

Food isn’t all the ritzy region has though, they are also famous for the unreal architecture and art collections. Find gems like the world-famous Anthropology Museum close to the center of Polanco.

One minus of Polanco is that there isn’t super easy to access on public transport as there’s only one Metro station – Polanco, and minibuses that tend to go wherever and whenever they want to go. Taxi and Uber will be your best bet to move around.

Top 3 Activities in Polanco:

1. Museo Soumaya is an absolute can’t miss. Fernando Romero designed the building’s famous unreal architecture. Find truly incredible Mexican art pieces there from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the works of Rodin, Renoir, and Riviera. This is the only place in the world to see some of these ones of a kind piece of art. If you happen to be in the area, don’t pass on the opportunity.

2. Take the opportunity to buy goods from local designers. From beautiful jewelry, baskets, ceramics, to homeware products, here you will find pieces that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. The only problem here is having a weight limit on your suitcase back home!

3. Paque Lincoln is a small park right in the heart of Polanco. The relaxing spot is perfect for taking a break from the bustling city. Grab a coffee or churros and head there after a day of shopping or sightseeing for a quick rest. It’s also a good spot to take your kids and dogs to.

Fun Facts About Polanco:

There is a display by Mexican artist, David Alfaro Siqueiros, who donated all of his work to the public before his death.
Polanco is called the “Beverly Hills” of Mexico.
The densest concentrations of luxury shopping in all of Mexico is in Polanco.

This boutique hotel is a colonial house immersed in an Orchid. It’s simply gorgeous and it’s in the center of everything: restaurants, parks, museums and buses. You can walk to Chapultepec park from there. I only stayed there for a night once, but it was wonderful.

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[su_box title=”Design:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Pug Seal Tennyson

Colorful hotel with the most in-room funky design I’ve ever encountered. Really – book the Junior Suite for instance! The staff offers complimentary snacks and drinks throughout the day and will happily give you some recommendations for places to go.

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Reforma

While “Reforma” isn’t officially a district or colonia, it’s the main street in Mexico City – Paseo de la Reforma. I decided to list it separately, because there are many great hotels there and it’s a great and safe spot to stay for families, business, and those wanted to be more or less in the center of the city, relatively close (in Mexico City close means up to 30 minutes) to every other place).

Many travelers prefer staying on Reforma, as it’s quieter than if you literally just walk one or two blocks and end up in Zona Rosa or Roma Norte.

Be sure to check out the Angel of Independence monument and go to Bosque de Chapultepec as it’s super easy to get there by bus.

Big and modern hotel with luxury amenities like a pool, spa, and restaurants. It’s also right on Reforma, which means easy access to everywhere on foot, by taxi or buses. I’ve been there a million times, as somehow all my friends decided to host their weddings there, so if you’re looking for a wedding venue I can also recommend this spot 😉

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[su_box title=”Mid-Range:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Stara Hamburgo

Modern hotel with a touch of historic artsy design. The food buffet – you have to brace yourself because it’s so good! It’s really hard to find hotels that aren’t 5-star on Reforma, but this is a good option for those not wanting to spend a ton of accommodation, but still enjoy some comforts and good location.

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