Mexico Through a Design-Lover’s Lens: 2 Weeks In Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende & Oaxaca

Mexico City is truly one of the best cities in the world right now for food, coffee, art, interiors, and shopping. It’s vibrant, creative, and endlessly inspiring—a place where every neighborhood feels like its own little world. What I especially love about CDMX is how special and considered everything feels, from boutique hotels and cafes to independent boutiques. There is so much to see, eat, and experience here that having someone weed through the options and curate it perfectly makes all the difference. During my last trip alone, I visited over 30 restaurants and coffee shops, and countless boutiques in search of the absolute best places worthy of recommending to clients. It’s truly a city where the right reservations, neighborhoods, and pacing can completely shape the experience.

San Miguel de Allende feels entirely different—slower, romantic, colorful, and super charming. The city is walkable, with cobblestone streets, historic architecture, rooftop restaurants, artisan boutiques, and beautiful bougainvillea-covered corners. It has such a strong identity and creative energy while still feeling relaxed and intimate. It’s the perfect contrast after the energy of Mexico City.

Then there’s Oaxaca, which feels cultural, artistic, and connected to tradition in the most beautiful way. Beyond the incredible food scene, what makes Oaxaca so special are the experiences outside the city itself. There are so many fab day trips—visiting mezcal distilleries, exploring textile communities like Teotitlán del Valle, discovering artisan workshops, markets, and small villages where generations of craftsmanship are still preserved. It’s the kind of destination that becomes so much richer when experiences are thoughtfully planned beyond just the hotel stay. Oaxaca also makes a wonderful pairing with Puerto Escondido—a well-kept secret on the southern coast of Mexico.

Together, the three destinations create such a dynamic trip: design and energy in CDMX, romance and charm in San Miguel, and culture and craftsmanship in Oaxaca. It’s one of those itineraries that feels layered, inspiring, and endlessly memorable when done well.

Mexico feels especially personal to me because my family is from there, and I feel incredibly lucky to have a connection to such a vibrant, layered, and diverse country. I’ve traveled through many different regions over the years, and one of my favorite things is helping people discover just how much Mexico has to offer beyond the classic beach vacation destinations like Cabo or Cancún. There is truly so much richness to explore—and I absolutely love helping curate thoughtful Mexico itineraries that go beyond the expected!

If you aren’t up for a multi-city stop, each of these cities work well as a standalone trip with incredible add-on escapes located within an hour or two. Mexico City can easily be paired with nearby countryside stays, wellness retreats, vineyards, or design-forward haciendas for a slower contrast to the city energy. San Miguel de Allende has gorgeous surrounding wine country, hot springs, horseback riding experiences, and boutique countryside hotels that make the area feel much bigger than just the town itself. And Oaxaca offers endless opportunities for immersive day trips and nearby stays centered around mezcal, textiles, nature, and artisan culture.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Mexico page.