Practical: Mexico City Travel Guide

Getting around and communicating

Walking covers a lot within a single neighborhood; Uber is the default for anything crosstown. The Metro is fast and absurdly cheap but has a learning curve. A handful of Spanish phrases, and knowing when to use usted, cover most of what comes up along the way.

Transportation in Mexico City: Walking, Metro, Uber, Bikes, and MoreHow the Metro, Metrobús, ride-hailing apps, walking, and Ecobici work for visitors, and when each one makes sense.→Common Spanish Phrases for Your Mexico City TripThe phrases that get real use here: greetings, directions, ordering food, taxis and rideshares, markets, hotels, and the one grammar choice that signals respect.→

Phone & SIM cards

Most US carriers already cover Mexico without an add-on, but a local SIM or eSIM is genuinely easy to set up here if yours doesn't.

Will My Phone Work in Mexico City? SIM Cards and eSIMs ExplainedNever use your carrier's international roaming plan. Here's what to do instead — eSIMs, local SIMs, and which US carriers are actually worth keeping.→

Money & currency exchange

A bank-affiliated ATM almost always beats an exchange counter, and the airport specifically has some of the worst rates in the city.

How to Exchange USD for Mexican Pesos Without Getting Ripped OffATMs beat exchange counters almost every time — the specific traps to avoid on both, which machines to trust, and why small bills matter more than the rate.→

Health & medical

Pharmacies are everywhere and many can help with common issues without a doctor visit, if you know a few key phrases going in.

Pharmacies in Mexico City: How to Ask for What You NeedHow Mexican pharmacies work, key phrases to use, and what to do about traveler's diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn.→What to Do If You Get Sick in Mexico CityHow to figure out whether you need a pharmacy, a doctor, or a hospital — and how to find English-speaking care when you need it.→

Emergencies

Mexico City's public seismic alarm can give up to a minute of warning before shaking arrives — worth knowing what to do with that minute.

What to Do in an Earthquake in Mexico CityMexico City sits on a drained lakebed that amplifies seismic waves and has a public alarm system that buys you up to a minute of warning. Here is how to use it.→

Avoiding scams

Most booking scams route around the platform you found the listing on, asking for payment by wire transfer, crypto, or a WhatsApp deposit before you've gotten a real confirmation. The more common trap is a real listing that's just misleading about what you're getting.

How to Avoid Booking Scams in Mexico CityThin review counts, a strong overall score hiding weak sub-scores, and payment requests outside the platform: the real red flags to check before booking a hotel, Airbnb, or rental here.→

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