Very few cities have been able to capture my heart, my vibe, my essence quite like la Ciudad de Mexico, a.k.a. Mexico City. It’s huge. I’m from Los Angeles, where urban and suburban sprawls reign king, and even I was blown away by the massive size of CDMX when taking it in from the plane descending on my first visit. The city…she’s thicc. Much like Los Angeles, CDMX suffers from horizontal growth being prioritized over vertical (maybe in part due to the likelihood of earthquakes), and horrible transit infrastructure. There is public transit in Mexico City, but no one would blame you for thinking differently if you based your decision on the sheer amount of cars and drivers in the city at all hours of the day.
Transportation woes aside, there isn’t much to want for or complain about as a tourist in CDMX. Most travelers from the US will appreciate the conversion favor. Anyone with a working tongue will appreciate the food. Anyone who leaves their home at all will be able to find something to do, be it museums, shopping, eating and drinking, or just plain exploring all that the city has to offer.
I love CDMX so much that I returned for a second trip there before prioritizing other places that I had always considered top of my bucket list (like Japan). I just couldn’t get enough of the essence of the city. The people were beautiful, the food – indescribably good, and the ability to forget about all of my cares as soon as I landed is truly priceless. It doesn’t take much effort to have a good time in CDMX because sooner rather than later it starts to feel like home.
CDMX often comes up as one of my top recommendations for people looking to travel, especially if it’s your first time traveling internationally. Most areas of the city can be accessed on foot or by Uber, which is ridiculously cheap compared to other major metro areas. If you can, try staying in La Condesa or as a second option, Roma Norte. This puts you near the center of what could be considered a wheel hub, with the outer limits of the city being the wheel itself. If you work your logistics correctly you can plan each day of your trip as a spoke of the wheel, starting from the center but jutting out in a different direction each time. In doing so you’ll save a lot of your time by not sitting in traffic and backtracking unnecessarily. Traffic is horrendous in CDMX, especially during their commuting rush hours. By staying in the center of the city you also unlock the option to ride a bicycle many places. I found the city to be extremely bike-friendly on my second visit when I flew solo.
If you’re interested in checking out my recommendations for places of interest, restaurants, and more in Mexico City, please check out the bottom of this post.
My Google Map guide to Places of Interest In CDMX
This is a list that gets periodically updated. I make no guarantees that any of these businesses are still in operation or hold the hours presented on this map. Please do your own additional research on any places that catch your interest and consider this a rough jumping off point for your own planning. Everything on this list was a 4 out of 5 or better (according to me & any company).
Some of these POIs are assorted from my own research, which typically includes places like Atlas Obscura or consuming old Anthony Bourdain content. Some of it was also just dumb luck that we found it at all.
Some of the standout places and activities (IMHO) for CDMX:
- Taqueria Orinoco – get the chicharron tacos, try all the sauces, especially on the smashed potatoes. Don’t be intimidated by the line, it passes quickly. Cash only as of 2021.
- El Authentico Pato Manila, Roma – find delicious duck tacos prepared by a chef cooking Mexican food with a Filipino twist. Ultra cozy, like, sit at the kitchen counter cozy.
- Filigrana – If you ever wanted to have an ultra luxurious dinner without a super stuffy vibe. It’s fancy, but not THAT fancy. Everything is delicious and ultimately edible works of art.
- Hanky Panky – I’ll be the first person to tell you that speakeasy bars are gimmicky and a little lame these day, but Hanky Panky is still legit. Operating out of a taco shop. Reservations required (and fairly easy to snag online). Nothing beats exiting a bar through a Coke machine.
- Pujol, Quintonil – Everybody recommends these restaurants so I’m not really doing anything new here, but if your wallet can afford it I highly recommend both. Pujol if you really want to feel bougie, and Quintonil if you are an adventurous eater who came ready to taste Mexico’s history.
- El K-Guamo (mariscos) – When you’re inevitably in the El Centro district running through the museums, you’ll no doubt pass by K-Guamo. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it seafood outlet delivering some really solid ceviche. Pro-tip: be generous with the included lime wedges and juice the heck out of whichever ceviche you choose. Adding the mix onto the provided Saltine crackers is a must, as-is hot sauce. Despite the humble ambiance of this establishment, you are perfectly safe eating the raw seafood. Being this far inland, it does just feel a little wrong.
- Lalo! – No visit is complete without the ultra fluffy pancakes from Lalo! Perfectly squat and full of buttery flavor. You will likely encounter a wait unless you go early or get lucky.
- Lardo – I will eat at Lardo multiple times in one visit, because it’s just that good. It’s also conveniently located in La Condesa so if you stay in that area you’ll likely pass it every morning as you head out. Service all day. The breakfast pastries are killer. The dinner is always a 10.
- Luchador wrestling – This is a must. It’s a high-adrenaline, fully fledged concept with a long history. If you can book the tickets through a local tour guide and view a match at the old arena DO IT. Just make sure not to spend any extra time in the immediate vicinity (get in & get out). After dark it does get a little crowded and (according to my friend) a little dicey.
- Xochimilco Trajineras – spend all afternoon (or all day) floating in the Xochimilco canals. Hire a boat (and pilot) and BYOB/food, or book through a local company who will arrange it for you. It’s a lovely way to spend a day with good weather, and if you go on the weekends you’ll see all walks of life living life on the water. If you’re a foodie with a passion for agriculture, consider booking a tour of the chinampa farms. Some companies, like Arca Tierra, will even arrange breakfast excursions that allow for a ride out to the farm, a farm tour, and then a homemade meal prepared while you explore. It’s a truly once in a lifetime experience well worth the early morning call time.
