Where to Stay in Mexico City (Best Areas & Places)

9 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Mexico City

Mexico City is an enormous, yet surprisingly accessible city with endless fun things to do. There are literally hundreds of neighborhoods in Mexico City, and each of them has its own distinct flare. 

Many CDMX neighborhoods are within walking distance from each other, like Roma and Condesa. At the same time, other places will require a car or public transportation to reach the main city center, like Santa Fe and Coyoacan. 

Some areas might seem like a stretch from each other, but getting around Mexico City is pretty straightforward no matter how you decide to travel. 

Here’s a map of all the neighborhoods that I’ll be covering to give you a better idea of where they’re all situated.

Roma

👉 Best Area For Food & Ambiance | ✨ Best Roma Hotels: Casa Prim • Stanza Hotel • Hotel Marbella • Brick Hotel Mexico City

Roma is one of the best and most popular neighborhoods for just about any type of visitor. Located in the Cuauhtémoc borough, Roma is known for its chic atmosphere and being home to some of the best restaurants in Mexico City.

The neighborhood is actually split up into Roma Norte and Roma Sur. The north is a little more trendy and touristy. In contrast, Roma Sur is slightly more reflective of local life in CDMX. 

Roma is a lovely spot for young tourists who want to dance at night and drink mimosas at noon. But, the area can also be suitable for families or couples looking for a beautiful neighborhood with good food that’s close to everything. 

If you just want a clean and central hotel, a good one in this area is Casa Prim. It’s midway between Roma Norte and the Historic Center, making it perfect for getting around on foot.

Pros of Staying in Roma Neighborhood:

• Easy walk to other neighborhoods
• Lots of delicious food
• Cool architecture and tree-lined streets
• Near some of the best bars and nightlife in Mexico City

Con of Staying in Roma Neighborhood:

• A bit touristy
• It can be more expensive

Centro Historico

👉 Best Area For History & Museums | ✨ Best Centro Historico Hotels: Mumedi Design Hotel • Kali Centro Mexico City • Casa Lomah Hotel

Stay in Centro Historico if you want to be in the middle of the city’s history. This historic center is Mexico City’s oldest neighborhood, where the cobbled streets and historic buildings will give you the sense of stepping back in time. 

Centro Historico is an excellent spot for first-time visitors because it’s super close to many of Mexico City’s top attractions, including many of the best museums. Palacio de Bellas Artes and the famous Zócalo are both within walking distance of Centro Historico.

The area is also filled with some of the most lively street markets, selling everything from onesies to terrific street food. If you can manage to snag a room, book a stay at Mumedi Design Hotel to enjoy all that Centro Historico has to offer. The hotel is just stunning and has a perfect location.

The downside of Centro Historico is that it gets swamped during the day, which makes it a hotspot for petty crimes like pickpocketing. You should always be alert when you’re walking the streets. Check out my article about safety in Mexico City if you want to learn more tips for exploring the area carefully.

Pros of Staying in Centro Historico Neighborhood:

• Great for first-time visitors
• Lots of historic buildings
• A good variety of both cheap hotels and luxury hotels
• Many top attractions are within walking distance 

Con of Staying in Centro Historico Neighborhood:

• Extremely crowded during the day
• Street markets can block roads on weekends
• Higher rates of pickpockets and petty crime

Polanco

👉 Best Area For Luxury & Shopping | ✨ Best Polanco Hotels: InterContinental Presidente Mexico City • The Wild Oscar • Suites Kepler

Polanco is the place for you if you’re looking to indulge in the finer things on your trip to Mexico City. You’ll find luxury hotels, fine dining, and endless shopping. The community is also situated next to many gorgeous (and huge) parks like Chapultepec Park and Gandhi Park. 

Polanco is located northwest of other popular areas, like Centro Historico and Roma. So, you’ll probably need to take an Uber or the metro to get around. But, it’s super close to some of the city’s top attractions. Like Museo Nacional de Antropología and the shopping street of Avenida Presidente Masaryk. 

All of this goodness comes at a price, though. Polanco is one of the most expensive places to stay in Mexico City. 

It’s no wonder that it’s home to Travel Lemming’s #1 ranked hotel in CDMX: The Wild Oscar. It’s not cheap, but if you’re the kind of traveler who prefers quiet understated luxury, you definitely will want to check it out.

Pros of Staying in Polanco Neighborhood:

• Best luxury hotels in CDMX
• Best fine dining
• Lots of shopping
• A romantic vibe that’s perfect for couples

Con of Staying in Polanco Neighborhood:

• Very expensive
• Fewer public transportation stations
• A little far from tourist attractions

Zona Rosa

👉 Best Area For Nightlife & LGBTQ+ Travelers | ✨ Best Zona Rosa Hotels: Galeria Plaza Reforma • Hotel PF • Hotel Geneve • Sofitel Mexico City Reforma

Zona Rosa is the best place to stay in Mexico City for people who want to be close to the party. The LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood has loads of bars that range from upscale cocktail joints to dives. The pride parade is another huge thing in Zona Rosa, so you’re in for a major party if you visit around June. 

Zona Rosa also has a decent shopping scene and (surprisingly) quite a few Korean grocery stores and restaurants to pick from. When I lived in Mexico City, it was in Zona Rosa that I finally tried homemade enoki mushrooms in ramen, thanks to one of the area’s Asian grocery stores. 

All in all, Zona Rosa is one of my favorite areas in Mexico City. But maybe I’m a little biased because this is actually the neighborhood where I lived. 

Pros of Staying in Zona Rosa Neighborhood:

• Top-notch nightlife scene
• Lots of public transportation closeby
• Affordable hotels and apartments

Con of Staying in Zona Rosa Neighborhood:

• It can get noisy at night

Condesa

👉 Best Area For Charm & Boutique Hotels | ✨ Best Condesa Hotels: Casa Mannach • Casa Mali by Dominion Boutique Hotel • Maria Condesa  

Condesa is pretty much sandwiched between Mexico City’s other best neighborhoods.

To the west, you’ll find Roma about a 20-minute walk away. To the south, Escandon and Napoles are also within walking distance. North, you can reach Zona Rosa and Centro Historico on foot if you’re up for a bit of exercise. Condesa is terrific, location-wise. 

Condesa itself is a charming area with excellent eateries and cozy boutique hotels. It’s a great place to stay for just about any visitor because it’s safe and stylish but also close to other neighborhoods. 

The only downside of Condesa is that it is a very popular area to stay. The accommodations can get a little expensive, and they do sell out fast. So if you’re aiming to secure a spot in Condesa, book ahead of time. 

Pros of Staying in Condesa Neighborhood:

• A wide variety of nightlife options
• Many popular CDMX restaurants
• Very close to other exciting areas like Roma
• Overall trendy neighborhood

Con of Staying in Condesa Neighborhood:

• A bit pricey
• Accommodations sell out fast

Escandón

👉 Best Area For Laidback Local Life | ✨ Best Escandón Hotels: Fiesta inn Insurgentes Viaducto • Hotel Bonn • Hotel Patriotismo

You probably won’t find Escandón explicitly listed in many Mexico City guides. However, it’s a very cool neighborhood that’s worth staying in if you’re looking for a quiet and comfortable area on a budget.

Escandón feels a lot more true to the local life in Latin America than some of the more touristy neighborhoods. There are lots of fantastic restaurants, some of the best street food in Mexico City, and a noticeably calm atmosphere. But, it’s still very close to other tempting areas like Roma, Condesa, and Napoles. 

Pros of Staying in Escandón Neighborhood:

• Quiet and peaceful for a good night’s sleep
• Family-friendly
• Affordable
• A feel for local life
• Walking distance from other neighborhoods

Con of Staying in Escandón Neighborhood:

• Not much nightlife
• It doesn’t cater to tourists as much

Santa Fe

👉 Best Area For Modern Architecture & Business Travelers | ✨ Best Santa Fe Hotels: Stadia Suites Mexico City Santa Fe • Sleep Inn Ciudad de Mexico • Live Aqua Urban Resort Mexico 

Santa Fe is the main business district in Mexico City. The neighborhood’s skyline is complete with modern skyscrapers, and the area has that big city vibe. 

Santa Fe is another one of Mexico City’s more upscale neighborhoods. There are fancy hotels and many high-end restaurants all around. 

However, Santa Fe is located pretty far from everywhere else on this list. Depending on traffic, it takes about 30 minutes to drive from Santa Fe to the centrally-located Condesa. So, if Santa Fe is your neighborhood of choice, be prepared to rent a car or take a lot of Uber rides. 

Pros of Staying in Santa Fe Neighborhood:

• Lots of gourmet dining
• Stylish hotels
• Modern buildings

Con of Staying in Santa Fe Neighborhood:

• Far from other neighborhoods and tourist attractions
• Expensive

Coyoacán

👉 Best Area For Art & Families | ✨ Best Coyoacán Hotels: La Casita de Coyoacán • Mansión Papilio • Suites Perisur Apartamentos Amueblados

Many people consider Coyoacán the coolest neighborhood to stay in Mexico City. It has just about everything that an eager traveler could want. From famous art galleries and museums to huge markets that you could easily wander for hours. 

Coyoacán also has a lot of great places to grab food and shop. I recommend this area for families. It’s super safe and has plenty of child-friendly attractions. But, it’s a really entertaining area for other types of travelers too. 

With all that being said, Coyoacán is located about 40 minutes south of places like Roma and the historic center. So, you’ll need to take Uber or use the public transportation system to reach these neighborhoods. 

Pros of Staying in Coyoacán Neighborhood:

• An abundance of art galleries and museums
• Family-friendly
• A big traditional Mexican market
• Terrific restaurants

Con of Staying in Coyoacán Neighborhood:

• Pretty far outside the main city center
• Requires uber or public transport to get around 

Colonia Nápoles

👉 Best Area For Quiet & Authenticity | ✨ Best Colonia Nápoles Hotels: Resicencias Filadelfia • Pennsylvania Suites • Isaaya Hotel Boutique by WTC 

Colonia Nápoles is ideal for visitors who want somewhere nice and quiet outside of the hustle and bustle. It’s located a little further south than some of the busier Mexico City neighborhoods, nestled right next to Escandón. But, it’s still only a quick metro or cab ride away from all the action. 

Colonia Nápoles will give you some excellent insight into the lifestyle and culture of Mexico City. The area features lots of art deco architecture and little green spaces. 

There aren’t really any tourist attractions in Colonia Nápoles besides the World Trade Center, but that can be a positive thing. Staying here will give you a more authentic feel. Plus, it’s always nice to retreat to a hotel in a lowkey area after a packed day of exploring. 

Pros of Staying in Colonia Nápoles Neighborhood:

• Chill and quiet area
• Outside the bustle of more popular neighborhoods
• Very safe

Con of Staying in Colonia Nápoles Neighborhood:

• Limited nightlife options
• Not many tourist attractions nearby

Tips for Staying in Mexico City

👉 Be sure to bookmark Nate’s list of 22 tips to know before traveling to Mexico!

Museums are Closed on Mondays

When you stay in Mexico City, you definitely want to spend some time exploring its many museums and contemporary art galleries. But, make sure you’re not scheduling these activities on a Monday because most museums in CDMX will be closed. 

Instead, Mondays are a good day to discover the local food scene or plan a day trip to Teotihuacan, which is open on Mondays but closed on Sundays.  

Many Businesses Open Late in the Day

One of the things that took some getting used to when I moved to CDMX was that most people here are late risers. When I wake up in the morning, I promptly go to get my morning coffee. But in some places (like Centro Historico), it’s hard to find an open cafe before 10 AM. Especially on the weekends. 

Public Transportation Can Often Be More Efficient

The Mexican capital has notoriously awful traffic, but you don’t have to let that cut time out of your trip. Using public transportation can often be way faster than grabbing an Uber. Just be careful if you’re riding on public transit during rush hour – 6 AM to 9 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM. The stations can get super crowded around this time. 

👉 Read Next: Where to Stay in Tulum, Mexico

Every Neighborhood Has Different Price Points

When choosing where to stay in Mexico City, remember that Mexico City’s neighborhoods all have different price points for hotels, restaurants, and attractions. 

When staying in Escandón, you can realistically pay $200 a week or less for your accommodations. Alternatively, if you head over to the luxurious neighborhood of Polanco, you’ll likely be paying $600 a week minimum for your hotel. 

Check Out the Rooftop Bars

There are so many fun things to do in Mexico City, but visiting a rooftop bar is a quintessential CDMX activity. There are lots of rooftop bars around Roma and Condesa, but I recommend checking out Cityzen in Zona Rosa (the rooftop at the Sofitel Mexico City Reforma) or Cielo Rooftop in Santa Fe for a great drink and gorgeous views of Mexico City. 

Take Advantage of Mexico City’s Accessibility

Even though you’re hoping to find a place to stay in Mexico City, I encourage you to venture out to some of the other areas mentioned on this list. One of my favorite things about Mexico City is that everything is incredibly accessible. There’s a great public transportation system and Ubers are available everywhere. But, it’s also a very walkable city. 

👉 Read Next: Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Eat Lots of Food

Take advantage of Mexico City’s incredible food scene during your visit. There are so many different options. From delicious street food to exclusive upscale establishments, you’ll find something great to eat no matter where you choose to stay in Mexico City. Read our complete list of restaurants in CDMX for more specific recommendations.

While you can’t go wrong with most of the food in Mexico City, you should be more careful when it comes to water. Local tap water will make just about any tourist ill, which is the last thing you want on vacation. 

Wander a Street Market

If one of my friends were coming to visit me in Mexico City, I’d be sure to plan a day of exploring a street market or two. Mexico City is filled with vibrant markets that carry everything from produce to handmade knick-knacks.

However, always be aware of your surroundings when you’re visiting a street market because they tend to get extremely hectic. It’s very easy to get pickpocketed or lose your travel buddies in the crowds. If you’re easily overwhelmed, choose a smaller market to explore. 

🛒 Looking for the best markets in Mexico City? There are so many markets in CDMX that it can be hard to choose just one. My top recommendations are Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela, Coyoacan Market, and Mercado de San Juan. 

Do NOT Flush Toilet Paper

Never, ever flush toilet paper down the drain when you’re visiting Mexico City (and Mexico in general). This travel tip is standard in many parts of the world, and it’s expected in Mexico City as well. It can mess up the whole plumbing system. 

After receiving a lecture from another tourist on my first international trip, I’ll never forget learning about the toilet paper rule. Hopefully, this will save you from the same slightly embarrassing moment. 

Tip 10%-20% in CDMX

It’s very important to tip the proper amount when you’re in Mexico City. The hardworking waiters and bartenders that will serve you during your trip usually live off the tips that they make. 

Always give a small tip to the person bagging your groceries, drivers, and people handing out toilet paper in bathrooms. These employees are also usually working for tips exclusively.

Typically, 10 to 20 pesos ($0.50 to $1.00) are enough for these types of services. Unless they’re doing something extra, like helping you carry groceries to your car.

👉 Read Next: 8 Best Boutique Hotels in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

One of the Best Mexico City Activities is Just Walking Around

It might sound boring or simple, but one of my favorite things to do in Mexico City is simply wandering around. You never know what you’re going to find when you set off on a long walk through the streets of CDMX.

You can start by strolling around Colonia Nápoles to see its art deco buildings and end up in one of Polanco’s sprawling parks. It’s fun to get from the city’s main square to the natural history museum on foot. 

While I totally recommend exploring Mexico City on foot, you should be careful once night falls. Most of CDMX is very safe, but there are definitely some areas that can be a bit dicey, and it’s easy to accidentally walk into one of them in the dark. 

Order Using Rappi or DiDi When You’re Feeling Lazy

When going on a vacation, many of us feel pressure to spend every single second exploring or taking in a destination in some way. But, traveling can be extremely tiring, and it’s normal to need a break every once in a while. After all, the whole point of a trip is to take a break from life!

Relaxing in your hotel when you’re visiting Mexico City is easy. Practically every restaurant is available on Rappi or DiDi. Ordering food for delivery is also a lot cheaper in CDMX than it is in the United States. 

👉 Read Next: 39 Best Places to Visit in Mexico

Plan Around the Local Festivities

When you’re going to Mexico City, it’s always good to do some research into when you should book your trip. Depending on your preferences, certain times of the year can be super fun or a complete drag. 

For example, Christmas is a major holiday in Mexico City. If you’re coming to CDMX anytime around December, you should expect lots of Christmas decorations and festivities around town. But, many places will be closed during the week of Christmas, so that’s another thing to consider. 

Some of Mexico City’s other big festivities are Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in October, Cinco de Mayo in May, and the pride parade in June. 

🧳 Always Forget Something? Check out Taylor’s handy checklist of what to pack for Mexico!

FAQs About Where to Stay in Mexico City

What is the best part of Mexico City to stay in?

The best places to stay in Mexico City are Condesa, Zona Rosa and Centro Historico. These areas in Mexico City are close to all the activities, have lots of great bars and restaurants, and are super safe. 

Where should you avoid in Mexico City?

You should avoid staying in Tepito, Doctores, or Iztapalapa when you visit Mexico City. While these areas are changing every year, they’re known to be the most dangerous neighborhoods of Mexico City. 

Where should first-time visitors stay in Mexico City?

First-time visitors to Mexico City should stay in Centro Historico or Condesa. Centro Historico is a great spot because close to many of the attractions that first-timers will want to see, like the Zocalo. Condesa is also a fantastic neighborhood to stay in Mexico City because it’s close to other areas in Mexico City like Roma and Zona Rosa. 

What is the best area of Mexico City?

The best areas of Mexico City are Roma, Condesa, and Polanco. But, it all depends on what you’re looking for in Mexico City. Do you have a big budget and want to spend it living it up in luxury? Head to Polanco. If you want to stay in a neighborhood with a thriving nightlife scene and don’t mind a little noise, go to Zona Rosa. For families visiting Mexico City with children, maybe check out the more chill neighborhood of Colonia Nápoles. 

What is the safest area in Mexico City?

The safest areas to stay in Mexico City are Condesa, Coyoacán, and Escandón. However, every neighborhood included in this article is considered safe if you use good judgment.

👉 Want to stay even safer? No matter where you stay in Mexico City, it’s always best to be protected. That’s why every traveler should invest in comprehensive travel insurance. To learn more, give Nate’s article about the best travel insurance for Mexico in 2022 a read-through. 

***

Mexico City is an expansive place with an array of neighborhoods that each offer something unique to its visitors. Now that you’ve read through this guide, you should have a better idea of the best neighborhoods and hotels.

Need more help planning your trip? Check out our expertly planned 7-day Mexico City itinerary!