Mexico City is hands down one of the coolest cities in the world.
Rich in history, culture, world-class cuisine, and street art, you could spend months exploring this metropolis and still find something new to do every day.
However, figuring out where to stay in Mexico City can be an extremely daunting task. With a population greater than London and New York City, there are so many neighborhoods to choose from.
That’s why we’ve created this Mexico City guide – to put those wondering where to stay in Mexico City at ease. Whether you’re traveling solo, with your partner, or your family and you’re on the hunt for a hostel, hotel, or Airbnb, this ultimate guide will help you choose the best place to stay in Mexico City for you.
Free up more time to plan the parts of your trip that matter most, like where to find the best mouth-watering tacos (and other fun activities!)
Sit back, relax, and let us show you where to stay in Mexico City!
Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for the best places to stay in Mexico City.
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Best Hostel in Mexico City: Hostel Home
With a great location, staff, and overall welcoming and friendly vibe, it’s no wonder Hostel Home is one of the best hostels in Mexico City.
I mean, what more could you want from a hostel? It has a great atmosphere for socializing and making new friends and you’re still able to get a good night’s sleep thanks to the noise rules the hostel has in place.
You truly feel like you’re staying in someone’s home as Hostel Home was once an old house. It’s also located in Zona Roma, our pick for the coolest neighborhood to stay in Mexico City.
Best Hotel in Mexico City: Hotel Catedral
This is the best hotel in Mexico City thanks to its location just behind the cathedral in the historic center. Hotel Catedral has everything Mexico City visitors could want from a buffet style breakfast to gorgeous window views.
It’s where to stay in Mexico City if you only have a few days to see the sights.
Best Airbnb in Mexico City: Best Location, Stylish, New Apartment
Enjoy the heart of Mexico City in this stylish, new apartment located in Cuauhtemoc. It’s our top pick for where to stay in Mexico City if you’re traveling with a family or group.
There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as a terrace with nice views of the quiet neighborhood.
Best Location, Stylish, New Apartment is one of our favourites in Mexico City but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Roma
Roma is home to Mexico City’s quirky subculture and our recommendation for where to stay in Mexico City for first-timers. It was the original home of many wealthy Europeans who flocked to Mexico at the turn of the 20th century, and French-style mansions can still be found dotting the avenues and lanes.
Centro Historico
This is where the city was first founded. Once the epicenter of the Mesoamerican hub Tenochtitlán, the area is now home to several historic buildings and a veritable shit ton of museums.
La Condesa
La Condesa is actually comprised of three official but smaller barrios (neighborhoods) – Condesa, Condesa-Hipodrómo and Hipódromo. However, they’re all simply referred to as Condesa.
Juarez/Cuauhtemoc
These two colonias – Juarez and Cuauhtemoc – are just north and northeast of Chapultepec and west of the historic center. This is our top recommendation for where to stay in Mexico City for families.
With a population of 9 million people in the city proper, Mexico City is the largest city in North America. The city is broken down into 16 boroughs, which are further broken down into smaller neighborhoods of which there are over 1700! Holy crap that is a lot of neighborhoods to sort through – and there are even more options when it comes to epic places in Mexico City!
There is a metro connecting almost all of Mexico City’s neighborhoods. Plenty of buses serve the downtown area as well as more far-flung destinations. It’s easy to find taxis, and Uber is there, too.
However, not all neighborhoods have something for gringos and although it’s perfectly safe to visit Mexico City, there are still some neighborhoods you should steer clear of. For these reasons, we’ve laid out the best, safest neighborhoods with more than enough activities to keep you busy for a few days or weeks.
1. Roma Neighborhood – Where to stay in Mexico City for the first time
Roma is home to Mexico City’s quirky subculture. It was the original home of many wealthy Europeans who flocked to Mexico at the turn of the 20th century, and French-style mansions can still be found dotting the avenues and lanes.
The area fell into disrepair when many of those Europeans moved into newer neighborhoods. It was further ruined in the 1985 earthquake, but has been going through a renaissance as it has been rediscovered by the younger generation.
The neighborhood plays host to many art installations, and visitors could spend several hours admiring the murals throughout the neighborhood.
In addition, there’s a hipster-run shop or bar on almost every corner with plenty of restaurants for all tastes making this the coolest place to stay in Mexico City.
Best Hostel in Roma: Hostel Home
Hostel Home consistently gets rave reviews from the travellers that pass through. Located in one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Mexico City, there are plenty of awesome bars and restaurants around the corner.
This was the first backpacker hostel in Mexico City! It’s a great place for solo travellers as you can easily meet new people.
Best Hotel in Roma: Hotel MX Roma
This boutique style hotel is perfectly located in the heart of Roma. The rooms have a sleek and swanky design and the hotel is very clean.
Some of the rooms don’t have windows, but they do offer free breakfast in addition to the deli on site. There’s even a rooftop terrace where guests can play squash! It’s our pick for where to stay in Roma!
Best Airbnb in Roma: Great Place to be in Roma Area!
Located in the heart of Roma, this cozy and well-lit Airbnb in Mexico is perfect for a couple or group of four. There are two bedrooms and bathrooms. The owners are superhosts and keep the kitchen stocked with fruit, eggs, bread, and coffee.
They are even there waiting for you to help take your luggage up to the 4th floor (there’s no elevator). It’s the best choice for where to stay in Mexico City, so you can get your trip started on the right foot!
Great Place to be in Roma Area! is one of our favourites in Mexico City but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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Learn More Now!2. Centro Histórico – Where to stay in Mexico City on a budget
This is where the city was first founded. Once the epicenter of the Meso-American hub Tenochtitlán, the area is now home to several historic buildings and a veritable shit ton of museums. In fact, Mexico City has the most museums in the world – check out the top 20 here!
The buildings were built by the Spanish conquistadores on top of the Aztec temples and pyramids. Many of them date back to the 16th century. In 1987 the historic center was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its importance.
The area is centered around the massive Zocalo plaza and visitors to the area can enjoy exploring the pedestrian-only streets stretching out from there. Whether it’s art, cuisine, or history you seek, you’ll find it all in the centro histórico.
Best Hostel in Centro Historico: Massiosare El Hostel
Massiosarse El Hostel has so many perks. The dorm beds start at a very cheap price and there’s not one, but two kitchens! One of the kitchens is vegetarian only. Even better! Cooking definitely helps you save some dough.
This is why Massiosarse is the best affordable hostel in Mexico City, and our top recommendation for where to stay in Centro Historico. Be aware that it’s located on the 4th floor with no elevator. However, there is an awesome rooftop with amazing views.
Best Hotel in Centro Historico: Hotel Catedral
Hotel Catedral Mexico City is great value for your money. It’s located right in the middle of Mexico City behind the Cathedral. They offer a buffet style breakfast, spacious rooms, friendly staff, and business centre.
It’s close everything you want to do during the day, but it’s very quiet at night allowing guests to get a good night’s rest.
Best Airbnb in Centro Historico: Historical Duplex with Private Terrace and Panoramic Views
This bright and recently renovated apartment has stunning views of Mexico City. It’s a two-level apartment with two bedrooms, one bathroom, a full kitchen, dining room, and living room.
The best part about this apartment is the private terrace with its panoramic views of the Mexican capital. It’s located in a historical Art Deco building that was built in 1930.
Historical Duplex with Private Terrace and Panoramic Views is one of our favourites in Mexico City but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
3. La Condesa Neighborhood – Where to stay in Mexico City for nightlife
La Condesa is actually comprised of three official but smaller barrios (neighborhoods) – Condesa, Condesa-Hipodrómo and Hipódromo. However, they’re all simply referred to as Condesa.
It’s one of the most fashionable neighborhoods in the Mexican capital full of swanky bars & clubs, designer boutiques, and beautiful parks, which makes it our top recommendation for where to stay in Mexico City for the best nightlife. And Mexico City is arguably one of the best places to party in Latin America.
The laid-back, bohemian vibe attracts students, artists, writers, and other creative types who rediscovered the area in the 90s after being heavily damaged in the 1985 earthquake.
You can find them hanging out in one of the many unique cafes, shops, or restaurants. Known for its Art Deco architecture, it’s also home to one of the city’s most picturesque parks.
Best Hostel in La Condesa: Gael Condesa
Gael Condesa is the best hostel in La Condesa. The dorm beds have curtains creating more privacy for a better night’s sleep, and the outdoor terrace is a great place to chat with other guests.
There’s also a small kitchen and some of the private rooms even have a balcony! Lots of creative types come to work here, thanks to the fast wifi and big table in the common area so it’s easy to meet people. This hostel is our top choice for where to stay in La Condesa.
Best Hotel in La Condesa: Hotel Villa Condesa
Located in the most bohemian neighborhood of La Condesa, Hotel Villa Condesa is surrounded by stylish bars, restaurants, and beautiful parks.
The rooms are spacious and very well decorated. Although it’s a bit on the pricier side, the included breakfast and the very attnetive staff more than make up for it. It’s a great option for where to stay in Mexico City.
Best Airbnb in La Condesa: Great Apartment, Private Terrace, Roma-Condesa
Beautifully built with high ceilings and traditional Oaxaca floors, this apartment is a great choice for where to stay in Mexico City.
Located in trendy La Condesa, you’ll be within walking distance of Chapultepec Park as well as amazing restaurants, bars, and some of the best clubs in the city. It has a private terrace for relaxing and the bedroom is bright and cozy.
Great Apartment, Private Terrace, Roma-Condesa is one of our favourites in Mexico City but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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Buy an eSIM!4. Juarez/Cuauhtemoc – Where to stay in Mexico City for families
These two colonias – Juarez and Cuauhtemoc – are just north and northeast of Chapultepec and west of the historic center.
Juarez has quite a long history and has continually morphed into something new. In its early days, it was home to the city’s wealthy who built massive French-style mansions. Once they moved on and demolished their mansions in favor of office buildings, the area was taken over by intellectuals.
Just like Condesa, the area was left in bad shape after the 1985 earthquake. Juarez has been revitalized and is now the city’s financial and business center.
Another popular spot is Zona Rosa – a tourist and gay-friendly area lively with shops, tourist agencies, and restaurants. Paseo de la Reforma separates Juarez from Cuauhtemoc, which is mostly residential but has a nice selection of cafes dotting the tree-lined streets.
Both neighborhoods have quick and easy access to the entertainment options in Chapultepec. That’s why it’s our top choice for where to stay in Mexico City with a family.
Best Hotel in Juarez/Cuauhtemoc: Suites Rio Elba
Suites Rio Elba is an aparthotel that is ideal for family travel. The rooms have a kitchenette perfect for cooking small meals.
Each room also has a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with free toiletries. The best part about this hotel is its location. Just a short walk to Chapultepec Park, you can visit a zoo, the Chapultepec Castle, and the Anthropology Museum, which is why this is our recommendation for where to stay in Cuauhtemoc.
Best Airbnb in Juarez/Cuauhtemoc: Best Location, Stylish, New Apartment
With a nice, quiet vibe, this new and stylish apartment in Cuauhtemoc is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Mexico City. The location is perfect with Roma, Chapultepec, and Reforma all within easy reach.
There is a terrace with a nice view of the neighborhood and a full kitchen in case you want to cook during your stay. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms, so it’s perfect for a family of four.
Best Location, Stylish, New Apartment is one of our favourites in Mexico City but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Hostel in Juarez/Cuauhtemoc: CDMX Hostel Art Gallery
Centrally located in Cuauhtemoc, CDMX Hostel Art Gallery is a great hostel in Mexico City. The staff is really what makes this place great. They get rave reviews and the bartender is said to make the best mojitos in town!
The building itself is quite interesting and full of history with an awesome rooftop terrace to top it off. This hostel is our top pick for where to stay in Cuauhtemoc.
CDMX Hostel Art Gallery is one of our favourites in Mexico City but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Mexico
Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of Mexico and where to stay.
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Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Mexico City
It’s no wonder Mexico City has become a cultural hub, where people from all around the world come to enjoy the rich history and culture. From mouth-watering cuisine to historical landmarks and cute boutique shops, the biggest city in Latin America truly has it all.
Just to recap; Roma is our top choice for where to stay in Mexico City for the first time and it’s the coolest ‘hood with a huge foodie and art scene. Our pick for the best hotel in Roma is Hotel MX Roma.
We think Hostel Home is the best hostel in Mexico City because of it’s location and lively atmosphere! It was the first backpacker hostel in Mexico City and it’s a great place for solo travellers as you can easily meet new people.
Let us know if we missed anything in the comments below! Cheers!
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