What NOT to Do in Mexico City (So You Don’t Look Like a Clueless Tourist)

Wondering what NOT to do in Mexico City?

Mexico City is a vibrant, bustling metropolis filled with culture, delicious food, and incredible history.

However, like any major city, it has its own etiquette and unwritten rules that tourists should follow.

As someone who’s been living in Mexico City on and off since 2018, and is married to someone who’s from there — I’m here to help you!

In order to blend in as best as possible and make the most of your trip, here are 13 things NOT to do in Mexico City.

1. Don’t Assume Everyone Speaks English

Mexico City is a Spanish-speaking city, and while some locals speak English, it’s courteous to learn basic phrases in Spanish with free apps like Duolingo.

Simple greetings like “¡Hola!” (Hello), “Gracias” (Thank you), and “¿Dónde está el baño?” (Where is the bathroom?) go a long way.

📲 Pro Tip

Download a translation app like Google Translate for offline use. You’ll feel more confident navigating the city, and locals will appreciate the effort.

You can also check out these Mexislang words, as Mexican slang is a language unto itself.

2. Don’t Drink Tap Water

While Mexico City has made improvements to its water infrastructure, tap water is still not safe for drinking.

I recommend and use this Water-To-Go Bottle that has built in filters, but you can also stick to bottled to avoid getting sick in Mexico.

💧 Pro Tip

Most restaurants offer bottled or filtered water, and you can also buy large jugs of purified water (garrafones) at convenience stores for your CDMX hotel or Airbnb.

3. Don’t Skip Street Food (But Do Choose Wisely)

Street food is a must in Mexico City, but it’s essential to be cautious because not all street food stands are created equal.

👀 What to Look For

• Stalls with a long line of locals are usually a safe bet.
• Freshly prepared food is less risky than food that’s been sitting out, so look for food being prepared that minute.
• Avoid raw or uncooked items unless you’re confident in the stand’s cleanliness.
• Make sure there are at least two employees; one who cooks and one who handles the money.

🌮 Must-Try Street Foods in Mexico City

• Tacos, of course, including tacos al pastor and tacos guisados
• Tlacoyos
• Esquites (Mexican street corn in a cup)
• Elote (Corn on the cob)
• Chicharrón preparado
• Tortas (Mexican sandwiches), including the famous torta de chilaquiles and guajolota (tamal sandwich)
• Churros

4. Don’t Hail a Random Taxi on the Street

While it may be tempting to wave down a taxi on the street, this isn’t the safest option in Mexico City.

Sadly one of the most common travel scams in Mexico, taxi scams and unsafe rides are a pretty big concern.

🚗 Safer Mexico City Transportation Alternatives

• Use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Didi.
• Opt for official “Sitio” taxis, which can be found at designated stands (AKA taxi ranks) around the city.

🚕 Pro Tip

Download the Mi Taxi app, which is run by the local government, to verify taxi rides and report issues.

5. Don’t Forget to Carry Cash at all Times

While many places in Mexico City accept credit cards, cash is still king in many local establishments.

This is especially true with street vendors, taxis, mom and pop restaurants, and mercados (markets) — though most Mexico City restaurants take cards.

💰 Pro Tips

Carry small bills and coins, as vendors often have trouble making change for large bills and most people prefer tips in cash.

In places like downtown and local markets, you often need to pay a few pesos to use the bathroom, so don’t get rid of your change.

6. Don’t Assume the City is Warm Year-Round

Mexico City’s climate can be surprisingly cool — think 40°-50° F (about 4-10° C) — especially in winter’s early mornings and late evenings.

The city is at a high altitude, so be mindful of altitude sickness, but also be mindful that temperatures can fluctuate A LOT from day to night.

Now, while snow in Mexico and Mexico City is uncommon, jackets and jeans are the norm.

🧳 What to Pack for Mexico City

• A light jacket or sweater for chilly mornings and evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes, and these massaging gel inserts
• Layered clothing for varying temperatures
• Boots and thick socks for cold nights in winter

Since I get questions about this A LOT, I made dedicated guides which you can check also out — Packing for Mexico City and What to Wear in Mexico City.

7. Don’t Be Late (But Don’t Expect Punctuality Either)

Mexican culture is relaxed when it comes to time, but that doesn’t mean you should show up late.

This is especially true for tours, lucha libre matches, dinner reservations, and if you’re taking the ADO bus on a day trip (they’re usually very punctual).

Just remember that arriving on time is polite, even if your host or event starts a bit later than expected.

⏰ Pro Tip

For casual meetups, a 10-15 minute grace period is usually acceptable.

However, for formal events and Mexico City tours, punctuality is crucial so you don’t get left behind or locked out of the event.

8. Don’t Assume Safety Everywhere

Mexico City is generally safe for tourists, but like any large city, it has areas to avoid like Tepito and Doctors.

Besides those, always be mindful in areas with large crowds like El Zocalo in downtown, and on the Metro.

⚠️ Mexico City Safety Tips

• Stick to well-traveled neighborhoods and sites like Roma, Condesa, Coyoacán, Polanco, Chapultepec Park, and Centro Histórico (Historic Downtown).
• Avoid wandering alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas.
• Keep your belongings secure, and be mindful of pickpockets in crowded places.

9. Don’t Expect Museums to Be Open on Mondays

Many cultural sites and museums in Mexico City are closed on Mondays. This is a common practice throughout the country, not just in CDMX.

The one place that is open on Mondays is Teotihuacan Ruins — so if you’re looking for things to do in Mexico City on Mondays, head there.

👩‍🎨 Pro Tip

Plan your museum visits for other days of the week and use Mondays to explore parks, markets, or neighborhoods.

10. Don’t Skip Public Transportation (But Be Smart When Using It)

While ride-hailing apps are convenient, the Mexico City Metro and Metrobus are efficient and budget-friendly ways to get around the city.

For Mexico City budget travelers, public transport really is the way to go — though I recommend using ride-share apps if you can swing it.

🚉 Tips for Using Public Transportation

• Be mindful of your belongings to avoid pickpockets, and even consider buying this anti-theft bookbag for your trip.
• Avoid rush hour (7-9 am and 5-8 pm) when subway trains and buses get packed like sardines.
• Female travelers (especially solo female travelers) should use the designated women-only sections in the front of the Metrobus and Metro.

11. Don’t Miss Out on the Markets

Mexico City’s markets are vibrant, colorful, photogenic, and full of unique finds that you might want to take home as souvenirs.

However, some tourists overlook these gems in favor of more traditional shopping experiences at the posh malls in Mexico City.

While not as polished as the malls, don’t skip the local markets, and even consider booking this top-rated Mexico City Markets Tour with a Local Guide.

🛍️ Must-Visit CDMX Markets

• Mercado Roma in Roma Sur is a food-hall style market with boutique shops
• Mercado de Coyoacán in the Coyoacán neighborhood for snacks (specifically tostadas) and artisanal goods
• Mercado La Ciudadela in Downtown Mexico City for crafts and souvenirs
• Mercado de San Juan for exotic foods (including insects 🐜)
• Mercado de Jamaica for fresh flowers and delicious cheap eats

🗣️ Pro Tip

Though less common than in Asia and the Middle East, haggling is usually acceptable in CDMX markets — but always be respectful of boundaries.

If someone doesn’t appear to be open to price-haggling, then don’t. Rather, if the price is more than you want to pay, look for other vendors selling similar items.

12. Don’t Overlook Local Etiquette

Mexicans are generally warm and polite, and following local customs will make your trip smoother.

I have listed a few Mexico City travel hacks below — but when in doubt, observe how the locals around you are behaving, and follow suit.

✅ Do

• Tip! Tipping in Mexico is expected for anyone who does a service, and 15%-20% is standard.
• Greet people with a friendly “Buenos días” (Good morning), “Buenas tardes” (Good afternoon), or “Buenas noches” (Good evening).
• Say “Con permiso” (Excuse me) when navigating through crowds.
• Offer polite “Por favor” (Please) and “Gracias” (Thank yous) when receiving a service, even for small gestures.
• Ask permission before taking photos, and never take photos of children.

❌ Don’t

• Be overly loud or disruptive in public spaces, as this is one of the most common American traveler stereotypes.
• Assume cultural norms are the same as in your home country.
• Don’t touch merchandise in markets (or take photos of it) without asking permission first, as it can be considered disrespectful to vendors.
• If you take photos of street performers, they will expect a tip.
• Don’t assume restaurants and bars take credit cards; always best to ask before consuming.

13. Don’t Underestimate the Traffic

One of the world’s worst cities for traffic, Mexico City is notorious for heavy congestion, especially during rush hours from 7-9 am and 5-8 pm.

Planning your travel time carefully is crucial, as a short trip can easily turn into a frustratingly long one.

Ride-hailing apps may provide estimated times, but these aren’t always accurate due to sudden traffic build-ups.

⏳ Pro Tip

When planning your Mexico City itinerary, you’ll want to explore neighborhood by neighborhood, and visit nearby neighborhoods on the same day.

For example, plan for one full day in downtown (you’ll need it), and a half day in both Xochimilco and Coyoacán, since they’re not too far from one another.

This way, you’ll get to spend more time sightseeing, and less time sitting in traffic trying to get from one side of town to the other.

My Final Thoughts on What NOT to Do in Mexico City

I first visited Mexico City in 2018, and basically never left, as this is truly an amazing destination with so much to offer — though it does have unique local customs.

By avoiding the common Mexico tourist mistakes I’ve outlined above, you’ll have a smoother, more enjoyable trip.

Remember, travel is about respecting and embracing the culture of the place you’re visiting — but also respecting the way of life of those who live there.

Happy exploring, and I hope you enjoy all the amazing things to do in CDMX.