Is Mexico City Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons You Should Consider a Visit to Mexico's Lively Capital City

Take the food and fun for which the Mexican people are known and add some incredible history, architecture and weather, and you’ve got Mexico City. Mexico's massive and buzzing capital city has lively neighborhoods, sun-soaked plazas and dynamic cultural scene make it a destination that’s as spirited as it is unforgettable.

Americans and Canadians are quick to book trips to popular Mexican tourist spots like Playa del Carmen and Cancun in the Caribbean. But you'll find that Mexico City can be an amazing place to truly immerse yourself in the authentic culture and appreciate the beating heart of Mexico.

Ciudad de México, or CDMX as you'll often see it abbreviated, is a place full of a mix of culture, history and opportunities for adventure. Although the massive size and never-ending list of things to do in Mexico City might be intimidating, we can help figure out the best that the city has to offer.

Let’s discover some of the surprising things you’ll learn about Mexico City when you plan your vacation and why the city has become so special to its visitors.

Mexico's capital city will draw you in and leave you wanting more. Whether you're spending the day exploring a few of the many museums and brushing up on your history, wandering the streets of buzzing neighborhoods or taking it slow and enjoying some of the best food in the world, Mexico City promises to deliver on every adventure.

Mexico City is the largest city in North America and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world, making it the ideal place to dive headfirst into a dynamic mix of culture, history and innovation.

Here are some of the best reasons to add Mexico's capital city to your vacation itinerary:

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You’ll only need to walk a short distance to find great food and restaurants, no matter what neighborhood you choose for your stay in Mexico City. From street food vendors to Michelin-Starred establishments, you’ll get your Mexican food fix as well as a taste of almost any other ethnic food.

Wander around the Coyoacan Market near the Frida Kahlo house and sit down at almost any eatery for classics like enchiladas, tortilla soup and tacos. If you need a break from tacos, walk to Restaurant Ehden for Lebanese food if you’re staying downtown, or dress up and get cocktails at Restaurant Diana if you’re near Chapultepec Park. These places can draw a crowd for their excellent food and inviting atmosphere, so make sure to make a reservation.

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You wouldn’t think a massive metropolis of 22 million people would feel bike-friendly, but you can see huge swaths of the city’s historical sites from the convenience of a bicycle. Riding with a tour guide on a bicycle tour of Mexico City makes it easy, and electric bikes are commonplace, too, for even easier transportation options.

Did you know the city actually shuts down one of its major and most historic thoroughfares on Sundays, only allowing people on foot or bicycle to travel the road? From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the famous Paseo de la Reforma is closed to motor vehicles, and thousands of Mexicans and tourists ride the wide boulevard for fun and exercise.

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You don’t realize just how many museums Mexico City has until you visit the city. The count sits at more than 150, with nine different museums accessible in the massive Chapultepec Park alone. You could probably spend your entire vacation inside that park and come away wanting to see more. Mexico City travel veterans often recommend spending an entire day in the park's museums, if not more.

Just remember that many museums and cultural sites are closed on Mondays, so you’ll want to book your cultural tours and buy your museum tickets for other days if you want anything more than pictures from the outside of the museums.

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You’ve probably seen the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site pyramids on television, but nothing quite matches a walk down the Avenue of the Dead between the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.

The Teotihuacan pyramids are easily accessed by a major highway that runs from Mexico City directly to the park, and the drive takes less than an hour. Joining a tour gets you to the pyramids without any hassle, but you can also reach them yourself in a rental car.

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Mexico City is a fascinating crush of architectural styles, and many of the most famous buildings look like they were plucked right out of the Spanish Golden Age in the 1500s rather than built in the middle of Mexico. Most notably, builders started constructing the massive Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral in the late 1500s, and its 300-year-long construction resulted in a fascinating mix of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance styles.

As the largest and oldest major city in North America, Mexico City was founded by Indigenous people and once named Tenochtitlan, but the fall of the Aztec empire in 1521 and the start of Spanish colonial rule began the centuries-long influence of European architecture throughout the city.

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Mexico City blesses its travelers with mild winters and warm summers. The elevation of Mexico City is actually higher than most travelers realize, at 7,349 feet, and the resulting weather isn’t highly variable. Mexico City travelers won’t usually experience frosts in the winter or sweltering temperatures in the summer.

The biggest impediment to vacationing in Mexico City is the rain, which can come around pretty frequently in the middle of the year, around July. Otherwise, the months are generally dry, or the rain only comes for a few hours in the late afternoon with random yet beautiful thunderstorms.

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The vastness of Mexico City ensures travelers of almost any temperament can find their vacation niche somewhere in the city. Roma is filled with trendy cafés and feels like an upscale bohemia, while the historic city center or Centro Historico matches the feel of a grittier part of Manhattan but with a European flair.

Like New York City, Mexico City has boroughs, and each of those major neighborhoods features its own distinct feel. Wander the streets of Coyoacan with its gorgeous park and the famous Frida Kahlo house, or visit Polanco, often referred to as the Beverly Hills of Latin America.

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Mexico City is huge, and its airport is similarly sized. You can reach Mexico City direct from almost two dozen American states, as well as direct on more than 30 flights from Canada. The flight itself is also pretty quick if you’re in the southern part of the United States. Taking a trip to Mexico City is a great way to experience a new culture and lifestyle without the long travel days and sleepless nights.

It takes four hours or less to reach Mexico City from Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta or Phoenix. Even the direct flight from New York City’s JFK airport or Toronto’s international airport is only five hours long.

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You don’t need to fly all the way to Europe to feel like you’re getting a solid dose of European history, especially if you choose to tour Chapultepec Castle in Chapultepec Park. Also in the park, the National Museum of Anthropology is likewise worth an entire day of exploration with its gigantic collection of Mexican art and history.

As an international traveler to Mexico, you may have no more than some basic knowledge about the country, having learned a little bit about its history while in school. Touring the pyramids, touring Chapultepec Park, and seeing these historical sites in person is so much more fun than learning about all of them in a textbook.

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The easiest way to get around Mexico City is by using a rideshare service. The cars are plentiful, and you can simply use an app to book your ride for immediate transport or for a trip the next day. Getting the Mexico City Integrated Transit Card also makes it easy to hop on the bus, use the metro or rent a bicycle. You can get around the city in many ways:

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Since the weather in Mexico City doesn’t change too much, you don’t need to worry about experiencing super-hot temperatures or freezing weather if you visit in the middle of the summer or the dead of winter. Instead, your biggest concern will probably be the amount of rain you might see during your stay.

The wettest months of the year are July through September, the driest months are January through December, and the rest of the months are something in between. Springtime is a very popular time for visitors to Mexico City because the temperature usually sits at its most comfortable, and the rainfall isn’t too much of an impediment.

However, it’s worth noting that the rainfall in Mexico City is somewhat predictable, especially in the spring as you approach the rainy season in the summer. You can almost predict when you’ll see the rain each day. You’ll very often get a brief thundershower in the afternoon, which means you might want to carry an umbrella when you go out for dinner.

If you still have questions about visiting Mexico City, AAA has answers for you. Here are some of the most FAQs when traveling to Mexico City:

Mexico City is huge and does have neighborhoods that are safer than others. However, taking precautions you would anywhere in any large city will keep you safe.

As a city that’s popular with tourists, pickpockets are always a concern, but they’re not anything to worry about when you keep an eye on your bags.

Stick to well-lit and populated areas if you’re going to go walking after dark, and consider mass transit or rideshare if you’re thinking about venturing too many miles away from your hotel at night.

Canadians and Americans who travel to Mexico City need a passport to enter the country but don’t generally require anything more complicated, like a visa, unless they plan to stay for more than 180 days.

Technically, Americans and Canadians are supposed to fill out a Mexican immigration form, too, but this is somewhat of a formality that they don’t usually make you fill out. Just be aware of the form in case the immigration official who stamps your passport asks you to fill one out.

You’ll find that Mexico City has its own cultural vibe that’s unique from most cities north of the Mexican border, but it’s not so different that first-time travelers will feel like they’re visiting another planet.

The vast majority of Mexicans speak multiple languages, with one of the most popular second languages being English. Many restaurant menus are offered in multiple languages, too. Mexicans are generally patient with tourists even when communication takes a little longer due to a language barrier.

There is no limit to the number of different types of food you can try when you visit Mexico City. Whether you're interested in discovering authentic Mexican flavors, or want to experience Mexico's take on international cuisine, there is something for everyone. Here are some of our recommendations for places to eat when you visit Mexico City:

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Where you choose to stay when you visit Mexico City can determine the different sights you can see during your trip. Make sure to pick the spot that works best for you. Here are some of our recommendations on where to stay when you take a trip to Mexico City:

You can read an encyclopedia’s worth of information about Mexico City but experiencing it in person is so much better. Ask virtually anyone who has visited the city, “Is Mexico City worth visiting?” and the answer will always be that the experience is worthwhile. Perhaps it’s time to find out for yourself.

The AAA Travel experts can help you plan every facet of your journey; from the moment you book your tickets until you say “Adios” to your Mexican vacation and return home. Score exclusive discounts on lodging, rental cars and other travel purchases as a AAA member.