Mexico City is a vibrant and lively destination located in the centre of Mexico. From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice the energy of street food vendors, locals chatting in parks, and a mix of cultures that make this city so unique.
Whether you’re exploring the modern financial district of Reforma or unwinding in the green spaces of Condesa, there’s something here for everyone.
We’ve visited three times over the past four years—not just because we love it, but because there’s always so much more to see and do! We’re sharing the 7 things you can’t afford to miss in Mexico City, to help you plan the perfect trip to this increasingly popular Mexican hot spot.
How many days to spend in Mexico City
Mexico City might look small on Google Maps, but it’s much bigger than you’d expect! Each neighborhood has its own unique vibe, packed with things to see, do, and eat—you could easily spend a full day exploring just one.
First, think about the type of trip you want. Are you heading to the city to soak up as much history and culture as possible? Or are you planning a slow-paced getaway, simply enjoying a morning stroll and discovering hole-in-the-wall eateries?
We recommend staying at least four to five nights to get a good feel for the city, but on our last trip, we spent 10 days and still had plenty to explore! Honestly, you could move to Mexico City for a year and still not get the chance to experience it all.
💡Pro Tip: Getting around can take time, so be sure to factor that into your plans.
Your Free 3 -Day Mexico City Itinerary!
Packed with everything you need to make the most of your trip to Mexico City. You’ll find daily schedules, insider tips and top-rated tours – all easily accessible right on your phone!
The best time to visit Mexico City
Since Mexico City experiences all four seasons, it’s important to plan your trip in advance.
Our favorite time to visit is mid-November to mid-December, and here’s why: The weather is perfect—warm but not too hot, with daytime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and cooler evenings at 7°C (45°F). Plus, there’s little chance of rain, and the skies are usually bright blue and sunny.
It’s also a quieter travel season, meaning more flexibility for last-minute bookings and lower hotel rates.
If you’re visiting during the rainy season (May to September), be prepared for frequent showers, as the city is prone to flooding. June tends to be the wettest month.
Source: NOAA | Graphs by FTR
Mexico City also hosts two major annual celebrations you may want to plan around:
Day of the Dead (Oct 30 – Nov 2): Experience the spectacular parade from Chapultepec Park to the Zócalo, along with beautifully decorated altars across the city.
Mexican Independence Day (Sept 16): Join tens of thousands in the Zócalo to witness the president’s recitation of El Grito, a powerful patriotic tradition.
CAN’T READ NOW? PIN IT FOR LATER!
How to move around Mexico City
Since Mexico City is huge, you’ll need some form of transportation to get around. Luckily, there are plenty of options:
Metrobus: Is the best option if you want to save time and money. A ride costs just MX$6 (less than $1), and since it runs mostly in dedicated lanes, it avoids much of the city’s heavy traffic. Some people claim it’s unsafe, but we’ve used it many times and found it to be well-maintained and secure.
Metro (Subway): Another great budget-friendly option is the Metro. You can buy a Metro card at any station entrance, and it works for both the subway and buses. While the Metro itself isn’t unsafe, be mindful of pickpockets and try to avoid using it outside peak commuting hours.
Ride-Sharing Apps (Uber, InDrive, DiDi): Mexico City has three ride-share apps, but our favorite is InDrive. It lets you negotiate your fare, which often makes it the cheapest option. Just keep in mind that it only accepts cash payments.
Taxis: You’ll notice white and pink taxis all over the city. We would not recommend this option, because they’re notorious for over-charging and for being unsafe.
The only time we got into one of these taxis, we felt very off and when we got out, the driver didn’t want to open the trunk to let us get our bags. We’ve never used a taxi in Mexico City since.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (Turibus): One of our favorite ways to explore the city! The Turibus offers multiple routes, with clean, reliable buses that run on schedule.
We highly recommend the Centro Histórico Circuit and Polanco Circuit to see some of the city’s best sights.
Ecobici (Bike Sharing): Though we haven’t personally used Ecobici, it’s a popular choice. The bike stations are spread throughout the city, making it easy to pick up and drop off bikes. Plus, there are various plans to fit different trip lengths.
Car Rental: If you’re comfortable driving in a somewhat chaotic city, then a rental car may be the best option for you. However, it seems that finding parking in certain areas of Mexico City, like Centro Histórico, can be a bit of a challenge.
🚗 Looking for an affordable rental? Here are the best options!
📸 WATCH THE FULL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE
Where to stay in Mexico City
Condesa / Roma
These two neighboring areas are the most popular among foreign tourists and digital nomads. They’re quiet, beautiful, and filled with lush green parks. You’ll also find plenty of stylish cafés, upscale restaurants, and vintage shops.
Accommodation here is mostly Airbnbs with a few small hotels. We recently stayed at La Puerta Roja in Roma and highly recommend it—it’s clean, safe, and affordable.
Mexico City Historic Center (Centro Histórico)
This is the heart of the city and a great place to stay if you want to explore its historic buildings and landmarks. However, it’s always busy and noisy, and at night, pickpockets are known to operate in the area.
A few years ago, we stayed at IBIS Hotel in Centro Histórico and loved it! The location made it easy to visit historic sites, and the variety of restaurants and street food stalls meant we never ate the same thing twice.
Reforma
Reforma is Mexico City’s upscale business district, home to high-end hotels and restaurants. If you’re looking for luxury, this is the place to be. The Ritz-Carlton stands out with one of the best views of Chapultepec Park.
Insurgentes Sur
We ended up staying in this area by chance after finding a great deal at City Express by Marriott, and we were pleasantly surprised! It’s still under the radar for tourists, making it a fantastic spot if you want to experience what living in Mexico City feels like.
We loved the wide, clean sidewalks, the variety of excellent restaurants, and the upscale shopping malls within walking distance. Plus, our hotel was right across from a Metrobus stop, making it super easy to get around.
The 7 best things to do in Mexico City
There are so many things to see and do in Mexico City, that it almost feels impossible to choose just seven things, but realistically, you’d need months in the city to cover everything.
As two self-proclaimed lovers of Mexico City, we’ve been back three times in four years and done a lot of what the city has to offer.
Here is our list of the 7 best things to do in Mexico City:
1️⃣ Mexico City Centro Historico
The Historic Center is a must-see in Mexico City, home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Zócalo, and the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral.
The best way to explore this area is on foot, so wear comfortable shoes and prepare for a full day of sightseeing. There’s a lot to see, but here are a few highlights to add to your itinerary:
Palacio de Bellas Artes – One of the most stunning and intricate buildings in the entire city.
Torre Latinoamericana – Mexico City’s version of the Empire State Building, offering breathtaking 360-degree views from its observation deck.
El Zócalo – The city’s main square, where you’ll also find the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral and Templo Mayor, the ruins of the Aztec Empire.
🗺️ Want to learn more about these historical sites? Check out this top-rated tour!
2️⃣ Chapultepec Park
Chapultepec Park is one of the greenest and most beautiful parts of Mexico City—twice the size of Central Park in New York! You could easily spend an entire day here, but here are some must-dos:
Breakfast at The Ritz – A bit of a splurge, but worth it for the incredible views of Chapultepec Park from the patio of Samos Sabores Míos. We recommend making a reservation.
Visit Chapultepec Castle – One of the city’s most historically significant and beautiful landmarks. (Closed on Mondays.)
CDMX Letters – A great spot for a postcard-worthy photo, with Chapultepec Lake in the background.
Try Dorilocos – A popular and bizarre Mexican street snack. You’ll find plenty of vendors in the park, each with their own unique twist.
🗺️ Want to dive into the fascinating history of Chapultepec Castle? Book this popular guided tour!
3️⃣ Mexico City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Since Mexico City is so large, one of the best ways to cover a lot of ground without exhausting yourself is by riding the Turibus, a double-decker tourist bus with multiple routes. You can buy a one- or two-day pass.
We recommend the two-day pass so you can explore our favorite routes:
Centro Histórico Route – See the most famous landmarks in the area without walking for hours. Plus, the second-floor seats give you a unique perspective of the neighborhood.
Polanco Circuit – A great way to explore the upscale side of the city, including Avenida Masaryk, Mexico’s version of Rodeo Drive. A must-see stop on this route is Museo Soumaya, one of the most iconic museums in Mexico, showcasing over 300 years of artifacts, coins, and art.
4️⃣ Condesa and Roma Neighborhoods
If you’ve seen photos of Mexico City on Instagram, you’ve probably come across the beautiful streets, parks, and cafés of Condesa and Roma. These trendy neighborhoods are perfect for a relaxed, slow-paced day.
Beyond the endless coffee shops and restaurants, we highly recommend visiting Parque México – A charming green oasis in Condesa, perfect for escaping the city’s hustle and bustle.
You’ll find food carts, plenty of shade, and even pop-up activities like a bachata dance class!
The 9-Day Mexico City Itinerary & Map
✔︎ Step-by-Step Itinerary:
every day is thoughtfully planned to maximize your experience.
✔︎ Coordinated Google Map:
which means no more getting lost or wasting time.
✔︎ Essential Travel Tips:
all the insight needed to ensure your trip is smooth & stress-free.
5️⃣ La Lucha Libre
You can’t visit Mexico City without experiencing a lucha libre match! Made famous worldwide by the Jack Black movie, this high-energy wrestling spectacle is as Mexican as it gets.
There are two main venues in the city where you can watch lucha libre:
Arena México – The largest and most famous arena in the country.
Arena Coliseo – The oldest, with a more intimate and traditional feel.
On our last trip, we decided to join a lucha libre tour, and we’re so glad we did! While you can absolutely buy your own tickets and go on your own, the tour added so much to the experience.
Our tour started at a taco restaurant, where we enjoyed cold beers and delicious Asian-Mexican fusion tacos. After that, we walked a few blocks with our guides to a rooftop bar, where we were treated to more beer and local mezcal.
This is where the magic happened—our passionate guides gave us a fascinating history lesson on lucha libre, making us appreciate the sport and its deep cultural roots even more.
Finally, we made our way to Arena México to watch the last three matches of the night, and it was an absolute blast!
💡Pro Tip: Plan ahead! Lucha libre matches don’t happen every night, so check the schedule in advance.
6️⃣ Valle de Bravo
If you love adventure and have at least two nights to spare in your Mexico City itinerary, a trip to the charming Pueblo Mágico (Magic Town) of Valle de Bravo is a must.
This town is perfect if you’re drawn to quiet cobblestone streets, lush rolling mountains, and an authentic taste of small-town Mexican life.
Sitting on the shores of Lake Avándaro, Valle de Bravo offers plenty of water activities—whether you want to kayak, spend the afternoon on a yacht, or try jet skiing.
One of the highlights of our trip was our accommodation—it made our stay even more special. Casa Chichipicas, a stunning boutique hotel with just 10 suites, was the perfect peaceful getaway.
The heated pool overlooks the town and lake, and our room even had a hot tub and hammock—it truly couldn’t have been better!
📄 If you’re looking for the best Mexico City Escape – Read The Ultimate Guide to Valle de Bravo next
7️⃣ Xochimilco
The floating fiesta of Mexico City, better known as Xochimilco, is a must-visit—not just for its cultural significance but also because it’s so much fun!
Once part of an ancient Aztec canal system used to transport food, flowers, and other goods, Xochimilco has transformed into one of the city’s most vibrant experiences.
Today, these colorful boats, called trajineras, are filled with everything from big family birthday parties to romantic date nights—and, of course, plenty of international visitors soaking up the lively atmosphere.
You can rent a trajinera on your own, which is great if you’re traveling with a group and comfortable speaking Spanish. But if you’d rather join a fun group and not worry about planning the details, we recommend booking a tour for a hassle-free experience.
🚨 Avoid a common scam in Xochimilco by reading this post next!
Why we think Mexico City is worth visiting
Mexico City may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we truly believe it’s a destination every travel lover should experience at least once.
Yes, it’s massive and can feel overwhelming, but its growing popularity over the years comes down to one thing—diversity.
Whether you’re looking for a deep dive into culture, the relaxed city vibes of La Condesa, or a world-class gastronomic experience, Mexico City has something for everyone.
If you found this post helpful for planning your trip, feel free to share it with a friend! And if you have any recommendations of your own, we’d love to hear them in the comments 👇
