Updated September 11, 2023

So you’re about to travel to Mexico City! Excelente. To avoid sticker shock, we’ll break down everything you need to know about prices in Mexico City—from street food to bar covers to Uber costs and beyond. Just remember: curiosity is priceless (heh) so send us a message to learn more!

Mexico City meal prices

The question of where to eat in Mexico City is, obviously, a huge and crucial part of travel planning. But it’s just as important to learn about the price of Mexico City meals—that way, you can work those extra tacos into your budget planning. So let’s break it down (we’ll even throw in a mini language lesson):

• Breakfast (Desayuno): Breakfast won’t break the bank. If you’re grabbing a pastry at Pasteleria Ideal it shouldn’t run more than $5 USD (plus, checking out the mouth-watering array of Mexico City pastries is one of the most delicious non-touristy activities in Mexico City).

• Lunch (Almuerzo): Lunch, likewise, will be cheap. You can definitely find lunch for two at a sit-down spot for about $10-15 USD (or just keep indulging in that sweet, sweet street food).
• Dinner (Cena): Sensing a theme? Dinner won’t put you over budget (unless you decide to eat two of the world’s best restaurants, which can be found in Mexico City’s Polanco neighborhood: meals at Pujol or Quintonil will run closer to $30 USD or $40 USD). Dinner can easily be found for between $5 MXN and $10 MXN.
• Bonus: Water (Agua): Ok, so water may not seem like that exciting of a bonus but believe us—you’ll want to stock up on it while in Mexico City. It’s necessary (tap water in Mexico City is not safe) and cheap, usually only a couple of bucks for a big bottle.

And be sure to tip! We’ve gone ahead and answered any questions you may have about tipping in Mexico City.

Local tip: If you stick to street food—which can be found in any of Mexico City’s incredible neighborhoods—breakfast will often cost much less (so start the day with some tamales!).

A night out in Mexico City

One of the best parts of traveling to Mexico City is enjoying the city’s electric nightlife. Let’s be real: how much you spend during a night out all depends on the kind of night you’re looking to have. We’ll break down some of the basics of nightlife prices in Mexico City—the rest is up to you!

• Beer: You can easily get a bottle of beer in Mexico City for $20 MXN, or about $1 USD (book us a ticket to Mexico City!). The higher the quality beer, the higher the price, but it shouldn’t be more than $5 USD.
• Cocktails: At a nice club in downtown Mexico City, cocktails may be more expensive (although only half as much as cocktails in big American cities). You should be able to find one for about $7 USD.
• Uber: You’ll want to use Uber in order to access all the great places to visit in Mexico City and definitely to get home after a long night out. Uber is not going to be expensive. Usually, only a few bucks to get from point A to point B.
• Bar cover: Many of the fancier clubs in Mexico City will charge a cover (at least for men) to get inside. These can vary from $15 USD to $25 USD. Women often get in free.

While enjoying all that Mexico City nightlife has to offer, keep a couple of things in mind. Mexico City is safe but be smart about it. Don’t go wandering down alleyways or into bad neighborhoods. Call an Uber when it’s time to go home.

Basically—take the same precautions you would while going out in any big city. If safety is a concern, swap safety tips with a Mexico City local.

Mexico City’s museums and sites

There are SO many great attractions to see in Mexico City. The best part? The price of entry is usually pretty cheap or free.

• Templo Mayor: An active archeological site in the heart of Mexico City, Templo Mayor is a stark visual look at Mexico City’s complex, multicultural history. Entry is $70 MXN, less than $4 USD.
• Museo Soumaya: The stunning Museo Soumaya may look expensive (the outside glitters silver) but it’s actually free to visit. Filled with work by renowned European and Mexican artists, it’s a must-see.
• Museo Nacional de Antropologia: The largest and most visited museum in Mexico, the National Museum of Anthropology has an incredible collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts. It costs $75 MXN to visit, less than $4 USD.  

If you really want to budget for additional margaritas, check out some of Mexico City’s stunning landmarks like the iconic El Angel or the Monumento de la Revolucion. These can be admired from up close or afar for no pesos at all.

Getting around Mexico City

There’s always walking, which is free, but with so much to do in Mexico City, you’ll want to move around quickly and easily. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do that! Transportation prices in Mexico City are a breeze.

• Uber: We’ve gone over this. Just a couple of bucks! If you’re going further (for example between distant neighborhoods like Centro Historico and Coyoacan) it might be more expensive, but it’ll still likely be less than $20 USD-$30 USD.  
• Metro: The Mexico City metro is a great way to get around the city. At only $5 MXN or about a quarter, it’s an ultra-cheap way to get around town. (Just be sure to keep an eye on your belongings at all times.)
• Skip the taxis: Peace of mind is priceless. Given bad experiences some visitors have had with Mexico City taxis, it’s best to avoid them. To make sure your Mexico City travel is as seamless and safe as possible, just take an Uber. Easy!