Mexico City holidays

Bursting with a creative spirit, Mexico’s capital is the largest and one of the liveliest metropolises in North America. Holidays to Mexico City promise a peek into its ancient roots as well as its cutting-edge arts. Explore Aztec ruins alongside world-class museums, and lose yourself in a dining scene that’s as famous for its Michelin-starred restaurants as its streetside taco stands.

Mexico City holiday highlights

Day of the Dead

To capture the capital at its most colourful, time your holiday to Mexico City during its annual ‘Dia de los Muertos’ (Day of the Dead) celebrations in October and November. The Grand Parade starts at Chapultepec Park and stretches to the city’s main square. Sit back and watch decorated floats as they pass through the jam-packed streets in a joyous celebration of death.

Foodie paradise

One of the best things to do on your holiday to Mexico City is eat. The city has some of the most exciting and inventive cuisine in the western hemisphere, from slow-cooked pork tacos served by neighbourhood street vendors to innovative Michelin-starred menus. And you can’t leave town without a proper introduction to the country’s of-the-moment spirit, mezcal.

Palaces

Dubbed the ‘City of Palaces’ thanks to its many opulent buildings, Mexico’s capital has plenty of pilgrimage-worthy architecture. You’ll find world-class beauties in the city’s central historic district, such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Palacio Postal, an ornate post office with one of the most beautiful staircases in Mexico.

Mexico City: Know before you go

Language

Spanish

Currency

Mexican peso ($)

Time zone

UTC-6 (CST)

High season

June – August

Low season

February

Find the best time to go to Mexico City

Weather in Mexico City

March – May: The jacarandas bloom in March, making this the prettiest time to be in the capital, as the streets are decorated in purple flowers. Temperatures start to rise in April and May, but Mexico City’s high elevation keeps the heat from becoming unbearable.

June – October: Summer is Mexico City’s rainy season, bringing downpours almost on cue in the late afternoon. Plan your outdoor sightseeing or picnics for the mornings.

November – February: Things get drier as autumn turns to winter. Nights can sometimes be chilly, and many buildings aren’t equipped with heating, so pack an extra jumper or blanket.

Events in Mexico City

Vive Latino (March or April): This massive music festival brings performers from rock, indie, hip-hop and traditional Latin music to one of the largest stadiums in Mexico City.

Grito de Independencia (September): Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with traditional dishes like ‘chiles en nogada’ (stuffed chillies in walnut sauce) and a big event in the Zocalo. The president leads the crowd of half a million in a chant of “Viva Mexico”, followed by a fireworks display.

Guadalupe Pilgrimage (December): Some 12 million people a year walk (sometimes for hundreds of kilometres) to reach Tepeyac, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Saint Juan Diego in 1513. It’s the largest Catholic pilgrimage in Latin America and one of the largest in the world.

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The best neighbourhoods in Mexico City

Condesa

Fashionable Condesa is prized for its plentiful green space, relaxed cafes and laid-back vibe. Seen as an alternative to the frenzy of the city’s historic centre, the neighbourhood showcases a steady mix of contemporary art at the House of Gaga gallery, rough-and-ready dive bars and a handful of second-hand bookstores whose aisles will keep you occupied for hours.

Good for: Parks, bookstores, bars

Polanco

This upscale residential neighbourhood west of downtown is where to stay in Mexico City if you want to be close to luxury shopping and fine-dining restaurants. Some of the city’s glitziest hotels reside here, along with high-end art galleries galore. But on Sundays locals trade their Louis Vuittons for trainers and head for the manicured paths of Chapultepec Park.

Good for: Restaurants, galleries, shopping

Centro Historico

The best neighbourhood in Mexico City for sightseeing, Centro Historico boasts more palatial architecture and cultural institutions than some small countries. Start your day at the Zocalo, the great ancient square and beating heart of the capital, before exploring the endless attractions. Cool fact: The neighbourhood was built on the foundations of Tenochtitlan, the former Aztec capital.

Good for: Palaces, museums, restaurants

Things to do in Mexico City

Free things to do

The only thing more impressive than the city’s cultural institutions is how many of them are free to the public. The baroque Palacio de Cultura Banamex and the stunning, art-filled Museo Soumaya are admission-free every day, while other museums close their ticket boxes on Sundays. For big views on a budget, hike to the top of Pico del Aguila, the city’s highest peak.

Places to eat

Mexico City is renowned for its street food, with many restaurants originating from humble roadside stalls or taquerias. You could spend a lifetime trying to know them all. The very best specialise in fresh fish, colourful ingredients and handmade components, often with no frills. Try the ‘cochinita pibil’ (smoke-roasted pork) at El Turix and the meat tacos at Taqueria Orinoco.

Take in the culture

Few places celebrate culture as loudly and proudly as Mexico City, where you’ll find more than a hundred museums. The world-class National Museum of Anthropology is massive and requires multiple afternoons to absorb. Art lovers won’t want to miss the Frida Kahlo Museum or the Palacio Nacional, the top spot for viewing Diego Rivera’s famous murals.

Shopping

Mexico City has been a centre of trading and commerce since the days of the Aztecs, and little has changed since. Designer boutiques, artisan stores and antique shops can be found in many neighbourhoods. For an authentic look into Mexican culture, ‘tianguis’ (open-air bazaars) like the La Lagunilla flea market are also worth a visit for their affordable souvenirs, antiques and local crafts.

Nightlife

Mexico City is home to hundreds of distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own thriving nightlife. The hipster charms of Roma and Condesa come to life in mezcal bars. Downtown, it’s all about the rooftop bars and swanky cocktail spots. For a glimpse into classic Mexican bar culture, book a tour of the city’s historic cantinas.

Family-friendly things to do

The list of things to do with family in Mexico City is endless and includes everything from gondola rides down the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco to roller coasters at Latin America’s favourite theme park, Six Flags Mexico. Kids can learn about science and art at the interactive Papalote Museo del Nino. And for something free, the city has plenty of sprawling public parks.

Plan your holiday to Mexico City

Budget

Though Mexico’s capital is packed with luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants, it’s easy to plan a cheap holiday to Mexico City if you’re on a budget. You can easily find a good, hearty meal for under 200 Mexican pesos ($). A short taxi ride will cost you about $50, and a coffee or domestic beer is usually less than $60.

Day trips from Mexico City

For decades, Mexico City writers and artists have escaped to lush Cuernavaca, an artsy town in Morelos. These days, nearby Tepoztlán, at the base of a mist-shrouded mountain, is also a popular day trip. Built more than 1,500 years ago by a mysterious civilisation, the Teotihuacan pyramids are worth the two-hour bus ride. Or go east to Puebla, the colonial capital known for its gorgeous Baroque churches.

Getting around Mexico City

Mexico City is famous for its traffic, so make your visit easier (and cheaper) by sticking to the Metro. Its colour-coded lines simplify getting around the sprawling city, and each ride costs just five pesos. For shorter trips, you could also hire one of the city’s Ecobici bicycles from an on-street docking station.

FAQs about Mexico City holidays

Spanish is the language you'll come across most while on your city break in Mexico City.
If your trip to Mexico City is all about touring the main attractions, three to five days is enough. Consider a week or more if you want to take in every detail. Longer visits provide the chance to relax and explore without any time pressure, especially after a long-distance trip.
From Zocalo to Chapultepec Park, this city lines up one attraction after another. Get ready for your next adventure by making a list of the best things to do in Mexico City.
January brings the coolest conditions for a Mexico City holiday. Book your trip sometime then and you'll experience lows of 6ºC (43ºF).
Mexico City has a level of crime you would expect from a city this size. Busy areas like markets are more susceptible to petty crimes such as pickpocketing, so remain vigilant on your holiday to Mexico City.
With around 21 cm of rainfall, August is the rainiest month. If you're going on your Mexico City holiday then, it's a good idea to have a few indoor activities in mind. Grab a bite at one of the city's best restaurants, chill at a cosy cafe, or treat yourself to a shopping spree.
The Mexican peso (MXN) is what you'll be using for day-to-day purchases and excursions during your trip to Mexico City.
The warmest month in Mexico City is April, when temperatures peak at 28ºC (82ºF).
Mexico City is often cited as one of the world’s most expensive cities, but you can still enjoy a budget-friendly holiday to Mexico City by exploring its neighbourhoods, eating street food and taking the Metro over more expensive taxis.
The best time to visit Mexico City is November through May, during the dry season. If you don’t mind the chance of rain, travelling in June or October could result in better deals on flights and hotels to Mexico City.