Desmond

Oct 8, 20236 min read

6 Days in Mexico City, Mexico - September 2023

With my friends having moved to Mexico City recently and me visiting San Francisco, this is a great opportunity for me to see the part of the world I don't get to visit often. It is a surprisingly modern city and honestly more expensive that I was expecting. As a tourist you will be mostly be visiting areas in the city centre and I felt relatively safe in all the neighbourhoods I visited.

Do note that a little bit of Spanish goes a long way here as most of the locals here don't speak english, even in the most commercial and tourists areas.

Accommodation

Most of the established hotels are on the Reforma (main commercial street of CDMX) and they are of international prices. As my friend is living in the more residential area of Condesa, I have opted for the newly opened Andaz Hotel in the same neighbourhood..

Wide, tree-lined avenues, stately art nouveau mansions and well-maintained art deco apartment buildings give chic La Condesa a distinctly European vibe. Hipsters walk dogs in shady Parque España and young professionals browse the fashions in cutting-edge boutiques. Stylish sidewalk cafes, trendy international bistros and casual taquerias dot the area. At night, posh bars and clubs fill with a younger crowd.

The rooms are great to look at but it certainly was more form over function. However it was still a very pleasant stay and the service was was impeccable as expected from a Hyatt hotel.

Soho House also opened a new branch in Mexico City so this could also be an option should you be a member.

Restaurants

Throw everything you know about Mexican Food away if you have not visited Mexico before. Tequila, Mezcal, Tacos, Escamoles and everything else. CDMX is A SCENE.

Castizo

Located in Condesa right next to my hotel, Castizo is a Spanish Tapas joint with modern twists of the classics. Great al fresco spaces for a chill evening.

Taqueria Gabriel

My first proper Taco in CDMX. They only have Spanish menu and it was pretty pack during lunch hour with young people so I thought I would try them. The crispy pork with pineapple garnish is a must try.

Quintonil

Number 9th on the Top 50 Best Restaurants in the world. Quintonil is the emblem for the gastronomical project headed by Alejandra Flores and Jorge Vallejo. The aim is to express Mexican flavours with a personal touch. You can choose between the Kitchen Bar Counter Experience and the Dining Table Experience and the menu can be found online. Reservation is strong recommended weeks in advance.

Deigo Ramen

After 10 days in Americas I was craving for some asian food so I managed to find this place serving up some decent ramen. The charshu was freshly grilled and honestly it was pretty good. You pay at the machine and then just sit down at the counter.

Balboa Pizzaria Condesa

Great al fresco Italian place in Condesa with a hip crowd and occasional live music.

Amaya

An upscale Bistro in Zona Rosa serving up modern Mexican food with a great wine list. The menu changes seasonally and they have English menu here so very easy to order.

Taqueria Orinoco

This is basically the Taco version of Five Guys in CDMX. They have multiple chains in town and honestly it is a must try when you are here.

Contramar

An upscale and popular seafood restaurant with an expansive menu. Try to seafood toasted tacos, octopus tacos and also their signature grilled kingfish with salsa. Reservation is strongly recommended.

Caldo does de Gallina "Luis"

A late night local joint serves the best chicken soup in town as according to my friend.

La Casa de Tono

A chain serving the best Pozole in CDMX. Pozole is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine. It is made from hominy with meat, and can be seasoned and garnished with shredded lettuce or cabbage, chilli peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa or limes. Here you can choose between Chicken, Pig Head or Mixed.

Mendl Delicatessen

A popular brunch place in Condesa serving various baked goods. It is right next to a park so if it is busy (it will be over the weekends) you can always get a takeaway and eat at the park.

Limantour Polanco

This chic cocktail bar bistro is recommended by the Quintonil people and its located in the fancy neighbourhood of Polanco.

Attractions

I decided to keep this trip chill as the main reason to be CDMX is to visit my friends who just moved here. Therefore 6 days is more than enough to explore the city.

Frida Kahlo Museum

The Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the Blue House for the structure's cobalt-blue walls, is a historic house museum and art museum dedicated to the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It is located in the Colonia del Carmen neighbourhood of Coyoacán in Mexico City. You can also visit the Coyoacan Market after the museum near by.

Historic Walking Tour

A decent introduction to Mexico City and its historic downtown on a walking tour. Start your tour of the 'Centro Histórico', a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, which was the biggest church in the Americas for over 3 centuries.

Walk on the giant Zocalo square, referred to as the heart of Mexico, and see the resting place of the Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes. Stand next to the ruins of the ancient Aztec city. Continue onto the mesmerizing Post Office Building and then marvel at the beautiful architecture of the Palace of Fine Arts.

Chapultepec Park and Castle

This historic hilltop castle with views of Mexico City houses the National Museum of History. The castle is situated in the expansive park and it is a very relaxing walk. However there is no English in the tour description.

National Museum of Anthropology

One of the top and most well preserved museums in the world, the National Museum of Anthropology is a national museum of Mexico. It is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico. Located in the area between Paseo de la Reforma and Mahatma Gandhi Street within Chapultepec Park, the museum contains significant archaeological and anthropological artifacts from Mexico's pre-Columbian heritage, such as the Stone of the Sun (or the Aztec calendar stone) and the Aztec Xochipilli statue.

Pyramids of Teotihuacan & Basilica of Guadalupe Tour

This is one of the most visited site in Mexico. Beware of the tour you booked as a 7 hr tour turned into a 10 hr tour due to the traffic. I personally feel the guide is not that necessary purely because there were too many unnecessary parts in the tour such as obsidian stone workshop and souvenir shop. You should probably separate this into 2 days.

Mercado de Artesanias La Ciudadela (Artisan's Market)

Popular, long-running artisan market featuring many vendors of traditional handicrafts & folk art. This is a great place to get all your souvenirs.

Reforma / Juarez District

Paseo de la Reforma (translated as "Promenade of the Reform") is a wide avenue that runs diagonally across the heart of Mexico City. It was designed at the behest of Emperor Maximilian by Ferdinand von Rosenzweig during the era of the Second Mexican Empire and modeled after the great boulevards of Europe. The planned grand avenue was to link the National Palace with the imperial residence, Chapultepec Castle, which was then on the southwestern edge of town. The project was originally named Paseo de la Emperatriz ("Promenade of the Empress") in honor of Maximilian's consort Empress Carlota. After the fall of the Empire and Maximilian's subsequent execution, the Restored Republic renamed the Paseo in honor of the La Reforma.

Nightlife / LGBT

Mexicans love to party and most of the venues open till late. Here are some of the places we went to in the Roma Norte area.

Lucha Libre (Mexican Wresting)

Booking a guided tour to this is a fantastic way to start your evening. You will be lead to a bar prior to a show to try pulque, a fermented alcoholic beverage made in Mexico since the pre-Columbian era. Then a brief explaining of the wrestling and you can order beers through out the show for MX$100 a pint. You will also be given a free mask!

El Palenquito

A great little cocktail bar near the Arena where you can get yourself some fancier drinks if you need something stronger than beers.

Supra Roma Rooftop

This is a fancier establishment for the young and cool hipster of Mexico City. Fantastic view of the city and great espresso martinis. However you will not be able to bring your Lucha Libre masks in.