A Guide to Exploring Mexico City
Teotihuacan sunrise hot air balloon ride on film!
Mexico City to me feels a little bit like New York - every time you go, there’s something new to see– a design showcase, a new exhibit at the Soumaya or limited access to another Barragán house. It truly is a hub for incredible history, food, art, and people.
Here are a few of my favourite experiences in CDMX and surrounding:
Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon
Teotihuacan is the largest ancient pre-Aztec city in central Mexico, and the opportunity to see and learn about the city was an unmatched experience for me. Flying over the pyramids at sunrise in a hot air balloon was a real “wow” moment.
There are many tours you can find for the hot air balloon and historical walking tour, but I always trust airbnb experiences. Here is the link for my exact tour guided by locals! The 4AM pick up time is worth it - I promise!
Architectural Tour
If you are interested in architecture, learning about Luis Barragán and his influence on Mexico City urban design and emotional architecture is a must! I embarked on a tour with The Traveling Beetle, a tour company that literally picks you up in a cute vintage Volkswagen Beetle (how fun?). Our tour guide was an architecture professor himself teaching in Mexico, named Miguel. He was not only informative, but connected all aspects of the tour to culture, history, and the inner “secrets” of Barragán. We toured the Satellite towers, the Lovers’ Fountain, and San Cristobal Block. You can book the exact tour here.
Casa Gilardi
To explore another gem by Barragán, you can visit Casa Gilardi right in the heart of Mexico City. This home was one of Barragán’s last projects, mixing modernism with Mexican tradition and playing on bold colours – his true signature.
“I have always believed that the ‘magic’ of certain places is inseparable from their silence, their tranquility, and their mastery.” - Luis Barragán
Make a reservation for Casa Gilardi here.
Shopping in Roma Norte
The best weekend vintage markets, cool concept stores, and local Mexican designers are concentrated in Roma Norte. After getting your guayaba roll at Panaderia Rosetta (my cdmx food guide is coming soon), step into Cardon MX, Originario, Casa Bosques and many more… support locally made!
Museo Soumaya
A beautiful gem in the heart of Polanco, Soumaya is a private museum and non-profit cultural institution featuring works by August Rodin, Salvador Dali, and many more.
Mezcal Tasting
If you don’t have the time to head to Oaxaca (birthplace of Mezcal) and explore the agave fields, you can definitely experience the true heat of Mezcal in Mexico City. I enjoyed a small-batch tasting with friends to learn about the best way to drink mezcal, its history, and production processes of each agave variety. They say that drinking mezcal is like making love… you have to kiss each sip! The host Caro is engaging and takes you on a journey to find an appreciation for the spirit - just make sure to eat beforehand ;).
You can find the tour here.
Tolantongo
If you’re willing to venture a little further, Grutas Tolantongo Hot Springs are a sight to see. This thermal water park is located in the mountains of central Mexico, with caves, natural springs and pools. The view of mountains surrounding is stunning while you soak in mineral waters! Let me preface that it is extremely touristy, and to avoid crowds you will need to get there very early! You can learn more about the tour here.
