Frequently Asked Questions

The Experience

Is this a group tour or a retreat?

Neither. Think of it as a hosted private residence and temporary social salon during Mexico City Art Week.

We have curated several special moments to enjoy together, but the week is intentionally flexible. You will have time to explore the fairs, galleries, restaurants, bars, museums, shops, and neighborhoods that interest you most without feeling tied to a rigid group itinerary.

Join everything, choose a few experiences, or go completely at your own pace. The goal is for the week to feel fun, social, and effortless—not overscheduled.

How many guests will there be?

Space is intentionally limited to approximately 8–10 guests.

The small group size allows us to create the feeling of staying in a beautiful home with interesting friends rather than moving through the city as a large tour group.

Is this a good trip for solo travelers?

Absolutely. This experience was created with solo travelers in mind, as well as partners and friends traveling together.

Two private king rooms are available, while the Gallery Rooms each feature two separate double beds. Guests requesting a roommate match will be thoughtfully paired based on their preferences and availability.

Do I have to participate in every planned experience?

Not at all.

The included gatherings are designed to help everyone connect and get oriented, but there is no expectation that you spend every hour with the group. Mexico City is enormous, and Art Week brings an incredible amount of activity across the city.

You are encouraged to make the experience your own.

Is this suitable for someone visiting Mexico City for the first time?

Yes. The included neighborhood breakfast and market experience, our recommendations, and concierge support will give first-time visitors a wonderful introduction to the city.

We will help you understand the neighborhoods, identify the fairs and exhibitions that interest you, and create a list of restaurants, bars, museums, shops, and other experiences based on your preferences.

What if I have already visited Mexico City?

You will not run out of new things to experience.

Mexico City rewards repeat visits. Between Art Week programming, new restaurants, exhibitions, design studios, neighborhood discoveries, and Anais’s local perspective, returning travelers can experience a completely different side of the city without repeating a traditional sightseeing itinerary.

A Sample Rhythm of the Week

The exact schedule may evolve as Art Week programming, reservations, and special opportunities are announced. We will share an insider guide and take your interests in a more formal way once you confirm your participation and deposit.

Tuesday: Welcome to Casa Amsterdam

Settle into the house before gathering for welcome drinks and a private dinner with a local chef.

This will be our first chance to meet around the table, enjoy cocktails and a three-course menu, and begin the week together without anyone needing to think about where to go after traveling.

Wednesday: Breakfast, Markets and Your Introduction to the City

We will begin the morning on foot with Anais Martínez, founder of Devoured and our local culinary partner.

Anais will lead us through a generous breakfast and market experience filled with food, drinks, neighborhood stories, and local context. You should expect to be very well fed—enough that you likely will not need lunch afterward.

After the tour, the rest of the day is yours. We will provide recommendations and help point you toward galleries, exhibitions, neighborhoods, shops, and other Art Week happenings.

Thursday–Saturday: Art Week, Neighborhood Discoveries and Optional Gatherings

These days will intentionally include plenty of flexibility.

Guests may visit major art fairs, gallery openings, museums, design spaces, shops, or different neighborhoods. We can also help arrange restaurant reservations and optional culinary or cultural experiences.

During the week, we will host a relaxed happy hour at the house and plan an optional visit to one of our favorite neighborhood wine shops for a tasting of local wines.

Additional optional experiences may include culinary tours, the sunrise Xochimilco breakfast experience, shopping, artisan visits, spa appointments, and ticketed Art Week events.

Sunday: A Proper Send-Off

Before departures, we will gather at the house for coffee, brunch bites, and a special goodbye.

Our hope is that everyone leaves well fed, inspired, and already thinking about the next Trip Whisperer Salon in CDMX or beyond.

What Is Included?

Your hosted experience includes:

  • Five nights in our private residence in Condesa

  • Concierge support before and during the stay

  • Daily breakfast on site by local bakeries, while the first morning is a breakfast experience tour

  • Welcome cocktails and private chef dinner

  • A hosted happy hour or tasting during the week

  • Farewell brunch bites on Sunday

  • A welcome gift with local goodies

  • Restaurant, bar, gallery, and neighborhood recommendations

  • Art Week planning guidance

  • Assistance requesting restaurant reservations and other arrangements

  • A private group chat for communication during the week on WhatsApp

What is not included?

Unless specifically noted, pricing does not include:

  • Airfare

  • Airport transfers

  • Most lunches and dinners

  • Optional tours and experiences

  • Personal requested items to be stocked at the house

  • Art fair, museum, or exhibition tickets

  • Personal transportation around the city; Uber is very easy and affordable

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal shopping and incidental expenses

Planning Your Time

Will you help me plan what to do during Art Week?

Yes.

Once your deposit is received, we will ask about your interests, restaurant wish list, preferred neighborhoods, art and design priorities, dietary needs, and any special experiences already on your radar.

We will create a guide and share recommendations as Art Week schedules and ticketing information become available. Our concierge team will also assist with requests for reservations and other arrangements, although access is always subject to availability or deposit requirements.

Can you guarantee difficult restaurant reservations?

We cannot guarantee every reservation, particularly during one of the busiest weeks of the year, but we will do our best.

Recommendations will be curated by Jess and Anais, while the property concierge can assist with outreach, booking requests, and local logistics. Booking early and remaining flexible on dates and times will give us the best chance of securing your favorites.

Will we eat every meal together?

No. Several meals and gatherings are included, but plenty of time is intentionally left open for guests to explore restaurants independently or make plans with others in the house.

Mexico City has everything from internationally recognized restaurants and cocktail bars to exceptional family-run establishments, neighborhood cafés, markets, bakeries, and some of the best tacos on the planet. Part of the fun is deciding what you are in the mood for each day.

Can I add optional experiences?

Yes. We will share a menu of optional activities once availability and pricing are confirmed.

These may include:

  • Sunrise Xochimilco breakfast experience, based on 6 or more confirming

  • Additional Devoured food tours

  • Art fair and museum tickets

  • Shopping and artisan experiences

  • Spa appointments

  • Private transportation

  • Additional dining experiences

Participation is completely optional.

Getting Around Mexico City

Is Mexico City walkable?

Many of the neighborhoods you are most likely to explore are extremely walkable, and walking is one of the best ways to become familiar with the city.

Our home base in Condesa places us near cafés, restaurants, parks, boutiques, bars, and neighboring areas such as Roma Norte. Other parts of the city, including Polanco, the historic center, and additional art districts, are easily reached by car or public transportation.

Mexico City is much larger than it may initially appear, so some days will naturally combine walking with Uber.

What is the easiest way to get around?

Uber is generally the easiest and most affordable option for most guests. Cars are widely available, and guests can travel independently without committing to a group vehicle and schedule.

We may arrange private transportation for specific optional experiences when it makes sense for the group.

Can I use public transportation?

Yes. Mexico City has an extensive public transportation network for travelers who are comfortable navigating it.

Trains and buses can become extremely crowded during peak commuting hours, so we generally recommend avoiding rush hour when possible. We will share practical guidance for anyone interested in using public transportation during the stay. While on a tour with Anais, she can share local guidance.

Will transportation be included?

Routine transportation around the city is not included unless specifically noted for an experience.

This keeps the trip flexible and prevents guests from paying for a vehicle they may not need. Most people will use Uber, walk, or arrange transportation through the concierge when desired.

Neighborhoods and Exploring

Which neighborhoods might I visit?

Mexico City is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own rhythm and personality.

Depending on your interests, you may spend time in:

  • Condesa

  • Roma Norte

  • Polanco

  • Juárez

  • Centro Histórico

  • San Rafael

  • Coyoacán

  • Chapultepec and its museum district

Art Week programming may also lead us to gallery spaces, exhibitions, and pop-ups beyond the neighborhoods visitors traditionally explore.

Is five nights enough?

Five nights will pass remarkably quickly.

The experience is designed to provide a wonderful introduction—or reintroduction—to the city without trying to conquer it. You will likely leave with places still on your list, which is part of Mexico City’s appeal.

Our goal is not to fit everything into five days. It is to help you experience the city well, eat wonderfully, meet interesting people, and leave excited to return.

Weather and Packing

What is the weather like in February?

February is one of my favorite times to visit because the weather is generally pleasant and springlike.

Days may be warm enough for short sleeves, while mornings and evenings can feel cooler and call for long sleeves or a light jacket. Temperatures can fluctuate, and an occasional colder day is possible.

We will review the forecast closer to departure and send a final packing guide.

What should I pack?

Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

You should also bring:

  • Light layers

  • A jacket or sweater for evenings

  • Comfortable but polished outfits for dinners and openings

  • A crossbody bag or secure daytime bag

  • Sun protection

  • Any medications and personal essentials

  • A little extra luggage room for art, design finds, and shopping

Art Week style can be wonderfully creative, but there is no need to dress formally for every event.

Food and Dietary Needs

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Please share all allergies and dietary restrictions during registration.

We will work with our culinary partners to accommodate dietary needs during included meals whenever reasonably possible. Because some experiences involve markets, small local establishments, or shared kitchens, guests with severe allergies should provide detailed information before booking so we can discuss what can be safely accommodated.

Who is Anais Martínez?

Anais Martínez is the founder of Devoured and one of Mexico City’s most connected culinary insiders.

Her work has appeared in publications including Bon Appétit, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, and she continues to write and share the stories of Mexico City’s food culture.

Anais brings far more than restaurant recommendations to the experience. She has her finger on the pulse of the city and will help us understand Mexico City through its markets, chefs, bars, food traditions, neighborhoods, and people.

Booking and Payments

How do I reserve my room?

A $750 nonrefundable deposit per guest is required to confirm participation and secure your selected room category.

Room assignments are confirmed in the order that completed registrations and deposits are received.

Why is the deposit non-refundable?

The residence and local experiences require advance financial commitments. Deposits allow us to secure the house and begin confirming arrangements with our partners.

When is final payment due?

The remaining balance will be due approximately 45 days before arrival, unless a payment schedule is provided based on your booking date.

What happens if I am sharing and my roommate cancels?

Guests booking together remain responsible for their individual reservations.

If a matched roommate cancels, we will make a reasonable effort to locate another compatible guest. If no replacement is available, we will discuss the options based on the room inventory and applicable pricing.

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

A comprehensive policy should ideally include trip cancellation and interruption protection, emergency medical coverage, baggage protection, and coverage for other qualifying travel disruptions. Guests are responsible for reviewing policy terms and selecting the coverage that best suits their needs. Trip Whisperer Agency can provide quotes through our preferred travel agent partner.

Extending Your Trip

Can you help me arrive early or stay longer?

Absolutely.

This five-night hosted residence can serve as the centerpiece of a longer trip. We can assist with additional hotel nights in Mexico City or help design an extension elsewhere in Mexico. Trip Whisperer is a travel agency after all. Other travel arrangements will incur a moderate planning fee based on request, typical of bespoke planning fees for our clients. Don’t hesitate to ask for more details!

Where could I add a side trip?

Popular possibilities include:

  • San Miguel de Allende

  • Oaxaca

  • Puebla

  • Additional nights elsewhere in Mexico City

We can help with accommodations, transportation, and a tailored extension based on the amount of time available and your interests. Additional planning and booking fees may apply.

Still Have Questions?

Please reach out: jessica@tripwhisperer.co (noting Mexico City in the subject line).

This experience is meant to feel personal from the beginning, and we want every guest to understand what is included, how the house works, and how much freedom they will have during the week.

Once you reserve your place, we will begin learning more about your interests and helping you shape a Mexico City experience that feels distinctly yours.