🌵Mexico City survival cheat sheet (altitude, water, tipping)

for the friends who keep asking me the same five questions before they visit. saving myself the whatsapp voice notes.

You're at 2,240 meters

expect to be a little short of breath the first two or three days, drink more water than feels necessary

Don't drink the tap water

bottled or garrafón, even most locals don't drink straight from the tap

Tip 10 to 15 percent at sit-down restaurants

not really expected at street stalls, rounding up is enough there

Carry cash for tacos and mercados

Use Uber or DiDi over flagging a cab on the street

fixed fare shown before you get in, that alone is worth it

Metro runs 5am to midnight on weekdays

6am saturdays, 7am sundays. rush hour (7-9am, 6-8pm) is genuinely packed, there are women-and-kids cars at the front of the platform

Metro is 5 pesos a ride

Get a local SIM at the airport or an OXXO

Telcel has the best coverage across the city

Download the SkyAlert app

the earthquake alert gives you anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds, know where your building's meeting point is

911 works, just say 'emergencia' clearly

Stick to well lit streets after dark if you don't know the colonia

Roma, Condesa, Polanco are easy, ask before wandering elsewhere at night

Check the air quality on bad days

winter gets rough, an IMECA reading over 150 means take it easy outside

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