We list the best hotels, hostels, B&Bs and guesthouses in Mexico City as recommended by travel experts from CNN, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Fodor’s, New York Times and more. All hotel recommendations have been referenced with customer reviews and we only listed places that have at least a 4 out of 5-star customer review rating.
Best cheap hotel in Mexico City: Hotel Parque Satelite
Best boutique hotel in Mexico City: Mumedi Design Hotel
Best luxury hotel in Mexico City: Four Seasons Hotel
“The staff at the Red Treehouse, charmers all, are topnotch. They bend over backwards to ensure their guests enjoy the city, down to organizing impromptu excursions to restaurants and local dance clubs; and hosting a lively evening cocktail parties in the B&B’s living room.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Mexico City.
“The Gran Hotel flaunts the French art nouveau style of the pre-revolution era. Crowned by a stained-glass canopy crafted by Tiffany in 1908, the atrium is a fin de siècle fantasy of curved balconies, wrought-iron elevators and chirping birds in giant cages. Rooms do not disappoint in comparison.”
“Among the most luxurious hotels in the capital, this eight-story hotel was modeled after the 18th-century Iturbide Palace–it even has a traditional inner courtyard with a fountain.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Mexico City.
“A family-run operation for nearly a century, the Casa is a perennial hit with travelers seeking peace and quiet. Set around several flower-filled patios and semiprivate terraces, it’s extraordinarily tranquil.”
“Casa de la Luz Hotel Boutique is in a restored colonial palace on a square in the heart of the Historic Center. The 18 rooms feature tiled floors and remnants of the structure’s ancient walls.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Mexico City.
“Owner and host extraordinaire Fernando took an old art deco home and turned it into one of the most stylish boutique hotels in Mexico City. Each room has a different theme and decor but doesn’t feel kitschy. Be sure to check out the original tiles and stained-glass window in the Puebla room.”
“Stay in a 19th-century mansion with eight tastefully appointed rooms, each decked out with crafts from a different Mexican state. Like that Huichol bead art or Oaxacan black ceramics in your room? Take them home with you – guests can purchase basically anything in the house that’s not bolted down.”
“The hotel blends elements of colonial style with local, indigenous culture, such as the ornate details around the windows of the façade, the stone staircase with its intricate handrails, and the handmade cement tiles.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Mexico City.
“Casa Goliana is an eight-room boutique bed and breakfast in an elegantly restored mansion in Roma Norte. Each room is furnished with local designs.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Mexico City.
“Casa Stella in a gracious Art Deco house on Condesa’s shady Amsterdam Avenue, has seven simple, elegant rooms, great breakfast and friendly, accommodating staff.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Mexico City.
Recommended by:
Frommers, Fodors
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
Fodors, Frommers, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, New York Times
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Fodors, Frommers
Recommended by:
Frommers, New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
New York Times
The best areas to stay in Mexico City are: Historic Center, Zona Rosa, Coyoacan, Condesa or Paseo de la Reforma. Please read our extensive guide about where to stay in Mexico City. It gives a great overview about each area, including the museums, attractions and other things, as well as the best place to stay in each neighborhood.
For a 3-star hotel, you have to pay around $120 per night and for a 4-star hotel, you would be looking at $175 per night. If you’re after a luxury 5-star Mexico City hotel then you can expect to pay around $300 per night.
If you’re looking for an affordable hotel, then book Hotel Parque Satelite. It’s an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It’s in a good location, it’s been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews. Also check out our list of the best cheap hotels in Mexico City.
You like some luxury but don’t like the famous chain hotels. If you’re looking for the best boutique hotel in Mexico City, you should check out Mumedi Design Hotel. It’s a very cool hotel that has been highly recommended by travelers and experts. For more cool hotels, check out our list of the best boutique hotels in Mexico City.
If money isn’t a problem and you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Mexico City, then go for Four Seasons Hotel. The hotel offers excellent service, it’s in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it. For more 5-star hotels, check out our list of the best luxury hotels in Mexico City.
Looking for a good and affordable private room or cozy dorm in Mexico City? Check out Casa Pepe. The hostel has been highly rated by backpackers. Also check out our shortlist of the best hostels in Mexico City, it’s based on thousands of reviews from backpackers.
If you're looking for a room with a view, then try Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico. The hotel offers great views of Mexico City according to recent customer reviews.
Here’s our list of 3 things you should definitely do when you’re in Mexico City:
Xochimilco, Coyoacán and Frida Kahlo Museum Tour
Discover the colonial beauty of Coyoacán, stroll through North America's oldest university and gain insight into Frida Kahlo’s life and artwork at her former home of Casa Azul. Then, drift through the waterways of Xochimilco, a UNESCO site, and enjoy snacks aboard a ‘trajinera’ boat. Price: $38. More info.
Teotihuacan, Tlatelolco, Guadalupe Shrine and Tequila Tasting Tour
Hit three top historical attractions on this full-day guided tour from Mexico City: Tlatelolco, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Teotihuacan. See where the main market of the Aztec empire once stood in Tlatelolco. Price: $45. More info.
Historic Downtown Walking Tour
Explore the historic center of Mexico City with this small-group walking tour. You'll hit up many of the city's most important attractions, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacia de Bellas Artes with an expert local guide. Price: $15. More info.
More things to do in Mexico City
Mexico City is the country’s largest and most populated metropolitan area that is also known as the federal district. Mexico is the main cultural and economic hub of the country, and it also houses the federal government offices. The city is situated in a town that various indigenous groups inhabited from 100 to 900 A. D. That is why the city holds so much cultural and historical importance. Another interesting fact about Mexico City is, it is built over a lake and is sinking with each passing day. It has been estimated that it has sunken for about 9 meters in some areas over the past 100 years.
Today, Mexico City comprises neighborhoods that are a mix of poverty and richness. The south side of the city houses super-rich neighborhoods, but many parts of the east and north side are poorer and a little unsafe. Even though with all this disparity among the population, there are many cultural sites you can visit all across the city. The most prominent attractions are; the Historic Center – home to more than 1400 buildings dating back to the 16th to 19th centuries, the UNAM Campus, Luis Barragan’s House and Studio, and Xochimilco. These sites are also listed on UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Turning to the delicious Mexican cuisine, no place does it better than the Mexican City itself. Culinary tastes are brought together here from all over the country that result in finger-licking good food dishes. From street stalls to 5-star dining, you’ll not get disappointed with food anywhere in the city. Some of the must-try items here include tacos, tamales, quesadillas, gorditas, and pambazos.
For shoppers, there is an enormous variety of shopping stores to cater to each taste. From fresh fruits and vegetable carts at local markets to small bazaars selling craft stuff, to luxury brands to the huge shopping malls, you’ll find almost everything here. And the best part is, shopping here is affordable and won’t break your budget!
The climate of Mexico City remains temperate throughout the year. Here, summers are hot, and even winter months feel like spring during the daytime and cooler at night. But the climate can get really frustrating from November to January as the pollution increases dramatically, leaving some people with respiratory issues. Depending on the time of your visit, you may get a sore throat and runny nose with watery eyes. But that is not the case with everyone. It solely depends on your immune system and how quickly you react to it. The best way to deal with it is to take some rest, drink plenty of fluids, and don’t make yourself lethargic.
The majestic Mexico City is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. The city is still one of the most vibrant and charismatic cities in the world. Take all your time and explore all the attractions this city has to offer and enjoy the beautiful experience of one of the most inspiring and exciting cities in the world.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or revisiting, we hope this guide helps you get the most out of your visit to Mexico City. Please do read our guide on where to stay in Mexico City, so you get an even better idea about the city.
If you like our list of best places to stay in Mexico City, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Buenos Aires or the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro.