A couple of years back, after a long backpacking trip, I decided that it was time to lay down some roots for a little while. And I knew exactly where I wanted to base myself – the city I felt most connected to in ten months of traveling, Mexico City.
So often, people tell me that they are scared about visiting DF (short for Distrito Federal and what everybody in Mexico calls Mexico City)—that they are worried about the crime levels and finding a place to live in such a vast city.
But so much of what people know about Mexico City (and Mexico in general) is a highly one-sided report from news stories that don't consider how cool Mexico City is. Here are five reasons why I think Mexico City might be the coolest city in the world.
Table of Contents
Why Mexico City is Cool
1. It has an incredible arts culture
But, in my opinion, it is one of the best art scenes in the world. Of course, many well-known Mexican artists from the past are still alive, and you can see their artworks up close and in person on a trip to Mexico.
A visit to Frida Kahlo's house should be a priority for any art lover in the city. The incredible frescos by her husband, Diego Rivera, on the walls of Bellas Artes will make your jaw drop to the floor.
However, DF also has an impressive contemporary arts culture. The Soumaya Museum was constructed by one of the world's wealthiest men, Carlos Slim Helu, to house his impressive private art collection.
2. The street food
Few people visit Mexico City and aren't blown away by the street food culture. It is impressive, with more variety than you'd expect. DF serves way more than tacos (although those are delicious, too).
Pozole is a bowl of pork and hominy stew found on many of DF's streets and shouldn't be missed. You might also be able to find chicken or mushroom versions, but pork is the standard. Depending on your taste, you can eat it with red, green, or white sauce.
Although DF comes to life at night, be sure to walk the streets in the morning for tamales served in a crunchy bread roll—a filling and delicious way to begin the day.
3. Chapultepec Park – the park that has it all
While living in Mexico City, I was fortunate to be on the edge of the incredible Chapultepec Park, one of the largest parks in the Western Hemisphere at 1,695 acres. It's possible to walk around the park for days and never get bored.
It features a beautiful lake with boats that you can rent, the Museum of Anthropology (which, in my opinion, is one of the most impressive museums in the world), a theme park, a castle, and, of course, ample green space for walking, jogging, picnicking, and relaxing.
4. Amazing nightlife
Mexico City is the place to be if you are a night owl and love to party. One cool thing about the city is that it feels like a series of villages situated next to each other, each with its own culture.
If you want to party with an LGBT crowd and shimmy to some Mexican pop music, you'll have an incredible time in La Zona Rosa. If you want to find a trendy party populated by art students and media professionals, head to La Condesa.
The adjacent Roma Norte neighborhood is also a hot spot with many buzzing bars and restaurants. Or, if swanky drinks at a cocktail bar are more your style, you'll feel totally at home in Polanco.
You had better develop a taste for tequila, mezcal, and pulque because those are the local drinks you should try on a night out in DF!
5. Volcanoes surround it
Mexico City is in a very precarious place for one of the world's largest cities. It is regularly hit by earthquakes, is built on top of the water, and is surrounded by active volcanoes! But when you need a bit of a breather and an escape from city life, being surrounded by such incredible nature becomes a beautiful thing.
On weekends in DF, I would head just outside the city, climb a massive volcano, and reach snow. This was a fantastic way to do something atypical in a capital city, breathe fresh air, and feel adventurous.
