5 Days in Mexico City: A Complete Guide
Mexico City encompasses all the qualities of a world-class city: art, history, culture, and most importantly food. In the last 5-10 years, the stigma around Mexico City’s safety has subsided immensely with top-rated restaurants opening shop and tourism at an all time high, yet misconceptions still prevent outsiders from exploring this remarkable city. Despite its global recognition as one of the best cities in the world, CDMX remains underrated in mainstream tourism but not for long. Mexico City is destined to become a tourist hub for gringos and the like. Discover it before it does.
This is my 5-day guide to the best of Mexico City, with an especially high dose of Vitamin T (Tacos, Tamales, and Tequila):
Transportation:
Mexico City is sprawling and can be difficult to travel by foot. Uber is safe in Mexico City and is one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to get around. The most you will pay to get from one neighborhood to another is 50-60 pesos ($2-$3 USD). Always check the license plate before entering an uber to prevent "swaps." Street cabs are not recommended due to risk of assault by drivers.
Accommodations:
Mexico City has many “barrios” or neighborhoods that are safe and in close proximity to the best food and culture. These are my recommendations:
🏠Polanco/Reforma Location: Central Vibes: Ritzy, Posh, Pricey Cost: Expensive ($200+ per night) Recommendations: Hotel Marquis Reforma, W Mexico City, Intercontinental
🏠La Condesa/Roma Norte Location: Central Vibes: Hipster, Quiet, Casual-Trendy, Young Cost: Moderate ($80 - $150+ per night) Recommendations: Red Tree House, Condesa DF, Airbnb
🏠Coyoacan Location: Not Central Vibes: Quaint, Artistic, Authentic Cost: Cheap ($30+ per night) Recommendations: Airbnb
Dining:
In the last 5 years, Mexico City has become a hub for food enthusiasts. The street food and taquerias are equally as delicious as the best restaurants in Mexico City, but if you’re hoping to dine-in at any up-scale restaurant, dinner reservations are an absolute must. Every single one of the restaurants I have listed below will require anywhere from 1 week to 3 months of advance reservation. Note: Pujol and Quintonil will require reservations 2-3 months in advance.
Day 1 (Thursday): Centro Histórico
Arrive in Mexico City by early afternoon and drop your bags at the hotel. Your first day in CDMX will be devoted to the timeless charms of the city center. Begin the afternoon with a traditional Mexican lunch at El Cardenal (wait times can range 30-40 minutes). While you’re waiting, grab a churro or two from the famed Churrería el Moro close by. After a quick lunch, visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace, home to several of Diego Rivera’s masterpieces. As the sun sets, start your evening with a visit to nearby Bosforo, an eclectic Mezcal bar just outside of the city center. If you’ve made reservations months in advance, feast on Enrique Olvera’s famed Taco Omakase at Pujol. Otherwise, opt for an equally delicious meal at Merotoro.
Centro Histórico:
📍Lunch: El Cardenal 📍Churrería el Moro 📍Palacio Nacional 📍Cathedral Metropolitina 📍Palacio de Bellas Artes 📍Drinks: Bosforo Mezcaleria
Evening: 📍Dinner: Pujol (Alternative: Merotoro) 📍Drinks: Gin Gin
Day 2 (Friday): Polanco, La Condesa, Roma
Begin your morning with postres dulces (sweet pastries) from Maque in Polanco. The Chilaquiles (fried tortillas) are worth a try as well. Make your way through the Polanco market and find the guacamole stand, questionably the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted. Hop in an uber to La Condesa’s Tacos Dan Juan, a classic, no-frills taqueria. Begin the loop around Avenida Amsterdam, making a few detours in Roma and ultimately ending back in Condesa for a mezcal and manzana enchilada (tamarind apple) at La Botica. Polanco:
📍Breakfast: Maque (Polanco)
📍Polanco Mercado
La Condessa/Roma: 📍Lunch: Tacos Dan Juan (Tacos Hola for vegetarian options) 📍Avenida Amsterdam 📍Molina el Pujol
📍Mercado Roma
📍Avenue Alvaro Obregon (Roma Norte) 📍Drinks: La Botica
Evening: 📍Dinner: Maximo Bistro Local 📍Drinks: Café Paraiso
Day 3 (Saturday): Coyoacan, Xochimilco, San Angel
As this will be your longest day, an early wake up will be required. If you’ve bought advance tickets for Casa Azul (Frida Khalo’s home), you’re in good shape for a sit-down breakfast at La Vienet in the picturesque barrio of Coyoacan. The crowd is quintessentially local and the Chilaquiles and Nopales (cactus) juice are incredible. If you haven’t bought advance tickets, take your chilaquiles to go and arrive at Casa Azul, Frida Khalo’s home, at least 30 minutes before opening. Make sure you purchase an audio guide once inside. Walk around the Mercado Artesenal for souvenirs and grab lunch at the Coyoacan food market or one of the many excellent taquerias nearby. If time permits, check out the Saturday market in San Angel for hand-crafted art and jewelry. Otherwise, head straight to Xochimilco to the floating gardens for a boozy boat ride.
Coyocan: 📍Breakfast: La Vienet 📍Casa Azul (Frida Khalo’s Home) – advance tickets recommended 📍Mercado Artesenal 📍Lunch: Coyocan Mercado
San Angel (if time permits): 📍El Bazaar Sabado
Xochimilco: 📍Chinampa (Floating Gardens) 📍Alternative: Museo Dolores Olmedo
Evening: 📍Dinner: Quintonil (Alternative: La Docena) 📍Drinks: Departamento
Day 4 (sunday): Ancient Pyramids
The pyramids can be accomplished in one of two ways: a private tour arranged through your hotel (~$180) or a group tour (~$40) which generally leaves from the Historical Center. I opted for a private tour which saves you about 2-3 hours, making this more of a half-day activity. The pyramids are about 1 hour outside of the city and magnificent. Make sure to hire a guide or read up on the Aztec history of the pyramids during your day trip. Once you’re back in Mexico City, grab a table at Contramar for lunch, the best seafood spot in Mexico City. For a lively evening, check out Lucha Libre at Arena México on Sunday nights, beginning at 5 PM (tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster). Many restaurants are closed on Sunday nights but Azul Histórico is open and serves a wonderful collection of traditional Mexican fare (advance reservations required).
Teotihuacan: 📍Breakfast: Fonda Margarita 📍Teotihuacan Pyramids 📍Lunch: Contramar
Evening: 📍Lucha Libre 📍Dinner: Azul Histórico
Day 5 (Monday): Chapultepec
Begin your last day with breakfast at Nico’s, a traditional Mexican restaurant on the outskirts of the city. There’s not much to do in the area, but the mole and guacamole is among the best in all of Mexico City. Return to central CDMX and check out one of the many museums. Grab a quick bite at El Califa, a renowned taqueria chain, before heading to the airport. 📍Breakfast: Nico’s Restaurante 📍Museo Nacional de Antropología (Mexican Anthropology) - closed on Mondays
📍Museo Soumaya (Guggenheim of CDMX)
📍Museo Dolores Olmedo (Hacienda-like grounds with Khalo, Rivera, and other ethnic art)
📍Museo de Arte Popular (MOMA of CDMX)
📍Lunch: El Califa ✈️Mexico City International Airport
