Mexico City 2024
Introduction and Travel Tips
Planning help:
Lessons Learned (What I would do differently): We had our two teenagers and one daughter's friend along on the trip so we didn't cover as much ground as if it were just the two of us. I would have liked to have more time just to explore neighborhoods.
What were your favorite things?: The archaeological sites: Teotihuacan and El Templo Mayor. They ignited an interest in Mesoamerican history.
Worth a splurge: Hot air ballooning over the Pyramids of Teotihucan
Could've skipped: Chapultepec Castle. There were some really beautiful murals, but with a limited time in the city, I'd make it a low priority. Also: breakfast in a cave. The food was just ok, and it wasn't as interesting to eat in a cave as it looks in photos.
When did you go?:
February 19-24, 2024
How much did it cost?:
Airfare: $564 each
Transportation: $110 on Ubers. One of our travelling companions was recovering from a strained knee so we didn't want to walk up and down subway steps. Ubers were very inexpensive. Most rides were around $10, and for 5 people, it was worth it - way more convenient than the subway (although the subway fare is only 25 cents).
Food, Groceries, Snacks: $720 for 5 people for 5 days
Hotel: 5 nights in an Air BNB in the La Condesa neighborhood: $1,718 ($344/night) for 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an amazing view. It was a little far from things to do around Parque Mexico and the Roma neighborhood, but Ubers are plentiful and very inexpensive.
"Excursions": Hot Air Ballooning over the Pyramids of Teotihucan $250/person (totally worth it); Lucha Libre wrestling ($22/person)
How much walking did you do?: 78,645 steps, 31 miles
Weather: sunny and mild every day. High temperatures were upper 70's and lows were lower 60's. This is my first trip to Mexico City and I had no idea what to expect of the weather in February, but it was perfect.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Condesa
We arrive in the afternoon and explore the neighborhood while finding a store to stock up for snacks. The day ends, of course, with ice cream.
Day 2: Coyacan & Roma
We spend the morning in Coyoacán, starting at the Frida Kahlo museum and ending with ice cream.
The afternoon is spent wandering through Roma on the way to Arena México and an evening of Lucha Libre
Day 3: Teotihuacan
We leave at 4:30am to get to Teotihuacan for a sunrise hot air balloon ride, followed by breakfast in a cave and time at the pyramids. We end the day with Churros in Parque Mexico.
Day 4: Centro Histórico
We explore the central area - from an artisanal marketplace, to Palcios from the early 1900's, the Zócalo started in 1521, and Museum of the Templo Mayor, begun around 1325.
Day 5: Chapultepec
We spend our final day in Chapultepec Park, Castle, and National Museum of Anthropology and end our trip with ice cream.