First 7 Days Checklist

Roma Norte · Experience date Feb 10, 2026

Mexico City is enormous (22+ million metro population) but the expat core is concentrated. Key orientation: the Paseo de la Reforma is the main diagonal axis — runs from Chapultepec Park through the financial district to Centro Histórico. The colonias you'll live in (Roma, Condesa) are southeast of Reforma and Chapultepec. Insurgentes is the main north-south artery — cuts through Roma Norte, Condesa, and connects to Metro stations. Metro Line 1 (pink) runs east-west: Insurgentes and Sevilla stations cover the Condesa/Roma area. Navigation app: Google Maps is excellent for CDMX — download offline maps before arriving. Altitude reminder: the city is at 2,240m — walking between colonias causes more breathlessness than expected in your first days.

Polanco · Experience date Nov 28, 2025

Financial preparation for your first week in Mexico City: Arrive with: $3,000–5,000 MXN in cash (for airport, OXXO SIM, water, immediate supplies before your bank card arrives) + your international debit/credit card. Cash sources on arrival: AICM has ATMs from Banamex, HSBC, and Santander in arrivals — withdraw $2,000–3,000 MXN using a foreign card (fee: $35–50 MXN per withdrawal). First week costs: SIM $250–350 MXN, garrafón water $50 MXN, groceries $500–800 MXN, Uber rides $500–1,000 MXN, food out $1,000–2,000 MXN. Total first-week cash budget: $3,000–5,000 MXN ($150–250 USD). Credit/debit card: contactless payment widely accepted in Roma/Condesa restaurants and Superama — not all market vendors. Nubank card: activate virtual card immediately for contactless use before physical card arrives.

Centro Histórico · Experience date Jan 25, 2026

Expect culture adjustments when arriving in CDMX from a Western city. Punctuality: 'ahorita' and '¿Ya mero?' (almost there) are genuine cultural concepts — meetings start late, delivery estimates are approximate. Bureaucracy: Mexican administrative processes involve significant paperwork, multiple visits, and patience. Noise: CDMX is a loud city — street vendors, car horns, music from cafés, dogs, construction. Pollution and altitude: both require adjustment. Warmth: Mexicans are extraordinarily warm, hospitable, and generous — once you're past the surface social layer, friendships are deep and lasting. Food culture: meals are social events that last 2–3 hours — embrace this. Mexico City rewards those who engage deeply — the expats who love it most are those who push past the bubble and connect with Mexican culture, not just the expat community.

Aeropuerto · Experience date Dec 14, 2025

The Centro Histórico (Historic Centre) is essential to visit but requires awareness. Best approach in week one: day visits only, in a group if possible. Key sites: Zócalo (main square, free), Palacio Nacional (Diego Rivera murals, free), Catedral Metropolitana ($free), Templo Mayor (pre-Hispanic ruins, $85 MXN), Mercado de la Merced (enormous traditional market). Safety: pickpocketing risk is moderate in crowded areas — use a crossbody bag, keep phone in pocket. Avoid: Tepito neighbourhood (adjacent to Centro) — not recommended for visitors. Getting there: Metro Line 2 to Zócalo station (direct from Condesa/Roma area via Taxqueña or Pino Suárez). Uber to Centro: normal during daytime. After dark: stick to the well-lit Zócalo area or take Uber back to your neighbourhood.

Insurgentes · Experience date Dec 25, 2025

If you arrive near major Mexican cultural events, they will shape your first experience of the city. Día de los Muertos (November 1–2): the most important and spectacular. Altars (ofrendas) appear in homes, offices, markets, and public spaces. Procession on Reforma: tens of thousands of participants in face paint and traditional dress. Highly recommended to participate and observe — one of the world's great cultural events, genuinely moving and joyful. Semana Santa (Holy Week, March/April): city empties as Mexicans travel to their home states — quieter CDMX, but many restaurants close. Grito de Independencia (September 15, 11pm): President shouts independence cry from Palacio Nacional to massive Zócalo crowd — extraordinary spectacle. Fiestas Patrias (September 15–16): Mexican flags everywhere, parties in every neighbourhood.

Aeropuerto · Experience date Feb 21, 2026

Short-term options for your first weeks in Mexico City: Airbnb long-term discount (28+ days): best value for furnished accommodation in Roma/Condesa at $800–1,400 USD/month. Hostels in Roma Norte and Condesa: $20–40 USD/night with good social atmosphere. Selina Condesa: coworking + accommodation, popular with digital nomads ($50–80 USD/night, monthly rates available). Facebook expat groups: 'Mexico City Expats' often has sublet and short-term room listings. Use your temporary address for: Nubank Mexico account, any initial registrations, WhatsApp business accounts. Strategy: book 2–4 weeks of Airbnb before arrival, use that time to walk different colonias and understand where you want to commit to a lease. Never sign a 1-year lease without spending time in the neighbourhood first.

Insurgentes · Experience date Jan 9, 2026

Essential apps for CDMX expats: Uber + DiDi (transport — use both for price comparison), Google Maps (navigation — download offline), WhatsApp (all communication), Nubank Mexico (banking), Wise (international transfers), Telcel Mi Telcel app (phone management), OXXO app (nearest OXXO finder, payment), Rappi (delivery — food, groceries, pharmacy), Uber Eats (food delivery), AIRE CDMX (air quality monitoring), 911 CDMX (emergency alerts and earthquake notifications), Citymapper (transit — good CDMX Metro route planner). Spanish: Google Translate (camera mode for menus and signs). Social: Facebook groups are more important than apps in CDMX for expat community. Install all of these in your first 48 hours — they represent your operational toolkit for CDMX life.