Mexico City, Mexico’s largest capital, has long been a dream destination for me, and I was thrilled to see that dream become a reality. Planning is essential for any trip, and neither I nor my companion wanted to plan too much. We wanted to leave some flexibility in our itinerary. Luckily there were only a few mistakes, but here is a list of Mexico City mistakes and misconceptions you can learn in preparation for your trip to Ciudad de Mexico, known as CDMX.
underestimate altitude
At over 7,000 feet above sea level, Mexico City is nearly 1,500 feet higher than the 1-mile city of Denver, so be careful not to overdo it. Adequate hydration, including lips and skin, and walking at a slow pace should prevent disease outbreaks. Luckily Mexico’s altitude didn’t affect us, but it’s certainly a factor to be prepared for, especially in the warmer months.
not planning how to spend money properly
Have at least some local currency pesos ready. Most places in the city do not accept US dollars or other currencies, and most small businesses only accept cash. However, most restaurants accept credit and debit cards and allow machines to be brought to your table, making the process more secure. Be sure to pay small amounts for tips, bus fare, toilet fees, etc.
I’ve found that getting cash from an ATM gives a better exchange rate than exchanging dollars at the airport.
Consider Mexican (and Tex-Mex) food the only option
Mexico City is rich in diverse food options, partly due to the enormous cultural influences that make up the city. The city’s culinary influences come from many places, with an amazing variety of American fast food chains and other restaurants. Taquerias are found in most urban areas, but I’ve also had pizza, Italian and traditional Mexican food.
Anyone looking for Tex-Mex or American style Mexican food will be disappointed. The traditional indigenous Mexican dish is completely different as it does not contain heavy cream or cheese.
take a taxi around town
Mexico City taxis are not regulated or controlled. Visitors are therefore advised to take them only if someone in the group can speak fluent Spanish with the driver, negotiate the fare in advance and communicate the destination. Drivers often vociferously try to earn fares outside of events, but it’s best to ignore them and use carpool apps like Uber or their Mexican counterparts. Didi.
Plus, it’s a great option to learn how to use public transportation, which is wide and readily available, for only about 25 cents per trip.
have a strict time plan
Mexican culture is in a different place than most Americans are used to. Meals are served later, store hours are variable, and traffic jams can occur as you try to reach your destination on time.
It should have taken 20 minutes to cross town to see the baseball game, but it took more than 90 minutes because of the traffic. We were warned about this in advance, but our attempts to arrive early were unsuccessful. It requires patience and flexibility to “go with the flow” and pre-plan a strict start time. Additionally, business hours reported on Google weren’t always up to date.
expect everyone to speak english
It may seem obvious. Many people speak English, but it’s not polite to expect it. When a foreigner approached to ask a question, I could see the faces of the locals clouding over, fearing they would have to speak in English. Luckily, on our trip, I speak decent Spanish, so speaking Spanish with them immediately puts me at ease. Learning a few basic phrases and having a translation app ready will help you communicate during your stay in Mexico.
Plan Your American Bathroom Experience
This is one of the most coveted places to find and use, but understanding the differences between the US and Mexico is essential. First of all, since the word for woman in Spanish is “M”, restrooms marked with “M” are for women, not men. Mujeres. Secondly, toilet paper is thrown in the trash instead of being flushed, so each private room is usually equipped with a small trash can.
Finally, there are a few public places in Mexico with toilets, and their use often requires a small fee, paid to attendants in and out of the toilet.
Dining at restaurants and visiting cultural sites will usually provide free toilets, but expect to tip the toilet attendants for a few pesos as well.
drink unfiltered or unboiled tap water
This advice applies throughout Mexico, but locals only drink water after it has been boiled or filtered. Our Airbnb has a water filtration system and the restaurant requested a bottle of mineral or mineral water. Bottled water (1 liter size) is readily available most places and usually costs about $2 or less. Do not drink tap water, even in high-end shops. However, the ice is made with purified water, so there is no problem if you ask for it.
Perception that Mexico City is unsafe, dirty and smoggy
More of a misunderstanding than a mistake, but it’s not far from the truth. Mexico City is a large, populous city, but it is also beautiful, clean, and has friendly locals who want to show pride in their city. We noticed someone working hard around the corner, cleaning the sidewalks every day, clearing up trash and other debris. Each city neighborhood is different and some areas are less safe than others, so it’s important to stay vigilant.
stay only in tourist areas
Mexico City has several great neighborhoods, each with its own unique character, such as Roma, Condesa, Polanco and Coyocan. Many tourists focus only on downtown hotel stays, but there are plenty of other options for where to stay. To experience local life, we chose an Airbnb in the heart of the Roma Noto district, with eateries and shops on almost every corner. Choosing this route gave us a full kitchen, multiple rooms, and daily interaction with locals.
I was able to soak up the local atmosphere and get local recommendations, which added to my enjoyment of the city.hundreds of Apartments can be purchased through Airbnb Perfect for longer stays or groups needing more space, located in many great areas of CDMX.
As the capital of Mexico, Mexico City has many beautiful sights, food, and culture for visitors to explore. We found him enjoying all three, and even seasoned travelers rarely go wrong and almost never go wrong.some research and advice, Avoid these for a great experience in Mexico City.
This article was written and distributed by Wealth of Geeks Travel.
