I can't believe we waited this long to visit Mexico City.
A few months ago, our family made our way down to Mexico City - such a lively and culturally rich place - A must do for everyone!
Lets start here!
How many days should you spend in Mexico City? Plan at least five days, there is a lot to see.
When is the best time to visit Mexico City? The best months are March, April and May. It does get hot in summer and sometimes rainy between June and September, and winters could be cold. We planned our visit during Presidents Day week (February 18-26), and it was perfectly OK!
What are the top attractions in Mexico City? Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Chapultepec Castle and Park, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Coyoacan and Museo Frida Kahlo are the top tourist attractions. But if you want to explore Mexican culture, there are eight unique experiences that I would recommend.
What's the currency in Mexico? The Mexican Nuevo Peso. Withdraw money at a local bank in Mexico as the USD is usually not accepted. Credit cards are, though. Stick to Visa or Mastercard.
Eight Amazing Mexico City Experiences
Pyramids of Teotihuacan
Just outside of Mexico City, the ancient city of Teotihuacan is home to some of the most impressive, archeologically impressive pyramids in the world. If you are brave enough, take a balloon ride over the pyramids, and find a walking tour guide to showcase their history.
This is our entire group, right at the base of the pyramid.
The tour we took included a balloon ride, a walking tour around the pyramids, a lovely vegetarian chilaquiles & beans breakfast with traditional music, coffee and sipping tequila + a few visits around the area. When we bought our tickets, we had choosen a bike option but it was too hot to bike, so we walked with a tour guide and learned so much about the history of the pyramids. In general, bikes don't seem like a great option for this experience.
For just the balloon experience:
OR
For a complete experience:
Coyoacan is awesome, baby.
What a pretty neighborhood! Coyoacan, a former village is now one of the 16 boroughs of Mexico City. Coyoacan has its own charm, and certainly feels a bit more laid back. Stay a night in this area to experience this picturesque area! We stayed one night at the H21 Hospedaje Boutique Hotel, and we just really loved it.
When in Coyoacan, visit the Frida Kahlo Museum aka Casa Azul where Frida's personal things are on display. The museum takes about an hour and it's a popular tourist spot. To photograph inside the museum, there is a fee.
For only a few bucks more, you can also visit the Diego Rivera Anahuacalli which is an aesthetic marvel, so I would recommend buying a combo ticket. This is the link to buy.
To see Coyoacan, I would recommend a bike tour that takes you to the main square, through gorgeous streets adorned with flowers. This is the bike tour I recommend:
This bike tour includes a ticket to the museum, so this is another way to go.
On our trip, we hopped on our bikes, rode through cobblestone streets, learned about the life story of painter Frida Kahlo, picked up churros on the way, tried a drink called Atole, and spent some time at the mercado for some tasty vegetarian tostadas and agua frescas. The museum was our last stop. And the guide was just the sweetest!
Mexico City Nightlife
Condesa and Roma are two of many vibrant neighborhoods, and there are a ton of restaurants and bars in the area, some with live music too!
Looking for a dive bar like experience? Bosforo is a great Mezcal spot. It is tiny but super happening! Expect standing room only, loud music and very happy and trendy people!
Looking for something more upscale? Licoreria Limantour (Álvaro Obregón 106 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX) is ranked #4 on the world's best bars 2022. It has been on this list since 2014. They were also named the Best Bar in North America for the second consecutive year. Their oregano drink is quite special, and their Margarita Al Pastor and Mr. Pink are legendary. Here is a sample of what we tried - Honestly, no bad options. Make a reservation in advance on OpenTable
Know that kids are not allowed at THIS location of Licoreria Limantour. If you are traveling with family, go to their OTHER location - Limantour Polanco (Oscar Wilde 9, CDMX) which is more like a restaurant but offers the same experience.
Mexico City Museums
OMG, this city has too many museums, all with beautifully preserved art and culture. I would strongly recommend the National Museum of Anthropology, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
The National Museum of Anthropology is one of the largest and most visited museums of Mexico. Explore significant archeological and anthropological artifacts from Mexico's pre-Columbian heritage. Make sure you see the Stone of the Sun or the Aztec Calendar Stone! And take a photo under the El Paraguas (The Umbrella), a towering water feature, a feat in itself - See how its holding the entire roof of the museum?
The Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) has murals from Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo, Roberto Montenegro and Manuel Rodríguez Lozano. If you are into art, you cannot miss this museum!
Lucha Libre Match
One of Mexico's most popular sports, Lucha Libre literally translates to "free fight". Lucha Libre reminds one of a WWF wrestling match you may have seen on television. It helps to learn about the history of this sport and some of the rules to enjoy the game!
It is silly, totally entertaining and culturally significant. I would suggest combining two experiences together. For e.g. spend an evening making masks and then go to the show. Or combine Mezcal tasting and Mexican wrestling! Here are two great options to explore:
OR
Take a Churros Masterclass!
Passionate about churros and chocolate? Learn to make Mexico's fav pastries and also create a ganache chocolate using Mexican cacao beans! And hot chocolate too.
Go for a Mezcal and Mole Tasting!
The two things that Mexico City is known for are mezcal and mole! Why not combine the two? In a cozy tasting room in Roma Norte, taste seven oaxacan mezcales and seven oaxacan moles with a certified mezcal sommelier. And yes, these moles are vegan. Hurray!
For curious cats: What is mole?
Pronounced as mo-lay, mole is a special Mexican sauce that is culturally significant in Mexican culture. Mole Poblano is popular but really there are so many varieties of this sauce - from red and green to even black. You can add the mole sauce to a variety of dishes, not as a condiment but as a sauce the holds the dish together. Even though the base is vegetarian, a meat stock may be added to the mole, so it is always important to ask.
For curious cats: What is mezcal?
Mezcal is an alcoholic beverage made from agave plants. When mezcal is made from roasted agave, it tastes smoky. There are many varieties of mezcal. You can sip it NEAT or you can mix it with a drink (like you would, tequila). Mexicans tend to sip it along with a salty snack, often sprinkled with 'worm salt'. Some mezcal bottles also come with a worm at the bottom. I have certainly met many mezcal bottles with no worm. Ask before ordering!
Visit the Zocalo
The historic center of Mexico City is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to some of the city's most iconic landmarks, such as the Zocalo (main square), the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace and the Templo Mayor.
If you need a guided tour, I would suggest something like this tour below. You can embark on a tour with this company, or check out their itinerary and create your own path.
On our trip, we chose to walk everywhere on our own but we had to wait and find cabs which was a slight inconvenience. Yes, there is Uber!
The advantage with a tour, however is that you have access to a private car as well as a local guide. This Mexico City's Historic Center Icons - A seven-point itinerary tour that includes stops at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Diego Rivera's murals at the National Palace, pre-Hispanic ruins at Museo del Templo Mayor, and the iconic Palace of Fine Arts museum (Palacio de Bellas Artes.)
When in the main square, check out the spiritual cleansing ceremony called a ‘limpia’. We saw a few Aztec shaman healers rubbing herbs on people, holding a cup of smoke and chanting. It is supposed to signify that evil is being expelled from the body and the spirit is getting stronger.
Check out also the Aztec dancers of Mexico City. The Aztec costumes with all their feather work are so cool! Take a minute to see these dancers showcase the cultural heritage of Mexico!
More time to spare?
Check out the Chapultepec Castle which is located in the heart of Chapultepec Park - walk around the park, see the arial performers, enjoy the fountains and grab a cup of tea at the cafes at the entrance of the park.
At the southern edge of Mexico City is Xochimilco! (Think Venice in Italy!) This is a network of canals and floating gardens. Most people say it's a tourist trap, but hey - take that boat ride, if you fancy one. Let no one stop you!
Walking around the city is the best way to see it!
The Angel of Independence is a recognizable landmark
The Biblioteca Miguel Lerdo de Tejada is a beautiful library with psychedelic murals adorning the walls!
Walk around Alameda Central and Cuauahtemoc Centro, and then check out the Palacio de Correos de Mexico is an old (and working) post office, quite the sight to see!
Food in Mexico City
I know we all like to enjoy the local cuisine but it does get harder when you are vegetarian or vegan. I am not a big fan of the fake meat stuff so the stryggle for vegetables-focused food is real. Here are some of my suggestions, tried and tested.
Enjoy the churros. Try the atole. Visit the mercado to try Tostadas w/ Nopales (cactus)!
Coffee? La Balance. Hands down!
Proper food? Check these below:
Quintonil is recognized as one of the world's top restaurants. Needs 3-6 months of advance planning and is pretty crazy on the wallet. Headed by Alejandra Flores and Jorge Vallejo. And yes, darling. They have a vegetarian menu!
Machu is a plant-based fine dining restaurant located in the heart of La Roma, Mexico City. The restaurant is next to park Luis Cabrera, one of the most beautiful parks in the La Roma neighborhood, and sits at the middle floor of a 100 year old house on the corner of Orizaba and Guanajuato Street in MC. Food is extraordinary!
Los Danzantes in Coyoacan is amazing. Celebrate the gastronomic and cultural riches of Mexico! It's an institution.
Panaderia Rosetta is popular - so go early! It is best known for its guava pastry and cardamom buns. We had to wait a lot and it helped to know a little bit of Spanish. They also have a restaurant with great handmade pasta but you need a reservation much in advance to get in. If you can, find a way to experience Chef Elena Reygadas' magical touch!
LALO is a great spot for brunch. Loved their pancakes, avocado toast, fresh juices etc.
If you just want to pick up baked goods, consider Ideal Pasterleria. Walk in their store and be blown away!
If you are okay with soy-based vegan options, try Maiz de Cacao for its rustic touch.
Also - Por Siempre Vegana Taquería offers a terrific vegan food truck experience.
Some other non-Mexican options include:
Mercado Roma - This is an upscale food court with international flavors. We found Asian food, Indian food and vegetarian tacos here
Cancino - Havre for pizzas and salads
Mandolina - is an upscale spot for drinks, some vegetarian food options are available. Food is ok-ish, ambience is great. Check out the hundreds of lemons on the ceiling! We ended up meeting our friends from Los Angeles who were also on holiday - Such a lovely experience, cherry on top and all that.
MOG Bistro for Asian food - all about the noodles for us, really. But they have other veggie options too, and they have a few English-speaking staff so special requests are easy
Here are some other options to explore. We could not get to them because either they were closed or booked up. But they all come highly recommended by vegetarian friends
La Distral - beautiful views, go for drinks!
Masala Maiz - India-influenced Mexican food, tiny spot
The Best Areas to Stay on Your Mexico City Holiday
You should find hotels for every budget in this city, including popular hotel chains such as the Four Seasons Mexico City, the St. Regis Mexico City, and the W Mexico City.
In my opinion, La Condesa and Roma are pretty central and one should plan to stay there, if affordable. Polanco and Santa Fe are a little away from the main areas. Coyoacan is beautiful but far from all the other attractions (except Friday Kahlo museum). Downtown historic area feels crowded but if you only want to see the historic, touristy stuff, it may work for you.
The pink hearts on this map below indicate the areas listed below. The red symbols are the tourist attractions. Scroll down for area descriptions and hotel listings.
Polanco
This upscale neighborhood is home to high-end boutiques, top restaurants, and cultural attractions like the Soumaya Museum. Popular hotels in Polanco include the JW Marriott Mexico City and the InterContinental Presidente Mexico City.
Centro Histórico
The historic center of Mexico City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Zócalo, the National Palace, and the Cathedral. Popular hotels in the area include the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico and the Downtown Mexico.
Roma and Condesa
These trendy neighborhoods are known for their lively nightlife, fashionable boutiques, and hipster cafes. Popular hotels in the area include the Condesa DF and the Hotel Carlota. Lots of restaurants here!
Santa Fe
Located in the west of the city, this modern neighborhood is home to many of Mexico City's business headquarters and shopping centers. Popular hotels in the area include the Live Aqua Urban Resort Mexico and the Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe.
Coyoacán
This colorful neighborhood is known for the Frida Kahlo Museum, and beautiful gardens. Popular hotels in the area include the Casa de la Luna and the Hotel Condesa DF.
Credits: Thank you to Pranjal, Mauli, Toral, Arpit and Puneet for helping with the planning and the photos! Some photos are also from Unsplash.
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