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Guide
Essentials
🏙️ City | Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, known for its rich history and vibrant culture. |
👥 Population | Approximately 9 million in the metropolitan area. |
💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 60 Mbps. |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 18.20 MXN (as of April 2025), and banking options include Banorte, BBVA, and Citibanamex. |
🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
🔌 Power | 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T, with prepaid SIM cards available at convenience stores. |
💳 Banking for Expats | International cards accepted widely, but it's advisable to have a local account for transactions. |
🛌 Accommodation | Options range from Airbnb to local rentals via platforms like Homie and Blim. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely, especially in urban areas. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local services like Spotahome and Nestpick are popular. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Suites DF is an affordable option with dormitory and private rooms. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Condesa and Roma are popular for their parks, cafes, and nightlife. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Polanco and Condesa are highly recommended for extended stays due to their amenities and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork offers excellent coworking spaces in multiple locations including Insurgentes and Roma. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Avellaneda in Roma is a favorite for remote workers, offering good coffee and ample seating. |
💼 Networking Events | Meetups and tech events can be found on platforms like Meetup.com and Eventbrite. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the Mexicans in Tech Facebook group for community events and networking opportunities. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Didi are widely used for convenient rides. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicipublico offers bike rentals throughout the city, while apps like Lime provide electric scooters. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Acapulco is approximately 4 hours away by car and is one of the closest beaches. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | Volaris is a major regional carrier for domestic flights. |
✈️ Top International Airline | Aeromexico offers extensive international routes from Mexico City. |
🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include the Mexico-Puebla and Mexico-Querétaro. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Benito Juárez International Airport serves as the main transit hub. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metro tickets cost around 5 MXN, and Metrobus cards are rechargeable for convenience. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains are available for nearby cities such as Puebla and Cuernavaca. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital de Especialidades is among the top private healthcare facilities. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Bikram Yoga Mexico City in Roma offers classes for all levels. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Sport City are popular fitness chains with multiple locations. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Lava Express offers fast laundry services across various neighborhoods. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | Rappi and Uber Eats are the most popular food delivery apps. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Tacos al pastor is a must-try traditional dish. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan options can be found at restaurants like Ramen Ya and Pan Comido. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Churros El Moro in Centro is famous for its delicious churros. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Markets like La Merced offer fresh produce and local goods at low prices. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon Mexico provides a wide range of products for online shopping. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Superama and Amazon Fresh are reliable options for grocery deliveries. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Zona Rosa and Condesa are popular nightlife districts with many bars and clubs. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Cervecería de Barrio is known for its craft beers and tours. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Bottega are great wine bars to enjoy Mexican and international wines. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors around Plaza Garibaldi serve up tasty local eats. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Tacos El Caminero offer international dishes alongside local staples. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Zócalo, Chapultepec Park, and the National Palace are essential to visit. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo Frida Kahlo and Palacio de Bellas Artes are top cultural attractions. |
🏰 Historical Sites | Teotihuacan Pyramids, located about 30 km from the city, are a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
🕍 Religious Sites | The Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe are significant religious landmarks. |
🎉 Annual Events | Festival de México en el Centro Histórico showcases arts and culture every spring. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | Roma and Condesa are well-known cultural areas with a vibrant arts scene. |
🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Degollado hosts a variety of performances year-round. |
🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado de San Juan is famous for its gourmet foods and local products. |
🎼 Music Scene | Venues like Foro Sol host major concerts and events. |
🎨 Street Art | The neighborhood of La Roma has an abundance of murals and street art. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Learn authentic Mexican cuisine at Casa Jacaranda's cooking classes. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería OMR features contemporary art and hosts various exhibitions. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palacio de Bellas Artes is an iconic historic building worth visiting. |
🏴 Local Heritage | The Aztec heritage can be explored at numerous archaeological sites throughout the city. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Desierto de los Leones national park offers hiking trails and scenic views. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parque Nacional Izta-Popo is about 70 km away, perfect for a day trip. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Chapultepec Park has extensive walking and cycling paths. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | El Castillo de Chapultepec offers stunning views of the city. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Xochimilco is known for its unique ecosystem and birdwatching opportunities. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in national parks allow for campfires, check local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and FedEx operate throughout Mexico City for shipping needs. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit offers reliable tech repair services in multiple locations. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Check out the community centers in La Condesa for ping pong tables. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Berlitz offers various language learning programs for expatriates. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Vasconcelos is a central library and study spot. |
🏘️ Community Centers | The Casa de la Cultura is a great cultural hub for events and workshops. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Manticore Gaming Lounge hosts events for gamers of all types. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Life offers gaming options and live entertainment. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 35,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,400,000 MXN). |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 25,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,000,000 MXN). |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 32,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,920,000 MXN). |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 22,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,320,000 MXN). |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 30,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,400,000 MXN). |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 20,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,600,000 MXN). |
💼 Corporate Tax | 30% is the standard corporate tax rate. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% is applied to dividend distributions. |
🏦 Tax System | Residency is taxed on worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed on Mexican-sourced income. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% is the maximum personal income tax rate. |
🧾 VAT | 16% is the standard Value Added Tax rate. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, foreign subsidiaries must adhere to CFC regulations. |
🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on the municipal property value. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approximately 2% on property transactions. |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Mexico offers an attractive tax scheme, especially for foreign freelancers with the right permits. |