Travel Guide: MEXICO CITY 🇲🇽

What to see, where to eat, what we loved...

Speak to anyone who’s travelled to Mexico City and Oaxaca and they’ll tell you instantly not to bother with Tulum or Cancun, one even mentioned the B word… basic *gasp* she could never!

It was the PERFECT trip for us. The opposite of a Fly & Flop holiday (where you lie by the pool and do nada). We moved about and explored, stayed in different hotels, changed locations. We were go go GO sweedie and then, a lil chill at the end.

My brain definitely switched off and wow is my camera roll satisfied! This is not the holiday for lying by a pool and scrolling on social media. This trip is one that make’s you feel ALIVE babe!

I travel a lot, my advice is always work the jet lag to your advantage. If you’re flying west you’ll be awake early, fly east you’ll be more up for nights out when you land. As this trip goes west from the UK I knew we’d be up 3am, 4am, 5am so our time in Mexico City was going to be morning focussed with gorgeous lunches, the evenings we’d either be asleep in a taco soup by 8pm or in bed for 9pm max!

Many messaged on Insta if we’d had someone pre-book our trip. No no darlings my husband works in travel so is a sensational itinerary planner. I am also V. happy to go with the flow, I feel if the itinerary is packed, you can miss how a city beats. Gotta factor in time to just sit and be!

If you live in the UK like us, with night flights you can really maximise this trip. We did 3 nights Mexico City, 3 nights Oaxaca, 1 night in a remote mezcal distillery, 2 nights Peurto Escondido and back to Mexico City for 1 night before returning home.

Mexico City Guide - everything you need to know

We flew with AeroMexico for 2 reasons: Flights were over half the price of other airlines (we avoid British Airways for long distance, you don’t get what you pay for in my opinion) and the flight times with AeroMexico were way better! I was hesitant of what the airline would be like but I figured we booked night flights so it really didn’t matter. The planes were new, the staff so friendly and everything ran on time. 10/10 recommend!

So you’ve landed in Mexico City - what do you do?! Here’s our trip outline…

Mexico City in November requires all types of clothing, ideal for packing. No one in the city wears anything but trainers, and after walking around it became clear why - the pavements are SO uneven! Birkenstocks were luring me to a neck brace. If you’re up early and ready for a stroll, make sure it’s light outside and take. jacket (it was chilly until 11am onwards!). Museums are also closed on Mondays.

Hotel: Volga*

Location: LOVED. On the outskirts of the fab neighbourhoods La Condesa, Roma Norte and Polanco but not ‘in it’. Noise Level: Low. Hotel was super quiet at night and the staff we’re so helpful and friendly. Rooms: Beds were SO comfortable. Like any big city hotel the lesser priced rooms can be small which is something to bare in mind when booking. There’s a small pool and a bar on the roof which we used once. The gym was small but totally sufficient and all the equipment was TechnoGym.

Things To Do:

Teotihuacan - go early. We LOVED this. Depending on what day you go and what time will affect the traffic, it takes over an hour in an Uber to get there (our Uber cost £22 one way). Get your Uber to drop you at Door 2 as it’s between the Sun and Moon pyramid. We were the first in that day and it was worth it, hot air balloons flying overhead, a peaceful stillness and not too hot. The tour busses arrive at 10am and it fills up fast.

Templo Mayor - these are the ruins of the Aztec temple, demolished by the Spanish on their conquest. I geeked out HARD here, the way the Aztec people saw life, the planet, the cosmos, unreal. There’s an amazing museum attached to the ruins which we didn’t expect so it’s a longer visit than we thought but I thought it was worth it. The surrounding area is nice but don’t walk off track like we did 🫠

Templo Mayor - mind blowing inner geek experience!

Frida Kahlo Museum - my insta audience told me this needs to be booked before travel and they were right. We went on our first day in the afternoon, it’s an amazing experience and after you can explore the markets nearby and have a coffee at El Mondo Del Cafe - they’re known for their apple strudle lattes, we shared one. Coyohacán is a cute but v. touristy area, enjoy a wonder round knowing you’ll probably never return. I highly recommend eating at Mi Compa Chava - we had guac and tacos there, OMFG.

L-R Frida Kahlo's house, coffee at Mondo Del Cafe, lunch in the food markets Of Coyohacan and guac at Mi Compa Chava

Mercado de Artesanías (artisan markets) - we did this on the final day of our trip, go early. It’s super cute, more expensive than Oaxaca but you’re not lugging your shopping around each destination with you. Great for gifts!

La Condessa, Roma Norte and Polanco were all really cute to walk around. Amsterdam Street was amazing on a Sunday for a leafy mooch. If you have or know anyone with Soho House membership - go. It’s out of this world amazing. You can also stay there as a hotel guest.

LR - Contramar, Cana, Contramar, Cafe Nin, Pananderia Rosetta, Maximo

Restaurants

Contramar - chef Gabriela Cámara is a culinary adviser to the Mexican president. It was worth every penny.

Trinidad Ritual de Sabores - we ate here before going to Frida Kahlo’s house! LOVED

Pananderia Rosetta - so good we went back. Our fav brekkie spot.

Cafe Toscano - perfect for bars for people watching (we visited the Condesa one on Sunday and watched all the cute dogs walk by)

Cafe Nin - a cute stop off, but slow service. Food was good!

Cana - we only stopped her for a small bite and a beer but it was chic and I wish we’d booked for dinner. Felt very Mexican Australian!

Maximo - woah! Sensational dining experience, loved all of it! Interiors and attention to detail blew my mind. Bathrooms to die for.

We visited The Four Seasons bar for a drink - incredible cocktails, she’s not cheap in comparison to other places but worth it for a people watch and a coaster. Order a Mexicana, the pineapple foam will blow your mind

Others we didn’t have time to visit but were recommended: Los Tacos Michigan, La Provoleta, Tamales Dona Emi, Carinito Tacos, La Polar, Fonda Margarita, Taqueria El Greco, El Hidalguense, Masala y Maiz, Licoreria Limantour, Chiquito Cafe, Mercado Roma.

Hope this helps! ENJOY! Love Always XX Jules

Oaxaca guide to follow…

*We stayed at Volga on industry rates with no obligation to promote