5 days in Mexico City
Discover Mexico City’s Iconic Treasures
The capital of Mexico is often overlooked for the beach towns and popular tourist sites, but these 5 days in Mexico City will show you exactly why the city is worth seeing. The sprawling metropolis is surprisingly modern, and yet, there’s an underlying current of history everywhere you go. The people are friendly, the food is amazing, and there’s far more to see than you could possibly cram into a week or even a month. That’s why we’ve curated the best places just for you.
From the lively canals of Xochimilco and the architecture of Chapultepec Castle, you’ll see why this is one of the most beloved cities in Mexico. It has everything: history, museums, cuisine, live music, ruins, and art. Get ready for the experience of a lifetime as we whisk you away to the land of culture.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Where art takes flight
Teotihuacan
Enduring legacy
Chapultepec Castle
A story in stone
Museum of Anthropology
Unearthing Mexico’s past
Highlights
You only have 5 days in Mexico City, so we’ll make sure they’re the best they can be. You’ll tour the beautiful historical center of the city and see the Zocalo or central plaza, which is larger than even Central Park in New York City. You’ll visit the stunning Basilica of Guadalupe, where the Virgin Mary appeared to a peasant, the Frida Kahlo Museum, and Chapultepec Castle, which holds its own special place in history.
From the Museum of Anthropology to the archeological site of Teotihuacan, there is so much history right here in Mexico City. It’s a heady experience to see the artifacts sculpted so carefully by ancient hands and to see the delicate work they were capable of. You won’t regret taking this trip, that’s for sure!
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Mexico City, you’ll be greeted by our driver, who will take you to your hotel. Take a little time to get settled, then it’s time to tour Mexico City!
Mexico City is the oldest capital city in the Americas. Founded in 1325 by the Aztecs, the city quickly became a stunning feat of engineering. Canals, causeways, and man-made islands called chinampas were used to grow food. Nearly two centuries later, Spanish conquistadors took over the city and built Mexico City on the ruins of Tenochtitlan. Today, Mexico City is the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world, as well as one of the most populous, with more than 21 million people living in the Greater Mexico City metropolitan area.
Your tour will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site section of Mexico City, the historic center, or Zocalo. Beautiful palaces and churches fill this area, and your guide will take you through some of them. You’ll visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Templo Mayor (which is a small piece of the original Aztec city), and the Metropolitan Cathedral with its stunning architecture. You’ll also visit the Roma and La Condesa districts, where you can stretch your legs while taking in the modern scenery, replete with coffee shops, art galleries, and bars.
- 4 nights in Mexico City.
Today’s tour will take us first to the archeological site of Teotihuacan, which means City of the Gods in Nahuatl. Located just 25 miles from Mexico City, unknown people built this Mesoamerican city. It eventually became the largest city in the Americas, possibly even in the world, with around 125-200,000 residents. Here, you’ll see the unique talud-tablero style architecture, which means a sloping base (talud) and a vertical panel above that (tablero).
While exploring Teotihuacan, you’ll walk the Avenue of the Dead, which runs for 1.5 miles, with palaces and temples on either side. You’ll also check out the three huge pyramids, Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, and Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent. It’s a fascinating trip into the past of one of the oldest cultures in Mexico.
Next, we’ll head to the Basilica of Guadalupe, a very important religious site for Catholics around the world. The basilica stands next to the site where the Virgin Mary is believed to have shown herself to an indigenous convert, Juan Diego. She emblazoned her image, the Virgin of Guadalupe, on Diego’s cloak, and it is displayed in the basilica, still intact after almost 500 years. Originally, he built a basilica on the ground where Mary stood, but that eventually sank and was too ruined to be in use. The new structure was built to hold the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe and is now the destination for roughly 30 million pilgrims every year.
We’ll stay closer to home base today, heading to the nearby Xochimilco park in the morning. There, you’ll board one of the colorful river boats or trajineras powered by a single young man with a pole and take to the canals to see the sights.
Originally, Xochimilco was a lake with man-made floating islands where the locals grew flowers and crops in the rich mud brought from the lake bottom. Today, it’s reduced to a maze of canals lined with shops, restaurants, and little museums. Musicians play on other boats, and smaller boats offer snacks and drinks for purchase.
After the boat ride, we’re off to Coyoacan, a pre-Hispanic village that now forms a borough of Mexico City. As the capital expanded, it gradually took over other towns nearby, including Coyoacan, with its rich history. We’ll walk the cobblestone streets and visit the beautiful plazas, looking at the colonial buildings that line the streets.
Many famous people, including Rufino Tamayo, Leon Trotsky, Octavio Paz, and Frida Kahlo lived in this part of the city. We’ll visit La Casa Azul (The Blue House), where the Frida Kahlo Museum is located. Here you’ll see items from her life, including her artwork and studio supplies.
In the evening, you’ll have time to relax and explore around your hotel if you like.
After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to head to Chapultepec Castle, atop Chapultepec Hill. The castle was originally built to be a summer palace for Viceroy Bernardo de Galvez. However, it was abandoned unfinished when he died in 1786. Later, the castle served as a military academy starting in 1833 and was the location of the Mexican-American War’s Battle of Chapultepec with “Los Niños Heroes” or the Hero Children who fought there in 1847. Nowadays, the castle is home to the National Museum of History with exhibits spanning from pre-Hispanic times to the country’s independence.
We’ll also tour the Museum of Anthropology, a massive building with exhibit rooms coming off the main plaza in a U-shape. It’s two stories, so be prepared for a lot of information. This museum has gained renown around the world, thanks to its comprehensive exhibits that include ancient Mexican artifacts, art, and treasures. Here you’ll see the Aztec Sun Stone or calendar stone, massive Olmec heads, carved stelae and ceramics and sculptures from throughout the history of the region. It’s fascinating to see it all, including a replica of King Pakal’s tomb, complete with skeletons from the excavation site.
It’s time to return home. Say goodbye to Mexico City as your driver takes you to the airport to catch your flight home.
map, expenses & price
5 days in Mexico City
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Five nights of hotel accommodations.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-All park entrance fees.
-Professional local guides.
-Daily breakfast and two lunches.
Extensions
ADD-ON
Not ready to leave Mexico so soon? Let’s head to Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. It’s well known for its strong preservation of indigenous cultures, traditions, and languages, and is a wonderful place to visit.
We’ll start in Oaxaca City, the capital, with its vibrant culture and colonial architecture. This area boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Oaxaca City’s historic center and the nearby Monte Alban. You’ll visit the Zocalo or main square, where you can enjoy the markets and cafes, but it’s a good idea to check out the garden park, Alameda de Leon. You’ll also see the stunning Baroque Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption.
The archeological site of Monte Alban was once the Zapotec capital. Founded in 500 BCE, it’s also one of the oldest major cities in Mesoamerica and had a history of nearly 1,300 years. The residents terraced the mountain and built plazas, pyramids, tombs, and ball courts, all with impressive irrigation systems and engineering. Stunning views barely make an impact as you wander the streets that were long ago paved and look at the danzantes, carved stone monuments with images reflecting politics and religious beliefs from the time.
You’ll also have a chance to visit Hierve el Agua, where you can hike up to natural infinity pools and soak in the healing mineral waters. If you’re interested in learning more about the local cuisine and mezcal, we offer cooking experiences and mezcal tours, as well as food tours to help you really experience this amazing area.
add-on
You’ve likely heard mention of San Miguel Allende, a stunning town built by a Franciscan monk back in 1542. It had a strong place in history, starring in Mexico’s War of Independence and being the first town to declare independence from Spain. Today, San Miguel Allende is best known for its arts, as home to the Instituto Allende Art School. Festivals, galleries, and cultural events make it a popular destination for Mexican nationals and tourists alike.
You’ll have plenty of time to learn about the various artists who have made their homes here and will visit galleries, plazas, and see artists at work. You’ll also have a chance to see the impressive Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel. This parish church is one of the most popular churches to photograph in Mexico, with its pink facade and neo-Gothic spires jutting into the sky. It’s quite the sight and something you’ll definitely want to see. Despite being founded in 1542, the church has undergone many changes over the years and is still in use to this day.
