Daily costs per person in Mexican pesos. CDMX is one of the world's great travel bargains, with world-class food, museums, and nightlife at a fraction of European or North American prices.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: MXN (Peso) (1 USD ≈ 17.5 MXN)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | MXN 250–500 | MXN 800–1,800 | MXN 3,000+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → luxury hotels |
| Food | MXN 150–250 | MXN 400–700 | MXN 1,200+ | Street tacos & markets → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | MXN 20–50 | MXN 100–200 | MXN 400+ | Metro/Metrobús → Uber/taxi → private driver |
| Activities | MXN 0–100 | MXN 200–400 | MXN 600+ | Free sites & parks → museums → guided tours |
| Drinks | MXN 50–100 | MXN 150–300 | MXN 500+ | Cantina mezcal → craft bars → speakeasies |
| Daily Total | MXN 470–1,000 | MXN 1,650–3,400 | MXN 5,700+ | $27–57 → $95–195 → $325+ |
Money-saving tips
Street food paradise
Tacos al pastor: MXN 10–25. Tamales: MXN 15–20. Tlayudas: MXN 60–80. Tortas: MXN 30–50. You can eat three full meals on the street for under MXN 200 ($11) per day and eat better than most restaurants.
Metro CDMX
The metro costs MXN 5 per ride, one of the cheapest in the world. It covers the entire city. Buy a rechargeable card at any station. Metrobús (MXN 7) reaches areas the metro does not.
Free museums on Sundays
Almost every government museum in CDMX is free on Sundays: Antropología, Bellas Artes, Chapultepec Castle, MUAC. Museo Soumaya is always free. Plan your museum day for Sunday to save MXN 200+.
Cantina culture
Traditional cantinas serve free botanas (snacks) with every drink. By your third mezcal (MXN 50–70 each) you have had dinner. La Coyoacana and Salón España are famous for generous botanas.
Markets over restaurants
Eat at mercados (markets) instead of restaurants: Merced, San Juan, Coyoacán, Jamaica. A full comida corrida (set lunch) at any market costs MXN 50–80 for soup, rice, main, drink, and dessert.
Free walking tours
Free walking tours (tip-based) run daily from the Zócalo. Estación México and Free Walking Tour CDMX cover Centro, Roma, and Coyoacán. Budget MXN 100–200 per person as a tip.
