Essentials
- Internet Speed
- Average 60-150 Mbps; Fiber optic widely available via TotalPlay and Izzi
- Currency & Banking
- Mexican Peso (MXN). 1 USD ≈ 17.50 MXN, 1 EUR ≈ 19.00 MXN
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water or 'garrafones' (20L jugs)
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Casai (curated apartments), and Facebook groups like 'Apartments for Rent in CDMX'
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in Roma/Condesa; cash (Pesos) essential for street food and markets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Selina (Condesa/Virreyes), and Sonder
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Home (Roma Norte), Casa Pepe (Centro Historico) approx. $20-35 USD/night
- Population
- Approx. 22,000,000 (Greater Metropolitan Area)
- SIM Card
- Telcel (best coverage), AT&T Mexico, or Bait (best value). 10GB for approx. $25 USD
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Histórico for history, Polanco for luxury shopping and museums
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Roma Norte, Condesa, Coyoacán, and Juárez
- City
- Mexico City (CDMX), Mexico
- Banking for Expats
- BBVA Mexico, Santander, and digital banks like Nu Mexico or Revolut
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (most reliable), Didi (cheaper), or InDrive
- Best Beach Nearby
- Acapulco (5-hour drive or 1-hour flight) or Puerto Escondido (1-hour flight)
- Top Regional Airline
- Volaris and VivaAerobus (low cost)
- Public Transport Passes
- Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada - $1 USD for card; works for Metro, Metrobus, and Cablebús
- Regional Travel
- Executive buses: ADO (East), ETN or Primera Plus (West/North)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Ecobici (City-run bike share) - Annual pass approx. $30 USD; Individual days available
- Top International Airline
- Aeromexico (based at AICM Hub)
- Highway Access
- Connects via Autopista del Sol (95D) to South and Circuito Exterior Mexiquense (A-1)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Buenavista Station (Suburbano train) and TAPO (Main Eastward bus terminal)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- ABC Medical Center (Santa Fe or Observatorio) - English speaking, JCI accredited
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Loft (Roma Norte), Mukta Yoga (Condesa) - Approx. $15 USD per drop-in
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Smart Fit (Everywhere - $30/mo), Sports World (Premium - $80/mo)
- Laundry Services
- Lavenderías (Wash & Fold) found on every block - Approx. $5 USD per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Rappi (most popular), UberEats, and Didi Food
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Tacos al Pastor (El Tizoncito or El Vilsito), Chilaquiles, and Mole Poblano
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Por Siempre Vegana Taquería (Roma), Gold Taco (Narvarte)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Churrería El Moro (Multiple locations), Pastelería Ideal (Centro)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Medellín (Roma Sur), Mercado de San Juan (Gourmet items)
- Wine Bars
- Loup Bar (Roma Norte), Hugo (Condesa/Roma border)
- Street Food Stalls
- Tacos Joven (Narvarte), Tamales on corners of Av. Insurgentes
- Grocery Delivery
- Cornershop (by Uber), Jüsto (Online only supermarket)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- La Roma (Trendy bars), Juárez (Speakeasies like 'Hanky Panky')
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre (Fastest), Amazon Mexico
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Cru-Cru (Roma Norte), Falling Piano Brewing Co. (Roma)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Masala y Maiz (East African/Indian fusion), Rosetta (Italian-influenced Mexican)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Zócalo, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Chapultepec Castle
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Nacional de Antropología, Soumaya Museum, Frida Kahlo Museum
- Religious Sites
- Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Metropolitan Cathedral
- Annual Events
- Día de Muertos (Nov), Vive Latino (March), Zona Maco Art Fair (Feb)
- Cultural Districts
- Coyoacán (Bohemian), San Ángel (Artistic/Traditional)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Metropólitan, Auditorio Nacional
- Local Markets
- Bazar Sábado (San Ángel), Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela
- Music Scene
- Mariachi at Plaza Garibaldi, Jazz at Zinco Jazz Club
- Street Art
- Murales by Diego Rivera at SEP or Palacio Nacional
- Cooking Classes
- Casa Jacaranda (Roma Norte), Aura Cocina Mexicana
- Art Galleries
- Kurimanzutto (San Miguel Chapultepec), OMR (Roma)
- Historic Buildings
- Casa de los Azulejos, Palacio de Correos
- Local Heritage
- The 'Chinampas' (floating gardens) of Xochimilco
- Historical Sites
- Templo Mayor (Aztec ruins), Tlatelolco (Plaza de las Tres Culturas)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Desierto de los Leones, Los Dinamos Eco-Park
- National Parks Nearby
- Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl National Park (Hiking high-altitude volcanoes)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Reforma Avenue (closed to cars on Sundays for biking), Chapultepec Park
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Torre Latinoamericana (44th floor), Castillo de Chapultepec
- Birdwatching Locations
- Reserva Ecológica del Pedregal de San Ángel (REPSA)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping zones in Ajusco National Park
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Estafeta, DHL Mexico, Fedex (Main offices in Zona Rosa)
- Tech Repair Services
- Fix It (In most malls), Plaza de la Tecnología (Eje Central for cheap repairs)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Pins & Pon (Coyoacán), many public parks in Condesa
- Language Classes
- CEPE UNAM (Polanco/CU), Walk and Talk Mexico City
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Vasconcelos (Architectural marvel), Biblioteca Nacional de México
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural de España en México (Centro)
- Gaming Lounges
- Arena The Place to Play (Various Malls like Antara or Perisur)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Life (Del Valle), Codere Royal Yak (Hipódromo de las Américas)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $192,000 USD in Condesa/Roma)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 USD in Lindavista)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $270,000 USD in Juarez/Cuauhtemoc)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,000 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000 USD in Iztapalapa/Environs)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $336,000 USD in Polanco/Anzures)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $144,000 USD in State of Mexico boundaries)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate of 30%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for individuals/foreign residents
- Tax System
- Residence-based taxation; Residents pay on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% for individuals
- VAT
- 16% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to 'preferential tax regimes' (REFIPES)
- Property Tax
- Predial - annual tax (relatively low, based on cadastral value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- ISAI (Tax on acquisition) ranges from 2% to 5% depending on the state/municipality
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Generally no special 0% nomad tax, but Mexico has many double taxation treaties
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Publico (Multiple locations in Roma/Juarez) - Approx. $250 USD/month
- Social Events for Expats
- Foreigners in Mexico City Facebook Group; Internations CDMX events
- Best Cafe for Work
- Blend Station (Condesa), Cardinal Casa de Café (Roma), Blend Station (Puebla 237)
- Networking Events
- Friday Digital Nomad Meetups at Selina Rooftop; CreativeMornings Mexico City