The Ultimate Mexico City Travel Guide
How to Plan a Long Weekend or a Week in CDMX — Strategically, Deliciously, and With Personality
After two full weeks in Mexico City, here’s what I can confidently say:
CDMX rewards the traveler who plans intentionally.
It’s sprawling. Walkable. Green. Culturally layered. A world-class food capital. But like Paris, London, or New York — if you don’t cluster your days and prioritize what matters most to you, you’ll lose time crossing the city.
The smartest way to do Mexico City?
Plan by neighborhood. Stay strategically. Book ahead. Then wander well.
Where to Stay (Because It Shapes Everything)
Roma Norte & Condesa
Best for: Foodies, creatives, boutique hotel lovers, walkability, wine bars
Tree-lined streets. Café culture. Independent design shops. Lively but still neighborhood-driven.
This is where I love to stay.
You can:
Walk everywhere
Pop into wine bars
Grab tacos on a whim - take a food tour with Devoured
Spend an afternoon in Parque México
Feel like you’re living in the city — not visiting it
Boutique & Trendy Picks
La Valise Mexico City – Design-forward, intimate luxury. Perfect for couples and aesthetic travelers.
Casa Decu – Art Deco charm with a quiet sophistication.
Chaya B&B – Warm, character-filled boutique stay.
Where to Sip Nearby
Rimessa Vinos – A cozy, beautifully curated wine bar in Roma Norte. Unpretentious, delicious, perfect for lingering.
Ramezo – Intimate and charming.
Baltra – Elevated cocktails with serious energy.
If you’re doing a long weekend centered around food and wine, this is your neighborhood.
Polanco
Best for: Refined luxury, polished dining, cultural travelers
Polanco feels elevated and sophisticated — wide avenues, gallery hopping, Michelin-recognized restaurants, and luxury shopping.
Casa Polanco, Leading Hotels of the World
Best for: Design lovers, boutique-luxury travelers, couples
Impeccably curated interiors, highly personalized service, and the ideal scale for travelers who want elegance without a massive hotel footprint. It feels private, refined, and deeply thoughtful.
Other Luxury Options
Las Alcobas – Intimate luxury with impeccable detail.
Hyatt Regency Mexico City – Comfortable, central, great for museum access.
Don’t Miss: Casa de Los Leones (Casa Azul Tequila)
One of the newest cultural additions to the city is Casa de Los Leones, a beautifully restored mansion from Casa Azul Tequila.
This isn’t just a tasting room — it’s an immersive design and spirits experience. Expect curated tequila tastings, art installations, and elevated programming.
Best for: Spirits lovers, design enthusiasts, cultural travelers.
Pair this with a stay at Casa Polanco and you have a seamless Polanco itinerary.
Paseo de la Reforma & Chapultepec
Best for: First-time visitors, families, museum-focused trips
This grand boulevard runs alongside Chapultepec Park — one of the largest urban parks in the world.
Luxury Accomodation Anchors
The St. Regis Mexico City – Especially fun during Día de los Muertos when the parade runs along Reforma. Butler service and celebratory energy.
Four Seasons Mexico City – Timeless courtyard elegance.
The Ritz-Carlton Mexico City – Sleek, modern park and city views.
If museums are your priority, this area makes sense.
Centro Histórico
Best for: Architecture lovers, culture-first travelers
Stay near the Zócalo if your focus is:
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Historic plazas
Colonial architecture
Museum hopping
It’s energetic and layered with history.
Cultural Must-Do: Lucha Libre
You cannot leave Mexico City without experiencing Lucha Libre.
It’s theatrical. It’s loud. It’s joyful. It’s pure Mexican pop culture.
Head to Arena México for an evening match — masks, costumes, dramatic entrances, cheering crowds. It’s part sport, part performance art, part cultural phenomenon.
Pro tip: Go with a guide if you want context and seamless logistics. Otherwise, buy tickets in advance and arrive early to soak up the atmosphere in the streets around.
It’s one of those nights you’ll talk about long after the trip ends.
Friday Night Energy: Patrick Miller —If You’re Up for It
If you still have energy after Lucha Libre or want a full-blown Friday night experience, go dancing at Patrick Miller.
This legendary dance club is known for its high-energy 80s and 90s music, massive dance floor, and absolutely electric vibe. It’s not polished or curated for tourists — it’s raw, joyful, and wildly fun.
Is it for everyone? No. Is it unforgettable if you’re up for it? Absolutely.
You’ll sweat. You’ll laugh. You’ll feel completely immersed.
How to Structure Your Time
Long Weekend (3–4 Days)
Day 1: Roma & Condesa
Brunch - Good Morning CDMX Tour with Devoured
Parque México
Rimessa Vinos
Dinner reservations
Day 2: Chapultepec & Polanco
Anthropology Museum
Casa Polanco lunch nearby
Casa de Los Leones tasting
Fine dining - look to one of the Michelin-starred like Pujol or Entremar
Day 3: Coyoacán
Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul (book well in advance)
Market wandering
Long lunch
Evening Lucha Libre
Optional late-night: Patrick Miller (Friday only if you want full immersion).
If You Have a Week
Now you can slow down.
Add Devoured culinary tours with Anaïs Martínez - or two!
Book mezcal tastings
Explore more wine bars
Consider a side trip to San Miguel de Allende
Leave room for spontaneity
Culinary Experiences Worth Planning Around
Some personal favorites:
Contramar
Botánico
Voraz
Baltra
Rimessa Vinos
Maximo
Book ahead. Mexico City dining is competitive and deservedly so.
Devoured: The Curious Mexican
Founder Anaïs Martínez curates immersive market walks and storytelling-driven culinary tours that go far beyond surface-level tastings.
These experiences are ideal if you want:
Context behind ingredients
Cultural storytelling
Actual local gems
Personalized experiences
For serious food travelers, this is a must.
Practical Travel Notes
Cluster your days by neighborhood.
Book Casa Azul (Frida Kahlo Museum) in advance.
Make restaurant reservations early or show up to hard to reserve places a little before opening.
Be mindful about food sourcing to avoid stomach issues.
Build in time to wander — CDMX rewards curiosity.
Consider travel insurance and smart planning.
Why Mexico City Works
It’s not just the food.
It’s the green space. The parks. The architecture. The way history and modernity coexist. The ability to see a museum by day, cheer at Lucha Libre by night, and dance until 2am at Patrick Miller.
Mexico City feels alive. I felt alive.
And if you plan intentionally, whether for three days or a full week, it delivers something unforgettable.
