I recently spent almost two weeks in Mexico City on a solo trip, and am already thinking of planning a return trip to discover more of the city! Even with 11 full days (or 10 since I got food poisoning one day), I feel like I barely scratched the surface of the city. I mainly wanted to wander around, get lost and explore the city at my leisure, so I really did not plan much in advance of my trip. I also met up with a friend for drinks my first few nights, as she was visiting with her sister during the beginning of my trip, but I spent most of my time alone and really loved it! I could have easily spent another few MONTHS there and not gotten bored. If you are planning a trip but are not sure if you should go alone, or want to save a few spots to visit before you get there, then keep reading for all of my recommendations!
Before You Go
As a solo female traveler, I have a lot of experience exploring different places alone and rarely worry about safety. However, not everyone feels the same and prefers knowing some tips in advance, so I will give you a few based on my experience! If you want general safety tips for solo travelers, check out this blog post, but keep reading for tips specific to Mexico City.
Out of the three places I stayed, the one I did NOT feel safe in was the one right next to La Ciudadela (I did not feature it here because I ended up also getting bed bugs there and am still in the process of fighting with the host to get my money back!). I had read in another blog post that the area surrounding La Ciudadela is not safe at night (it closes at 7) and that Centro in general can be dangeous, especially at night. In my experience, I walked home from Centro as the sun was setting one night, and found myself on some pretty shady looking streets and was in fact a bit sketched out. I also walked to get dinner a few blocks away from this AirBnb another night, and was warned by the bartender I was chatting with to be careful getting home that night.
Almost every single local I spoke to was extremely nice and friendly, but not everyone has good intentions. I would also say that the further you go from the city center, where there are fewer tourists, the more likely you are to become a target of some petty crime. This is something that applies to any city, but given how big Mexico City is, I would say just keep your wits about you and stick to the more central areas if you are alone. Overall, I did feel very safe in CDMX as a solo female traveler and highly recommend going!
Cafes
I listed this section first because Mexico City’s cafe culture is ELITE! There are endless options of cafes on every single street, and I thoroughly enjoyed wandering around and discovering new ones. Use this guide as a place to start, but definitely get lost wandering around and finding others on your own as well!
I cannot describe how passionately in LOVE with this cafe I am!!! I was looking for it in Condesa and then decided to stop into the new Andaz hotel to look around, only to discover it was INSIDE the Andaz! The decor was so beautiful – art deco and MCM and pastel – but the incredible architecture of the roof and all the sunlight streaming through made the vibe so tranquil. I could have spent the entire day here enjoying my matcha latte!!!!
Aside from Derba Matcha, this was the only other cafe I found dedicated to matcha, and they went all out! They had tons of different matcha drink options on their menu, a wall of tea and matcha supplies, and a beautiful mural of (what I imagine was) a matcha field on the wall. I also love that they serve the drinks in traditional chawans! I did find their matcha to be pretty bitter though to be honest, but I would go back and try again.
I loved this place so much I ended up coming here twice! I only got an iced matcha latte with oat milk both times, but they have a great selection of pastries, desserts and a full breakfast/lunch menu. Make sure you sit on the street patio for the jungle vibes and people watching!
This cafe has the perfect chill vibes during the day, and at night there are DJs that come in to play music. I came here with a friend for brunch and ordered the salmon bagel – with avocado instead of cream cheese (I don’t eat dairy) – as well as a matcha latte. Both were absolutely delicious!
I stopped by this cafe for some avocado toast before walking around Juarez. I had avocado toast several times during my trip due to my stomach being sensitive after getting food poisoning, and this one was by far the best! They did not serve matcha here, which is why I did not get a drink, but I heard the coffee is good.
This spot was super cute and had a very aesthetic patio and cute pink mugs (which is definitely NOT why I chose to go there 😅), but I wasn’t blown away by the matcha or food. I also ended up having bad luck and being surrounded by English speakers (I am half American and speak English as my native language, but was speaking only Spanish during my trip and didn’t want to hear English, as I found it both annoying on my last day in CDMX and also very distracting while trying to journal). I love the area of Condesa that this cafe is located, so I recommend giving it a try if you are nearby!
I passed this spot while walking around on my last day and saved it as a must try for next time! It is a super cute cafe attached to a yoga studio. Highly recommend trying out (and report back if you do!)
This is another spot I passed by in Condesa and saved on my must-visit list for next time. They specialize in a large variety of conchas and have a super cute pink and sage green aesthetic which is SO me!
Restaurants
Mexico City is also home to an impressive array of restaurants. As the largest city in North America, it boasts a diverse selection of every type of cuisine imaginable. Surprisingly – considering this city is nowhere near the ocean – there were also tons of raw fish options on most menus, as well as seafood-only restaurants. I ended up getting food poisoning from raw fish at Yemanya and avoiding it the rest of my trip, but there are tons of options for every palate if you aren’t comfortable with it either!
This is hands down one of the prettiest restaurants I’ve EVER been to! The vibes were screaming Tulum, and they were playing super chill lounge/Bossa Nova music when I went, which contributed to the relaxing vacation vibes. I will admit I went purely for the aesthetics, but was blown away by how amazing the food, drinks AND service were! The bartender I befriended not only let me try some zero proof liquor made in Mexico and made me a complimentary matcha latte to go, but he also gave me a number for a driver I ended up using the next day to get to the pyramids in Teotihuacan. 1000/10!
I came here for lunch on my first full day and loved everything I got! I ordered the Vecino juice with pear, lime, cucumber and cardamom and the Moroccan salmon bowl, which I modified by removing the yogurt and adding a lemon garlic dressing and hummus. The outdoor street patio was such a vibe on its own, but the music coming from the record store next door just added to it even more!
I came here completely by accident after trying to visit one of the restaurants below, which was having water issues (??), but I am so glad I did! The vibe was super moody and rustic, and the menu had a declious selection of Mediterranean food. I ended up ordering the fried sardines and the grilled romaine salad, which blew my mind because of how good it was! I also ordered some type of citrus fizz mocktail, which was so good I ordered another one. Even the complimentary bread was amazing! Would definitely recommend this as a pre-night out stop if you are meeting up with friends, or sitting at the bar like I did.
Two of my friends recommended this spot and I read about it online a few times, so I figured it was worth a try! The decor inside was also rustic and it also had a mediterranean menu, but it was giving me more brunch vibes than the other spot (which is exactly what I had). I ordered an off menu mocktail, sweet potato and legume salad and lamb kebabs (which came served inside of a pita taco). All of them were delicious! I sat at the bar, which I recommend if you are dining alone, as I made a friend there.
Located a block away from Lardo on a lush and tranquil street in Condesa, this restaurant feels like such a little escape! They offer creative twists on Mexican cuisine, and emphasize the color and presentation of all their offerings. I ordered a super overpriced but delicious ceviche starter (this was before food poisoning haha) and a delicious herby mocktail. This spot is pricey but a nice option for a splurge!
I passed by here my first night and ended up coming for dinner after sending back the dish I got food poisoning from (I am sure it was that dish because the raw fish immediately tasted sketchy!), and was so happy I did! I ordered the kimchi dumplings, cucumber salad and another herby tonic/mocktail. The vibe feels very lowkey and neighborhood-y, and the menu had so many other great options!
I stopped here for dinner on my first night because it looked like the most old-school authentic taco spot around. I was shocked at how much I loved the agua de jamaica and ordered a few different tacos without really knowing what they were, and loving them all! This is a great, cheap option if you are staying in Roma Norte, especially if you are going to one of the bars nearby after.
I met my friends here after getting dinner at the spot above, then came back the next night. They are a taco spot that only serves chicken, and specializes in rotisserie chicken (both whole and in tacos). I thought their tacos, sauces and agua frescas were all delicious! I also loved the minimalist sage green aesthetic (sorry not sorry, I am a sucker for aesthetics!)
This was also a happy accident spot (I love finding spots that way!) after my first choice was closed. It is a huge two-story eatery full of different options for Latino food, drinks and dessert, with live music every night (either a DJ or a band). You have to order from a QR code menu – which I had trouble loading – instead of directly from each vendor. This part kind of bothered me at first, but it makes the food hall less chaotic! In the end it was worth the trouble, because the mocktail I ordered was great and the food was so delicious I legit INHALED it! I also may have been a bit hangry before ordering it 😅
I had this spot saved for chilaquiles, as they specialize in that, but unfortunately did not make it there during this trip. They have a cute little patio in the Roma Norte neighborhood, so it would be a great option for brunch!
Another spot I passed by and did not get to check out on this trip. The interior had a gorgeous plant filled courtyard, and the menu sounded great!
This is the spot I tried going to but ended up having some water issues that night. I was disappointed, because their Asian fusion menu sounded amazing and it was actually super cute inside too!
I passed by this adorable spot on the way to Centro one day, and saved it for my next trip. From their Instagram, it looks like they serve a variety of Mexican brunch and lunch dishes, with delicious desserts!
Dessert
I noticed the adorable pink exterior and stopped in here on my way to Lardo to see if they had any vegan flavors, and was delighted to find out that they are ALL vegan! That is so rare, even in the states! I had the matcha and coconut flavors, which were delicious and went so well together.
You can’t go to Mexico City without a trip to this famous churros spot! I first went to the location in Centro, which I knew was an iconic and historic landmark that originally opened in 1935, but I did not realize there were so many locations around the city. I personally preferred the one in Condesa, as it had a much more relaxing vibe, but I would also recommend checking out the one in Roma Norte. The churros are pretty big, so just one or two is perfect for one person!
There is nothing I saw recommended more in CDMX travel guides than this bakery, and it was even recommended by a friend who spent a month there last summer. I actively avoided a lot of the spots I saw in multiple blog posts, as I knew the city had so much more to offer, but decided to give this spot a chance! The guava roll was absolutely delicious and the matcha latte was pretty good too – I was happy they even had matcha at all! The patio was cuter than the small tables inside, so I recommend waiting for one (I waited about 20 minutes for mine) and enjoying the people watching while you eat!
I stopped here on my first night for matcha and was sorely disappointed by it, but they have a huge selection of pastries and other drink options (including fresh juices) that looked much better, so I recommend checking it out. It also has a cute interior, if that matter as much to you as it does to me!
Bars
I came here twice during my trip, once on the second night to meet up with my friend and her sister, and then again on my last night with a friend I met on an excursion the day before. It is a pretty small and dark bar, but they played good music and had great cocktail and mocktail options!
This spot was BUMPING the night we went, and we were lucky to get some seats at the bar upstairs. The bartender was super knowledgable and made us great cocktails and mocktails from their extensive menu. It’s also apparently one of the top 50 bars in the world, according to one website! Highly recommend coming here on the weekend, either alone or to meet up with people!
I came here with my friend and her sister after a failed attempt at going to Supra Rooftop (long story short, they wouldn’t let anyone sit at the huge lounge areas and we were squished into the backbar area, so we left). The drink options were great, we had a whole table to ourselves next to the DJ (which luckily was playing music at the perfect volume), and even got some fancy tortilla chip and dip dish for free! We loved the open rooftop vibes and the overall ambiance of this place, so it would be good for dinner too.
Located inside El Parian, this bar is situated next to a bunch of other bars, restaurants, cafes and shops along the passageway. I didn’t personally stop at this particular bar, but I did visit El Parian (and got a mocktail at another restaurant named Kosho) and was told by my friend that this was the best bar inside of it! The pictures below are inside El Parian, but not at Cafe de Nadie specifically.
This spot was recommended to me by my friend that spent a month in CDMX. It is a women owned bar with a focus on creative cocktails and moody, intimate vibes. Didn’t get to check it out, but you should!
I tried coming here one night with a friend I made during my trip, but unfortunately it was reserved for a private party. The bouncer rubbed in our face how cool this speakeasy bar was (thanks a lot!), so I highly recommend checking it out and reporting back! They post about events on their Instagram, so look there first.
Did not get to check this spot out either, but it looked super cute and is located in Condesa, so I am adding it to my list for next time!
Neighborhoods
I spent most of my trip here, at the first and third places I stayed at, and really loved this neighborhood! There is an endless assortment of bars, restaurants, cafes and even vintage shops on every street. I felt super safe walking around alone, even at night, and thoroughly enjoyed the chill vibes during the day. Several of my recommendations from above are in this neighborhood, and it is a great place to wander around and find other spots not listed here.
This was HANDS DOWN my favorite area in Mexico City – I can see why it is so popular among expats! Similar to Roma Norte, it felt very chill and laidback and had a TON of restaurant/cafe/bar options everywhere, but something about Condesa was just even better to me. The main streets had huge trees arching over them, and there were giant monsteras growing wild everywhere, lending it a very lush and tranquil vibe. I honestly felt so zen walking around Condesa, and really never wanted to leave!
This area had similar vibes to Roma Norte, and is situated just north of it. It definitely felt a bit less touristy in some parts, which was a good thing, so this is also a good spot to grab some street food! I recommed Cicatriz Cafe and Helena in this neighborhood (see above). The neighborhood spans a pretty wide section of Mexico City, so there is a lot to explore!
You really can’t go to Mexico City without a trip to Centro! I only ended up going one time, on a Wednesday afternoon, and found it to be incredibly busy, loud and overstimulating even then. There are huge street markets on the weekends, which hundreds of locals flock to for all types of foods and goods, and I was told this feels like the “true Mexico City”. There are also tons of shops, museums, historic sites and other smaller markets to check out in this area. As a solo traveler, I recommend avoiding this area at night, but during the day it is completely fine and safe to explore alone, and a must visit for your trip!
Unfortunately, I did not make it to this area during my trip, but would recommend adding it to your list. It is close to the other areas mentioned, and pretty walkable from what I have heard. This neighborhood is much more posh, boasting designer shops and upscale prix-fixe menu restaurants like Pujol, so make sure you are ready to drop some dough if you head over here!
I did not get a chance to check this area out either, but this neighborhood surrounding the Frida Kahlo museum is worth spending the afternoon to explore! I have a couple coffee shops on my list for next time, like Cafe Negro. This neighborhood is about a 30 minute drive from the center of the city, so plan to spend at least half a day here.
Activities
Right near the center of the city, Bosque de Chapultepec is a huge park more than twice the size of Central Park! There are a number of different museums, lakes and gardens within the park, as well as the famous Castillo de Chapultepec and a zoo. You can spend half a day just at one or two of the museums, so plan to spend a full day here if you can – and wear comfortable walking shoes! I visited Museo de Arte Moderno, which houses a lot of incredible pieces by Frida Kahlo’s husband Diego Rivera, but wanted to check out Museo Nacional de Antropologia to learn more about the anthropological history of the city.
Mercado de Artesanias La Ciudadela
This market is located right next to Centro and boasts a dizzying selection of handmade and artisanal goods. You can find everything from purses and shoes to kitchenware and other home goods. I spent about an hour walking around getting my gifts and souvenirs all in one fell swoop. I did not do much shopping for comparison in other places, but I believe the prices here are better than other places, and most vendors were willing to give a small discount for paying in cash. The convenience of getting everything in one place was definitely worth it, especially since I was staying right next to it that day!
Sightseeing and shopping in Centro
As mentioned before, there are a ton of things to do in Centro, most of which I did not get to. You can just go and shop at the big brand stores like Bershka and Zara, or you can explore the Palacio de Bellas Artes and go the more cultural route. For solo travelers that enjoy chill vibes like myself, I highly recommend going here during the week to avoid the craziness, but feel free to explore on the weekend for a different experience! Due to the high volume of people on any day, but especially weekends, please make sure not to carry your passport or too many credit cards/too much cash while walking around, and keep your wits about you to avoid getting pickpocketed!
My friend recommended this spot and I booked the En Dharma Especial massage for my last night, to get my last bit of relaxing vibes in before flying home the next day. I accidentally ubered to the wrong location, not realizing there was more than one, but they were kind enough to accommodate me anyway. I have had many massages in my life, and this one was definitely up there in the top five! I loved that the masseuse prompted me to breathe deeply before starting, as well as during the massage, and the room had a lovely zen vibe. The prices were also great, so it was definitely worth going for some pampering!
Excursions
About an hour away from the city, the pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan is a fascinating place to visit to learn about the history and anthropology of Mexico City. There are numerous pyramids within this ancient city which have been incredibly well preserved. You can climb up one of them, which gets you face to face with the most impressive stone sculptures of snake heads on the side of it – it gave me chills! I ended up hiring a private driver to get there and back and paying for a private tour, which cost about $2500 pesos total (~$140) for both. Although I enjoyed getting to go and come back at my leisure, I feel like I greatly overpaid for the experience, and would recommend booking through AirBnb. If you are willing to wake up earlier than me, opt for the excursions with a hot air ballon ride above the ruins! If you prefer going the DIY route (or are going with people that can split the costs), I would say you can probably just uber there and back and skip the tour altogether.
This was the only other excursion I did during my trip – and also half the reason I booked my trip to Mexico City in the first place – and it did NOT disappoint! I did have to get up pretty early for this excursion and got back pretty late (we met up at 6:30 and were returned to the meeting spot at 9) but it was sooo worth it! The drive from the city to the hot springs was about 5 hours, but our driver stopped multiple times so it probably could have been faster. There are caves, a river, and small thermal pools which are all naturally heated. The small pools are manmade, but the water is all naturally blue from the minerals in the mountain. Because I went on a Saturday and we ended up getting there in the afternoon, it was SUPER busy, which was kind of annoying considering I wanted to get better content. I highly recommend going on an excursion that arrives right when the park opens – you will be crying when you get out of bed, but it will be worth it! Book through AirBnb for the least hassle and best price options.
This is probably one of the most recommended excursions from Mexico City – the imprint Frida Kahlo has made on Mexico City’s culture and history is undeniable! Being only half an hour from the center of the city, it is easy to get there and back by uber. I did not get a chance to visit during my trip, but I recommend booking your ticket in advance if you plan to go, and budgeting enough time to walk around the town of Coyoacan before or after your visit!
Places to Stay
I stayed at this AirBnb for my first five nights in Mexico City and absolutely loved it! The one bedroom apartment I rented in this building was cozy but spacious and perfect for myself as a solo traveler. It was decorately very aesthetically, but still had all the amenities I needed, and enough storage to completely unpack and store my suitcase! It was also conveniently located in Roma Norte, within walking distance to almost everything listed in this guide. I also felt super safe with the 24 hour security at the entrance! One of my favorite parts was the stunning rooftop with beautiful views of the city, mountains and sunset, which was empty when I went up. Highly recommend for both aesthetics, comfort, convenience and value.
I booked this spot last minute because I got bed bugs at my other AirBnb (awful experience!!) and had to check out early. Even though that place was beautiful, I am not going to recommend it here because I had a terrible time interacting with the host after that and would never recommend a place to someone that has bed bugs! Anyway, this spot was adorable, cozy and spacious and located in Roma Sur, also within walking distance to a ton of spots! It was super quiet and had a cute rooftop as well. Would absolutely stay here again!
I know absolutely nothing about this hotel other than the fact that it has a jaw dropping exterior and houses a spa and restaurant, but I would love to stay here next time I come! It seems like more of a luxury hotel, but if you are in the market to splurge, this hotel is in a great location and seems well worth it.
I stumbled into this hotel on my way to find Derba Matcha, wanting to look around at the beautiful interior, and was pleasantly surprised to find Derba Matcha INSIDE the hotel! Apparently it had just opened a week prior and was completely brand new, but I am sure it will become quite popular. It is located at the southern end of Condesa, so it is within walking distance to many of the spots mentioned above, and seems like a great option for anyone looking for a super luxurious stay. They have several other restaurants and a rooftop bar within the hotel, so there are tons of options even if you don’t stay!
In case you can’t tell by this point, I absolutely loved my time in Mexico City and already want to go back! If you have any questions about things mentioned in this guide, about my experience or for help planning your trip, please leave a comment or reach out to me via Instagram! I hope you found this guide helpful and that you have an incredible time in Mexico City!
