Mexico City is one of the world's great cheap capitals, as long as you eat and move like a chilango rather than a brunch tourist. Here's how.
Where the money goes, and where it doesn't#
| Item | Roma / Condesa / Polanco | Local |
|---|---|---|
| Room | Boutique and Airbnb premium | Centro, Juárez, Narvarte, San Rafael |
| Lunch | Brunch spots | Comida corrida: soup, main, agua fresca |
| Dinner | Restaurants | Street tacos, a torta, tamales |
| Getting around | Ride apps everywhere | Metro, Metrobús, Ecobici |
| Sunday | Tours | Reforma car-free, Chapultepec, free museums |
Stay a neighbourhood over#
Centro Histórico for hostels and the sights; Juárez and Narvarte for lower prices a short walk from Roma; San Rafael and Santa María la Ribera for a local feel. The best neighbourhoods in Mexico City compares them.
Eat#
Comida corrida at lunch, street tacos at night, tamales and atole in the morning, markets like Medellín and San Juan for everything else. Where locals eat in Mexico City names places.
Free and cheap days#
- Sunday: Reforma closed to cars, Chapultepec park, free museum day for residents and cheap for visitors.
- Centro: the Zócalo, Alameda, the Palacio de Bellas Artes from outside, Diego Rivera's murals.
- Coyoacán on foot and by metro.
- The Anthropology Museum: the one worth paying for.
Getting around#
Metro and Metrobús with a rechargeable card; Ecobici in the central neighbourhoods; app taxis late at night. Is Mexico City safe? covers the care to take.
When#
Mexico City in December is festive and reasonably priced except Christmas week; how much does a trip to Mexico cost? covers the country.
The cheapest guide is a chilango#
A Local Friend knows the comida corrida place, the right metro exit and the free Sunday plan. Roavi Local Friends in Mexico City set their own rates and message you directly before you meet.
Do Mexico City the way chilangos do.
Meet a Local Friend in Mexico CityFrequently Asked Questions
Is Mexico City expensive?
No, outside the Roma-Condesa-Polanco bubble. Street food, set lunches, the metro and most museums are cheap, and rooms in Centro, Juárez or Narvarte cost much less than Roma.Where should I stay in Mexico City on a budget?
Centro Histórico for hostels and the sights, Juárez or Narvarte for lower prices near Roma, or San Rafael and Santa María la Ribera for a local feel. Our neighbourhoods guide compares them.What is comida corrida?
The weekday set lunch: soup, rice, a main, tortillas and agua fresca for a few dollars, served everywhere from 1 to 4pm. The best-value meal in the city.Which museums are free in Mexico City?
Many national museums are free on Sundays for residents and cheap for everyone every day; the Anthropology Museum is the one worth paying for. Chapultepec park, the Zócalo and the Alameda are free.How do I get around cheaply?
The metro and Metrobús with a rechargeable card, Ecobici bikes in the central neighbourhoods, and app taxis late at night.
