Morning

Arrival: Fly into Benito Juárez International Airport, Mexico City’s major airport. FYI, most people don’t need a visa to visit in Mexico, and there are plenty of good flight options to Mexico City. So here comes the fun part!

Head into Mexico City: Locals say you can take an Uber or Metro Line 5 into downtown Mexico City. The trip is 30 minutes by car, but the 50-minute metro ride is well worth it since tickets cost only $5 one way. Locals highly recommend using Mexico City’s safe and clean metro line to get around. (And when you work with a local to plan your trip, they'll provide detailed instructions on using public transportation.)

Roma and Condesa: Jump right in by exploring Roma and Condesa, two of Mexico City’s coolest neighborhoods. No matter where you choose to stay in Mexico City, you’ll want to spend time here. Roma and Condesa are filled with Art Deo mansions, street art, romantic boulevards, and sweeping green parks.

Breakfast: When in Roma, head over to Lalo! for some French toast and coffee that will wow your tastebuds. Other popular breakfast spots include nearby Condesa DF and Salicornia, Condesa-based restaurants with great prices and amazing breakfast spreads.

Afternoon

Lunch: Grab a meal at the Mercado Roma, a fancy food hall in the middle of Roma, and definitely get a drink at the bar on the Mercado’s rooftop for a great view. 

Parque Mexico: Condesa’s central Parque Mexico is the perfect place for a stroll. Not only is it a nice change of pace from Mexico City's urban sprawl, but it's a favorite among Mexico City dog lovers. Expect to see plenty of pooches in the park!

Evening

Night on the town: You won’t have to go far to experience great Mexico City nightlife—Roma and Condesa have plenty of great bars and clubs. Don't travel blind! When you have a local plan your trip, they'll suggest their favorite places for an incredible night out. 

Morning

Catch the bus: Some of the things to do in Mexico City require a bit of travel. So now that you’ve got your sea legs, take a day trip to nearby Puebla! A direct bus from Mexico City to Puebla runs every 10 minutes from Mexico TAPO (Terminal de Autobuses) and takes 2 hours one way. 

Afternoon

Arrive in Puebla: The bus drops you off at Puebla Terminal CAPU. Once there, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this incredibly colorful part of the country. 

Sightseeing: Shop around for traditional Puebla pottery, explore the hundreds of churches in town, and definitely, definitely, enjoy dishes with rich, chocolatey mole sauce, which is Puebla's specialty.

Cholula: Since you’re already in Puebla, you might as well keep town-hopping—locals note that the amazing town of Cholula is only a thirty-minute drive away. From Cholula, you’ll have an awesome view of Mexico’s most famous volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, as well as the Great Pyramid of Cholula. 

Evening 

Bus to Mexico City: Take the Estrella Roja bus service from Puebla to Mexico City. (Again, be prepared for the 2-hour bus ride back.) Buying bus tickets with Estrella Roja can be a bit confusing for first-timers, so benefit from local insight. By having a local plan your trip, you'll know just what to do. 

Morning 

Explore Coyoacan: If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Mexico City, Coyoacan is an excellent choice. Quiet, artsy, and laid back, it's a great place to get away from the bustle of the city.

If you aren't already there, get an early start to travel the forty minutes south. One frequently asked a question about Mexico City is how to get around: locals tell us that, at least during the day, the Mexico City metro is a great option.

Museo Frida Kahlo: Take time to visit one of the top-rated places in Mexico City—the beautiful Museo Frida Kahlo. Known as “The Blue House,” this museum was once the Kahlo's home. Don't miss out—locals tell us you’ll want to get there early. People love this museum. 

Afternoon

Self-guided Coyoacan tour:  Our local trip planners suggest spending the afternoon winding through Coyoacan: explore its gorgeous Viveros Coyoacan park, and check out snack options at Coyoacan’s food market, Mercado Coyoacan. You don't have to wander blind. When you have a local plan your trip, they'll design a personalized map and a guidebook tailored to your travel style. 

Evening

Palacio Nacional: Head back to the center of town to check out a Mexico City must see—the striking Diego Rivera murals at the Palacio Nacional. Locals tell us that the Palacio Nacional is a cool place to explore. But if you're looking to avoid crowds, they suggest seeing Rivera's murals in the courtyard of the Secretariat of Public Education. 

Gran Hotel: Let the art adventure continue at the magnificent Grand Hotel de la Ciudad de Mexico. One of the coolest things to do in Mexico City is checking out the lobby’s incredible Tiffany stained-glass ceiling. Locals suggest getting a drink on the top floor to enjoy a sweeping view of El Zocalo.

Morning

Bosque de Chapultepec: If you’re in Mexico City you absolutely have to visit the beautiful Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park). Twice the size of New York City’s Central Park, there are SO many awesome things to check out.

You could spend an entire day exploring Chapultepec—and why not? The park is much loved among solo travelers in Mexico City because there's a lot to see.

Afternoon

Museum hopping: No matter what time of year you visit Mexico City, you can always explore Chapultepec’s gorgeous museums. Local must-gos include the grand Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Anthropology Museum), Museo de Arte Moderno (Modern Art Museum), and so many more.

Castillo de Chapultepec: For an off-the-beaten-path spot that most tourists miss, have a local tell you the best ways to get to Castillo de Chapultepec, known as the “Snail Museum” for the bizarre spiral that surrounds the castle’s original exterior. 

Evening

A foodie’s night out: At the end of all that exploring, you’re going to be wondering where to eat close by—so be sure to treat yourself in nearby Polanco. Bordering the north end of the park, Polanco is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Literally. 

Choose your restaurant: Top-rated places like Pujol and Quintonil are expensive (although certainly worth it). But if you’re looking for something more within the range of normal Mexico City prices just ask a local for their suggestions!

Morning 

Check out a weird museum: Mexico City is a museum city (there are over 150 to choose from!), so you know there are some weird ones on the list. Locals tell us that the Old Toy Museum is a great non-touristy thing to do in Mexico City—you could spend hours checking out the incredible collection of bizarre old toys. 

Museo del Objeto del Objeto: Literally “The Museum of the Object of the Object,” it’s hard to get much weirder (or brilliant) than the MODO, an eccentric collection of everyday objects dating from the present to 200+ years ago. 

Afternoon

Taco time: When it comes to food, it's hard to beat local suggestions. Our trip planners tell us that one of the more unusual (and delicious!) things to see in Mexico City is the taco traffic circle in the neighborhood of Narvarte. This roundabout is surrounded by some of the most delicious taco places in Mexico City.

Explore up-and-coming neighborhoods: The neighborhoods of San Rafael and Juarez are less visited than Roma and Condesa, but they’re full of awesome things to do. Their ongoing renaissance has resulted in tons of great art galleries, bars, and restaurants.

Local tip: Juarez is a great place to wander off the beaten path: explore Little Seoul, where you can find incredible Korean food in the middle of the Mexican capital. 

Evening

Party in Juarez: Also home to the Zona Rosa neighborhood, Juarez is known for its dynamic nightlife. Although Mexico City is safe, areas like Zona Rosa can get dodgy at night.

Locals recommend treating a night out in Zona Rosa like you would in any big city: stay aware of your surroundings, call an Uber when it’s time to go home, and don’t go too far from the main drag. If safety is a concern, ask the people who know best. Our trip planners are Mexico City locals who can explain how they navigate the city safely.

Morning

Get up early and hit the road: One of our favorite local travel tips for Mexico City: don't leave without visiting the incredible Pyramids of Teotihuacan, a Mexico City tourist attraction that is definitely worth your time. Locals say you can take a public bus from Autobuses del Norte Terminal, where round-trip tickets sell for around $5 USD. 

Afternoon

Arrive at the pyramids: Although the pyramids were discovered by the Aztecs, the Pyramids of Teotihuacan are actually older than the Aztecs. Spend the afternoon climbing the two main pyramids: the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, which are both over one hundred feet high.

Local tip: Visit the Pyramids in the morning to beat the crowds. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and wear good walking shoes!

Evening

Dinner and drinks: Locals suggest keeping the ancient theme going when you get back to central Mexico City. How? Look out for a drink made with pulque—a beverage that predates the Spanish by 1500 years! Next, use some local advice to find a traditional Mexican restaurant. Our trip planners can recommend their faves for your mood and budget. 

Morning

Start the day early: You’re a week in, so what's left to do in Mexico City? A whole lot! You still need to see the big sights, so make your last day all about that. There are still tons of Mexico City attractions to choose from.

Get personalized advice based on your travel style. When you have a local plan your trip, they'll let you know if you should prioritize Chapultepec Park, Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal, or something else entirely!

Breakfast: Whatever you decide to do, locals suggest starting the day with a pastry at Pasteleria Ideal. (It'll be hard to pick just one—no judgment if you leave with three.)

Afternoon

Xochimilco: Spend the day exploring the lively Floating Gardens of Xochimilco. There, you’ll have the chance to listen to plenty of live music, traverse the canals in colorful boats, and check out the creepy Island of Dolls.

Local tip: Xochimilco is fine to visit during the day, but avoid this area at night. 

Evening

Sightseeing at sunset: Back in the center of the city, take in some of Mexico City’s iconic landmarks. Many of them are picture-perfect at sundown, so this is the perfect time to explore and snap a few last pics. Locals tell us that the iconic El Angel and the beautiful Monumento de la Revolucion should definitely make your list. 

Live music and shows: Finish things up by taking in a show at Palacio de Bellas Artes. Or, for a rowdier time, spend the evening at Plaza Garibaldi and tap your foot to the lively mariachi bands that overtake the square. 

Either way, you'll enjoy some of the magic that makes visiting Mexico City so enchanting.