💰 This page covers what you need on the ground: card acceptance by neighborhood, Metro setup, taco stand economics, and day trips. For Mexican ATM networks, tipping norms, and currency overview:
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Order MXN → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Mexico City?
Yes. CDMX has a growing card culture in Roma, Condesa, and Polanco, but the street food and traditional markets that define the city run on cash. Taco stands, tianguis markets, metro rides, and tips all require pesos. Carry MXN 500–1,000 ($28–56) on you at all times.
Where You Will Need Cash
Taco stands everywhere (the backbone of CDMX eating). Markets: Mercado de Jamaica, La Merced, tianguis (street markets). Metro and Metrobús (rechargeable card loaded with cash). Tips at restaurants (10–15%), grocery baggers, parking attendants, gas station attendants. Street vendors and eloteros (corn carts). Smaller fondas (family restaurants).
Where Cards Work Fine
Restaurants, bars, and cafes in Roma, Condesa, Polanco, and Coyoacán. Hotels and hostels. Uber (card through app). Shopping malls. Major museums (Anthropology, Bellas Artes, Frida Kahlo). Supermarkets (Superama, Chedraui). Mexico City's modern side is card-friendly, but the soul of the city is cash.
Paying by Card in Mexico City
Visa and Mastercard work at most established businesses. Amex is accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants. Many smaller restaurants now have mobile card readers, but card acceptance varies greatly by neighborhood.
Roma & Roma Norte
The most popular neighborhood for visitors. Nearly every restaurant, cafe, bar, and boutique along Avenida Álvaro Obregón, Calle Orizaba, and the surrounding streets accepts cards. The craft cocktail bars, specialty coffee shops, and brunch spots that have made Roma famous are all card-friendly. Street taco stands on the corners are cash. The Saturday tianguis (street market) on Calle Orizaba is cash.
Condesa
The leafy, park-centered neighborhood adjacent to Roma. Restaurants around Parque México and along Avenida Tamaulipas accept cards. The cafe culture here is strong and card-friendly. Amsterdam Avenue's restaurants all take contactless. Condesa is slightly more residential and less hectic than Roma, with equally good card acceptance at established businesses.
Polanco
CDMX's wealthiest neighborhood. Avenida Presidente Masaryk (the Mexican Rodeo Drive), Antara Fashion Hall mall, and every restaurant in the area accept cards. The Museo Soumaya (free), Museo Jumex, and surrounding galleries are card-friendly. Polanco restaurants are the most expensive in the city but also the most card-friendly. Chapultepec Park borders Polanco and is free to enter.
Centro Histórico
The colonial heart of the city around the Zócalo. The Palacio de Bellas Artes, Templo Mayor, and National Palace (free) accept cards for tickets. Tourist restaurants on the main plazas take cards. The traditional cantinas and fondas (family restaurants) along the side streets are mixed. The street food vendors around the Centro are cash. The ambulant vendors selling churros, elotes, and esquites are cash-only.
Coyoacán
The bohemian southern neighborhood famous for Frida Kahlo. The Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) charges MXN 250 ($14, card online or at window). Restaurants around Jardín Centenario and Plaza Hidalgo mostly accept cards. The Coyoacán market (Mercado de Coyoacán) food stalls are cash. The churrería El Moro in Coyoacán accepts cards. Tostadas, quesadillas, and street snacks around the plaza are cash.
Markets (Mercados)
CDMX's markets are the soul of the city and almost entirely cash. Mercado de San Juan (gourmet market) has some vendors with card readers, but most are cash. Mercado de Jamaica (flowers and food) is cash. Mercado de la Merced (the city's largest) is cash. Tianguis (street markets, especially Sunday markets) are cash. Bring MXN 200–500 for each market visit.
Taco Stands & Street Food
The taco culture that makes CDMX one of the world's best food cities is almost entirely cash. Tacos al pastor, suadero, campechanos, and barbacoa from street stands cost MXN 15–30 ($0.84–1.67) each. Some higher-end taqueriías (like El Vilsito, Los Cocuyos) now have card readers, but the standard sidewalk taco stand takes pesos only. Keep MXN 100–200 on you for taco runs.
Juárez & Cuauhtémoc
The neighborhoods along Paseo de la Reforma and around the Angel of Independence. Hotels, restaurants, and shops along Reforma accept cards. The Zona Rosa area (between Roma and Juárez) has bars and restaurants that accept cards. The area around Monumento a la Revolución has newer restaurants and cafes that are card-friendly.
ATMs & Exchange
These bank ATMs reliably accept foreign cards.
BBVA
Citibanamex
Banorte
Santander
HSBCATMs
BBVA (blue machines) and Citibanamex are the most common and reliable for foreign cards. Found in every neighborhood, mall, and commercial street. Banorte, Santander, and HSBC also work well. Use ATMs inside bank branches or malls for safety. Maximum withdrawal is typically MXN 7,000–10,000 ($390–556). Most Mexican bank ATMs do not charge operator fees. Always decline DCC and choose Mexican Pesos.
⚠ Avoid Citibanamex "Sin Cuenta" ATMs
Some Citibanamex ATMs (labeled "Practicaja" or "Sin Cuenta") are designed for non-account holders and charge a higher fee. Look for the standard Citibanamex ATMs inside bank branches. BBVA ATMs are consistently the best option. Avoid standalone ATMs at convenience stores (OXXO ATMs charge MXN 25–35 per withdrawal).
Paying for Transport
Metro
CDMX's Metro is one of the cheapest in the world at MXN 5 ($0.28) per ride. Buy a tarjeta de movilidad integrada (rechargeable card) at any station for MXN 21 ($1.17) and load with cash at station machines. The card works on Metro, Metrobús, Trolebus, and RTP buses. No credit cards at the turnstiles. The Metro gets extremely crowded during rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM). Women-only cars are available during peak times.
Metrobús
The BRT (bus rapid transit) system runs on dedicated lanes along major avenues. Uses the same tarjeta de movilidad integrada as the Metro. A single ride costs MXN 7 ($0.39). Line 1 along Insurgentes is the most useful for tourists (connects Buenavista to Coyoacán). Line 4 connects the airport to the Centro. Load your card at Metrobús stations.
Uber & DiDi
Uber and DiDi are widely used in CDMX and accept international credit cards. A ride from Roma to Polanco costs about MXN 60–120 ($3.35–6.70). From the airport to Roma/Condesa is MXN 150–300 ($8.35–16.70). Surge pricing during rain, rush hour, and weekend nights. Both apps are considered safer than hailing taxis on the street. Never hail a random taxi on the street in CDMX.
Airport to City
Metro connects to Terminal 1 (Line 5, Terminal Aérea station) for MXN 5, but not recommended with luggage during rush hour. Metrobús Line 4 to Centro for MXN 30 ($1.67). Uber from AICM: MXN 150–300 ($8.35–16.70). Official airport taxis from the pre-paid booth inside arrivals: MXN 250–400 ($14–22, cash or card). Never accept a taxi from touts outside the terminal.
Tipping in CDMX
Mexico City Tipping
Restaurants: 10–15% is standard. Some restaurants add a suggested propina to the bill, but it is optional. At fondas and casual restaurants, leaving MXN 20–50 or rounding up is fine.
Taco stands: not expected. If you eat tacos worth MXN 100 and want to round up to MXN 120, that is generous but not required.
Grocery baggers: elderly workers at Superama, Chedraui, and Walmart work for tips only. Leave MXN 10–20 per bag.
Parking attendants (viene-viene): MXN 10–20 when you leave. Gas station attendants: MXN 10–20.
Uber: optional but appreciated via the app. Hotel porters: MXN 20–50 per bag.
Prices in Mexico City
CDMX is extraordinarily affordable. Street food is world-class and costs almost nothing. Roma/Condesa dining is mid-range by global standards.
| Item | Price (MXN) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Street taco (each) | MXN 15–30 | $0.84–1.67 |
| OXXO coffee | MXN 20–30 | $1.11–1.67 |
| Beer at a tienda | MXN 25–35 | $1.39–1.95 |
| Café de olla (local spot) | MXN 30–50 | $1.67–2.78 |
| Specialty latte | MXN 60–90 | $3.34–5.01 |
| Palacio de Bellas Artes | MXN 85 | $4.73 |
| Museo de Antropología | MXN 95 | $5.29 |
| Taco meal (5 tacos + drink) | MXN 100–150 | $5.57–8.35 |
| Mezcal cocktail | MXN 120–200 | $6.68–11.13 |
| Roma restaurant main course | MXN 180–350 | $10–19.50 |
| Museo Frida Kahlo | MXN 250 | $13.92 |
| Dinner for two with cocktails | MXN 800–1,500 | $44.55–83.50 |
USD estimates based on approximately MXN 17.97 = $1. Rates fluctuate. Many museums are free on Sundays for residents and visitors.
Day Trips from Mexico City
Teotihuacán Pyramids (1 hour by bus)
Buses from Terminal del Norte (Autobuses Teotihuacán line) cost MXN 104 ($5.79) round trip (cash at the counter). Site entry is MXN 95 ($5.29, cash at the window). Parking for private cars is MXN 45. The on-site restaurants accept cash. Souvenir vendors outside the gates are cash-only (and aggressive, bargain hard). Bring MXN 300–500 for the day. Organized tours with hotel pickup can be booked online with a card ($40–60 per person).
Xochimilco Trajineras
The colorful boat rides on the ancient canals. A trajinera (boat) costs MXN 500–800 ($27.85–44.55) per hour for the boat (cash, fits 12–15 people, split the cost). Food and drink vendors approach on their own boats and accept cash only. Mariachi bands that pull alongside charge MXN 200–300 per song (cash). The Uber to Xochimilco from Roma/Condesa costs about MXN 100–180. Bring MXN 500–1,000 for the full experience.
Puebla (2 hours by bus)
ADO buses from TAPO terminal cost MXN 280–380 ($15.60–21.15, card at the counter or online). Puebla's beautiful Centro Histórico has restaurants that accept cards. The street food (cemitas, mole, chiles en nogada) at the market and street stalls is cash. The Rosario Chapel and Cathedral are free. Bring MXN 300–500 for food and incidentals.
Mexico City Quick Reference
| Activity | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roma / Condesa dining | ✅ Most restaurants | MXN 200 for tacos | Sit-down places take cards |
| Polanco shopping | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | Most expensive area |
| Centro museums | ✅ Most accept cards | MXN 200 backup | Free on Sundays |
| Street tacos | ❌ Cash | MXN 100–200 | The essential CDMX experience |
| Markets (mercados) | ❌ Cash | MXN 200–500 | All markets are cash |
| Metro / Metrobús | ❌ Transit card | Load with cash | MXN 5–7 per ride |
| Teotihuacán day trip | ❌ Mostly cash | MXN 300–500 | Bus, entry, food all cash |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Mexico City?
Yes. Roma and Condesa restaurants take cards, but street food, markets, smaller restaurants, and the Metro are cash. Carry MXN 500–1,000 ($28–56) at all times.
How do I pay for the Metro?
Buy a tarjeta de movilidad integrada at any station (MXN 21) and load with cash. MXN 5 per ride. Also works on Metrobús. No cards at turnstiles.
Should I tip?
10–15% at restaurants. Not expected at taco stands. Grocery baggers work for tips only (MXN 10–20). Parking attendants MXN 10–20.
Is Uber safe?
Yes. Uber and DiDi are widely used and safer than street taxis. Never hail a random taxi on the street. Always verify car and driver match the app.
Where should I exchange money?
BBVA and Citibanamex ATMs are everywhere and do not charge operator fees. Casas de cambio on Reforma offer good rates. Avoid airport exchange for large amounts.
How expensive is CDMX?
Very affordable. Street tacos MXN 15–30 ($0.84–1.67) each. Roma dinner MXN 180–350 ($10–19.50). Mezcal cocktail MXN 120–200 ($6.68–11.13). Metro MXN 5 ($0.28).
How do I get from the airport?
Metro to Terminal 1: MXN 5. Metrobús Line 4: MXN 30. Uber: MXN 150–300. Pre-paid airport taxi: MXN 250–400. Never accept touts outside.
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Country-specific deep dives for Mexico-City: which card to bring, where the no-fee ATMs are at the airport, and how to dodge the local DCC traps.