How to Adapt to Life in CDMX If You're New to the City

1. Never forget to bring an umbrella

Even though some have lived their whole lives here, residents of CDMX are always caught off guard by the violent shifts in climate, and they view rain that falls unexpectedly at almost any time of year as an unwelcome surprise. Although the day may dawn bright and sunny, dark clouds can appear out of nowhere. A small umbrella or a pocket-sized raincoat are accessories that should never be missing from your city expeditions.

2. If you're going to travel by metro, anticipate buying tickets or reloading your card

Just like the weather, human crowds change unexpectedly throughout any given day. If you travel by metro, you'll find that some stations that are empty during the day become swarms of people during the early evening hours. To avoid delaying your journey further, you can take advantage and buy several tickets at once so you don't have to wait in long lines.

3. Plan several routes home if you go out at night

CDMX is a city where, somewhere, someone is always partying. But a night out to dance, a romantic dinner, or a local party can turn into an odyssey getting home. Taking a taxi requires some brief considerations beforehand: make sure the vehicle has authorized license plates, the driver's ID is in a visible place, the interior light is on, and the fare is within your budget. Although some parking lots close in the early morning hours, remember to check the closing time on your ticket so you don't end up shouting outside a gate.

4. Safety and prevention

The city is unimaginably large: very few people could boast of having walked all its streets or even having passed through all its boroughs. Like small states, each borough has local jurisdictions in case of incidents, and although there are very safe areas, insecurity and crime are aspects that threaten both locals and outsiders alike. Avoid carrying more money and cards than strictly necessary, as well as displaying jewelry or flashy items, even in tourist areas.

5. The chilangos

If you're reading this you probably know how to speak Spanish (or you're reading this in English); but it doesn't matter if you come from Australia or from a city elsewhere in the country, speaking chilango Spanish is an art learned after many years of practice. It's that chilangos seem to always be talking about two things at the same time; slang and jargon change depending on the time of day, the degree of familiarity between speakers, and their sense of humor. It seems like someone is always about to tell a joke. On the other hand, interactions with vendors or service providers can be devastatingly practical and efficient, and you'll probably have to call the store manager several times or put up with them talking on the phone while selling you a map of the city.

6. The authorities

Drivers are the city residents who interact most with the police. The streets are always the scene of someone driving fast and late to work accidentally colliding with a taxi driver running a red light. If you're the one behind the wheel, always carry your driver's license (local, out-of-state, or international), as administrative and financial penalties in traffic matters are legendary, as is the bureaucratic treatment in most government agencies. Try not to encourage corruption (because you'll find numerous opportunities to do so).

7. Free WiFi

If you don't have an international data plan, you don't have to go into a coffee chain to check your email. Many small establishments, cafes, restaurants, and even modest eateries in tourist areas have internet for their customers, and in numerous public places you can browse open networks. Still, don't forget to review point 4 of this guide, and it's better to put away your cell phone and enjoy the beauty of the city.

8. Enjoy

Tourism in Mexico City is not limited to tourist guides; the real city must be experienced on foot, walking the streets and eating in the markets, getting an upset stomach and having no idea how to get back to the hostel. No matter how much planning you do or how many precautions you take: the city is a fickle but friendly monster, with its own rhythms, that sometimes makes decisions for you. Just surrender to the flow of the city without fighting it and you'll have a great time, whether you're here for a couple of days or staying for good.