The Ultimate Travel Guide to Saving Money in Mexico City
Dreaming of visiting Mexico City but worried that costs might get out of hand? Look no further!
In this guide, you’ll discover all my top tips for saving money in Mexico City.
From free and cheap tours and activities to finding budget-friendly public transport, eating on a budget to choosing affordable hotels, I’ve got everything you need.
Are you excited to see the inexpensive side of Mexico City? Let’s get started!
Sommaire
- The Ultimate Travel Guide to Saving Money in Mexico City
- Free Museums and Activities in Mexico City
- Best Low-Cost Tours in Mexico City
- Free Tours in Mexico City
- Mexico City’s Top Cheap Hotels
- Tips to Find an Affordable Accommodation
- Affordable and Free Transportation in Mexico City
- Smart Tips to Avoid Data Roaming Charges
- Mexico City’s Best Cheap Eateries
- Get the Best Deals on Flight Tickets
- Rent a Car at the Best Price to Discover Mexico City
- You’re traveling in Mexico? These articles will help you!
Free Museums and Activities in Mexico City
Mexico City is packed with amazing things to do that won’t break the bank, especially when it comes to exploring its museums. Lots of them are absolutely free!
You’ll find plenty of these gems right in the heart of the city, in the historic center.
But the adventure continues beyond – in places like Bosque Chapultepec, Roma, and Polanco, you’ll find plenty of spots to immerse yourself in art, history, science, and much more, all for free.
Best Low-Cost Tours in Mexico City
Mexico City has some incredible, yet inexpensive, paid tours that provide in-depth exploration of the city’s main attractions.
Here’s my top list of budget-friendly tours (just click on the name of the one you’re interested in to book):
- Admission Tickets to Anthropology Museum – it’s the best museum in Mexico City! ❤️
- Hop On Hop Off Bus City Tour
- Skip The Line Tickets Teotihuacan
- Guided Tour of Teotihuacan – with transportation, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Plaza de las Tres Culturas
- Tour of Xochimilco and Coyoacan – with transportation, boat tour in the canals, visit of Frida Kahlo’s neighbordhood
- Self Guided Tour of the Historic Center
- Self Guided Tour of La Roma Neighborhood
Free Tours in Mexico City
Consider joining a Free Walking Tour. While these tours are free, tipping your guide for their insight and expertise is a welcomed (and expected) gesture.
I recommend two agencies that offer a wide selection of tours, making it easy for you to find one that not only captures your interest but also fits your schedule perfectly.
Just click on the name of the tour you’re interested in to make a booking:
Estacion Mexico
Kactus
- Roma and Condesa
- Chapultepec
- Historical Center
- Taco tour
- Coyoacan and Frida Kahlo
- Cable Car and Urban Art
Mexico City’s Top Cheap Hotels
Accommodation often constitutes a major part of travel expenses, so for those planning a budget-friendly Mexico City trip, consider these fantastic and affordable lodging options:
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Condesa
- Fungi Hostal: An adults-only, artistic hostel by Parque México, with colorful dorms from $21 USD and private rooms for added privacy. This affordable Condesa gem offers a social vibe and prime location near trendy cafes and shops. Perfect for young travelers and backpackers wanting a lively experience
- Experience Mexico City Condesa: Offering great value at $41 USD per night, this Condesa hotel is a dream spot for digital nomads. It blends work and leisure perfectly with amenities like a kitchenette, washing machine, and a terrace offering city views. The cozy, professional vibe is ideal for anyone who loves to work while exploring, with its close proximity to local eateries and parks.
- Cozy Condesa Apartment: Starting at just $45 USD per night, this apartment in the heart of Condesa is perfect for up to four people. With its own kitchen, it’s an ideal choice for families and friends.
- Hostal Roma-Condesa: located just a short walk from Parque México, this hostel offers cozy rooms starting at only $45 per night. It features amenities like a common lounge and a rooftop with city views. Surrounded by a variety of restaurants and cafes, you’ll have easy access to numerous dining options in this lively neighborhood.
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Roma district
- Colmena Tonala: a great value hotel in Roma Norte providing modern, clean accommodations with comfortable mattresses, access to a fully equipped kitchen, living room and a workspace. Starting at just $38 USD per night. It’s the perfect choice for travelers seeking both quality and affordability in one of the city’s most stylish neighborhoods.
- The 222: it is a welcoming house in Roma Sur offering a comfortable homestay experience. Priced from around $42 USD per night, each room in this cozy house is equipped with a desk, microwave, minibar, and coffee machine for your convenience. Guests can also enjoy a shared sunny terrace, perfect for relaxing.
- Apartment in Roma District: This is a surprisingly affordable stay in Roma Sur, with a capacity of up to 5 people, starting at just $49 USD per night! With a small kitchen and living room, it offers the comforts of home in a cozy setting. Set in a peaceful residential area with easy access to local cafes and parks, it’s an excellent choice for travelers seeking a quiet, affordable retreat in the city.
Budget-Friendly Hotels in the Historic Center
- Mexico City Hostel: located near the Zócalo and the Cathedral, offers dorms at $17 USD and rooms at $32 USD, making it a great budget hotel in Mexico City’s historic center. It’s not a party hostel, but a simple hotel with clean and comfortable rooms, ideal for those seeking a good quality-price ratio.
- Hostel Mundo Joven: In my opinion, this is the best hostel in Mexico City! Located near the Catedral Metropolitana, it offers an exciting, communal atmosphere ideal for young, adventurous travelers. Its highlights include a rooftop terrace with breathtaking views, a variety of social events and tours, and a central location. Dorms start at $20 USD per night and private rooms at $50 USD, breakfast included.
- Hostal Regina: nestled in the bustling Downtown area of Mexico City, is perfect for those looking to meet people and make friends. This hostel merges the charm of a historic building with modern comforts, offering dorms from $23 USD and private rooms at $45 USD, good breakfast included. The hostel boasts a rooftop bar, café, and restaurant, with a fun, artistic ambiance.
Tips to Find an Affordable Accommodation
1. Central Charms vs. Budget Neighborhoods
For your first trip to Mexico City, I personally recommend staying in central areas like Roma, Condesa, or the historic center.
In my experience, Roma and Condesa are particularly wonderful for walking. With their scenic parks, unique boutiques, safe streets, and vibrant nightlife, they offer a delightful experience both day and night.
While the historic center is excellent for daytime sightseeing, especially for its major attractions and museums, keep in mind that it might not be the most ideal location for evening walks. It’s a fantastic place to soak in the city’s history during the day, but for night-time strolls, Roma and Condesa might be more suitable.
La Juarez Neighborhood is also a good pick. It’s right in the middle of everything – between La Roma, Condesa, Chapultepec, and the city center.
But keep in mind, these neighborhoods are farther from the main attractions and may not be ideal for tourists on a short stay in Mexico City.
2. Pick Hotels with Kitchens
To save as much as possible on your trip, consider choosing a hotel or youth hostel that offers access to a kitchen or has a kitchenette.
This way, you can cook your own food instead of dining out for each meal. This can be a big money-saver, especially over several days.
And remember, some places also include breakfast in their price – definitely take advantage of that to save even more!
3. Check the Calendar for Better Rates
To get the best deal on your stay, it’s a good idea to check the prices for different dates.
One of the reasons Booking is my favorite website for hotel reservations is its great calendar feature.
When you view a hotel, just open the calendar to see the prices for each night. It’s a quick and easy way to find out when the costs are lower, making it an excellent tool for budget-friendly travel planning.
While this tip is very useful for beach destinations like Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or Puerto Vallarta, where prices change a lot with the season, it can also help you find better rates in Mexico City, even though its prices don’t change as much.
This trick can be really useful for planning your trip within your budget.
Affordable and Free Transportation in Mexico City
Exploring Mexico City is made easy thanks to its accessible transportation network. Let’s dive into the cost-effective transport options available in this bustling metropolis:
1. Uber and Didi
While not the cheapest, Uber (and its competitor Didi) can be surprisingly affordable compared to rates in places like Canada, the United States, or Europe.
It’s worth checking your app for an estimate, as you might find the prices pleasantly lower than what you’re accustomed to.
2. Public Transportation
For those strictly watching their budget, Mexico City’s public transport system is exceptional. The combination of the Metrobús (Bus Rapid Transit) and the subway covers an extensive area at a very minimal cost.
A single ticket costs just 5 pesos, and a rechargeable card, usable on both the Metrobus and Subway, is only 10 pesos.
Coming from Montreal, I find the accessibility and affordability of Mexico City’s public transport system quite impressive!
3. Ecobici – A Budget-Friendly Bike-Sharing System
Ecobici offers short-term plans starting at 123 pesos for one day, with options for 3 days, a week, or even a year.
This service allows for unlimited 45-minute rides every day from 5 am to 12:30 am.
The app, which you can download here [Android – iPhone], shows the number of bikes available at each station and helps locate the nearest one.
While I’ve thankfully never had an accident, it’s important not to assume everyone will follow road safety rules.
4. Bicigratis – Free Bikes in Mexico City
Yes, you read that right – Mexico City offers free bikes!
Bicigratis, an initiative by the city government, allows you to rent a bike for up to 3 hours at no cost.
I frequently use the station near Fuente de Cibeles in Roma Norte, but with stations in Coyoacán, Roma-Condesa, Polanco, and around Reforma, there’s likely one near you.
- To rent a bike, you’ll need to present two original IDs (one being a passport, if you are a foreigner).
- Bikes are available Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 1 pm and 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm, and on Sunday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Smart Tips to Avoid Data Roaming Charges
Be sure to avoid data roaming charges while traveling; they can be surprisingly expensive!
1. Use the Free WiFi Across Mexico City
Guess what saved me more than once in Mexico City? A fantastic initiative called ‘Internet para Todos‘ (Internet for All). The city has set up a system with over 31,000 free WiFi access points!
- Just to give you an idea of how extensive this network is, take a look at their map.
You’ll usually find these WiFi spots marked with a sign, but your device should pick up the signal easily. It’s such a handy resource, especially when you’re out and about exploring the city!
2. Buy a local Sim Card
While you’ll find free public WiFi in Mexico City, having your own internet data can be incredibly useful when traveling. Personally, I prefer not to rely solely on WiFi for both convenience and safety reasons.
The most practical option is to purchase a Telcel SIM card, which you can easily find at any Oxxo store for 29 pesos.
You must initially load the SIM card with a minimum of 50 pesos to activate it, though I recommend adding 100 or 200 pesos to ensure you have enough data for a month.
- In Mexico, to purchase a Telcel SIM card, simply asking for a “Chip Telcel” will be universally understood
- Should you need more data, you can recharge your SIM at any Oxxo by providing your number and requesting a “recarga Telcel” or you can also top up online through the Telcel website after setting up a profile
- You will find your telephone number on the card
Just so you know, there are two easy options available!
3. Download Google’s Offline Maps
Years ago, every traveler I met insisted that the maps.me app was the one essential tool I absolutely needed. I gave it a try, of course, but honestly, I wasn’t a fan. The interface just didn’t click with me, and it didn’t feel all that user-friendly.
Then, I discovered that you can download maps for offline use with Google Maps, and it was a game-changer! I was really happy about this find. If you’re not already familiar with this feature, let me quickly walk you through the process.
- Open the Google Maps app on your phone (be sure you are signed in, and connected to internet)
- Click on your profile picture (on the top right)
- Click on “Offline Maps” — “Select your own map”
- Move the map to cover the area you wish to download — Click Download
Once you’re ready to use it, navigate back to ‘Offline Maps’ to access your downloaded map.
Mexico City’s Best Cheap Eateries
There are three fundamental pillars to know when you want to eat well on a budget in Mexico City: street food, markets, and fondas, which are small neighborhood restaurants.
- Remember to always have cash in pesos and in small bills!
1. Street Food in Mexico City
The vibrant street food culture is not just a local tradition of Mexico City; it’s a nationwide phenomenon.
However, the capital takes it to the next level, as it seems to be available on every corner, offering an unparalleled variety and accessibility.
Here’s my top tip: simply wander around the city and see where the locals go. You can tell which street food is the best quality by looking at the lines that form and the crowds that gather around the stalls.
Obviously, I can’t list all the best street food spots in Mexico City because there are too many and it would need a series of articles.
But, here are some great places I suggest for a first visit:
Tacos al Pastor: Definitely the iconic Mexico City bite, it should be the first stop for any traveler! Picture thin slices of pork, pineapple, onion, and cilantro wrapped in a tortilla. Love hitting up Tacos Los Paisas, Los Cocuyos, and Taqueria Arandas (they’re open 24/7!) in the historic center. In Colonia Condesa, Taqueria Las Rejas and Tacos Don Juan are my go-tos. And in Colonia Roma? Taqueria La Roma and Taqueria los Parados are must-visits.
Elotes y Esquites Los Juniors (3pm-11pm): it’s corn on the cob (elote) or in a cup (esquites), jazzed up with mayo, cotija cheese, lime, and chili powder. Personally, I’m prefer esquites — so much easier to eat and just my favorite for a late-night snack!
Tlacoyos Medellin (10am-5pm): tlacoyos are prepared with blue corn dough, stuff with beans, and topped with cactus salad and cheese. My recommendations? Go for the chicharron tlacoyos and the huitlacoche ones.
La Esquina del Chilaquil (8am-1pm): They’re famous for the “green chilaquiles torta” — beans, fried chicken breast, chilaquiles with salsa verde, queso fresco, and cream, all stuffed into a bun. Honestly, it’s a bit much for me, but you’ve got to try a “torta de chilaquil” at least once to really get Mexico City. Just brace yourself for the line, especially on weekends.
Thanks to the guides, I’ve discovered some of my now favorite street food spots near home! Book it here:
2. Markets and tianguis in Mexico City
Besides being a great place to eat on a budget, markets are a must-visit in Mexico City.
They’re like little complex worlds where you can find everything, from fresh fruits to fish, household cleaning products, and even miracle cures to find your soulmate.
I suggest starting with the big markets in Mexico City:
-Mercado de Sonora, known for its section dedicated to the Santa Muerte, and Mercado La Merced, which is right next to it.
-Mercado de Jamaica, which has a huge flower section. After comparing different stands over the years, I finally found the best esquites I’ve ever eaten in Mexico there: the bone marrow esquites (called tuétano) at Elotes Linda. A real treat!
You can also check out Mercado San Juan (historic center), Mercado de Medellin (Colonia Roma), or Mercado Hidalgo (Colonia Doctores) where you’ll find the best “gorditas de chicharron” – corn masa pockets filled with pork.
Unlike the permanent mercados, tianguis are traditional open-air markets that spring up on specific days. Here, vendors set up temporary stalls on the streets, offering everything from fresh produce to delicious street food.
3. Fondas in Mexico City
Fondas are small traditional restaurants that offer antojitos (like gorditas, tacos, sopes, etc.) or a daily menu that includes an appetizer, a main course, a drink of the day, and sometimes a dessert.
They are one of the best places to eat affordably in Mexico City because the goal is to provide simple, very reasonably priced options so customers can come back every day. Generally, you can get a whole meal for 60-70 pesos.
Thanks to this concept, despite strong competition, they have managed to survive over time. It’s estimated there are more than 59,000 fondas in Mexico!
Often, fondas don’t look like much, so you might walk past without realizing it. If you see a sign that says “cocina economica” or “comida corrida,” you’re in the right place.
Here are some good fondas in Mexico City (click on the names to see their locations on a map):
Exploring Mexico City on a budget is entirely possible, and with these tips, you’re set to discover the best of the city without breaking the bank. Now, what are your top tips for saving money?
Get the Best Deals on Flight Tickets
Mexico City Airport officially named Benito-Juárez International Airport receives a lot of national and international flights. It is the most important airport in Latin America!
To save money on flight tickets, you can use our flight comparator for Mexico, in partnership with Skyscanner: it’s the guarantee to pay the best price for your international and domestic flights!
Rent a Car at the Best Price to Discover Mexico City
Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Mexico and make the most of your stay!
While it’s not super useful to visit the city, having a car is a must to discover the rest of the country.
To rent a car, personally, I always use Rentalcars.com, for a few reasons:
- You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
- Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
- Rentalcars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort
Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:
🚗 Rent a car
🗽 Book entrance tickets and guided visits
🏄 Book your sports activities
🌍 Take a travel insurance
🙎 Book a tour
✈️ Book your flight
You’re traveling in Mexico? These articles will help you!
Discover all my articles about Mexico: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Mexico are listed there.
- Mexico City: The 45 Best things to Discover
- 1 Day in Mexico City – How to spend just 24h in the Mexican capital
- 2 Days in Mexico City – The perfect itinerary for 48h!
- 3 Days in Mexico City – The Best Itinerary + Where to Stay
- 4 Days in Mexico City – Your Four-Day Must-See Guide
- Where to stay in Mexico City? – Best areas and hotels for all budgets!
- The Definitive Guide to 40 Best Free Things to Do in Mexico City
- Coyoacán (Mexico City): the Best Things to Do in Frida Kahlo’s Neighborhood
- Teotihuacan (Mexico City): The Definitive Guide + Tips
- How to Visit Xochimilco (Mexico City): The Ultimate Guide
- 40+ Wifi Cafes in Mexico City that Every Digital Nomad Should Know About
- Itinerary: 10 days in Mexico – Mexico City, Chiapas and Yucatan
- Itinerary: 2 weeks in Mexico – Best itinerary to discover the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas!
- Itinerary: 3 weeks in Mexico – Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán and Riviera Maya
- Itinerary: 1 month in Mexico – My Epic 30-31 Days Itinerary from Mexico City to Cancun
- Road trip in Mexico: The best itineraries for 10, 15, 21 days and a month
- Itinerary: 1 week in Yucatan – The Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary
- Itinerary: 10 days in Yucatan – Best Itinerary for 9, 10 or 11 Days in Yucatan
- Itinerary: 2 weeks in Yucatan – Epic Itinerary + All my Best Tips!
- Itinerary: 3 weeks in Yucatan – Best things to do in 20-21 days
- Itinerary: 1 month in Yucatan – Yucatan Peninsula in 29, 30 or 31 days from Cancun
- Road trip in Yucatan: The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15, 21 days and 1 month
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