Recommended Neighborhoods For Your Stay
You are free to choose any location in the city to stay. We are recommending one of four colonias (neighborhoods), that will serve as the epicenter for our daily excursions. These colonias are still located in the heart of the city, yet have the authentic feel of a local neighborhood because that’s exactly what they are.
Cuauhtémoc
One of the most popular areas for locals, Colonia Cuauhtémoc is considered THE traditional residential neighborhood of the city. With ornate architecture, iconic landmarks, and lots of local restaurants and shops, this is one of the most accessible areas in the city. From high rise apartments and hotels to boutique hotels and b&bs, this is a choice location to stay. Even though it’s steps away from the famous Reforma, it retains a quiet neighborhood feel. Note: this is not to be confused with the larger jurisdiction of Cuauhtémoc Municipality.
Juárez
If you’re looking for a little more action, Colonia Juárez is the place to be. Perhaps best known for its vibrant Zona Rosa area, Juárez is also adjacent to the more popular areas of Condesa and Roma. The LGBTQ+ “Gayborhood,” Koreatown, and the French Quarter can be found here as well, with plentiful hotels, trendy bars and restaurants, and nightclubs. With prime real estate in view of the Angel de la Independencia, Juárez is where people gather, demonstrations occur, and celebrations are held. There aren’t quite as many cheaper hotels here as in other neighborhoods, but there is at least one hostel.
San Rafael
An up-and-coming neighborhood that used to be a prime theatre district is Colonia San Rafael. This socioeconomically mixed area remains a theatre district attracting artists and urbanites who are looking for cheaper rents and affordable eats. The Jardin del Arte is popular on Sundays, and there are plentiful cantinas, repair shops, Porfirian mansions, street vendors, and fondas (basic but good eateries featuring home cooking). San Rafael will offer a true glimpse into the lifestyle of real Chilangos (native Mexico Citians), so if you are keen on experiencing an area before it becomes too trendy, this is your destination. Here Airbnbs and homestays are your best bet.
Other Options
Another option to consider is the Centro Histórico, or the historic city center, which is east of and adjacent to some of these colonias. This could also be an option for you before or after the CuriosiTrip if you wish to explore Mexico City longer or just want a different place to stay.
Many tourists tend to stay in Roma Norte or La Condesa, which are wide areas just south of Avenida Chapultepec, the major artery that separates them from Juárez. While these areas have plenty to offer and would be otherwise great, due to their concentration of tourists (locals sometimes call Roma “Gringolandia” for a reason!) we will not be focusing on the sites or eateries here.
Lodging Suggestions
Disclaimer: The accommodation suggestions here include affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
General Lodging Searches
Feel free to browse hotels on the platforms listed below, or any other platform of your choosing. For your convenience, we’ve included a map below centered on the Columna de la Independencia on Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, which is at the epicenter of where we recommend staying. You can adjust the settings, zoom in and out, and browse accommodation options as you desire.
NOTE: The map below is set for checking in on January 14, 2026 and checking out on January 21, 2026. If you wish to arrive earlier and/or stay later, be sure to adjust the check-in and/or check-out dates at the top of each search page. Additionally, you must change the traveler quantity according to your criteria as the default is a room for two people. Prices below are listed in U.S. dollars (USD).
These are general links that take you to the respective booking platforms if you prefer to search outside the map:
While accommodation is not included in your CuriosiTrip, we wanted to provide a few options that cover a range of budget and amenity offerings Mexico City has in the selected colonias. Inclusion of these suggestions does not endorse them. Rather, they were selected based on research of well-rated options (8.5 or higher on Booking.com or 4.5 on Google) covering a variety of budgetary considerations and lodging styles. Please choose at your own discretion.
Please be aware that availability and pricing is subject to change. Below are a handful of options for your review.
Cuauhtémoc
Kolben Nuoma (Cuauhtémoc): residential apartments for $71 to $127 per night.
Suites Mine (Cuauhtémoc): suites for $94 to $138 per night.
Xolo Stays (Cuauhtémoc): condo hotel for $98 to $290 per night.
Reforma Guest House (Cuauhtémoc): guest house for $115 to $290 per night.
Sheraton Maria Isabela (Cuauhtémoc): hotel chain with breakfast for $167 to $504 per night.
Juárez
Hostal Juarez (Juárez): hostel with dorm beds or single room options from $32 to $104 per night.
Barceló México Reforma (Juárez): hotel with breakfast and pool from $99 to $165 and up per night.
Transportation
It is likely that you will be arriving in Mexico City at the Benito Juárez International Airport (Airport Code: MEX). There are several ways to get from the airport to the city center and neighborhoods nearby where we are recommending that you stay.
To the north of the city is the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU), also known as AIFA. Most flights through here are regional. Toluca (TLC) and Puebla (PBC) are smaller airports in the area, but are unlikely to be of value for most travelers.
The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso (MXN). For reference, U.S. dollars (USD) are also listed.
Please note that each traveler will receive a Mexico City Integrated Mobility Card at our first meeting, which can be used on the Metro, city bus, light rail, cablebus, trolleys, and public bicycle. Otherwise, the card costs around $20 MXN ($1.10 USD), which includes a ride, and can be topped up as you need at various locations. Each form of transportation has a different fare, ranging from 3 to 8 pesos per ride.
Uber
This is probably the most familiar and convenient way to get from the airport, especially if you have bags, arrive during rush hour or late, or just don’t want to deal with the hassle of public transportation. Make sure you have the Uber app installed and working on your smartphone. A ride into the city should cost between $10-20 USD, depending on your time of arrival and traffic situation. Note that Mexico City does not currently have Lyft.
Prepaid Taxi
If you prefer not to use ridesharing apps, don’t have a good cell signal, or you are having trouble with the Uber app, Mexico City has a taxi service that you can pay for in advance at the airport. This alleviates the need to negotiate the price or worry about getting ripped off. Be sure that you use the official, licensed taxis and not random hustlers. Expect to pay from $250 – 500 MXN ($13-25 USD).
Shuttle
This may be a good option for solo travelers, although it may take a bit longer as it will be dropping off other passengers along the way. The cost should be around $200 MXN ($10 USD) and would take around an hour.
Private Transfer
If your hotel doesn’t already include or arrange a private transfer (for free or at an additional cost), you can arrange it in advance. Similarly, Booking.com has an “airport taxi” service that should work similarly. Private transfers are likely to be more expensive than regular taxis. Estimated costs are $500 – 1,000 MXN ($25-50 USD).
Metro
Line 5 of Mexico City’s subway system goes from Terminal Aérea Station not far from Terminal 1. You will likely need to change lines to get to your destination. For solo female travelers, some trains may have a women-only carriage. Most trains run until midnight. Metro fare is usually around $5 MXN ($0.25 USD). This is a good resource for first-time Metro riders.
Bus
Metrobús is another affordable way to get from the airport to the city, costing around $30 MXN ($1.65 USD). You will need a Metrobús Smart Card first, which you can pick up at one of the kiosks in the airport. Line 4 goes to the city center and can be boarded near Entrance 7 at Terminal 1 or Entrance 2 at Terminal 2. The bus stops at various places, including Metro stations. The bus system usually shuts down by midnight. For more details, consult this website.
