Mexico

Highlights of Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world. In the U.S., you are more likely to hear about Cancun than Mexico City. Cancun and the rest of the Yucatan peninsula has its share of great beaches, nature, and Mayan history, but Mexico City - often shortened to CDMX these days - is still a destination not to be missed.

With some of the world's most memorable architecture, parks, museums, and archeological sites, CDMX has something for everyone, and at affordable prices, too. There is a wide range of food, housing, and transportation options to fit all tastes and budgets. Uber, for example, is available and surprisingly affordable, and preferred even among locals over taxis (indeed, most people deem it safer).

I lived in CDMX for four months in 2016, and this map shows my recommendations from my time there. I was based in the Polanco neighborhood, which explains the density of recommendations there. Other neighborhoods popular with locals and tourists alike are Zona Rosa and Condesa. There are plenty of guides online on what to do/eat/drink/stay in those areas.

Finally, a few more thoughts:

1) If you find yourself in the city on a Sunday with a couple of hours to spare, consider renting a bicycle and participating in Muévete en Bici. Every Sunday, the city shuts down its central avenue, Paseo de la Reforma, from 8AM to 2PM, during which residents of the city spill out onto the streets to walk, run, bike, jog, and even participate in Zumba and yoga classes. The best way to experience the avenue and its landmarks (including iconic statues such as the Angel of Independence and the Fountain of Diana) is by bike. Get in some exercise, mingle with the locals, and get in some sightseeing without the traffic!

2) CDMX will ruin Mexican food for you, in the best possible way, of course. To experience a variety of the best food that the city has to offer in a short period of time in an entertaining and enjoyable way, consider a food tour! I took a street food tour with the team at Club Tengo Hambre, which also runs tours in Tijuana, and had a fantastic time. Great guide, great food, and a bit of drink. Note that there is plenty of walking to help you work it off.

3) When it comes to safety, you should use your street smarts - just like you should while visiting any big city in the world - but CDMX does not deserve the sometimes nefarious reputation associated with it. On the other hand, the traffic is real. So keep that in mind if you're trying to keep on a specific schedule. Finally, don't drink the tap water. Everyone gets jugs of the bottled stuff for home and work.

4) While Mexico City generally enjoys temperate weather, you should probably avoid the rainy season of August-October, during which the season experiences predictable downpours during the late mornings and late afternoons. When travelling in November-April, do be prepared for chillier mornings and evenings as well as sunnier and rather warm days. The best time to go? During the Day of the Dead festivities in the last two weeks of October. The whole city is decorated and themed with candy skulls, ofrendas, and general holiday cheer.