I see you Mexico City!  At over 7000 ft. in elevation and about 9 million people in population, Mexico City is huge.  It’s sensory overload but in a fantastic way.

There are people everywhere but you don’t feel the crowd and chaos when you are walking through the neighborhoods surrounded by lush greenery, parks, amazing restaurants and more.  During our eight day visit, we took in all the architecture, art, history and food scene as we could and it still wasn’t enough time.

We will be back!

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is a pre-hispanic city located 30 miles northeast of Mexico City.  Built between 1st and 7th centuries A.D. this holy city is vast and characterized by its monuments laid out in geometric and symbolic principles.

Pro-tip: Visit early to avoid the crowds and the hot sun beating down on you as you climb the super steep steps up the pyramid.  Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, sunscreen and a hat.

Lacking sleep, we started the day super early on our trek to Teotihuacan.  We were out of the Airbnb by 6:30 am and in the uber to get to the meeting place by 7 am.  We had decided to book an Airbnb Experience for our Teotihuacan tour that was a 7 am – 2 pm time frame.  The Airbnb Experience was worth it!  There was just one other couple with us and we got to Teotihuacan early at 8 am.  We were literally the first ones there.  Weather was still cool and we were able to hike up the steep steps up the pyramid without the heat and sun beating down on us.

We also toured the museum onsite.  After we went to the town of San Juan where we ate at the market.  Traditional food, outdoors, plastic tables and chairs and food made right in front of you.  I had the En Molida which were enchiladas in mole sauce filled with potatoes.  The mole was chocolaty and spicy at the same time.  We also had beautifully riped avocados on the side and a nopales salad to put on top of the enchiladas.  After lunch, we walked to a chocolatier where these woman still grind the chocolate by hand.  Flavors and local to the area and I had one that had rosemary, ginger, and cinnamon.  It was also served cold and really good.

I typically do not do tours, but because this was a local and the size of the group was small and intimate, it was perfect.  I highly recommend looking into Airbnb Experiences!

Museo Nacional de Antropología

The Museum of Anthropology located in Chapultepec Park is the largest and most visited park in Mexico.  The museum contains significant archaeological and anthropological artifacts from Mexico’s pre-Columbian heritage.  This place is huge and granted we did breeze through some of the exhibits, but a site to see!

Castillo de Chapultepec

Chapultepec Castle is located at the top of Chapultepec Hill and is quite a walk up hill once you get to the entrance.  Keep going, you will eventually get there!  Completed in 1863, the castle is the only royal castle in the Americas and built during the Viceroyalty as a summer house for the viceroy.   This served as a home of the Mexican President until 1939 now houses the famous Museo Nacional de Historia.

Wander through the gardens, check out the artwork, make your way to the top and get a view of Reforma from high up.  We visited on a Sunday which was great because the street of Reforma is closed to car traffic!

Museo de Frida Kahlo – Casa Azul

Located in the neighborhood of Coyoacan,  The Blue House (CAsa Azul) was made into a museum in 1958, four years after the death of Frida Kahlo.  Visiting Casa Azul is a great insight of her life, her life with Diego Rivera and the home they lived in.  As you walk through the bedrooms, kitchen, studio, you will see many personal objects that show how they lived.  Her art studio is exactly as she left it.

Frida Kahlo was diagnosed with polio at age 6 and then at age 18 was involved in a tragic accident where the bus she was riding was struck by a street car.  She had over 22 surgeries in her lifetime.  The corsets that she wore were not just for fashion but also for necessity in order to stand.  She was an amazing woman and artist with so many adversities physically yet never let them hinder her.

Make sure to watch the movie they show that has insights of her and Diego Rivera’s lives.

Casa Gilardi

In the quiet neighborhood of San Miguel Chapultepec, sits Casa Gilardi, bright pink stucco home that stands out.  The home built by Mexican architect and engineer Luis Barragan, winner of the prestigious Pritzker Prize for architecture in 1980 is a work of art.  Luis Barragan uses light, color, and geometric shapes to convey his artwork.

We were fortunate to have Atravesarte give us a tour of this magnificent work.  The family who commissioned Luis Barragan to build Casa Gilardi still live in the home.  You won’t find family pictures, or random artwork in the house.  The furniture, the use of light and color throughout the home all work together to bring this art to life.

Walk through the intimate, yellow hued hallway and find yourself in the indoor pool area.  Marvel at the use of colors and how it changes throughout the day depending on how the light hits it.  We were able to also talk to one of the sons who lives in the house, and you can just hear the respect and love he has for the home.

To view the home, make reservations on line sooner than later.  They are normally booked! Click here for more information.

Centro Historico

The historic center is the heart of the city and worth a day of exploring.  Start at the Zocalo, also known as the central square and do a 360 degree scan of the historic buildings surrounding it.  The Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor, and Plaza Garibaldi are all nearby the Zocalo.  Stop and admire the beautiful architectural style of  Palacio de Bellas Artes.   The interior is all art deco.  Make your way to Alameda Central to get away from the hustle and bustle of the historic center.  The spacious and well-groomed urban park has lots of water fountains and a great spot to relax and people watch.  Take some time to read a book or just soak in the surroundings!

Biblioteca Vasconcelos

If you appreciate architecture, then definitely check this place out.  The mind bending design and architecture is worth a peek!

Monumento y Museo de la Revolucion

The Monument to the Revolution is a landmark commemorating the Mexican Revolution of 1910 and located in the Plaza of the Republic.  Take the tour through the steel beams and learn about the history and the construction of the monument.  Then, take the glass elevator all the way up and get a bird’s eye view of the city.  If time permits, sit and have a cup of coffee up top and enjoy the views!

Neighborhood Strolls

Whenever we travel we love strolling through the different neighborhoods to get a feel of the city.  Condesa, where we stayed, is probably my favorite neighborhood.   Meander through the lush neighborhood filled with tree lined, leafy streets, check out the upscale shops, look at the beautiful art deco buildings, and people watch in Parque Mexicana and Parque Espana.  Some may say that the neighborhood is a little superficial, but i definitely did not get that vibe.  We also loved all the well behaved dogs at the parks!

My second favorite neighborhood is Roma;  streets lined with colonial homes, hip restaurants and bars, and just a beautiful place to enjoy on foot day or night.

Check out my blog on the neighborhoods with restaurant recommendations!

Lucha Libre

Indulge in a Mexican cultural past time and watch the wrestling style called “Lucha Libre”.  Arena Mexico in Colonia Doctores is the largest of the three and hosts luchas every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday night.  The wrestling style is similar to WWF in the United States except the luchadores (wrestlers) often wear masks and have high flying acrobatic moves.

How to attend:

You can certainly go on websites like Viator or Trip Advisor and buy a tour which typically includes the tickets and maybe a shot of tequila.

We opted to go on our own which was super easy.  We arrived via uber (recommended) and bought tickets at the Taquilla (ticket booth).  You can also buy tickets via Ticketmaster, but there is a will call surcharge.  The prices were a lot cheaper buying at the Taquilla the day of the show.   We ended up getting up close and personal picking seats in Ring 1.  Sometimes this is not recommended since the Luchadores get wild and crazy and beer may or may not be spilled.

Buy your beer, sit back, and enjoy the show!

Pro tip: Bring cash and don’t take a camera.  You can use your cell phones to take pictures.  You can’t bring outside food/drinks into the arena.  No worries though!  There are plenty of vendors selling snacks, food, and beer!  CASH ONLY!