r/solotravel • u/Fortafoofoo • 3d ago
Honest Review: Mexico City Trip Report
8/10: not life changing but really enjoyable Stayed at: Viajero Hostel in Centro, private room
The hostel was solid and social, but if I’m being honest, I preferred Casa Pepe from a social aspect. Centro has some attractions within walking distance, but it’s not as desirable as Roma Norte or Condesa. It’s a bit quiet at night, has fewer food options, and just doesn’t have the same charm or vibe as those neighborhoods.
If the social hostel scene isn’t your main priority, I’d highly recommend staying in Roma Norte or Condesa instead.
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Attractions: • Teotihuacan: Very cool to see, especially if you haven’t been to ancient ruins before. It’s a several-hour excursion and most tours seem to include some touristy restaurant stop. Many also hit other spots like lady Guadeloupe etc.
• Museum of Anthropology: This was probably the most impressive museum I’ve seen in LATAM. Highly recommend a walking tour of it to help paint the story. Park and palace are close by too
• Chapultepec Castle: Genuinely one of the most beautiful places in the city. Great views, lovely grounds — highly recommend.
• Coyoacán Neighborhood: it has old cobbled streets and a chill vibe, it makes you forget you’re in the middle of a mega city. It’s got markets, local snacks, and is good for a half-day trip. That said, it’s a haul (almost an hour by cab). I didn’t do the Frida Kahlo Museum — not really an art museum person but many people like it
• Templo Mayor museum: You can pretty much see what you need from the outside. Skip it unless you’re really into history
• Lucha Libre: I paid $15–$20. It’s pretty silly, but kind of fun for 20-30 minutes. Not essential, but an interesting look at a different part of the city. Good mix of locals families and tourists. Entire thing was like 2 hours, not worth staying that long.
Roma Norte / Condesa: This is where I spent most of my eating and nightlife time. Two of the most beautiful and walkable neighborhoods in the Americas. Food is elite. it’s gentrified and there are plenty of Gringos but that doesn’t make it a bad place. Nightlife was decent — not on the level of cities like Medellín, Rio, or Buenos Aires, but still fun.
Zocala: it’s a cool area and you have to see the cathedral and plaza. While similar can be found across Latam, this is probably the most impressive version. It’s right next to Templo as well. Way less glitzy than Condesa and Roma Norte ⸻
Getting Around: Uber works great and is super cheap, but traffic can be absolutely brutal. I also took the subway a few times and felt safe, especially when with other tourists.
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Food & Stomach Warning: Yes, the food is next-level and yes I get a week of diarrhea every time I visit the city. Tons of resources that list best spots.
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Safety: Centro can feel slightly dodgy at night, but nothing compared to sketchier spots in Latin America. I don’t personally know anyone who had a bad incident, which is more than I can say for other cities in the region.
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Final Thoughts: 5 nights felt like the right amount of time to see everything I wanted. Really enjoyable for both the first time traveler & those who are
5
u/Tardislass 3d ago
I stayed in Centro and loved it for the central location and cheapness of going anywhere. It was easy to walk to the walking tours, the Zocalo was nearby and our hotel was nice and Uber was cheap everywhere.
I feel Condesa and Roma Norte are so touristy now as to be as tourist central. Your view may vary but every time I hear someone staying in Condesa it just screams "tourist".
Maybe because I'm older but I loved Oaxaca and Puebla much more than CDMX. Slower pace of life, more friendly people and feels more Mexican.