How to Spend 5 Days in Mexico City

After landing at the airport in the early afternoon, we grabbed an Uber to the Mondrian Hotel, located in the charming Condesa neighborhood. After an early check-in and welcome drink, (hello perks!) we headed out for... you guessed it, tacos!

There are so many great taquerias all over the city. I highly recommend trying Orinoco and Taqueria el Califa as well.

We spent the rest of the afternoon leisurely exploring Roma Norte and Condesa, adjacent neighborhoods filled with local cafes and boutiques. We discovered a few local boutiques that we loved, including Proyecto Rufina and Rapsodia.

Our first dinner was at Hugo, a local wine bar that specializes in small plates and natural wines. We knew we had picked a good spot when we arrived and saw that the place was packed with locals. Our favorite dishes were the Gnocchi, Kampachi Crudo, and the Fennel, Fava Bean, Straciatella Salad.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel (breakfast comes free with the room, another perk if you book with Fora!), we headed to the Zocalo, a main square in the city center. There we embarked on a walking tour with a local guide. We learned about the history of the city, including the fact that it was originally built on top of a lake.

We took in the sights of this bustling area, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor ruins. We also saw the Bella Artes Museum, the House of Tiles, and the Art-Deco-inspired Palaciao Postal. (It’s the most gorgeous post-office I have ever seen!)

Then, we returned to Condesa for lunch at Helena. With light streaming down from the large central skylight and greenery everywhere, this place has an incredible vibe. And the food was equally as good.

In the afternoon, we walked off lunch with a stroll to Bosque de Chapultepec Park, the equivalent of Mexico City’s Central Park. Within the park is the world-renowned Anthropology Museum. This one is a must, not just for the gorgeous architecture of the structure itself, but also to see the impressive collection of Aztec artifacts.

For dinner, we headed to Salazar, a rooftop restaurant with unobstructed views of the Angel de la Independencia. We loved that this restaurant, like so many others, could accommodate our large group of 8 people. The lamb was the standout dish for us here! We also tried a Mexican wine from Baja, La Casa Vieja Mision, and it paired perfectly with the lamb.

There aren’t many things for which I will wake up at 4 am in the morning. But a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Teotihuacan Pyramids outside the city is one of them. We booked a semi-private tour for this. The bonus is that our driver picked us up right at our hotel. After a 75-minute drive, we made it to our destination. We had a quick safety briefing and then watched as our hot air balloon was filled with air before we hopped in the basket for a magical experience.

While this isn’t for those afraid of heights, it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I highly recommend. We were in the air for 45 minutes and soared 8,000 feet high. And seeing the pyramids from above was priceless.

Back in the city, we were lucky enough to secure a reservation at Contramar, in Roma Norte, the spot to go to for weekend lunch. Be prepared for things to turn into a bit of a party. The go-to order includes the tuna tostadas and the whole fish prepared with adobo and parsley. But save room for dessert! All of the pies and cakes are made in-house and pair perfectly with a carajillo (Mexico’s version of an espresso martini). It’s the perfect way to end the meal.

After an afternoon of shopping in the local boutiques and markets, we were ready for more food. (Be prepared to eat a lot in CDMX!) This time, we opted for Middle Eastern food at Merkava. While the food was amazing, the ambiance was more fitting for lunch than dinner. Something to note if you plan a trip to Mexico City.

This was my favorite day of our trip. We did a full-day, private tour that started in the beautiful neighborhood of Coyoacan, located in the southern part of the city, and home to Frida Khalo. Of course, we toured Casa Azul, Frida’s childhood home that Diego repurchased for them to live in as a married couple. The home is now a museum that details the life story of Frida Kahlo, as well as showcasing some of her and Diego’s art. This is a must-see if you visit CDMX, but buy your tickets in advance because the museum is very popular, and tickets are limited.

For the next stop, we headed to Xochimilco for a boat tour of the famous canals, among the floating gardens. This is also a must-do! On weekends, the canals become a real party, with Mariachi bands singing and floating bars making margaritas. (Pro-Tip: Bring your own food and alcohol because all the food and booze sold at the canals is very expensive. Also, bring a speaker to play music on your boat and dance!)

Finally, we topped off the day with a beautiful dinner at Blanco Colima, a restaurant in Roma Norte in a historic mansion. We were lucky enough to get a private room, and it was the perfect ‘last supper’ for our group trip to celebrate my birthday.

We all had flights to the airport at different times, so after another delicious breakfast at the Mondrian Condesa, (and an honored request for late check-outs!), we did some more shopping and strolled through Condesa and Roma Norte.

All in all, we had a fantastic time in Mexico City. So much so, that I’m already planning my next trip there. If you are considering a trip to this city, let me help you get started! Click the link below so I can help you plan the best trip ever!