- Use Uber, Taxi stands or ask the concierge to get a taxi. Never hail a taxi alone.
- You don’t have to be fluent to get around the city but knowing a bit of Spanish goes a long way. Check out this cheatsheet for basic phrases.
- Pack smartly. Mexico City is chilly in the morning, warm in the afternoon and very chilly at night (40 degrees). Layers work well.
- Turibus is one of the best ways to see the city if you have an extra day to explore. It’s a double-decker bus that allows you to hop on and off in different neighborhoods.
- Traffic is no joke. As one of the most populated cities in the world, traffic can be an hour or more for short distances. When planning your day take this into account. In particular, Fridays tend to have the worst traffic.
- Avoid wearing shorts or sandals. Most Mexicans in the city don’t wear these because of the cold temperature and it instantly flags you as a tourist.
- Health standards are different in Mexico, so take caution when eating at ‘divey’ or ‘hole in the wall’ places but absolutely never drink tap water.
- Tipping is customary in every interaction you do (including bagging your groceries, guiding your car out of a parking spot). Tips are typically no more than 10%.
- When it comes to safety, common sense is the way to go. Mexico City is less dangerous than many US cities (like New Orleans and Detroit) and there are no travel advisories, but be smart. Don’t flash expensive jewelry or wads of cash and avoid walking by yourself at night.
- Spicy has a different definition in Mexico so consider your food orders carefully and let the waiter know if you prefer something mild. ‘Not very spicy’ is a relative term.
Marina & Lawrence 