Cost of One Week in Mexico City for a Family of Four
We spent a week in Mexico City and, to be honest, we ended up spending more than we originally planned. But looking back, it helped us see where we could improve our budgeting and what areas to be more mindful of on future trips. In total, we spent $1,157.35 for a week’s stay, and here’s the cost of one week in Mexico City, where our money went, along with some tips to help you manage your expenses better if you’re traveling with kids.
Accommodation – $653.52
We stayed in an Airbnb in the neighborhood of Reforma that had everything we look for when staying somewhere with kids, including a full kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a washing machine. Having access to all these amenities ensures that we can make meals whenever we want to. Our children get the sleeping arrangements that work best for everyone and we can wash clothes in the comfort of our home. We only bring the necessities when it comes to clothes and wash fairly frequently so this is really helpful for us. A dryer is always a bonus, but we know its not common, so keep that in mind when booking your stay too.
Restaurants – $69.49
I know others probably eat out most of the time when they travel, but we find that eating at home gives us flexibility to feed the kids when they are hungry, they are not constrained in a restaurant waiting for food and its just more low key. However, we did treat ourselves to eating out three times:
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Backyard Breakfast – This was our most expensive meal at $38.49, but it was a nice splurge. I was also the most touristy option. I find if there are no locals there then its probably the tourist hub. Either way the food was delicious, but we realized we could have saved a bit by opting for a simpler meal.
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Taqueria Selene – We loved this place! Tasty tacos that literally everyone enjoyed for just $18.50—it’s a steal. That was 3 tacos a plate for 4 people.
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Taqueria Las Rejas – Another great spot for delicious and affordable tacos at $12.50. This again was 3 tacos a plate for 4 people. Our kids did decide that the chicken was too spicy for them, so keep that in mind if you are dining here.
Groceries- $146.16
Shopping is no easy feat if you are used to finding everything in one place like a Costco or Harris Teeter. But we found that we could do most of our shopping at the Walmart Express and The Green Corner, a nearby organic grocery store. These are both close to one another, so you can alwasy go to one and then the other right after. Here’s how that broke down:
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Walmart Express – $79.36 and $17.13
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The Green Corner – $43.40 and $6.27
These stores were about 20 minutes away from our accommodations in the neighborhood of Reforma, but the convenience of having fresh, organic options from The Green Corner and essentials from Walmart was worth the effort. Like I mentioned above we do tend to go grocery shopping for most of our food needs as it’s just easier to buy what the kids and us want when we want it and then treat ourselves to local foods when we find the right option.
Transportation – $25.40
We did not rent a car, and honestly, you don’t need to. Parking and driving in Mexico City looked like it was a big hassle. It made me think of NYC on steroids. Luckily the area is extremely walkable and with lots of public transit set up to help you get wherever you need to go, so we stuck to Uber and the Metro:
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Uber from the airport to the Airbnb in Reforma: $13.22
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Uber from the Airbnb back to the car rental at the airport (we got a car rental before driving to San Miguel at the end of trip: $9.58
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Metro for Steven and me (kids under 12 years of age ride free): $2.60
The Metro card also works on the lightrail, so it was super easy to reload if needed. It’s a budget-friendly way to get around the city, especially with kids!
Tourist Attractions – $158.78
We spent some of our budget on sightseeing because who goes to CDMX without doing some sightseeing and tours.
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Floating Gardens of Xochimilco – $42.50
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Teotihuacan Pyramids – $116.28
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Chapultepec Zoo – FREE
Both were worth every penny, and I have more detailed posts about each of these experiences if you’re interested in learning more.
Miscelaneous- $104.00
Unfortunately, this expense came from a police bribe after we were pulled over in what was a frustrating and unexpected situation. It’s a reminder to always be prepared for any scenario, but it also taught us how to navigate certain challenges in a foreign country. If you want to know more about this experience, I’ve shared it in another post.
Total: $1,157.35
How We Can Improve:
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Find local markets: While we enjoyed eating out and it was easy to shop at the Walmart it is definitely worth finding local markets for produce as this is always cheaper than the major retailers.
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Walk more or use public transportation: Uber is convenient but can add up. The Metro is super affordable, so we’ll definitely aim to use it more next time. I should note that the Metro was down in Reforma so we did not have easy access to this.
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Plan for unexpected expenses: Always have a little extra set aside for unexpected situations, such as bribes or other emergency costs.
