Plan your Trip to Mexico: Mexico City (CDMX) and Oaxaca

Mexico is a colorful country filled with rich history, diverse culture, and incredible food. Two of its highlights are Mexico City (CDMX) and Oaxaca. Each offers unique experiences for travelers planning their first trip to Mexico. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a food lover, or someone eager to dive into rich traditions, these destinations promise unforgettable adventures.

Whether you are wandering through the vibrant streets of Mexico City or savoring the rich flavors in Oaxaca, there's something for everyone. Historical sites, culinary delights, and cultural experiences await you. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to explore vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and delectable cuisine that Mexico offers!

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Mexico City (CDMX)

Mexico City is a vibrant metropolis where modernity seamlessly blends with age-old history. From stunning architecture to world-class museums, there is something here for everyone. You can easily spend a lot of time here, but we chose to spend 5 days to give ourselves time to explore comfortably.

Things to Do

1. Visit the Historic Center

   The Centro Histórico is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you'll find the grand Zócalo and the iconic Metropolitan Cathedral. Stroll through the plaza and take in the striking colonial-era architecture that surrounds you. Did you know that the Zócalo is one of the largest city squares in the world, spanning about 57,000 square meters?

   
   

2. Explore Chapultepec Park

   Covering over 2,000 acres, Chapultepec is one of the largest city parks globally. Within its expansive grounds, you'll find the Chapultepec Castle, several museums, and even a lake where you can rent paddle boats. It's a perfect spot for picnicking or simply enjoying nature in the heart of a bustling city. We hit ~30K steps from walking around the city and the park one day.

   

   
   

3. Check Out the Museum of Anthropology

   This museum is a treasure trove for history buffs. It features an extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including the famous Aztec sun stone, which weighs about 25 tons. The museum's design is impressive too, reflecting Mexico’s rich heritage.

   

   
   
   

4. Take a Tour of Frida Kahlo's House

   Known as La Casa Azul, this vibrant blue house in Coyoacán was the home of legendary artist Frida Kahlo. The museum showcases her life, artwork, and personal items, including her iconic paintings and traditional Mexican clothing. Book tickets in advance by a few weeks to make sure you can visit!

   

   

   
   
   

5. Guided tour at Casa Luis Barragan

   Luis Barragan was a Mexican architect who influenced modern Mexican architecture. This home was an inspiration to visit! I loved the small tour group size and learning about all the design choices that went into his home. His home is made up of modernism, minimalism, and influences of color and geometric shapes, using light to influence each room in unique ways. We booked tickets 6 weeks in advance.

   

   

   

   
   
   

6. Biblioteca Vasconcelos

   This library is truly stunning to walk through. The area is located closer to centro, so it's a bit of a journey if you're staying in Condesa or around there, but it was nice to be able to see more Mexican people and fewer tourists. There was a goth festival happening at the time we visited, so that was really cool to walk through outside of the library, too. You could spend a lot of time here, just exploring and reading the different books chosen on display.

   

   

   

   

   
   
   

7. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

   This was something we were nervous about, given there was an accident the week before we went, but it ended up being so chill! The takeoff and landing were very smooth and slow, and the ride itself was not exhilarating or scary at all. We had to wake up early for this (there is less wind in the mornings, so they have more control of the balloons), and the sunrise gives a golden natural light to all your views of the pyramids! It was worth trying while visiting!

   

   

   

   

   
   
   

   After the morning ride, they take you to spend some time at the pyramids. I loved all the cute little perros roaming around the site, and the weather was perfect!

Where to Eat

1. Breakfast and Coffee: El Cardenal Kickstart your day with a traditional Mexican breakfast at El Cardenal. This restaurant is famous for its fresh tortillas and classic dishes. Don't miss their hot chocolate, made from scratch, which is a local favorite! I also really enjoyed some pastries from Panaderia Rosetta! We grabbed a coffee and a pastry and walked to the nearby park to enjoy and watch the owners trail their dogs by the fountain. Nido Cafe was such a cute vibe for some espresso to cool down after walking the streets of Polanco! (see below)

2. Pujol or Quintonil: For a fine dining experience, these are ranked among some of the best. We didn't make reservations ahead of time to visit, though!

   Contramar: For seafood lovers, Contramar is the place to be. Famous for its tuna tostadas, the vibrant atmosphere makes for a memorable dining experience. About 90% of their seafood is sourced sustainably. It was absolutely worth it! It's upscale dining, so it's not cheap, but the food was so good we were talking about the tuna the rest of the trip.

   

   

   

Where to Stay

1. La Condesa / Roma Norte

   This area is expensive, but it will feel familiar to you because it's easy to get around and has lots of fancy coffee shops and upscale restaurants. I personally felt like all these areas didn't really feel like Mexico; there were mostly tourists and people with their dogs. We didn't see many Mexicans until we ventured off towards Centro area near the famous library; it was night and day! If your priority is safety and comfort, then staying here is definitely recommended! We stayed at Hotel Villa Condesa. Another good option is Sofitel in Roma Norte (they have a very popular rooftop bar as well!)

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2. Polanco

   Polanco was a step above La Condesa and Roma Norte in terms of feeling more boujee. Everything felt very rich and expensive, so if that's your vibe, then this is probably the area for you. This area will have a lot of the chains from America and other cities, so it may be good if you want that familiarity. Many of the fancy restaurants are also located in this area (like Pujol), but it's a cheap Uber ride or walk as well from Condesa or Roma Norte. Top picks would be Orchid House Polanco and Utopic Campos Eliseos.

   
   

3. Central

   Located in the city center, this hotel offers stunning views of the Zócalo and provides easy access to major attractions. It's an ideal spot for those looking to immerse themselves in the city's rich history. This area will likely be cheaper too. If I returned, I'd probably stay at the Hotel Zocalo Central!

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Discovering Oaxaca

Where to Stay

1. Grana B&B

   We stayed here for the week since we were attending a wedding. The venue was the most stunning place we've ever seen, and the staff were top-notch. Every detail was accounted for, and you had easy access to the kitchen to make coffee; they had filtered water in the rooms and air-conditioning. We had an early flight on the last day, so we were going to miss our breakfast time, and the staff put together lunch boxes for us anyway, which was so kind! The hotel is Michelin-rated as well.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   
   
   

2. Hotel Casa Oaxaca  

   This boutique hotel provides luxury accommodations in a tranquil setting, complete with beautiful gardens and exceptional service. Guests can enjoy personalized attention that enhances their visit.

   
   

3. Quinta Real Oaxaca  Set in a former convent, this stunning hotel features beautiful architecture, a fantastic pool, and a prime location. Its unique history adds an extra layer of charm to your stay.

Things to Do

1. Tour the Archaeological Site of Monte Albán

   Just a short drive from the city, Monte Albán boasts stunning ruins perched atop a mountain. Explore various structures where the Zapotec civilization thrived, and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys.

   
   

2. Visit the Santo Domingo Church

   This stunning baroque church is both a religious site and home to the Oaxaca Museum of Cultural Heritage. The interior is adorned with beautiful gold leaf detailing, making it a visual masterpiece.

   
   

3. Experience the Local Markets

   Don’t miss the chance to explore local markets like Mercado 20 de Noviembre. Here, you can find everything from handmade crafts to delicious street food, including the famous Oaxacan cheese and delectable tlayudas. It can be a bit intimidating with all the different places to choose from, but i'd recommend just asking a local at one of the shops for recommendations. We walked around the market for an hour to look for Oaxacan quesadillas, and after not seeing anything, we asked a store owner and they told us we were at the wrong market and showed us where to go for food.

   
   

4. Sample Mezcal

   Oaxaca is known for its mezcal, a distilled beverage made from agave. Join a tasting tour to learn about the production process while savoring different varieties of this traditional spirit. About 80% of the mezcal produced in Mexico comes from this region. I really enjoyed the margaritas con mezcal at many of the restaurants in Oaxaca; it's a must try!

   

   
   
   
   
   

5. Take a traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class

   We had a whole day to fill before the wedding, so a bunch of us booked this cooking tour. They drove us out to the countryside on a small shuttle, and we spent the day relaxing and sampling different foods. They showed us how to make mole from scratch, and we sampled so many different mezcals too!

   

   

   

   

   
   
   

Where to Eat

Oaxaca is famed for its rich cultural heritage and indigenous traditions. This charming city is a haven for those who appreciate art, nature, and an incredible culinary scene.

1. Casa Oaxaca

   This restaurant offers traditional Oaxacan cuisine with a contemporary twist. Be sure to try their mole, a regional specialty, which can take days to prepare and is renowned for its rich flavors.

   
   

2. La Teca

   Known for its tlayudas (large, crispy tortillas), La Teca is a must-visit for travelers seeking authentic street food in a casual setting. These delicious creations are topped with a variety of ingredients, including beans, cheese, and meats.

   
   

3. Levadura de olla

   This Michelin-star restaurant is one you absolutely should not miss during your time in Oaxaca. The fish quesadillas, buttered shrimp, and tomato dish were so incredible, we are still talking about them after returning home! The flavors of all the heirloom tomatoes actually just made me sad that we don't have these kinds of rich historical flavors in America.

   
   
   

   

   

   

Tips!

1. Use Uber everywhere! It is super easy and cheaper than airport transfers directly to the hotel. It was less than $10 to Uber to the airport.

2. The rainy season was perfect to visit! I thought I'd be sweating, but the temperature was so mild and comfortable, I didn't sweat at all. It was even a little chilly at night. The altitude may help with this for Mexico City.

3. I highly recommend flying Aeromexico instead of another airline back to the States from Oaxaca. My friends who didn't have a layover in CDMX experienced delays and cancellations (they had to stay an extra day due to their flight being cancelled for bad weather, mind you it was just a little rain). We had no delays and many flight options, and got back smoothly to Seattle! It's operated by Delta, so reliable and easy! The long layover in CDMX was fine because we had AMEX lounge access;