La Ciudad de México! Frequently referred to as CDMX. I don’t know if I could love a city more than I love Mexico City. This is a haven for all people and digital nomads alike. There is plenty to do no matter your flavor, the streets are green, walkable, and covered in cute coffee shops. Most importantly, it’s super affordable.

I brought my family to Mexico for a week and they said their favorite thing about the city was how kind the people are. Even if your Spanish is rusty, they are the nicest and most helpful people I have come across.

I spent many afternoons and evenings at tea shops, coffee shops or wine bars just reading my book or playing Dominoes with friends. Mexico City is a vibe.

AND the food is absolutely incredible.

But let’s start with what to do and then tips on the digital nomad life!

TO-DO:

  1. EL CENTRO
    • Do a free walking tour when you get there so you’ll learn the history and significance of all these places!
    • Zócalo
    • Catedral
    • Palacio de Bellas Artes
      • See the mural Diego Rivera made for President JFK but JFK would not allow it!
    • Palacio Postal
      • Still serving as a post office, the palacio holds the first elevator ever built in Mexico. Full of gold and European inspired architecture.
    • Templo Mayor
      • The temple of the original people of Mexico City, Tenochtitlan.
    • Secretaría de Educación Pública
      • If you want to see more Diego Rivera, this is the place to go.
    • La Lagunilla
      • Every Sunday there’s a market near Centro that you MUST visit. And you MUST visit while hungry 😉 There are first hand and second hand clothing vendors, food, and drinks!
      • Uber to this monument and walk in from there. Careful getting lost, it can get confusing.
  2. THE Teotihuacan PYRAMIDS
    • These are the second largest pyramids in the world after the pyramids in Egypt!
    • Head to the North Bus Terminal for round trip tickets costing you only a few dollars.
The pyramids!
  1. COYOACAN
    • Located in Coyoacan, Casa Azul was Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s original home. Learning about Frida in the place she cherished most was beautiful. Make sure to get tickets in advance, they were selling out at least a week in advance when I was looking.
    • Walk around the town and check out their local markets!
  2. XOCHIMILCO
    • Best to go with a group of people and don’t be a rookie and BRING A SPEAKER, some snacks, and some drinks. You can also buy some snacks while on the boat (tacos, elote, etc.).
  3. Chapultepec Park
    • Famous castle. Walk around one of the largest city parks before heading over to the fancy streets of Polanco.
  4. Parque Mexico
    • I stayed near Parque Mexico so I spent a lot of my time here but I wish I could move next to this park. There’s a dog park full of pups, I could watch them all day. There’s a center where people play games, hang out with friends, or practice a skill. Plenty of amazing cafes and places to sit down around it.
    • If you end up going, check out my favorite cafe Cafe la Selva. And you must try the Churros at El Moro.
  5. Basílica de Guadalupe
    • This is the second most visited Christian holy site IN THE WORLD. On the saint’s day, December 12th, over 10 million people migrate to this Basilica. If you’re not familiar with the Christian religion, definitely do some googling before and head over. I went to a service that was only 25 minutes long and I loved it.
  6. LUCHA LIBRE SHOW
    • Tickets on Ticketmaster are pretty cheap. A fun evening activity.
  7. WALK THE STREETS OF CONDESA
  8. WALK THE MILLION DOLLAR MILE
    • Polanco is an extravagant wealthy neighborhood full of designer shops, the Ritz, and expensive taste. If you’re in Polanco, Esperanza has the best bread and baked goods. For an unreal dinner in fancy town, head to La Unica. 
  9. VISIT ONE OF THE MANY MUSEUMS

If you have time…

You have to visit San Miguel. It’s about a 4 hour drive. I booked a bus from the North Bus Terminal (Primera Plus) a few days in advance. This was honestly the best bus ride I’ve ever experienced. Clean and super comfortable. Once you arrive, you can walk into town from the bus stop or take a quick taxi.

Unfortunately or fortunately, I ate and drank my way through the town.

San Miguel cobblestone streets

Some things I really enjoyed:

  • Watch the sunset at El Mirador!
  • Check out Baradero for some salsa dancing
  • Shop at the Mercado de Artesanías
  • Get a drink at Luna
  • Get a massage at one of the many spas!

Living as a Digital Nomad

  • A great city to explore as a digital nomad!
  • The wifi for the most part is reliable. Just be sure to confirm the network speed with your accommodation. There are PLENTY of coworking places and cute coffee shops.
  • Groceries are easy to find. If you’re near Condesa, there’s a great market every Tuesday with fresh produce, meat, snacks, and Mexican toys.
  • Vegan/veggie options are plentiful! Even places that sell Mexican style vegan meat.
  • I stayed in the Roma Sur area near Parque Mexico. In general, many people recommend the Condesa/Roma area.
  • Lot’s of digital nomad meetups and an easy place to make friends.
  • The best deals and street vendors are usually cash only so make sure to stop by your local ATM.
  • If you like to journal or keep a planner, I highly recommend checking out Apuntes.

$$$$

MONEY MONEY MONEY -ABBA

$$$$

AVOID AIRBNB IF YOU CAN. THE TAXES ARE INSANE. I’ve heard of people finding a place for as little as $500/month. On Airbnb, I paid $1300 for a two bedroom right in the heart of Roma Sur. I would say expect between $500-2000.

Groceries – shopping at the markets and getting only a few things from the grocery stores. $150/month

Going out – this is a big city, so prices can be similar to the US but it’s still Mexico so you can find reasonable places. Cocktails at a nice bar are maybe $10. A beer at a cheap place is maybe $3. Going out 1-2 times a week, probably $150/month. But I rarely go out and drink so maybe higher for others. 

Uber was my main source of transportation. Going from place to place that isn’t walking distance probably adds up to like $30/month. They are really cheap and worth it. If you’re looking to do some short weekend trips, the North Bus Terminal has a lot of cheap bus rides to what feels like almost everywhere.

Overall, I could live in Mexico City long term. It has everything I look for in a home and more. I can’t wait to go back and I hope you get the chance to make it there soon! Happy traveling

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