I’ve been to Mexico many times and love visiting the beaches and coastal towns, but I haven’t visited Mexico City…yet. It is less than a four-hour flight from many US cities making it so accessible for a trip. Mexico City is a city of absolute contrasts. It is the oldest established city on the North American Continent; the Aztecs had been there almost 200 years before the Spanish Conqueror Cortes arrived. It is also the highest metropolis at over seven thousand feet above sea level and is now the most populous city in the Americas with approximately 25 million people living in the area. Yet the modern capital has retained much of the old Aztec heritage, as well as adopting a very strong Spanish influence following their conquest. And this is what gives the city its unique atmosphere – here are some of our top highlights of Mexico City.
Top Activities in and around Mexico City
- PYRAMIDS OF TEOTIHUACAN – Visit the Pyramids via a Hot Air Balloon.
- CITY TOUR – Have a chance to walk around the historic centre and visit the 17th century Cathedral, the National Palace with its murals depicting the history of Mexico painted by Diego Rivera, and see a part of the ancient Aztec city called Templo Mayor.
- THE FLOATING GARDENS OF XOCHIMILCO- Spend the morning as the locals do! Here you will see all kinds of families having a water picnic!
- SUNDAY BICYCLE TOUR – Why not explore Mexico City on bicycles! On Sunday Morning Reforma Avenue closes for locals to enjoy a nice leisurely bicycle ride all the way downtown.
- FOLKLORE BALLET at the Palace of Fine Arts, one of the most beautiful buildings in Mexico City.
- FOOD TASTING TOURS – Become a Mexican food expert in 3.5 hours! Explore amazing tastes, sights and sounds of the culinary avant-garde Colonia Roma or Historic Center. Seek out traditional dishes and pop specialty food shops, ethnic eateries and charming neighborhood restaurants.
Top Museums
- ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM – The world-famous museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the ancient people of Mexico.
- CHAPULTEPEC CASTLE – This castle has been used for numerous functions over the last three hundred years. Today the castle is the Mexican History Museum and also houses an art museum as well.
- SOUMAYA MUSEUM – the silver hexagon–covered museum offers the the well-curated art collection of Carlos Slim Helú as well as the the largest Rodin collection outside of France.
- FRIDA KAHLO MUSEUM – There is a special atmosphere in this place, the house where Frida Kahlo was born, where she lived as an artist married to an artist, and where she spent her last days. Behind these tall blue walls, the artist created a world of her own, and the creative spirit of the famous Latin American artist vibrates in the house. The Blue House holds the paintings that made Frida famous: The Two Fridas, Viva la Vida, Frida y la cesárea (Frida and the caesarean section), as well as her bed — guarded by the portraits of Lenin, Stalin, and Mao—, and the easel given to her as a present by Nelson Rockefeller.
Where to Stay and Eat
We work with our clients and travel consultants in Mexico to recommend the perfect itinerary of hotels and restaurants for you. Whether you are looking for a 5-star luxury, modern and urban, or historic and full of heritage hotel we will find the right one for you. Options include the Four Seasons and Sofitel on the Paseo de la Reforma, the St. Regis in the Historic Center, the Intercontinental and Hyatt Regency. Dining options range from top floors of buildings with sweeping city views to historic haciendas to lakeside in the Chapultepec Forest. Of course, there is also a huge street food scene where you can sample tacos to your heart’s – and stomach’s – content.
We’d love to help plan your next city escape – contact us to get started!