I recently returned from 5 days in Mexico City and wanted to share my guide for first-timers. I had heard such great things about Mexico City over the past few years and was sooooo excited to visit. I went with a group of 6 for a bachelorette party, which is a bit unique, but I won’t be sharing my thoughts about the city from that angle. This will be a general guide that will work for anyone visiting for the first time!
Population
If you are a big city lover, then you HAVE to add Mexico City to your bucket list. With a population of almost 22 million (and 9 million in the central district called CDMX where this itinerary takes place), Mexico City is the largest city in North America and the second largest city in all of the Americas behind Sao Paulo, Brazil. That’s insane, and I feel like it isn’t recognized in that way enough on the travel scene. If you’re a fan of places like NYC or Tokyo, CDMX will be right up your alley.
Weather
I think the best time to spend 5 days in Mexico City would be the spring. You will find weather around 70 in the daytime and then 40-50 at night. Our food tour guide also recommended spring as the best time to visit. He said it gets very rainy towards summer.
One fun fact I learned about CDMX is that it’s sinking! Actually I don’t think you can call that fun, it’s really quite alarming, sinking at a rate of 20 inches per year. The reason why goes all the way back to when the Spanish destroyed Tenochtitlan and started building modern day Mexico City on top of a drained lake. Then add in climate change and supplying water to millions of people. If you want to read more about this phenomenon, I liked this article. We could see evidence of this sinking with our own eyes while biking around. There’s a monument that originally had 5 stairs leading up to it when it was built, and now that same monument has more like 20-30 stairs leading up to it.
The last thing I wanted to mention in this section is the city’s elevation. I had no clue before visiting that Mexico City sits at 7,349 feet, almost 2,000 feet higher than Denver! You may experience some altitude sickness when visiting. For me, I had a slight headache and noticed I got out of breath a bit easier. You might also get a bloody nose. Just something to keep in mind that I never hear mentioned about Mexico City!
Transportation
Getting to Mexico City from Chicago was super easy. It’s about a 4-hour flight, and CDMX is on Central Time so you don’t have to deal with any jet lag. Once your 5 days in Mexico City have begun, I’d say Uber is the most convenient option for getting around. And it’s affordable! I never paid more than $12 USD for my furthest ride and that was to the airport. However if you choose to use the metro, that will only set you back 25 cents per ride.
5 Days in Mexico City: Random Considerations
Pandemic– Stuff with COVID is changing all the time, but when I visited there were no entry requirements to get into Mexico. You didn’t have to test or be vaccinated, which made it super convenient. That being said, there were still random temperature checks to get into certain restaurants and museums, and people were definitely still wearing masks, even outdoors.
Money– Mexico uses pesos so you’ll want to have some on you. However, I came back with a bunch leftover because I used my card for almost everything. I think the only time I used cash was at Xochimilco to use the restrooms.
Outlets– Mexican outlets are the same as the US so that’s very convenient. You don’t need any adapters.
Water– I think most people are aware that you’re not supposed to drink tap water in Mexico. Always drink bottled water! Before this trip I had been to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta and obviously followed this rule. I didn’t get sick on either of those trips. I only drank bottled water on this trip as well, but I did end up having a very upset stomach for about a week. Half of my group ended up getting some form of diarrhea and the other half were totally fine. It was weird because we all ate and drank the same stuff over our 5 days in Mexico City. It’s just something to keep in mind and you may want to bring some Travelan or Immodium with you.
What to Do over 5 days in Mexico City
Ok this is where we get into the fun details! I’m going to mention everything I did on this trip, but I also want to highlight some other options I didn’t get around to.
Fine Dining
The Mexico City Chef’s Table episode (on Netflix) brought major attention to a restaurant called Pujol. It’s a fine dining experience with a fixed tasting menu featuring meals made with ingredients local to Mexico. We were going to go to Pujol, but many friends recommended a restaurant called Quintonil instead (similar concept). We were served multiple courses and could add a wine pairing, but we decided to do cocktails instead. We had an amazing charcoal cocktail but an espresso martini that was just ok. Out of all the courses there was one that all three of us didn’t like at all, so between that and the espresso martini it was a bit of a let down because at this price point everything should be delicious. It cost us around $260 USD each. However, something like this in Europe would be double that price. The service was absolutely incredible–it felt like each of us had our own waiter, and they would explain every plate to us in great detail. The food was unique and soooo flavorful, and all three desserts were 10/10. To get a reservation, you’ll have to book a month in advance. Give yourself about 3 hours for this experience.
Explore Different Neighborhoods
Polanco, Roma, and Condesa are the popular areas for tourists in Mexico City and have a European feel to them. These neighborhoods are absolutely beautiful, so just wandering around and taking in the sights is a must-do. Feel free to stop into any boutiques and stroll through the parks. Polanco is very fancy with super high end designer stores. But I did stay in a 1 bedroom apartment in the heart of Polanco and it was only $60 per night. Roma felt more low-key while still being trendy and upscale. There’s a big cafe/restaurant culture in these areas, like every few doors there was a food spot. You will not go hungry! For being such a big city, we never noticed any homeless people or children begging, but these were very nice areas of CDMX. I didn’t personally spend any time in Condesa but it is very popular for tourists and would be worth checking out during your 5 days in Mexico City.
Xochimilco
Stepping aboard one of the colorful boats and cruising the canals of Xochimilco should not be missed when visiting Mexico City for the first time. These canals were built as a water transport system by the Aztecs and are now a Unesco World Heritage Site. It’s even popular with locals– Mexicans have been doing these boat rides for about 100 years. You will see many families spending the day together, but you can make it what you want. We had our own boat for bachelorette celebrations and saw other party boats, too. It’s a lot of fun because boats will come around playing music and selling food/souvenirs.
Bikes and Munchies Street Food Bike Tour: My Favorite Activity from 5 Days in Mexico City
It’s very hard to choose a favorite because Mexico City has so much to offer, but I’m going to say this is the best thing we did. Do not miss this tour with Bikes and Munchies! It’s a 4 hour experience where you bike around different neighborhoods, stopping along the way at markets and stalls for amazing food. You get a mix of history, food culture, and sight seeing. If you feel intimidated about biking around Mexico City, fear not. The guides literally stop traffic for you haha. It was incredible and made us feel like royalty. I would recommend doing this at the start of your trip if possible because the guides give you so many ideas on what else to do in the city.
Chapultepec Park
We biked through this park on the tour, but I wish I allocated more time to explore it during my 5 days in Mexico City. It is massive– two times the size of Central Park in NYC, so there’s a lot to see. It’s home to the Anthropology Museum and Chapultepec Castle, so you could make a day checking out the park and those 2 spots. The Anthropology Museum is world class and meant to be amazing. And the castle is worth a visit too. Apparently it’s the only true castle in North America because an Austrian prince (sent there by the French) lived in it briefly in the late 1800s. There’s also a very ugly monument that you’ll see at one entrance to the park, which the locals don’t like because of its look and the corruption involved in making it. That’s worth learning about as well during your visit.
Casa Azul/Frida Kahlo Museum
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist who gained worldwide renown for her life, art, fashion, and iconic unibrow. Casa Azul is the home she was born in and died in. To walk through those walls and see some of her works was just incredible. I think many people know who she is but might not know her whole story and how much pain she had to overcome through out her short life. Then you add in her love affairs, marriage to Diego Rivera, political activism, etc. It’s beyond fascinating. You cannot miss visiting Casa Azul during your 5 days in Mexico City. Make sure you book ahead online and set aside about 2-3 hours to wander the property.
Museo Soumaya
I struggled to find something to do on Monday because many things are closed. This museum was open and free, so it was a no-brainer. The views from the outside alone are worth a visit, but I was super impressed with the collection inside. There was a whole floor of Mexican art that was incredible (the best I’ve ever come across). And then this museum also has the largest collection of Rodin outside of France. The whole top floor is filled with his sculptures, and the presentation is gorgeous. I highly recommend visiting this museum no matter what day of the week!
Rooftop Bar
Eating and going out is a big part of any vacation, but I have to admit I’m not a major foodie (although I love eating). Planning restaurants and places to drink, etc. is actually the thing I struggle to figure out the most when I travel. That being said, you cannot go wrong with a rooftop bar– it’s something I always add to an itinerary if possible. With Mexico City being as massive as it is, there’s something so magical about seeing it from above. The place I can personally recommend was called Supra but it was packed, so I would definitely make a reservation!
What I Missed During 5 Days in Mexico City
There is so much to do, so you really won’t be able to cover it all in just 5 days. Here are a few things I wish I had time for:
- Lucha Libre: an authentic Mexican wrestling match, apparently a bit like America’s WWE with lots of theatrics. Sure to be a fun night out!
- Hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan: see some of Mexico’s most spectacular ruins from above! This can be done as a half day or full day trip.
- Tolantongo Caves day trip: Spend the day exploring a different part of Mexico and soaking in beautiful hot springs.
5 Days in Mexico City Accommodation Recs
Most of my visit was spent with a group of 6 girls, so I can recommend a house that worked for us. But then I also stayed a night on my own, so I can recommend a spot for solo travelers or couples. Either way I think most people try to stay in Polanco, Roma, or Condesa. I would check Airbnb in those areas as well as HostelWorld and Booking.com.
House in Roma Norte: large home that worked perfectly for a group in a great location.
Apartment in Polanco: in the heart of Polanco, had everything I needed for a solo stay.
Safety Concerns for 5 Days in Mexico City
I know that people mean well when they bring up safety concerns about traveling in Mexico. All 6 of us had comments made before our trip like why would you go there? it’s not safe. don’t go if you can’t speak Spanish, etc. But I never once felt unsafe during my time in Mexico City, and I was even there a couple days alone. It’s a world class city similar to the likes of NYC or Tokyo. It’s the perfect blend of European vibes and Latin culture. If safety is a reason you’ve put off visiting, don’t let that hold you back. That being said, there are rules I follow when I travel (no matter where I travel) to stay safe.
- avoid being outside by yourself at night. When I was with a group, I was ok being out after dark. Once I was there alone, I was back at my accommodation after sunset. If I have to be out alone at night, I schedule a call with a friend so I can talk to someone while walking. This is a rule I follow no matter what country I’m visiting.
- watch your alcohol consumption. drink smart and don’t over do it. usually this is 1-3 drinks per day.
- download Google Maps offline so you always know where you are.
- get a local SIM card or pay for international data so you always have access to the internet.
- know your plans and look confident. avoid looking like a vulnerable tourist.
- don’t feel like you owe anyone anything or have to be nice. If you feel uncomfortable, leave.
- leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home that includes where you’re staying and any planned activities.
- purchase travel insurance
- be vigilant with your belongings. I prefer to travel with crossbody bags that zip.
- keep money and passports secure. I always have locks with me.
And just a few comments on speaking Spanish. I do not speak Spanish, but I know the very basics to stumble through interactions. Obviously the more you know the better, but if you don’t speak Spanish you can definitely still visit and have an amazing time. I would download Google Translate and learn some basic phrases ahead of time. It will help you interact with locals, learn more about the city, and grow as a traveler. But it also shows the people that you have a level of respect to at least try, and that goes a long way. Many people in Mexico City speak some level of English, but a lot of interactions are purely in Spanish so be prepared for that.
Conclusion
I hope you found this post helpful if you are planning to visit Mexico City for the first time! If you are on the verge of deciding whether or not to book the trip, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed by CDMX. As soon as I left, I already knew it was a place I couldn’t wait to return to. And I was even more inspired to learn Spanish– I swear it’ll happen one day! lol. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to chat so please leave a comment below. And I would really appreciate if you shared this post on Pinterest to help others find it too. Now go and book that ticket!!
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