Mexico City is one of the world's largest cities in the world and has recently become a favorite among tourists. The city offers a plethora of activities to visitors making it hard to decide where to start your tour. Fortunately, I have been privileged to visit Mexico City and spent a few days exploring this expansive city. During my visit, I embarked on amazing day trips, enjoyed unique cultural experiences, and visited some of the interesting attractions of the country. If you are planning to visit Mexico City in the future, and are not sure where to go, don't worry. Here are the top things you should not miss in Mexico City:
Museum of Anthropology
Mexico City is home to many museums, but if you are short on time, the Anthropology Museum (Museo Nacional de AntropologÃa) should be your first choice. It's an excellent starting point for exploring the city and learning about the country's fascinating history, particularly the Indigenous groups that significantly shaped Mexican culture. The museum features well-presented exhibits, and much of the explanatory text is translated into English. You can avail free one-hour guided tours in English that are available at the entrance, starting at 10:30 am and ending at 5 pm daily except Sunday. It's recommended to make reservations in advance if you want to skip the long queues. These tours are very informative and help visitors understand Mexico's complex yet beautiful history.
Castle Chapultepec
The Chapultepec Castle is one of the most popular attractions in Mexico City, located atop a hill in the Bosques de Chapultepec. It is one of the only two royal palaces in North America, the other being the Palace of Iturbide, which is also located in Mexico City. Commissioned by the Spanish Viceroy in 1785, the castle has undergone significant changes over time. Today, the castle's spacious grounds are open to the public, allowing visitors to explore the breathtaking interiors and lush gardens outside. It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes for the uphill walk to the castle.
Hot Air Balloon
Have you ever considered the idea of flying over an ancient city? The hot air balloon ride is an amazing opportunity to view the city from up above. This adventurous ride flies over the Teotihuacán archaeological zone, an ancient and sacred city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the balloon ride, you will indulge in a buffet breakfast and toast with the balloon crew. Following breakfast, you will embark on a walking tour of the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and explore the Path of the Dead. Additionally, you will visit an obsidian museum where you can learn about the manufacturing processes of weapons and tools. During the visit, you will also have the opportunity to sample traditional beverages like mezcal, pulque, and prickly pear liquor. You can book your hot air balloon tour here.
Frida Kahlo Museum
The Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the Blue House, is the birthplace, childhood home, residence, and final resting place of Frida Kahlo, easily recognizable for its vibrant cobalt blue exterior. Visitors can admire several paintings by Kahlo and her husband, Diego Rivera, as well as works by other artists from their time. However, the museum's most intriguing aspect is the glimpse it provides into their creative world. The home has been meticulously preserved and shows great insight into Kahlo's lifetime. In addition to their personal belongings and household items, the museum also displays the clothes and corsets Frida wore to support her body after her traumatic accident, acknowledging the artist's daily struggles. Tickets for the museum are only available online, so it's important to book in advance.
Bicycle Sundays
Every Sunday from 8am to 2pm, locals can enjoy 55 kilometers of car-free roads during the weekly CiclovÃa event in Mexico City. This event attracts cyclists, pedestrians, rollerbladers, and people pushing strollers or walking their dogs. The main area for cycling is along Paseo de la Reforma, but some sections of the historic center and various streets in the southern part of the city are also used. On the last Sunday of each month, the CiclovÃa is expanded into a longer route called Ciclotón, covering up to 97 kilometers across the city, including highways. These cycling events are extremely well-organized and attended by hundreds of locals as well as tourists.
TuriBus
A convenient and budget-friendly option to explore Mexico City's top sights is through a hop-on hop-off bus tour. The tour consists of four different routes, each covering a specific area of the city. Passengers can disembark at any stop that catches their interest and hop back on at their convenience or remain on the upper deck to enjoy the ride with commentary. The multilingual audio system in the bus provides the history of each attraction. A single ticket grants access to all routes and stops, including popular sites like the Museo de Arte Moderno, the Angel of Independence, Soumaya Museum, and the Frida Kahlo Museum.
Mercado de San Juan
This market is known as the "chef's market" for its high-quality produce, meat, and seafood. It's also renowned for offering exotic meats such as iguana, wild boar, armadillo, and alligator, and some vendors may even offer lions, tigers, and bears if you inquire discreetly. I went to the market to visit my friend Pablo at Triana Café, a small and unpretentious coffee stall that serves some of the best coffee in Mexico City. Pablo, who is the owner, is extremely friendly and knowledgeable about his coffee. His passion and dedication are evident in every cup he prepares. When you visit him, don't hesitate to mention my name!
Cooking class with Tim
If you're worried about not being able to find the ingredients to recreate the dishes that you have tried in Mexico City, worry not. Chef Tim's cooking class has you covered. You can learn how to cook your favorite Mexican dishes in his cooking class. The class begins with a tour of Mercado San Juan, where the chef will introduce you to some of his favorite vendors and give you a taste of fruits, spices, mezcal, chiles, and even insects. After the market tour, you'll head to his kitchen in Centro Histórico for a hands-on cooking experience.
Xochimilco
If you enjoy drinking and cruising on vibrant boats, you will enjoy this amazing activity in Mexico City. Xochimilco, a neighborhood of Mexico City situated around 45 minutes from the city center, is known for its Floating Gardens which were acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. These gardens were situated over an old water transport system used by the Aztecs. Today, you can rent colorful gondola-style boats and embark on a 2-3 hour ride along the river. Although the views are not as spectacular as you see in Venice, it's a popular activity in Mexico City, with many other boats around, including street food and drink vendors. It's a fun social activity for both locals and tourists.
Foods You Must Try
Pulque: Pulque is a traditional Mexican beverage that is produced from the fermented liquid of agave, which is also used to distill tequila and mezcal. The drink has been around since the time of the Aztecs and is considered the "drink of the gods" in Mexico. It’s a MUST TRY when you are in Mexico City.
Sope: Sopes are a type of thick cake made from masa harina, water, salt, and oil, similar to a corn tortilla, but thicker and purple in color. They are typically used as a base for various toppings, such as chicken, salsa, and vegetables.
Micheledas: Experience the taste of this delicious Michelada cocktail which is a well-known Mexican drink. The recipe consists of beer, lime juice, Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, and other ingredients. If you are a spice fan, you will certainly enjoy this cocktail!
Traditional Cantina: It is a kind of bar where you have to buy a beer or drink in order to enjoy traditional food. There are also some bars where you can gather to play cards, dominoes, or table games along with drink and food.
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