Why visit
Mexico City is pre-Aztec, colonial, and cutting-edge at once. Zócalo, Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul, Teotihuacan ruins 40 minutes out, Roma Norte restaurants, and Xochimilco's canals.
Mexico City at a glance
City population
9.2 million
Metro: 22.3 million
Elevation
2,240 m
7,349 ft
Time zone
UTC-6 (UTC-5 DST)
America/Mexico_City
Airport
MEX
Benito Juárez International
Founded
1325 (Tenochtitlan)
Getting around
Metro (12 lines), Metrobús, Cablebús (cable car), Ecobici bikeshare
Signature dish
Tacos al pastor, mole poblano, pozole, chilaquiles, pambazo
Neighborhoods for travelers
RomaCondesaCoyoacánPolancoCentro Histórico
Mexico at a glance
Country center
23.0°, -102.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
1,964,375 km²
758,449 mi²
Country population
128.5 million
65/km²
Subregion
North America
Currency
Mexican peso ($)
MXN
Dial
+52
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Mexican
Internet
.mx
UN
Member state
ISO code
MX / MEX
Where in the world
23.0° · -102.0°
Mexico
Open in Google Maps ↗
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Mexico City sits at 2,240 m altitude: expect shortness of breath for the first day.
- The city is built on a drained lake (Lake Texcoco) and is sinking up to 50 cm per year in places.
- The National Autonomous University has 350,000 students: one of the largest universities in the world.
- Mexico City is slowly sinking: up to 50 cm per year in some districts: because it was built on a drained lakebed.
- Mexico has 34 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: more than any other country in the Americas.
Bordering Mexico
Traveler notes
- CDMX altitude (2,250 m). Acclimatize for a day
- Museum of Anthropology is world-class
- Tacos al pastor, mole poblano, tlayudas
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Mexico City
What currency is used in Mexico City?
Mexico City uses the Mexican peso ($), ISO code MXN.
What languages are spoken in Mexico?
The primary language is Spanish.
What is the international calling code for Mexico?
The calling code is +52.
What airport serves Mexico City?
Benito Juárez International (IATA: MEX).
Is Mexico City at high altitude?
Yes, Mexico City sits at 2,240 m (7,349 ft). Give yourself a day or two to acclimatize.
Other North America destinations
Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad & Tobago is a destination in North America with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.
United States
The United States is 50 separate countries in one. New York and New Orleans, national parks at Yellowstone and Zion, California coast, Texas barbecue, and the Pacific Northwest. Pick a region; don't try the whole thing.
New York City
New York is Manhattan's grid from Battery Park to Harlem, plus four outer boroughs. MoMA, Met, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Broadway, and a food scene that doesn't finish.
Los Angeles
LA is Venice Beach and Santa Monica, Hollywood and Griffith Observatory, LACMA and the Getty, Little Tokyo and K-Town, plus mountain hikes in minutes from the coast.
San Francisco
San Francisco is the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Mission murals, Ferry Building, Chinatown, and a short drive to Muir Woods redwoods or Napa wine country.
Chicago
Chicago is deep-dish pizza, the Art Institute, Millennium Park's Bean, Wrigley Field, and Lake Michigan beaches + Chicago Architecture Foundation river cruises.