It’s gritty, it’s busy, it’s highly disorganized, but it’s also full of life, culture, and things to do. Mexico City is an easy city to integrate into, is relatively inexpensive and makes a perfect home base when you’re a digital nomad. So here’s my digital nomad’s guide to Mexico City

About Living in Mexico City

Despite not having a beach nearby, Mexico City still makes my list as one of my favourite spots to live. It’s a sprawling city of millions and you feel it. However, with so many public parks, and excursions available, it makes escaping the city easy and manageable. Overall, for digital nomads, finding accommodation is quick and relatively inexpensive, digital nomad friendly cafe’s are everywhere, and a transit system that while flawed, is certainly well enough connected to get you to most parts of the city. For off days, there are museums, art exhibitions, sporting events and expat meetups all over the city, making Mexico City a really easy place to meet people

Cost of Living in Mexico City

Mexico City may not be the cheapest city in Mexico, there are plenty of options of all kinds for budgets

Cost of Rent

Obviously, this depends on where you want to live in the city, but you can expect monthly rent to range from as little as $500 usd per month to many thousands. It all depends on what you’re looking for and where. I lived in a small apartment in Centro close to the zocalo and metro and payed around $500 usd

Best Areas to Live in Mexico City

So, what are the best areas to live in? The trendiest neighbourhoods are Roma Norte and Condesa. You can expect higher rents here depending on the size of your home/apartment. Both Roma Norte and Condesa are close to transit, have many restaurants and street food to choose from and are safe parts of the city. Polanco is another wonderful part of the city. It is undeniably more upscale, close to Bosque Chapultepec and therefore a more expensive part of the city. Condos and apartments are what you’ll find here. Subsequently, most of these apartments are quite new as well.

How to Find Accommodations

The two best resources for finding accommodations are Airbnb (for immediate housing) and Facebook groups like CDMX Housing , Mexico City Foreigners, or Roomies CDMX. You can also just get your bearings for a month, find the neighbourhood that speaks to you and start looking for “For Rent” or “ para alquilar” in windows

Best Things to Do in Mexico City (as an expat)

Mexico City is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. There is always something to do here are some of my favourite things:

Sundays in the Park

Join all the locals in Bosque Chapultepec, one of the largest urban parks in the world. Come early to score one of the many hammocks around the park. Don’t forget to pack a lunch or a picnic, though you can always pick something up on the main walkway in the park, or on your way to the park. My favourite place to lounge for the day is right near the lake on the opposite side of the walking street. If you’re new to Mexico City, maybe you can combine a day in the park with a visit to Castillo Chapultepec. Keep in mind that Sunday is the most popular day to visit and if you don’t come before 10am you could be waiting a while in line. Good news is the line does move relatively quickly.

A Day trip to Coyoacan

I love running off to Coyoacan when I need a break from the craziness of Mexico City. Easily reached by public bus, Coyoacan has a lot to offer and will keep you coming back. From the Frida Kahlo museum (see below), the Trotsky museum (a really interesting piece of history from one of the most interesting men in history), a bike tour, or simply a stroll along the main plaza and the market. Try the tostadas here. They’re absolutely out of this world and will keep you coming back.

Visit a Museum

With such a rich history, it’s no surprise that Mexico City is home to some of the best museums.  My personal favourites are

Museo Nacional de Antropologia

This is one of my favourite museums in the world both for historical significance as well as design. The museum weaves from indoor to outdoor showcasing historic artifacts as well as ruins outdoors. The centerpiece is the waterfall on the ground floor centre of the museum

Museo Frida Kahlo, Casa Azul

This is one of the most popular museums in Mexico City and for good reason. A walk through Casa Azul is like walking through the life and history of Frida Kahlo. See her house the way it was as she lived there complete with gardens, fountains, her art room and of course her art. Get to know Mexico City through the eyes of one of its most famous residents.

Take a Food Tour

Learn how to eat the way the locals do with one of the best food tours you’ll find anywhere in the world. Join your local guide through the markets of Mexico City, try some sweet treats, street stalls that locals swear by and get local recommendations for restaurants and bars. Eat Like a Local Food tours is a female run business and supports small businesses in the city so you know you’re getting an authentic experience not just some tourist trap. Check out the tours offered by Eat Like a Local here

Lucho Libre

This may sound gimmicky, but the minute you set foot into a lucho libre match in Mexico City, you’ll see it’s not some tourist trap. Locals take this sport very seriously and its great fun. If you go with a tour your guides will explain some of the current story lines as well as the do’s and dont’s of attending a match. Great fun. I booked through this Airbnb experience

Food and Dining out in Mexico City

Best Restaurants

Pujol Tennyson 133, Polanco

This is the top restaurant in Mexico City and consistently rated in the top 10 restaurants in the world. Chef Enrique Olvera creates modern Mexican dishes using local indigenous ingredients and methods. The tasting menu is long and changes regularly. But no matter what’s on the menu you’re in for a treat. Getting a table here isn’t easy but worth a try if you can. 

Rosetta Colima 166, Roma Norte

This is another restaurant consistently rated among the best in the world. Rosetta focuses on using local seasonal ingredients, as well as local producers. The menu here changes regularly but the white mole is always on the menu (only what its paired with changes) and you need to give it a try.  Reservations here are a bit easier to come by but you should still reserve as far in advance as possible

Cafe Toscano Cda. Orizaba 42, Roma Norte

An unassuming small shop/bistro where not only can you pick up handmade Italian tapenades, pestos, and pastas. What got my attention here though was the fresh pesto sandwich and crisp glasses of rosé. Perfect after a hard days work.

Best Brunch/Bakeries

Panadaria Rosetta Colima 179, Roma Norte

The sister bakery to Rosetta, this is where all the breads and pastries for the restaurant are made. There are a couple of locations. The location in Puebla is less busy but has less seating, and the location in Roma Norte has more seating but fills up quickly so take your pick. My favourite things to order here are the doughnuts (try the flavour of the month), as well as the guava and cheese danish. Absolutely incredible

Lalo, Zacatecas 173, Roma Norte

Always busy, but not so busy that you need to wait very long for a table. My favourite dishes here are the French toast on homemade brioche which is absolutely drool inducing, as well as the croque madame, a truly worthwhile indulgence. Worth every calorie

Quisiera de Mi, Alfonso Reyes 164, Condesa

This place is all about the cheese and there’s no better dish (especially after a Friday or Saturday night out on the town) than chilaquiles. This is where you’ll find the best in the city. 

Best Street Food

El Pescadito, C. Atlixo 38, Condesa

These are some of the best fish and seafood tacos you’ll find outside of the pacific coast. Order at the fryer, grab a seat and dress your tacos with fresh salsas, and coleslaw. Wash it down with a crisp Pacifico. it’s like you’re at a seaside beach town. My favourites here were the shrimp as well as the shrimp and stuffed pepper taco.

Jenni’s Quesadillas, Merida 83, Roma Norte

I found this busy cart while working away at Tierra Garat on the other side of the glass. I was quickly distracted by the lines of satisfied faces eating freshly made quesadillas. Not a frown in sight. I put away my laptop for a lunch break and this place did not disappoint. All fillings are handmade and once they’re gone they’re gone so come early. My favourite was the mole as well as the cheese and zucchini flower. 

Los Cocuyos, Simon Bolivar 58, Centro Historico

This stand in the heart of the historic centre of CDMX was made popular by Anthony Bourdain. Here you’ll find a pot with a mix of different meats simmering together in what must be the most delicious broth that they should ladle up to sell. Tacos here are quite small so choose three that catch your eye. I loved the longaniza

La Esquina de Chilaquil, Alfonso Reyes 139

This street cart is only open during the day until they sell out. Here you’ll find fresh hoagies filled to the brim with saucy red or green chilaquiles.  Lineups start at 7am and they get long. During the week it’s full of office workers grabbing a bite before work or if they’re still open around noon for some lunch. On Sundays, the pedestrian lined streets mean an extra long line. Personally I loved taking mine to Chapultepec park for a little picnic. The best way to spend a Sunday 

Best Cafe’s to Work From 

What would a Digital Nomad’s Guide to Mexico City be without cafes to work from. Here are just a few of my favourites. But rest assured there are many more to choose from.

Blend Station, various locations

With several locations around the city, this is one of the most popular places for online workers to set up for the day. Fast wifi, good coffee, good light lunches and most importantly, power outlets everywhere. A reliable choice

Tierra Garat, Merida 183, Roma Norte

One of my favourite mornings is to grab a coffee and pastry at Panaderia Rosetta, then walk a few minutes down the road to Tierra Garat. Good coffee, many power outlets as well as a coworking table. When you get peckish, grab a quesadilla from Jenni’s Quesadillas. The best workday setup

Cafe Curado, Sinaloa 10, Roma Norte

This is my favourite cup of coffee in Mexico City. It’s not necessarily the most comfortable place to work for a long period of time (seats aren’t that comfortable to be honest), The coffee more than makes up for a sore bum. There are also plenty of power outlets inside

Baveno, Monterrey 194, Roma Norte

This is another one of my favourite spots in Roma Norte. A great cup of coffee with a delicious hearty breakfast (and some of the fluffiest pancakes in the city). They also serve tastings, and breakfast bagels. A great option if you’re hungry for breakfast but need to get to work

Freims, Amsterdam 62B, Hipodromo

This is a one of my favourite places to eat in Condesa. It’s a great place to bring your laptop but does get a bit lively so it’s not ideal if you get easily distracted. It’s ideal if you’re doing some brainstorming and love to people watch for inspiration

Transportation

Mexico City has one of the most extensive transit systems, though getting from A to B outside of the downtown core can be a hassle. But for the most part, if you’re commuting from the historic centre to Roma Norte, to Condesa it’s easy peasy. Rides are about 20 cents USD. Be careful for pickpocketers during rush hours, as well as being hit by people running to get into the trains.

Womens Safety

Womens cars are always the last two or three cars of the train. It makes such a difference to travel in these cars if you’re a woman. The other cars get packed and groping is a huge problem. In the women’s only cars it’s just one less thing to worry about. Plus they’re usually less crowded.

Is Mexico City Safe?

Mexico city is a wonderful place to live. It’s important to remember it’s one of the biggest cities in the world and with that comes a lot of people and the same problems other cities experience on a larger scale. Mostly petty crime like pickpockets. People being attacked at night. Be smart, and vigilant and you’ll have less of a chance to be a victim of crime in the city. 

Stay away from small streets and markets at night. Centro can be especially sketchy at night. Try to use Uber at night rather than public transportation.

Pros and Cons of Living in Mexico City

What is the Visa Situation?

A digital nomad visa currently exists, however the requirements may be out of reach for many applicants. The best visa still remains the tourist visa or if you really plan to stay long term, the temporary resident visa is a lot less strict. For more information you can visit Citizen Remote

Conclusion

Honestly, Mexico City has so much to offer digital nomads and makes a great base for residing long term. Personally, this if it wasn’t for the hot summers and lack of beaches I’d move back in a heartbeat. Hope you enjoyed this Digital Nomad’s Guide to Mexico City.