Buenas! I’m back from Mexico and had such a good time. It was a trip of a lifetime really – we spent just over a week in Mexico City, and really made the most of it. I travelled with my best friend, our whirlwind adventure starting after we bought Rosalia tickets at Palacio de los Deportes on a whim. Here’s what we got up to – and what I’d recommend to anyone visiting Mexico City! Plus, some do’s and don’ts that I discovered during our time there…
Mexico City Must-Sees
Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s Home
Top of our list when visiting Mexico City was to see Frida Kahlo’s home, Casa Azul. This beautiful (blue) building has been turned into a museum dedicated to her life with her family, and later with her husband Diego Rivera. We booked a private tour as we were late to buying tickets, but found our tour guide coloured in a lot of her life for us, and gave us a chance to reflect on her art and the stories that accompanied it. Pro tip: book tickets well in advance to save on time and stress!
The Bazars & Independent Shops
While we didn’t come to Mexico to shop, we did love discovering the numerous ‘bazars’ and independent shops around the city. Bazars are street-side open spaces are filled with independent designers, makers, and sellers, ranging from jewellery through to upcycled football shirts. I especially loved Merequetengue Bazar on Calle Colima, where we picked up fun handmade beaded necklaces from Hey Lola.
I also loved many of the small stores lining the Roma Norte neighbourhood, with many stocking Mexican designers and makers. Prices were in-line with what you’d expect in stores in London or European city, so you won’t get a bargain, but you will get a delightful souvenir or two!
Museo de Antropologia
If you really want to get to know Mexico while visiting the capital, go to the Museo Nacional de Antropologia. This is a world-renowned museum, home to Mexican history through the ages on the ground floor, and Mexican heritage on the first floor. The building itself is home to ‘The Umbrella’, an incredible tower and waterfall, directly in the eye-line of the Piedra del Sol. My favourite room had to be the Mexico Room for the iconic statues and storytelling, plus the galleries on festivals and textiles on the upper floor.
Museo de Arte Moderno
On our final day in Mexico City, I visited the Museo de Arte Moderno (MAM). The biggest draw is The Two Fridas, an iconic piece that’s hidden in an upper gallery. On quieter days you may get the chance to view it alone, which I was lucky enough to do. I also enjoyed the Bosque de Chapultepec Botanical Gardens, a short walk from MAM, which are home to agave, cacti, coffee plants, and more. They’re also buzzing with insects, birds, and other wildlife. I enjoyed sitting there drinking a coffee and taking it all in!
Where To Eat in Mexico City
Mado Café – For the best cold foam cold brews. I also got a matching miso caramel donut – when in Mexico!
Taquería Orinoco – A must-visit for all MEX tourists. Go for the ultra cheap tacos, stay for the salsas.
María Cacao – Artisanal chocolates made with Mexican cocoa beans in heavenly flavours.
Panaderia Rosetta – Our favourite brunch in Roma Norte. Get their famous guava bun, and make sure to join the right queue!
Máximo – A Bourdain recommendation and fine dining establishment. We went for the burgers and weren’t disappointed.
FUGA Bar – The best bar we found in Roma Norte. Good service, good drinks, even better music.
Do’s and Don’ts while Visiting Mexico
Finally, here are a few lessons we learnt during our time in Ciudad de México…
- Do take Ubers. I like to advocate and support local businesses where I can, however safety is a priority when I travel. Uber is a safer option when travelling about Mexico City. Plus, not all city taxis take card. Equally, public transport is pretty good, depending where you are located.
- Don’t underestimate the altitude. I woke up to nausea and an excruciating headache on my first day, and realised that along with jet lag, I was suffering from altitude sickness. One of the tell-tale signs is a racing heartbeat, and while the pains subsided, I never quite got my heartbeat under control during my time there.
- Do tip everyone. A small tip is a gracious way to thank cleaning staff, wait staff, Uber drivers, and everyone in-between. It’s easily affordable and nice to do.
- Don’t take out money in drips and drabs. ATMs charge a relatively large fee (92 MEX or around £4) for withdrawals so you might as well make one larger withdrawal at the start of your trip. As usual, I travelled with my Monzo card to make the majority of my purchases.
- Do learn a little Spanish. Practicing Spanish on Duolingo made me feel a little overconfident, I’ll admit. Saying a polite ‘Hola’, or ‘Buenas’ as you enter a store, or encounter people, followed by ‘¿Habla inglés?’ (‘Do you speak English?’) got us through most of our interactions.
Heading to Mexico City? Let me know if you found this guide useful!
