50+ Unique Things to Do in Mexico City (Including Lots of CDMX Hidden Gems)
Looking for unique things to do in Mexico City?
You’re in the right place, as I’ve lived in Mexico City since 2018 (on and off), and still visit frequently because it’s my favorite city in the world.
My experience living in Mexico City makes me the perfect guide to help you find all the most unique things to do in Mexico City, because as they say, having tips from a local is a travel game changer.
I’ve spent enough time in Mexico City (AKA CDMX) to be able to point you in the right direction to find all the cool things to do in Mexico City that only a local would know about.
Besides all the most fun things to do in Mexico City listed here, you’ll also discover how to best explore this city to maximize the time on your Mexico City itinerary.
I’m also sharing the best neighborhoods in Mexico City to stay in — and what Mexico City neighborhoods to avoid.
Ready to discover all the top things to do in Mexico City? Let’s get to it!
The 50+ Best Things to Do in Mexico City
1. Take A Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon Tour
When you’re traveling to Mexico City, you must visit Teotihuacan, a Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Site.
🎈 The best way to visit Teotihuacan Mexico? From above on this Tour and Balloon Ride Over Teotihuacan Pyramids.
Back on the ground, these famous pyramids in Mexico City are one of the most important and most visited of all ancient archeological sites in the country.
This amazing place is also admittedly quite touristy — but still cool enough to make this list.
To experience the ruins in the most non-touristy way possible, you can always visit the Teotihuacan Ruins near Mexico City in a non-touristy way.
As one of the top sites in CDMX, there’s everything from basic to unique tours, like these popular Mexico City hot air balloon tours.
Below, you will find some of the coolest, most non-touristy ways to visit Teotihuacan Mexico — including on a hot air balloon, a scavenger hunt, and with an archeologist on this Teotihuacan VIP Tour.
🎈 The Best Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon Ride
Though Teotihuacan is one of the popular places in Mexico City, balloon tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see a side of the Teotihuacan Pyramids so few will.
Seeing this ancient Mexico archeological site from above on a Teotihuacan hot air balloon tour is the only real way to appreciate the vastness of the ancient Teotihuacan Archeological Site.
2. Bike to the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacan
This is admittedly on the beaten path, but the Casa Azul (Blue House) is worth a visit because it’s one of the most unique places in Mexico City — and truly a piece of history because Frida Kahlo once lived here.
Once the home to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, two of the most famous painters of all time, and now one of the best museums in Mexico City, the Blue House offers a glimpse into Frida’s life and art.
To go a bit beyond the museum itself, take this top-rated Museo Frida Kahlo VIP-Skip the Line Bike Ride & Churros Tour.
Hosts Lola and Diego offer guests an in-depth look at Frida’s the artist, and a bike tour around the Mexico City neighborhood of Coyoacan she called home — where you’ll try some of its famed churros.
🎫 Frida Kahlo Museum Mexico City Pro Tip: If you don’t go with a group tour, buy your Frida Museum tickets well in advance.
As one of the top attractions, they usually sell out (especially on weekends and holidays), so I recommend buying your tickets 1-3 weeks in advance.
3. Ride the Colorful Boats on a Xochimilco Tour
WHAT IS XOCHIMILCO?
Xochimilco (pronounced so-chee-mill-co) is a series of man-made canals, hand-dug by the Aztecs centuries ago.
For most visitors, it’s high atop their Mexico City bucket list to tour the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco and see these floating islands with small farms on them.
In centuries past, people would boat through the canals to buy produce, as they were a major thoroughfare for trade and commerce.
🛶 The Best Xochimilco tours for a Party
For a Mexico City party cruise, book this Xochimilco Magic: Tequila, Mezcal & Fun Tour, which has a near-perfect 5 Star rating, and 3,000+ rave reviews.
With it, you’ll hop on a brightly-colored Xochimilco trajinera (gondola-style boats) to tour this Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Site in a festive way.
I do recommend a tour because unless you speak Spanish, bargaining with a boat operator can be challenging.
You can try though, and depending on your preferences, you can take a Xochimilco cruise during the day or at night.
Boats often wait to fill up with at least 8-10 people before departing, so you may have to find a group of strangers when you arrive.
🛶 Best Tour of the chinampas (floating gardens of Xochimilco)
While known as a place to party, this Canoe Tour to Chinampas with Cooking Class is my favorite way to visit the floating gardens at Xochimilco Mexico City.
The chinampas (islands) show the more natural side of Xochimilco, and the ancestral techniques of food cultivation in Mexico City still practiced today by rural farmers.
4. Explore the Zocalo Mexico City
🤔 What is Zocalo Mexico City?
In many cities in Mexico, you’ll find an area called the Zocalo. This is essentially the town square or main square in the city.
The Mexico City Zocalo (AKA Plaza de la Independencia, or Independence Plaza) is located in Centro Historico, or Downtown Mexico City.
Looking for things to do in Mexico City in December? The Zocalo is always festively-decorated during this month, when the Mexico winter holidays are in full swing.
Mexico’s entire Historic Downtown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for those who love history, this Discover the History of the Center Tour is a must.
Led by a Mexico City local, you’ll see all the hidden sites on streets of Downtown CDMX, learning about the fascinating connections between Mexico City’s indigenous, colonial, 19th century and modern eras.
The seat of the Aztec Empire from the 14th-19th Centuries, Tenochtitlan, as it was known, has so many historic landmarks you could spend weeks there and not see them all — which is why a tour is necessary.
5. Marvel at the Templo Mayor Ruins (Aztec Ruins)
This Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the location of the central temple of the Aztec Empire.
In fact, Templo Mayor translates to Main Temple or Big Temple.
During the Spanish Conquest in 1521, the temple was largely dismantled, and what remained intact was buried underground.
It was unearthed by archeologists in the 1980s, and today, you can stroll the ruins of Templo Mayor to see the remnants of the massive temple.
There’s also even more historic archeological treasure to see in the onsite museum, so make sure you head inside.
- ⏰ Templo Mayor is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am-5pm
- 💰 Admission to the Templo Mayor costs $100 pesos ($5 USD) per person
6. Visit Palacio Bellas Artes
If you’ve seen an image of Mexico City, it was likely of the beautiful, art nouveau Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) building.
This classical European, golden-domed, building is a work of art in itself, but also head inside and check out the gorgeous art deco interior.
There are often live performances at Bellas Artes as well, like the famous Ballet Folklórico de México (Folk Ballet).
Located outside, the Bellas Artes Metro Station entrance sign was a gift from the President of France.
It is a surprising little bit of Paris, located right in the heart of bustling Mexico City. Right next to this famed Mexico City metro sign, there are a few other noteworthy sites.
If you want to take the subway in Mexico City, you can ride Line 2 (Blue Line) and Line 8 (Green Line) to the Bellas Artes Metro Station.
Taking the subway is one of the best non-touristy things to do in Mexico City, and a bargain at $5 pesos per ride (about 25 cents U.S.).
Just a short walk from the Parisian Bellas Artes Metro sign, there’s other great things to do and see in this general area.
Don’t miss the other main attractions in Downtown Mexico City listed below.
• Alameda Central Park: Located next to Bellas Artes, this large and well-maintained urban park has beautiful sculptures and fountains to enjoy.
Centro Historico can be overwhelming, so take a break from the hustle and bustle in Parque Alameda Central — a great place for a lunchtime taco picnic.
• Hemiciclo a Benito Juarez: This beautiful monument to former Mexican president, Benito Juarez, is located at the edge of the Alameda Central Park, along the bustling Avenida Juarez.
7. Head to the Top of Torre Latinoamericana (Mexico City Skyscraper)
One of the iconic buildings in the Mexico City skyline — and if you want epic views over Mexico City (IMO, the best views of Mexico City), you’ll find them here.
On a clear day, take the elevator to the 44th floor of the Latin American Tower for some amazing views.
The Mirador at Torre Latinoamericana (viewing platform, or observation deck) is open daily, 9am-10pm.
Tickets cost $220 pesos (about a $12 USD price) to go up to the top, and I only recommend you go up on a nice day with clear skies though, or see much.
🏬 Wondering, What is the tallest building in Mexico City? It’s the Torre Mitikah A with 68 floors. It stands 876 feet tall (267 m).
🤑 Free views at Sears Department Store Cafe
The nearby Sears department store building also has the Café Don Porfirio (AKA Cafeteria Terraza Cafe).
Here, you can take the elevator up to the 8th floor to see the city views.
Unlike the Torre Latinoamericana, this is free — though you’re expected to buy something at the cafe like a drink and/or pastry.
They also give visitors a time limit of about 40 minutes to sit at the tables, so grab a coffee and a snack, snap some photos, and head out.
8. See a Lucha Libre Match (Mexican Wrestling)
Mexico’s masked wrestling is always a good time — so if you’re looking for things to do in Mexico City this weekend, book your tickets here for lucha libre wrestling matches.
All the best lucha libre wrestling matches take place Saturday nights at Arena Mexico in Doctores, located between Centro Histórico and Roma Norte.
⚠️ Note: While this isn’t a totally unsafe area, the Doctores neighborhood isn’t exactly known as one of the best parts of Mexico City either.
Still, lucha libre is one of the coolest local things to do in Mexico City — just exercise caution when you go.
⭐️ The Best Mexico City Lucha Libre Tours
Lucha matches pretty much always sell out, especially the big ones, and buying tickets online from the U.S. can be a bit tricky.
Make it easy on yourself by booking this top-rated Lucha Libre + Tacos + Beer Tour with a near-perfect 5 Star rating, and 10,850+ reviews.
If the one’s not available, two other great options are:
While Mexico City is generally safe, even for a solo female traveler, the Doctores neighborhood doesn’t have a great reputation.
For those who aren’t confident with Spanish, this is another great reason to go on a lucha libre group tour, which also makes it more fun!
🦹♀️ How to see a lucha libre match in Mexico City On Your Own
Head to Arena Mexico early Saturday to buy your tickets the day of the event, or buy lucha libre tickets online (it’s not super easy if you don’t speak Spanish).
Do note that most lucha libre matches in Mexico City sell out a few days to a week in advance.
For this reason, the easiest and best way to see Mexico City lucha libre matches is on a tour, like these 11 Best Mexico City Lucha Libre Tours.
9. See Chapultepec Castle (The Only Castle in North America)
The Castillo de Chapultepec is the only true castle in North America, as it’s the only one a member of the royal family (royalty) once lived in.
The former home to Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Carlota is now a museum, and one of the best sites in Mexico City.
Looking for things to do in Mexico City on Sunday? Admission to Chapultepec Castle is free on Sundays; but arrive early to beat the large crowds.
After that, you can visit even more museums in Chapultepec Park, like the ones listed below.
👩🎨 Best Museums in Chapultepec Park
• Museum of Modern Art & Sculpture Garden: The Museo de Arte Moderno features contemporary art by both international and Mexican artists.
The big names from their permanent collection include Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Rufino Tamayo.
While visiting, don’t forget to take a leisurely stroll through the Sculpture Garden outside.
It is a must see in Mexico City for art and sculpture lovers, and the perfect place to relax for a while and get away from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City.
• Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum: Founded by Mexican artist, Ruffino Tamayo, his namesake Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo (Tamayo Museum) houses a large collection of international contemporary art.
10. Explore the Mexico National Museum of Anthropology
One of the most-visited and best museums in Mexico City, the massive Museo Nacional de Antropología spans 23 exhibition halls and 3,225 years of history.
If you’re deeply fascinated by Mexico’s extensive and profound history, book this top-rated Hidden Treasures of the Anthropology Museum Tour with Garay.
The museum offers one-hour English tours, but they barely scratch the surface at the Anthropology Museum, only focusing on these highlights:
- Piedra del Sol (Aztec calendar, or Aztec sunstone)
- Coatlicue statue
- Replica of Moctezuma’s headdress
- Olmec heads: The giant Olmec head sculptures are from the mysterious Olmec civilization, the oldest known civilization on the Americas continent, in existence from about 1500 BC-400 BC.
Which is why I recommend booking this Anthropology Museum Hidden Treasures Tour to learn Mexican history from an anthropologist.
11. Wander Chapultepec Park Mexico City
The Bosque de Chapultepec is one of the most-visited urban parks on the planet, right alongside NYC’s Central Park.
It is the largest green-space in this historic city, and a must visit attraction of Mexico City.
At 1,700 acres (6.8 km²), Chapultepec Park is massive. You could spend an entire day, or even spend weeks, there and still not see everything.
There’s nine museums, one castle, two lakes, a zoo, botanical gardens, and more — so be selective with your time.
🚴♀️ IMO, the best way to cover ground in Chapultepec Park is by bike because you’ll be able to cover so much more than you ever could on foot.
Let Alberto, a Mexico city cyclist and runner, show you all the highlights in this huge park on this Discover Chapultepec on Bicycle Tour.
🌳 Best Chapultepec Park things to do
• Niños Heroes Monument: The six niños heroes (boy heroes) are a key part of Mexican patriotic folklore.
Debates abound as to the true story of the boys’ death, but all six child cadets died defending Mexico.
• Chapultepec Zoo: Check out the more than 200 species of animals, including giraffes, jaguars, lions, tigers, and even two panda bears
The zoo in Chapultepec Park is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am-4:30pm; Admission is free.
• Rent a Swan Paddle Boat: Rent a paddle boat at Chapultepec to see some of the park from the water.
There are two lakes in this park; the rental boats are at lake in Section 1, near the zoo and the small Casa del Lago (Lake House Museum).
12. Photograph the Historic Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles)
Located at the corner of Avenida 5 de Mayo and the Callejon de la Condesa (Alley of the Countess), the House of Tiles is a famous house-turned-Sanborn’s department store.
The outside tile-work made it famous, but don’t miss the beautiful restaurant inside, which locals love for authentic Mexican food favorites.
Located near the Casa de los Azulejos in downtown CDMX, don’t miss the other cool places and top Mexico City activities in downtown listed below.
👩🎨 Best Museums in Mexico City Centro Historico
• Diego Rivera Mural Museum: This small museum is home to one of his most iconic paintings, Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central (Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central), which is 50-feet-long (15.5 m).
The museum is located not far from the painting’s namesake, Alameda Central Park.
• Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso (Old College of Saint Ildefonso): Considered the birthplace of the Mexican muralism movement, his beautiful ex-Jesuit boarding school now houses work’s by Mexico renowned muralists.
Head inside to see Diego Rivera’s iconic mural, The Creation, and many more.
13. Marvel at UNAM Central Campus
The largest college in the country, 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.
[UNAM college campus 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.
—UNESCO
Done by architect/painter, Juan O’Gorman, his iconic painting on the Central Library UNAM is said to be the largest mural of all time (the Polyforum Siquieros is another).
You’ll also see the works of other Mexico muralists, like David Alfaro Siqueiros and Diego Rivera, among the famous UNAM murals.
👨🎨 Notice the name Diego Rivera coming up a lot? He’s quite important, as far as contemporary Mexican artists go.
Gain a deeper understanding of this artist on this Diego Rivera House & UNAM Mural Tour, a Mexico City tour to see his art.
🎨 Museum of Contemporary art at UNAM
This is one of the best museums in Mexico City, a city that boasts about 150 of them!
It’s also the city’s largest contemporary art museum, and located on the beautiful UNAM Campus — itself a work of art.
14. Take One of the Best Teotihuacan Tours
1. Teotihuacan & My Grandma’s Food ⭐️ Rated 4.97/5 Stars
After a long day of exploring the ruins, hosts Hugo and Gabriel take you to their grandmother’s house for an authentic Mexican lunch.
Enjoy grandma’s 52-ingredient mole (pronounced moe-lay, a traditional Oaxaca food), a fifth generation recipe, and more favorites like chilaquiles.
2. Teotihuacan Scavenger Hunt ⭐️ Rated 4.94/5 Stars
Looking for things to do in Mexico City for young adults?
This tour is perfect because it is such a unique way to visit one of the most famous tourist attractions in Mexico City.
Marvel at all three Teotihuacan pyramids and see all its unique sites — while playing a fun scavenger hunt game with your accredited tour guide.
After leaving, enjoy a traditional Mexican food lunch and sample locally-made alcoholic beverages, like pulque (pronounced pull-kay), an ancient prehispanic drink from Mexico.
3. SAN JUAN TEOTIHUACAN MEXICO WITH A NATIVE ⭐️ Rated 4.93/5 Stars
Explore the city the Teotihuacan pyramids are in — the San Juan Teotihuacan pueblo magico (magic town).
Join Alejandro, a Teotihuacan local, and get to know this Mexico City off the beaten path pueblo.
⭐️ The Best Things to Do In Teotihuacan
Regardless of how you choose to explore this UNESCO World Heritage, make sure you see the three Teotihuacan pyramids, and visit the onsite Teotihuacan Museum and Sculpture Gardens.
The pyramids at Teotihuacan are: Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent Aztec God.
For a detailed guide on how to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City on your own, head to the linked article.
Teotihuacan admission costs $100 pesos per adult ($5 USD) for entry. It is located about one hour from Mexico City, if there’s no traffic.
🗿 My essential Teotihuacan Travel Tips
1. Wear comfy sneakers, a sun hat, eco-friendly sunscreen, and bring your Water-To-Go Bottle — because it gets hot at Teotihuacan Ruins.
2. Arrive early to beat the crowds, and to escape as much of the midday sun as you can because there’s basically no shade anywhere.
3. Looking for things to do in Mexico City today, or things to do in Mexico City on Monday? Teotihuacan is open daily, 9am-5pm, including Mondays and holidays.
15. Visit the Mexico City Angel of Independence Statue
Towering high atop the Reforma skyline, the golden Angel de la Independencia is one of those unmissable places to visit Mexico City.
You can go up to the statue, located in the center of Avenida Reforma, for a close-up look at one of the iconic Mexico City landmarks.
👀 Looking for the best things to do in Reforma Mexico City?
Among the best Mexico City things to do on a chill day, save some time on your Mexico City itinerary for a leisurely stroll along Mexico City’s beautiful Paseo Avenida Reforma.
A nine-mile-long (14.5 km) street, Reforma CDMX is lined with trees, monuments, skyscrapers, posh hotels, cafes and lots of street art.
• Reforma Avenue Sculptures and Benches: There are many large-scale sculptures along Reforma Ave., including Jorge Marín’s Las Alas de México.
These bronze wings are a favorite to take photos in front of, and many of Reforma Avenue benches are also works of interactive art.
• Shop, Dine & Eat at Reforma 222: An all-in-one shopping/dining/movie theater complex in the heart of Mexico City.
Don’t miss the famous Cocodrilo sculpture (Crocodile) by surrealist artist, Leonora Carrington, located just in front of Reforma 222 Mall.
16. Join the Muevete en Bici (Mexico City Sunday Bike Ride)
Wondering, What is there to do in Mexico City on a Sunday?
For those who will be in Mexico City on Sunday, don’t miss the Muevete en Bici Mexico City bike ride.
The 20-mile route (30 km) goes straight through Chapultepec Park, from Reforma Avenue to the Polanco neighborhood.
On Sundays, one side of Reforma Avenue shuts down to cars — and bikers, walkers, runners, dogs and skateboarders take over from 8am-2pm.
It’s a fun, festive street party, even if you’re not biking, but you can also rent a bike for free.
🚴♀️ The Best Mexico City Bike Tour
Love biking around when you’re in a new city? Don’t miss this 5 Star Sights on Bikes: 20+ Must-See Sights Tour with Alberto, a local cyclist.
This guided Mexico City bike riding experience simplifies the bike rental process for you, as host Alberto will get your bike.
He’ll then take you to everything you’d want to see on Reforma Avenue, and a few other areas of the city.
17. Have a Spa Day in Mexico City (AWAY Spa, W Hotel)
There are only a handful of spas in Mexico City — but if you are in the market for said spa day, the AWAY Spa in the W Hotel is known as the best spa in Mexico City.
🔮 Looking for a spiritual spa experience in Mexico City?
Try an authentic temazcal, Mexico’s equivalent of a Native American sweat lodge.
This Prehispanic Shaman Renewal Temazcal Experience is a purification ritual for the mind and body, practiced by shamans and healers in Mexico.
🏨 Stroll the courtyard at Four Seasons Mexico City
Located near the W Hotel Mexico City, take a moment to stroll the Courtyard of the Mexico City Four Seasons Hotel.
The hotel itself is of course gorgeous, but the outside gardens are really gorgeous, and the ideal place to enjoy a snack from their Pan Dulce Cafe.
There are other restaurants around the courtyard as well, so if you’re hungry after your spa day at the W Hotel, this is the perfect, relaxing place to dine.
There’s also some art on display, and one time, I saw beautifully-colored pheasants roaming around outside their small aviary.
18. Try Anthony Bourdain’s Favorite Tacos at Taquería Los Cocuyos (Michelin Tacos)
If you’re looking to book the Best Mexico City taco tours, my #1 pick is this Bike to the World’s Best Tacos Tour, with 6,850+ positive reviews.
You can also go on eat on your own — but all fans of the late, great Anthony Bourdain should have a taco (or 5 🤣) at Taqueria Los Cocuyos.
He filmed there for the Mexico City episode of his Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations show, and recommends their suadero tacos, a fatty cut similar to flank.
I’ve had these tacos many times, and not only are they really good, but they earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction in 2024.
🌮 Best tacos in Mexico City Downtown
If you come to Mexico City, and don’t end up in a food coma from eating wayyy tooo manyyy tacos — Did you even come to Mexico City?!
Spoiler: The answer is no!
Luckily, there are so many great places all over town, and here are some highlights for tacos in Downtown Mexico City:
• Best Tacos al Pastor in Mexico City: In Centro Historico, head to Taqueria El Huequito and Taquería Arandas to sample some of the best tacos in Centro Historico Mexico City.
• Tacos de Canasta at Los Especiales: The Los Especiales Taqueria is a go to place for chilangos (Mexico City locals) to get the city’s original street food taco.
Taco de canasta, which means “basket tacos,” are steamed tacos served from a (you guessed it 🤪) basket.
They’re usually the cheapest tacos in Mexico City, at about $15-20 MXN pesos per taco ($0.75-1 USD).
🌮 Even More of the Best CDMX taco tours
For those who need even more tacos in Mexico City on your trip, discover more of the best Mexico City taco tours here.
They’re all well-rated and led by CDMX locals and foodies, who obviously make the best Mexico City travel guides.
Want to do your own tour? Check out these 50+ Best Tacos in CDMX, and these Mexico City Michelin Taco Spots.
19. Take a Street Art Tour in Roma Norte
One of the best neighborhoods for street art, consider a guided tour to get a better understanding of the political, social and cultural backstories of Roma’s impressive street art.
This Urban Gallery: Mexico City Street Art Bike Tour goes to amazing sites in Roma, and other nearby areas to discover Mexico City street art by bike.
👩🎨 The Best Museums in Roma Norte
• MODO (Museo del Objeto del Objeto): The Museum of the Object of the Object is a small, hip museum in Roma with a rotating line up of strategically-curated exhibitions.
• Visit Gallery OMR: The Galería OMR houses Roma Norte’s largest contemporary art gallery.
• Casa Lamm and Gallery: One of the most beautiful of Roma Norte’s grand buildings, Lamm House opened as a cultural center in 1994.
Today, it hosts numerous exhibits, but make sure not to skip the beautiful outdoor gardens when you visit.
20. Stroll Avenida Amsterdam Avenue
Looking for relaxing things to do in Mexico City?
Located right next door to Roma Norte Mexico City, La Condesa (The Countess) is the perfect place to stroll and relax.
This Roma, Condesa & Juarez Neighborhoods Discovery Tour covers these two neighborhoods, and their sister neighborhood, Juarez, just next door.
One of the little known facts about Mexico City is that it’s full of parks and green space — and some of the best parks in Mexico City are right in Condesa.
In addition to being one of the top places to visit in Mexico City for a nice walk, this tranquil neighborhood is also known for its shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
Get to know the La Condesa neighborhood by strolling its tree-lined Hipodromo (racetrack), a circular pathway that goes around beautiful Avenida Amsterdam CDMX.
Once a horse racing track, hence the circle shape and name, Amsterdam Avenue is now a chill way to see the La Condesa neighborhood in Mexico City on foot.
🌳 Best PARKS IN CONDESA MEXICO CITY & Outdoor Spaces
• Parque España Mexico City: Heavily-covered by trees and plants, this shaded park is where you want to head to escape some of the midday sun.
There’s also some nice street art-style murals, sculptures and fountains in this park.
• Parque Mexico: On some days, you just want to do nothing and enjoy relaxing activities in Mexico City.
On days like these, head to Parque Mexico, a beautiful urban park with Spanish and European elements, like large sculptures, ponds and pergola-covered walkways.
From here, take the Roma-Condesa Tramway, a vintage red tranvía (trolley car), to see other CDMX landmarks like Cibeles Fountain and Plaza Rio de Janeiro.
21. Visit Luis Barragan Studio House (Mexico City UNESCO Site)
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, the Casa Estudio Luis Barragán is hailed as “one of the most important contemporary architectural works.”
Now privately owned, the family who now lives there graciously opens their home to visitors by reservation only. Tours cost $650 pesos ($33 USD) per person.
• Casa Gilardi: Want more Luis Barragan eye candy? If you’re a fan of unique architecture and the Mexico City design esthetic, I bet you do.
Head to the nearby Casa Gilardi (Gilardi House), the famed Mexican architect’s last project. The family who owns it offers tours by reservation only.
• Go Shopping in Condesa: Known for its numerous boutiques, here is a list of some of the most unique and best shopping in Condesa Mexico City.
- For All Folks
- Casa Ananda Vintage Boutique
- Mooni Art Gallery
- Viejo Amor
- Carmen Rion
- Rapsodia
- Espacio 303
- ISMOS Joyería (Jewelry)
- San Junipero Vintage Store
- Proyecto Rufina Condesa
- Basicos de Mexico
- Someone Somewhere
22. Have a Rooftop Meal at La Terraza (Gran Mexico City Hotel)
The gorgeous old school hotel lobby at this hotel in Mexico City welcomes you, but the views on the rooftop restaurant steal the show.
To eat and be wowed, head to the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico for some of the best views in Mexico City — or better yet, book your stay at the Gran Hotel Mexico City now.
This is one of the best restaurants in Mexico City, with all the classic Mexican food favorites and first class service.
Here, you’ll get to enjoy a sunset cocktail or full meal at La Terraza while admiring the gorgeous Zocalo views.
There are many more downtown Mexico City things to do when you visit this area, like those listed below.
🇲🇽 Mexico Palacio Nacional (National Palace)
The 660-foot-long (200 m) Palacio Nacional spans one entire side of the Zocalo square, and houses Mexico’s Federal Treasury and National Archives.
The Palacio Nacional is one of the best things to do in Mexico City Zocalo — and also where the Mexican president lives.
Inside, don’t miss the murals painted by Diego Rivera, one of the most famous Mexican artists of all time.
It’s FREE to enter the Palacio Nacional, but you have to leave your ID at the entrance and register with the security guards.
Depending on the time of year, you might have to enter with a guided tour — but regardless, the tours are FREE.
⛪️ Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
From the rocks that were once Aztec temples, the Spanish conquistadors had the giant Catedral Metropolitana de Mexico constructed.
Of all Mexico City’s many churches, this cathedral is the most opulent, and contains the largest pipe organs in the Americas.
If you get hungry, nearby La Casa de las Sirenas (The House of Mermaids) is a beautiful rooftop restaurant and bar that overlooks the Zocalo and Cathedral.
One of the best places to eat in downtown CDMX, this historic building dates back to 1754, and is as gorgeous as its rooftop views.
23. Dine at Pujol Mexico City — A Michelin Star Restaurant
The most famous chef in Mexico is undeniably Enrique Olvera — and in 2024, his fine dining restaurant, Pujol, earned TWO Michelin Stars.
It also consistently ranks as one of the best restaurants in the world, according to the prestigious World’s 50 Best list.
🍷🍽 Want more Mexico City restaurant recommendations? Check out these 50 Best Places to Eat in Mexico City.
You’ll have to make a reservation to eat at Pujol Mexico City, as features on Netflix shows like Chef’s Table have made it quite popular.
The seven-course chef’s tasting menu is $3,495 pesos per person (about $185 USD) — and as someone who’s been twice, most foodies will find it well worth the cost.
There’s also the taco omakase, a 10-course taco tasting with drink pairing.
🍽️ eat at the Best restaurants in polanco
• Quintonil Mexico City: If you can’t get a Pujol reservation, consider Quintonil (though it’s not much easier to get in there these days).
Like Pujol, chef Jorge Vallejo’s Quintonil also earned TWO Michelin stars in 2024, and is on the prestigious World’s 50 Best list.
(Pujol vs Quintonil: My hot take, and possibly an unpopular opinion, is that after dining at both, I thought Quintonil was better than Pujol 😱)
• La Docena Polanco: Another Polanco restaurant that made the World’s 50 Best list is La Docena, a hip oyster bar with locations in Mexico City and Guadalajara.
25. Go to the Top of Monumento a la Revolución
Looking for the best things to do in Juarez Mexico City? Don’t miss the beautiful, arch-shaped Monument to the Revolution.
It commemorates the heroes of the Mexican Revolution, including Mexican folk hero Pancho Villa, who is buried here.
You can learn about Mexican history in this monument and then take the clear glass elevator in the center to the top for some amazing city views.
Located nearby, check out the places in Juarez listed below as well.
• Mercado de Artesanías: Looking for fun, colorful, beautiful Mexican souvenirs you’ll want to take home with you?
Then head to the Plaza del Angel Artisanal Market in Juarez (Plaza del Angel Centro de Anticuarios), one of Mexico City’s larger markets.
• Shop Bazar Fusion: For boutique shopping from local artisans, this hip market has handcrafted jewelry, unique clothing, fun art, and a few eateries.
Head there after eating at the popular Cafe Nin Mexico City, as it’s only a few blocks away.
26. Explore Barrio Chino (Mexico City Chinatown)
Can a city be considered a big city if there isn’t a Chinatown!?
While Mexico City’s Chinatown isn’t big, it’s nice to walk through and snap some photos of the hanging paper lanterns and iconic red arch entranceway.
27. Visit the Golden Post Office (Palacio de Correos de Mexico)
Located near Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico’s Correo Mayor (Main Post Office) is easily the prettiest postal office on Earth — and one of the most Instagram worthy Mexico City sites.
It is still a working post office to this day, but also a place to take beautiful travel photos on your Mexico City trip.
Seeing the hidden gems is the epitome of non touristy things to do in Mexico City.
Let a local guide show you around Centro Historico on this Taste and Discover Downtown Markets Food Tour to try tacos, tostadas, tropical fruits, churros and more.
28. Spend the Day in Coyoacan Mexico City
Don’t miss out on exploring Coyoacan, one of the most charming, oldest and best Mexico City neighborhoods.
It is located in the southern part of the city, about 45 minutes by rental car or taxi from Centro Historico (Downtown Mexico City), but well worth the trip.
If you’re coming by Uber, have them drop you off at the Coyoacan Zocalo, which is the main square of Coyoacan.
You might also see this called Plaza Hidalgo, Centro de Coyoacán, Coyoacán Kiosko, or Parque Centenario, and they all refer to the same place.
Here, you’ll find the best Coyoacan restaurants, the famous coyote fountain (Coyoacan means “a place of coyotes” in the Aztec language), and the town’s largest church.
From here, there are plenty of other things to see in Coyoacan, so don’t miss the list below of all the Coyoacan must see sites.
😋 Eat tostadas at Mercado Coyoacan
A lively, traditional Mexican mercado, the Coyoacan Market is known as the place to get the best tostadas in Mexico City.
Each tostada stand in the market sells several types, so you can sample everything from tinga de pollo (shredded BBQ chicken) to coctel de camaron (shrimp cocktail).
🍦 Try Coyoacan Tepoznieves
Besides tostadas, people visit Coyoacan for tepoznieves (and other foods like churros, and quesadillas).
Nieves or tepoznieves is a sorbet (mix of ice cream and shaved ice), which you’ll find in shops and from old school ice cream cart vendors on the streets.
🌳 More of the Best Coyoacan things to do
• Shop at the Coyoacan Artisan Market: The Mercado Artesanal Mexicano (Mexican Craft Market) is located just across the street from Parque Centenario, the Coyoacan main square.
If you’re looking to buy Mexican folk art souvenirs, this is the best place to shop in Coyoacan.
• See a movie at Cineteca Nacional: The Mexico City Cineteca is more of an experience than a movie theater.
For those looking for relaxing yet fun things to do in Mexico City at night, consider seeing a movie at this unique theater. 🎥 Note: They regularly show English films.
• Iglesia de San Juan Bautista: Located in the center of Coyoacan, this massive Spanish cathedral dates back to the 16th Century.
💒 Love Mexican churches? Don’t miss the Basilica de Guadalupe, one of the best Mexico City cathedrals.
It’s also one of the largest churches in the Western Hemisphere, dedicated to the Virgin de Guadalupe (Virgin Mary), the patron saint of Mexico.
• Parque Masayoshi Ôhira: Into travel photography? Head to this off the beaten path park that will transport you to Japan!
Photograph the cherry blossom trees, Asian-style bridge atop a flowing stream, and iconic red arch.
• Walk the Callejón del Aguacate (Avocado Alley): The Callejón del Aguacate is an interesting off the beaten path Mexico City walkway.
Stroll the cobblestone streets of the 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.
It’s as creepy as it sounds, and one of the best weird things to do in Mexico City.
29. See the Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum
Frida’s husband and famed Mexico artist, Diego Rivera, has a lesser-known Mexico City museum not far from Casa Azul Frida Kahlo Mexico City Museum.
The Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli houses his collection of pre-hispanic artifacts, as well as some of his murals and mosaics.
Designed by Rivera, the building itself looks like an archaeological site.
When designing it, he wanted to create a Mesoamerican temple-style building to house his massive collection of ancient artifacts.
👩🎨 More museums in Coyoacan Mexico
• Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo House Studio Museum: Much like the Casa Azul, this museum offers a further glimpse into the lives of Mexico’s powerhouse artist couple.
• Frida Kahlo Park: Need even more Frida? Head to this small park in Coyoacan, named for the city’s most famous resident, and see the bronze statues of Frida and Diego.
This is just one of the off the beaten path Coyoacan sites many people miss, along with the Leon Trotsky Museum in Mexico City.
• National Museum of Popular Culture: This small museum packs a powerful, colorful punch.
Dedicated to Mexico’s unique ethnic and cultural diversity, see folk art styles from famous artists and indigenous peoples living all over the country.
30. Try Pulque at Pulquería Las Duelistas
Known as the “drink of the gods” by the Aztecs, pulque is made from the agave plant, much like its more-famous cousins, tequila and mezcal.
Pulque, however, existed long before tequila and mezcal. Sample this ancient, non-distilled adult beverage at Pulquería Las Duelistas.
🧉 Looking for more places to drink pulque in Mexico City?
Book this Mezcal & Pulque Tasting in Mexico City to try different locally-made, natural and cured pulque, and Oaxaca mezcals.
The tasting takes place in a unique location that looks like old school pulquerías (pulque bars) and includes snacks.
31. Visit the Museum of Popular Art
The Museo de Arte Popular (AKA Folk Art Museum), houses an impressive — and colorful — collection of Mexican folk art and handicrafts.
After some time here, you’ll learn about Mexico’s indigenous peoples through their creative artwork.
Love museums? Mexico City has about 150 museums, with many in Centro Historico.
While the big name ones are all Googleable, this Explore Mexico City’s Secret Museums Tour, led by a female museum curator, spotlights all of the off the beaten path museums in Mexico City.
If you’d rather stay on the beaten path, don’t miss these other best CDMX museums listed below.
• Franz Mayer Museum: This diversified museum has Latin America’s largest collection of decorative arts.
Inside the gorgeous building, you’ll find everything from sculpture and paintings, to ceramics and textiles.
• Mexico City National Art Museum: The Museo Nacional de Artes (MUNAL) features an impressive collection of Neoclassical and Renaissance art.
• Museum of Memory and Tolerance: Through historical exhibits, the Museo Memoria y Tolerancia focuses on the consequences of discrimination and violence throughout human history.
32. Eat at La Gruta Cave Restaurant
After a long day of exploring the ruins of Teotihuacan and exploring the pyramids, you’re going to work up an appetite.
Don’t head back to CDMX so fast, as the town of San Juan Teotihuacan has one of best things to do near Mexico City.
La gruta means “the grotto” or “the cave,” and as the name states, the La Gruta restaurant is located inside a cave.
They serve traditional Mexican food favorites like quesadillas, mole, and chapulines (Mexican grasshoppers), and specialties like escamoles (ant larvae AKA Mexican caviar).
If you want unusual things to do in Mexico City, this is it.
33. Shop the San Angel Saturday Market
The historic yet up-and-coming San Angel neighborhood is located right next to Coyoacan.
Its famed Bazar Sabado (Saturday Market) is the place to buy artisan-made handcrafts, art, jewelry and more.
The market is open from 10am-7pm, and located in Plaza San Jacinto.
From there, check out some more of the best things to do in San Angel Mexico City listed below.
• Have brunch at the San Angel Inn: Located in an old monastery, the San Angel Inn is one of the best restaurants in Mexico City, and best restaurants in San Angel.
Want a fancy Saturday brunch in a beautiful, historic setting before heading to the San Angel Saturday Market? This is your place!
• Parroquia de San Jacinto: A beautiful and historic Dominican church with gorgeous stained glass windows, located in the heart of the San Angel neighborhood.
34. Eat at Taqueria Orinoco Mexico City
One of the most famous and most-visited taco shops in Roma Norte — though it got so popular that there are now several locations throughout the city.
It’s a good idea to visit on off-hours, as there can be a long line during lunch and dinner.
Visitors and locals alike converge on this delicious taqueria (taco shop) for Mexico City’s most famous taco, the taco al pastor.
Their res (beef) and chicharron (fried pork skin) tacos are also delicious — so it’s a good idea to try all three!
🌮 The Best Tacos in Roma Norte CDMX
In the most famous taco city on Earth, this is the time to just keep eating tacos.
Head to some of Roma’s best: El Auténtico Pato Manila (Peking duck tacos), Taquería Álvaro Obregon (tacos al pastor), and El Hidalguense (barbacoa).
Still need more tacos? Understandable!
Join host Rodrigo and sample six Roma Norte restaurants and taquerias on this Taste Colonia Roma with Local Foodies Tour — getting to know Mexican gastronomy all along the way.
🌱 The Best vegan tacos in Mexico CIty
Mexico is a meat-heavy country, but the Mexico City vegan scene is the country’s best with amazing vegetarian and vegan restaurants in CDMX.
Standouts include: Por Siempre Taquería Vegana, I Quit Vegan Bakery, Fresh & Co., Fat Vegan, La Pitahaya, Vegan Ramen Mei, and Alakazam (formerly Forever Vegano).
Since I’m not vegan (though I dabble 🌱), I recommend you book this Mexico City Vegan Food Tour with someone who’s more in the know.
35. Visit Soumaya Museum in Polanco Mexico City
Designed by Mexican architect Fernando Romero, the beautiful Museo Soumaya building is itself a work of art.
Inside, you’ll find the private art collection of Mexico’s wealthiest man, Carlos Slim, who named the museum after his late wife, Soumaya.
The best part: Admission to Soumaya Museum is FREE, and it’s open daily — even Mondays, as most museums in CDMX are closed Mondays.
That’s right, if you’re looking for stuff to do in Mexico City on Mondays, head to the Soumaya Museum Polanco.
Looking for other free things to do in Mexico City?
This free walking tour of Mexico City is a great way to discover the sites and all the rich history in this amazing city.
👩🎨 Museo Jumex Museum in Polanco
Located just next door to the Soumaya, Museo Jumex Museum is a contemporary art lover’s dream.
This private collection includes works by so many of modern art’s big names — Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Marcel Duchamp and more.
Looking for a few more things to do in Polanco Mexico City?
Located just north of Parque Chapultepec, the Mexico City Polanco neighborhood is one of the fanciest parts of town.
I like to head into Polanco for a nice dinner after a long day exploring the park, but you’ll find some other suggestions of the best places to visit in Polanco below.
1. Take this 5 Star Polanco Food Tour
Enjoy tastings at all the best Mexico City’s gastronomic hotspots in the Polanco neighborhood on this 5 Star Polanco Food Tour.
An unforgettable food and cultural tour, stops include an authentic Oaxacan food restaurant, Yucatan food taco shop, Mexican chocolate shop, and more.
2. Shop the “Rodeo Drive of Mexico”
Avenida Presidente Masaryk (President Masaryk Avenue) is often called the Mexico Rodeo Drive or Mexico 5th Avenue.
Along this tree-lined street, you’ll find the most upscale shopping in Mexico City at Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès, Gucci, and more.
3. Stoll Parque Lincoln
The nicest park in Polanco, and great for people-watching. Some of the best cafes and bars in Polanco are located right around the park.
If you really want to feel like a Mexico City local, head here for one of the best things to do in Mexico City off the beaten path.
36. Have Rooftop Drinks at Hotel Condesa DF
The downstairs shops always feature a unique selection of amazing clothing and jewelry, but the real magic is on the roof.
Hotel Condesa DF is known as one of the best rooftop bars in Mexico City, and this trendy spot doesn’t disappoint for its creative cocktails, hip decor and amazing views.
Looking for a few more things to do in Mexico City at night? Below, you’ll find some suggestions of the best places to visit in Condesa.
💃🕺🏼 Dance Salsa at Para Negra
Pata Negra is known as the best place to dance salsa in Condesa. Need a salsa partner?
Book this CDMX Salsa Lovers Dance Experience, hosted by Salsa Lovers Worldwide, an international networking group for people who love dancing.
🥃 The Best Mezcal Bars in Condesa
Two of the trendiest Condesa mezcal bars, La Clandestina and La Lavandería, are conveniently located just next door to one another.
La Clandestina has several artisanal mezcals to try, including the best mezcals from Oaxaca, while La Lavandería has creative mezcal cocktails.
Want to learn more about mezcal (and drink it)? Then book this Premium Mezcal Tasting Tour at a hip tasting room/mezcal bar in Mexico City.
🥳 Bar Hop the Best Condesa Bars
Besides La Clandestina and La Lavandería, some of the additional best bars in Condesa include:
- Toledo Rooftop (the famous roofless bar in CDMX)
- La Xampaneria (cocktails)
- Wallace Whisky Bar (whisky, liquors)
- Baltra (cocktails)
- Drunkendog (craft beer)
37. Sample Pozole at La Casa de Toño
A Mexico City institution, beloved by locals, La Casa de Toño is the place to sample one of the city’s most beloved dishes — pozole (pork and hominy soup).
This is the perfect place for those who want to eat more than just tacos while in Mexico City.
38. Party at the Mexico City Gay Bars
Located next to Reforma Avenue, Mexico City’s Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) is the epicenter of gay life in this very LGBTQ+ friendly city.
Needless to say, Zona Rosa is the place to party into the wee hours of the morning and dance the night away.
Bar hop at Zona Rosa’s most famous LGBTQ+ nightlife spots — El Almacen Bar, Kinky Bar, Nicho Bears & Bar, Revuelta Queer House and Boy Bar.
🏳️🌈 Want info on all things LGBTQ+ in CDMX? Take this Gay History Top Landmarks Tour with host Carlos.
He’s a top-rated Airbnb Experience guide who holds a Hosting Diploma from Walt Disney University in Florida (who knew that was a thing?!).
39. Roam the Biblioteca Vasconcelos Library
While libraries might not seem so exciting, don’t miss seeing the largest Mexico City library, and one of the world’s nicest mega-libraries.
Look up when you’re inside to see the giant whale skeleton covered in graphite rings, an installation piece by Mexican contemporary artist, Gabriel Orozco.
40. Stroll Alvaro Obregon Avenue in Roma Norte
Looking for the best things to do in Roma Norte Mexico City?
One of the best things to do is simple stroll Roma Norte’s beautiful and elegant, yet peaceful and hip, Avenida Alvaro Obregon.
Some of the neighborhood’s best cafes, restaurants and bars line this street, including the amazing bookstore/cafe, Cafebreria El Pendulo, and Taquería Orinoco, which some say are the best Mexico City tacos.
🤔 Is roma norte worth visiting?
Arguably the coolest neighborhood in Mexico City, you may recognize the name Roma from the 2019 Oscar-winning film of the same name.
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, who grew up in Roma, he named his film after this neighborhood.
Vintage buildings in design esthetics ranging from colonial to art deco line Roma’s streets, each one somehow prettier than the next.
You’ll find some of the most beautiful buildings, best cafes and bars just walking leisurely around Roma Norte.
If this will be your first visit, I recommend taking this Roma & Condesa Food Tour and this Private Roma & Condesa Walking Tour.
These cover both Roma, and its sister neighborhood, La Condesa, which is located just next door to Roma.
🌳 Best Outdoor Spaces & Parks in Roma Norte
• Cibeles Fountain (Cibeles Circle): Located in the center of a roundabout, Fuente de Cibeles is a replica of the same fountain in Madrid.
It is one of the best landmarks in Spain, and located in Madrid. The fountain features a woman in a chariot being pulled by lions.
There are great cafes and restaurants on/near Cibeles, like Contramar, a foodie-favorite seafood restaurant led by Mexican Chef Gabriela Cámara.
Digital nomads in Mexico City will love Coffice, a hip cafe and one of the best coworking spaces in Mexico City. (⚠️ Update: Sadly, Coffice has closed.)
• Plaza Luis Cabrera: Small, peaceful park with large-scale art displays and pretty fountains.
Head to the popular Madre Cafe and Cabrera 7 restaurant across the street from Plaza Luis Cabrera for two of the most Instagram worthy Mexico City restaurants.
• Plaza Rio de Janeiro: Nice plaza to people-watch with a giant replica of Michelangelo’s statue of David.
Check out all the beautiful buildings surrounding this plaza, including the Casa de las Brujas (Witch’s House).
41. Get Nostalgic at Museum of Antique Toys
For a fun museum experience and a walk down memory lane, the Museo del Juguete Antiguo houses the largest collection of antique toys in all of Mexico.
This museum gives you an interesting look at Mexico’s history, seen through pop culture and toys.
42. Eat at El Cardenal Mexico City
El Cardenal CDMX is a Mexico City food institution that’s been open since 1969.
It’s only open for breakfast and lunch, but breakfast is the perfect time to try their amazing Mexican hot chocolate, made table-side with a molinillo (wood whisk).
🍽 Seeking deeper understanding of traditional Mexican gastronomy? Then you must book this top-rated Taste and Explore Local Markets Tour.
Want to check out more Downtown Mexico City restaurants? Here are a few other standouts.
🍽️ Best Restaurants in Centro Historico
• Eat at Azul Historico: Azul is one of the best places to eat in Mexico City, and best restaurants in Centro Historico as well.
For an upscale and traditional dining experience, head to Chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita’s Azul Histórico, located inside a gorgeous, historic building.
After eating, check out the amazing boutique clothing and jewelry shops upstairs.
• Get Churros for Dessert at El Moro: If you still have room, get some churros y chocolate (churros with chocolate dipping sauce) at Churrería El Moro.
If churros aren’t your thing, visit the famous Pastelería Ideal pastry shop instead. It has been open since 1927.
43. Eat the Original Tacos al Pastor at El Tizoncito
To say this statement is a hotly debated topic is an understatement, but here goes: El Tizoncito says they invented the taco al pastor.
Whether or not it’s true, they do still serve them to their masses of fans each day — though they’re just as famous for their salsas, especially their bean salsa.
Want to try more yummy places? You’re in luck; there are a lot of places to eat in Condesa CDMX, like the ones listed below.
🍽️ Best Restaurants in Condesa
• Molino El Pujol: If you can’t get a reservation at Pujol in Polanco, head to Enrique Olvera’s casual neighborhood spot, Molino El Pujol.
Though owned by one of the biggest names in Mexican cuisine, Molino el Pujol, is a down-to-Earth tortilleria (tortilla shop) and cafe.
Besides Molino El Pujol, Condesa has some of the best places to eat in Mexico City, like these standout cafes, brunch spots, restaurants and taquerías:
- Best Cafes in Condesa: Blend Station, Efimero Café, La Esquina de Té
- Best Brunch in Condesa: Maque, Qué Sería de Mí, Frëims
- Best Lunch in Condesa: Lardo, Chilakillers, Fonda Mayora
- Best Dinner in Condesa: Botánico, Gaba, MeroToro, Azul Condesa, Maizajo, Temporal, Cedron, Caracol de Mar, Ostrería 109 (Make reservations for all)
🌮 Best tacos in Condesa Mexico CIty
If you visit Mexico City and don’t eat wayyy tooo manyyy tacos, did you even visit CDMX? (Spoiler: No!)
So head to El Pescadito, El Farolito and Tacos Hola el Güero in La Condesa to get your fill at some of the best hidden gems in Mexico City to eat tacos.
🌮 Try Tacos Arabes in La Condesa
Wondering, What are tacos árabes? You can learn everything you need to know about Arabian tacos using that link.
If you’d rather just eat them, head to Taqueria El Greco in Condesa, a small place known to have some of the best tacos arabes in Mexico City.
44. Shop the Ciudadela Market in Mexico City
The Mercado de Artesanias La Ciudadela (Ciudadela Market) is one of the best places to shop in Mexico City for souvenirs and Mexican art pieces.
It’s colorful, lively, and full of so many pretty things you’ll want to take home with you, and among the best places to go shopping in Mexico City for souvenirs.
Looking for things to do in Mexico City in the rain?
The indoor mercados and local Mexico City Markets in the City Center offer a great option to eat for cheap, shop for souvenirs, and escape the rains.
Below, you’ll find some more of the best markets in downtown Mexico City.
🛍️ Best markets in Mexico City Centro Historico
• San Juan Market: Traditional Mexican mercado (local market) — selling not-so-traditional foods.
The lively Mercado de San Juan is famous infamous for selling interesting edibles, like scorpions, armadillo, iguana, and hormigas chicatanas (winged ants).
• Mercado Independencia: Not far from Palacio Bellas Artes, you’ll find this hip food hall style market.
This chill place offers a nice respite from bustling Centro Historico, where you can sample foods from gourmet vendors, and have Mexican beer and mezcal.
⚠️ Mexico City Travel Tip: Mercados can be a bit intimidating, especially if you don’t speak Spanish and/or it’s your first time visiting one.
Consider booking this Eat & Explore Local Markets Guided Tour to help you comfortably navigate the Mexico City mercados.
45. See the Mariachis at Plaza Garibaldi
Plaza Garibaldi in Downtown Mexico City has a lively party atmosphere where fans of Mexico’s iconic mariachi music can dance and listen to their favorite tunes.
This is THE place to hear mariachi bands and all the best mariachi songs in Mexico City — but don’t skip a visit to the Tequila & Mezcal Museum.
🚨 A Word of Warning: Though a popular place for visitors, Plaza Garibaldi isn’t located in the nicest part of downtown, so exercise caution when visiting.
After visiting Plaza Garibaldi Mexico City, head to the nearby bars in downtown listed below.
🍻 Best Nightlife in Mexico City Centro Historico
• Dance Salsa at Salon Tropicana: One of the most famous places to dance salsa and rumba in Centro Historico.
Even if you have no idea how to dance, there are plenty of teachers on hand to get you going.
• Best Nightlife in Centro Historico: Bar hop to the best bars in Centro Historico — Hosteria la Bota (quirky dive bar), Zinco Jazz Bar (cool jazz bar; reservations recommended) and Bosforo (hip mezcal bar).
🥃 Want to learn more about mezcal in Mexico? Join this Mezcal Tasting with Gente de Mezcal, one of the top-rated Mexico City tours.
46. Have a Drink at a Mexico City Hidden Bar (Hanky Panky)
Mexico City has several hidden bars offering speakeasy-style experience, but perhaps none better known than Hanky Panky.
Located in the hip Colonia Juarez neighborhood, you must make a reservation — but this extra step is worth it to visit the best cocktail bar in Mexico City.
Looking for more fun things to do in Juarez CDMX? Here are a few suggestions for things to see in one of the most hip CDMX neighborhoods.
• The World’s Best Bar: Located not far from Hanky Panky is Handshake Speakeasy, which The World’s 50 Best List named the Best Bar in the World.
As you can imagine, it’s VERY hard to get in, but you can try through Open Table.
• Visit the Mucho Chocolate Museum: You can buy “mucho” (many) types of chocolate at the Mucho Museo del Chocolate (Museum of Chocolate).
Part shop-part museum you can learn about the chocolate-making process as it journeys from large, raw cacao bean to delicious truffle.
• Eat Brunch at Cafe Nin: A favorite of locals and visitors alike, this is one of the best, prettiest spots in all of Mexico City for brunch.
Cafe Nin is owned by famed Mexican chef Elena Reygadas, who also owns Panaderia Rosetta, Lardo, and Rosetta, some of the best Mexico City restaurants.
• Eat Dinner at Masala y Maiz: This Mexican-Indian fusion restaurant is run by Mexican chef Norma Listman, and Indian chef Saqib Keval (who are married).
As seen on Netflix: Chef’s Table, and the recipient of a Michelin Bib Gourmand, this modern Mexican cuisine restaurant is unlike anything you’ve ever tried.
47. Visit Mercado Roma Food Hall & Bar
Mercado Roma Market is a great place to eat, drink and shop, and if such a thing exists, you’d find it in any good Hipster Guide to Mexico City.
This fun food hall in Roma Norte has food stalls from some of Mexico City’s best eateries, as well as artisanal products, and a bar.
Looking for more of the best Roma Norte markets?
Don’t miss Mercado Medellín, a more traditional Mexican mercado (market), perfect for snapping some colorful photos and eating for cheap.
One of my favorites is the Moloch Cochinita Pibil food stand that serves some of the best cochinita pibil in Mexico City (slow-cooked suckling pig).
48. Get Swanky Casa Franca Jazz Bar
Catch some live jazz at Casa Franca, one of Roma Norte’s coolest bars — but do make reservations if you want to sit at a table.
Located inside of a vintage Victorian home, each room is as unique as the amazing musicians that play there, as well as amazing cocktails and tapas.
While Casa Franca is one of the best Roma Norte bars, don’t miss Maison Artemisia, Limantour, La Nacional, Balmori Roofbar and the other great options listed below.
🍻 Best Bars & Nightlife in Roma Norte
• Pulqueria los Insurgentes: Sample traditional Mexican pulque, called the “drink of the gods” by the Aztecs, at this lively Roma Norte bar.
Head to La Nuclear with the locals for pulque in an old school cantina/dive bar, which is completely off the tourist radar.
• Dance Salsa in Roma Norte: Even if you don’t dance, there’s great people-watching at Mama Rumba, the best place to dance salsa in Roma Norte.
💃🕺🏼 Need a salsa dancing partner? Book this CDMX Salsa Lovers Dance Experience, hosted by Salsa Lovers Worldwide.
• Nightlife Legend Patrick Miller: Open since the early-1990s, Patrick Miller is more of an experience than a nightclub.
Located in a giant warehouse, Patrick Miller is the best club in Roma Norte, and the area’s most interesting late night dance party spot on Friday nights.
49. Marvel at the Kiosko Morisco in Santa Maria La Ribera
The Mexico City neighborhood of Santa Maria la Ribera is up-and-coming, for its beauty and tranquility.
Looking for the best things to do in Santa Maria la Ribera Mexico City? You’ll find a few suggestions below that should keep you entertained all day.
• Kiosko Morisco The most beautiful landmark in all of Santa Maria is the Kiosko Morisco (Moorish Gazebo) in Alameda Park.
💎 Love hidden gems? Explore Santa Maria la Ribera and other off the beaten path Mexico City neighborhoods on this Mexico City Hidden Neighborhoods Bike Tour.
• Visit the Geological Museum: The Museo del Instituto de Geología de la UNAM (Geological Museum of UNAM University), is impressive.
Both a gorgeous building, with even more gorgeous interior esthetics, you’ll also see impressive stone, meteorite, rock and mineral specimens at one of the best Mexico City museums.
• Eat at Kolobok Russian Restaurant: Across the street from Kiosko Morisco is one of the only Mexico City Russian restaurants — Kolobok Mexico City, open since 2003.
While some things in these two cuisines are similar (ie. Russian piroshkis and Mexican empanadas are both hand-pies) this restaurant puts a Russian spin on other familiar Mexican food.
If you want to eat in the non-touristy parts of Mexico City, sampling some of the best food the city has to offer, don’t miss this popular spot with CDMX locals.
50. Eat Panaderia Rosetta (Without the Crowds)
I’m sure you’ve seen Chef Elena Reygadas’ Panaderia Rosetta come across your social feeds because it’s one of the most famous places in the entire city.
As someone who’s been eating there since 2018, the food is worth the hype — but the wait times for a table are not.
When I say this place is EXTREMELY popular, I’m talking hour-plus waits being the norm — and who wants to waste their precious travel time standing in line?!
When there are no tables available, you can essentially skip the line by taking your cappuccino and pastries to go, including their famous guava roll.
The to go line is never more than five minutes, and you can go eat less than two blocks away in Plaza Rio de Janeiro Park.
Want to try some savory foods as well? Check out some of the other best Roma Norte restaurants listed below.
🍽️ The Best Restaurants in Roma Norte
Roma Norte has some of the best places to eat in Mexico City — which you can visit on this Taste Colonia Roma with Local Foodies Tour.
If you’re venturing out on your own, check out the best cafes, restaurants and taquerías (taco shops in Roma Norte) listed below.
- Best Cafes in Roma Norte: Cardinal Casa de Cafe, Dosis, Cumbé, Buna, Memorias de un Barista
- Best Places to Eat Brunch in Roma Norte: Cuina, Lalo!, Madre Café, Martinez
- Best Places to Eat Lunch in Roma Norte: Contramar, Fonda Fina, Mi Compa Chava (Make reservations for all places)
- Best Places to Eat Dinner in Roma Norte: Maximo Bistrot, Rosetta, La Docena, Esquina Comun, Blanco Colima (Make reservations for all places)
51. Boat to the Xochimilco Island of the Dolls
The Isla de las Muñecas (Island of the Dolls) is as creepy as it sounds — and accessible only by booking this Xochimilco Secrets: Island of Dolls Tour.
For some visitors, this ranks among the most unique experiences in Mexico City.
According to the Isla de la Muñecas website, “…between the canals of Xochimico you can find a small island with a sad background, which never intended to be a tourist destination…
“It is dedicated to the lost soul of a poor girl who met her fate too soon in strange circumstances.”
This island, filled with baby doll parts and heads strapped to trees, is something out of most peoples’ nightmares; but hey, some other people are into that.
The only way to get there is by boat tour, with tours leaving from Xochimilco CDMX.
✅ a few more more Xochimilco things to do
• Los Dinamos CDMX: Join this Hiking Los Dinamos Tour to explore this natural protected area, with 6,000 acres of forest (24 km²).
On the 16 miles of hiking paths (26 km), see numerous waterfalls and cascades flowing down from the Magdalena River, the only Mexico City river.
• Dolores Olmedo Museum: Mexican businesswoman Dolores Olmedo’s gorgeous hacienda-turned-museum features the largest collection of Frida Kahlo paintings in Mexico City.
The beautiful grounds are home to many animals that sometimes hang out with visitors, like peacocks and Mexican hairless dogs called xoloitzcuintles.
The Museo Dolores Olmedo is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-6pm. Tickets cost $100 MXN pesos ($5 USD).
⚠️ Update: The Olmedo Museum is temporarily closed and being relocated to its new home in Chapultepec Park.
✅ things to do in TLALPAN (near Xochimilco)
• Cuicuilco Archaeological Zone: Located in Tlalpan, the origins of this lesser-visited, yet amazing, Mesoamerican archeological site remain a mystery.
This circular-shaped ruin site also has a small museum with artifacts unearthed during Cuicuilco archeological digs.
• Visit Tlalpan Mexico: This neighborhood, located in southern Mexico City, is as historic as Coyoacan, though not as touristy.
Check out Centro Historico (Historic Downtown), the Mercado Publico (Public Market), and Charly’s Tacos, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024.
There’s also Cafetlan restaurant where you can sample caldo tlalpeño, a famous Mexican soup that originated in Tlalpan.
Important Mexico City Travel Tips to Read Before You Go
1. Plan your CDMX trip neighborhood by neighborhood
As North America’s largest city, planning a trip to Mexico City can be intimidating.
However, it doesn’t have to be if you plan ahead, and more importantly, if you plan strategically.
So, exactly what does planning strategically mean?
With a population of 9 million people in the city, and 23 million in the CDMX metropolitan area, Mexico City’s massive size and traffic are the stuff of legend.
In recent years, its epic traffic has only become worse.
For this reason, plan to explore just one or two CDMX neighborhoods per day, so you don’t waste precious travel time commuting between neighborhoods.
💡 Pro Tip: Hire a Local Guide
For first timers, a city tour with a local can be a game changer — and the perfect thing to do on the first night of your trip so you have your CDMX bearings.
That’s why I recommend booking this Introduction to Mexico City Tour with Jack, which has 400+ 5 star reviews.
It’s the fastest and best way to get to know the neighborhoods of Mexico City with a local who lives in the city to show you around.
2. Opt for Taxis or Uber over public transportation
Using Uber over public transportation is great for Mexico travel safety, solo female travel safety, and for conserving your precious travel time.
While it does cost more, the financial cost is low when compared to the amount of time you’ll save.
For reference, the 7.5-mile (12 km) bus trip from Roma Norte to Coyoacan would cost about $1 USD on the bus — though it could take up to two hours on a very crowded bus.
The same trip in your own private Uber would cost you about $5 USD, and take about 30 minutes.
You now have a solid Mexico City travel strategy, and a neighborhood by neighborhood guide to the 50+ best Mexico City things to do, see and eat — so let’s get into some general travel tips for safety.
Mexico City Travel Tips & FAQ
Is Mexico City safe for travel?
For the majority of travelers, Mexico City is safe to travel to.
Of course, it is a big city, so you need to stay aware of yourself and your surroundings at all times.
Statistically speaking though, tourists are safe in Mexico City, and most of Mexico.
When it comes to the subject of Mexico City safety, the best advice is to remain vigilant at all times, don’t flaunt valuables, and don’t walk alone at night.
However, Mexico travel safety is a complex topic, so head to Is Mexico Safe to Visit: 25 Mexico Travel Safety Tips for more info.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico City alone?
While I can’t guarantee anyone’s safety, I can say I lived in Mexico City as a solo woman for about a year, and it was safe for me.
As I encountered no issues, and I know many other travelers just like me, I feel comfortable saying Mexico City is safe for most travelers.
However, the topic of safety is highly subjective so check out this podcast with Leigh, who also did some solo female travel in Mexico City.
Is Mexico City worth visiting?
Yes — It is one of the most fun, dynamic, historic cities on Earth, and there are delicious tacos everywhere.
In all seriousness, if you want to travel to a big city, CDMX is a great choice.
This is especially true if you’re coming from the U.S., where there are cheap, direct, daily flights from most major cities.
Is Mexico City tourist friendly?
Yes — Mexico City is one of the top travel destinations in Mexico.
Visitors will have plenty of things to do, amazing restaurants to try and lots of hotel and hostel options.
What are 3 things Mexico City is known for?
Among other things, Mexico City is known primarily for its sights, history, and tacos.
For the best CDMX attractions, head to Palacio Nacional in El Zocalo, National Museum of Anthropology, Frida Kahlo Museum, Chapultepec Castle in Chapultepec Park, and Floating Gardens of Xochimilco.
What food is Mexico City known for?
While most people would assume the answer is tacos, and they’re not wrong.
However, there are also other famous Mexico City foods like tlacoyos, tortas, pambazos, machetes, churros and conchas.
Is there Uber in Mexico City?
Yes — There’s Uber in Mexico City. In fact, using Uber over public transportation is one of the best tips for both Mexico travel safety, and for conserving your precious travel time.
While it costs more versus public transportation in Mexico City, many travelers will realize the convenience outweighs the financial cost.
For reference, the 7.5-mile (12 km) bus trip from Roma Norte to Coyoacan would cost about $1.50 USD — though it could take up to two hours on a crowded bus.
The same trip in a private Uber would cost you about $5 USD and take just 30 minutes.
Is Mexico City a walkable city?
Yes — Mexico City is walkable, and the weather is nice year-round, so it’s pleasant to walk around.
What are the best neighborhoods in Mexico City for travelers?
The best Mexico City neighborhoods are Roma, Condesa, Coyoacan, Polanco and Centro Historico.
These are the places first time visitors and solo female travelers will want to stick to during your trip.
As far as where to stay, Roma Norte, Condesa and Polanco are safe, nice, walkable, centrally located, and have plenty of things to do, see and eat.
Need recommendations? Check out these best Mexico City Airbnbs in Roma and Condesa.
If you prefer a hotel, I recommend using Booking.com to get the best deals — but always make sure you’re picking a highly-rated Mexico City hotel.
What are the neighborhoods to avoid in Mexico City?
I lived in Mexico City as a solo woman for about a year, and felt quite safe — though there are neighborhoods you should avoid, like Tepito and Doctores.
Tepito is located in Centro Historico (Downtown), and should simply be avoided because it’s known as one of the most dangerous parts of CDMX.
The Doctores neighborhood in Mexico City is safer than Tepito, but still, does not have a great reputation.
Doctores is located just north of Roma Norte, one of the city’s safest and best neighborhoods, and it also happens to be where all the big Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) matches take place.
I did go to a Lucha Libre match in Doctores by myself once, and felt safe.
However, this might be a good place to consider having a local with you — especially if you aren’t confident in your Spanish.
Don’t know a local and want to experience the famous (and fun) lucha libre? No worries!
Book this top-rated Lucha Libre/Street Tacos Tour with 10,850+ positive reviews — because Lucha Libre + Street Tacos + Safety = The best of all worlds.
Do Americans need a visa for Mexico?
No — You don’t need a visa to travel to Mexico from the U.S., Canada and most of Europe.
This is just one of the reasons Mexico is one of the best international travel destinations from the United States.
🎫 Mexico FMM Tourist Visa
When you arrive in Mexico City and go through Customs & Immigration, you’ll receive an UP TO 180-day visa (6 months) in the form of an FMM tourist card.
⚠️ Update: Many airports in Mexico no longer issue the FMM visa. Instead, they will simply stamp your passport, though there are some still using the paper FMM.
If you get that and not the stamp, the paper FMM is a small piece of paper you need to hold on to and then must give back when you leave the country.
There is no charge for the FMM, but if you lose yours, it costs $600 pesos ($30 USD) to replace it.
You’ll also need to get to the airport about one hour earlier than normal to fill out some paperwork for the new FMM. The bottom line: Don’t lose your FMM.
What’s the best time to visit Mexico City?
The dry season from November to March tends to be the preferred travel months for most, and Christmas in Mexico is a fun time to visit.
In case you were wondering Where is Mexico City? — it’s located in Central Mexico, which has what’s known as the “eternal spring” climate.
This means the temperature is mild and temperate most of the year, as you can in the weather chart above.
Beyond the weather, late-October to early-November is a fun time with all the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations.
The beautiful purple jacaranda trees are in bloom from (approx.) March-April, and the annual Mexico monarch butterfly migration is from November to March.
What’s the Mexico City weather like?
Mexico City and Central Mexico have what’s called the “Eternal Spring” weather.
The Eternal Spring climate of Mexico City and Central Mexico means you can expect cool, sunny springtime weather year-round.
As you can see, temperatures dip into the 40°Fs (4-9°C) during the winter nights, and climb to the 80°Fs (26-31°C) during the spring and summer months.
Depending on when you’re visiting, you’ll want to plan your Mexico packing list accordingly.
To help you plan, you can take inspo from these Mexico City outfits so you know what to wear in Mexico.
What is the best month to visit Mexico City?
November to March — While this is the Mexico City busy season, this is also the dry season so you can expect crisp, beautiful weather.
What month is the coldest in Mexico City?
December to February — Winter in Mexico City can be colder than many expect.
At night, temperatures regularly drop into the high 40°Fs (7-8°C), so remember to pack accordingly.
What month is the hottest in Mexico City?
May to August — May is known as the hottest month in Mexico City (and all Mexico), but summers in Mexico City are also on the hotter side.
How much do I tip Mexico City?
As with the U.S., if someone provides you a service in restaurants, bars, cafes, salons, etc., you should tip them the norm of a 10%-20% tip.
When paying by credit card, the server will ask you if you want to add in the tip, as they either do so before they run the card, or they will manually add it in for you.
To keep it simple on yourself, just tell everyone “Mas veinte por ciento, por favor,” which means, “Add 20% more, please.”
You can also tip in cash, which many people actually do prefer — but do tip in pesos, not USD, Euros, CAD, or any other foreign currency.
Keep in mind that there’s usually an $18-20 MXN pesos to $1 USD exchange rate, so giving someone a blue-colored $20 peso bill is the equivalent of about $1 USD.
Do I need to speak Spanish to visit Mexico City?
You don’t have to, but it’s commonly known among travelers that you get more respect and leeway from locals when you at least try to speak their language.
Locals especially appreciate when you make an effort to know the everyday basics and casual niceties — even if you don’t sound perfect.
In short: Knowing a little Spanish goes a long way!
In Mexico City specifically, you’ll find the most English-speakers and English food menus in Roma, Condesa and Polanco.
Outside of these areas, and outside of the big cities in general, fewer and fewer people speak English.
Taking the time to learn a few words and phrases in Spanish is both a sign of respect to others, and will help you travel easier.
By “a few words,” we’re talking about 30 or so words/phrases, which you can learn over a few weeks on the FREE Duolingo App or Duolingo Podcast.
📝 Your FREE Basic Spanish List
If learning Spanish just isn’t in the cards for you — No Judgement!
In fact, here’s a pretty infographic you can pin on Pinterest for later, and also save to your phone as an image, so you can access it even if you’re off-WiFi.
What do I pack for Mexico City?
Depending on when you’re visiting, you’ll want to pack accordingly, but during most months, you’ll need light layers.
Mexico City temperatures dip into the 40°Fs (4-9°C) during the winter nights, and climb to the 80°Fs (26-31°C) during the spring and summer days.
Keep in mind that on the whole, Mexicans are modest dressers, and even in warmer months, pants and jeans and long sleeve shirts are the norm.
Mexico’s sidewalks aren’t the easiest to walk on, and most opt for flats over heels.
🧳 Your FREE Printable Mexico City Packing Checklist
Wondering exactly what to pack for Mexico City?
Download your FREE printable packing list for Mexico in this article — Ultimate Packing List for Mexico + FREE Checklist Download.
This multi-page Mexico packing checklist covers everything you’ll want to bring, and more importantly, what not to bring to Mexico City and the beaches of Mexico, from Cancun to Puerto Vallarta to Cabo San Lucas.
How many days do I need in Mexico City?
You can cover a lot in 3-5 days — enough to scratch the surface, and enough time to know you want to plan a return trip ASAP.
For a good guide on the can’t miss Mexico City things to do, check the Mexico City itinerary options linked below.
If you’re wondering what to do in Mexico City for a week, just combine the options in all three of these itineraries.
You can also rent a car in Mexico City and enjoy all the best Mexico City day trips (though I only advise renting if you plan to do several of them).
As all travelers are different, it’s hard to recommend a good amount of time to spend in CDMX because you could spend a year in Mexico City and not run out of things to do and see.
Regardless of your specific travel plans, the thing to know about Mexico City is that if you want to see specific things, arrive with a game plan.
Is 3 days in Mexico City enough?
It can be — If you only have 3 days in CDMX, you’ll probably want to stick to the main areas of the city visitors go to.
These include Centro, Reforma, Chapultepec, Roma and Condesa, which are all located near one another — and all have plenty of things to do.
Is 2 days enough in Mexico City?
It can be — If you only have a weekend in Mexico City or 2 days in CDMX, you’ll get a taste of the city, but also likely need to return when you have more time.
How expensive is Mexico City?
It depends — There are options for Mexico City travel at all budgets.
To save money, opt for hostels and street food. However, there are also plenty of world-class restaurants and luxury hotels in Mexico City.
Is food expensive in Mexico City?
No — If you’re traveling to Mexico City on a budget, you have plenty of inexpensive street tacos and street foods.
At street stalls (puestos) and homestyle comida corrida restaurants (fondas) with a menu del día (menu of the day), you can eat a hearty meal for $75-150 pesos ($4-7 USD).
Should I get travel insurance for Mexico?
Mexico travel insurance is not mandatory — however, insurance is always a good idea.
So if Mexico and Mexico City travel safety are on your mind, get your FREE quote from SafetyWing Travel Insurance now.
For a few dollars a day with a basic plan, you’ll enjoy an added level of security and peace of mind when you travel to Mexico City.
Just as you insure your car, home and body, you can also insure your luggage, belongings and health while traveling.
I’ll be honest though, when I first started traveling solo in Mexico, I wasn’t insured. However, after years of solo traveling, I (finally) wised up.
In 2022, I (finally) got a monthly plan with SafetyWing Insurance to cover travel medical emergencies, and I’ve never looked back.
I also have a whole page of this website dedicated to explaining why you should get Mexico travel insurance, because it’s just that important.
My Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Mexico City
I first visited Mexico City on April 4, 2018. I fell in love at first sight — so much so, that I never left Mexico.
Admittedly, I’m biased about this city, but my bias aside, it’s an amazing city, and you’ll never be wondering what to do in Mexico City.
While this article lists the 50+ best things to do in Mexico City, your CDMX trip options are countless.
Though definitely a major travel destination, Mexico City doesn’t see anywhere near the tourist crowds of London, Paris or New York City — but it’s just as cool.
It is, and has always been, a top choice for travelers in the know.
For this reason, finding all the non-touristy things to do in Mexico City, and all the unique things to do around Mexico City, isn’t hard.
I hope you got a bunch of great ideas from this things to do in Mexico City blog, and enjoy your time visiting Mexico City and the Mexico City hotspots.