Where to Stay in Mexico City During Your Visit (Updated 2023)

Published: 11/28/2022 | November 28, 2022

Mexico City used to be out of the sight of many travelers because it was considered dangerous. But things have changed at CDMX (short for Ciudad de México), and today it is one of the most popular places to visit in the country.

I loved my time in Mexico City. This is an incredible gourmet destination, with a fun nightlife, rich history, green spaces and plenty of galleries and museums to visit. (The artistic and literary scene here is one of the best in the world.)

In addition, this is a huge, sprawling metropolis, so it is important to choose the right area to live in – one that suits your interests and travel style. Traffic can be slow, so you don’t want to waste time getting stuck in transit or risk your safety by staying in the wrong area.

To help you decide where to stay in Mexico City, here’s my list of the best areas for visitors (as well as suggested accommodations in each).

But before I get into that, here are a few common questions I get asked about my time in Mexico City:

Which area is best for gourmets?
Though the whole city is a foodie’s paradise, Condesa and Roma Norte two neighboring areas with excellent food markets, street food and restaurants.

Which area is best for families?
coyoacán it is quite far from the center but that is what makes it ideal for families: there is a metro connection and the area is quiet and safe.

Which area is best for parties?
You can find a party anywhere, but Condesa and Roma Norte are still the top two for backpackers. Zona Rosa and Jaurez also have many bars and a vibrant nightlife.

Which area is best for history buffs?
mexico city Historical Center brimming with interesting historical sites and almost impossible to avoid anyway as it is the most centrally located area.

Which area is best for shopping?
Upscale and exquisite, Polanco replete with high-end boutiques and outposts of famous fashion designers. If you want to shop till you drop (and maybe make the most of your credit card), this is the place to do it.

What is the best area in general?
For me, Rome Norte this is the best area to live. It is beautiful, with lots of greenery, safe, centrally located and has many of the best restaurants in town. This is a trendy place.

With those questions answered, here is my detailed breakdown of each area!

Where to stay in Mexico City in general: Roma Norte or Condesa

Roma Norte and Condesa are located next to each other and are referred to as “sister areas”. They are very green and safe, with world-class restaurants, amazing taco stands, trendy coffee shops, signature cocktail bars and great food markets lined the streets. This is a trendy, artistic area of ​​the city, one of my favorites. (It’s also the most “foreign”, as most visitors and expats stay here, so you’ll see more gringos here than anywhere else in the city.)

Best Places to Stay in Condesa and Rome

• BUDGET: Hostel Home – Located in Rome, the first hostel in Mexico City offers fast and free Wi-Fi, comfortable beds and free bottled water. The home interior is filled with potted plants and comfortable furniture. If you like the atmosphere of an “old school” hostel, this is the place for you.
• MF: Hotel Villa Condesa – Fifteen spacious and comfortable suites make up this boutique hotel in Condesa. Stylish hotel housed in a former 19th century mansion and the staff go out of their way to be welcoming and friendly. Some rooms have balconies as well as a lovely terrace to relax in.
• LUXURY: Condesa D.F. This boutique hotel is one of the coolest and most stylish in Condesa. Decorated in a retro style, rooms are equipped with Bluetooth LCD speakers, rain showers and Malin+Goetz toiletries. The hotel also has a bicycle park for guests to explore the area.

Where to Stay in Mexico City for Families: Coyoacan

Coyoacán, located about 35 minutes by metro from the Zócalo (main square) in the southern part of the city, is one of the most beautiful areas in Mexico City. Cobbled streets and colonial era houses give the area a charming atmosphere. It is also quiet and safe here. And the central park next door, the Jardin Centenario, is a great place to walk and people watch. Coyoacan is also home to the Frida Kahlo Museum and many incredible food and clothing markets. This is a really good place to stay if you want to be away from the big crowds.

Best Places to Stay in Coyoacan

• BUDGET: Cuija Coyoacán Hostel – Hostel Cuija is within walking distance of all the area’s attractions and offers free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. While the beds are basic, the bathrooms are clean and the staff goes above and beyond to help you make the most of your visit.
• MF: Agata Hotel This super stylish Coyoácan boutique hotel includes plush bathrobes, in-room coffee makers and oversized TVs. The Mexican breakfast is free (and delicious).
• LUXURY: H21 “There are only five rooms in this H21 boutique hotel. Each has a unique design and color scheme, and all feature private patios, artwork from local artists and artisans, in-room coffee machines and high-quality toiletries.

Where to Stay in Mexico City for History Lovers: Centro Historico

The Centro Histórico is home to all the must-see historical sites such as the Zócalo, the Cathedral, the National Palace (and the Diego Rivera frescoes inside it), the Palacio de Bellas Artes cultural center and the Torre Latinoamericana skyscraper. If you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing, it’s worth considering staying here for at least part of your visit.

The best places to stay in Centro Historico

• BUDGET: Selina “By far the best hostel in Mexico City, spacious, clean and fun. There is a lot of common space where you can socialize and the staff is always organizing events to make it easy to get to know people.
• MF: Zocalo Central Mexico City – The hotel is located in a late 19th century building in the city centre. It offers free bicycles for guests, a fitness center and a steam room. Rooms feature parquet floors, large TVs, air conditioning and coffee machines.
• LUXURY: Grand Hotel Ciudad de Mexico – This majestic and historic Art Nouveau hotel offers rooms overlooking the Zócalo, the famous central square. The interior lobby with wrought iron elevators and balustrades is pleasing to the eye. Huge rooms have marble bathrooms, large TVs, desks and air conditioning.

Where to Stay in Mexico City for Luxury and Shopping: Polanco

This chic neighborhood is known as “Mexican Beverly Hills” and is home to Pujol, arguably the best restaurant in the country, as well as upscale Mr. Chow, Morimoto, Nobu and Basque/molecular eatery Biko. In addition, here you will find the largest collection of luxury stores in the country (the high-end shopping center Antara Fashion Hall is located here). Come here to maximize your clothing card or just stroll the streets for some window shopping.

Best Places to Stay in Polanco

• BUDGET: Golden Buda – Golden Buda is one of the few budget options in Polanco. This is a modest hostel with decent showers, free breakfast and yoga and meditation classes. The bunks are not amazing, but you can’t beat the price.
• MF: Green Park Hotel – Housed in a magnificent Art Deco building, Green Park is a big dose of comfort in the center of Polanco. Its suites are filled with amenities and have views of either the adjacent park or courtyard. The rooftop bar is also a great place to relax.
• LUXURY: pug seal This 20-room boutique hotel on Edgar Allan Poe Street is a quirky yet luxurious place to stay next door. Each room is unique and decorated by a different Mexican artist. Breakfast is included in the rate, as is a bike park that guests can ride to explore the area.

Mexico City is such a gigantic, bustling metropolis that you need to take the time to plan where you’re going to stay. By exploring the best areas of the city, you can stay safe, save money and make the most of your time in this incredible and underrated destination.