Is the tap water safe to drink?

No. Never drink the tap water. Use bottled or filtered water even for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

You can get by with English in tourist areas, but learning 20 basic phrases will earn you much better service and respect from locals.

Planning a Trip to Mexico City

Plan to spend at least five days to cover the city's main districts and museum scene. Use Uber for safety and convenience, and stick to the neighborhoods of Roma Norte and Condesa for your home base.

Choose your neighborhood. Stay in Roma Norte or Condesa. They are walkable, have the highest density of cafes and restaurants, and are centrally located for transit to other parts of the city.
Master the transport. Download Uber and Didi before you arrive. Use these for all evening travel and any trip across town. For short daytime distances, the Metro is cheap (5 pesos) but avoid it during rush hours (7-9 AM and 6-8 PM).
Book museum tickets in advance. Purchase tickets for the Frida Kahlo Museum online at least 3 weeks before your travel dates; they sell out fast and are not sold at the door.
Prepare for the altitude. Mexico City sits at 7,350 feet. Drink double the water you think you need, limit alcohol intake for the first 48 hours, and prepare for potential mild headaches.

Is the tap water safe to drink?: No. Never drink the tap water. Use bottled or filtered water even for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.
Do I need to speak Spanish?: You can get by with English in tourist areas, but learning 20 basic phrases will earn you much better service and respect from locals.