The 25 Best Things to Do In Coyoacan Mexico City (So You Don’t Miss Any Highlights)
Planning to visit the Coyoacan Mexico City neighborhood!?
You’re in the right place, because I used to live in Mexico City, and you might say I was obsessed with Coyoacan Mexico City!
It is one of the oldest and most historic of all Mexico City neighborhoods, with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, great food and gorgeous parks.
Though you are still within Mexico City limits, you’ll feel like you’re a world away in this charming part of town.
It is famous as the place Frida Kahlo lived (and died), and fans of the 2000 film Frida will love walking the same streets where the movie was shot.
However, there is more to Coyoacan than the Casa Azul Frida Kahlo Museum — so let’s discover the 25 best things to do in Coyoacan Mexico City.
The Best Things to Do in Coyoacan Mexico City
1. Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)
For many visitors, no trip to Mexico City is complete without visiting the Casa Azul.
This means “Blue House,” and as the name states, it is in fact a bright blue house. It is also the most popular of all things to do in Coyoacan Mexico.
The once-home to Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera — two of the most famous painters of all time — offers a glimpse into Frida’s life and art.
Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly? —Frida Kahlo
↳ Get more Mexico Instagram captions
While you can see some of her art here, the Blue House is one of the best museums in Mexico City because it shows both her life and art.
Want to see more Frida Kahlo art in Mexico City? Head to the Dolores Olmedo Museum, which is the best place to see Frida art in Mexico City.
👩🎨 How to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum Mexico City
As the name Casa Azul states, this is a casa (house). While a pretty big house, it’s still much smaller than a traditional museum.
Given that so many people want to visit, you’ll want to have a game plan to visit the Frida Museum in Coyoacan — or you could end up waiting in line for hours.
👀 Looking for things to do near frida kahlo museum?
The Coyoacan neighborhood Mexico City is pretty small, especially the downtown area.
(In case, you’re wondering about the Coyoacan pronunciation? It’s coy-yo-uh-kahn.)
In fact, nearly everything on this list is near the Frida Museum, so after your visit, head to these best places in Coyoacan:
- Coffee at El Jarocho or Cafe Avellaneda
- Tacos at Taqueria Los Parados or Pepe Coyotes
- Lunch at Los Danzantes
- Relax in the Coyoacan Zocalo or Viveros Park
- See more museums, like the Anahuacalli or Museum of Popular Culture
🎨 frida kahlo museum Tours
There are several “skip the line” tours available which handle your tickets, but also give you a chance to see Coyoacan.
This Frida VIP-Skip the line+Bikes & Churros offers an in-depth look at Frida the artist, and a bike tour of Coyoacan, home to some of the best Mexico City churros.
Other tours, like this Xochimilco and the World of Frida and Diego, combine a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum with a ride on the brightly-colored Xochimilco boats, called trajineras.
🗣️ In case, you’re wondering, Xochimilco is pronounced so-chee-mill-co.
These colorful boats in Mexico City are located about 30 minutes from Coyoacan, in the Xochimilco Mexico City neighborhood.
Given Coyoacan and Xochimilco are close, many combine them on their Mexico City itinerary for a nice one-day tour.
🎟 frida kahlo museum tickets
If you’re on a budget or backpacking Mexico City, you may want to skip the tours and go on your own.
The cheapest way to visit the Frida Museum is to buy your tickets in advance and have them sent to your email address.
After living in Mexico City for a year, I can’t even remember the number of times someone told me they couldn’t visit because the Frida Kahlo Museum tickets sold out for the day they wanted to go.
This is one of the few Mexico City museums that requires a bit of advanced planning.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
2. Coyoacan Market Mexico City (Mercado de Coyoacan)
The Coyoacan Market is a lively and traditional Mexican mercado (market), known to have the best tostadas in Mexico City.
Tostada stands in the market have several topping options, like tinga de pollo (shredded BBQ chicken), cóctel de camarón (shrimp cocktail), champiñon (mushroom), and more.
After eating, stroll the mercado and snap some photos of this colorful place.
Be sure to always get permission before taking a photo, and show your appreciation to the vendors by making a purchase or just giving them a few pesos.
- ⏰ Coyoacan market hours: Open daily, 8am-6pm
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
3. Plaza Coyoacan Zocalo
The Zocalo is the main square of Coyoacan. Here you’ll find restaurants, the famous coyote fountain (Coyoacan means “a place of coyotes” in the Aztec language), and the town’s largest church, Iglesia San Juan Bautista.
It is a lively area, and the central meeting point in Coyoacan, great for relaxing and people-watching.
There are also two parks, Jardín Centenario and Jardín Hidalgo, located just across the street from one another.
Together, the two are collectively known as Plaza Hidalgo or Parque Centenario. You’ll know you’re in the right place because the park is located at the end of Avenida Francisco Sosa.
🙃 Yes, this may seem a bit confusing, but Coyoacan Centro is a small area, so it all makes sense once you’re there.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
4. Iglesia de San Juan Bautista Coyoacan Church
Located in the center of Coyoacan in Plaza Hidalgo, don’t miss this massive Spanish cathedral, which dates back to the 16th Century.
Make sure to go inside to see the gorgeous and original artwork; you’re free to take photos inside, as long as you’re quiet and respectful.
💒 Want to see more churches in Coyoacan, Mexico City?
You’re in luck because there are several beautiful Coyoacan churches, like the Capilla de la Conchita (AKA Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción) and Chapel of Santa Catarina (Capilla de Santa Catarina).
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
5. Eat at the Best Restaurants in Coyoacan Mexico
With so many museums, parks, plazas, churches and mercados to see, you will work up an appetite while visiting Coyoacan Mexico.
If you’re wondering where to eat in Coyoacan, here are some answers.
There’s no shortage of options — but for one of the most authentic and best places to eat in Coyoacan, check out Mercado de Comida de Coyoacán.
Sometimes called the Mercado de Antojitos, this is the place locals eat in Coyoacan for pozole, quesadillas and agua fresca — and there are a few more suggestions below.
🍽 Best restaurant in Coyoacan: Los Danzantes
Los Danzantes is an upscale Mexican chain, but it is quite good.
This location is one of the restaurants that line the main square in Coyoacan, so you can grab a table and enjoy some people watching while you dine.
Los Danzantes serves traditional food and Mexican drinks, and creative cocktails.
☕️ Best cafe in Coyoacan: cafe Avellaneda
This is a tiny place, and gets quite crowded — but that’s because their coffee is so good!
For true coffee lovers (and, ahem, coffee snobs!), there’s no place better than Café Avellaneda Coyoacan.
They serve a rotating lineup of Mexican coffees, using freshly-roasted beans sourced throughout the country.
🌮 Best tacos in Coyoacan #1: Taqueria Los Parados
Taquería Los Parados has a huge menu, but they are famous for their tacos al pastor and tacos al carbon, meaning “cooked over charcoal.”
When I go, I get the arrachera tacos and/or the pastor tacos, and the jugo de carne soup.
Personally, I think these are the best tacos tacos in Mexico City, and Los Parados have a few locations all over town.
They have been open since 1965, so they’ve stood the taco test of time, and in 2024, they earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction.
🌮 Best tacos in Coyoacan #2: Pepe Coyotes Coyoacán
Located next to the National Museum of Popular Culture, this is a no-frills Mexico City tacos spot, beloved by locals and visitors alike.
For amazing tacos al pastor in Coyoacan, head to Pepe Coyotes.
🌱 Looking for vegan restaurants in Coyoacan?
Head to La Pitahaya Vegana, which has a location in Roma Norte and one in Coyoacan, and is famous for their pink tortilla tacos.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
6. Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum
Frida’s husband, and another one of Mexico’s most famous artists, Diego Rivera, has a lesser-known Mexico City museum not far from Casa Azul.
🎟 Mexico City Travel Tips: You get free admission to the Anahuacalli Museum with your Frida Kahlo Museum ticket. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the Frida Museum, so you might want to take an Uber.
The Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli features his impressive collection of pre-hispanic artifacts, as well as some of his murals and mosaics.
Rivera actually designed this building himself, and it resembles a Mesoamerican temple.
In a sense, the volcanic stone building is another piece of prehispanic art — and truly one of the Mexico City hidden gems that too few people see.
Personally, this is my favorite museum in Mexico City.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
7. Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo House Studio Museum
The Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, or Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo House-Studio Museum, has three of the artists’ home studios and their photography lab.
One of the houses was built by famed Mexican architect, Juan O’Gorman, and is among the best Mexico City Instagram spots.
Much like the Casa Azul, this museum offers a further glimpse into the lives of Mexico’s powerhouse artist couple.
Take this Frida Kahlo/Diego Rivera House & Murals in UNAM Tour to see even more of Diego Rivera’s work on the UNAM college campus, a Mexico City UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
8. Frida Kahlo Park Coyoacan
Need even more Frida Kahlo in Coyoacan!? Head to this small park, named for the city’s most famous resident, and see the bronzed statues of Frida and Diego.
This is just one of the off the beaten path Coyoacan sites many people miss.
9. See a Movie at Cineteca Nacional México
The Mexico City Cineteca is more of an experience than a movie theatre, but if you’re in the mood for a movie night, this theater is unlike any you’ve seen.
There’s also a few shops and cafes in the theater complex, and a small museum that rotates cinema-related exhibits.
🎟 Note: While they regularly show English films, double check the language before you buy a ticket.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
10. Parque Viveros de Coyoacán Park
Known as the “lungs of southern Mexico City,” this large, urban park in Coyoacan is a lovely place to take a walk, or even have a picnic.
There are floral nurseries throughout the Viveros Coyoacan Park, with vendors selling many types of colorful flowers and plants, and several walking trails.
🌺 Mexico City Fun Fact: One of the largest urban parks in the world is located in Mexico City — Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park), located less than 45-minutes from Coyoacan.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
11. Have a Coffee at El Jarocho Cafe
Cafe El Jarocho Coyoacan is a city institution that’s been open since 1953.
This old school coffee shop had one of the first industrial coffee machines in Mexico, allowing them to make espresso and cappuccino long before other coffee shops make these “cosmopolitan” drinks.
☕️ Want to learn more about coffee from Mexico?
Join this Coffee Tasting with National Judge Experience, and learn all about Mexico coffees from hosts Ricardo and Christian.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
12. Shop the Coyoacan Artisan Market (Mercado Artesanal Mexicano)
The Mercado Artesanal Mexicano (Mexican Craft Market in Coyoacan) is located just across the street from Parque Centenario, the Coyoacan main square.
It is a lively, colorful mercado, and if you’ve seen any Coyoacan market photos, you know this place is worth visiting for shoppers and photographers alike.
If you’re looking to do some shopping and buy souvenirs from Mexico, this is the best place to shop in Coyoacan.
This Coyoacan Market is a also great for some nice photos, but make sure to ask permission before taking them.
- ⏰ Coyoacan market hours: Weekdays, 11am-10pm; Weekends, 10am-10pm
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
13. National Museum of Popular Culture
The Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares, one of five stops on this Coyoacan Legends Tour, packs a powerful, colorful punch.
Dedicated to Mexico’s unique ethnic and cultural diversity, see Mexican folk art styles from indigenous peoples living all over the country.
Once you arrive, you’ll soon realize why this is the second-most visited of all the museums in Coyoacan — and why it ranks among the top things to do in Coyoacan Mexico.
14. Parque Masayoshi Ôhira (Japanese Park)
For one of the most Instragrammable Mexico City places, head to this small, but nice off the beaten path Coyoacan park that will transport you to the Land of the Rising Sun!
Photograph the Japanese cherry blossom trees, Asian-style bridge atop a flowing stream, and iconic red arch.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
15. Casa de la Cultura Jesus Reyes Heroles
This House of Cultures is a public event space, but you can enter for free to wander the grounds.
There are bronze sculptures of Frida and Diego, and other large-scale sculptures and Aztec artifacts throughout the gardens. There’s also Aurelia Café Restaurant, with peaceful outdoor tables.
👀 More things to see in Coyoacan in this area
Plaza Santa Catarina: This is a small park with a nice church, called the Chapel of Santa Catarina.
It’s a nice place to hang out for a while and people-watch, located just across the street from Casa de la Cultura Jesús Reyes Heroles.
Meson Antigua Santa Catarina: Also located across the street from Casa de la Cultura, there’s one of the most popular Coyoacan restaurants — especially for weekend brunch.
Meson de Antigua is a colorful restaurant with large painted murals inside and nice outdoor tables.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
16. Eat the Best Churros in Mexico City
While there are delicious Mexico City churros in a lot of places throughout the city, Churrería General de la Republica is one of the few that does churros rellenos, or stuffed churros.
You can also get regular churros, or even churros con chocolate (churros in chocolate sauce) if you want to try several different types of Mexico City churros.
Besides Churreria General de la Republica, there’s also the popular Churrería El Moro Mexico City churro shop, with a location in the Historic Center.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
17. Take the Coyoacan Tram Tour
Hop on an old school tram for a 45-minute Coyoacan tour. This can be a nice option on a hot day, to see all the sites while under the shade of the tram.
You can catch the Coyoacan Tram in front of Iglesia de San Juan Bautista — but you might want to check if the tour is offered in English or Spanish.
18. Have a Drink at La Coyoacana Cantina
Enjoy an old school Mexican cantina — complete with mariachi singers coming around to tables to serenade you.
They served drinks, but also traditional Mexican foods and classic favorites like queso fundido, enchiladas and molcajetes.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
19. Try Tepoznieves in Coyoacan
Besides tostadas in Mercado Coyoacan, people come to Coyoacan for the tepoznieves.
Similar to sorbet, tepoznieves is a mixture of ice cream and shaved ice.
You’ll find it from old school ice cream cart-style vendors on the streets and in ice cream shops, like Paletas y Helados Gloria Allende.
🚴♀️ Gain a deeper understanding of Mexico City food beyond the tourist trap tacos on this Bike to the Best Tacos in CDMX Tour.
Join Mexico City local and Coyoacan guide, Fernando, to discover even more tasty things to eat in Mexico City on this bike tour.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
20. Walk Down the Callejon del Aguacate
Possibly haunted, the Callejón del Aguacate (Avocado Alley) is an interesting off the beaten path Mexico City walkway.
Stroll the cobbled streets of this narrow alley and see if you can hear the reported screams of the child-ghost who haunts Avocado Alley.
💀 Love dark tourism? Head to one of the best Mexico dark tourist sites, the Isla de Muñecas, or Island of the Dolls in Xochimilco — and yes, it’s as creepy as it sounds.
21. Plaza la Conchita Coyoacan
There are three Coyoacan churches you’ll want to check out: Iglesia de San Juan Bautista Church, Capilla de Santa Catarina Church, and Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, better known as La Conchita Church.
It is located in the quaint Plaza la Conchita, a nice place for people watching in Coyoacan.
22. Leon Trotsky Museum
Leon Trotsky was a Bolshevik party leader, and one of the most important figures in U.S.S.R. history.
He was exiled after Joseph Stalin took power, and ultimately banished from the country.
He and his family were granted political exile in Mexico in 1936, where he lived in Coyoacan, near his friends Frida and Diego.
He was ultimately murdered in his house in 1940 by Spanish Communist, Ramon Mercader.
The home has been turned into the Leon Trotsky House Museum, where history buffs can see his personal objects and effects, period furniture and the beautiful Trotsky House gardens.
Best Things to Do Near Coyoacan
23. Shop the Bazaar Sabado (San Angel Saturday Market)
The historic San Angel neighborhood is located right next to Coyoacan.
It’s famed El Bazaar de Sábado (Saturday Market) is the place to buy artisan-made handcrafts, art, jewelry, colorful Mexican textiles, huarache leather sandals and more.
🍽️ Have Brunch at San Angel Inn
Located in an old monastery, the San Angel Inn is known as one of the best restaurants in San Angel.
Looking to enjoy a fancy Mexico City brunch in a beautiful, historic setting before heading to the San Angel Saturday Market? This is your place!
While in the San Angel Mexico City neighborhood, check out the Parroquia de San Jacinto, a beautiful and historic Dominican church.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
24. UNAM Campus & Museum
🏫 Visit the UNAM Central Campus
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) was awarded the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
The campus consists of buildings and open spaces constructed by more than 60 architects, engineers and artists.
Done by architect and painter, Juan O’Gorman, his iconic painting on the Central Library UNAM is said to be the largest mural ever made.
Besides those of O’Gorman, see the famous UNAM murals done by Mexico’s other great muralists, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Diego Rivera.
🖼️ Museum of Contemporary art at UNAM
This is one of the best museums in Mexico City — and that’s saying a lot in a city that boasts about 150 museums!
UNAM is… an exemplary monumental complex of 20th century modernism that integrates urbanism, architecture, engineering, landscaping and fine arts, associating all these elements with references to local traditions, and in particular to the pre-Hispanic past from Mexico.
source: UNESCO
The UNAM Art Museum is the city’s largest contemporary art museum, and located on the beautiful UNAM Campus, which is itself a work of art.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
25. Visit Tlalpan Mexico
The Tlalpan Mexico City neighborhood is just as historic as Coyoacan, though not as touristy.
Check out Centro Historico (Historic Downtown), Mercado Publico (Public Market), historic Colonial churches, and Cafetlan restaurant to sample caldo tlalpeño, a Mexican soup from Tlalpan.
🗿 Cuicuilco Archaeological Zone
Located in Tlalpan, the origins of this lesser-visited Mesoamerican archaeological site remain a mystery.
This circular-shaped ruin site also has a small museum with artifacts unearthed during Cuicuilco archeological digs.
Mexico City Travel Tips: For those not visiting Teotihuacan Ruins, this could be a nice alternative.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
Coyoacan Mexico Travel Guide & Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coyoacan safe to visit?
For the majority of travelers, it is perfectly safe to visit Coyoacan.
It can get busy and feel a bit hectic, especially on weekends, so pay extra attention to your belongings because, though rare, pickpocketing can happen.
Is it safe to walk around Coyoacan?
Coyoacan is not considered unsafe at all. You can walk around the area during the day or night, and should be safe.
Actually, Coyoacan is known to be one of the safest parts of Mexico, popular with local families and visitors alike.
It is among the oldest, most historic and most charming neighborhoods in Mexico City.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
Where is Coyoacan located?
Coyoacan is located in Mexico City, about 7.5 miles (12 km) from Centro Historico, or Downtown Mexico City.
🗺️ Coyoacan Map
The drive from downtown to Coyoacan takes 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
How far is Coyoacan from Mexico City?
Coyoacan is located within Mexico City, but in the southern part of the city.
It is a bit far from the main tourist attractions in downtown, which is why some people think it’s another city entirely.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
What are the best hotels in Coyoacan Mexico?
While Coyoacan is a lovely area, I recommend staying in Roma or Condesa, as they’re more centrally-located (see this Coyoacan Mexico Map for reference).
However, if you do want to stay in Coyoacan, here are two of the best Coyoacan Mexico hotels, located in Centro de Coyoacan (Downtown).
- Mansión Papilio Coyoacan: Gorgeous bed and breakfast with cushy amenities, located in a renovated mansion in Coyoacan Mexico.
- H21 Hospedaje Hotel Coyoacan: Hip, stylish Coyoacan boutique hotel with modern decor, comfy beds and a friendly staff.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
How do I get to Coyoacan Mexico?
You have two options on how to get to Coyoacan: Take public transportation (the CDMX Metro Line #3 or MetroBus Line #5) or you can Take an Uber or taxi.
The way you choose will depend on how much time from your Mexico City itinerary you can sacrifice, and how much money you can spend.
Regardless of which you choose, note the traffic can get bad, so don’t head to Coyoacan during rush hours.
🚙💨 Take an Uber to Coyoacan, or a taxi
The quickest but most expensive way is with an Uber or taxi — which I personally always recommend over using public transport in Mexico City.
Coming from Roma or Condesa, the trip will cost about $125 MXN pesos ($7 USD) to get there, and take 45-minutes since Coyoacan is in the southern part of the city.
🚊 Ride the Mexico City Metro to Coyoacan
If you’re coming from Centro Historico, you can take the Olive Green Metro line to Coyoacan (Line #3).
The Metro in Mexico City is very inexpensive at just $5 MXN pesos, which is only about $0.25.
The trip will take about an hour from downtown, as long as it’s not rush hour.
🚍 Take the Mexico City Metro Bus to Coyoacan
You also take the MetroBus Line #5 to Coyoacan. For a list of places this bus stops, check the Mexico City public transportation website.
Things to do in Coyoacan mexico city
What is Coyoacan Mexico known for?
Coyoacan is most famous as the home of Frida Kahlo.
Besides Frida, there’s charming cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, yummy food and a carnival-like atmosphere.
What does the name Coyoacan mean in English?
The word coyoacan means a place of coyotes in Nahuatl, the Aztec language. For this reason, you’ll see coyote statues and art throughout this CDMX neighborhood.
🗣️ Note: You might see neighborhood’s name misspelled as Coyocan, Cayoacan, Coyacan or Coyoacon, but the correct spelling is Coyoacan.
Is Coyoacan a historic neighborhood of Mexico City?
Yes, Coyoacan is the oldest neighborhood in Mexico City. It was founded by the Tepanec people in the 12th Century.
My Final Thoughts on Visiting Coyoacan Mexico City
I always work Coyoacan into any Mexico City itinerary I create for anyone. It’s a fun and colorful area, with a lot of history.
Though commonly known as the “Frida Kahlo Museum neighborhood” because of its claim to fame with the Casa Azul Frida Kahlo Museum, there’s so much more to do in Coyoacan Mexico City, Mexico.
I hope this guide highlighted all the cool things in Coyoacan, from the popular to the locals-only hidden gems.
With so many Coyoacan sites, the only thing to consider now is — Which of these places in Coyoacan CDMX will you go to first?!