Highlights
- Sample artisanal mezcal in an authentic Mexican cantina
- View incredible pre-Hispanic relics at the National Museum of Anthropology
- Immerse yourself in ancient Teotihuacán, a once-great "City of the Gods"
- In the enchanting town of Tepoztlán, taste local specialties and hike to cliffside ruins
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Mexico City, Food Tour of Navarte | Mexico City |
| Day 2 | Tour of Historic District with Street Food Tasting | Mexico City |
| Day 3 | Food Tour of Mercado de San Juan | Mexico City |
| Day 4 | Tour the National Museum of Anthropology & Chapultepec Castle | Mexico City |
| Day 5 | Explore the Ruins of Teotihuacán & Basilica of Santa Maria | Mexico City |
| Day 6 | Discover San Ángel & the Casa Azul Museum | Mexico City |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Tepoztlán, One of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos | Tepoztlán |
| Day 8 | Hike to El Tepozteco, Local Market Food Tasting | Tepoztlán |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Mexico City, Chef's Table Experience | Mexico City |
| Day 10 | Depart Mexico City |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City, Food Tour of Navarte
Welcome to Mexico! Your driver will be waiting at the Mexico City International Airport gate to transfer you to your hotel in Mexico City. One of the largest urban centers in the world, Mexico's capital traces its roots back to the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which the Spanish built upon in the 16th century. Today, the sprawling metropolis overflows with lively neighborhoods, historical sites, and culinary delights.
After you settle in, meet your guide for a food tour of the trendy neighborhood of Navarte, known throughout the city for its tacos. Begin the tour at a family-owned taquería specializing in "volcanoes," a crispy, cheese-and-peppers-topped tortilla cooked over a charcoal flame. From there, you'll sample tacos al pastor and tacos de suadero (slow-cooked beef brisket) from long-established street vendors. Experience Mexico City's lively cantina culture and taste a flight of small-batch artisanal mezcals with the guidance of a local expert.Day 2: Tour of Historic District with Street Food Tasting
Meet up with your local guide this morning for a tour of the UNESCO-listed historic center of Mexico City. Learn about the city's beginnings at the Aztec temple ruins and on-site museum of Templo Mayor, and visit one of the largest cathedrals in South America, the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The city's main square, El Zócalo, features the Palacio Nacional, which spans an entire side of the plaza and contains four murals painted by the famous Mexican painter, Diego Rivera. Also, in El Zócalo, you'll find the gorgeous Palacio de Belles Artes and the Palacio Postal (the very fancy post office!).
As you walk along the bustling, pedestrian-only Calle Madero, stop at local food stalls and restaurants to taste traditional Mexican street food, including tamales, esquites (spiced street corn), tortas, camotes (sweet potatoes with jam and condensed milk) and churros. A few bites are all it will take to understand why Mexican gastronomy is considered an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" of Mexico.
Day 3: Food Tour of Mercado de San Juan
Today, meet your expert guide in the historical and geographical heart of Mexico City to discover the gastronomic roots of the Aztec capital with a visit to the Mercado de San Juan. Famous chefs and local shoppers flock to the city's famous food market in search of the best produce, meats, fish, and other gourmet specialties, with everything from imported European cheese to alligator meat to entire goat heads.
Your guide will lead you to some of the best foods in the two different buildings that make up the market (one dedicated to fresh produce and meat, the other to food stalls) over the next three hours while giving you some background on Mexican history and culture through a culinary lens. Delight your senses with samples of local fruit like dragonfruit, famous Oaxacan cheese, Mexican coffee, pulque (fermented agave juice), and other delicacies. Head to the food stalls for more traditional plates such as birria (meat stew), flautas (rolled tacos), and seafood tostadas.
After your tour, head next door to the Mercado de Artesanias y Curiosidades San Juan for folk art and handicrafts made and sold by local artists from all over Mexico. This market is one of the best in the city for quality souvenirs and gifts.
Day 4: Tour the National Museum of Anthropology & Chapultepec Castle
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Spend the day exploring two of the most important sites in Mexico City, beginning at the National Museum of Anthropology. Built in the 1960s, these 22 rooms designed to preserve Mexico's rich Indigenous heritage make up one of the most important museums in Latin America and the world. Tour the museum's main collections while learning about the history of pre-Hispanic cultures, and view some of Mexico's most important pieces, such as the Aztec Calendar, the Olmec Colossal Head, and the famous Mask of Pakal.
Later in the day, you'll visit the iconic Chapultepec Castle, perched on a hilltop in Chapultepec Park. Explore the castle's opulent rooms, each housing a treasure trove of historical artifacts and artwork, once home to various Mexican emperors and presidents. Stand on the castle's terraces for panoramic vistas of Mexico City, spying landmarks such as Paseo de la Reforma, and wander the serene surroundings of the park, with its lush gardens and picturesque lakes.
Day 5: Explore the Ruins of Teotihuacán & Basilica of Santa Maria
Wake up early and head outside of Mexico City to the archaeological site of Teotihuacán. Also known as "The City of the Gods," the ruins of this UNESCO-listed landmark and ancient Mesoamerican city date back to 100 BCE (or thereabouts). Walk along the Calzada de los Muertos (Causeway of the Dead) and visit essential buildings such as the Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl, famous for its murals (don't miss the Mural de Puma), as well as the famous Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun) and Pirámide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon).
Back in the capital, end the day with a visit to one of the most sacred places in the city: the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Millions of pilgrims visit the basilica each year, with over half visiting on the days around December 12, the Virgin of Guadalupe's Feast Day. On the grounds surrounding this church are the remaining buildings of the ex-convent of the Capuchin nuns, a basilica museum, and several other small chapels.
Day 6: Discover San Ángel & the Casa Azul Museum
Today, you'll visit the once-rural hamlet of San Ángel, now a neighborhood full of charming colonial homes, narrow cobblestoned streets, and sidewalk cafés. Stroll along the graceful, tree-filled Plaza San Jacinto with a local guide, and get lost among craft stores, exhibitions, art events, churches, and galleries. The square becomes an open-air gallery every weekend, where local artists display their colorful works. Nearby Juarez Street is home to the San Jacinto Parish, known for its landscaped atrium.
Day 7: Transfer to Tepoztlán, One of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos
Today, you'll leave Mexico City (for now) and hop aboard your transfer to the colorful village of Tepoztlán. Known as a town of myth (considered the birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec feathered serpent god), history, and culture, this mountain village designated a "Pueblo Mágico," is located on the mystical slopes of Tepozteco National Park.
Walk through Tepoztlán's colorful and cobblestone streets, visit the UNESCO-listed Church of Natividad, and discover ancient Maya, Olmec, and Zapotec artifacts at Carlos Pellicer Pre-Hispanic Art Museum. On the weekend, the Mercado Artesanal de Tepoztlán is a must-visit for souvenirs, handicrafts, and other locally-made goods. It's also an excellent place to try local foods, including the ancient dish of tlaltequeadas (squash blossom fritters). Finish your day of exploration with tapas and mezcal at the open-air bar, La Cueva.
Day 8: Hike to El Tepozteco, Local Market Food Tasting
After breakfast, you'll begin hiking in the mountains around Tepotzlán. For incredible views of the town and valley, the archaeological site of El Tepozteco is well worth the arduous climb. The site contains a pyramid dating back to the 13th century on the edge of a clifftop. The mysterious spot was once used as a shrine to honor Tepoztecatl, the Aztec god of drunkenness, fertility, and the ancient kombucha-like drink, pulque. On the way back down, stop for a sip of this famous beverage to honor Tepoztecatl yourself.
Head back into town for lunch at the colorful food market. There's no shortage of local dishes to try, from pancita (tripe soup), tortitas de flor de izote (yucca flower fritters), guayaba pomerosa (rose apples) to yellow tomatillos. The market is also known for its wide range of salsas, with typical chili bases, sweetened with local fruits, and even sesame-based salsa. The town is also famous for its unique ice cream flavorings, so buy a sample (try the avocado!).
You'll have the rest of the afternoon free to continue exploring this mystical town. Tepoztlán is known for its healing energy, which is attributed partly to the quartz content in the mountains, which is purported to have curative properties. Try a traditional temazcal (sauna) experience led by a shaman. To explore other avenues of spirituality and cleansing, visit one of the many yoga studios or massage parlors for spa treatments, tarot readings, and aura cleansings.
Day 9: Transfer to Mexico City, Chef's Table Experience
Today, you'll return to Mexico City to immerse yourself in the local culture once again. On your own, explore neighborhoods like Roma, where you'll find Art Deco architecture and excellent restaurants, or the nearby hipster Condesa, known for some of the best nightlife in the city. Relax in the green spaces of Chapultepec Park or Alameda Central before diving back into the city's famous gastronomy.
Head to the city's historic center to the Casa de la Luz Hotel Boutique for the modern Mexican fusion restaurant of Tezontle. Enjoy five different tasting menus prepared in an interactive, face-to-face manner by the Oaxacan chefs. These masters utilize ancestral and contemporary cooking techniques to make a variety of Mexican specialties, such as chapulines (fried grasshopper), a traditional snack since pre-Hispanic times.
Day 10: Depart Mexico City
More Great Mexico Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mexico? Check out these other Mexico itineraries, explore different ways to spend 10 days in Mexico City, and discover the best time to visit Mexico.
Map
