I recently visited Mexico City for a long weekend and was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it. I have always loved Mexico for the beaches, the cuisine, and the culture, but sometimes it can get a bad wrap. When I told people where I was going, they always replied with “Why? Isn’t it dangerous?”. While certain places can be, there are many very nice areas that I was so impressed with! I’m here to tell you all about where to stay in Mexico City, the best restaurants, and things to do for a leisurely weekend. We mostly spent our time eating our way through CDMX!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to get to Mexico City
The best way to reach Mexico City is via Mexico City International Airport; officially Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez or MEX. It is located geographically close about 13km from the main areas of the city, but can be a 30 minute to hour drive depending on the traffic.
Where to Stay in Mexico City
Mexico City is actually a state! It is a huge area with 9 million residents. There are several areas you could choose to visit, but here are my top choices for where to stay over a weekend getaway.
- Reforma – financial district, very safe and close to Chapultepec Park (similar to Central Park). We stayed in this area as it had the nicest hotel in our opinion.
- Polanco – suuuuper swanky area with luxury retail like Cartier and Louis Vuitton. You will also see lululemon, Williams Sonoma, and other major brands. The top ranked restaurants like Pujol and Quintonil are located here.
- Condesa – hip, artsy neighborhood with young couples and families. We loved walking around this area seeing the nice parks, cute cafes, and moms strolling their babies. We also tried some of the amazing restaurants here. Feels very safe.
- Roma Norte – The Roma area is another really nice area, but there aren’t really hotels here so I would plan to explore this area not base here. Rosetta is one of the best restaurants in Mexico City located here.
Best Hotels in Mexico City
For my first visit to Mexico City, I was not sure what to expect so chose the nicest and safest hotel. Four Seasons is a trusted brand for me, so we decided to stay there and it was perfect. However, after exploring the city, I would also consider staying in Polanco next time. It is incredibly nice and would be a safe place to call home for the weekend. I am sharing the top few hotels in Mexico City that I would suggest to you all.
Due to safety concerns, I would not feel comfortable in a vacation rental or airbnb. Always best to be cautious and for me, a hotel makes me feel more safe.
Four Seasons Mexico City
We absolutely loved staying at the Four Seasons Mexico. I lucked out and arrived right as they were setting up their Christmas tree and decorations for the holidays! It was so gorgeous and we got to see the tree lighting festivities.
The rooms are very nice, comfortable, and we got upgraded to a room with a courtyard view. All the windows on this hotel can be opened so that you get to enjoy the fresh air.
We loved the bar and lounge, Fifty Mills, for cocktails pre and post dinner! They also have a great breakfast restaurant in the courtyard that we tried one morning. I had an amazing acai bowl and my husband had oatmeal. They were super accommodating to dietary restrictions, even offering choices from water, milk, oat or almond milk for the oatmeal. In addition, there is a small cafe on the opposite side of the courtyard where you can sit or grab quick breakfast bites and coffee. In the afternoons, it turns into a “bubbly bar” with champagne and mimosas available!
We didn’t go to the spa this time, but I am sure it’s incredible.
The service is top notch and everything you would expect from a Four Seasons. Highly recommend staying here for your first visit to Mexico City.
Casa Polanco
Next time, I will probably try staying at Casa Polanco, a boutique hotel in CDMX. It is located in the most ritzy neighborhood in town, within walking distance to restaurants like Pujol, Quintonil, and luxury retail. It has such character and charm that I normally look for when selecting a hotel.
We had to uber a lot since it is such a big city so I think it would be nice to stay in and explore Polanco more.
Where to Eat (and Drink) in Mexico City
We chose to visit Mexico City entirely for the restaurants. After watching the Netflix Chef’s Table episode for Enrique Olvera, head chef of Pujol, we knew we had to plan a trip. And, after seeing the Somebody Feed Phil episode on Mexico City, we were making reservations. Here is everywhere we ate in Mexico City and a few additional places we didn’t have time to try.
Pujol
Wow, Pujol definitely lives up to the hype. It is ranked the 5th best restaurant in the world (per World’s 50 Best) and rightfully so. The space is lively with a simple, but trendy design. The cocktails are very creative and they have every type of mezcal you could ever need. The food was divine, truly. I had seen it all on TV, but it was better than I could have imagined. Enrique Olvera sticks to traditional Mexican style and ingredients, but with an elevated twist to each dish. You must go here.
Note: we had the pescatarian menu and they went over every possible ingredient to make sure we were okay with it from the snails to the insects. Super accommodating to allergies and dietary restrictions.
Also, you need to make reservations months in advance. We booked our dinner reservation and then flights and hotels around the restaurant’s availability. There are seatings at either 6pm or 9pm.
Botanico
Wow, again. I loved Botanico. It is a new restaurant in Mexico City in a super fun space in the Condesa neighborhood. It was lively with great music and lots of locals enjoying a night out.
The whole restaurant is open-air, so I think it would be a great lunch place to enjoy the sunshine. However, we had dinner there and it was perfect in the moonlight, too. You can order a la carte from the dinner menu and enjoy creative cocktails from their drink list. We had the mussels that came with french fries, the green salad, tuna tostada, pumpkin ravioli topped with crab, and brie cheesecake. Each dish was amazing and highly, highly recommend.
Rosetta
Rosetta is also ranked on the World’s Best List at #9! It is an Italian style restaurant with elements from Mexican cuisine. The restaurant space is one long, thin building with floral painted walls and plants hanging throughout. The food was incredible – we had the ravioli that was lemon-y and refreshing, cabbage tacos with pistachio pipián, sweet potato tamal, and one of the most unique desserts! Our dessert looked like a salad, but was actually a rosemary ice cream with fresh herbs – I felt healthier with every delicious bite!
Note: This is a great place to eat vegetarian in Mexico City. Lots of great veggie options!
Mari Gold
Mari Gold is a Mexican-Indian fusion restaurant tucked in a tiny little space near the Bosque de Chapultepec and Condesa. The space is very off the beaten path – if you don’t know it’s there you would never find it. There is not a big sign outside and it feels like you are walking into a friend’s house. The food is incredible with great vegan options, but meat too. We had the crudo (with grasshoppers), the most amazing fish quesadilla, a cucumber & grapefruit salad, and the dosa – it looks like a burrito and is crispy on the outside filled with Indian flavors of jitomate, tamarind, pineapple, potato, and chaat.
Street Tacos at Tacos Hola El Güero
Of course you have to try some street tacos in Mexico! Our driver advised us to only eat tacos from places that we saw have a sink to wash hands.
We went to El Güero in the Condesa neighborhood and it seemed like many locals were popping in for a quick lunch. They have plenty of styles including veggie options like a cauliflower taco. There are 4 small tables along the street so snag one fast!
Quintonil
Quintonil is also on the World’s Best Restaurant List for 2022 at number 8! It’s right around the corner from Pujol in Polanco. The restaurant features a 10 course tasting style menu with wine pairings. You can order off the a la carte menu, but go big or go home in my opinion! We didn’t get to try this place because I didn’t book fast enough, sooo book quickly when they open reservations about 8 weeks in advance!
Maximo Bistrot
There were so many places on my list, but unfortunately not enough time for everywhere on a long weekend trip. Maximo Bistrot is one of those places. It is located in Roma Norte offering a tasting menu or a la carte menu. There is something for everyone from fried bbq chicken to roasted cauliflower to oysters. I’ve read they make an amazing brunch option!
How trendy is this space? I love how light, bright and airy it is!
Meroma
Meroma is a super trendy restaurant in Mexico City located in Roma Norte. I’m honestly surprised how vegan/vegetarian friendly Mexico is. This menu has so many good options like roasted mushroom risotto, fennel & celery salad, and more. They also have ceviches, crudos, roasted half chicken, grilled lamb, soft shell crab, several pasta dishes, etc.
Contramar
Contramar is a mainly seafood focused restaurant with a menu that changes daily. Expect things like tuna filets, fish tacos, tostadas, seafood pasta, and more. The inside has a nice ambiance, but I would go for lunch and enjoy the sidewalk seating.
Ciena
Ciena is a great spot in Condesa for breakfast and brunch. It has a nice patio to enjoy the weather while you try their inventive cocktails. The menu features french toast, mushroom toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, and breakfast sandwiches.
Best Things to do in Mexico City for a Long Weekend
There are so many way to spend your weekend trip in Mexico. Here are a few of the best things to pack into 3-4 days!
Explore Condesa and Avenida Amsterdam
I LOVED the Condesa neighborhood. It has so many great parks like Parque Mexico and Parque Espana. My favorite part was the beautiful side walk that wraps around the park called Avenida Amsterdam. It sits in between two lanes of traffic and is an elevated sidewalk with plants and trees, making it feel like you are in a forest away from the cars.
There are so many cute cafes and boutiques in this neighborhood in addition to the amazing restaurants. You will see moms strolling their babies, community yoga in the park, salsa dancing, and people in general going about their days.
- Bike and Gastronomy Tour in Mexico City through trendy Condesa
Shop in Polanco
Polanco is the nicest area of Mexico City with tons of luxury retailers. If you want to shop, head to Polanco for boutiques and major retailers like lululemon, Cartier, Saks, Williams Sonoma, and more.
Bosque de Chapultepec
Bosque de Chapultepec is the Central Park of Mexico City, but double its size! The park is amazing with sidewalks for running/walking, a castle, monuments, a lake, and tons of greenspace. The front area has many locals selling products, but if you go around the whole loop, the back is very peaceful.
Chapultepec Castle
Chapultepec Castle is located within the park and is a great spot to explore for a couple hours. I’m so glad we decided to go all the way up the hill to see it. The Castle dates back to 1785 and was home to Mexican leaders like Emperor Maximilian and Porfirio Diaz. It also played an important role in the Mexican-American War.
My favorite part was strolling around the rooftop garden space. I can only imagine how glamorous it was to attend parties here back in the day.
It’s only about $8USD to enter and totally worth it for the history and views over CDMX.
Xochimilco
If you have researched CDMX at all, I am sure you have heard about Xochimilco. It is a working class neighborhood about one hour outside of the city. It’s famous for the Aztec era canals that were a transport system. Today, it is filled with colorful boats where tourists can relax on the cruise while food vendors, artisans and mariachi bands float past.
Ancient Chinampas
Personally, I would go beyond that type of experience and head to the ancient chinampas of Lake Xochimilco. The chinampas are an agricultural system made up of these artificial floating islands. Today, it is a UNESCO protected area and many locals are utilizing these gardens as farms for restaurants. Visit Arca Tierra for a sunrise tour of the chinampas and have a fresh breakfast prepared for you. It is a more authentic experience than the party boats and you can see up close how this aztec farming method is used today in urban farming.
Taste the flavors
I already shared all the restaurants on my Mexico City list so be sure to try the local flavors. Mexico City is a major foodie destination with so many amazing chefs. Try one of these foodie tours so you can maximize your time:
Zocalo Square
Located at the center of the city, the Zocalo Square is a large open space with fountains, trees, and monuments. It’s also home to the Palacio Nacional (National Palace), where the Mexican Congress meets.
Tour the Metropolitan Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral is the largest church in Latin America and was designed by Italian architect Giuseppe Valadier. It was completed in 1847 and stands as a testament to the power of the Catholic Church in Mexico.
See the House of Tiles (La Casa de los Azulejos)
Stroll down the pedestrian street from Zocalo to walk past this gorgeous 18th century baroque palace covered in blue and white tiles.
Explore the Museums
There are more than 100 museums in Mexico City alone. From art galleries to science centers, there is something for everyone. You can also visit the National Museum of Anthropology, which houses some of the oldest human remains ever discovered.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Palacio de Bellas Artes is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Go inside for a tour where you will see works from Diego Riviera and other notable artists. The entry fee was very inexpensive – about $8USD per person.
Stroll through China Town
Mexico City has its own mini-sized China Town. After you finish as the museum, take a stroll down through the street for some shopping or dining. The umbrella covered street is absolutely beautiful!
Teotihuacan Ruins
About an hour outside of the city, head to the Teotihuacan Ruins – pre hispanic city that developed into one of the largest ancient cities in the Americas, with at least 25,000 inhabitants. Spend all day roaming around the ruins or book a tour in the hot air balloons to get a birds eye view!
How to get around in Mexico City
Mexico City is the biggest city in North America and that unfortunately means there is a ton of traffic. The best way to get around is Uber. I have heard it’s safer than a taxi. I would not get a rental car, because I would rather not deal with parking.
My only note about Uber is to make sure your driver has at least 1000 rides and close to a 5 star rating. Also, do NOT walk around a corner to meet the uber more easily. Always request a ride from in front of a business or hotel that’s well lit with people around. I heard of a scam where a driver will act like they are lost or had to take another route, meanwhile they’ve told their friends your location so they can mug you. Then, when the driver arrives, you are not there and they mark it as a canceled fare.
However, all of my rides were completely safe and I didn’t experience anything sketchy. I don’t share that to scare you – just be aware and careful.
Airport Transfers in Mexico City
Weather in Mexico City
We traveled to Mexico City for a long weekend in December and the weather was amazing. The daytime highs were about 75F, but the mornings were much cooler in the 50s.
Mexico City experiences warm summers and mild winters. The coldest month is January with a high of 71F and low of 44F. The rainy season is May – October.
What to Wear in Mexico City
I wore mostly casual dresses or jeans during the day to explore the city. It gets pretty warm during the day when out and about. You will do a lot of walking so comfortable shoes are a must. Most people in Mexico dress fairly casual and you will see lots of jeans, dark colors.
At night, I transitioned to something trendy for dinners. One night I did a lightweight sweater dress, another a two-piece pants set with blazer, and on a more casual night jeans with a sweater and booties.
Mexico City gets cold at night, but not until the true middle of the night when you are sleeping. For this reason, you may not need to wear a heavy coat in the evenings. I was fine with pants and a light sweater or jacket. However, I was cold on a morning walk and needed a heavier jacket. Be sure to check the hourly forecast before your trip to see!
Mexico City Travel Tips and FAQ
Mexico City definitely gets a bad wrap when it comes to danger. Sure, areas in Mexico are definitely not safe and horrible things happen. However, I stayed in the nicest areas of the city and felt safe while walking around and in ubers. Always be smart and pay attention to your surroundings. I stayed in nice hotels and dined at the best restaurants. Take extra precautions to ensure your safety in Mexico. It seemed like any other big city to me.
No, do not drink the water from the tap in Mexico. Always opt for bottled waters. At our hotel, I did feel comfortable having ice in my drinks and acai bowls as I felt confident they used filtered water.
Mexico City is a big city with 9 million residents. The traffic can be pretty heavy. Expect the airport transfer to take an hour at least. Getting around parts of the city typically took about 20-30 minutes so you need to plan ahead for any reservations.
If you go to Mexico City
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