FIRST TIMER'S GUIDE TO MEXICO CITY
I travelled to Mexico City at the end of December to ring in the New Year and I found myself dreaming of a second trip before even finishing the first! One of the first things that inspired me to visit Mexico City was its rich and vibrant culture, which is visible throughout its colorful neighborhoods and historic streets. I loved everything about this place: the food, the people, the energy, the mezcal!
After much research, I knew there was no way to cover the never-ending list of things to do, see and eat in three days, but prioritizing our must-dos and mapping things out by neighborhood was super helpful. Since we visited over the holidays, there were several bucket-list things we weren’t able to tick off simply because they were closed, but I’ll list them for you below so you can check them out!
If you’re visiting Mexico City for the first time, I’ve got you covered on where to stay, play and eat!
SHOP THE LOOK: WHITE EMBROIDERED DRESS
Things To Know Before You Go
Getting There: We flew AeroMexico direct from San Francisco (SFO) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX). It was a nonstop 4 hour and 30 minute flight, making it a fairly quick trip!
Getting Around: We mostly used Uber to get around (even for further half-day trips) and found it to be easy — and extremely affordable — to use throughout the entire trip.
Language: Spanish is the official language of Mexico, but we noticed that most hotels and tourist spots have English-speaking staff. We used Google translate (remember to download the language for offline use) and found it to be really efficient for communicating in a pinch!
Currency: Mexican Peso. Though some restaurants and tourist establishments accept credit cards, there are quite a few places that are cash-only. I highly recommend converting some currency into pesos. ATMs were easily available throughout the city.
Electric Plugs / Voltage: Voltage in Mexico is 110V at 60Hz. Plugs are Type B, with flat pins (same as the ones used in the US, so no need for a voltage converter or adapter if you’re traveling from the US)
Safety: Like any big city, you want to be aware of your surroundings at all times but most tourist areas are quite safe. Follow common sense precautions and you shouldn't run into any problems in Mexico City! Quick tips: avoid wearing flashy jewelry or shiny accessories; steer clear of dark, solitary places; keep an eye on your wallet (especially in very crowded, touristy places); keep valuables in your hotel safe; and carry one credit card, your ID and only cash you need for the day's expenses with you while out and about.
Where to Stay
We usually try to stay at Marriott properties when we travel, so we chose to spend three nights at the St Regis Mexico City, one of the leading luxury hotels in CDMX. It is conveniently located in downtown, within close proximity to several of Mexico City’s famed neighborhoods. The rooms are spacious, views are expansive, the drinks at their King Cole Bar are delicious and the indoor pool boasts incredible views of the vibrant city skyline — it was a great pick as our home away from home in Mexico City!
If you’re more the Airbnb-type, here’s a list from Conde Nast of the Best Airbnbs in Mexico City for every type of traveler!
Photos by The St. Regis Hotel Mexico City
Where to Play
Casa de Los Azulejos — Do you have a "thing with tiles"? Or maybe you’re a design lover? Either way, you won't want to miss this architectural gem in Mexico City. One of my favorite photo spots is the House of Tiles, better known as Casa de Los Azulejos. An 18th-century Baroque palace in Mexico City, the building is intricately covered on three sides with blue & white tiles and is also home to a popular restaurant inside.
Palacio de Bellas Artes — The stunning Palace of Fine Arts takes the cake for architectural design! Secret Photography Tip: for the best photo spot, go into the Sears building across the street and head up to the cafe on the 8th floor, Finca Don Porfirio. You can enjoy an iced coffee with the best view of Bellas Artes!
Xochimilco — A visit to the famous canals of Xochimilco is a must when in Mexico City! You'll explore the last remnants of a vast water transport system built by the Aztecs in colorful gondola-like boats called trajineras. As you float along the waterways, food vendors, artisans and even mariachi bands will pass by with everything you need for a festive atmosphere. You can make your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site a romantic experience or a private party! A boat costs about $40 USD for 2 hours.
Teotihuacan - Another famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, Teotihuacan is located about an hour drive outside of Mexico City. A half day trip to these ancient pyramids of the Moon & Sun is a must-do if you have the time. We left our hotel early in the morning so we could visit before the crowds, avoid the afternoon heat and be back in the city by lunchtime. You can either Uber or take the local bus (we Uber’ed here both there and back and had no issues calling an Uber).
Mercado Coyoacán — One of Mexico City's most iconic shopping destinations, this market is perfect for anyone who wants a truly local experience. Though the shopping alleys are quite narrow, you’ll find everything from food stalls and spices to textiles and souvenirs here!
Zócalo (Central Plaza) — Also known as the Plaza de la Constitución, Zócalo is home to the National Palace, the famous Metropolitan Cathedral and a few other historic federal buildings. The square often hosts public events, festivals and concerts. We came to the plaza around the holidays and it was filled with crowds dancing and celebrating the incoming new year, lovely light shows & live music!
Catedral Metropolitana — Within the Central Plaza, you’ll find the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. The impressive exterior and enormous wooden doors of this historic cathedral make for a great photo stop while in Mexico City’s main plaza. If you visit, step inside and take a peek into the oldest and largest cathedral in all of Latin America!
Bosque de Chapultepec — If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, carve out some time to visit the historic Chapultepec Park. Located near downtown and Condesa you'll find one of the world’s oldest and largest urban parks, spanning 450 acres! You can explore a botanical garden, a lake with paddle boats, hiking trails, special events and three of Mexico City’s best museums, including the National Museum of Anthropology. At the top of hill sits Chapultepec Castle, where we enjoyed one of the best views of the city!
Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul) — Translating to The Blue House, La Casa Azul is a historic house and art museum dedicated to the life and artwork of Frida Kahlo. Though we didn't get a chance to visit, it is one of the most popular attractions in Mexico City and I would definitely put it on my list for next time. Be sure to book your tour in advance if this is something you want to experience!
Casa Gilardi — This is a place where Instagram dreams come to life in Mexico City. Minimalist architect Luis Barragán designed this house with pink and purple walls, a yellow hallway and a technicolor swimming pool. Casa Gilardi was the last project Barragán completed before he died. To visit, you'll need to reach out via email and arrange a tour of the house in advance. Though I did get an email response, there were no tours being offered during the days we were in CDMX, so I’ll be adding it to my list for next time!
Mezcal or Food Tour — This was something I really wish we had more time to include in our trip! It’s a great way to get a taste of Mexico City’s food & mezcal scene by experiencing culinary secrets and hidden gems off-the-beaten-path.
Shop the Look:
Teal Skirt, Light Green BACKLESS Ruffle Dress, BOHO Yellow Floral MAXI Dress, White Mules
Where To Eat
PASTRIES
Panadería Rosetta — some of the best pastries & coffee in the city, two locations (order the rol de guayaba, sweet rosemary bun & cinnamon roll)
Pastelería Ideal — don’t ask questions, just go here! we walked in on a whim because the aroma was heavenly and saw people buying pan con mantequilla in bulk (it’s a slice of bread with just butter and sugar, but it was so delicious, light & airy! )
Churrería El Moro — best churros in the city and for good reason: they're open 24/7, they've got a simple churro menu + 8 different types of hot chocolate, several locations throughout the city, we went here once everyday!
La Bohême — small French style bakery in Roma Norte, rumored to have croissants as good as Paris
COFFEE
Chiquitito Café
Cafe Avellaneda
Blend Station
STREET TACOS
Tacos Orinoco — casual, no frills taco spot serving only 2 types of tacos (beef / pork), great for late-night eats, there will be a line and it will be worth it! these were my favorite tacos of the trip
Taqueria Los Cocuyos — unassuming hole in the wall taco stand serving popular street tacos, where you can pick from unique meats that you wouldn’t usually see or eat anywhere else
LOCAL FAVORITES
Pasillo de Humo — breakfast spot serving up Oaxacan cooking in Condesa neighborhood in an open kitchen
Nicos — authentic, family-owned Mexican stop for traditional fare like enchiladas, duck mole & a mezcal cart
Ojo de Aqua — juices, acai bowls & chilaquiles
Fonda Margarita — great for breakfast (Anthony Bourdain recommendation, get there early - food runs out by noon)
Contramar — sister restaurant to Cala in San Francisco
Mercado Roma — trendy three-story food hall, perfect for sipping Spanish wines, eating tapas, shopping for cheese and nibbling on snacks
La Docena — amazing seafood in an airy restaurant with a fresh raw-bar (try the garlic & butter grilled oysters, ceviche and the grilled shrimp rubbed with paprika & garlic!)
FINE DINING / TASTING MENUS
Travel Tip: be sure to make reservations as soon as you’ve booked your trip!
Quintonil
Pujol
Lorea
COCKTAILS & NIGHTLIFE
La Clandestina — mezcal bar
Gin Gin — gin bar
Hanky Panky — cocktails in a speakeasy
Polanco neighborhood — several outdoor cocktail bars
With so many things to see, eat and do, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy during your trip to Mexico City! Should you visit, be sure to let me know what you enjoyed or if there’s anything I should add to the list for my next trip!
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