Dimitri Voulgaris is a Greek-Mexican event producer, creative director, food enthusiast, and creator of safe LGBTQ spaces such as Sungay Brunch and [sic club]. He has worked with brands such as Vans, Boiler Room, and music festival Communite. He is currently based in Mexico City.

Dimitri Voulg

Mexico City, a megacity of juxtapositions

Loud, frantic, and energetic, Ciudad de México (Mexico City) is a megalopolis of contrasts. Salvador Dalí once said, “There is no way I'm going back (to Mexico). I can't stand to be in a country that is more surrealist than my paintings.” Though a little harsh and referring more to the country rather than the city, the surrealist painter had a point, and the capital of Mexico exemplifies the country’s surreal juxtapositions. Corporate and industrial, hippie and chic, creative and intellectual, humble yet ostentatious, the city seems to be walking a tightrope straddling its many contradictions. Maybe that tightrope is more literal than metaphoric, as the city – developed over a lake– trembles at least once a year with earthquakes, vestiges of which are traceable in many of its neighbourhoods.

This is a megacity of skyscrapers and street vendors, of big parks and sprawling districts, parties and wellness retreats, devotees and gangsters, scarcity and abundance. You either love it, or you hate it. but chances are, you’ll end up falling for it. This is a city of warm, optimistic, and welcoming people. A city where hope is heavier than hurdles. Where nothing works as one would expect, but somehow, perseveres.

Mexico City is located in the south-central part of Mexico. You can easily catch a plane or bus to a coastal getaway or drive a few kilometres to the surrounding mountains and lakes. When to visit? It may not be an eternal summer as some may think, nonetheless, each season has its own appeal. Winters are cool and dry with plenty of sunshine, lasting from December through February. During this time, it rarely gets below 5° C at night. For two weeks, during the holidays, the city feels quiet with many city dwellers going back to their hometowns or vacationing on the southern coast. Spring (February to May) brings the sunniest and hottest weather of the year; terraces are packed and the energy is high. Just when the air is beginning to feel heavy because of its “not-so-good quality” (20 million people!), the arrival of summer brings serenity, cleaning the air with daily afternoon showers. Autumn feels like a continuity of summer with sunny mornings and scattered afternoon showers, but chillier and longer nights, creating an atmosphere for Day of the Dead season.

It’s easy to be independent here with public transportation and apps. Cards are accepted virtually everywhere, but cash comes in handy. There are options for literally any budget. It’s a great city for meeting new people, friends, making connections, and in recent years has become a hotspot for “digital nomads”.

Mexico

Mexico City 

A Guide to Mexico City

Mexicans are generally warm, welcoming and friendly. It wouldn’t take much for a solo traveller to meet people at a park, cafe, bar or party, and be invited to do something fun.

According to my South Korean girl friend Yuna, model, 31, who’s lived in Mexico City for a few years, travelling alone inside the city is safer than expected. However, it applies to specific neighbourhoods, and she wouldn’t suggest women risking being alone at funky hours. “I never worry about something happening to me, but I stay on the safe side. Verbal harassment, though, is pretty common in the streets, at any time of the day. It happens less when with men, or in a group of females, but it still happens.” Dating apps are also a great way to meet people, yet again, common sense applies. It may be wiser to meet new people at public areas than at someone’s house. The high rate of violence against women in the city is definitely not something to overlook, but this doesn’t mean you should refrain from swiping right on that hottie.

A Guide to Solo Travel in Mexico City

Expectedly, one of the most practical and affordable plans for accommodation is ten to one Airbnb. However, as witnessed in other cities, this practice not only causes a spike in real estate prices, specifically in coveted neighbourhoods – already less affordable for locals than for “western visitors” – but also causes the number of empty apartment to soar (sometimes even whole buildings), whose only purpose is to host travellers through the digital platform. This has resulted in less options for locals to live in, thus the displacement of some of the local artist and creative communities that once gave life to some of these in-demand hoods.

A more sustainable choice would be staying at small hotels. Unlike large foreign chains, local hotels directly benefit their communities. Other practices to consider are flat swapping or renting a room directly from a friend or acquaintance; this can be done through mutual friends or social media. You can find different Facebook groups by searching for keywords like “foraneos” and “cdmx”. As long as you pay a local – and not some foreigner getting a one year deal for an apartment, only to live in it for two months and sublet at higher prices the rest of the year – I would say you are not contributing to the inflation of property prices.

Where to Find Good Accommodation in Mexico City

Mexico’s gastronomy is undoubtedly vast and rich. This city is no exception. From traditional mercados, cantinas and food stands, to haute cuisine, you will be hardly disappointed by food in this city. However, beware. Montezuma’s revenge is the term for that food poisoning that only foreigners get. How to avoid it? Steer clear of eating uncooked fruits, vegetables, or seafood at unreliable or poorly cleaned spots, and consistently sanitise your hands after a day exposed to street bacteria.

CDMX is the city of the taco. Two essentials: pastor (marinated shaved pork), and bistec (beef steak). After you know those two, you may want to venture into other types. From rib to tongue, duck to chorizo, the list of combinations is endless. Tianguis or street markets have great taco options, be sure to try carnitas (braised pulled pork). They usually rotate from hood to hood, Condesa has one on Fridays on Nuevo Leon and Campeche street. The one in Napoles is on Sundays on Filadelfia street. Just remember: Whenever taquería staff says the salsa is a little spicy, it will most likely be very spicy. If they say it’s very spicy, consume at your own risk. Some notable taco recommendations are El Parnita Cantina (try the shrimp tacos), Por Siempre Vegana for vegan options, Auténtico Pato Manila with some Filipino-style duck, or El Califa and Orinoco for late night tacos. Head to the hoods section for the best breakfast tacos.

Food and drink culture is very important for Mexicans. It serves as a way to socialise. If you’re invited to a group lunch or dinner, punctuality may not be always expected, but sobremesa is. Sobremesa is the term for when food is finished but the conversation is still flowing, likely over drinks. It creates a relaxed environment for chatting and getting to know each other more, and if you try to leave before everyone else, chances are they’ll try to convince you not to.

Tequila? Leave it for your parents. Originally a drink appropriated by hipsters, Mexico City youth drink mezcal. Similarly to tequila, it comes from the agave plant and it’s just as strong, but the artisanal process gives it an earthier, smokier flavour. Whatever you do, do not shoot it. Shooting it means you are expecting low quality; good mezcal is drunk in little sips. Use water or orange slices as chasers.

With all the walking and mezcal drinking, don’t forget to stay hydrated! You’ve probably heard of tap water not being drinkable in Mexico, but even if many locals drink bottled water, tap water is safe enough, and you should be fine if drinking or brushing your teeth with it. If you prefer, buy bottles of water but try to get the big reusable ones instead of single-use bottles, as Mexico is already among the top plastic waste producers in the world.

Where to Eat and Drink in Mexico City 

Unless you’re travelling far from your accommodation, you’ll be fine on foot for basically everything you need to do on a daily basis. Given the rising traffic situation, I would advocate against using taxi apps for less than a 20 minute walk or 10 minute bike ride. You can move throughout most neighbourhoods by walking them. If you prefer, there are also two-wheel options, Ecobici – which is part of the public transportation system – has plenty of bike stations around the more popular areas, and they offer both regular and electric bikes. To use, you’ll need to download the app, create an account and fill in your card details. You can choose from a day, week or year pass, and the fees are very reasonable. Take note: if you do get an electric bike, you must return it at electric-bike-only stations. For more speed, you can get one of the Econduce' scooters located in designated areas. They work through an app similar to Ecobici, and you pay per time used, and/or by a monthly plan.

Unfortunately, the city cannot brag about public transportation. The options are bus, metro or taxi. Taking a public bus is a brave move. The system is complicated, and lacks information, accuracy, and accessibility. On top of that, buses have a reputation of being driven in the most careless way. The cheapest way to move around the city is by metro (underground) or metrobus (above ground). Subsidised by the city government to make travel more accessible, a single trip only costs five or six pesos, equivalent to £0.25. Even though the metro is well connected, there are some disadvantages; very few stations are fully accessible and it’s usually crowded during rush hours, it has significant delays, and it does not run past midnight.

For long distances, taxi apps like Uber or Didi, may be your to-go, but street taxis –recognizable for their pink colour – are more affordable and practically everywhere. But they may not be the safest option for solo travellers at night, or use the most direct route. Taxi apps are safe, efficient, and affordable if you compare their fees to those in Europe or the US. They are your best option to/from the airport, and at night, especially when you come back from that warehouse party you were invited to.

What's the Deal on Transport in Mexico City 

Though recently “discovered” by young remote workers during the pandemic, Mexico City has always attracted people from all over the world who are looking for a fresh start and interested in its cultural richness.

CDMX comes with heavy colonisation baggage. The city was built by Spaniards in the 1500s on top of what once was – according to historians – one of the most fascinating, sustainable and technological cities of its time, the prior Mexico-Tenochtitlan. What we now call Mexico City (or CDMX), has always welcomed visitors and migrants with open arms, coming from all corners of the globe in different moments of history. During the beginning of the 20th century, people escaping facism from Spain, Germany, Austria, Lebanon, Turkey or Syria, as well as jews from Europe and the Middle East, relocated to the city; influencing its DNA and contributing to its cultural richness, as well as prompting neo-colonialism.

From Kahlo to Trotsky and Carrington; bohemians, aristocrats, communists, artists and refugees have all found a home in the city. During the mid-20th century, the South in particular offered intellectuals and foreigners a fertile environment for their art and ideas.

By the end of the 20th century, the once prosperous – now coveted again – downtown area struggled with abandonment, deterioration, and squatting, in the wake of rent freeze programs and the devastating earthquake. Slowly, by the 2000s, young artists, creatives, and migrants – especially from South America and Mediterranean Europe– had established themselves in the area, sparking its regeneration.

With a fast-growing cultural scene, from contemporary art to underground parties, people dubbed CMDX “the new Berlin”, a comparison made popular by some Vice article...Partly curious, partly offended and partly flattered, locals scoffed at this idea without knowing how much this feeling would intensify as the city became more attractive to foreigners due to the Covid pandemic. In 2020 – with no government subsidies, and more than half its population living hand-to-mouth – the city couldn’t afford the luxury of completely shutting down for an entire year. It was this need, combined with its anarchic and resilient personality, that led the city to be one of the few “open” during this time. This along with its accessible prices, skillful gastronomy, and the illusion of a narcotic paradise, made CDMX a favourite for digital nomads, hipsters, and “enlightened souls”.

Mexico City's Cultural History 

While the city has many social and political tensions, on the streets it’s pretty chill. For a conservative culture, Mexico City is fairly liberal, but people of all ideologies live here, and since the political situation of the country is touchy, most people are very cursory when discussing these topics. Most likely, a common ground will be regarding any government as inefficient and corrupt.

Even if the current president’s approval rating is higher than previous heads of state, the country’s history of colonisation, exploitation, corruption, violence against women, an endless war on drugs pushed by the USA, increasing militarization, and frictions between cartels, have created tense environments for many citizens. And Mexico City, being the capital, is not exempt.

From marginalised communities, to women demanding safety and equality, it is not uncommon to witness protests, or even riots, against political institutions. These usually occur on Reforma, but rarely affect non-participating individuals so it shouldn’t be a concern for travellers who want to remain aloof. Opinions on how to reduce violence are polarised; you can spot protest camps set up by peaceful activists advocating for weed legalisation as a solution on Plaza Luis Pasteur, behind the Chamber of Senators. For more insight into how political and cartel tensions are impacting nightlife take a look at the section on Safety and Drugs.

What's the Political Situation Like in CDMX? 

Mexico City is massive and complicated, it’s also easy to make a wrong turn. There is more to it than frenetic Centro, hipster Condesa, polished Polanco, and bohemian Coyoacan, but these hoods are a good place to start.

Soon, you will find that most interest points will be in similar areas, or colonias (hoods). Unless you’re on a specific mission, most museums, galleries, bars and restaurants will be within 10 neighbourhoods in the downtown area, and three or four more in the southern part of town. Worth mentioning are the following: Roma, Condesa, Juárez, Centro, Polanco, San Miguel Chapultepec, Santa María la Ribera, Doctores, Coyoacán, and San Ángel.

Chances are, two of the first hoods you may end up in will be Roma Norte and Condesa. These two bustling hoods were originally developed to accommodate some of the wealthiest families of the city. The Revolution brought the incorporation of other groups: revolutionaries, exiled folks from other states, affluent migrant jews, as well as immigrants from Spain, Lebanon, Germany, Austria, Syria, Turkey, and Greece; making it one of the most multicultural neighbourhoods.

A number of factors led to its abandonment in the second half of the 20th century, including rent freeze programs that resulted in poor maintenance of properties and the devastating earthquake of 1986. It was not until the 2000s, when artists, youngsters and migrants from Argentina and Central America settled in these neighbourhoods, that its re-gentrification took off. It was them who opened some of the first galleries, studios, and restaurants that give life to what are now the hottest hoods for young travellers, digital nomads, and winter despisers.

When in Roma Norte, walk down Colima street where you’ll find plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops, and concept stores. Drop into Originario for creative objects and furniture made by Mexican designers, or go to Hi-Bye for fashion-forward ungendered gear. Neighbours love their dogs (and showing them off), just take a stroll around Plaza Rio de Janeiro and watch them play around the David-replica fountain while enjoying an ice cream or a pastry. Cookies at Cardinal are noteworthy, and Rosetta is a local favourite if you’re willing to queue for a lengthy time on weekends, yes, it’s that popular. Make sure you visit some of the galleries in the area. Check out LOOT and OMR for rotating contemporary art exhibitions. Roma Norte is a foodie's paradise; its diversity ranges from family owned to upscale or vegan, with inspiration from different corners of Mexico, as well as Central American, European, and Asian cultures. For a traditional under-hyped Izakaya, try Gin Chan. Find the freshest fruits and vegetables a little further south in Mercado Medellin, which also offers inexpensive three-course set menus. For independent films, Cine Tonalá, has daily shows, a bar, and a restaurant where you can eat. Drink cocktails at Meroma, or indulge your intellectual self with jazz at Casa Franca.

Condesa is known for its beautiful green areas where you’ll find some of the city’s favourite dog friendly parks and plazas. Parque Mexico is the largest one in the neighbourhood, it’s surrounded by cafes, and it has a gated area where people bring their dogs to play. Close by, you can visit Plaza Popocatepetl and its art deco fountain. Once there, have a cocktail at Canopia or some coffee at Maque. Walk down iconic Amsterdam Avenue, a landmark of the neighbourhood because of its oval shape and beautiful leafy path. For one of the most authentic food spots, pick up tacos at Hola El Güero, but get there before noon because they’re breakfast tacos, hence, they finish early. There are loads of cafes to do that remote work you’ve been putting off all week too.

Also forsaken for some decades after the 1986 earthquake, Juarez has seen a shift towards gentrification in recent years. The neighbourhood is divided in two by Avenida Insurgentes. The west side, influenced by nearby corporate offices on Reforma avenue, was once a prestigious district back in the 60s, with upscale shops and restaurants. Today, you’ll find some recently-opened hip cafes, but mostly an interesting mix of Korean-owned businesses, run down souvenir shops, bookstores, sports bars packed with nine-to-fivers, and what is known as Zona Rosa: streets and alleys filled with sex shops, strip clubs, and kitschy queer discos.

For a more relaxing experience, try the East side of Juarez. Some of its beautiful historic casonas, have been turned into chic galleries, speakeasies, restaurants, and cafes. Stroll down Marsella street to find concept stores, local designer stores, and natural wine shops. When there, you may want to do lunch at Masala y Maiz, which blends Mexican, Indian and East African cuisines. Book ahead because it’s in high demand! Find rare vinyls at Yuyu Records, located above the techno club with the same name. For queer underground vibes, try [sic] on Saturday nights.

People have been announcing Santa Maria la Ribera as the next “it” neighbourhood for several years now. Even though it’s taking longer than anticipated, and has prompted some resistance from its neighbours, it may be on its way “there”. Since housing and prices in general are more accessible there than other hoods, there is a flourishing art scene with young artists setting up studios in the area. Visit the Arab inspired morisco kiosk at the Alameda, Museo del Chopo for exhibitions and experimental theatre, as well as exploring the many art studios, showrooms, galleries, and cafes.

Polanco is one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in the city, portraying the class and race disparities of Mexican culture. But unlike some of its suburban-designed counterparts like Lomas de Chapultepec (in the west), or Pedregal (south), Polanco is still a neighbourhood you can walk, or at least bike around. There is more to it than malls, designer shops, Pujol and Quintonil. Contemporary art museums Tamayo and Jumex Museums, located on opposite ends of the hood, are both worth a visit. You can also find lots of jewish-owned businesses, as (wealthy) jewish communities settled in this area. Try Wendy’s Kosher Bakery, for example, if in pursuit of Middle Eastern goods for a dinner party, or Merkavá restaurant for lunch. For hip cocktails and dinner, you can try Malix (reserve!). Unless you’re interested in a parade of designer purses, baby strolls, and luxury cars honking at each other while jammed in unnecessary traffic, stay away from the neighborhood's heart, Polanquito. Food options are vast, but half of them are chains that you can find in other neighbourhoods as well. Next to it, is Parque Lincoln, or Lincoln Park (yes, you read correctly), where socialite families gather after lunch at a restaurant, or a religious service. Go and shake things up a bit.

Another notable mention in the downtown area is San Miguel Chapultepec. Located alongside Chapultepec Park, San Miguel is known for its architectural gems and relaxed way of living. The neighbourhood compensates for its lack of restaurants and bars with galleries, Kurimanzuto being one of the most remarkable ones. Have some pizza at Cancino Chapultepec, or wander into Govindas Comedor at the Hare Krishna Temple for vegetarian options. If you’re exhausted from the chaos, take a bike ride or a walk around Chapultepec Park, it’s the largest park in the American continent with museums, a zoo, and some lakes you can pedal boat in. A little further north (car ride may be advisable), and you’ll find Lago Algo Project, a project that includes a gallery, and a restaurant overlooking an artificial lake.

You could say these three neighbourhoods are a little rough around the edges. Their cultural importance makes them worth visiting, but you should take some precautions. Centro has plazas like Zocalo and Alameda, and multiple museums like Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Palace) and Munal, as well as underground ruins and a cathedral. But even if during daytime, the area is vibrant and thronging (watch out for pick-pocketers though), night brings a different panorama of desolated streets. You are better-off ordering an Uber than walking them on your own. Doctores, known for mafia-run (stolen) auto parts shops, is home of warehouse parties, recently-opened galleries and start-up studios. Tepito is known for its lawlessness, drug mafias, high crime rates, and their devotion to Santa Muerte (The Holy Death), which is a skeletal deity from neopaganism associated with healing, protection, and oftentimes linked with narco culture and the criminal underworld. It is one neighbourhood you should not explore unless you know someone from there. However, at its outskirts you can find popular –and now touristy – Sunday market Lagunilla, a busy street packed with antiques, vintage clothes, and design furniture at semi-reasonable prices. Eat at a tapas or tortas stand, watch people getting haircuts in front of swarming pedestrians holding micheladas (beer with lime juice and spicy sauce), while reggaeton and psy-trance blasts your eardrums. It’s always a fun activity for Sundays, just don’t forget cash and sun block!

Remember residential Coyoacan was an independent city, so it feels like a town of its own. There is more to it than its tourist magnet Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul. Consider visiting the centre of Coyoacan during a weekday, as the area is packed with traffic, crowds and tourists during the weekends. Walk down its historic cobblestone streets lined with colourful houses, starting on Francisco Sosa. Throughout the years, Coyoacan has been home to artists, aristocrats, bohemians, communists, Lebanese families, and filmmakers. Viveros de Coyoacan is one of the largest parks in the area, where you’ll find people doing their morning jog, and lovers laying on the grass displaying affection. Try a traditional churro or explore the local market for “exotic” foods. Outside the centre of Coyoacan, you can plan a visit to Cineteca (National Film Theater), with stunning architecture showing international films. Have some tapas for lunch, and bring a glass of wine inside the theatre. For books, try Fondo de Cultura Economica, and for contemporary art exhibitions stop by MUAC further south. MUAC is located inside the campus of UNAM, the largest public university of the country, with walls displaying murals by the artist Alfaro Siqueiros.

It’s worth doing a half day trip to this neighbourhood to see the beautiful colonial residences and hot pink bougainvillaea trees. Start at Plaza San Jacinto and drop into the traditional San Angel Inn restaurant before visiting the popular Diego Rivera House Museum (book a ticket), or take a romantic stroll down the deserted cobblestone streets. For some peace, head to Plaza de los Arcángeles, a small oasis where lovers would profess their love to one another some centuries ago.

A Guide to Mexico City's Best Neighbourhoods

CDMX is (mostly) safer than people think, just take the same precautions you would at home. Don’t flash cash or valuables, call an Uber to get home late at night, cover up a little as a female walking alone after hours, and stay away from neighbourhoods with a bad reputation. It’s important to know what hoods are OK to visit at night, and which ones are best to do during daytime. Nonetheless, this shouldn’t stop you from attending that underground party in a dodgy-looking area; you should be fine when taking a cab to and from.

General rules: you should be fine walking with your phone out, but be careful when leaving unattended electronics at an outdoors cafe table while you go to the restroom. When in crowded areas, such as in Centro or on the subway, watch out for pickpockets as they tend to target tourists. Public drinking is illegal in Mexico, and it’s the easiest way to get in trouble with the cops. Avoid police harassment by not doing this, as they tend to abuse power. Locals are usually friendly, and most will be keen to help.

Mexico City: The Safety Guide 

The queer scene in Mexico City is young and blooming. Compared to the rest of the country – more conservative and macho – the city is somewhat of a neoteric, accepting haven. There is still a long way to go, but equal marriage has been legal for over a decade, and the amount of emerging LGBTQ+ projects has been doubling every year for at least the past five years.

From my personal experience as a queer man, I could say homophobia is very subtle. It’s mostly hidden behind annoying jokes or ignorant remarks, but rarely turns violent. Nonetheless, hate crimes do exist. Some neighbourhoods are friendlier than others. Consider staying at more centric and progressive ones such as Juarez, Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Escandón, or Santa Maria la Ribera. There, queer PDA will go virtually unnoticed. At night, however, you may want to consider avoiding it in places with fewer witnesses. As a cis-gendered, and (arguably) white-and-straight-passing male, I can only report the queer experience to some extent. In fact, certain looks or crossdressing may draw attention.

My friend Paco, 27, non-binary drag queen who enjoys gender bending through fashion, agrees the city is more accepting compared to others, but still considers it transphobic. They mention cases of discrimination, specifically in taxi apps as drivers have canceled after realizing their gender identity. Their suggestion is for queer people to travel in groups, avoid certain neighborhoods at night, and above all, stay observant. Even if there are still not enough spaces for queer people to gather 100% safely, some notable mentions are daytime gatherings organized by collective Sungay Brunch, La Cañita, or nocturnal warehouse parties such as Pervert, Por Detroit, and Discofetish.

The Queer Scene in Mexico City 

Ironically, one of the main threats you may encounter on your trip to CDMX is police extortion; It’s no secret that the police are dishonest and corrupt. They tend to meander at parks, close to bars, and deserted streets in strategic neighbourhoods. If you have a run in with the police, here’s what to do…

If you haven’t done anything illegal, and they still approach with “routine inspections”, as they call them, know that these are 100% illegal. They should have a judicial order for doing so, according to Article 16 of The Constitution. However, they might insist if they think they can. Your safest option – if you don’t have anything on you – is to remain calm, as any agitation will lead them to accuse you of disrespecting them or “refusing to cooperate”. Calmly let them know you are aware that what they’re doing is illegal, and have someone record the scene to prevent them from planting any illegal substances on you. They should just go away without the need of giving them money.

It’s illegal to drink alcohol in public; avoid doing it or be extremely discrete. They pop out of nowhere. If they see you drinking or smoking a joint in public, they will try to make a big fuss of it with the aim of extortion. As explained by my friend Diego, 30, filmmaker and expert in dealing with these situations, the fastest way to get away is by remaining calm, apologising, saying you understand, and that you won’t be doing it again. This rarely works without having to part with a 200 pesos bill, but to avoid paying more than that, say you don’t have any more cash and your card is at home.

Police in CDMX: What's The Stance?

First up, language. You can get by speaking English almost everywhere. However, it’s perceived as a semi-cynical display of privilege –particularly when it's your first language. Some English speakers pick up Spanish after a couple months, others don’t learn it even after a few years of moving. The latter come across as disrespectful as it implies disregard, pretentiousness, and a lack of interest for the culture.

Now onto partying. For many, coming to Mexico City will include nights of drinking and partying. Three things to consider: as mentioned earlier, mezcal is not to be shot, when toasting, look people in the eyes, and, last but not least, loud conversations in the streets in the middle of the night are not pleasant for anybody. Be mindful of your neighbours, and keep the volume of your voice down.

When it comes to clothes, there are virtually no rules. Just remember: sure, you’re in Mexico but you are not at the beach, so don’t dress as if you are. The average chilango (a person from CDMX), will be conservative with their fashion. That said, some people are very stylish. Some clubs – especially in Polanco, Roma, and Condesa – will not allow shorts or sneakers. Beware, as this signifies they might be classist, sexist, homophobic, and/or racist. An example? They may not let solo males go inside. Don’t worry, you can stay away from those clubs as there are enough inclusive spaces in town.

Remember, even though prices may be more accessible for those visiting from wealthier countries, telling a local “Mexico is cheap”, when the average college graduate makes just a little more than the minimum wage in countries like the US, is utterly impolite. Don’t do it. Mexico is not cheap, Mexico is oppressed.

PDA. Do it! Some people are amazed by the amount of it on the streets. From queer people holding hands, to office workers making out at a park during lunch break, you may see every expression of love in the streets.

Time is relative in Mexican culture. Thus, the normalisation of unpunctuality. Depending on the person, the concept of “on time” can mean a 15-minute delay, and being “a little tardy” may actually mean one hour late. It’s a terrible habit that people struggle with every day, even with services or work-related matters. Your patience will be appreciated!