Mexico City is without a doubt one of the most impressive capitals in Latin America. Bursting with culture, every new street corner you turn will greet you with a surprise. 

From a range of tasty, authentic Mexican dishes to stunning architecture and important historical landmarks, Mexico City rightfully so is the most popular destination to visit in Mexico. 

In this article, we’ll look at how to stay safe in this bustling metropolis, explore 12 of the best experiences to have here as well as share our travel tips for solo female travelers in the capital.

Safety in Mexico City

Mexico City is huge. As one of the biggest cities in the world, of course, there will be suburbs that you will want to avoid and areas that are more dangerous than others. 

As long as you stick to the more touristic areas such as the Historic Centre, Coyoacán, and La Condesa, then you should have no problems.

In those neighborhoods, you’ll likely feel a greater sense of security as they are considered hubs for people who are backpacking Mexico or on weekend breaks and vacations to the city.

It’s important to also dress down and not walk around advertising lots of expensive jewelry or phones out in your hand.

When you do this you’re simply making yourself a target for opportunistic thieves. 

If you do head out at night, it’s always best to go with a group of friends and to avoid drinking so much that you can’t remember where you are.

Also, keeping an eye on your drink and avoiding accepting drinks from strangers is also important – just like you would back home.

12 Best Things to do in Mexico City 

Chapultepec Park

Let’s kick off with the mammoth-sized Chapultepec Park.

Located in the Chapultepec district, here you can stroll around the largest man-made park in Latin America. 

It’s great for taking a break from the hectic city life and getting lost in nature, with an abundance of green surroundings.

There’s also the stunning lake where you can paddle across the water.

Whilst here consider a visit to Chapultepec Castle, which sits on top of a hill and gives some impressive views over this region of Mexico City.

Teotihuacán Ruins

These sprawling, ancient ruins are one of the highlights of any trip to Mexico and are also one of the most popular gems to visit in the country.

This archaeological site was once the focal point and largest site of the Mesoamerican era and features many incredible pyramids and statues to explore. 

The pyramid of the sun is the largest, standing at 213ft tall.

Another interesting structure to see is the pyramid of the moon, which was once the main site for human and animal sacrifices.

You can get to Teotihuacán in just two hours by taking a bus from the Terminal Norte, where they run every hour.

Historic Center of Mexico City

The historic center is one of the best areas of the capital to visit. Here you’ll find many interesting spectacles such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes as well as stunning architectural designs like the Metropolitan Cathedral. 

The Zócalo, which is a giant plaza, sits at the heart and is a great place to go for a stroll. You can see the giant Mexican flag raised here, as well as important buildings such as the Nacional Palace, dotted around the plaza. 

This area is one of the best to stay in when in Mexico City, as here you’ll find lots of cheap, local restaurants where you can explore authentic Mexican dishes for a great price.

Catedral Metropolitana 

This giant and expansive cathedral remains one of Mexico City’s most popular tourist destinations.

It took over 200 years to build, and as a result has numerous architectural styles making for a really striking design, with everything from Neoclassical and Gothic to Baroque features. 

There are two bell towers on either side of the cathedral that contain a total of 25 bells. The largest bell, Santa Maria de Guadalupe weighs just over 13,000kg!

The cathedral is located in the Zócalo, and is free to enter.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

One of the most important cultural centers in Mexico City, Palacio de Bellas Artes is known for having held important musical, theatrical, and literature events, as well as exhibitions of sculptures and paintings.

Today, you can see many Mexican murals here that were painted by some of the most important artists including Diego Rivera. 

On the top floor, you can explore the museum of architecture, which features Mexican exhibitions such as original designs and photographs of some of the most important buildings in Mexico City.

The museum is located just a few blocks from the Zócalo in the historic center, and you can visit for free on Sundays!

Aztec Dances in the Zócalo

We’ve already explored the Zócalo and the best things to see around the plaza. 

However, a much more unique experience can be had here, where local street performers recreate Aztec Dances. 

The dance, known as the “Baile de Chichimec” (or “victory dance” in English) sees the Concheros (performers) play a variety of native instruments that include pre-Hispanic whistles, conch shell trumpets, vessel flutes as well as a teponaztli, which is a slit drum. 

There as over 80 different songs, each of which symbolizes a specific animal or aspect of nature, and simply listening to them can really be hypnotizing!

Xochimilco Canal

Located to the south of the capital, Xochimilco is a large canal system that is now the remains of what used to be a giant lake.

It’s one of the most popular destinations to visit due to its colorful Trajineras, which are small boats that are used to navigate the extensive canals. 

You can buy a tour on one of these, and spend the day exploring as well as having authentic Mexican food prepared for you on deck. 

One of the most popular sights to see here is the creepy Island of the Dolls, which has a haunting past with the previous owner having hanged dozens of dolls, with many missing heads and body parts. 

Not exactly the romantic spectacle as expected in Mexico City, however, is defiantly worth a visit for those who enjoy the darker tourist activities!

Mariachi in Plaza Garibaldi

Located in the historic downtown of Mexico City, Plaza Garibaldi is just a few blocks from the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

It’s well-known for being the center stage for Mariachi Music in the capital. 

Pretty much all times of the day you can come here and see mariachi bands soliciting performances. For a small fee, you can then enjoy the performance which gives a great outlook into authentic Mexican music. 

In the plaza you can also head to Salón Tenampa, which has been open since the 1920s, is known as the home of Mariachi music in the capital.

Explore Condesa Neighbourhood

La Condesa is one of the more affluent and well-kept districts of Mexico City, and as a result, is one of the most popular to stay in. 

Here you’ll find a more European feel, with tree-lined avenues, boutique shops, and cafes as well as a range of both authentic cheap eats and higher-end, trendy restaurants.

We recommend heading to Tacos Don Juan on Calle Juan Escutia for the best pastor tacos in the area!

Although Chapultepec Park is located close to here, be sure to also visit Parque México which has a great vibe with events, performances, and music a daily theme.

El Ángel de la Independencia 

Built in 1910, this monument is one of the most historically important in Mexico City.

It celebrates Mexico’s War of Independence. It was later converted into a mausoleum to pay respects to some of the most important heroes of the war. 

You can climb the 200 steps for a great view over the city; however, you’ll first need to get permission by writing a letter to the Mexican government stating the nature of the visit. 

It’s all free though, so we definitely recommend heading here if in the area.

It’s located in the Cuauhtémoc district, close to Chapultepec Park.

Museo Nacional de Antropologia

When it comes to learning all about culture and heritage, visiting museums is one the best things to do in Mexico no matter which city you find yourself in.

The National Museum of Anthropology is the most visited museum in all of Mexico and it is an absolute must-visit when in Mexico City. Home to some of the most important Mexican pre-Colombian artifacts, here you can see the famed Xochipilli statue which sees a god looking up into the heavens. 

There’s also the Aztec Calendar (The Stone of the Sun), which is a large stone that was used as a sundial and for astrological purposes.

The museum is located along the Paseo de la Reforma within Chapultepec Park.

Museo Frida Kahlo

The house of Frida Kahlo, who was one of Mexico’s historically most important women, has now been converted into a museum for all eyes to see.

Frida was well-known for her art, however, has since become an emblem for women’s rights. 

Her eccentric blue house (as well as the museum) can be toured where you can see her personal art collection, Mexican folk art, personal mementos, and more.

The house and museum are both located in the artsy district of Coyoacán.

Solo Travel Tips for Females

Mexico City really is a beautiful metropolis to explore, however you do need to use caution when visiting. 

Below we’ll go through our top tips for solo female travelers heading to the capital.

Use Registered Taxis – We don’t recommend hailing any random taxi from the street as there have been issues with these in the past. You can call Sitio, a well-used taxi rank that is safe with all driver’s information listed and approved, or simply use Uber.

Dress more Conservatively – Aside from fitting in with the locals (which is always the best way to avoid getting too much attention), you’ll avoid getting into interactions that you probably won’t want. Again it’s common sense that you’d use when back home.

Consider using The Metro – the metro seems to scare a lot of people, however, if staying within the center of the city then I think it’s a great way to get around (and not to mention ridiculously cheap). They have police at every stop and next to the tracks, as well as designated waiting areas just for women and children. Be sure to plan your route out before you get to the metro and avoid taking out large maps that show you are lost.

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