Travel Guide

Mexico City

T R A V E L G U I D E

MEXICO CITY

No matter how many times you go to Mexico City, you always manage to get back on the plane having fallen more in love with it — or cancelling your return flight altogether. We know from experience. We’ve spent a lot of time in CDMX over the last several years, and still find new things that blow our minds on every trip. Whether you’re in the mood to gawk at ancient Aztec ruins, stroll through world–class parks, or eat until you can’t see straight, this sprawling capital city has something for everyone — and the fact that it’s only a 4.5 hour flight from NYC makes it an extremely easy international getaway.

Many of the Airbnbs in Mexico City are historic, affordably-priced spots that offer a much more personal experience than anything you’ll get in a hotel. Here are some neighborhoods where we’d recommend focusing your search.

Colonia RomaThis is one of CDMX’s most established neighborhoods and where you’ll find many of the big new restaurants, bars, and shops. If you’re looking to be in the middle of both daytime and nighttime action, this is your spot.

Condesa/HippodromeButting right up against Roma, this park-filled area is a great option if you want something a little quieter, but still central.

JuarezLocated within walking distance of both Roma and Condesa, Juarez is less developed than its popular neighbors, and feels like the place everyone will be talking about in a few years.

Historico CentroThe chaotic, magnetic city center that’s home to countless museums, Aztec ruins, and dozens of historical monuments. If culture is your priority, this is your neighborhood.

PolancoHigh-end shopping, fancy restaurants, and some of the city’s nicest properties. This is what we like to call the Beverly Hills of Mexico City.

If hotels are really more your thing, we like the reasonably-priced, design-centric Casa Nuevo León, and more upscale Hotel CondesaDF, with an excellent rooftop bar, both in Condesa.

Where To Stay Neighborhoods

C O L O N I A R O M A

How toSpend a

Day inMexico City

Start your day with a latte and guava pastry at Panaderia Rosetta, our favorite breakfast spot in town. Just make sure you go to their Havre location, where you’ll get the same great food with half the crowd.

Stroll over to Chapultepec, CDMX’s 1,700 acre city park. Rent paddle boats at the lake or just check out the many festivals and fairs that happen there daily.

Grab a quick lunch at Jenni’s Street Quesadillas in Roma. Sit on the sidewalk like everyone else and realize this is what true happiness feels like.

Proceed to the rooftop at Condesa DF for cocktails and views.

First time in CDMX? Head to Contramar for an early dinner (they close at 6:30pm on weekdays, and 8pm on weekends) that feels like a seafood party. If you want something on the newer side (or a later dinner), get a table on the rooftop terrace at Meroma.

Dessert in Mexico City happens at Churreria El Moro. We don’t make the rules.

For a nightcap (or two), head to Bosforo for an extensive mezcal selection or Le Tachinomi Desu for Mexican sake.

C O N D E S A D F

How to Spend a Day in Mexico City

12 Hours InRoma andCondesa

This is important - you want to get your tickets for the Frida Kahlo Museum in advance, or you will be waiting in an hours-long line. You can buy them at boletosfridakahlo.org.

S A N A N G E L I N N

Do breakfast at Masala y Maiz, which serves incredible Mexican/Indian mashups, or Pasilla de Humo , where you can get some excellent Oaxacan food.

Hop in an Uber (they’re pretty cheap here) to the Frida Kahlo Museum. Hopefully, you’ve bought tickets in advance, and can smile smugly (and sympathetically, of course) as you pass by the huge line of tourists and head right into the Blue House — Frida Kahlo’s family home, filled with art and artifacts from the course of her life.

After you exit Frida’s house, walk two blocks down to Mercado de Coyoacán, a marketplace where you can grab a snack and pick up those souvenirs you promised for people back home.

Next, head over to Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo — a really cool house custom built for Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. It’s a shorter visit than the Blue House, but worth it for the architecture. And because it’s right next to...

San Angel Inn. Imagine the wedding scene in The Godfather, but set in Mexico. This is an old-school, white-tablecloth place, where you should get a table in the courtyard and have some fancy margaritas, guacamole, and steak tacos.

Head back towards the center of town, and recharge before your next meal with a cocktail at Limantour.

Do a blow-out dinner at Quintonil (you will need a reservation far in advance — although they’re much easier to get than Pujol), or go for something more casual with the restaurant/bar/general party happening at Paramo.

How to Spend a Day in Mexico City

Visit Frida and Diego

The Godfather

Book a tour to Teotihuacán, the ancient Mesoamerican city only an hour outside of CDMX. Climb to the top of the Pyramid of The Sun, walk the two-mile Avenue Of The Dead, and whatever you do, keep reapplying your sunscreen.

Spend the afternoon floating around the ancient canals of Xochimilco, 50 minutes south of the city center. Drink too many micheladas, listen to mariachi music, and keep finding excuses to stay longer.

If You Have An Extra Day

Teotihuacán

Xochimilco

2 OtherThings You

ShouldReally Do

El HidalguenseCome for the best barbacoa tacos in town, stay for a shot of mezcal with the family sitting next to you.

Tacos HolaA guisado (stewed meats and vegetables) specialist in Condesa. Be sure to ask for all the toppings — guacamole, beans, and cheese.

El FarolitoThis city-chain is open late and has excellent tacos al pastor and a chicharrón de queso (basically a crispy piece of cheese) you need in your life.

El TurixThe best cochinita pibil in Mexico City and probably the world. Don’t worry if you get too full, you’ll be back tomorrow before you leave for the airport.

Los CocuyosThis tiny 24-hour stall in Centro Historico is the ideal post–bar move. You can technically choose whatever meat you want, but the campechano (mix of carne asada, longaniza, and chicharrón) is a must.

Taqueria OrinocoTake one step inside Orinoco, and you will feel taken care of. Anything you order here will be excellent, and come out with a tray of five incredible salsas.

T A C O S H O L A

Go On ATaco Crawl

2 Other Things You Should Really Do

Casa Barragán (Miguel Hidalgo District)The main studio and residence of modern Mexican architect Luis Barragan and just what you need to reignite your Instagram presence. Book tickets well in advance.

Zócalo (Centro Historico)The largest public square in Latin America and the historical heart of Mexico City.

Palace of Fine Arts (Centro Historico)The cultural center of CDMX and home to prominent events in theater, dance, art, and literature.

Vasconcelos Library (Buenavista)This completely free public library is basically like being inside the movie Inception, but with books to read along the way.

Museo Soumaya (Polanco)Once humanity moves permanently to outer space, we assume all buildings will look like this shiny, futuristic art museum.

M U S E O S O U M A Y A

See SomeCrazyArchitecture

2 Other Things You Should Really Do

Inception

For the best vantage point of this iconic building, head across the street to Sears(yep,thatSears)andmakeyourwaytothe9thfloorhardwaresection.

Make a point to hit Restaurante Nicos on your way to or from the airport. This place makes some of the greatest Mexican food we’ve ever eaten. Don’t miss the tableside guacamole, definitely try at least a couple different types of mole, and allow for plenty of time to take advantage of the mezcal cart.

One LastMeal You

ShouldAbsolutely Plan For

Have a great trip. Take us with you?