Is Mexico City worth visiting?
Rich history, tasty street food, and stunning architecture make it unique. Is Mexico City worth visiting? Yes! But not everything is as it seems.
The city of job opportunities and professional growth, the place that some foreigners have decided to adopt as their new home. But, is Mexico City worth visiting?
As a Mexican who has been living here for an entire life… I would think twice. Let me tell you why, from someone who navigates its chaotic streets daily.
Mexico City is a huge metropolis. It is the hallmark of modernity and the result of the progress that the country has had throughout its history. It is also a portrait of Mexican culture at its finest and the embodiment of the constant struggle of its citizens.
Is Mexico City worth visiting?
Consider this: You're standing in the Zócalo, one of the largest public squares in the world, where the layers of history are stacked upon each other. The Metropolitan Cathedral sits on stones from destroyed Aztec temples, while just steps away at Templo Mayor, you can see the archaeological remains of Tenochtitlan, the pre-Hispanic city founded in 1325 that once housed 200,000 people on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco.
From a historical perspective, my city holds fascinating historical significance:
- The only royal castle in the Americas is here: Chapultepec Castle. Built in 1785 on a sacred hill where Aztec emperors once retreated.
- Mexico City's historic center contains over 1,500 buildings classified as historical or architectural landmarks.
- With more museums than any other city in the world - more than 190 - ranging from world-class institutions to quirky specialized collections.
- The ancient canals of Xochimilco are the last remnants of an extensive water transport system of ancient Tenochtitlan, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Visiting Mexico City today
But is Mexico City worth visiting in today's context? The truth is complicated. While tourism brings vital economic opportunities, we're experiencing the growing pains of rapid gentrification and an influx of digital nomads that has transformed many neighborhoods. Condesa, Roma, and Polanco are some districts where you find more foreigners than locals nowadays.
In 2023, Mexico City welcomed over 14.5 million tourists, a 22% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, rental prices in these neighborhoods, including Juárez, have increased by 37-58% since 2019, according to the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI). The average monthly rent in these areas now exceeds 25,000 MXN (USD 1,250), while the average monthly salary for locals remains around 8,600 MXN (USD 430).
This situation has created tension. Many locals find themselves priced out of neighborhoods where their families have lived for generations. Local businesses became coworking spaces where English is spoken more than Spanish. The phrase no son bienvenidos (you're not welcome) has begun appearing as graffiti in some gentrified areas.
My point of view
As a native, I see both sides. The invasion of international visitors has revitalized many areas and brought attention to our incredible cultural offerings. The tourism economy supports approximately 315,000 jobs in the city. Yet the benefits aren't equally distributed, with wealth concentrating in already-privileged areas while working-class neighborhoods continue to struggle with infrastructure challenges.
It's not cool to have to deal with this situation. Earning a low salary and not being able to speak your language in certain areas becomes uncomfortable. We love foreigners, and we appreciate having them, but we also want our rights as citizens to be respected. Likewise, we ask visitors to respect our culture and take an interest in speaking our language. Learning some words would make a huge difference.
Kind advice
So, is Mexico City worth visiting? Yes, but with consciousness. Visit knowing that beyond the Instagram-famous streets of Roma Norte lies a complex metropolis of 22 million people with challenges, triumphs, and a cultural richness that can't be captured in a two-week stay.
We welcome visitors who come, engage with our city, and learn some Spanish phrases. Venture beyond the tourist enclaves, support locally-owned businesses, and approach our home with respect.
Give a try to our street food (but be careful), a vibrant art scene, and millennia of history. Just remember that Mexico City isn't just a backdrop for digital nomad selfies; it's a living, breathing megalopolis that continues to evolve through its contradictions and complexities.
Pamela Herrera
Enroll it.
