Mexico City is sometimes overlooked by tourists who may use it as a base to catch a flight to other parts of the country. But let me be clear: this is a city you should not miss. In Mexico’s cosmopolitan capital, home to about 20 million people there will always be something to do. Find below my list of the Top 10 Best Things To Do In Mexico City.
1 - Roma - One Of Mexico City's Most Vibrant Neighbourhoods
Mexico City’s Roma neighbourhood (yes, the same 'hood' where the excellent Roma film was shot) is one of the loveliest areas of this metropolis. Sure, it's a hipster haven, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. If this is your first time in the city, you should definitely book your accommodation in the neighbourhood. You'll be within walking distance of the historical centre, not far from the Condesa neighbourhood, and will be spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants, street food, interesting shops, boutiques, and great nightlife.
Roma definitely feels safe, and it's a pleasure to walk its wide, leafy art deco-filled avenues. If you do get hungry stop for some authentic coffee and perhaps a chocolatin (pain-aux-chocolate) at one of the many coffee shops or just indulge in some great Mexican fare.
2 - Zócalo (Historic Centre)
This is Mexico's most well-known square and one of the largest in the world. The word ‘zócalo’ means ‘pedestal’, and usage dates back to a planned monument that was never completed beyond the pedestal. Nevertheless, the word was used not only to describe Mexico City’s plaza but most plazas throughout the country. This square dates back to the time of the Aztecs, and it was the centre of Tenochtitlan (the Aztec city that used to stand where the Zocalo is located nowadays) before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. Today, this square is a big hub of the city, and events happen regularly there.
Within walking distance, you'll find the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, the National Palace, the Historic City Hall, the Templo Mayor and the Government Building. Also, hard to miss, right in the of this square, you'll find a huge flag pole with the Mexican flag.
3 - Teotihuacan - The Most Mysterious Ruins In Mexico
Teotihuacan, one of the first great cities of the Western Hemisphere, is still a mystery to many. Who built it, and how and where have its inhabitants gone? Archaeologists believe it was built by hand more than a thousand years before the arrival of the Nahuatl-speaking Aztecs in central Mexico. The Aztecs encountered the abandoned site and gave it its current name, Teotihuacan.
In its heyday, the city had thousands of residential compounds and scores of pyramid temples rivalling the largest pyramids of Egypt.
Since its inception, this site has seen different peoples come and go, including the Mayans, Mixtecs, and Zapotecs.
Teotihuacan is best visited on an organized day trip from Mexico City, although you could visit it on your own.
4 - Polanco - Where You May Even Spot A Local Mexican Celebrity
Decidedly one of Mexico City’s most upper-class neighbourhoods and also home to a sizable Jewish community, Polanco is chock-a-block with posh hotels, shopping malls, theatres, art galleries, museums and upscale restaurants & cocktail bars. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours in the neighbourhood taking in the sights, or perhaps you could come here at night for some drinks?
Whatever you decide to do, please make sure you check the Soumaya and Joumex Museums, St. Augustin Church, the shops at Pasaje Polanco and Mercado Escondido, and finally, hit Lincoln Park and check its Aviary.
5 - Museo Frida Kahlo
The Frida Kahlo Museum, La Casa Azul, is a historic house museum & art museum dedicated to the life and work of the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It is located in the Colonia del Carmen neighbourhood of Coyoacán in Mexico City and is hard to miss since it's housed in the very same Blue House where the artist was born, lived, worked and died. Diego Rivera (Frida's partner) and Frida filled their house with art to show their admiration for the people and cultures of Mexico.
Aim to buy your tickets online as this will mean your queue will be short, as you only have to wait in line to exchange your tickets for some wristbands.
Round the corner from the Frida Kahlo's museum; you can also visit the great Leon Trotsky house museum, the intriguing Monomento al Boxeador, the Cineteca Nacional if you are in the mood for a film, or perhaps, if you'd like to kick back a tequila or five head to Cantina La Guadalupana where Frida and her husband Diego Rivera liked to come. Rest assured,d La Guadalupana has not become an overpriced tourist trap: it retains its old-fashioned charm, bullfighting decor and good service. Free snacks and drinks are offered as usual. A short walk from La Guadalupana will take you to Coyoacan.
6 - Coyoacan
Who would have thought that in one of the biggest metropolis in the Americas, a place like Coyoacan, a quiet colonial neighbourhood just south-west of the historical centre, could exist?
Coyoacán away from the city centre is a neighbourhood of beautiful plazas and colonial homes. You won't find modern high rises or bumper-to-bumper traffic here. Expect to find friendly locals, superb street food, and great coffee and drinks.
In the Centenario Jardin, right in the centre of the neighbourhood, you'll find a fountain celebrating the origin of Coyoacán. To the east, there's the St. John the Baptist Parish. There's also a market nearby (it's Mexico, after all) selling fairly priced souvenirs as well as arts and crafts by local artists.
7 - Plaza Garibaldi For Your Mariachi Fix
Perhaps a bit daunting at first, especially if you come here on your own, Plaza Garibaldi is best enjoyed after 11 pm. This is a place where you should definitely come for a couple of drinks to witness an important part of Mexican culture. Here, you'll find mariachi bands soliciting just about everyone to buy a song.
Mariachi music, which originated in the north of the country, more precisely in Jalisco can be enjoyed here every day.
The best way to visit Plaza Garibaldi is to head to one of the bars, take a seat, order a beer or perhaps some Pulque (a fermented alcoholic drink made from cactus sap) and just pay for a couple of songs. 50 pesos ($1 USD) should be enough for one song.
8 & 9 - The Amazing Street Food
Mexico DF (Distrito Federal) is a street food Mecca, and that's why my choice for the number 8 and number 9 of the best things to do in this city has to be food. In this sprawling megalopolis, vendors sell everything from snacks to desserts to enormous sandwiches and platters of food that resemble feasts fit for kings. The options, as you've already understood, are many; in 2 hours, you can basically have breakfast, a snack, lunch, another snack, dinner and late-night food without stepping into a restaurant.
Foods you should not miss:
- Breakfast - Chilaquiles (triangular, deep-fried tortillas smothered in a red or green spicy sauce and topped with sour cream, cheese, and fresh onion) or Tamales (made from corn masa usually wrapped in a corn husk and steamed) washed down with a Licuado (fruit smoothie) or a cup of coffee.
- Mid-morning snack - Churros (deep-fried sticks of dough) with hot chocolate.
- Lunch - Tacos (usually corn tortillas which can be filled with any type of meat, vegetables or fish, usually topped with beans, cheese, rice, nopales (cactus paddles), and salsas of different types and obviously lime juice), Tortas (sandwiches filled with everything you can imagine), Quesadillas (tortillas folded in half and filled with whatever you want, they can be grilled or deep-fried) or Tostadas (crisp, thin, round bigger than usual corn tortilla topped with anything) washed down with a Fresh Fruit Juice.
- Mid-afternoon snack - Tlacoyos (made with blue corn dough. The traditional filling of these beauties can be chicharrón, fresh cheese, beans, or some other creative alternatives) or Flautas (rolled deep-fried tacos filled with potato, cheese or meat, then covered with either salsa, or shredded lettuce, sour cream, and cheese)
- Dinner - Huaraches (thick tortillas moulded into an oval shape covered with beans, meat, lettuce, and cheese) and perhaps some more tasty Tacos.
- Late-night food - Elotes (corn cobs skewered on a stick, then if you wish, covered with mayonnaise, cheese, and chilli) or perhaps some more Churros.
10 - Being Spoilt For Choice When It Comes To Nightlife
Mexico City, being such a big city, is obviously a good choice if you're looking for a fun night out. So you may be asking yourself, where's the party at, given that there are so many options as mentioned?
In a nutshell:
- If you're looking mainly for posh and exclusive, head to Polanco.
- If you are looking for a low-cost option, Condesa.
- If you want a hipster vibe, Roma Norte is what you didn't know you needed
- If you are looking for something more relaxe,d like a good dinner and some drinks afterwards, then head to Cauhtémoc.
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