Mexico City for Expats
Mexico City is one of the most vibrant, exciting, and culturally-rich cities in the world – a great destination for expats and digital expats looking to live an adventure in a unique country. With its diverse population, Mexico City trully offers something for everyone; from historical sites and attractions that reflect Mexico’s long history to modern restaurants, shops, and plenty of cultural activities.
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Mexico City is full of things to do for expats looking for an exciting adventure. One of the best parts of living in Mexico City is being able to explore a variety of cultures and experiences from one city. You can visit historic Aztec ruins, learn about Mexican culture at the many museums, or explore the bustling markets and bazaars that are full of delicious food and artisan crafts.
For those who love music and art, you’ll never run out of options in Mexico City. From concerts at the iconic Palacio de Bellas Artes to outdoor art galleries like La Bola Park, you won’t have any trouble finding something that appeals to your tastes. If you’re looking for more low-key activities, there’s plenty of parks and gardens throughout the city where you can relax with a good book.
For those looking for culinary adventures, Mexico City offers some of the best cuisine around the world. You can sample traditional dishes from street vendors or head to one of many renowned restaurants featuring innovative chef-driven menus that meld together unique flavors from all over Mexico.
Make sure you also read our detailed safety guide for Mexico City.
Sports fans will also find plenty to enjoy in Mexico City – it is home to several teams across several different sports including football (soccer), basketball, baseball, and even American football! You’ll also find plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking or rock climbing in some very beautiful natural locations near the city center as well as great surfing spots along Mexico’s coastline.
All in all, whether it’s sightseeing, shopping, eating out or taking part in organized activities; there’s no shortage of things to do in this dynamic metropolis!
Mexico City is a mecca for expats looking to explore and experience the city’s vibrant culture and energy. From the historic center of downtown to up-and-coming residential areas, there are plenty of neighborhoods that expats can choose from. For those looking to be close to the hustle and bustle of downtown, Condesa, Polanco, Roma Norte, Juarez, and La Roma are all great options.
Condesa is one of the oldest areas in Mexico City, with its tree-lined streets and unique architecture providing an atmosphere unlike any other. It’s full of cafes, restaurants, parks and galleries. Along with plenty of activities to keep you busy during the day and nightlife destinations like bars and clubs for night owls, Condesa offers an ideal setting for expats who want to live in a lively area close to downtown.
Roma Norte is one of the most popular districts among locals and foreigners alike. Located just north of Condesa (hence the ‘Norte’), this trendy neighborhood has a bohemian vibe with its leafy plazas, colorful street art, independent stores, chic restaurants and abundant nightlife spots. It’s also well connected by public transportation so you won’t have trouble getting around.
Juarez is a great choice for those who prefer a quieter neighborhood but still want easy access to Mexico City’s downtown attractions. Here you’ll find charming colonial architecture as well as coffee shops with outdoor seating perfect for meeting friends or working on projects while enjoying views of nearby Chapultepec Park – one of Mexico City’s largest parks which spans over two thousand acres!
Finally, La Roma is another popular area among expats due to its eclectic atmosphere and abundance of cultural activities throughout the year such as music festivals or food markets held every weekend at Parque España near Roma Norte station. In addition to being surrounded by lively bars, upscale restaurants and excellent public transportation links it has some great green spaces like Parque Chapultepec where you can relax amid nature after a long day exploring Mexico City sights!
Cost of living in Mexico City is surprisingly affordable for expats. The city has a good mix of economic options from low-end to mid-range, making it easy to find something within your budget. You can find great deals on accommodation, food, transport, and entertainment.
Accommodation: Mexico City offers a variety of housing options including private apartments, shared flats and luxurious condos. Prices vary depending on the location and amenities provided but generally range from as low as $200 USD per month for a basic studio apartment to upwards of $1,000 USD for luxury residences with all the bells and whistles.
Food & Drinks: Eating out in Mexico City isn’t too expensive either. It’s easy to find good quality meals at restaurants around the city center for around 150 pesos ($7 USD). Street food also abounds with amazing tacos priced anywhere between 20-50 pesos (around $1-$2 USD). If you want to stay stocked up with groceries you can find great deals at supermarkets like Walmart or Sams Club where prices are lower than what you’d pay in most countries.
Transportation: Getting around Mexico City is fairly straightforward thanks to its extensive public transportation system which includes buses, metro lines and taxis. Bus fares cost around 5 pesos ($0.25 USD) while metro tickets start from 12-$20 pesos (depending on the distance). An alternative option is Uber which is available throughout most areas in the city – it’s usually cheaper than regular taxis and you don’t have to worry about having exact change!
Entertainment: There are plenty of attractions that won’t break the bank in Mexico City such as visiting some of the city’s historical sites like Chapultepec Castle or exploring one of its many museums like the Frida Kahlo Museum or Museo Nacional de Antropologia e Historia. Music concerts are an especially popular form of entertainment – ticket prices range from just 100-200 pesos ($4-$8 USD) depending on the artist or venue. Additionally, if you’re looking for more relaxed activities there’s always something going on in one of Mexico City’s many parks such as Chapultepec Park where free outdoor movies are often shown during summer months!
When it comes to day-to-day living expenses Mexico City can be surprisingly affordable if you know where to look; from cheap tacos on the street corner to bargain boutiques selling clothing items at low prices.
Furthermore Mexico has some great cultural events year round such as the Feria de Chapultepec – an annual fair with rides and entertainment – or the International Mariachi Festival taking place every fall.
Overall Mexico City is an incredible place for any expat looking for a new adventure in this amazing country! With its vibrant culture, great food scene and wide variety of activities Mexico City is sure to be an unforgettable experience! Just be mindful of the high elevation of Mexico City as it can cause altitude sickness for the first few days.
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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