When my accomplice and I instructed others that we have been spending one week in Mexico Metropolis, some folks appeared stunned. One total week simply in a single place? Are there even that many issues to do in Mexico Metropolis?
The reply is a powerful sure.
Actually, one week wasn’t really sufficient, and we’re trying ahead to visiting Mexico Metropolis once more in some unspecified time in the future. It’s the right place for once you wish to be enveloped in tradition and good meals and calm down with out bumming it out on the seaside.
Prime issues to do in Mexico Metropolis
- Eat all of the scrumptious meals!
- Climb the traditional pyramids at Teotihuacan.
- Study Mexico’s lengthy and numerous historical past on the Nationwide Museum of Anthropology.
- Discover all of the meals and crafts markets.
- Attend a lucha libre match.
- Style extra forms of mescal than you knew existed — and pulque, too!
- Breathe in some contemporary air in one of many world’s largest city parks.
- Go to the house and studio of Frida Kahlo, one of many nation’s most well-known artists.
- Have a drink at one of many world’s greatest bars.
- Strive your hand at cooking some genuine Mexican meals.
An in depth itinerary for an environment friendly but stress-free week in Mexico’s capital is incoming, however first, a number of logistical issues that you simply’ll wish to know.
Can I get by with solely English?
Mexico Metropolis is a significant metropolitan metropolis, so it ought to come as no shock that there are many people who converse English. Most lodges, museums, eating places, and vacationer establishments have somebody who speaks some quantity of English.
In fact, like all worldwide touring, it’s very helpful if the native language. (For me, it was most helpful in speaking what I needed to eat to road distributors!)
Obtain Duolingo or one other language-learning app and attempt to be taught a minimum of the fundamentals. A bit goes a good distance!
If all else fails, be sure to have a translation app readily available. Whereas Google Interprets works, I discover SpanishDict’s app to be extra highly effective and correct.
Getting round Mexico Metropolis
Transportation in Mexico Metropolis is straightforward breezy.
The town is extremely walkable with vast sidewalks. That stated, Mexico Metropolis can be large so there’s no method to stroll in all places except you’re right down to spend half your go to strolling.
Uber is available and really low cost, with most rides being between $2-5 USD. There are additionally several types of taxis in Mexico Metropolis as nicely, although we selected to go along with the extra accessible app-based route. One place that we did think about taxis? The airport, the place there may be an official taxi stand simply exterior of the constructing.
Bike-sharing can be a superb possibility for brief distances should you really feel snug driving on the street. EcoBici is Mexico Metropolis’s official bike-sharing program, although we additionally noticed Leap Bikes and different bike rental choices.
Public transit
For those who’d quite take public transportation, Mexico Metropolis’s system is sort of environment friendly. There are a few important choices:
- The Metro, aka subway.
- The Metrobus, which has its personal devoted bus lanes.
- An area bus system.
The Metro operates like subway programs world wide and is unquestionably the simplest to navigate. The Metrobus requires slightly extra planning since there aren’t switch paths like there may be with the Metro.
My suggestion is to purchase a chargeable tarjeta at one of many stations since that can be utilized on each the Metro and Metrobus. It’s also possible to purchase paper tickets for the Metro, however they aren’t usable on the Metrobus. We made this error and ended up with far more paper Metro tickets than we wanted.
I might solely use the native bus system is you’ve a superb command of Spanish or know the town nicely because you’ll want to speak the place you wish to go. Just like the native bus programs of many Central and South American nations, many of those buses run with out set schedules or set routes.
That stated, yours actually obtained on a neighborhood bus in Colombia and stammered by Duolingo Spanish and nonetheless in some way obtained from the suburbs into the town heart. (There weren’t simpler choices throughout that journey!)
The place to remain in Mexico Metropolis
The native authorities divisions of Mexico Metropolis are fascinating and approach too complicated to debate right here. Excessive-level, there are greater than a dozen boroughs (alcadias), which then have a whole bunch of neighborhoods (colonias).
Of these, a number of are common with vacationers due to their location and availability of lodging and vacationer facilities. They embody:
- Roma
- Condesa
- Polanco
- Centro Historico
- Coyoacan
- San Angel
Roma, Condesa, and Polanco are recognized to be posh, posher, and poshest, in that order.
These neighborhoods have your fill of choices for lodges, eating places, and bars, and are the most well-liked amongst vacationers and expats. They’re additionally inside strolling distance or a fast Metro or taxi journey away from the principle points of interest. We stayed at Stanza Resort in part of Roma known as La Romita and completely loved our time.
Centro Historico, as its identify suggests, sits on the heart of every part. It’s not recognized to be the nicest space, nevertheless it does have extra budget-friendly hostels than the opposite neighborhoods. Simply be cautious about going out alone at evening.
Additional south are Coyoacan and San Angel. For many who need a extra artsy bohemian vibe, these colourful neighborhoods are excellent. The neighborhoods themselves are extremely walkable, however take into account that it takes a 20-minute drive to get from these neighborhoods to the principle vacationer points of interest in Centro Historico.
Cash and tipping in Mexico Metropolis
Mexican pesos is the nation’s forex, marked by the $ image. Preserve that in thoughts so that you don’t have a short lived freakout considering one thing prices a bajillion {dollars}. (I do know I did!)
Whereas bank cards are extensively accepted on the larger lodges and eating places, you’ll undoubtedly wish to have money readily available always, whether or not it’s for road distributors, transport, or when bank card machines are down. ATMs are widespread, so get your self a fee-less debit card and withdraw away.
If you’re planning how a lot to finances for Mexico Metropolis, be certain that to take into account that tipping is certainly a factor there. Right here’s a fast information for the most typical conditions:
- Eating places with wait service: 10-20%
- Resort housekeepers: 20-50 pesos per evening
- Bellhops: 25-50 pesos
- Bartenders: 10-20 pesos per drink
- Half- or full-day tour: 10-20%
1 week in Mexico Metropolis
Okay, right here’s the Mexico Metropolis itinerary you’ve been ready for.
We had seven full days in Mexico Metropolis, nearly precisely right down to the hour. Listed here are our options for what to do every day. For food and drinks options, try this submit of straight-up meals porn.
Day 1: Study Mexico Metropolis
On your first day in Mexico Metropolis, I’d suggest exploring and trying out some sights in Centro Historico.
At the beginning in your record must be Templo Mayor, the traditional temple found smack dab in the midst of downtown.
As a result of the majority of the positioning is exterior and also you’re not allowed to have any meals or drinks with you, you’ll wish to do that earlier within the day earlier than the solar will get too sturdy (which is at all times since Mexico Metropolis is at a reasonably excessive altitude!)
Templo Mayor’s cranium rack
The Russian doll of pyramids at Templo Mayor gave us good foundational data of the founding of Mexico Metropolis, whereas the Metropolitan Cathedral added to that historical past vis a vis the Spanish conquest interval.
The cathedral, which is sinking regularly as a result of Mexico Metropolis is definitely constructed on a lake mattress (do you know that?!?) and the Zocalo, which is immediately reverse the cathedral and is the third-largest public sq. on the earth, are nice locations to sit down and people-watch.
One other good spot on your first day? The Nationwide Palace, residence of Diego Riveria’s epic murals, together with the well-known “The Historical past of Mexico.”
Our less-than-acute state-of-mind led us to skip a tour information, but when there was anyplace in Mexico Metropolis the place I might’ve employed one, the Nationwide Palace was it. Even having studied lots of Diego’s murals in artwork historical past courses rising up, I might’ve appreciated extra inventive and cultural curation.
Along with the murals which can be within the highlight, be certain that to take a look at the opposite publicly-facing components of the Nationwide Palace. There are outdated properties and places of work of previous leaders of Mexico, outdated constitutions on show, parliamentary quarters, a botanical backyard, and extra.
Day 2: Discover Coyoacan
Maybe essentially the most well-known attraction in Mexico Metropolis is the Frida Kahlo Museum, aka La Casa Azul, or the Blue Home.
The museum is fantastically laid out and provides you a biography of Frida and a way of her life and work with out the stiff feeling some museums may give off. The grounds are additionally stunning and make for an excellent place to calm down for a second.
Due to its recognition, I extremely suggest shopping for your tickets on-line to keep away from standing in hours-long traces exterior the home. International bank cards appear to have hassle being processed, however debit playing cards work seamlessly.
We obtained our ticket for 1 p.m. on our second day in Mexico Metropolis, so we selected to spend that day in Coyoacan, the place the museum is situated. In some methods, Coyoacan is to Mexico Metropolis what Brooklyn is to Manhattan. Nonetheless part of the town, however hipper, much less dense, and extra colourful.
Mercado Coyoacan is a must-visit once you’re within the neighborhood. Like many different markets in Mexico Metropolis, this one has loads of distributors promoting every part from uncooked and cooked meals to textiles and garments to toys and stuff you didn’t know existed. It’s a superb place for each meals and memento buying.
The park throughout from the market additionally hosts stay music and weekend artisan markets. Generally there’s even a dance occasion as a part of the festivities.
One other good spot to get a superb sense of native life is the principle city sq. and park, of which the San Juan Bautista Church and the coyote fountain are focal factors.
Sitting round and watching each people take pleasure in their day off is such a pleasant method to really feel extra embedded within the native life. My favourite reminiscence was of an adolescent strolling round with an indication that stated one thing alongside the traces of “love poems written and recited on the spot.” A younger teenage couple sitting on a bench throughout from us purchased such a poem from him, and it was the sweetest second.
For those who’d quite get away from the crowds, I’d extremely suggest the largely neglected Frida Kahlo Park. The luxurious and serene escape has arches, mosaic murals, bushes formed like butterflies, and naturally, statues of Frida and Diego. It’s the right spot for a quiet second in a giant metropolis.
Then, should you can, I’d counsel wandering even additional away from the principle Coyoacan haunts. Go discover the beautiful Capilla de Santa Catarina, and stroll alongside the rust brick partitions across the space.
For those who’re down for an extended stroll, take Avenue Francisco Sosa all the best way to San Angel. This road has numerous stunning doorways and photogenic buildings.
When you get to San Angel, don’t neglect to take a look at Parque la Bombilla with its towering Alvaro Obregon monument.
Day 3: Eat and drink your approach by Mexico Metropolis
For those who didn’t come to Mexico Metropolis able to eat, you’re doing one thing fallacious.
Mexico Metropolis’s meals, particularly its road meals, is one among its important points of interest. When you can actually eat your self foolish by yourself, do your self a favor and guide a road meals tour to expertise it with a neighborhood. (Imagine me, John’s tour will certainly have you ever consuming your self foolish.)
Sauteed squash blossoms and huitlacoche on a freshly made tortilla.
As soon as your bellies are full, I’d counsel taking in a few of Mexico Metropolis’s many parks and markets so you’ll be able to stroll it off. Two nice spots: Parque Alameda proper there in downtown Mexico Metropolis and La Ciudadela artisanal market.
Within the night, prepare for some nice drinks at both Limantour or La Clandestina, relying in your temper. Each spots are extremely common, so take your time having fun with whichever you select and save the opposite spot for an additional evening.
Limantour was ranked one of many world’s greatest 50 bars in 2019 and serves up a collection of scrumptious cocktails impressed by native flavors. That is undoubtedly a spot the place you wish to follow the cocktails as a substitute of asking for something on the rocks.
The vibe is upbeat and clubby with out being an intense underground rager. There’s seemingly a line, however the course of is organized and fast. Simply don’t neglect to provide your identify to the hostess once you arrive.
La Clandestina, however, feels slightly bit like a neighborhood dive bar, laidback and unassuming. On this tiny bar, the gold is within the mezcal. Positive, get a cocktail or two as nicely, however don’t skip getting tasters of a minimum of a number of of the totally different mezcals on faucet.
The entire seating and ordering course of generally is a bit chaotic at La Clandestina. Your greatest wager is to make a dinner reservation so you will get drinks together with meals on the similar time. If not, be affected person however agency as you attempt to both snatch one of many few seats obtainable or simply order on the bar. (No matter you do, don’t get impolite and aggressive like some entitled vacationers.)
Day 4: Climb the Teotihuacan pyramids
Just like the Frida Kahlo Museum, the pyramids of Teotihuacan are a Mexico Metropolis must-visit.
Referred to as maybe essentially the most vital pre-Columbian Mesoamerican architectural web site, Teotihuacan lets you take away your self from the hustle and bustle of Mexico Metropolis and enter a world from 1000’s of years in the past.
You possibly can go along with a bunch or personal tour, or you’ll be able to go to Teotihuacan by yourself. Extra to return later this month on the best way to go to Teotihuacan by yourself.
Regardless of the way you go to, be certain that to have wise strolling sneakers, sunscreen, water, and a wholesome respect for sacred and historic archaeological websites.
Day 5: Stroll by Mexico Metropolis’s city lungs
Teotihuacan is magnificent and mysterious, however I gained’t lie, it’s additionally actually dusty there. So take time to refresh your lungs by spending it in Chapultepec park.
Referred to as Mexico Metropolis’s lungs, Bosque de Chapultepec is without doubt one of the world’s largest city parks.
And it truly is massive.
The park homes the historic Chapultepec Citadel, a free zoo, a number of museums, a number of artifical lakes, dozens of sculptures, and tons of playgrounds. You would actually spend a number of days within the park earlier than you’re in a position to see each a part of it.
Most individuals solely go to the primary part of the park that homes the fortress, zoo, and the foremost museums, however I’d suggest going past that. You’ll discover funky sculptures like Diego Rivera’s Fuente de Tlaloc, an amusement park, lakes with paddleboats, and extra.
Your greatest wager for exploring as a lot of the park as attainable? Stroll for a part of it after which get a rental bike for the remainder.
Day 6: Spend time on the metropolis’s museums
Maybe you already obtained to it throughout your first journey to Chapultepec park, however should you didn’t, you need to spend a while on the Nationwide Museum of Anthropology.
It’s arguably an important museum in not simply Mexico Metropolis however all of Mexico — and for good purpose.
This large museum is residence to an important archaeological and cultural artifacts of Mexico’s historical past. It’s additionally extraordinarily nicely laid-out. The reveals with historic artifacts are in chronological order, whereas the ethnographic reveals in regards to the peoples of Mexico are organized by area.
We spent about three hours on the museum and actually might’ve spent for much longer there.
After you’ve absorbed all of the wealth of data and tradition housed on the Nationwide Museum of Anthropology, head over to Centro Historico to take a look at among the neighborhood’s beautiful buildings.
Amongst them: the gilded Palacio Postal, the distinctive Home of Tiles, and the showstopping Palacio de Bellas Artes. All three are in the identical basic space kitty-corner to one another.
You possibly can go to the submit workplace and the Home of Tiles comparatively shortly, however the Palacio de Bellas Artes will take slightly longer. If you wish to give your ft a fast break and your physique an vitality enhance earlier than heading into the constructing, think about stopping by Don Porfirio Cafe.
Perched on the prime of the Sears constructing (sure, just like the division retailer), this cafe is the to-go place for the very best views of the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Positive, the drinks and meals are slightly expensive, however can you actually beat this view?
Day 7: Expertise Mexican tradition
Clearly, you’ve been experiencing Mexican tradition your total time in Mexico Metropolis. However in your final day, be certain that to soak up as a lot of it as you’ll be able to.
At the present time’s itinerary goes slightly later into the evening than most, so take it straightforward within the morning. Get pleasure from a prolonged brunch or maybe get some fluffy happiness in Parque Mexico the place there are canine coaching periods most mornings.
Then spend the afternoon getting hands-on and studying the best way to prepare dinner all of the scrumptious Mexican meals you’ve loved throughout your journey. There are tons of various choices on Airbnb Experiences and different platforms, from taco-specific ones to the pre-Hispanic, all-vegan class we took.
When you’ve recovered out of your meals coma, it’s time for the funky, loud, and entertaining Mexican custom that’s lucha libre.
I’ve by no means been an enormous wrestling fan. However the colourful wrestling masks and the animated theatrics of lucha libre have been actually fascinating to me.
You should purchase tickets on Ticketmaster forward of time, or you should purchase it on the ticket sales space. Tickets vary from $55 pesos for bleacher seats to $450 pesos for the primary three rows (in fact, with added charges should you purchase on-line).
If you need actually good seats, your greatest wager is to purchase on-line. We attended a Friday evening lucha libre match at Enviornment Mexico and the one seats obtainable once we lastly obtained as much as the ticket sales space (after snaking traces of confusion) have been these within the peanut gallery.
However no worry, it was nonetheless actually enjoyable! You possibly can see a shocking quantity even all the best way up within the bleachers.
We had randomly run into one among my accomplice’s mates who’s from Mexico Metropolis that evening. He was going to the match together with his prolonged household, so we frolicked with them. We obtained large beers, sat on the concrete steps, and tried our greatest to comply with together with what was occurring.
Is lucha libre one thing I might exit of my method to attend the subsequent time I’m in Mexico Metropolis? Most likely not, however I certain am glad that I witnessed it a minimum of as soon as. It was hysterical, rowdy in a family-friendly approach, and all-around an amusing expertise.
Different issues to do in Mexico Metropolis
Like I discussed in the beginning, one week in Mexico Metropolis isn’t sufficient! If we had extra time, listed below are the highest issues we might’ve hung out on.
- Xochimilco – Referred to as the Venice of Mexico Metropolis, these canals and floating gardens are situated in southern Mexico Metropolis. Teams typically spend the afternoon consuming and partying on the gondola-like boats, visiting with distributors and mariachi bands that float previous them. We thought this is able to’ve been a greater expertise with a bunch of mates, so we determined to not go on this journey.
- Climbing Iztaccihuatl – This volcano seemed so cool! However we visited within the winter, so we didn’t wish to must pack snow trekking gear.
- Narvarte taco circle – Taco circle, you say? Yep, there’s a roundabout within the Narvarte neighborhood that’s obtained taco stands throughout it. I actually needed to hit this up, however we ended up not having the time to take action.
- Pyramid of Ehécatl – It’s a pyramid found smack dab in the midst of the Pino Suarez Metro station. I’m a fan of the obscure, and this sounded actually cool.