Colorful boats drifting down scenic canals. Enormous Pyramids built by an ancient civilization. Bustling markets filled with handmade treasures. Mexico City is a sprawling wonderland filled with both old and new, hidden spots, and with a cultural identity uniquely its own. And on this 5-day Mexico City Itinerary, you will get a taste (literally) of what it has to offer!
Psst: Planning a trip to Central America? Here are some other helpful posts:
Here are some frequently asked questions about Mexico City, called “Ciudad de Mexico” in Spanish (CDMX for short):
Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, sprawling over 573 square miles and hosting 16,000 people per square mile. Like any large city, Mexico City has areas that are more tourist-friendly than others. This Mexico City Itinerary will be in areas that are generally safe, but like anywhere you go it’s important to keep your wits about you and an eye on your belongings!
Where I stayed in Condesa I felt completely safe my entire trip. I walked around with my friends in Parque México late at night, had midnight tacos after Lucha Libre, and took Ubers back to my place. It’s a relatively safe city!
When I visited Mexico City in early April the temperature fluctuated between the mid 50s to the mid 80s, making for cool and comfortable mornings and evenings and warm afternoons. The city itself has plenty of trees, providing shade in the dry heat.
Since Mexico City is in a desert climate, the temperatures don’t vary extremely like other hotter parts of the country. Year-round you can expect the temperature to be mid-40s to mid-to-high-70s, while in April/May the temperature can get into the low 80s. Since April is one of the “hottest” months, it’s great for this itinerary.
Flying will be your best bet to get to Mexico City, unless you live close by in which case you’re probably not using this itinerary!
Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) is the main airport of Mexico City and it’s easy to get to where you’ll be staying for this itinerary from here. All you’ll need is an Uber!
Mexico City has a complex system of buses and subways that are all extremely cheap options, but honestly, since you’ll only be here for about a week I’d recommend Uber in most cases. Taking an Uber in Mexico City is also very cheap – in most cases $5-10 USD.
There are longer excursions on this itinerary that are more costly, but I find the price of Uber outweighs the value of the time it takes to take public transportation versus a car (public transit can also get pretty crowded). Most things in Mexico City are pretty inexpensive so it’s still a very budget-friendly option.
Water from the tap in Mexico City is non-potable, though it is completely safe to brush your teeth with, take a shower, etc, as long as you’re not gulping it down.
If you’re staying somewhere that does not have a filter on the sink, you can easily buy a garrafón, a big jug of water that holds 20 liters (which is over 5 gallons) from a convenience store like 7-Eleven or Oxxo. You can also buy bottled water of course, but buying a garrafón will last longer and save on plastic waste (you can also re-fill your plastic bottle from your garrafón).
Most restaurants will serve filtered water/ice, so you shouldn’t worry much when going out to eat since even Mexican residents don’t drink the tap water. Some street food vendors will use tap water to make ice however to skimp on costs, so just use your intuition when buying from them.
Mexico City is at 7,349′ elevation, which as someone from Kentucky who is at sea level, is about 7000 feet higher!
If you’re not used to higher elevations, you may feel the effects of the lower oxygen levels at this height, even if you don’t in the first few days. I experience some light-headedness and higher blood pressure by the end of the week there, so keep an eye on symptoms and don’t push yourself too hard.
Mexico City has so many people and industries that emissions are very high in Mexico City, even with the implementations on what day of the week certain drivers can be on the road.
During my stay, air quality was between poor and very poor, so just be wary this may contribute to how you feel in the city as well.
Yes, Mexico City is sinking about 20 inches per year. This is because most water in Mexico City is pumped from underground, compacting the land, and the Spanish colonizers drained Lake Texcoco, which was the home of the Aztec city Tenochtitlán, and built a city on top of it…
And yes, Mexico City is also running out of water. The reliance on underground water, and the fact that the city was literally built over a water supply has caused water shortages in the city. It’s a complicated situation, which may affect how you approach Mexico City as a tourist. Being extra vigilant with your water usage is recommended when visit.
Spanish is extremely important and helpful in Mexico City, even a little bit. If you don’t speak Spanish, expect Google Translate to be your best friend and be aware you will have some lost in translation moments.
Though it’s a big city, I’d say only about 20% of the people I spoke to spoke English to some degree. Getting something like this Lonely Planet Mexican Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary is great to study ahead of time, but in the moment Google Translate is probably still your best bet.
Here are a few words and phrases that I came across a lot on my trip:
Pesos are not something you need to bring with you to Mexico City, rather you can get them out of an ATM with your debit card (avoid the airport as the rates will be higher).
If you have a debit card that reimburses fees, amazing, if not just make sure no machine charges you over 20-30 Pesos to get cash out (which is under $2 USD), such as Citibanamex. BBVA bank has a really high fee for some reason (about $12), so avoid these ATMs.
Also, most ATMs will ask you if you want to accept the conversion rate once you’ve put in the amount you want, and you will always DECLINE this. The ATM will do this automatically, so if you accept it will do it twice and it will charge you more. It tricks you into thinking you need to accept this to get your cash, but you do not and should not accept it.
In most cases, you will not need Pesos in Mexico, but they’re good to have if you want to haggle on souvenirs, make small purchases, and in case some places are cash only.
Now that you have that info under your belt, let’s dive into the 5-Day Mexico City Itinerary! It is important to note this itinerary is 5 full days, not including arrival and departure days.
Today you’ll be flying into Mexico City Airport, also called Benito Juárez International Airport, and checking into your place for the week in the fabulous and walkable neighborhood of Condesa (where to stay recommendations are at the bottom of this article).
This day is all about getting your bearings and exploring Condesa, which is a stunning, low-key neighborhood with lots of amazing restaurants, shops and bars. Not to mention lots of trees and beautiful, tropical plants, like the ones you can find in Parque México.
Parque México was originally part of the hacienda of the Countess (Condesa) of Miravalle where it was used as a horserace track, but was later developed into a park. Today it is the Art Deco jewel of the neighborhood, with a huge plaza (Foro Lindbergh) with a statue of a naked woman called the “Fountain of the Jugs” out front (which I assume is a reference to the actual jugs in her hands).
This park is a great place to walk around and bask in the feeling of Mexican culture – people walking their dogs, roller skating and working out in the plaza, and even dancing into the night. This is a great, safe neighborhood to walk around even as it gets later!
For your first meal in Mexico, check out Tortas Al Fuego, a little hole in the wall which was the first place I ate after my 9-hour excursion to get to the city. Let’s just say, the Tacos Al Pastor I ordered tasted real good after not eating that long, but they were also just excellent. Have this with a Michelada (a cerveza with spices and lime and salt on the rim) or my favorite, a Chelada (a cerveza with just lime juice) and you’ll be in absolute heaven.
Needless to say, their main claim to fame are tortas (a Mexican sandwich), so don’t shy away from trying their mainstay. With all my restaurant suggestions – order what speaks to you! Also Mexico City has thousands of affordable and unique places to eat, so let Google Maps be your guide!
For the rest of the evening, walk around the park, check out local bars, or just go back to your room and crash. You have a big week ahead of you!
This morning you’ll be starting your day by having breakfast at Chilpa, which is famous for their chilaquiles! Chilaquiles are a Mexican breakfast staple with fried tortilla chips, salsa, and fried eggs, and lucky for you, Chilpa has a create your own Chilaquiles menu meaning you can have exactly what you want!
You’ll choose cheese or eggs (or both), what kind of salsa, protein, veggies, etc. until you’ve made your own epic creation. The small portion is still very large, so it’ll fill you up for the day – if you can finish it! The dish is both light with its citrusy flavors and filling in its sheer portion size. It was honestly love at first bite for me!
Once you have breakfast, head to Chapultepec Park, which is a cultural oasis in the middle of the city that is the oldest urban park in Latin America, with vestiges of a pre-Hispanic aqueduct created by the Aztecs and even a mural by Diego Rivera. The park itself is sprawling at over 1700 acres, with a zoo, plenty of museums, and even an amusement park within its foliage. The park has somewhat of a circus feel, with plenty of vendors selling candy and souvenirs and plenty of families and tourists wandering among the winding paths.
This morning you can choose between two historical museums to visit, as you’ll be traveling to another part of town for your afternoon activity! The two I recommend are:
After checking out Chapultepec Park, it’s time to head to Coyoacán, which is about a 30-minute ride-share journey. Coyoacán means “place of Coyotes” and features over five centuries of architecture. Basically, Mexico City swallowed up this historic borough and it’s like stepping back in time – colorful buildings, markets, enormous churches and of course, the Frida Kahlo Museum.
Before you explore the neighborhood too deeply, pop into Coyoacán Market for a quick and cheap lunch! You’ll find food stalls in the middle of the market, with food made right in front of you. I had quesadillas at Huaraches Y Quesadillas Carmelita, which were delicious and a fast way to grab a bite, but check out any stand that appeals to you. See where locals are eating – that’s how we made our choice!
After you get food, head to the Frida Kahlo Museum, which is about a seven-minute walk from the market. You will need to reserve tickets in advance for the museum for an allotted time (3pm or so should be a safe time to book a ticket).
The Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the La Casa Azul, is easy to find with its cobalt blue walls and the line of people outside. This is the house where Kahlo was born, grew up, lived with Diego Rivera, and eventually died. All phases of her life are reflected in this lively, artistic house, and you can see the tangible essence of Kahlo and Rivera though they are long gone.
Winding through the various decorative rooms, you observe countless artifacts from Kahlo’s life – from the body casts she wore (and painted) due to a bus accident at age 18 to everyday items like letters and the dresses she wore. The house itself is a work of art, from the blue walls, to the paintings and murals throughout, the gardens and intricate tilework.
The museum takes about an hour to peruse, and features exhibits based on the life of Kahlo, like the gorgeous gowns designed by Jean Paul Gaultier which are on display. Even if you have no point of reference for Kahlo’s work, this space is so personal and immediate you almost expect her to round the corner at any moment. A color video of Kahlo and Rivera in the garden makes it all the more real. It’s very moving.
Once you are done exploring the life of a fabulous artist, walk back to the center of Coyoacán to Parroquia San Juan Bautista, one of the oldest churches in Mexico City. Construction began in 1522 on this stunning Catholic church, and inside there are colorful murals that pop alongside the saturated colors of the red carpet and green ferns that flank the main aisle. There is so much to take in, from the bas-reliefs with golden baroque decoration to the small altars all around the church, and you’re welcome to explore, as long as you do it respectfully.
Once outside the church, walk around the Jardín Centenario, the main plaza where you will see families and people out having fun. It’s a good place to grab a bag of fresh churros or elote (my fav), and don’t forget to visit the Fountain of the Coyotes, which is especially stunning at golden hour with the sun shining through the trees.
Just a few steps away from the fountain is the Mercado Artesanal Mexicano, a fabulous place to get homemade craft goods. Mexico loves a market, and it’s fun to wander around and find souvenirs for yourself and others. Here I picked up handmade copal incense, which you will smell burning all around the city, and plenty of jewelry, paintings, and clothing. I brought way more souvenirs from Mexico than I ever thought I would!
For dinner, Coyoacán is bustling and full of options. La Cocina de Mi Mamá, a casual, family-owned restaurant with recipes that have been passed down for generations and sports a large craft beer selection. The verde enchiladas and chicken mole are a great bet – savory and the perfect way to end the day!
Teotihuacán, which means “the place where the gods were created”, is situated about an hour away from Mexico City by rideshare. The rideshare is not super cheap, about $70, but if you’re traveling with several people it’s worth it, or you can take a much cheaper bus but it’ll take more time and coordination.
Your goal is to get to Teotihuacán early (they open at 8am, we arrived by 9am or so). The earlier you get there, the less hot it will be and the less crowded it will be. Bring a hat, water and sunscreen! Before you head out, grab a Chilaquiles sandwich (I got the verde kind with chicken and it was divine and filling) from the famous La Esquina del Chilaquil food stand by your place and get going early!
On your way to the pyramids, you’ll see the city roll away as you enter the Mexican desert. Bring cash if you rideshare – our first driver didn’t have any and apparently didn’t have a toll pass (our driver back did) so we paid about $9.06 USD in tolls.
Once you arrive, you’ll buy your ticket in cash at the entrance (80MX, about $4), and you’ll enter the site! There are plenty of guides if you’d like to hire one, and the going rate is about $50 for two hours. Or you can just wander, it’s pretty easy to figure out where you’re going!
Teotihuacán was one of the largest pre-Hispanic Cities and is now a Unesco World Heritage site, built between the 1st and 7th centuries AD. Until its mysterious collapse around the 7th or 8th century, it had an estimated population of over 100,000 inhabitants. Today we see the ruins of this civilization, with three huge pyramids, a main thoroughfare, and plenty of other structures.
Entering Gate 1, the main gate, you’ll first come across Templo de Quetzalcoatl (Temple of the Feathered Serpent), the only temple structure you can climb up (and over). The stairs are steep, and you’ll notice people taking their time.
At the top you’ll take several steps down to the other side of the temple where you can see elaborate carvings of the feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl, as well as other Aztec gods adorned with feathers, shells, and jewels. Excavations at the site have revealed offerings, including human sacrifices – since the 1980s archaeologists have discovered 137 sacrificial remains.
After you’ve made your way down safely from the temple, head down the Avenue of the Dead, the central boulevard, which runs 1.5 miles towards the Pyramid of the Sun on the Right and the Pyramid of the Moon ahead.
Unfortunately, you can no longer climb either pyramid (or fortunately, for the structure and safety), but just to take in the sheer size from the ground is profound. The Pyramid of the Moon is approximately 141 feet, while the Pyramid of the Sun is about 233 feet.
From the impressive Palaza of the Moon which stands before the Moon pyramid, there is an altar from which all corners of the expansive plaza can hear you, even from hundreds of feet away. I saw a guide demonstrate this by whispering – asking the people on his tour to jump, wave, dance, etc. all from the center of the Plaza.
Before you leave, head to the museum that is onsite which is behind the Pyramid of the Sun. At this point it’s probably getting more crowded (and hotter), so it’s a good idea to step inside and explore this small museum. Inside there are plenty of cool artifacts, from bones, necklaces made from bone, a diorama reconstructing the civilization, a stunning crest of Venus, and more bones, probably.
Once you are ready for lunch, head out of Gate 5, the one close to the museum. You will walk to your lunch spot, La Gruta, which is only a few minutes away. We only had a group of 3, so did not make a reservation, but if you have a larger group that is ideal!
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