72-Hours in Mexico City

Museo de Bellas Artes, Mexico City

Mexico City is a feast for the senses - car horns blaring in standstill traffic, reggaeton and banda music competing on the sidewalks, and clinking spatulas on the grill of side-street taco stands.

Although we cannot guarantee that you’ll see everything Mexico City has to offer in three days, at least with this itinerary you’ll be keeping up with the Chilangos who naturally move at a quicker tempo than their relatives in other parts of the country.  You won’t even have time to call it Mexico City - just say DF, short for Distrito Federal.

Day 1: Zócalo

Formally called the Plaza de la Constitución, Mexico City’s massive main square is commonly referred to as Zocalo.  It is the bustling center from which the rest of the city expands. Beneath the old cobblestone mobbed with tourists and locals lies the remnants of its past life as the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán.

Be sure to go into the Palacio Nacional, home to enchanting courtyards, libraries, and the iconic Mexican painter Diego Rivera’s mural titled The History of Mexico.  This giant mural portrays Mexico’s journey from the Aztec era to present-day.  Once you’re done, walk north to Alameda Central, home to the famous Palacio de Bellas Artes, the features rotating exhibits and additional murals by Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco.

Getting thirsty?  Swing by Pulqueria Duelistas to sample ancient Aztec pulque, a drink made of fermented tree sap.  This drink is an acquired taste, but at least you’ll get a glimpse of the pulque drinking culture which is making a comeback in the city and other parts of the country.

Between national buildings and museums, take a break and grab something to eat at El Balcón, situated on top of a colonial building that overlooks the entire city center.  This restaurant offers modern and seasonal twists on mexican classics.

Get some rest after exploring because at night, enjoy music to your ears at the famous Zinco jazz club in Centro Histórico.  This club is located inside a former bank vault and offers an intimate venue with beautiful jazz music from famous bands and musicians throughout the world.

Day 2: Frida Khalo

Although the main center of Mexico City is beautiful and impressive, it’s the side neighborhoods that offer more feelings of art and exploration.  

Start your morning with breakfast from Lalo, a hipster vibe with communal tables serving up avocado toast, scrambled eggs and sticky buns, and then set off to explore the boutique shopping that Roma has to offer, starting at Calle Colima.  If shopping is not your style, stop at Casa Bosques, a bookstore known for its indie magazines and interesting art and interior design. Keep heading west to get to La Condesa, on the border of Roma Norte, whose main offering includes hip bars and restaurants.  As you continue walking past La Condesa, arrive at Niños Heroes to catch the Metro to Coyoacán.

Nearly an hour south, the barrio of Coyoacán is filled with artists and counter-culturalists and hosts the house of Frida Khalo, known as La Casa Azul.  You can easily spend a couple of hours wondering around her house, seeing various pieces of art from Diego Rivera, her day-in-day-out routine and her famous mole recipe painted on the kitchen wall.  Book tickets in advance if you don’t want to wait, or expect to wonder around the neighborhood waiting for your turn to enter.  Luckily you can stumble into the Mercado de Coyoacan, a classic public market in the heart of the neighborhood. This two-story market sells fruit, vegetables, dried goods and meat on the first floor, and clothes, leather goods, incense, henna tattoos and woven trinkets on the second floor.  Although everything is a bit pricier due to its popularity, the chocolate and handmade souveniers are worth it. Arrive hungry because you’ll want to try some unusual, yet tasty foods, or maybe even some chapulines?

When you have finished exploring Coyoacan, take an Uber back to Roma to eat some of the most phenomenal seafood at Contramar.  We recommend the pescado a la talla (opened fish grilled and served with two sauces), chile en nogada relleno de mariscos (stuffed chile with seafood, topped with pomegranate) or any one of their ceviches.  Keep the night going by trying Mexico’s famous mezcal options at La Clandestina. Don’t be overwhelmed by the menu, asking any of the servers for advice will help you narrow it down.  You can also check out our blog post on “Embracing the Intricacy of Mezcal” for help!

Day 3: Ancient Ruins

Mexico City itself could keep you busy for a lifetime, but if you want to dive deeper into the history of the city, it is recommended that you travel one hour outside the city to the remarkable ruins of Teotihuacan, built between the 1st and 7th centuries.  The main structure, the Pyramid of the Sun, is also the third largest pyramid in the world. Tower the pyramid and join in with other travelers and viewers as they hold up their hands towards the sun to receive some of its energy.  

You only need a few hours to explore the ruins and can be back in time for a stroll through Parque Chapultepec, one of Mexico City’s most well-known landmarks, doubling the size of Central Park.  Stop by Mercado Roma to buy food from one of the various puestos, maybe even accompanying it with a bottle of wine or cerveza, and bring it with you. One of the chilango’s favorite past-times is to stroll around the park’s lake, stretch out on the grass, and people watch.  This can either be your dinner, or you can indulge in one last treat and dine at the world-renowned Pujol.

Mexico City offers revamped public spaces, museums and historical monuments, an exploding culinary scene, and a deeply ingrained culture and history.  Although you may think of the beach when it comes to vacation, this city is not one to be missed.

If you’re a foodie, love a new adventure, and are willing to travel to a city in Mexico rather than one of it’s beaches, then Mexico City is the place for you! Check out our tour details and inquire about future dates. We’d love to have you!