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Before arriving, check the website for the Secretariat of Tourism (Federal) and the Virtual Guide. After arrival, stop by one of the offices or kiosks of Departamento de Turismo del Districto Federal for information.

Current events and cultural programs are listed in the weekly Tiempo Libre. The biweekly DF por Travesías covers clubs, bars, and restaurants. The English daily The Herald, is also available in newsstands.

Many hotels offer Internet access either at a business center or in the hotel lobby while some also offer direct access from the rooms. Many tourist areas have Internet cafés.

The Visitor Centers distribute an excellent, free Mexico City Tourist Map. Both Spanish and English versions are available. Guía Roji also has good city maps.

Citizens of North America and many countries in Europe and Latin America do not require a visa to visit Mexico. However, one should check on the current requirements before traveling. Tourist permits are required, and are obtained at the border or airport. A valid passport is the most reliable identification.

Obtain travel and medical insurance before arriving in Mexico. If you are entering Mexico by car, you must carry Mexican auto insurance.

Mexico City is a year-round destination. March and early April are particularly beautiful.

Conservative city-casual clothing is suitable for almost all occasions. Mexicans do not wear shorts though. Try and avoid carrying jewelry, expensive cameras, and other high-priced items.

A week is ideal, allowing three to four days to explore the Centro Histórico and the museums in Bosque de Chapultepec. Two days are best for exploring Coyoacán, San Ángel, and Xochimilco. Allow a full day for Teotihuacán.

Many North, Central, and South American as well as European airlines have flights to the city.

Stop at immigration to fill out a form to obtain a Tourist Card. It can be valid for 60–180 days.

Travelers with luggage, on a tight schedule, or who want the safest choice should take a prepaid airport taxi. There is a Metro stop at the airport, but luggage is not permitted onboard.

If you have little luggage, the Metro is an option. Follow the signs to station Terminal Aérea which is on Metro line 5. If you are heading downtown, take the train to the Pantitlán station and switch to line 1. Depending on your final destination you may need to switch lines again. Check the map at the terminal before boarding.

If you are using a taxi, purchase your pre-paid fare from a booth of the Transportación Terrestre. Rates are set by zone, and are for the taxi not per person. The airport taxis are yellow and white, and they are safer than regular taxis.

There are excellent highways leading into Mexico City. Mexico 15-D, 57-D, and 85-D are the main toll roads from the north and west. Mexico 95-D and 150-D enter from the south and east. These are the fastest and most direct routes, and the toll roads (signified by the D) have less traffic. In other roads, traffic is almost always very heavy.

The once-excellent passenger train system in Mexico is no longer operational. Currently no passenger trains connect to Mexico City.

Buses are the most popular way to travel between cities. First class buses have comfortable seats, videos, and make fewer stops. Ticket Bus has a central reservations system for major bus companies. ETN, with services to north-central Mexico, and UNO, with services to Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, and the southeast, are the luxury bus operators. Greyhound offers bus trips to major US cities.

There are four main bus terminals. Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte serves northern destinations, Terminal Central de Autobuses Sur serves south, Terminal de Autobuses de Pasajeros de Oriente serves east, and Terminal de Autobuses del Poniente serve the west.

The Metro subway system is clean, efficient, cheap, and easy-to-use. During rush hour it is extremely crowded. Some cars are then set aside for women and children.

Mexico City has a vast, confusing, and poorly marked bus system that covers most of the city. Routes and numbers change frequently, there are buses of different sizes, and the signs on the buses are often incorrect.

There are three types of taxi services. Roving cabs, usually green and white, are hailed on the street. But these are not recommended. Taxis from a sitio stand are safer. Hotel taxis are the most reliable and the driver often speaks English. Some taxis are metered, and others charge a flat fare.

A good, time-efficient option for seeing parts of the city not readily accessible by walking, bus tours, or using the Turibus is to hire a car and driver by the hour. The price varies by the services provided, but drivers will wait while you explore, accompany you into markets, and drive to places that would be difficult to get to any other way.

For a daily fee you can hop on and off the bus all day long at 28 stops, conveniently located close to the major attractions in Centro Histórico, along Paseo de la Reforma, through Bosque de Chapultepec, Polanco, Condesa, and Zona Rosa.

Trips to the ancient city of Teotihuacán on Turibus include admission, guided tour of the archeological zone, and snacks as well as transportation.

The trolleybus offers narrated tours in Spanish, and provides a good introduction to the major sites.

Walking, during the day, is a great way to explore many of the popular sites. In Centro Histórico it is quicker to walk between sites. The monuments along Paseo de la Reforma is best viewed by walking its length. Coyoacán, San Ángel, Polanco, and Bosque de Chapultepec are all great for walking. Take care while crossing roads.

Many hotels have affiliated travel agencies that arrange tours to the most popular sites and usually feature bilingual guides. Nightlife tours typically include dinner, a show, and stop at Plaza Garibaldi. Sunday tours to bullfights are also organized (see Excursions ).

Avoid driving anywhere in greater Mexico City during rush hours. Also, never leave any of your valuables in a parked car.

Pickpockets and purse or camera snatching are the most common threats and can occur anywhere. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and leave your valuables in a hotel safe. Stick to the main tourist streets when walking, and avoid walking at night. Use hotel or sitio taxis for evening transportation.

Never use a street taxi for transportation. Rather use hotel or sitio taxis. A high proportion of violent crimes against tourists results from using roving taxis.

The tap water in Mexico City should not be consumed. Some of the high-quality hotels have their own water-filtration systems. Many higher-priced restaurants use filtered or bottled water. In casual or lower-priced restaurants only drink bottled beverages without ice. Avoid street food in general, but in particular food that is not freshly cooked and served hot, or that uses uncooked greens such as lettuce and cilantro (coriander).

Some travelers take a few days to adjust to the local foods and may get turista. Nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and a light fever are the symptoms. If it occurs, drink plenty of bottled water, and eat bland, well-cooked food for a while. Symptoms should disappear within a few days. But if not, consult a doctor. In the initial days after arriving in Mexico City it helps to eat moderately and avoid highly spiced and unfamiliar foods.

The sun is intense in the high altitudes of Mexico City, and it is a good idea to apply sunscreen and wear a broad brimmed sunhat for protection. Wear sunglasses for your eyes. Dehydration is a common problem, and it is important to carry bottled water with you and drink liquids regularly.

Mexico City is at 7,350 ft (2,240 m) above sea level, and if you are arriving from a much lower altitude, you should allow a few days before engaging in strenuous activity. If you have symptoms such as headaches or shortness of breath, it helps to drink plenty of water and be moderate in the use of coffee, tea, and alcohol.

Air pollution can pose a health risk in Mexico City, especially for the elderly, young children, and people with heart or respiratory problems. The city is located in a large valley surrounded by high mountains with thermal inversions, which often trap pollutants in the valley. Smoking is popular in Mexico, and many restaurants and hotels do not have no-smoking sections or rooms.

Mexico City was built on an old lake bed, and everywhere you go you will see buildings that have sunk below street level, and many that are tilting as well. The city has also experienced severe earthquakes, which have left uneven streets and sidewalks in many places. Watch your step while you walk.

The best prices are obtained by comparison shopping, and the Internet is a great source for checking ticket prices for various airlines. If you are flying within the country after your arrival in Mexico City, check Mexican airlines for reduced rate advance purchase coupons, but you must purchase them before arriving in Mexico.

When shopping for the best airfares, check the websites for packages that include accommodations as well. Rates will likely be higher during Christmas, Easter, and the summer months. Some hotels offer deals that include city tours or tickets to events.

Room rates fluctuate depending on time of year and if festivals or conventions are being held. Business hotels in Mexico City often offer good rates for weekends, and some hotels in Centro Histórico offer discounts as well. Mid-range and budget hotels may offer discount for cash payments.

Many museums offer free admission either on Sunday or Tuesday. Some museums offer special discounts to students and teachers with ID.

Several of Mexico City’s top attractions are free, including the Palacio Nacional , Catedral Metropolitana , and a few of the attractions in Bosque de Chapultepec . All of the churches, parks, and plazas have free entry.

Hiring a guide or joining a tour that includes transportation will often save a lot of time and trouble, and sometimes money as well, especially if you are not fluent in Spanish.

Sitio taxis are reasonably safe and are also cheaper than hotel taxis. The Turibus is less expensive than cabs if you are visiting sites it covers. The Metro also offers cheap, efficient, and quite an extensive service.

Every Sunday evening Mexico City’s Cultural Institute presents free concerts of Mexican talent at the Zócalo. For information on other such events see Tiempo Libre and check the mexicocity website.

Save money by having lunch, from 2pm–4pm, at one of the many restaurants serving a comida corrida (fixed-priced menu).

Courtesy is important in Mexico City, and even a simple, buenos días (good morning), or buenas tardes (good afternoon), is much appreciated. The Mexican communication style is lengthy and indirect; losing your temper or complaining about a situation often makes people less inclined to help you out.

Mexicans are friendly and helpful, especially if you make an attempt to ask questions in Spanish. However, they also do not like to say “no”, so they will often respond to a question by giving an answer even if they are not certain. When seeking directions, ask several people. Most employees take their own job responsibilities seriously and will seldom bend the rules or make any exceptions.

Many Mexicans speak a few words of English, especially college and high school students, but it helps to know some basic phrases for use at restaurants, with sitio taxis, and getting around. Pick up some useful Spanish phrases and carry a handy Spanish-English dictionary.

Many Mexicans will offer a personal service in exchange for a small fee, and there are times when you may want to utilize these services. Hotel and sitio taxi drivers can accompany you into markets if you ask them to, wait while you visit an attraction, or pick you up at a specified time – all for a reasonable charge.

In Mexico City people dress conservatively; they wear very little jewelry, and do not wear shorts or sandals. They are tolerant of other styles of attire; however, women traveling alone will do well to dress conservatively when out in public to avoid unwanted attention.

Mexican machismo is very common in the city, and can be both a benefit and a hassle for the single woman traveling alone. On the plus side, men will assist you if you are in difficulty and male tour guides may pay you more attention. You can minimize advances by dressing conservatively and avoiding eye contact. However, if you are still approached a simple “no” and a shake of the head is often enough. Taking a seat will lessen the risk of unwanted attention on a crowded Metro.

Public toilets are not common in the city, but most sit-down restaurants have clean bathrooms for their customers. Many public bathrooms have an attendant and you pay a few pesos to enter; be certain to take the toilet paper they hand out.

Mexico City is in the Central Standard Time Zone, which is 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. Although Mexico City has a reputation for not being punctual, most people in tourism and in business are prompt with appointments.

A tip of 10% is standard in restaurants, but check your bill first as some restaurants add a service charge to the total. For porters and bellhops, 10 pesos per bag is enough. Taxi drivers are tipped if they provide a special service. For tour guides, a tip of 50 or more pesos for four hours is usual.

International visitors who lose a passport or have any similar emergency, should contact their embassy immediately.

Before leaving home, make photocopies of all your important travel papers, including your passport and visa, as well as the numbers of credit cards and the serial numbers of travelers’ checks. Keep them in a safe place in your hotel.

Mexico City has a relatively high level of street crime, and it is important to be vigilant at all times. It is best to use ATM machines in safe locations during the day. Leave surplus valuables in the hotel safe. Walk around the city on foot only in daylight hours. Stick to the streets frequented by tourists.

In the case of an emergency it is probably best to try and contact your embassy first. The Mexico City Tourist Protection Agency will also help with emergencies and they have staff who speak English. If you cannot reach an English speaking operator, call the SECTUR 24-hour Hotline for help.

When approached by the police be polite, remain calm, and explain that you are a tourist. If a policeman asks for a bribe call your embassy immediately.

Mexico City does have crime; however, if you stay alert and take some simple precautions you should be fine. Stay on the main tourist streets when walking, dress conservatively, and avoid carrying or wearing anything that appears to be valuable. Be cautious while using an ATM.

Be especially careful at night, and for transport use a hotel taxi or sitio taxi rather than walking or using any other means of public transportation.

Public restrooms, referred to as baños or sanitarios, which are clean and hygienic can be found in mid- to large-size restaurants, the lobby area of large hotels, and in major museums and tourist attractions.

For basic medical and dental needs, ask your hotel or embassy for help. One of the best hospitals in Mexico City is the Hospital ABC, with staff speaking in English.

The airport is a good place to exchange foreign currency for pesos. The exchange rate at a Casa de Cambio (foreign exchange booths) may be better or worse than what the major branches of large banks offer.

ATM machines are readily available throughout the city, and are usually available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. However, it is always a good idea to withdraw money during daylight hours and at an off-street machine in a bank or department store for reasons of safety.

Banamex and BBVA Bancomer are the two largest banks in Mexico. There are also numerous foreign banks in the city. Hours are generally 9am–4pm weekdays, and many banks are open on Saturdays from 9am–2pm. It is best to visit a bank in the morning as some services, including currency exchange, are only available until 2pm.

Although travelers’ checks are one of the safest ways to carry cash, very few places in Mexico City accept them. American Express travelers’ checks in US currency are the best choice, and most large banks and currency exchange offices will cash them.

Visa and MasterCard, and to a lesser extent American Express, are the most accepted cards in Mexico. Most high-end restaurants, large hotels, rental-cars, and high-end tourist shops will accept credit cards. Some hotels offer discounts for cash, while others will add a surcharge to the amount if paid by credit card.

The country code for Mexico is 52, and the area code for Mexico City is 55. Within the city the important dialing codes are 040 for information and 090 for an international English speaking operator.

Most payphones in Mexico City require the use of a prepaid phone card, known as a Ladatel Card. Available in denominations of 20 pesos, 30 pesos, 50 pesos, and 100 pesos they can be purchased at newsstands, pharmacies, and grocery stores. The phones are generally very easy to find along the street as well as in gas and Metro stations.

Public access to the Internet is quite easy to find, and is available in the lobby or in the business center of many hotels. Ask at the front desk for the nearest location. Some hotels provide wireless networks, while others offer data access lines. Always learn the rates before using the services. Internet cafés can be found throughout the city and generally charge about 25 pesos an hour.

The Mexican post office can be slow with the delivery of mail or packages. It is much safer and more reliable to use a courier service. Many hotels sell stamps for letters and post cards, and will also post them.

Department stores and shopping malls are generally open from 10am–7pm Monday through Saturday. Art galleries are generally open on Sundays, but closed on Mondays and some of them require advance appointments. Boutique stores usually open at 10am, but may close from about 1pm to 3pm, and then reopen.

High end storefronts, department stores, and most boutiques do not entertain bargaining. But bargaining certainly is part of the experience of shopping in the mercados, or markets. How much to bargain for varies by market and by vendor. The best is to simply decide what the item is worth to you, and bargain accordingly.

Mercados, or markets, are the traditional shopping venues for Mexicans, and they are still the most fascinating places to shop. Most neighborhoods have one or more mercados. Even if you are not shopping for anything, walking through a market is an excellent cultural experience.

During the day, Zona Rosa, with its many clothing boutiques, is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city, especially with tourists. The chic, high-end fashion boutiques are primarily located along Avenida Presidente Masarik in Polanco and also along Altavista Street in San Ángel.

Art galleries are found in many parts of Mexico City. Polanco is best known for its high-end galleries and design studios, while Zona Rosa offers a mix of fine art galleries and antique shops which also offer a huge variety of art.

There are two major department store chains in Mexico City – El Palacio de Hierro, an upscale department store chain, that specializes in designer clothing, and Liverpool which offers a wide range of mid-priced products and clothing. Antara Polanco is a new fashionable shopping center. Centro Santa Fé, with more than 300 stores is the largest shopping center in Mexico.

Mexico City’s museums offer some of the most interesting shops in the city. The merchandise reflects the museums’ collections, and selections vary from CDs and books about performing arts at the Palacio de Bellas Artes , to prints of Frida Kahlo’s famous works at Museo Frida Kahlo .

One of the best places to shop for Mexican handicrafts and souvenirs is at Mercado de Artesanías de la Ciudadela . Across from the Zócalo, along Monte de Piedad, many fine silver shops offer jewelry in a range of tempting prices.

Mexican handicrafts can be found at Fonart , Museo de Artes Popular , Arte Mexicano Para el Mundo , and Mercado de Artesanías de la Ciudadela . Victor Artes Populares is for the serious collector.

Mexican street food is found near every Metro station, in the markets, and on busy street corners. The small restaurants known as taquerías offer the same type of food as the street vendors, but generally with higher hygienic standards. Fondas are small cafés that offer comida, a fixed-menu lunch. Cantinas are popular in the evening as they serve food as well as liquor. Restaurants come in all sizes and price ranges, from modest cafés to chic five-star restaurants.

Desayuno (breakfast), is traditionally a large meal of huevos (eggs), served in a variety of ways. Most egg dishes come with a heavy spicy red or green sauce (salsa) and are usually served with refried beans and hot tortillas. Chorizo is a popular sausage. Lighter breakfasts feature pan dulce, a sweet bread, or bolillos which are a European-style roll.

Comida, or lunch, is the large meal of the day. Lunch is a relaxed affair with friends, and can often last for hours. Many restaurants offer a daily comida corrida special, often featuring several courses and at an excellent price.

Traditionally dinner was a very light meal of a sweet bread and hot chocolate. Churros, fried dough pastry coated with sugar, and hot chocolate remain a favorite evening snack. Many Mexicans now have a large evening meal and plenty of restaurants offer full dinner menus.

In restaurants it is traditional to tip 10–15 percent of the total amount, but some places include the tip in the total. A value added tax of 15 percent is added to services, goods, and hotels. In addition, hotels add a further 2 percent accommodations tax.

Hotel taxis are the easiest and most convenient to use taxi service. They can be hired by the trip, by the hour, or for all day. The drivers associated with high-end hotels speak English and Spanish, are sometimes certified tourist guides, and can take you on personalized tours of your choice of city attractions. Negotiate the rates before boarding the taxi.

Hotel tours can be a fun way to see the city and meet other travelers, and they alleviate a lot of the transportation hassles and logistics issues. On the other hand you are sometimes rushed around sights. Make sure that the guide speaks your language.

If exercising is important for you, make sure you understand what facilities the hotel has when you make your reservations. Many of the high-end hotels either have their own facilities or can make arrangements for you to use other facilities close to the hotel.

Hotel rates are often negotiable, especially if you are flexible regarding your dates of stay. Many business hotels are busy during the week, but offer great discounts for weekend stays. Some hotels will give discounts if you pay in cash rather than by credit card.