Your stay — Mexico Hotel
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The Property — Mexico Hotel
Mexico Hotel is a no-frills, 3-star establishment in the heart of Addis Ababa, its beige façade and modest lobby providing a humble welcome. The decor is a mishmash of worn leather armchairs and faded photographs, giving it a nostalgic feel reminiscent of a bygone era. For the budget-conscious traveller, Mexico Hotel offers a simple, no-nonsense place to rest your head, with friendly staff and basic amenities. It's a solid choice for those on a tight budget, or those who prioritize proximity to the city's main attractions.
Chronicles of Addis Ababa
Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa was designed to be a modern, European-style city, with wide avenues and grand buildings. The city's architecture reflects this history, with Art Deco and neoclassical styles dominating the skyline. Today, Addis Ababa is a bustling metropolis with a rich cultural identity shaped by its African, Middle Eastern, and Italian influences. The city is home to over 3 million people, with a vibrant cultural scene that includes traditional markets, museums, and festivals. The National Museum of Ethiopia, located near Mexico Hotel, is a must-visit for history buffs and those interested in ancient civilizations.
Best Time to Visit
Full Addis Ababa guide →Best months
The best time to visit Addis Ababa is during the dry winter months of January, February, and March, when the temperatures are mild and the crowds are manageable. The dry air makes it an ideal time for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Peak / festival surge
The peak tourist season in Addis Ababa is during the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatesh) in September, when the city is filled with locals celebrating. This period sees a significant increase in hotel prices, with some properties doubling their rates. The vibrant festival atmosphere makes it a great time to experience the city's culture, but be prepared for larger crowds and longer wait times.
Budget shoulder season
The shoulder season in Addis Ababa falls during the shoulder months of April to May and September to November. These periods offer relatively mild weather and lower prices, making it an excellent time for budget-conscious travellers. Expect some rain showers during these months, but the cooler temperatures make it ideal for exploring the city.
Weather & packing
Addis Ababa's climate is characterized by a high diurnal temperature range, with temperatures often dropping significantly at night. Pack layers for your stay, with warm clothing for the cooler evenings and lightweight rain gear for potential showers.
Live City Briefing — Addis Ababa
- The city's new light rail system is now operational, making it easier to get around Addis Ababa. The Merkato, the city's massive market, has been renovated and expanded, offering a wider range of goods and a more comfortable shopping experience. The Addis Ababa City Administration has launched a new app to help visitors navigate the city's traffic and public transportation.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Mexico Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above 5th floor) to minimize street noise from Roosevelt Street. These rooms will also have better views of the city.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the service entrance (likely on the ground floor or 1st floor) as they may be noisier due to staff and delivery activity.
Best views
Rooms on the higher floors (5th floor and above) will offer views of the city, including the surrounding buildings and possibly the nearby streets.
Quietest floors
Floors 6-8 are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the fact that higher floors tend to be less prone to street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Roosevelt Street can be quite busy, with a mix of traffic and pedestrian activity. On weekends, there may be more noise from nearby bars and restaurants.
Insider tips
When checking in, consider asking for a room with a keycard door lock, as this may be a more modern and secure option. If you're planning to explore the city, take a taxi or ride-hailing service from the hotel, as traffic in Addis Ababa can be chaotic and parking may be challenging.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Mexico Hotel
free standard tier, 100 Mbps, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader, including Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
24/7 check-in, early bag-drop available from 0600, ETB 500 late check-out fee after 1400
available 24/7, ETB 50 per item per day
step-free access, wheelchair-accessible entries, some rooms have structural limitations for mobility-impaired guests
on-site parking available, ETB 200 per night, nearest public car park at Meskel Square, ETB 150 per day, no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ETB 20 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: ETB 500 advance deposit, card hold ETB 1000 for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Lideta Full Gospel Church (416 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Addis Ababa International Lutheran Church and Mekane Yesus Lideta Congregation (502 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Ethiopian Assemblies of God church - Lideta (513 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: ደብረ መድኃኒት መድኃኔዓለም ቤተ ክርስቲያን በ፲፱፻፹፭ ዓ.ም ተመሠረተ (584 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ahmed Mall — 559 m · ~7 min walk
Lideta Menafesha — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
HOME — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
National Theatre — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
Club des Cheminots — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 632 m · ~8 min walk
Lucy Pharmacy — 373 m · ~5 min walk
Petram PLC — 519 m · ~6 min walk
Tegbared — 327 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Travellers can exchange money at local banks, such as the National Bank of Ethiopia, or at forex bureaux like Awash Bank. Be cautious of poor rates at the airport or tourist bureaux.
Major credit and debit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops, but contactless payments are less common. Mobile payments like M-Birr and Ayir are widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service. 10-20 ETB per meal at a restaurant is sufficient, while 50-100 ETB for a taxi ride is considered generous.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee can be found for around 10-15 ETB at a local café.
A budget lunch option is a traditional injera with various stews for around 20-30 ETB.
A affordable dinner option is a plate of tibs or wats at a local restaurant for around 50-70 ETB.
Street food is common in the area around Merkato, a large market selling a variety of traditional Ethiopian food.
Local supermarkets like Itulu and Mega Market are common in the area, offering a range of products at affordable prices.
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets like Merkato or the nearby Addis Mercato, selling a variety of clothing and textiles.
A day pass for the city bus costs around 2 ETB, and the most affordable way to get to the airport is by taxi, costing around 500-700 ETB.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist bureaux, and instead use an ATM or local bank to get the best rates. Use local currency for small purchases to avoid poor exchange rates. Consider buying a local SIM card for affordable phone calls and data.
Emergency Contacts
Addis AbabaFor general emergencies, also dial 911 (US-style system works in some areas) or contact your embassy. Addis Ababa police station numbers: 251-11-1-11-11-11. Save your hotel's front desk number too.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Addis Ababa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Mexico Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 632 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Lucy Pharmacy — 373 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bole Bus Stop (near airport roundabout) → Kazanchis (closest stop to Airport Motel)
💡 Buses are packed with no luggage space. Doable with a backpack only. Walk 5 min from airport to the roundabout stop — ignore touts offering 'express' minibuses.
Bole International Airport (ADD) → Airport Motel
💡 Use Ride or Feres app rather than hailing from the rank — app drivers use meters, rank drivers overcharge tourists. Avoid taxis near exit doors unless you want haggling.
Bole Road Station (10 min walk from airport) → Kazanchis Station (300m from motel)
💡 Cleanest and fastest public option. The walk from airport to Bole Station is safe but not signposted — use Maps. Verify direction: you're heading west towards Tor Hailoch.
Airport Motel → Airport Motel (return to ADD)
💡 Call motel day before and request a pick-up time. They send a white minibus with a sign. Tip driver 50 birr if they help with bags — no pressure, but polite.
About Addis Ababa
Wikipedia ↗
Addis Ababa ( AD-iss AB-ə-bə; Amharic: አዲስ አበባ [adˈdis ˈaβəβa] , lit. 'new flower'; Oromo: Finfinnee, lit. 'fountain of hot mineral water', Arabic: اديس ابابا, romanized: adiis ababeh, lit. 'Centre of the Flower') is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. With an estimated population of 2,739,55...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Mexico Hotel?
Request a room on a higher floor (above 5th floor) to minimize street noise from Roosevelt Street. These rooms will also have better views of the city.
Which rooms should I avoid at Mexico Hotel?
Avoid rooms near the service entrance (likely on the ground floor or 1st floor) as they may be noisier due to staff and delivery activity.
Is Mexico Hotel noisy?
Roosevelt Street can be quite busy, with a mix of traffic and pedestrian activity. On weekends, there may be more noise from nearby bars and restaurants.
Which rooms have the best views at Mexico Hotel?
Rooms on the higher floors (5th floor and above) will offer views of the city, including the surrounding buildings and possibly the nearby streets.
What are insider tips for staying at Mexico Hotel?
When checking in, consider asking for a room with a keycard door lock, as this may be a more modern and secure option. If you're planning to explore the city, take a taxi or ride-hailing service from the hotel, as traffic in Addis Ababa can be chaotic and parking may be challenging.
What time is check-in at Mexico Hotel?
Check-in at Mexico Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Mexico Hotel have Wi-Fi?
free standard tier, 100 Mbps, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Mexico Hotel?
ETB 20 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Mexico Hotel?
A budget lunch option is a traditional injera with various stews for around 20-30 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mexico Hotel?
A day pass for the city bus costs around 2 ETB, and the most affordable way to get to the airport is by taxi, costing around 500-700 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
The best time to visit Addis Ababa is during the dry winter months of January, February, and March, when the temperatures are mild and the crowds are manageable. The dry air makes it an ideal time for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Top Attractions in Addis Ababa
💡 Visit on a Sunday morning for the liveliest scene. Try the roasted corn (200 birr) or sambusa from stalls. Don't miss the stone relief map of Ethiopia near the central monument.
💡 Enter from the main road near the Tunisia junction. Keep valuables deep in zipped pockets. Haggle hard—start at 30% of the asking price. Best in mid-morning before the heat peaks.
💡 Wear good walking shoes; the path is steep and dusty. Take a minibus from Sidist Kilo for 10 birr. Bring water and a jacket—it gets windy at the top. Entry to the church grounds costs 50 birr.
💡 Combine with a walk around the beautiful university compound. Entry is 50 birr (cheapest museum in town). Give yourself 1 hour. The cafe next door does decent coffee for 15 birr.
💡 Go early on a weekday to avoid school groups. Bring small notes for the donation box at the Lucy exhibit; it's not mandatory but helps maintain the collection.