¡Viva la vida!
A Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Mexico City
We spent only three days in Mexico City, but with all the beautiful sights, delicious meals, and incredible memories– it feels like we were there for weeks. Here is a travel guide with some of the highlights from our trip so you can make the most of your visit.
How to Get There
We flew Southwest to Mexico City International Airport, aka Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez. It was an easy trip from Dallas/Fort Worth with a quick connection in Houston. American Airlines has some direct flights, which I’d probably opt for next time to avoid the hassle of connecting. Uber is affordable and safe in Mexico City, so we used that to get to and from the airport.
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
What to See & Do
Where to Stay:
Domingo Santo Hotel Boutique
Domingo Santo opened in 2017 and is the perfect combination of historic charm and modern amenities. After a quick Uber ride from Mexico City International Airport, we checked into the Hernán Cortés suite and took in the sights of Plaza de Santo Domingo from our double balconies.
Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant was included in our rate. With a helpful staff, spacious accommodations, amenities, free wifi, and affordable price, the pros of Domingo Santo Hotel Boutique were numerous.
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Where to Eat
El Balcón del Zócalo
Come for the views, stay for the incredible food. Make reservations on Open Table. For our anniversary, we got a table with a scenic view of the Zocalo.
La Casa de Las Sirenas
The pollo con mole was absolutely delicious. Their mango margarita was even better! Ask for a table on the balcony– it is worth the wait!
Domingo Santo Restaurante
This was the restaurant in our hotel, so it was extremely convenient. Order any drink with mezcal in it! And a chocolate lava cake for dessert…
Torteria La Texcocana
This infamous, albeit not spacious, torteria is right next to the Museum of Popular art. Their sandwiches are fresh and the owners are the cutest. Order a jamon or carnitas torta and thank me later.
La Michoacana
There’s nothing like a refreshing chamoyada or ice cream cone on a hot day of sightseeing. This Paleteria was hidden in a small shopping center near our hotel and had so many yummy options from which to choose.
El Moro
Four churros and condensed milk to dip them in for only 12 pesos… does it get any sweeter than that? We shared an order, but I quickly wished I had gotten my own portion.
What to See & Do
Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palace of Fine arts is a must-see in Mexico City. But the best place to see it is actually across the street inside the Sears department store at Cafe Don Porfirio. Order a horchata and enjoy the view!
Xochimilco
I wish we’d had more time to spend at in these magical canals. Explore what’s left of the Aztecs’ water transport system via colorful boats while enjoying music, food, and flowers from floating vendors.
Museo Frida Kahlo
La Casa Azul should be on everyone’s Mexico City bucket list. Even if you don’t pay for the museum admission, it’s worth a trip to Coyoacan for a glimpse of the beautiful blue house where Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera lived. Read more.
Barrio Chino
The “Chinatown” of Mexico City is really just one city block. But it’s definitely worth stopping by for a quick photo beneath the lantern/umbrella art installation.
The House of Tiles
The Casa de los Azulejos is an 18th-century palace with the most beautiful tiled facade. It’s located near Palacio Bellas Artes and has the most instagrammable walls I’ve seen.
La Ciudadela
This traditional market is the perfect place to find a handcrafted souvenir or gift. You could spend hours just browsing and getting lost, too.
Plaza de Santo Domingo
This quiet plaza right outside of our hotel was my favorite place to wander around in the morning. It gets much busier during the day, and it’s a fun spot to grab a chamoyada and people-watch.
Plaza de la Constitución
Take a stroll around the Zocalo, or Main Square. Chances are, you’ll stumble upon an artistic event or cultural performance of some kind. James Bond fan? You’ll recognize this from the opening sequence of Spectre.
Mexico City Museums
There are more than 150 museums in Mexico City– way too many for one travel guide or visit. There are so many on my list that we didn’t make it to, but I’ve highlighted some of my favorites in this blog post.
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