Study abroad in Mexico City (CDMX)
Housing, transport, universities, language expectations and daily life for exchange students in Mexico City (CDMX).
Country
MexicoStudent Budget
USD 600 – 1,500/month
Transport Card
Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada (MI)
Population
9,209,944 (Ciudad) / 22,281,442 (Área Metropolitana)
City Vibe
One of the world's great megacities. Unbeatable food, world-class museums, and a thriving student scene at a fraction of European costs.
Who loves this city?
Students who love food, art, intense culture, and nightlife that keeps going late.
What makes it special
CDMX has one of the world's largest museum scenes after London, plus a food culture that runs from street stands to Michelin-level restaurants.
Newcomer shocks
- The enormous size of the city and the density of traffic.
- The altitude (2,240 meters above sea level), which can make the first few days tiring.
- The public transport system (Metro and Metrobus) gets extremely crowded at rush hour.
Before You Land
A few practical setup details students usually sort before arrival
Connectivity, insurance, and secure public WiFi are the boring things you only notice when you need them. Keep them on your checklist, but keep the guide itself front and centre.
Arrival Connectivity
Sort an eSIM before you land
Maps, ride apps, 2FA codes, and WhatsApp are usually the first things students need from the airport.
Coverage Check
Confirm your travel insurance
Even when the university gives guidance, students usually need to double-check what is covered before departure.
Public WiFi
Have a backup for shared networks
Campus halls, airports, and cafés are convenient, but many students prefer an extra privacy layer when they first arrive.
Weather & Packing
| Season | High / Low | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C / 5°C | Dry | Short days |
| February | 17°C / 7°C | Dry | Warming up |
| March | 21°C / 10°C | Spring showers | Pleasant |
| April | 24°C / 12°C | Spring showers | Perfect weather |
| May | 27°C / 15°C | Warm | Long days |
| June | 30°C / 18°C | Hot | Summer starts |
| July | 32°C / 20°C | Very hot | Peak summer |
| August | 31°C / 20°C | Hot and humid | Late summer |
| September | 28°C / 17°C | Warm | Cooling down |
| October | 23°C / 13°C | Cool | Autumn colors |
| November | 18°C / 9°C | Cool and dry | Crisp air |
| December | 15°C / 6°C | Cold | Winter starts |
Mild climate year-round. In summer, heavy rain often arrives in the afternoon.
Packing checklist
- Dress in layers: cool mornings, warm afternoons, and rain around dusk are common.
- Shorts and sandals are not ideal for everyday city life; locals rarely use them for normal urban routines.
- A good compact umbrella.
Cost of Living
Cost of Living Index
50.0 / 100
Mid-range · World avg ≈ 44
| Category | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Room Rent | USD 400 – 700/month | Roma and Condesa are highly gentrified and some prices feel dollarized; Coyoacan and Narvarte are more accessible. |
Going out & dining
Supermarket basket
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Housing
Coyoacán / Copilco
Varies by street, room type, and season.UNAM students. Commute: walk or bike to campus
Roma / Condesa
Varies by street, room type, and season.Expats and nightlife. Commute: excellent Metrobus connection
Where to search
Documents to prepare
Passport or national ID
Admission or exchange confirmation
Proof of funds or guarantor details if requested
Deposit funds and signed lease
Health insurance or local registration documents if required
Timing
Start with university housing as soon as the host opens applications.
Keep temporary accommodation for arrival if the private market is tight.
For one-semester stays, confirm minimum term and cancellation rules before signing.
Red flags
Never transfer money or deposits before signing a written rental contract and verifying the landlord's identity.
Always request a live video tour or physical viewing of the property to confirm it exists and matches the description.
Be extremely suspicious of listings priced significantly lower than the local market average for that neighborhood.
Safety
Safety Index
50.0 / 100
Moderate — stay alert
Crime Index
50.0 / 100
Moderate crime
Source: Numbeo · Lower crime = safer. Higher safety = safer.
Safety varies heavily by borough. Roma, Condesa, Coyoacan, and Polanco are generally safe by day and night, while students should avoid unfamiliar northern areas and parts of the eastern edge such as Iztapalapa.
Top risks
- Phone theft on public transport (Metro and Metrobus), especially by pickpockets at rush hour
- Phone scams or virtual extortion attempts; avoid answering unknown numbers
- Earthquakes: the city has a public seismic-alert speaker system, so learn the safety zones in your building.
On the Metro and Metrobus, keep your backpack in front of you and avoid carrying valuables in outer pockets.
Transport
🚇 CDMX Metro
The fastest way to cross the city. The first cars are reserved for women and children under 12.
The fare is already heavily subsidized by the government.
🚇 Metrobús
Rapid-transit articulated buses running in dedicated lanes. Generally clean and reliable.
N/A
🚲 Ecobici (public bike-share system)
Excellent coverage in central areas such as Roma, Condesa, Coyoacan, and Reforma. Unlimited 45-minute rides.
Temporary student promotions sometimes appear at the start of academic terms.
🚕 Uber / DiDi / Cabify
The safest option for late-night travel. Avoid hailing street taxis.
N/A
Events & Activities
Lucha Libre at Arena Mexico
Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays
Cheap (MXN 100 - 300)
An iconic, theatrical cultural spectacle full of masks, crowd energy, and student-friendly prices.
Xochimilco trajinera boat ride
Weekends
Medium (MXN 500 per hour per boat, split between friends)
A classic weekend tradition for exchange students, with mariachi music and food aboard colorful canal boats.
Sunday cycling route on Reforma
Every Sunday morning
Free
Paseo de la Reforma closes to cars and becomes a route for bikes, skates, and pedestrians.
medium
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
November 1–2
Free
Mexico City's Day of the Dead is one of the world's most powerful cultural events — altars, marigolds, Zócalo parade
Lucha Libre at Arena México
Tuesday, Friday, Sunday year-round
MXN 200–500 (~€10–25)
Mexican masked wrestling at its home — theatrical, spectacular, great value and completely unique to Mexico
Bosque de Chapultepec Sunday
Every Sunday year-round
Free (museums free on Sunday)
Latin America's largest urban park — free National Anthropology Museum, castle, lake, street food and live music on Sundays
Student Perks
Museums & Culture
Food Savings
Cheaf
Mexican food-rescue app with strong discount packs from local bakeries and restaurants.
Get appBuy the Tarjeta de Movilidad Integrada for unified access to the Metro, Metrobus, Ecobici, and Cablebus. Fares & passes
Universities
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
Latin America's largest and most prestigious university. The campus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. FREE tuition even for foreigners.
Social Life
What Students Usually Get Wrong
Student Associations
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Local Section
Coordinates orientation events, social trips, and integration parties for incoming international students.
Central Student Union / Student Representation
The official university student representation providing support, sports clubs, and cultural activities.
Meeting Places 2
Public Groups 2
ESN & International Students Facebook Group
Search for the local group to find flatmates, events, and buy second-hand furniture.
Local ESN Instagram / Linktree
Follow the local section page to access current WhatsApp group chats and event sign-up forms.
Forums & Advice 1
Erasmus+ Community
Official network for exchange students — forums, contacts, and city guides.
Reddit: Exchange student guide for mexico-city
Useful threads on local realities.