Where to Stay in Mexico City: 5 Best Areas & Hotels
The Mexican capital occupies a huge area and if you are planning your first visit to the metropolis, you are likely feeling a little overwhelmed when having to choose where to stay in Mexico City.
Covering 1,485 square kilometers (573 square miles) and 16 different districts with over 300 neighborhoods, that’s a lot of ground to cover and hotels to go over.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we will highlight the best areas to stay in Mexico City, including the top hotels in each one, to help you make an informed decision and have the best possible stay in this vibrant city.
*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of Where to Stay in Mexico City
On the whole, Mexico City is a budget-friendly destination although there are some 5-star hotels and boutique lodgings thrown into the mix. As the traffic in Mexico City can be heavy, it is worth booking accommodation as central as possible or choosing a hotel within walking distance of a metro station.
A lot of travelers worry about safety in Mexico City. For the most part, the city is safe but there are some areas that you should avoid choosing accommodation in. I would recommend sticking to my recommendations to ensure a comfortable stay!
If you’re short on time, check out my quick guide below.
Area | Recommended Hotel |
---|---|
Centro Histórico (budget-friendly, first-time visitors, sightseeing, history) | Domingo Santo Hotel Boutique |
Condesa (first-timer visitors, nightlife, family-friendly, photographers) | AR 218 Hotel by ULIV |
Roma Norte (first-time visitors, food, nightlife, local life) | UTOPIC Roma Norte by ULIV |
Juárez/Zona Rosa (LGBTQ+ friendly, nightlife, budget-friendly, shopping) | Barceló Mexico Reforma |
Polanco (luxury stays, shopping, fine dining, honeymooners) | InterContinental Presidente Mexico City |
Map of the Best Areas to Stay in Mexico City
How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.
Where to Stay in Mexico City: Best Areas & Hotels
1. Centro Historico

As you can probably gather from the name, the Centro Histórico is the heart of Mexico City, spanning the Plaza del Zócalo and the surrounding area.
Among the Centro Histórico, you will find such attractions as the Templo Mayor Museum, the National Palace, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
If you’re planning your first trip to the city and want to hit up all the major tourist spots then Centro Histórico is one of the best areas to stay in Mexico City, especially if you have only one day in Mexico City. Much of the area is walkable and there are several metro stations within the region.
Besides being one of the best neighborhoods in Mexico City for first-time visitors, this is also one of the best places to scoop budget-friendly accommodation. Accommodation is surprisingly low-cost for the city’s most central area.
Pros and cons of staying in Centro Historico
Pros
- All the major attractions within walking distance of your hotel
- Accommodation is affordable for such a central area
Cons
- The area is crowded and may be noisy at night depending on where your room is located
- Be cautious of pickpocketing and petty theft in this part of town, especially during the evenings or at events in Zócalo
Best hotels in Centro Historico
mid-range
Budget
2. Condesa

Condesa is a handsome region in the western part of the city center that covers three smaller neighborhoods: La Condesa, Condesa-Hipodrómo, and Hipódromo.
The area is characterized by its art nouveau architecture, colorful facades, and tree-lined avenues that lead you into beautiful parks. If you love photography, then you can have a lot of fun getting creative in this attractive neighborhood.
Condesa backs onto the green expanse of Chatultelpec Park, which contains a boating lake, a European-style castle, a botanical garden, and a zoo that is free to visit. This makes Condesa one of the best neighborhoods in Mexico City for families or travelers who fancy going for a run in the mornings.
At the other end of the scale, Condesa also offers excellent dining options and a laid-back nightlife scene that lasts deep into the night. You’ll just need to ensure that you choose a hotel that suits you.
As Condesa is conveniently located between Chatultelpec Park and the Centro Histórico, it also comes out top of the list of where to stay in Mexico City for your first visit.
Pros and cons of staying in Condesa
Pros
- Excellent nightlife
- Ample selection of places to eat
- Many unique and boutique accommodations
Cons
- Accommodation is somewhat limited so you will need to book well in advance
Best hotels in Condesa
3. Roma Norte
The Roma district is broken down into two areas: Roma Norte and Roma Sur. Roma Norte backs onto the northwest corner of La Condesa. It is possible to walk from Roma Norte to the Zócalo area in around one hour and the neighborhood is well-served by local metro stations.
If you’re a foodie, you will love Roma Norte! In fact, you might struggle to leave the neighborhood as there are so many options and everything is high-quality.
Roma Norte is known for its bohemian spirit and youthful energy, being a popular place for young Mexicans to call home.
Due to its convenient location for accessing the Centro Histórico and the wide variety of places to eat in the vicinity, Roma Norte follows La Condesa as one of the best areas to stay in Mexico City for first-time visitors.
Pros and cons of staying in Roma Norte
Pros
- Excellent food options
- Pleasant nightlife scene
- Conveniently located for connecting to the Centro Histórico as well as attractions beyond the main center
Cons
- Hotels are pricier due to the popularity of the area
Best hotels in Roma Norte
4. Juarez/Zona Rosa

Juárez is an artistic and energetic district located west of the Centro Histórico. The smaller neighborhood of Zona Rosa sits within the Juárez district and is known for its gay-friendly bars, clubs, and karaoke joints.
This is the setting for the annual Gay Pride but it is also the setting for a burgeoning Korean community, which makes Juárez the best neighborhood in Mexico City if you’re a fan of Korean food or fancy a change from Mexican restaurants!
Although the wonderful nightlife is one of the main draws of Juárez, the majority of the bars are concentrated in the Zona Rosa area. Outside this cluster of streets and towards Chapultepec Park, Juárez has hotels on quiet that make this one of the best areas to stay in Mexico City for families.
It’s also a fantastic shopping destination and you will spot a number of artists and antique vendors selling their wares on the streets.
Be sure to take a stroll down Avenida Paseo de la Reforma which is studded with such monuments as the Angel of Independence, Fuente de La Diana Cazadora, and Estela de Luz.
Pros and cons of staying in Juarez
Pros
- A fantastic offering of nightlife, shopping, dining, and transport links
- Accommodation in Juárez is happily affordable
Cons
- Avoid booking a hotel in Zona Rosa unless you want to be in the heart of the party as the noise may be bothersome
Best hotels in Juarez
5. Polanco

If you have a weakness for fine food, fancy hotels, and high-end boutiques then you will be in your element in Polanco! This is where you find a selection of Mexico City’s Michelin-star restaurants such as Pujol and Quintonil alongside a mix of boutique hotels and prestigious hotel chains.
The nightlife is in keeping with the overall vibe, you can expect to find elegant cocktail lounges and wine bars.
Bear in mind that this neighborhood is located in western Mexico City and is not as central as some of the other places in this guide. If you are only spending one or two days in the city then Polanco is probably not the best neighborhood for your trip.
However, if you are spending at least 3 days in Mexico City or are returning for a second trip, it’s an excellent contender as it lets you experience the city from a different perspective.
Due to the luxurious vibe of Polanco, I also recommend this district to honeymooners or travelers celebrating a special occasion. You will feel like royalty while staying in Polanco!
Pros and cons of staying in Polanco
Pros
- Polanco is the best area in Mexico City to stay in if you want to live it up and aren’t restricted by budget
- A broad selection of upscale restaurants, bars, and hotels
Cons
- Public transportation is somewhat sparse with only one metro station located in the area
- As there are not very many tourist attractions to see in the immediate area, Polanco is more of a lifestyle destination