Mexico City is one of the most exciting cities in the world. With over 20 million people, it’s massive, colorful, and full of energy. From amazing coffee shops and ancient pyramids to world-class museums and incredible nightlife, Mexico City (or CDMX as locals call it) has something for everyone. This guide will take you through the best things to do from sunrise to late night, so you can experience the real magic of this incredible city.
Best Morning Activities
1
Start Your Day at a Specialty Coffee Shop
Mexico City has become famous for its coffee culture, with hundreds of amazing cafes serving some of the best coffee in the world. The neighborhoods of Roma Norte and Condesa are packed with cool coffee spots where you can start your day right.
Try Quentin Café for rich, strong coffee that coffee lovers rave about. They even serve carajillos, which are coffee cocktails! Blend Station in Condesa has a tree growing in the middle of the cafe and is perfect if you want to work on your laptop. For something special, visit Cardinal – locals say they make the best cortado in the city.
Don’t miss trying a traditional Mexican pastry called pan dulce with your coffee. Most cafes open around 8 AM, and morning is the best time to visit before the afternoon crowds arrive.
💡 Pro Tip: Roma Norte and Condesa have the highest concentration of great cafes. Stay in these neighborhoods to be walking distance from the best coffee in the city!
2
Explore Chapultepec Park
Chapultepec Park is one of the largest city parks in the Western Hemisphere – it’s even bigger than Central Park in New York! This massive green space is perfect for a morning walk or jog. The park has lakes, fountains, museums, and even a castle sitting on top of a hill.
In the morning, you’ll see locals jogging, walking their dogs, and exercising. The air is fresh, and it’s peaceful before the day heats up. You can rent paddle boats on the lake, visit the beautiful botanical gardens, or just relax under the huge trees that are hundreds of years old.
The park is also home to several world-class museums, including the National Museum of Anthropology (which you’ll want to visit later in the day). Morning is the perfect time to explore the outdoor areas before tackling the museums.
💡 Pro Tip: The park is free to enter and opens early. Go before 10 AM for the most peaceful experience. There are street vendors selling fresh fruit and snacks near the entrances.
3
Visit a Traditional Market (Mercado)
Mexican markets are an explosion of colors, sounds, and smells. Morning is the best time to visit when everything is fresh and the vendors are setting up. Mercado Roma is a modern food hall with gourmet options, while Mercado de la Merced is one of the largest traditional markets in the Americas.
At these markets, you’ll find fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat, and prepared foods. Try fresh-squeezed orange juice, tamales wrapped in corn husks, or chilaquiles – a traditional Mexican breakfast of fried tortillas with salsa, cheese, and eggs.
Walking through a Mexican market gives you a real taste of local life. Vendors are friendly and often offer samples. You’ll see ingredients you’ve never seen before and get a sense of how Mexicans shop and eat every day.
💡 Pro Tip: Bring small bills (cash only at most stalls). Try the fresh fruit with chile and lime – it’s a Mexican specialty that’s sweet, spicy, and sour all at once!
Best Daytime Activities
4
Explore the National Museum of Anthropology
This is one of the best museums in the world, and it tells the complete story of Mexico’s ancient civilizations. The museum has 23 huge exhibition halls filled with artifacts from the Aztec, Maya, and other pre-Hispanic cultures. You could spend an entire day here and still not see everything.
The most famous piece is the Aztec Calendar Stone (Piedra del Sol), a massive circular stone carving that’s one of the most important artifacts in Mexican history. You’ll also see ancient pyramids, jewelry, weapons, and recreations of how people lived thousands of years ago.
The building itself is beautiful, with a huge courtyard featuring a fountain shaped like an umbrella. Everything has information in both Spanish and English, so you can learn about Mexico’s incredible history even if you don’t speak Spanish.
💡 Pro Tip: The museum is HUGE. Focus on the Aztec and Maya halls if you’re short on time. Tickets are cheap (around $5 USD), and it’s free on Sundays for Mexican residents.
5
Walk Around the Historic Center (Centro Histórico)
The Historic Center of Mexico City is where the city began over 700 years ago. The Zócalo (main plaza) is one of the largest public squares in the world and is surrounded by incredible buildings. The massive Metropolitan Cathedral took 250 years to build and is one of the oldest and largest cathedrals in Latin America.
Right next to the cathedral are the ruins of Templo Mayor, an Aztec temple that was discovered in 1978. You can see the ancient pyramid stones and visit the museum to learn how the Aztecs built their empire right where Mexico City stands today.
The Historic Center is full of beautiful colonial buildings, street performers, vendors selling everything imaginable, and restaurants. The Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) is a stunning white marble building that’s one of Mexico City’s most photographed landmarks.
💡 Pro Tip: Take a free walking tour to learn the history – companies like Estación Mexico offer great tours where you just tip at the end. The Historic Center can be crowded, so keep your valuables secure.
6
Visit Frida Kahlo’s Blue House (Casa Azul)
Frida Kahlo is Mexico’s most famous artist, and her childhood home in the Coyoacán neighborhood is now a museum. The house is painted bright blue (that’s why it’s called Casa Azul) and is filled with her artwork, personal belongings, and the things that inspired her.
You’ll see her studio, her bedroom, her collection of traditional Mexican clothing, and even her wheelchair. The house gives you a real sense of who Frida was as a person, not just as an artist. The gardens are beautiful and peaceful, making it easy to imagine her painting here.
After visiting the museum, explore the Coyoacán neighborhood. It has a charming colonial center with a plaza, churches, and cafes. This area feels more relaxed and traditional than the modern parts of Mexico City.
💡 Pro Tip: Buy tickets online in advance! The museum has limited daily visitors and often sells out, especially on weekends. Book at least a few days ahead to guarantee entry.
7
Take a Taco Tour
Tacos are Mexico’s national food, and Mexico City serves some of the best tacos on the planet. Taking a taco tour is a fun way to try different styles and learn about Mexican food culture from a local guide.
You’ll try tacos al pastor (marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit), tacos de carnitas (slow-cooked pork), and maybe even tacos de chapulines (grasshoppers!) if you’re feeling adventurous. Each taco stand has its own special recipes and toppings like fresh cilantro, onions, salsa verde, and lime.
Tours usually include 4-6 stops at different taco stands that locals love. You’ll also learn about Mexican drinks like agua fresca (fresh fruit water) and horchata (sweet rice drink). It’s delicious, affordable, and you’ll leave completely stuffed.
💡 Pro Tip: Many taco tours happen in Roma Norte and Condesa neighborhoods. Go hungry! Tours usually include enough food for a full meal. Expect to pay $40-60 USD for a 3-hour tour.
Best Nightlife Activities
8
Experience a Rooftop Bar at Sunset
Baltra Bar in Condesa
Mexico City has incredible rooftop bars where you can watch the sunset over the sprawling city while sipping cocktails. The city looks completely different from above, and the sunset turns the sky pink and orange as the city lights start to twinkle.
Baltra Bar in Condesa is trendy and serves creative cocktails with natural juices. Toledo Rooftop near the Historic Center gives you views of the cathedral and Palacio de Bellas Artes. For something fancy, try Jardín Paraíso in Roma Norte with its garden vibe and string lights.
Most rooftop bars get busy around 7-9 PM for sunset. Arrive a bit early to get a good spot by the railing. Dress nicely – these places are stylish and you’ll want to look good for photos with the city behind you.
💡 Pro Tip: Drinks at rooftop bars are expensive by Mexico standards ($10-15 USD per cocktail), but the views are worth it. Go for sunset, have one or two drinks, then head to a cheaper bar afterward.
9
Visit a Mezcal or Cocktail Bar
Mexico City has some of the best bars in the world. Handshake Speakeasy was named the #1 bar in the world and serves incredible cocktails in a secret location (you need a reservation). Licorería Limantour in Roma Norte is more accessible and serves amazing creative cocktails.
If you want to try Mexico’s traditional spirits, visit a mezcal bar. Mezcal is made from agave plants and has a smoky flavor. La Clandestina has over 100 types of mezcal and the bartenders will help you find one you like. Many places also serve tequila, which is a type of mezcal from a specific region.
Mexican cocktail culture is serious business. Bartenders here are true artists who make drinks with fresh ingredients, house-made syrups, and creative presentations. Even if you’re not a big drinker, the atmosphere in these bars is worth experiencing.
💡 Pro Tip: Book reservations at popular bars a few days in advance. For a more casual experience, try Bosforo in Roma Norte – it’s a mezcal bar where you can just walk in and the vibe is relaxed.
10
Dance at a Club or Live Music Venue
When you’re ready to dance, Mexico City has amazing clubs playing everything from electronic music to reggaeton to salsa. Departamento in Roma Norte is a huge club spread across three floors that feels like a party at a friend’s apartment (if your friend had a full bar and DJ booth!). The rooftop is perfect for taking a break from dancing.
For live music, head to Plaza Garibaldi where mariachi bands perform every night. You can sit at an outdoor restaurant and mariachi groups will come to your table to play songs (for tips). It’s loud, festive, and totally Mexican. For salsa dancing, Mama Rumba is the place to go – they even offer free salsa lessons early in the evening.
Clubs in Mexico City don’t really get going until after midnight, and they stay open until 3-4 AM (or even later). The energy is incredible, with both locals and international visitors dancing together. Most clubs have a cover charge of $10-20 USD.
💡 Pro Tip: Roma Norte and Condesa have the best nightlife for foreigners – lots of clubs within walking distance. Take Uber to get home safely. Clubs are busiest Thursday-Saturday nights.
Your Mexico City Adventure Awaits!
Mexico City is an incredible place that offers something for every traveler. From world-class museums and ancient ruins to amazing food and nightlife that goes until sunrise, you’ll never be bored in this massive metropolis.
The best thing about Mexico City is how affordable it is compared to other major cities. You can eat amazing food, visit top museums, and enjoy great nightlife without breaking the bank. The people are friendly, the culture is rich, and there’s always something new to discover around every corner.
Planning Tips: Stay in Roma Norte or Condesa for the best location. Spend at least 4-5 days to see the main attractions without rushing. The best times to visit are October-May when the weather is nice (less rain). Download the Uber app – it’s the safest and easiest way to get around. Learn a few Spanish phrases – locals really appreciate when you try! And most importantly, come with an open mind and an empty stomach – Mexico City is ready to blow your mind!