Highlights
- Sample exotic fruits and meats at the gourmet stalls of Mercado de San Juan
- Visit famous taquerias during a guided taco crawl through the city center
- Learn traditional recipes like homemade tortillas at a local Mexican cooking class
- Taste ancient and exotic specialties like sauteéd ant larvae at Teotihuacán
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Mexico City, Food Tour in Navarte | Mexico City |
| Day 2 | Xochimilco Cruise, Coyoacán Neighborhood Tour, Dinner at Los Danzantes | Mexico City |
| Day 3 | Food Tour of Mercado de San Juan | Mexico City |
| Day 4 | Taco Crawl of El Zócalo, Mezcal Tasting & Lucha Libre Experience | Mexico City |
| Day 5 | Authentic Mexican Cooking Class & Market Tour | Mexico City |
| Day 6 | Secrets of Teotihuacán: Cave Ritual & Culinary Delights | Mexico City |
| Day 7 | Depart Mexico City |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City, Food Tour in Navarte
¡Bienvenidos a México! Your driver will be waiting at the airport 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 in 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: Xochimilco Cruise, Coyoacán Neighborhood Tour, Dinner at Los Danzantes
Today you'll discover the remnants of the Aztec Empire's vast water transport system at the Floating Garden of Xochimilco. Spend several hours traversing the beautiful and festive canals aboard a traditional trajinera (typical canal boat) with an expert guide. Learn all about the history and culture of the canals as the colorful gondola-esque boats take you past floating food vendors, artisans selling their crafts, and mariachi bands.
Your tour along the canals will also take you to several different chinampas, small islands built into the canal that make up an agricultural system, known as the most efficient and sustainable in the world. Visit the local ecotourism center to learn about the production of vegetables on the islands, and stop by the wildlife refuge dedicated to preserving the famous Mexican salamander, the axolotl, endemic to the area.
Later, head to the south of Mexico City for the picturesque, bohemian neighborhood of Coyoacán, characterized by its cobblestoned streets and colonial architecture. Head to the lovely Jardín Hidalgo, the borough's central plaza, and get lost among craft stores, art events, churches, and galleries. Enjoy a traditional dinner at the local favorite, Los Danzantes, known for combining Mexican culinary traditions with contemporary flavors in every bite, featuring specialties from the country's diverse regions, such as Oaxacan mole sauce.
Day 3: Food Tour of Mercado de San Juan
Today starts by meeting your expert guide in the Centro Histórico, the historical and geographical heart of Mexico City, where you'll 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), and other delicacies. Head to the food stalls for more traditional plates such as birria (meat stew), flautas (rolled tacos), and seafood tostadas.
Day 4: Taco Crawl of El Zócalo, Mezcal Tasting & Lucha Libre Experience
Begin the day in El Zócalo, the capital's main square, and set off on a taco crawl to some of the best taquerias in the city. Enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of the neighborhood as you taste traditional and innovative flavors, such as al pastor (pork), birria (marinated goat or beef), and barbacoa (slow-cooked lamb). Wash down the tacos with typical drinks like pulque, mezcal, or aguas de frutas (fruit water).
Later in the day, meet your tour guide in front of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, a grand white-marbled concert hall. From there, you'll visit a traditional Mexican cantina. Enjoy a tasting of artisanal mezcal and guacamole as your local guide tells you a bit about the history of lucha libre (Mexican wrestling). Walk to the Aréna Mexico, or the "Catedral de Lucha Libre," while your guide amazes you with stories of "El Santo" and "Blue Demon," two of the biggest stars in the history of the sport.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Once you arrive at the Aréna Mexico, enjoy a dramatic battle between the técnicos (heroes) and the rudos (villains). Cheer on your favorite wrestler while you experience one of Mexico City's favorite traditions among beer vendors, snacks, and wrestling masks.
Day 5: Authentic Mexican Cooking Class & Market Tour
Discover the techniques of Mexican cuisine at the traditional culinary school, Aura Cocina Mexicana. This cooking studio, located in the eclectic Roma Norte neighborhood, focuses on authentic dishes and beverages from all regions of the country inspired by Mexican history, art, and legends.
Your class will begin with a welcome drink, agua fresca (water made with guava, mint, and lemon) or coffee made from Mexican coffee beans. Then walk to the nearby Mercado de Medellín to source ingredients for your lesson, with samples from selected market establishments. Return to the studio for an overview of the recipes you'll make today.
As you learn about the history of Mexican cuisine, you'll practice the techniques to make dishes such as various Mexican salsas, handmade tortillas, cornbread, mextlapiques (grilled fish tamales), or mole blanco con pollo (white sauce with chicken). Afterward, enjoy the lunch you've prepared with a pairing of artisanal mezcal, Mexican craft beer, or Mexican wine, followed by Mexican hot chocolate.
Day 6: Secrets of Teotihuacán: Cave Ritual & Culinary Delights
Wake up early for a daylong excursion outside Mexico City to the archaeological site of Teotihuacán. The ruins of this ancient Mesoamerican city, also known as "The City of the Gods," is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 100 BCE. Walk along the Calzada de los Muertos (Causeway of the Dead) and visit 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).
After you've hit the highlights of the ruins, your guide will take you to a local cave to partake in a sacred ceremony. As part of this experience, you'll receive special gifts to enhance the significance of the ceremony, allowing you to connect deeply with the spiritual essence of Teotihuacán.
To refuel after your captivating journey, a delicious buffet lunch awaits you. Savor local flavors and dishes such as pre-Hispanic specialties like sopa Azteca (tortilla soup), fried corn cakes, roasted prickly pear cactus, escamoles (sauteéd ant larvae), chinicuiles (caterpillars), or pipián (pumpkin seed sauce). Follow the delicious meal with samplings of locally made pulque and mezcal, traditional beverages deeply rooted in Mexican culture.
Day 7: Depart Mexico City
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