If you’re looking for the top things to do while visiting Mexico City, read on for some inspiration on things to do in and near the city.
The first thing I thought when I arrived in Mexico City for the first time is “whoa, this place is huge”. I spent nearly two weeks in Mexico City and I feel like I didn’t even come close to scratching the surface of doing all the things I wanted to do.
Below is a roundup of the TOP things I did and recommend checking out…
Watch the sunrise at the pyramids while in a HOT AIR BALLOON
I was genuinely curious if this would be as dreamy as all the photos and videos make it seem like and …
Good news: this has the potential to be the best part of your trip
There is something really magical about these sunrise views. A word most people used to describe the experience is “peaceful” and it’s the lighting that makes it really unique.
Going on this hot air balloon ride AFTER sunrise won’t be the same experience. It’ll still be pretty, but definitely not the same experience.
So what can you expect?
The drive to Teotihuacan is about an hour from Mexico City and we left by 4:45am to have time to arrive before the 6:30 sunrise.
Upon arrival (it’s cold if you’re doing this in late October!) you can warm up with some coffee and pastries while you wait (this is provided in the welcoming lobby).
Then it’s time for an hour (or so) of magic while floating around the skies and enjoying the beautiful views.
Want to see the Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon ride? See it in the full Youtube video by clicking here!
Explore the Teotihuacan pyramids
Is visiting the pyramids at Teotihuacan worth braving the hot sun (with no shade) and more importantly: is it boring?
This is what I wondered when we arrived here after doing the hot air balloon tour.
I’m not the type of traveler that wants a 4 hour full history download. I want to appreciate what I’m looking at, but I want the “muy rapido” one hour version with a tiny bit of time afterwards to take some fun photos.
THIS is the way we visited the pyramids of Teotihuacan and I DEFINITELY recommend it.
Why is worth coming here?
Especially if you’ve taken the hot air balloon ride it’s a fantastic way to LEARN about what you’ve been looking at for the last hour. With a guide you can learn about the history of the pyramids and some of the unique designs (like the platform with “perfect acoustics” – if you talk from that platform you can be heard EVERYWHERE in the space).
It was exactly enough time in an hour to cruise around, check out the pyramids and then head out. Some of the pyramids you can walk on top of and some are off limits.
It’s also helpful to know that there are a LOT of vendors here that will more or less harass you the entire time (and follow you around) to buy something. So get ready for a lot of “no gracias” or shaking your head.
Watch Mexican wrestling at LUCHA LIBRE!
Would Mexican wrestling be cheesey and boring or would it actually be fun? I was genuinely curious what it would be like.
Spoiler: I had an amazing time
One of the things that makes Lucha Libre a must visit when in Mexico City is that EVERYONE goes and the locals get VERY into it.
It’s a fun and exciting environment in which everyone is yelling and cheering. Especially if you’re sitting closer to the ring, it makes it super exciting to watch.
Tickets for our event, held at Arenal Mexico cost $350 pesos (approx $17) and I was surprised by both the selection and costs of the vending options once inside.
Outside there are vendors as well where you can buy masks for around $25 USD.
A michelada with two beers cost just $160 pesos and a popular item, cup of noodle soup, cost $60 pesos ($3 USD).
A must visit when in Mexico City! Want to SEE this experience? See in the full Youtube video by clicking here.
Learn about Mexico City on a BIKE TOUR!
If I’m honest, if you’re a decent cyclist, this is the FASTEST way to learn about Mexico City and learn the most about it.
Wait… why?! Think about it: traffic in Mexico City is scary. Taking a driving tour or a bus tour is more or less a “sit in traffic tour” and this city is way, way too big for a walking tour.
If you want to see a lot and learn a lot, a biking tour is the way to go.
However, this bike tour is NOT for everyone. If you’re not comfortable on a bike (i.e. you’re a beginner cyclist) or you don’t spend much time on bikes at all – it might feel difficult cycling over uneven pavement and around the general car and foot traffic of Mexico City.
To be honest, I was INCREDIBLY happy with how safe and how easy this bike tour ended up being (compared to what I envisioned). The tour wasn’t just a guide – we also had someone that helped to manage traffic (i.e. as we rode together, he would make sure traffic would stop for our entire group) and we even had a caboose that made sure no one got left behind.
We covered A LOT of ground. Over the course of 4 hours I had seen all the main neighborhoods of Mexico City and learned a ton of history and architecture.
Insider tip: I did this tour on my second day in Mexico City. This was the BEST choice. It gave me a lay of the land and an appreciation for what I was looking at during the remainder of my vacation.
Enjoy the a thermal waterpark at Grutas Tolantongo
Is the 4 (or more) hour drive from Mexico City to Grutas Tolantongo worth it and does it actually look like the dreamy photos and videos you see online?
THIS is exactly what I was wondering as I rolled out of bed at 4am to go to the mineral baths.
The first thing I was surprised by when I arrived at Grutas Tolantongo is how BIG this property is. It’s large enough that you’re not just walking from one spot to the next, but driving. You can see a map of the property by clicking here.
I recommend you start your visit at the mineral pools (the ones you see in all the photos). This area can get very busy and it’s a significantly better experience to be here when it doesn’t feel like a zoo.
The mineral pools have a nice view of the mountains and it’s a place where you “take over” a pool to yourself (or whomever you’re with) vs. sharing with strangers.
It’s helpful to know you’re not allowed to bring any kind of food, drinks (and other random restricted items like cigarettes into this area). They will check your bags, but you can bring bags inside and put them to the side of the pools.
Also in this area there are restaurants and eateries. You’ll find a sit down restaurant as well as smaller more casual restaurants where you can get fun cocktails and drinks as well as large plates of food or more casual sandwiches or elite.
The other part to explore are the cave and waterfall as well as river area. For visiting the cave and waterfall, it’s really warm water (the warmest out of anywhere) and you can explore the caves with a flashlight. It’s important to have water shoes (not flip flops) for this experience and it is VERY easy to lose something in the water (our group lost a phone and it was never recovered).
There are lockers available throughout the grounds and costs around $250 pesos.
Overall it’s a cool place to visit – many people stay overnight, but to be honest if I did it this way, I would stay for one night only and really as a means of enjoying Grutas Tolantongo as soon as it opens (i.e. depart for the hotel in the evening, then leave again late morning next day).
Want to SEE what this experience is like? See it in the full Youtube video by clicking here!
Boating in Xochimilco
Drinking, eating and partying on a boat? It’s a touristy thing to do, but to be honest, it’s really fun.
Xochimilco is about an hour south of Mexico City and imagine this: you get on a colorful, flat-bottomed boat called a “trajinera,” and you’re basically set up with a table in the middle, drinks in hand, music going, and a whole crew of friends around you.
Bring a speaker or even get mariachi on board for some live music vibes. And while you’re floating, vendors pass by selling everything from flower crowns to street corn and micheladas, so you’re covered if you want some extra snacks or a drink. It’s all about cruising, eating, drinking, and dancing while soaking up the lively atmosphere around you
This is a fun thing to do for a few hours. Check out the full experience by watching the Youtube video by clicking here.
Eat delicious tacos (obviously)
There is no shortage of tacos around Mexico City. One favorite? The ONLY Michelin star taco stand (in the world).
Taqueria El Califa de Leon has been serving locals and visitors alike for over 70 years. This stand keeps it simple with just four types of tacos, each made with carefully crafted, authentic flavors that truly represent Mexican street food at its best.
It’s a standing-room-only experience, so be prepared to stand in line for a bit, especially during busy hours. But don’t worry—the wait is worth it!
Perfect for anyone wanting to taste the best of Mexico City’s taco scene and also perfect for someone who isn’t to bougie to stand on the street while devouring a taco (and making a mess all over yourself).
Don’t miss Mexico City nightlife
Mexico City nightlife didn’t disappoint. I loved walking around the lively area of Zona Rosa and trying to pop into nightclubs playing reggaeton.
I expected the cover fee (which, see the quick 10 second video below for a COMPLETE misunderstanding I had about the price of the cover fee)…
But one thing I didn’t expect? Needing “a ticket to exit”. I didn’t get understand this at first, but I realized “oh, they want to make sure you’ve paid your bar (or for me: bottle tab) before they let you go. LOL. No amount of my broken Spanish helped me to understand that part.
Want to know what else is rad in Mexico City? The cocktail scene...
The cocktail scene in Mexico City is AWESOME. Not just because the prices are amazing (they really, really are amazing especially if you’re comparing it to NYC, Miami or LA), but because the mixologists and selection of cocktail bars is AWESOME.
Bottom Line
Mexico City is packed with incredible experiences, from floating over the ancient pyramids in a hot air balloon at sunrise to exploring vibrant neighborhoods on a bike tour.
Don’t miss the local magic of Lucha Libre wrestling, indulging in world-class tacos, or relaxing at Grutas Tolantongo.
For a fun and party vibe, a boat ride through Xochimilco is a must, and the city’s cocktail scene will leave you beyond impressed. Whether you’re here for the culture, food, or nightlife, Mexico City has something unforgettable for everyone.