How to Spend 3 Days in Mexico City
Mexico City is a feast for the senses. During my recent trip to CDMX, I spent my time eating tons of tacos, exploring art museums, and learning more about Mexico’s rich history.
Three-days in this exciting city gives you just enough time to scratch the surface. Basically, in three days, you can see the major sites, get a taste for the incredible food scene, and start planning your trip back for more.
If you are taking a trip to Mexico City or just looking for some inspiration, read on! My 3 days in Mexico City itinerary covers the best of what this city has to offer. With this guide, you will get a little bit of everything during your short stay in CDMX.
3 Days in Mexico City
Where To Stay
I’m not going to lie, this was a major concern for my trip. I was unfamiliar with Mexico City before my trip and not sure which areas were the best for visitors.
I spoke to multiple bloggers who’ve spent a lot of time in CDMX and the name neighborhood kept coming up: Roma Norte. This ended up being the perfect choice. Roma Norte is kind of like Mexico City’s version of Brooklyn. It is a hipstery area with bars, cafes, and leafy avenues. I found a cheap Airbnb in this neighborhood and felt very comfortable walking around here during my stay.
Another option is La Condesa. This area is close to Roma and has a similar feel (artsy, leafy, and filled with eateries).
These neighborhoods are my picks, especially for your first trip to CDMX. (Just a head’s up, the main neighborhood that kept coming up in my research to avoid was Teptio.)
How to Get Here
Most likely, you will be flying to Mexico City. Benito Juárez International Airport is the city’s main airport. You will find plenty of things here to kill time on your return trip. The airport is filled with tons of shops and restaurants.
From the airport, I recommend taking an Uber to your accommodation. Taking an Uber is easy and relatively cheap. Taxis are also an option, but make sure you take an authorized taxi only. Honestly, Uber seems like the most reliable and safest option and that is what I used to get around the city.
The Metro is also an option, which I do recommend for getting around the city. However, you might not be allowed on the subway with a suitcase so I wouldn’t try to take it from the airport.
Transportation in the City
Mexico City is walkable, but it is more spread out than other major cities I’ve visited. So, you probably won’t want to walk between all of your destinations.
Uber is a great option for getting around. Compared to prices in major US cities, Uber is pretty cheap in CDMX. It is safe and reliable (I would use this over a taxi in Mexico City). Besides walking, this was the main way I got around CDMX.
Public transportation is another option. The Metro is quick, reliable, and used by millions of people each day. Plus, it is an incredibly cheap option. A one-way ride costs about 25 cents USD! You can buy a pack of 10 tickets at a window in the Metro stations.
Good to Know
Pesos are Mexico’s currency. Roughly 20 Pesos = 1 USD.
Spanish is the main language spoken. When I’ve explored Spain, I’ve gotten around on broken Spanish because many people also spoke English. In CDMX, some people I encountered spoke English, but it was not as common as in Spain. Everyone I spoke to in CDMX was incredibly friendly and accommodating even though my Spanish isn’t that strong. To make it easier, brush up on your Spanish and try to communicate in Spanish when you can.
Day 1
Ready to explore CDMX? Your 3 days in Mexico City starts now!
Breakfast at Lalo!
As we dive into our 3 days in Mexico City itinerary, there is something you need to understand. Mexico City has an impressive culinary scene. Before visiting, I knew the tacos would be good. Mexican food is my favorite cuisine, so I knew I would be in for a treat during this trip. But I didn’t quite realize how strong the food scene actually is. There are some heavy-hitting chefs that all operate multiple high-quality restaurants around the city. And one of those chefs is Eduardo García.
Eduardo García is mainly known for Máximo Bistrot, a Mexico City restaurant that was listed as #20 on the list of Latin Americas’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2018. I didn’t have the chance to visit Máximo Bistrot during my trip, but I enjoyed breakfast at his other CDMX eatery, Lalo!
Lalo! is a relaxed and affordable breakfast option that is the perfect place to kick off your trip. Once you are seated, a waiter will walk around with a tray of tempting pastries. Take your pick before perusing the menu for your entree. My husband and I shared a bowl of chilaquiles to compliment our pastries. This was a great choice! (Don’t worry, you will see chilaquiles again on this itinerary. I fell in love with them on this trip!)
My pick: Chilaquiles
Explore the Museum Nacional de Antropologia
Once you finish your delicious breakfast, take an Uber to the Museum Nacional de Antropologia. This museum opens at 9 am (it is closed on Mondays) and I suggest getting there when it opens to give yourself as much time as possible to explore. This museum is HUGE and filled with incredible exhibits about the cultural history of Mexico.
The museum costs 70 pesos (about $4 USD). You could easily spend an entire day wandering the exhibition rooms. Don’t miss the Teotihuacan room! This will give some great context before your day trip here (listed on Day 3). Head’s up, most of the signs in this museum are in Spanish, so download the Google Translate app if you need help with the displays. You can point the app at a sign and it will roughly translate it on your screen!
Take a Taco + Bike Tour
Don’t miss this tour! This was a highlight of my time in CDMX and I can’t stress enough how much I loved this experience. I found this tour through Airbnb Experiences and it is actually one of the top ten Airbnb experiences in the world!
During this 3 hour tour, you will take a bike ride through the scenic neighborhoods of Roma and La Condesa. Along the way, you will stop for tacos at 5 delicious taco stands. The tour also ends at a bar where you can sip mezcal or Mexican beer. Tacos, a bike ride, and drinks, what more do you need?
Hike to Chapultepec Castle
After your bike tour, spend your afternoon in Chapultepec. This sprawling park is twice the size of New York City‘s Central Park. Here, you can buy a ticket to visit the impressive Chapultepec Castle. Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Carlota lived here during the Second Mexican Empire. From 1882-1939, it was used as the official residence of the Mexican President. Today, it is a museum filled with art and beautiful pieces of interior design.
The castle is perched on Chapultepec Hill and from here you can enjoy a sweeping view of the city. Spend some time in the Castle’s garden taking in the sights. After, make your way back down into the city for dinner.
Dinner at Contramar
Contramar is the essential seafood restaurant in CDMX. This eatery is technically a lunch-only spot, but luckily lunch stretches to 6:30 pm (8:00 pm on Friday and Saturdays). Make a late reservation so this “lunch” spot can actually be your dinner.
The menu is long and a bit overwhelming. But don’t let this intimidate you. I opted for Pescado a la Talla Contramar (a whole fish with red and green chile sauce) which was delicious! My husband ordered Filete de atun Contramar, which was equally yummy. Oh, and don’t skip dessert. A tray will be brought around for you to check out the options. The strawberry meringue was amazing. I enjoy this with an espresso cocktail called Carajillo. This was my first taste of this cocktail and it was the perfect way to end a meal!
My picks: Pescado a la Talla Contramar and Carajillo
End the Night with Churros
Yes, I know I recommended dessert at Contramar. But if you want a little bit more, stop by Churrería El Moro. This shop opened in 1935 and now there are multiple locations of this classic dessert spot around the city. Order a plate of warm churros and a cup of chocolate on the side. You can choose between a few options, including thick Spanish chocolate (better for dipping) or think Mexican chocolate (better for sipping). After enjoying your churros, rest up before your next full day in CDMX!
My picks: Churros dos y dos (to try sugar and cinnamon coatings) + Mexican chocolate
Day 2
Enjoy Breakfast at Eno
Remember what I said about Mexico City’s food scene? Today we are starting with breakfast at Eno, the laid-back cafe by the city’s famous chef Enrique Olvera. You might be familiar with Enrique Olvera from his episode on the Netflix show, Chef’s Table. If not, you will be very familiar with his name by the end of the day. Our itinerary ends with a meal at his other CDMX restaurant, Pujol (which happens to be ranked as Number 12 on the 2019 World’s 50 Best Restaurants List).
Enjoy a leisurely meal at Eno before heading to your next stop. I ordered chilaquiles here because I couldn’t get enough of this dish in CDMX. After, call an Uber and head to the Coyoacán neighborhood.
My picks: Chilaquiles (again!)
A Quick Stop at the Market + Coffee
This morning is the perfect time to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum. But, as I’ll get into in a bit, the ticket process is a bit complicated for the museum. To avoid the possible 2-hour line at the museum, make sure you buy tickets in advance.
Your ticket will be for a timed entrance, so if you get to the museum early you can spend some time exploring the Mercado de Coyoacán. This colorful market is close to the Frida Kahlo Museum. Here you will find plenty of food stalls plus vendors selling clothing and trinkets. Just keep an eye on your wallet (pickpocketers sometimes visit this market, too). But overall, this market will give you a nice taste for classic Mexico City markets, especially if you need to kill some time before visiting the museum.
If you are looking for some coffee, check out the nearby Cafe El Jarocho. This coffee shop opened in 1953 and now there are multiple locations around CDMX. This felt like a local spot and I enjoyed grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting outside like many others, who I can only assume were regulars.
Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum
When you visit Mexico City, especially for the first time, you won’t want to miss the Frida Kahlo Museum. This museum is located in Casa Azul (Blue House). Frida was born in this house in 1907 and spent her childhood here. She later moved back to the Blue House to live here with her husband Diego Rivera. In 1954, Frida Kahlo died in Casa Azul. In 1958, Diego Rivera donated the house and its contents as the Frida Kahlo Museum.
During a visit to the museum, you can see multiple pieces of Frida’s art, her personal art supplies, and many of her other belongings. This museum is a moving and beautiful space and was a highlight of my time in CDMX. As I mentioned earlier, you will want to buy your tickets in advance to avoid the 2-hour line to get into the museum without a pre-purchased ticket. For more information on buying tickets and other details about the museum, check out my post on the Frida Kahlo Museum.
Wander in the Templo Major Museum
After your visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum, make your way back to the Historic Center. From here, head to the ruins of Templo Major. This was once the major temple in the Mexica city of Tenochtitlan (which is modern-day Mexico City). When the Spanish arrived, they destroyed the temple to build a massive cathedral. Excavations uncovered the ruins, which you can now walk through. Inside the museum, you can see hundreds of artifacts that were discovered at the site.
This museum was a surprising highlight of my time in CDMX. Many of the signs were in Spanish and English, so I was able to learn a lot about the Mexica people and the Mesoamerican city of Tenochtitlan. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was worth visiting the museum. After all, you can see a lot of the ruins without actually entering the museum. But, for less than $4, this museum was well worth a visit. Plus, walking through the ruins is a much different (and better) experience than just taking them in from the outside. And I could have spent hours wandering the indoor museum!
After exploring the museum, it’s time to get ready for dinner. Next up, a 10-course meal at Pujol’s Omakase Taco Bar.
Experience Omakase
If you are a regular reader, you will know that a 10-course meal really isn’t my scene. I am a budget traveler and usually opt for cheap eats. Well, I splurged in Mexico City and if you have the chance (and consider yourself a foodie) I suggest you do the same.
Day 2 started with breakfast at Enrique Olvera’s casual cafe, Eno. For dinner, visit his high-end eatery, Pujol. This restaurant was awarded 12th on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List for 2019. If you want to visit this restaurant, make your reservations NOW! Omakase is actually just one part of Pujol. You can either reserve a table in the main restaurant (Pujol) or the taco bar (Omakase). I couldn’t get a reservation at Pujol, so snagged a spot at the taco bar. After the experience, I know I would choose the taco bar again!
The taco bar experience is a 10-course tasting menu at a set price (it was 3332 pesos or $170 USD with tax included for me). This price includes alcoholic beverages and, unfortunately, if you don’t drink the price is the same. If you want to drink, you can choose between mezcal, beer, or wine pairings for your courses.
Omakase was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve never had a 10-course meal and the level of service was incredible. Plus, I loved this spot because it didn’t feel pretentious. Sure, people were dressed up. But it didn’t feel over the top (I saw a few people in jeans and they didn’t stand out).
I booked a table for the 4:00 pm seating. The 10-courses plus the extra dessert course (which you get to enjoy on the outdoor patio), took most of my evening. This was a perfect night and an incredible experience that you can’t get anywhere else.
Day 3
We’ve reached the final day of our 3 days in Mexico City itinerary. Today will be packed with food, history, and culture!
Take a trip to Teotihuacan
Technically, we will be leaving Mexico City for this experience. But a visit to CDMX wouldn’t feel complete without a stop at the nearby Teotihuacan historic site. This ancient Mesoamerican city is only about 1.5 hours outside of the city. Here you can climb to the top of two temples and get a better understanding of Mesoamerican culture and history.
Teotihuacan was an extremely important city in pre-Columbian Americas. At its height, it had a population of 125,000 people and was the 6th largest city in the world at the time. The origins of Teotihuacan are somewhat of a mystery, but it is estimated that the city lasted from at least 100 BC to 550 AD.
You could do this trip on your own, but I suggest taking a guided tour to eliminate your stress. You can find a few tours on Airbnb Experiences.
The Airbnb Experience I took included a stop on the way for coffee and breakfast and a stop for lunch on the way back to CDMX. We were back in the city around 4:00 pm.
Stop by Zocalo for a Taco + Hot Chocolate with a View
Before your evening activities, you have a few hours to explore. This is a great time to get some pictures in Zocalo, the main plaza in CDMX. This site was an important gathering point for the Aztecs when the city was known as Tenochtitlan. When the Spanish arrived, they built the Metropolitan Cathedral and Palacio Nacional over the city’s Aztec buildings. Today this plaza remains a significant gathering point and it is often used for festivals and national events.
From here, you could grab a taco at Los Cocuyos. This unassuming stand has been serving delicious tacos for more than 50-years. The meat is served from a bubbling vat that might make your stomach churn at first. Allow yourself to be a bit adventurous and order the eye, brain, or head tacos. Or (like me), opt for the campechano tacos, which include sausage and a little bit of everything else. Trust me (and Anthony Bourdain who also stopped here), this place is fantastic.
Another option is to visit the Don Porfirio Cafe for a hot chocolate. This cafe is located in a Sears (yes, the department store), which just happens to be right across from Palacio de Bellas Artes. Once you enter the Sears (Av. Juárez 14, Colonia Centro, Centro), take the elevator to the 8th floor where you will find the cafe. If the weather is nice, sit on the outdoor patio and soak in the incredible views.
End the Night with Lucha Libre
If your last night happens to be a Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday, make sure you end it by experiencing a Luca Libre match. Before attending the match, I had no clue what to expect. I’ve never even been to an American wrestling match. I knew I wanted to check out Lucha Libre but didn’t exactly know how to attend a match.
So, I opted for another Airbnb Experience and this was perfect! (Yes, I did 3 Airbnb Experiences during these 3 days in Mexico City). Our local guide met us at El Habanerito and gave us a deep dive into the history and tradition of Lucha Libre. We learned about the masks, the “good guys” and “bad guys” and the curse words we could expect to hear. Once at the match, I understood that this was a colorful and impressive telenovela come to life. It was a unique experience that you won’t want to miss during your 3 days in Mexico City.
I hope you enjoyed my 3 days in Mexico City guide. Are you planning a trip to CDMX soon? What are you most looking forward to?
If you are looking for more, check out these posts:
16 MUST DO Mexico City Experiences
Everything You Need to Know About the Frida Kahlo Museum
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