Mexico City went above and beyond my expectations. When planning for our trip, I remember feeling a bit nervous regarding how dangerous it is often said to be. While I am sure there are certain parts of the city that are more unsafe than others, I felt completely secure and found myself plotting on how I could stay forever.

CDMX has the hustle & bustle of New York, the weather of LA, and a combination of Madrid + Cuba in its charming streets. Each neighborhood we explored was full of character and beautifully lined with so much greenery. The parks are plentiful and swarming with dogs, families, and cafes all nearby. The food and nightlife is incredible and has plenty of options to satisfy the varied tastes and interests of its visitors. This city is full of so much beauty, culture, and history- there is so much to see and I cannot wait to go back!

 

WHERE TO STAY:

When visiting CDMX, I would recommend staying within one of the following neighborhoods: La Condesa, Roma, Polanco, Juarez. We chose to stay in La Condesa at a boutique hotel called Casa Decu. We enjoyed our stay and loved the neighborhood (Condesa and Roma were our favorites). The staff was very helpful, we had 24 hour security, a lovely rooftop terrace for breakfast, and spacious rooms. We were in walking distance to the surrounding neighborhoods and Ubers to other locations were extremely affordable (usually around $2-6). While I recommend these neighborhoods when looking for hotels, you should also be sure to check out the Historic Center of CDMX during your stay. We took a guided walking tour through Gyde & Seek in this area- it has plenty to see and do and would be a shame to miss!

Casa Decu

 

WHAT TO SEE AND DO:

1. Stroll through Parque México –beautiful park that is a must for dog lovers!

2.  Anthropology museum- Considered one of the world’s most comprehensive natural history museums. Definitely worth the visit, but plan to be there for a few hours if you wish to tour all of the exhibits. 

3.  Luis Barragan House- named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and known as one of the most influential and representative examples of modern Mexican architecture. 

4.  Chapultepec Castle- the only royal castle in the Americas, offering wonderful views of the city. 

5.  Mercado San Juan- traditional Mexican market specializing in gourmet and exotic foods. 

6.  La Ciudadela Artisan Market- market for Mexican handcrafts and folk art. 

7.  Gyde & Seek tour- option for a 3 or 6 hour guided walking tour customized to your interests. We chose the 3 hour option and had Ubish as our tour guide. We spent the 3 hours learning about the history and architecture of the city as well as trying out some of the local street food. I highly recommend booking a tour with Ubish when in CDMX!

Gyde & Seek Tours

8. Teotihuacán Ruins- built on an island in the 15th century, these ruins were once the capital of the Aztec empire. Tip: go early to beat the crowds!

9. Lucha Libre Fight at Arena México- as someone that is certainly not interested in boxing matches, this was entertaining and a unique experience!

10. Frida Kahlo Museum- historic house/art museum dedicated to the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo

 

WHERE TO EAT:

1.  Tacos Don Juan- popular to the locals. Order at the counter option for amazing tacos. 

2. Cercano Comedor –lunch with park view

3. Masala y Maiz- great for brunch

4. Mercado Roma- gourmet food hall offering a variety of cuisines

5. Fonda Fina- authentic Mexican food in a great atmosphere.

6. Quintonil- contemporary Mexican cuisine in an elegant setting- need a reservation!

7. Pujol- Named by the Wall Street Journal as the best restaurant in Mexico City. Unfortunately, even seven weeks in advance, Pujol was completely booked and we did not get a chance to go, but I am certain this is one you want to try if you can- definitely need a reservation!

8. Rosetta- yes, it is Italian but it was one of the best meals we had during our visit and is a definite must! The restaurant is in a grand Colonia Roma townhouse offering an ever-changing menu of all fresh and authentic ingredients-need a reservation!

9. Lardo- fusion of Italian & Mexican cuisine with great ambiance- highly recommend!

10. Lorea- Tasting menu based on the Mexican product from the peninsula of Baja California to the Yucatan Peninsula. A bit pricey and you will definitely need a reservation.

11. Loup Bar- wine bar with great food. 

12. Contramar- very popular restaurant with amazing seafood. You will definitely need a reservation here– they book up weeks in advance, so plan ahead!

13.  Paramo- cozy speakeasy restaurant located on the second floor of El Parnita. It is open late and usually quite crowded. However, the authentic cuisine and atmosphere is well worth the wait. 

 

WHERE TO DRINK:

1. El Péndulo- coffee shop attached to a library that often has live music. 

2. Licoreria Limantour- extensive cocktail menu prepared by some of the city’s most respected mixologists. 

3. Aurora- great cocktails, great ambiance. 

4. Baltra Bar- small, cozy bar with great vibes and cocktails. 

6. La Clandestina- Mezcaleria 

7. Fifty Mils – posh bar in the Four Seasons Hotel

8. Toledo rooftop- great ambiance, spectacular views, beautiful people, and great cocktails. 

9. Xaman- unique speakeasy with great cocktails.