Things to Do at Mexico City

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Has someone inspired and encouraged you to visit a place, city, or country?

Which place were you inspired to visit?

Well, for me that was Mexico City.

MEXICO CITY

Activities to Do

Jennifer stands on the Pyramid of the Sun

Hey! In the picture above, I stand on top of the Pyramid of the Sun. In the background is the Pyramid of the Moon.

You can see, feel, and climb the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. My experience is pre-pandemic. Since the pandemic, it's not allowed to climb the pyramids, therefore check for updates.

Visit Mexico City on the 1st and 2nd of November. And, you can experience the Day of the Dead traditions.

 

Mexico City 5 Things to Do Infographic

5 things to do

Things To Do In Mexico City

1 Teotihuacán

 

Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon

My friend encouraged me to travel to Mexico City and visit Teotihuacán. There, you will find the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.

As you can see in the picture, the pyramid in the foreground is the Pyramid of the Sun. Then in the background, you can glimpse the Pyramid of the Moon.

You walk along the Avenue of the Dead through the archaeological zone of Teotihuacán. Before you encounter the Pyramid of the Sun, you veer off to the right.

And, you visit the cultural museum. Inside, you find artifacts and large maps of the archaeological site.

You can peer through a large window. Standing there towering over the building is a pyramid. You see the Pyramid of the Sun.

Read more about my experience at Teotihuacán.

Climbing the Pyramid of the Sun

On the way back, you can visit the Basilica de Guadalupe.

Mexico City Basilica de Guadalupe
Basilica de Guadalupe Mexico City
Basilica de Guadalupe Mexico City

2 Bosque de Chapultepec

In the park of Chapultepec, you can visit Chapultepec Castle. Inside, it houses the Museum of Mexican History. You walk around the castle's terrace. Then, peer into the imperial rooms

You look down Paseo de la Reforma. See the cityscape being changed by the towers. And, you see the Altar A la Patria

Nearby, you can wander around the Museo Nacional de Antropologia. You gaze at the artifacts of the Aztecs, the pre-Hispanic people. And, seeing the Sun Stone face-to-face amazes you.

You could also visit the National Museum of Arts and the Chapultepec Zoo.

You can read my post about Chapultepec Castle here.

Chapultepec Castle Mexico City

3 Day of the Dead Mexico City

You can experience the Day of the Dead by visiting on the first and second days of November.

In the Historic Center, you walk around to see the Ofrenda, the altars of offerings. You'll find them on the streets, and in buildings like hotels.

Since Spectre has been released. Make sure you check to see if a Parade for the Day of the Dead.is being held in Mexico City.

A tour into the Milpa Alta area takes you to small towns decorated for the Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead Cemeteries

In the first town, San Pedtro Atocpan you’ll see churches and cemeteries. They have altars with offerings and graves decorated. Stop for lunch to taste a dish with Mole sauce. Learn more about San Pedtro Atocpan.

You'll see the sunset in the cemetery of the second town. You can read about my experience at San Antonio Tecomitl.

At night you'll see the cemetery at San Andres Mixquic. Imagine the graves are decorated and lit up by candles. Walk through the street lined with market stalls. Then, you sit for a meal in one of the restaurants. Read my post about San Andres Mixquic here.

Day of the Dead Mixquic at night
Day of the Dead Mixquic at night

4 Centro Histórico

You'll find catching the train into the Centro Histórico an adventure in itself. When a train pulls up at the platform, the carriage is jam-packed.

And, you need to find a way to get on the train with it packed. Because, if you wait the next one is packed, too. Get off the train at the platform that takes you up to Zócalo.

The photography for my friend's album, "It's Like This" was created in the Zócalo.

Then, you walk around the Historical Center.

If you go at the same time as the Day of the Dead. Then, you can see the Ofrendas in the Historic Center, too.

Places you can include on your visit:

  • Zócalo
  • Cathedral Metropolitan Mexico City
  • National Palace
  • Templo Mayor
  • Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México
  • Post Office
  • Tolsa Square
  • Palacio de Bellas Artes
Mexico City Cathedral
Day of the Dead in the Historic Center

Mexico City Tours

5 Frida Kahlo Museo ~ Casa Azul

 

Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away. ~ Frida Kahlo

 

 Frida Kahlo Museo

Visiting Frida Kahlo's Blue House

I walked around Frida Kahlo's blue house where she was born, lived, and died. And, I saw how her blue house contrasts with the white paint of the walls and ceilings on the inside. Then, I saw splashes of yellow and green paint and wood for furnishings.

Her blue house is now the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán. And, her bed with a mirror at the top sits near three doorways. Nearby, an urn with her ashes sits on a dresser, And, I saw her belongings like paintings, paint materials, clothes, jewelry, artifacts, and furnishings in the house and outdoors.

We went during the Day of the Dead. And, I saw outside in the patios and gardens an altar decorated with offerings.

We stood in a long queue to get inside at the entrance. I think it was something like a 90-minute wait before we bought out tickets. And, there was an extra charge to take photos. Therefore, we didn't end up paying extra for photos because we knew it would be busy inside.

Now, you are not able to buy tickets in person at the entrance. Make sure you buy your tickets in advance and allow time for getting there at least fifteen minutes before your allocated time. Because you don't want to make all the effort of getting there then miss out.

Getting Around Mexico City

In the distance, we saw a market that is within walking distance. We went for a walk in this market.

Make sure you know some Spanish if you are catching the train. So that, you can buy tickets and can work out which platform to catch the train. Because the person we encountered at the ticket counter did not speak English. And, it took some time to find someone who could speak English and could help us. We are grateful to the lady who bought our tickets and showed us the way to the platform.

On the way home, we went to the train station, and the queue for tickets was up the steps out of the station. So we walked back to the Blue House. We had seen outside the Blue House, that there was a dedicated taxi rank. And, we caught a taxi there. Plus, the taxi driver spoke English.

So, you'll find it easier to visit with an English-speaking tour. If you speak limited Spanish.

 

At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can. ~ Frida Kahlo

 

Private Tour to the Frida Kahlo Museum

The ticket includes Frida Kahlo Museum ticket, "Casa Azul".

And, access to Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum

Individual photography permit (no flash). Videos and selfie sticks.are not to be used in the museum.

Excludes private transportation

Check for updates due to COVID restrictions.

Optional upgrades

 

Check Details Read Reviews Click Here

 

Tips for Visiting Mexico City

  1. Learn Spanish for travel. For instance, we needed to be able to speak Spanish to buy tickets at the train station. We are grateful to find a lady who bought our tickets and directed us to the correct platform.
  2. Catch official taxis at taxi ranks only. We are grateful to have found taxi drivers who spoke English at the official taxi ranks.
  3. Ask the taxi driver how much the fare will cost upfront. So that, you make sure you have the cash in Mexican Pesos to pay for the ride. I had to show the taxi driver that we had enough cash so that they would take us to our destination.
  4. Plan and Book tours with English-speaking guides especially if you are not fluent in Spanish. Check that you have an English-speaking guide because we booked an English-speaking tour and were on a tour with a Spanish-speaking guide. So, it caused some confusion.
  5. Don't say you are lost.
  6. If you are unsure what someone has said. Say you do not understand, and say it in English.
  7. You'll see W.C signs for toilets. Carry coins for these toilets. And, we used toilets at hotels and shopping centres.
  8. Carry toilet paper and disinfectant wipes.
  9. Hydrate with water.

Mexico City Travel

Teotihuacán Day Trip from Mexico City

Teotihuacán Day Trip from Mexico City

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Day of the Dead Mexico City and Spectre

Day of the Dead Mexico City and Spectre

Day of the Dead Mexico City in the Historic Center where Spectre Opening Scene FilmedThis post contains affiliate links. I may earn compensation when you make purchases, at no extra cost to you. For this post, I traveled at my own expense. I walked around and saw the...

Chapultepec Castle Mexico City

Chapultepec Castle Mexico City

Now, what does Romeo + Juliet have to do with Chapultepec Castle Mexico City?   Stay with me now, some scenes from the film Romeo + Juliet were filmed there.This post contains affiliate links. I may earn compensation when you make purchases, at no extra cost to you....

Day of the Dead Mexico City at Night

Day of the Dead Mexico City at Night

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Day of the Dead Cemetery Mexico City

Day of the Dead Cemetery Mexico City

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Day of the Dead Traditions in Mexico City

Day of the Dead Traditions in Mexico City

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