There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Mexico City each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) January 6: Epiphany (Día de los Santos Reyes, celebrated nationwide)For the feast of the three kings, Mexicans get together with their families to share the rosca de reyes, a sweetbread baked in the shape of an oval ring, with a plastic figure of the baby Jesus concealed inside.
February 5: Constitution Day (national holiday) May 1: Labour Day (national holiday) May 5: Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo, national holiday)Celebrated as a holiday throughout Mexico, commemorating the victory of the Mexican militia over the forces of Napoleon III in 1862.
July 16: Our Lady of Mount Carmel (celebrated nationwide)The liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated across Mexico with fairs, dances and stage shows.
September 16: Independence Day (Grito de Dolores, national holiday)This celebration commemorates the grito, a call to sedition issued by Manuel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Roman Catholic priest from the small town of Dolores, on this day in 1810. Each year on the night of September 15, the Mexican president rings the bell of the National Palace in Mexico City and delivers a speech from its balcony. When he waves the nation's tricoloured flag, thousands of spectators cry out in unison, “Viva Mexico!”
November 1- 2: All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (Días de los Muertos, celebrated nationwide)With festivities that combine Christian and native traditions, this two-day celebration is a very important event for the Mexican people. They evoke and pay tribute to the memory of their dearly departed with a festive celebration through prayer, song, music and dance.
December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe (national holiday)Celebration of Mexico's patron saint. Festivities throughout Mexico City and around the country include shows, dancing, concerts etc.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday)Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 6/43 | 21/70 | 8/0.3 | Not the best period to go |
February | 7/45 | 23/73 | 6/0.2 | Not the best period to go |
March | 9/48 | 25/77 | 10/0.4 | Not the best period to go |
April | 10/50 | 27/81 | 23/0.9 | Good period to go
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May | 11/52 | 26/79 | 56/2.2 | Good period to go
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June | 12/54 | 25/77 | 134/5.3 | Not the best period to go |
July | 11/52 | 23/73 | 161/6.3 | Not the best period to go |
August | 11/52 | 23/73 | 153/6.0 | Not the best period to go |
September | 12/54 | 22/72 | 127/5.0 | Not the best period to go |
October | 10/50 | 22/72 | 54/2.1 | Not the best period to go |
November | 8/46 | 21/70 | 12/0.5 | Good period to go
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December | 6/43 | 21/70 | 7/0.3 | Good period to go
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Mexico City's International Airport, the largest and busiest in Mexico, and the second busiest in all of Latin America by passenger traffic, is located about 13 kilometres (8 miles) north-east of the city centre.
Mexico City is a huge metropolis, one of the world's largest, with a population of over 20 million. Fortunately, the Mexican capital has a particularly well-developed and efficient public transport system.
Mexico City's Metro has twelve lines, covering a total route length of about 225 kilometres (140 miles). Both modern and fast, it serves the entire metropolitan area. At rush hours, the first car is reserved for women and children. A single ticket costs MXN 5.
Metrobús currently operates 4 routes, with the main one (Line 1) running along Avenida de los Insurgentes. A single ticket costs MXN 6.
Mexico City's light rail network runs over a total distance of 13 kilometres (8 miles), and has 18 stations in the city centre. A single ticket costs MXN 3.
Taxis are available for hire throughout the city. Fares for trips between destinations are calculated on the basis of established fare zones. Expect to pay between MXN 100 and MXN 200 for a medium-distance trip in the city centre.
Upon your arrival in Mexico City, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Mexico Tourism BoardOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN).
EUR 1 = MXN 24,88
MXN 1 = EUR 0,04
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Mexico City counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
VaccinationsVisitors arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic must show proof of yellow fever vaccination, usually documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Obtaining a booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio is recommended. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
The problems that you are likely to face at high altitude depend on your body's ability to adapt to changes in atmospheric conditions. If you have heart disease or a respiratory disorder, you should consult with your doctor before visiting Mexico City. All visitors should be aware that an adaptation period is often necessary.
WaterTap water is not safe to drink. Favour bottled mineral water instead.
Travellers visiting Mexico for tourism purposes and carrying proof of permanent residence in various countries do not need a visa if they will be staying for less than 180 days. For more information, please check the Mexican Government portal: http://www.gob.mx/inm
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Mexico, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Spanish phrases that will make your stay in Mexico City a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: ¡ Buenos días ! (morning) / ¡ Buenas tardes ! (afternoon)
Thank you very much: Muchas gracias
I don't understand: No entiendo
Could you repeat ?: ¿ Puede repetir ?
What time is it ?: ¿ Que hora es ?
Sorry: Disculpe (to say sorry)
Excuse me: Con permiso (to get past) / ¡ Por favor ! (to get attention).
Train station: Estación de trenes
I'm looking for (…): Estoy buscando (…)
How much is (…)?: ¿ Cuál es el precio de (…) ? /¿ Cuánto es ?
Do you have (…)?: ¿ Tiene (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: ¿ Dónde puedo encontrar (…) ?
Tipping
Leaving a tip, called a “propina”, is expected in Mexico City. In bars and restaurants, it is customary to tip between 10 and 15% of the bill. However, before leaving a tip, check the bill to make sure that a gratuity or service charge is not already included.