Travel Guide: A Week in CDMX
A Love Letter to CDMX: Travel, Texture, and Seeing the City With People You Love
A Thoughtful Note Before You Go: Traveling to Mexico City comes with a responsibility to be a respectful and gracious visitor, especially as Americans. A little intention goes a long way. Learning even a bit of Spanish (simple greetings, ordering food, saying thank you) makes a noticeable difference and is appreciated. Tipping well is also important- many people working in tourism, hospitality, and food service rely on it. Please, please, please be mindful, kind, and generous.
This isn’t meant to be an all-encompassing or locals’ guide to such a vast, layered, and incredible city, just a collection of places, moments, and recommendations that stood out to us. CDMX has so much depth and history, and this is simply a small snapshot of what we were lucky enough to experience while we were there.
Helpful Tips for Planning a Trip to CDMX
Go in March or April to catch the city in bloom- this is when the iconic purple jacaranda trees are at their peak, and they truly transform the streets.
Avoid drinking tap water or using it to brush your teeth- stick to bottled water throughout your stay.
Prepare for altitude effects- Mexico City sits at a high elevation, and it’s common to feel lightheaded or extra tired on your first day. Take it slow, hydrate, and ease into exploring.
Book experiences or guided tours- they add so much context and help you see places you might otherwise miss.
Eat el pastor tacos from street vendors and drink coffee at some beloved shops.
Honestly, one of the best ways to experience the city. Some of our favorite coffee shops and bars we visited were:
Walk around picturesque neighborhoods & take advantage of third spaces.
Simply walking the streets and taking in the mix of architecture, color, and greenery is a must! Here were some of the best things we did:
Museo Nacional de Antropología- it’s not free but worth the $6 USD
Admiring the incredible tilework near the Casa de los Azulejos
Booking multiple experience-based tours (we did three total):
A full-day trip to Tolantongo to soak in the hot springs, caves, and waterfalls. Here is the tour we booked!
A colorful boat tour in Xochimilco, floating through canals with music and snacks. We were also able to get tickets and visit the Museo Frida Kahlo on the same trip. Here is the tour we booked! If you book this tour, you MUST eat at this restaurant at the Mercado de Coyacán.
Visiting Casa Pedregal, a stunning example of modernist architecture and design. Here is the tour we booked!
