Mexico City
May 24 - 28, 2024 (5D4N): For Wes’s 40th birthday this year, we decided to visit Mexico City with friends for the celebration! From indulging in mouthwatering street tacos to sipping on mezcal cocktails, the city’s vibrant food and drink scene is unmatched. But the highlight? A breathtaking hot air balloon rides over the ancient Pyramids of Teotihuacán, where we toasted to a new decade with the most unforgettable view.
*Highly recommended tour, food & drinks
Day 1 (Centro & Roma Norte)
Afternoon arrival in MDX (direct from JFK via Delta)
Uber to Airbnb in Roma Norte
Centro:
Taco @ Taqueria Tlaquepaque* or Restaurante Taquería Los Cocuyos Cdmx
WC @ Sanborns (check out Casa de los Azulejos)
Frappe @ Finca Don Porfirio* (beautiful view of Palace of Fine Arts)
Coffee @ Torres Latinoamerica 37th floor cafe - Miralto
Walk down Av Francisco I. Madero:
Roma Norte:
Cocktails @ Rayo*
Cocktail @ Licorería Limantour (one of the World's 50 Best Bars; my cocktail was disappointing)
Late night tacos @ Taquitos Frontera
Day 2 (Santa María la Ribera & Chapultepec)
Coffee @ Qūentin*
Breakfast @ Fournier Rosseau
Santa María la Ribera:
11 am -1:30 pm: The Real Mexico City: Visiting a Non-Touristy Neighborhood* (my review here)
Outdoor market/rock band concert
Biblioteca Vasconcelos (inspired the scene in “Monsters Inc.”)
Pozoles/Birra @ El Corral del Chivo* (amazing pozole)
Museo del Instituto de Geología de la UNAM (pic only)
Chapultepec:
Dinner @ Filigrana (great food but the experience was slightly disappointing)
Drinks @ Speakeasy Handshake* (one of the World's 50 Best Bars; a must!)
Day 3 (Coyoacan)
Bakery speakeasy @ Gala Panadería*
Beer @ Mercado Roma or As Happy As Larry Juice Bar
Souvenir shops
Lunch @ Tostadas* inside of Coyoacán Market (yellow banners towards the middle part of the food market)
Arts & craft market @ Jardín del Arte Allende
Shop along Ignacio Allende
Frida Kahlo Museum (opens 10-6 pm; buy tickets ahead here; budget 45 mins- 1hr)
Mezcal & Guacamole w/ grasshoppers @ Centenario 107*
Iced Coffee @ Santa Hoja
2:30 - 5 pm: Coyoacán & Frida Kahlo Walking Tour in Mexico City Small Group*:
Tacos @ Taqueria La Especial*
6 - 7pm: Lucha Libre @ Arena México* (no water allowed)
Day 4 (Teotihuacán, Polanco, Condesa)
Uber to Volare balloon port (~1 hr; no need to reserve ahead, but make sure the driver confirms the final destination)
6 am - 9 am: Hot Air ballon over Teotihuacán pyramids (w/ Volaire 2700MXN):
5:40 to 6:10 am – Check-in and coffee break
6:40 to 7:25 am – Balloon Flight
7:55 to 8:55 am – Breakfast and Honor Toast
Visit Teotihuacán (9am - 4pm; 95MXN; budget 1.5 hrs; uber ride ~15 mins):
Lunch @ Entremar* (delicious seafood)
Walk around Polanco
Boba tea @ Gong Cha*
Cocktail @ Baltra Bar*
Tacos @ Tacos Orinoco* (best chicharrón tacos)
Beer @ Oropel vermuteria/vino
Day 5 (Roma Norte)
Fancy coffee @ the coffee*
MEX:
Amex Centurion Lounge
Afternoon flight to JFK
Other points of interest & food:
Coffee @ Café Avellaneda, Chiquitito Café
Breakfast @ Panadería Rosetta (beware of the long line), ODETTE CONDESA
Tacos @ Tacos Hola El Güero, Siembra Taquería, Taqueria Arandas, Taqueria El Gran Abanico
Pozole @ El Pozole de Moctezuma
Seafood @ Contramar (if you can’t get in, Entramar has the same menu) or Mi Compa Chava
Dinner @ Amaya, Rosa Negra, Lardo, Broka
Fine dining @ Maximo, Quintonil, Pujol, Terraza Cha Cha Chá
Ice cream @ Helados Carmela, Helados Cometa
Drinks @ Bar Felix, Pulquería Las Duelistas, Bósforo, Cantina "Tio Pepe"
Leather goods @ Mr. Fox
Chapultepec Castle (Tue - Sun 9 am - 5 pm; 95 MXN)
Boat ride @ Xochimilco
Tips:
Uber was affordable to/from the airport and around town.
Look for accommodations in neighborhoods such as Roma, Condesa, and Polanco.
Mexico City sits at a high altitude, so take it easy on your first day to avoid altitude sickness and drink plenty of water.
Be careful when ordering dishes from the market, as one can potentially get sick from foodborne illnesses.
While credit cards are widely accepted, always carry some cash (pesos) for small purchases, tips, and street vendors.
Spring and fall offer the best weather. Bring mosquito sprays if you are visiting during summer.
Most Airbnbs do not offer an air conditioner in the unit, so prepare ahead if you happen to be there during warmer weather.
