Best of Mexico City

Hola from Mexico City.

If you didn’t know, Mexico City is a vibe! 

With more than 20 million people calling CDMX home, it’s the most populous city in North America. 

It’s a musical city ringing, tooting, and singing late into the night. Food carts populate almost every street corner, scenting the air with crepes, tacos, and grilling meat that is temptingly hard to resist. The streets are green with lush trees and plants. Dogs roam off leash, and so well-behaved, I wonder if Mexican owners can teach Americans their ways. Couples kiss in quiet alcoves and it’s easy to fall in love with this vibrant, colorful city. 

I arrived right after Dia de Los Muertos, with decorations still hung and feeling as if the city had just released a giant exhale. My accommodations are in a digital nomad co-living space, Outsite. Think Airbnb + WeWork had a baby. You can book a studio or a private bedroom with an ensuite and share common workspaces. The accommodations felt like a comfortable boutique hotel. For those who like to meet people while they travel, but need a step above a typical hostel, this is a great option. 

I’ve been solo traveling for a year now, but when I first arrived at Outsite’s empty lobby, I felt a wave of uncertainty. I wondered how I’d manage in a bustling city on my own with my “telenovela Spanish” skills. For a moment, I felt like a complete imposter. I wasn’t some worldly backpacker with dozens of countries under her belt, I was just getting started. 

I share this because it’s easy to get the impression that traveling is always non-stop fun and adventure. That there are never any moments of confusion, discomfort, or loneliness. Being somewhere new can be both exciting, unnerving, and challenging to your ego.

When I’m feeling unsettled in a new place, I like to do something familiar. In this case, I found a dance class. I started salsa dancing two years ago and I take classes wherever I can. Having one habit to look forward to in any place, helps me stay grounded, and it’s an easy way to meet people. I recommend the classes at ISM Dance School. They teach in English and often have Saturday afternoon classes at Parque Mexico. 

I’m happy to say I’ve found my footing in CDMX. I pronounce all my Spanish in a vaguely English/Portuguese/ French accent as I bounce between the few Romance vocabulary words I do know. But I get by and I can successfully order my coffee. 

So in a city of 20 million, what’s worth doing?

My favorite experience was the Hot Air Balloon ride over the Tehuatican pyramids. This was an early wake up call but catching the sun rise over the pyramids can’t be missed. There’s nothing like sipping hot coffee while watching the balloons inflate and then gently float into the air like a colorful living tapestry. 

My companions and I squeezed into the balloon’s inner compartments and the ballon slowly lifted off. It was my first time doing a hot air balloon. Even as someone wary of heights, I’d recommend it. The basket’s height is high and sturdy, so there’s no chance of falling out if that’s on your mind. 

When we touched down, a car was waiting to take us to breakfast inside a cave. Breakfast wasn’t remarkable but we continued on to our guided tour of Tehuatican. This area was actually discovered by the Aztecs and the pyramids there were previously built by a mystery civilization. Our guide, Ginny explained that the Aztecs built over the existing pyramids and that scientists had scanned the structures finding a Russian nesting doll of smaller pyramids inside. We learned how the pyramids were part of ancient worship ceremonies to the Sun and Moon, and how the different societies were structured. If you’re interested in booking the same tour, check it out here. A visit to the on-site museum follows, where you can see a recreation of what the area looked like in its day, as well as artifacts found during the restoration. 

Along with its history, most people know Mexico for its entertainment. If you’ve seen Nacho Libre, you know what’s coming next. I signed up for a Lucha Libre experience on Airbnb. I was paired up with other travelers and we started off at a taco stall in Mercado San Camilito downtown. Our guide explained the history of Lucha Libre and we watched several bouts. The fights brought me back to the late 90’s wih The Rock and Chyna. IYKYK.

On a sleepy Sunday, I got a little farther out of the city and headed to Coyoacan, Frida Kahlo’s famous hometown for a tour. Here our guide, a local, showed us around the neighborhood and shared its history of famous residents. He shared about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s tumultous marriage. We toured the local market, stopping for churros and tostadas, before heading to Frida’s famous home, Casa Azul.

Coyoacan is a beautiful neighborhood with a slower pace than downtown Mexico. It’s the perfect place for a little quiet away from the hustle and bustle. Casa Azul is worth a visit alone to see Frida’s personal effects, her studio, and paintings.

In five weeks, I managed to squeeze in a ton of activities with plenty still left on my to-do list. Thanks to my accommodations, I made easy friends with fellow travelers. We took a walking tour of Centro (downtown CDMX) and I explored Mexico’ City’s largest park, Chapultec complete with a castle. Between the nightlife, museums, and restaurants, CDMX is a city that gives and gives. I barely scratched the surface, but I know I’ll be back. Here’s a few outtakes from my trip.

If you’re ready to add Mexico City to your travel list, check out my post for my best eats in CDMX.

Thanks for reading! If you liked this update and want to support my travels, consider buying me a coffee.