A Frequent Visitor’s Guide to Zona Rosa, Mexico City
Though it’s home to some of the best bars in the world (including speakeasies) and Pequeño Seúl (Little Seoul), Mexico City’s tiny Zona Rosa neighborhood is often overlooked.
If you’re considering staying in Zona Rosa, or wondering if this interesting little barrio is worth adding to your Mexico City itinerary, keep reading! I’ll share the best things to do in Zona Rosa, where to stay, and my honest opinion of whether it is worth visiting.
📌 Bookmark these Mexico City travel guides to keep planning your trip:
- 🚠 How to Ride the Mexico City CableBus As a Tourist
- 🌿 The Ultimate Guide to Roma Norte, Mexico City
- 💃🏽 What to Wear in Mexico City for Women & Men
- 🇲🇽 How to Prepare for Your First Time in Mexico City
And grab my free map of Mexico City with my all my favorite spots pinned!
🇲🇽 My Mexico City Favorites 🇲🇽
🌚 Hot Air Ballon Ride over the Sun and Moon Temples: Watch the sunrise over ancient Aztec temples at Teotithuacan from a hot air balloon (or stay grounded on a Teotihuacan walking tour).
🛶 Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo Day Trip: Join a floating fiesta boat ride through the ancient canals of Xochimilco then a visit Frida Kahlo’s iconic ‘Blue House’ on this brilliant guided day trip.
🚠 Discover Mexico City’s best hidden gems: Choose from my 21 favorite Mexico City hidden gems and explore lesser known parts of the city!
👟 Wander through Mexico City’s most vibrant neighborhoods: Head to Coyoacan (colorful part of town that Frida Kahlo called home), Roma Norte (lowkey greenery-filled neighborhood), and/or Condesa (a small but lively neighborhood).
🌿 Where to Stay: One-of-a-kind boutique luxury room at La Valise in Roma, a high end yet affordable room beside Parque Mexico at Casa Mannach in Coyoacan, or a charming budget-friendly room at NaNa Vida in Roma.
Zona Rosa, Mexico City Travel Guide
History of Mexico City’s Zona Rosa
Mexico City’s Zona Rosa, or Pink Zone in English, dates back to the early 1900s when artists and elites began moving out of CDMX’s Centro Histórico and establishing new neighborhoods.
Zona Rosa was one of the new barrios, and if you’ve read my guide to Roma Norte, you know that Roma and Condesa were also new neighborhoods established around this time.
At the time, Zona Rosa was was not called Zona Rosa. It cycled through a few names, including La Teja and La Zona Americana. Mostly populated by wealthy foreigners, Zona Rosa was teeming with trendy European-style cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and bakeries.
Zona Rosa reached its peak in the 1960s and 1970s. It was perhaps comparable to what Roma Norte is today—a neighborhood popular amongst foreigners with bohemian flare, exclusivity, and the city’s hottest nightlife.
Around this time it was renamed Zona Rosa by famed Mexican artist José Luis Cuevas who said: “it is too naive to be a red zone, but too frivolous to be white zone, and so it is pink.”
But it wasn’t long before Zona Rosa began to lose its appeal in the 1980s when both an economic crisis and a major earthquake devastated the area. Many of the preexisting restaurants moved elsewhere and Zona Rosa began to feel more like a red light zone.
Today Zona Rosa is very different from what it was at its height, but it is still a popular area for nightlife and the gay community, as well as the Korean community!
The Best things to do in Zona Rosa, Mexico City
1. Walk Along Zona Rosa’s Pedestrian-Only Street
One thing I love about Mexico is the abundance of pedestrian-only streets. In Zona Rosa it is Calle Génova, which begins in the south at the exit to Glorieta de los Insurgentes and runs a few blocks north toward Paseo de la Reforma.
Zona Rosa’s Calle Génova is bustling most times of days with tourists and locals alike. Along the street you’ll see everything from American fast food chains like KFC and Carl’s Jr. to small local eateries and shopping centers.
I’ll be honest: I prefer supporting local businesses and since most of the businesses here are international chains, I would skip eating in this part of town and instead head to somewhere else. However, Calle Génova is a great place to observe local chilangos (Mexico City natives) commuting to and from work, if that is something you’re interested in!
2. Visit the Museo del Chocolate
A few blocks east of the main part of Zona Rosa you’ll find the Museo del Chocolate (Museum of Chocolate). This is the perfect place to learn about the traditional chocolate making process.
You see how cacao pods are transformed into delicious chocolate products, and get to taste along the way. The museum is small but entry is less than $5 USD, making it an affordable thing to do in Zona Rosa.
👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛
3. Wander Over to Paseo de la Reforma
Zona Rosa is just steps away from one of the most famous streets in Mexico City (Paseo de la Reforma) and one of the most iconic monuments (Ángel de la Independencia). You can follow Paseo de la Reforma all the way between Centro Historico and Chapultepec Park, if you wish.
On weekdays Paseo de la Reforma is busy and full of traffic, but it closes to vehicle traffic on Sundays, and the streets fill up with bicycles. It is easy to rent a bike on the street in this area, too, so I highly recommend it if you’re visiting on a Sunday. But no matter what day you visit, you will enjoy expansive sidewalks and unparalleled views of Mexico City‘s skyscrapers.
4. Indulge at Churreria El Morro
Churreria El Morro, which started as a small churro cart in the 1930s, now has several locations across Mexico City, including in Zona Rosa.
Whether you visit the Zona Rosa location or a different one, be sure to get a delectable churro if it is your first time in Mexico City. Their churros are always vegan (sauces are not), and their churrerias are always bright white and blue with an attractive aesthetic.
5. Sing at a Korean Karaoke Bar
If you search “Korean Karaoke Bar in Mexico City” on Google Maps, you’ll see that almost every karaoke place is located in the same area—and if you zoom in, you’ll see that area is Zona Rosa.
Truth be told, I haven’t been to any of these karaoke bars, but it is on my list for my next visit to Mexico City. If you end up visiting one, I’d love to know about your experience in the comments!
6. Dine with a View at Cityzen
If you’ve read my guide to the best views in Mexico City, you know that Cityzen is one of them. Situated on the 38th floor of the Sofitel Mexico City Reforma Hotel, this bar and restaurant boasts breathtaking views of the skyline and the Ángel de la Independencia.
Reservations are highly recommended, and you should probably dress up before visiting. Expect to pay around $1000 pesos ($60 USD) for a meal for two people. I’m very pleased that Cityzen now has a few plant-based options, but the majority of the menu is meat.
7. Browse at Mercado de Artesanías
If you like markets, head straight to Mercado de Artesanias. You’ll find a diversity of souvenirs from across the country. But truthfully, I tend to avoid buying these types of gifts as my artist friend from San Cristobal de las Casas warned me that most are made in Taiwan and China, not Mexico. Still, I know that lots of people like to shop at places like this.
If you are looking for more unique, handmade gifts that actually originate from Mexico, look for boutique stores and pop-up markets, especially at places like Huerto Roma Verde and shops along Calle Colima. I share more about these spots in my guide to Roma Norte, Mexico City.
8. Experience Zona Rosa Mexico City Nightlife at a Speakeasy
Zona Rosa is most well known for its nightlife scene. If you search for bars and clubs in this area, you’ll find tons of options. But some are better than others.
The most notable bar in Zona Rosa is Hanky Panky, a speakeasy style bar that has been ranked as one of the top 50 bars in the world. Since it is a speakeasy, it has a hidden entrance, which adds to the fun! Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time. Hanky Panky isn’t the only speakeasy in Zona Rosa, though, you can also check out Xaman Bar, which is known for its delicious cocktails.
Where to Stay in Zona Rosa, Mexico City
Trying to figure out where to stay in Zona Rosa? Here are some of the best hotels in and around the neighborhood:
1. Sofitel Mexico City Reforma: My Top Choice for a Luxurious Stay
Just steps from Zona Rosa is Sofitel Mexico City Reforma, a luxury hotel with incredible views of the Mexico City skyline and Angel of Independence.
Sofitel Mexico City Reforma has a gorgeous pool with a city view, a spa with saunas, soaking tubs, and massages, complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, and five brilliant restaurants and bars including Cityzen, which I mentioned earlier in this guide.
2. Hotel MX Reforma: Clean, Affordable Zona Rosa Hotel
Located on the edge of Roma Norte and Paseo de la Reforma, Hotel MX Reforma is a basic, but highly-rated hotel in the area.
Fo around $80 USD a night, you can expect a clean, modern hotel room with air conditioning and a terrace overlooking the city. The best part is the location, you’ll have everything that Reforma and Roma Norte have to offer right outside your doorstep.
3. Hotel Geneve: Historical Zona Rosa Hotel
This historical hotel is actually the reason I ended up in Zona Rosa on my last trip to Mexico City. My husband’s company was hosting a work trip here and I tagged along.
Hotel Geneve is located right in the heart of Zona Rosa, and its striking facade and lobby definitely catch your attention. It gives you a sense of what Zona Rosa may have been back at its height. Truthfully, the hotel rooms are nothing to write home about, but the suites are beautifully decorated in a vintage style.
Zona Rosa CDMX FAQs
What is Zona Rosa Mexico City known for?
Zona Rosa is a historical Mexico City neighborhood that is known today for its nightlife, Korean community, and LBGTQ+ community. It is a quickly small neighborhood within the larger Juárez neighborhood, on the edge of Roma Norte and Paseo de la Reforma.
Is Zona Rosa safe?
Zona Rosa is a relatively safe area of Mexico City. As in any major city, you should be aware of your surroundings and not flash any valuables in this area. The safest part of Zona Rosa is the main pedestrian street, Calle Génova, which is lively with activity most times of day and night.
Be aware that Zona Rosa is the closest thing Mexico City has to a red zone, so it is not the most family-friendly area. However, I felt generally safe staying in this area for a week, even when exploring on my own and a female traveler.
If you are looking for a safer area of Mexico City, nearby Roma Norte and Condesa feel even safer in my experience.
Is Zona Rosa Mexico City worth visiting?
There is so much to do in Mexico City and honestly, I would skip Zona Rosa is you’re pressed for time. Of course, if you’re into nightlife, this area has some of the top rated bars in the world, but other than that, there isn’t a ton to do.
Final Thoughts: Mexico City Zona Rosa
Mexico City’s Zona Rosa is often overlooked, but I don’t know if I personally would consider it a hidden gem or must-visit spot in CDMX. However, it is certainly an intriguing area to explore if you’re interested in Mexico’s historical neighborhoods, LGBTQ+ community, Korean immigrants, or nightlife.
