An Incredible 3 Days in Mexico City
The world’s fifth-largest city by population, Mexico City (CDMX) is quickly becoming a popular destination for digital nomads and tourists alike. It’s a city with incredible food, history, and culture; we were lucky to get a chance to see Mexico City ourselves for a long weekend in February. It’s fall-like weather during this time of year, so coming any time before the rainy season begins in June is advised! Here’s a snapshot of what I think a perfect long weekend would look like in CDMX!
Day 1: Taco Bike Tour, Museums, Fight Night
A great start to every day in Mexico City is with some coffee and a hearty breakfast. The city has some of the best cafes and richest coffee you’ll find, so try to enjoy leisurely mornings with this as a main activity. Walking around some of the trendy neighborhoods like Roma Norte and Condesa and you will inevitably stumble upon many a coffee shop, but Panaderia Rosetta and Cicatriz Cafe are two particular standouts to us.
Next, you’re going to want to head to Bosque de Chapultepec, a large park filled with many museums for you to choose from. We decided to go to the National Museum of Anthropology and absolutely loved it; there’s such an incredible display of Mexican artifacts from ancient times all the way to the 20th century. I would have loved to hired a guide to walk us through the museum, so we could get a full understanding of all its history, but I still would highly recommend it. If you have extra time, there’s also the highly-rated Contemporary Art Museum and Chapultepec Castle in the park that you can check out.
From here, I encourage you to do a Bike & Taco tour for a bit of exercise and local flavor! We had so much fun doing it through El Taco Club, as they took us to four unique taco spots in the city that I surely wouldn’t have been able to find on my own. It was also very cool to bike through Mexico City with a group led by an expert; it’s a fantastic way to experience the city in its truest form. Bikes and Munchies is also a highly rated tour option.
To close out your first day in Mexico City, head to see a local wresting match. Lucha Libre at Arena Mexico is the most popular option, embodying a WWE-style theatrical fighting style; the stadium is packed and the energy is high, making it an exhilarating experience. They also put on shows at Arena Coliseo if you are unable to find a fight at Arena Mexico this night.
Day 2: Local Markets & a Fancy Evening
Today you will see two different sides of Mexico City, starting with a bunch of artisanal shopping at the many markets that drive a lot of the city’s local economy. El Bazar Sabado is the most popular Saturday option, with Mercado Coyoacan and Mercado de San Juan being admired daily options. Depending on the day of the week you plan to visit the markets, check to see which of the weekly ones are running near your location. It’s a great place to buy some souvenirs and local goods, while also practicing your negotiating skills!
Having stopped at local taquerias and cafes along the way for the past one-and-a-half days, it’s time to treat yourself to a nice meal. CDMX has an incredible fine dining scene, featuring two of the top 10 best restaurants in the world: Pujol and Quintonil. Make sure to make a reservation to either (or both!) well in advance to secure your spot for a good time. We were able to make it to Quintonil and enjoyed an immaculate a la carte meal, featuring fresh products and fantastic service. Pujol is famous for their omakase taco tasting menu, so if that’s more up your alley, plan accordingly!
You’re going to want to end your day exploring some of the nightlife that the city has to offer. Main Room is a great spot to go clubbing if you want a long night ahead of you. For something more chiller + unique, Mama Rumba offers a salsa-dancing club experience and Leonor is a smaller, house-music option for the night. Definitely don’t miss out on the great nightlife and music of CDMX.
Day 3: Outdoor Dance Class and a Beautiful Sunset
For your final day in Mexico City, start out with a leisurely stroll as you make your way to Parque Mexico, picking up some food on the way (I suggest Tortas al Fuego for a great breakfast torta or Chilpa for delicious chilaquiles!). At the park, plan to join in on the many outdoor dance lessons they have. We took a beginner’s bachata class, but there were also salsa and rumba lessons for all difficulty levels. It’s a great way to meet others in the city and partake in a beautiful activity outdoors.
From here, make your way to Centro Histórico, where you’ll take in some of the older regal buildings CDMX has to show. Palacio de Bellas Artes is an incredible display of art both outside and inside, and is probably the highlight of the area. But make sure to also walk to the National Palace area to see some of the famous cathedrals and museums that line the block. It’s definitely the older part of town and retains some of the charm that 17th/18th century architecture holds.
And to close out a perfect three days in Mexico City, take in a beautiful sunset at one of the many rooftop options in the city. We enjoyed it one day at Samos in the Ritz Carlton Hotel, where I thought the view was unmatched and the environment was quiet and polished. If you’re looking for a livelier vibe, head to Supra Rooftop where it turns into a bit of a dance club with some delicious drinks and views, as you remember an awesome trip.
Anything we missed that you think is a must do in CDMX? Let us know!
