Mexico City is the largest city in North America and the capital of Mexico. The city has so much history and culture, making it a top travel destination for visitors across the world.
We recently came back from a 4-day trip to Cuidad de Mexico and we already can’t wait to plan another trip to visit again. I’ve visited Mexico City many times growing up as a kid, but experiencing the culture and the region as an adult was an entirely different experience. Our trip was kid-free, so we were able to pack in plenty to do while on our visit.
While there is plenty to do for families, we focused our time visiting cultural landmarks and dining out, which likely would not be of interest to young kids.
Here’s our recommendations on the best things to see and do when visiting Mexico City.
History of Mexico City
Let’s start off with a little bit of history on Ciudad de Mexico.
Mexico City is one of the oldest cities and it was built on ruins nearly 700 years ago. Its home to 8.8 million people and the city welcomes 12 million visitors every single year (that’s a whole lot of tourists)!
Mexico City’s old age means its home to so much history and culture in every corner. With the continuous expansion of the ancient city over the years, it has led to the city sinking.
YES- Mexico City is sinking.
How is Mexico City sinking?
The original foundation that was built hundreds and hundreds of years ago is beginning to crack.
The city was originally built over a lake when the Spanish drained the lake to expand their colony. Today, the city has already sunk over 30 feet. In order to preserve its foundation, the city is constantly needing to restructure buildings and extract excess water from under foundations.
You’ll likely see blocked off areas and construction sites while visiting cultural centers and downtown as they work to preserve the city.
Why visit Mexico City?
Mexico City has something for everyone and if you have not visited yet, it is a place to add to your list. Foodies, history bluffs and cultural enthusiasts are sure to fall in love with the beautiful city.
How long to stay in Mexico City?
While I can usually provide a more concrete answer when traveling, this is really depending on how much exploring outside the city you want to do. There is so much to see and do in the city itself but also a lot of great things to see on the outskirts that are worth visiting, if time allows.
A 5-day itinerary to Mexico City will work for those interested in mostly exploring Mexico City and still allows time for a day trip to Teotihuacan, the ancient pyramids, or another nearby town.
If you want to make the most of your trip by visiting nearby cities that fall within a driving distance of under 3 hours to Mexico City, then you will want to book a stay for 7 to 10 days.
Nearby cities you might want to consider visiting are Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende. Both cities are beautiful and definitely places you’ll want to visit sometime during your lifetime.
Since we were short on time during our trip, we did not get a chance to visit any surrounding cities and focused our time on exploring the city.
How to get around Mexico City?
Mexico City is densely populated so you will likely hit traffic at nearly all times of the day. Plan for dinner reservations, tours, etc. to ensure you arrive to your destinations on time. Most restaurants allow a 15 minute grace period but if you arrive after, you risk losing your reservation.
Here are some ways to get around the city:
Uber- This is a cost-efficient and practical way to get around the city. Since you will be traveling by car, this also means you are likely to sit in traffic and if you visit populated areas during peak hours, you will be charged surcharge fees. Regardless, it’s practical and the best way to get from point A to point B.
By bike- Mexico City has one of the best bike programs in the world. We were amazed to see how many people got around on bicycles in the city. Traveling by bike is especially popular in the La Condesa and La Roma neighborhoods. You can also easily access Reforma Avenue, the Historic Center, and Polanco by bike. These are all great areas and it’s where we spent most of our trip.
You’ll find bike rentals and docking stations throughout these neighborhoods so you can easily rent a bike for a day to explore various neighborhoods.
Metro- If you find yourself in an area with a lot of traffic and people (like El Zocalo) you might want to walk a few blocks to hop on the Metro. This is a fast train under the city so you’ll get to your destination much faster. It is also a cheap way to get around the city and will cost you less than $1 roundtrip.
Turibus- Want to spend the day sightseeing? Hop on a double decker bus that takes you to Mexico City’s hot spots. You’re able to hop on and hop off in various locations. This is a great idea for a first-time visit to the city and for hitting multiple landmarks in one day.
Make sure you pack a hat and sunscreen when sitting on the top deck- you’ll catch the best views but you’ll also catch a lot of sun.
Where to stay in Mexico City?
The best areas to stay in Mexico City are Condesa, Roma, and Polanco. You’ll be close to all of the action and in some of the most vibrant areas of the city.
La Roma
La Roma is the “in” neighborhood of Mexico City right now. If you want to be close to bars, restaurants, shops and more- you’ll want to stay here. La Roma has beautiful tree-lined streets and will make you feel like you are in a European neighborhood.
We booked our stay through Sonder- a new hospitality app that offers stays in top metropolitan cities. They have several Sonder locations through Mexico City. This was our first time staying with Sonder and had a great experience. You can book the hotel we stayed at here.
Our room was steps away from hot spots and close to the Turibus. Highly recommend La Roma for ease of getting around the city.
La Condesa
La Condesa often gets lumped into the same area as La Roma, but this is a separate neighborhood. While La Condesa boasts a lot of the charm offered in La Roma, there is not as much to do. This is a great second pick if you find prices to be cheaper when staying in this neighborhood. You’ll still be pretty close to all of the action and it’s a gorgeous neighborhood to stay in.
Polanco
Looking for an upscale experience in Mexico City? Then you will want to stay in Polanco. Polanco is known for luxury shopping and high end hotels. Polanco is a bit of a stretch from La Condesa & Roma, but if luxe travel is your thing, then you’ll want to look into a stay in Polanco.
Best things to do in Mexico City
- Take a day trip Teotihuacan and explore ancient pyramids.
- Take a Xoxililco water taxi and listen to mariachi music and enjoy drinks with spectacular views.
- Take a foodie tour around the city (see foodie guide recommendations below).
- Visit Centro de Coyocan. Here you will find the Frida Kahlo Museum and some of the most colorful streets in Mexico City
- Visit the Zócalo, Catedral and Plaza de la Constitución. This historic center of Mexico City allows you walk inside churches, ancient ruins, and find stunning views from surrounding restaurants. Get your walking shoes ready and you’ll be able to see many of these historical sites in a couple of hours.
- Take a day trip to Tolantongo and experience Mexico’s hot springs
- Experience a traditional Mexican market at La Ciudadela
- Get views of the entire city when you visit Torre Latino. Home to an observation deck with sweeping views and the world’s highest aquarium.
- Take the Turibus and go sight-seeing around the city. Grab your sunscreen, hat, and camera- there is a lot to see!
What to eat in Mexico City?
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico City, I hope you had an appetite ready. Foodies will fall in love with the city even more and all of the delicious food you will get to try.
The restaurants not only serve up delicious food, but they offer a cultural experience wherever you go. Restaurants go all out to explain the dining concepts, share why dishes are paired together and are always open to answer any questions related to the restaurant’s theme and cuisine.
Restaurants ensure their staff are highly knowledge in the menu and its offering to provide the ultimate culinary experience every single time.
Here is a guide to dining out in Mexico City, put together by a local who works in the food and beverage industry.
Food tours
The best way to try all the best places to eat in Mexico City is by taking a food tour. Yup- a tour catered especially for foodies so you can try the best of the best curated by top chefs from around the world. Sounds amazing, right?
Here are two recommended tour guides to book for your next vacation.
Lunch or Dinner options
- San Angel Inn
- Los Danzantes
- Tacos Orinoco
- El parnita / Páramo
- Terraza cha cha cha
- Salón Rios
- Mi compa chava
Fine Dining
Snacks & Cravings
Want more travel ideas?
Looking for more travel ideas in Mexico? Check out my guide to Cancun here.Follow us on Instagram for more family and travel content
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