A Long Weekend in Mexico City

Advisor - Leslie Overton
Curated By

Leslie Overton

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  • Mexico

  • Mexico City

  • Arts & Culture

  • City Travel

  • International Travel

  • Weekend Getaways

  • History

  • Downtown

  • Guided Tours

A large window with gold panes on a blue and red house
Curator’s statement

Easily accessible from many North American cities, this international and sophisticated capital feels very different and familiar at the same time. If you're looking for what to do in Mexico City, look no further. Go for the fantastic art scene and the amazing history - but mostly be prepared to eat. Mexico City is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, but even the street food will impress you. Despite its reputation, it's mostly safe, and feels wonderfully warm and inviting.

The Fora Difference

Book with Leslie to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.

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Insider knowledge

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Where to stay

St. Regis Mexico City

The St. Regis offers the biggest rooms in Mexico City in an exceptional location.

Fora Perks
  • $100 hotel / resort credit.

  • Daily breakfast.

  • Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Hyatt Regency Mexico City

Formerly The Hotel Nikko, this hotel is in a prime location and features an expansive lobby / bar / restaurant with dramatic brutalist architecture, an indoor pool, tennis courts, Japanese restaurants and a club lounge with amazing views. 

Fora Perks
  • $100 hotel / resort credit.

  • Welcome note & amenity.

  • Breakfast daily.

  • Upgrade & early check-in whenever possible.

Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City

A stylish boutique option in the fashionable Polanco neighborhood, the rooms are dark and warm.

Fora Perks
  • $100 hotel / resort credit.

  • Daily breakfast.

  • Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Advisor - Leslie Overton

Unlock perks by contacting Leslie to book your trip.

Day 1: La Roma and La Condesa

Close up view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes

Take a stroll

Nowhere captures the architectural splendor and variety of Mexico City quite like the energetic enclaves of La Roma and La Condesa. You'll encounter Mexico's most celebrated art Deco, art Nouveau and Modernist buildings and stroll through charming green parks, galleries and even former Indigenous settlements.

Dinner at Merotoro 

Helmed by a chef from Baja California, Merotoro serves creative seafood and meat dishes in a chic yet rustic atmosphere. The tasting menu is fabulous, the service is immaculate and the entire experience is a delight. The cocktail menu is also worth a look (and a few delicious sips).

Day 2: Historic center (Centro Histórico)

Large curved silver building in Mexico City built by architect Fernando Romero.

Take a tour

Discover Mexico's Mesoamerican, colonial and revolutionary history while exploring the historic center, known as Centro Histórico, of the capital with a local guide. What is now the heart of this modern city was also once the center of the Aztec world, Tenochtitlan.

Visit the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral built upon the main Aztec temple by the Spanish conquistadors, as well as the painted representation of Mexico's past by muralist Diego Rivera in the National Palace.

Then, walk through some of the center's iconic streets to the Palace of Fine Arts where you will explore its varied architecture, or explore Templo Mayor, the main temple of the Mexica peoples in their capital city of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City.

Lunch at Azul Histórico

Rest and fuel up at , a Mexican restaurant located in the historic center. Enjoy classic dishes such as tortilla soup, moles or ​​cochinita pibil in the serene and beautiful courtyard. Afterward, stop by the historic Metropolitan Cathedral and check out some of the many shops around. You can also experience the action that is Mexican wrestling and watch an electric Lucha Libre show at Arena Coliseo. 

Visit the Anthropology Museum 

Delve deeper into Mexico's Mesoamerican past at the , a space that houses the largest collection of pieces from the historical region. Located right by the Chapultepec Castle in Chapultepec Park (Bosque de Chapultepec), this is Mexico's most-visited museum. Plan two to three hours at least, but you could easily spend the whole day there.

Dine at Pujol

Consistently rated one of the best restaurants in the world, you can only get into Pujol with a reservation. Be sure to book in advance! The menu is always evolving, but remains rooted in Mexican cuisine. Choose between the tasting or the omakase menu and plan to go hungry.

Day 3: Teotihuacán

The Pyramid of the Sun, located outside of Mexico City, Mexico.

Take a day trip to Teotihuacán

Established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Teotihuacán is a vast Mexican archaeological complex northeast of Mexico City. You’ll need a full day to explore as it’s one of the most important Mesoamerican sites in the Americas. 

Visit the archaeological zone while learning about the rituals, cosmology, beliefs and everyday lives of the Aztecs and the inhabitants of Teotihuacán before them. Running down the middle of the site, which was once a flourishing pre-Columbian city, is the Avenue of the Dead. It links the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun, the latter two with panoramic views from their summits. 

Dine at Montecristo 

On the way back, stop at Montecristo for fine dining cuisine in a charming colonial house. Enjoy the live piano music and don’t leave without trying the vintage mezcal.

A note from Leslie

For this big day of exploring, make sure to wear a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. There’s lots of climbing involved.

Day 4: The Southern neighborhoods

Birds eye view of the art museum The Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City.

Start with coffee

Across from Frida and Diego's house, stop by for coffee (or even breakfast) at - you'll feel like you stepped into old-world Mexico. On Sundays, Mexico City locals from the upper crust come here dressed to the nines for a fancy brunch with the whole family. It's fun people-watching.

Walk around

The southern part of Mexico City’s neighborhoods feel like small villages. Wander down the tree-lined streets of San Angel and Coyoacán and along the waterways of Xochimilco.

Walk the footsteps of some of Mexico's most revered artists and writers, including a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum, Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul – a blue house where Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was born and later died, now a museum dedicated to her life - and Diego's Studio Museum, where Frida’s husband, Diego Rivera lived and created, sometimes with Frida.

Lunch at Mercado Coyoacán

This authentic Mexican market will take you on a journey for the senses as you sit down to savor the flavors on offer.

Head to Xochimilco

Explore the canals while floating on a colorful boat called a trajinera to learn about the Aztecs’ Ingenious technique for growing food upon the fertile river beds of the pre-Hispanic canals. The chinampas are still in use today, but for growing flowers rather than food crops.

From touring Mexico city to trying unique things to do in San Miguel De Allende, Mexico offers a vibrant culture, sound, and delicious local cuisine to explore.

A note from Leslie

If time allows, head to one of the many markets in the city. Each one has a different specialty: La Lagunilla for crafts and antiques, Milan 44 for hip eateries and Sonora Market is a must-visit for all the tarot and crystal lovers.

Need to Know

Looking to plan the perfect trip? Connect with a travel advisor in Mexico or a travel advisor in Mexico City to book one customized for your travel style.

Advisor - Leslie Overton

Travel Advisor

Leslie Overton

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