Mexico City: Spanish travel guide
Huge, friendly and full of food. Mexicans are famously polite, so a little Spanish and lots of “por favor” go a long way.
- MoneyMexican peso (MXN). Prices use the $ sign, but they're pesos.
- Tipping10–15% in restaurants, usually in cash
- Emergency911
- VoiceLatin American Spanish
✈️ Plan my Mexico City trip
Tap to hear a phrase. If you hear nothing, check your volume or try Chrome, Safari or Edge.
Local greetings
- BuenasHiSay it: BWEH-nahsShort for buenos días or buenas tardes. You'll hear it everywhere.
- ¿Qué onda?What's up? (casual)Say it: keh OHN-dah
- ¿Mande?Sorry? / Pardon?Say it: MAHN-dehThe polite Mexican way to ask someone to repeat.
- Con permisoExcuse me (to get past)Say it: kohn pehr-MEE-soh
- Mucho gustoNice to meet youSay it: MOO-choh GOOS-toh
Money and tipping
- Cards work in most restaurants and shops. Carry cash for markets, street food, small shops and tips.
- Restaurants: leave 10–15% (la propina), usually in cash. Check the bill first: some add a service charge.
- Gas station attendants and grocery baggers get a few pesos.
Five Mexican words
- chidocool, greatSay it: CHEE-doh
- ahoritain a little while (could be soon, or much later!)Say it: ah-oh-REE-tah
- el camiónthe busSay it: ehl kah-MYOHN
- ¡Aguas!Watch out!Say it: AH-gwahs
- ¡Qué padre!How cool!Say it: keh PAH-dreh
Good to know
- Drink bottled or purified water: ask for agua embotellada or agua purificada.
- The city is 2,240 m (7,350 ft) up. Take it easy on day one and drink plenty of water.
- Street food stalls (puestos) are part of the fun. Busy ones with a quick turnover are a good sign.
Keep learning
Take Taco on your trip
The iPhone app adds live conversation practice, Scan & Translate for menus and signs, and works offline.
Download on the App Store