WHAT TO DO
Historical and Cultural Gems
1. Castle of Chapultepec and close by Museums.
Visit the iconic castle with panoramic views of the city.
Explore the Chapultepec Forest and its museums close by, including the Anthropology Museum (which is a must) and Tamayo Museum. Note to self: most of the museums in CDMX are closed on Monday so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
2. Reforma, Condesa, Polanco, La Roma
Visit the Angel of Independence and La Diana Cazadora in La Reforma.
Discover the trendy neighborhoods with vibrant street art, unique boutiques and great restaurants and bars.
Join a free walking tour to explore the eclectic mix of architecture of these neighborhoods.
3. Centro Histórico (Historic Center)
Take a Free Walking tour and immerse yourself in the heart of Mexico City's history.
Explore Zócalo, Plaza de la Constitución, and the Presidential Palace where you can see Diego Rivera’s famous murals there for free from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. (you must register before at the Museo de Arte de Secretaria de Hacienda- Just diagonal from the Palace)
Visit the Museo Munal. It has amazing art and is a beautiful building (great photo op).
Visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes & admire the stunning architecture and catch a folklore ballet on Wednesdays and Sundays. Tip: Go to Finca Don Porfirio across the Palacio for an amazing view.
Explore the Postal Office building, which is beautiful inside.
4. Plaza Garibaldi & Museo del Mezcal y Tequila
Experience the lively atmosphere of Plaza Garibaldi with mariachi performances, while savoring local food in El Mercado San Miguelito.
Visit the indigenous handicrafts building right next door and look for Lucy, she has the most beautiful handcrafts from Oaxaca and she is the sweetest lady. Tell her I say hi.
Learn about Mexico's famous spirits at the Mezcal and Tequila Museum.
5. Museums and Art
CDMX has almost 200 museums, which is the second most in the world! I have included some in the guide but here is a short list:
Anthropology Museum (which is a must)
Tamayo Museum
Munal Museum
Soumaya Museum, designed by architect Fernando Romero.
Museo del Mezcal y Tequila
Frida Kahlo Museum.
6. Coyoacán & Frida Kahlo’s House
Take a free walking tour and explore Coyoacán's vibrant markets and colonial streets. Fun fact: Coyoacan means Land fill with coyotes.
Visit the Museo of Frida Kahlo, which used to be her and Diego’s house. Make sure you get tickets online in advance, they sell out fast! There is no onsite purchase.
Day Excursions
7. Pyramid of Teotihuacán, Basilica de Guadalupe, and Tlatelolco
Embark on an excursion to the ancient Teotihuacán pyramids and the religious Basilica.
Discover the historical significance of Tlatelolco.
8. Xochimilco Canals
Enjoy a picturesque trajinera ride through the vibrant canals. I suggest you arrive early because it gets busy, and negotiate the price Is usually 600 Mexican pesos per person.
9. Tepoztlán and Cholula
Savor authentic Mexican cuisine in Tepoztlán and try enchiladas de mole.
Explore the archaeological site of Cholula with its massive pyramid.
10. Peña de Bernal
Visit the third-largest monolith in the world for a breathtaking view
Off the Beaten Path
11. Tepoztlán
Explore the charming town, dine at Los Carolines, and try Tepoztlán's famous nieves.
12. Ciudad Universitaria and Biblioteca Vasconcelos
Discover the impressive architecture of Mexico's National Autonomous University.
Explore the modern Biblioteca Vasconcelos (The coolest Library I have seen).
Unique Experiences
13. Arena Mexico
Immerse yourself in the excitement of Lucha Libre at the historic wrestling arena.
14. Markets
Dive into the local culture at Mercado de San Juan, Mercado de Jamaica, and Ciudadela.
WHAT OR WHERE TO EAT
· Traditional Mexican Dishes
Chile en Nogada: classic Mexican dish, chiles stuffed with a savory mix and topped with walnut sauce.
Pozole Soup: Traditional soup with corn, green chilies, cumin, garlic and lime. It's typically made with either chicken or pork and hominy. Note: Originally made with human meat (historical fact). I know creepy, but not anymore.
Mole (black, red, yellow): Try the rich and flavorful mole, a sauce made with chilies, chocolate, banana, and other ingredients. Some moles has more than 30 ingredients.
Enfrijoladas: Description: Savor the taste of enfrijoladas at Casa de Toño, a delightful treat made with beans.
Enchiladas Suizas: Stuffed tortillas with meat, usually chicken or beef, and topped with a tomato or green sauce, as well as cream, in addition to grated cheese. My favorites are the green ones.
Mexican Street Food
Tacos: Tacos de Maciza (pork), Taco Surtido (different kind of meat mixed), Tacos de Arrachera (beef) and always “con todo” with everything (cilantro & onions) if you like it.
Tortas (sandwich): Tortas de Jamón (Ham) y Torta de Longaniza (chorizo):
Molletes: Toasted bread with beans and cheese. You can add protein.
Gorditas: Fried tortillas stuffed with protein, beans, and cheese. it reminded me of the Colombian arepas.
Esquites: Cooked corn mixed with lime, cheese, butter, herbs and spices. It is delicious!
Churros with hot chocolate: if you come to Mexico you must have churros, wich is fried dough cover with sugar and cinnamon. They really are special at Churreria El Moro.
Beverages
Tepache: fermented pineapple drink.
Beer: Negra Modelo for a premium beer experience (avoid drinking Tecate, Sol o dos X (more commercial)
Pulque: A fermented alcoholic drink made out of maguey.
Mezcal and Tequila of course. Tip I learned that the correct way to drink Mezcal or Tequila is not the whole shot, ¨a besitos¨ which means little by little.
There are so many street food options in CDMX but here are some restaurants I like:
Monsier Croque (in Condesa): Great for brunch or lunch
Las Delicias (close to the airport)
Fonda Mi Lupita, Calle Delicias
Donde Doña Vero. (Condesa)
El Tizoncito.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’re looking for a vibrant atmosphere and trendy cafes, consider staying in La Roma.
For upscale shopping and dining, Polanco offers luxurious accommodations.
La Condesa boasts a mix of leafy parks and chic nightlife, perfect for those seeking a lively ambiance.
Reforma is ideal for business travelers, with its proximity to major corporations and conference centers. Choose your neighborhood in CDMX wisely for a tailored experience to your preferences.
Trivia and Facts
Ciudad de was founded on the lava bed of the former Lake Texcoco.
The Aztecas came from Aztlan, which is believed to be located in the north of Mexico, which is known now as Arizona
Mexico means the middle of the moon or the navel of the moon.
This guide offers a diverse range of experiences, ensuring you make the most of your time in Mexico City. ¡Disfruta tu viaje!
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