As a luxury travel advisor, I send people all over the world to explore and make memories with their friends and families, and one place I recommend over and over is Mexico City (CDMX). I’ve spent time there myself and sent scads of clients there, too.
CDMX, in my opinion, is still underhyped for a lot of U.S. travelers, especially those on the East coast. It’s a relatively quick flight (4-5 hours max depending on where you leave from) and once you get there it’s pretty much the perfect long-weekend getaway—the food scene is studded with delicious hotspots in both the high end and the street fare categories, and the city is teeming with art, shopping, and history. And should you want to make a longer trip out of it, you can scoot out to the coast and see some gorgeous beaches.
One of the top ways I describe CDMX is vibrant, but second to that would be romantic because the city is full of sensory experiences. The way the trees arc over the sidewalks, dappling the streets with breezy shadows; the way bachata is practiced in the parks with boomboxes and scattered applause; and the way the subway entrances make you feel like you could enter in Mexico and exit in Paris, (perhaps because they feature Art Nouveau-inspired entrances resembling those designed by Hector Guimard in Paris).
Beyond enjoying the ambiance and general vibe in CDMX, here are my top recommendations for travelers heading that way.
Casa Polanco
One of my favorite properties in CDMX, Casa Polanco, is a hotel built from a restored mansion. Located just across from the park, it has a darling boutique feel, nestled behind wrought iron gates with a paleta cart in the courtyard. The rooms themselves strike a balance between modern and historic charm—think clean, white interiors with intricate wrought iron window details. FYI:with just eight rooms it’s usually booked out months in advance.
The Ritz
For something more modern I send people to The Ritz. It gazes over the massive Chapultepec Park and is truly a sight to see. I recommend the art-deco bar at the hotel to everyone who goes to CDMX whether they stay at The Ritz or not. Plus, the spa and pool feel like a sanctuary in the sky.
*A quick note about the famed Four Seasons in Mexico City. The courtyard IS worth visiting for breakfast, but I would wait on staying there until they finish renovations sometime in 2026.
This list could be hundreds of places long because the food scene IS that good, but I’ll stick to a few top spots and include my comprehensive Google Map of places to go to at the end of this article.
Must do: A taco tour.
The one I recommend takes you to five locations, so arrive on an empty stomach. My favorite was the Argentinian taco—the steak was perfection, the salsas immaculate, and the truck itself an art-deco aluminum dream come true. If steak isn’t your top choice, don’t worry, there’s four more stops with menus full of chicken, pork as well as wilder (tongue) or milder (vegetarian) options. The exact one I recommend is actually not bookable DIY—it’s through a private vendor I use, BUT this one seems the closest to what it is and I’ve heard good things about Eat Mexico as a tour company.
Panadería Rosetta:
Stop by for the pastries and make sure to order rol de guayaba (guava pastries) and grab a juice while you’re there!
Quintonil:
Not a bad dish on the menu. I recommend the whole fish!
Maximo:
Order the ravioli. Trust me.
Contramar:
I recommend the red and green fish, and don’t skip the strawberry meringue dessert.
Visit the art market aka “El Bazar Sábado”
El Bazar Såbado is held on Saturdays in the San Angel neighborhood. It’s just large enough to feel like you can wander for a few hours, but not too large that it feels overwhelming or that you can’t see everything in one visit. Most of the items are handmade by local artisans and whatever your preferred medium, you can find it there—paintings, photography, pottery, and jewelry. Prices are very reasonable, you can pay with a card or your phone, and they wrap it right there for you to take home.
National Museum of Anthropology
The stunning water feature in the middle of the courtyard is worth a visit by itself, but the museum also hosts one of the largest collections of archaeological and anthropological artifacts from Pre-Hispanic Mayan civilizations to the Spanish conquest.
Lucha Libre
So this one is just plain fun. It’s the masked Mexican wrestling—the masks! The drama! The wrestling! It’s a whole show and a whole vibe. Best enjoyed with a michelada (they sell them inside) and some spicy Takis.
A day trip to Teotihuacan
Situated approximately 31 miles northeast of Mexico City, these ancient pyramids held great sacred importance for the Aztecs and are very cool to see.
Shop in Roma Norte, La Condesa, and Polanco
Wander the streets in these neighborhoods and pop into the dozens of cool shops along the way. Roma Norte and La Condesa are great for discovering local brands, while Polanco leans more toward luxury labels and international designers.
My Google Map
Here is my highly curated list of my CDMX top hits on Google Maps. You can download it to your phone so you have it with you on your next trip. See something that’s missing? Send it my way!
Contact:
Want to book your own trip with me? I specialize in custom trips for foodies & families, and am booking through the end of the year. I can be found at [email protected] and @brycetravel.
English (US) · 