Where to stay: Recommended neighborhoods

There are three neighborhoods where we advise you to stay in Mexico City.

Condesa:

This is the West Village of Mexico City. It's full of artists and cafes. It's green, with lots of trees and parks. Condesa is one of the most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. My mom and I felt safe walking around at nighttime! We were Facetiming with my sister Becca back in America at 10:00 pm, walking in the streets, and Becca could not believe that mom and I were out and and about that late. But we felt completely secure. You may notice police patrolling with their lights on—that’s for your safety. People are out walking their dogs and going to cafes morning until late at night. It was safe at all times.

Roma Norte:

This is a little bit more bohemian, Brooklyn-y, and has a grittier and urban vibe. Roma Norte has a younger scene with more clubs and bars. I would say it’s not quite as pretty as Condesa is, but if you're looking for something that's “hip” this is where to stay! Make sure to watch the movie Roma before going, as you may recognize many of the sites!

Polanco:

This is the Beverly Hills of Mexico City—fashionable and upscale. Polanco is beautiful, safe, and easy to walk around in. It's located in an inconvenient spot on the north side of Chapultepec park, and bound by high-traffic expressways, so getting in and out of Polanco can be challenging as Ubers have to take some circuitous routes to get there. However, you can stay in Polanco and never leave Polanco. Beautiful, wide, and tree-lined streets make walking through Polanco very charming.

Where NOT to Stay:

Some people recommend that you stay in the City Center, because many attractions like the Zocolo and the National Palace are near there. We would not recommend staying in the City Center at all. It's not as upscale or bohemian, and doesn’t have any green space. The city center is very loud, it's a little bit more rundown, and it's not a place you would want to walk around at nighttime. Also, getting an Uber through the City Center is an infuriating traffic experience.