Essentials & Etiquette

4 min read · Updated Jul 2026

The short answer, the long answer, and what to do about ice, salads, and street-food water in practice.

3 min read · Updated Jul 2026

Restaurants, bars, taxis, hotel staff, and the small tips that are expected but never printed on the bill.

3 min read · Updated Jun 2026

Mexico City sits at 2,240m / 7,350ft. What that actually means for your first 48 hours, and how it affects eating and drinking.

4 min read · Updated Jul 2026

Uber, DiDi, the metro, walking, and street taxis — what our editors and their families actually use, day and night.

6 min read · Updated May 2026

The parade, the ofrendas, the cemetery visits — how to see the holiday well without treating it like a costume party.

5 min read · Updated Jun 2026

Better than its reputation suggests. Here are the restaurants, the classic dishes, and the phrases to know.

4 min read · Updated Jun 2026

The honest answer is 'it depends' — here's how to navigate salsas, chiles, and menus so you get what you want.

4 min read · Updated Jun 2026

Weather, festivals, jacaranda season, and what changes month to month.