4 Days in Mexico City for First-Timers: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore
When people ask about my favorite cities I've visited, Mexico City is always the first place that comes to mind. The largest city in North America, CDMX is known for its incredible food scene, world-class museums, rich history, and charming tree-lined neighborhoods. I spent over a week here and barely scratched the surface of what this city has to offer.
With so much to do, it can be overwhelming to plan a comprehensive itinerary - especially if you don't have time for a longer trip. That's why I've compiled this first-timer's guide to Mexico City: a complete 4-day itinerary covering where to stay, what to eat, which sights are a must visit, and the smart travel tips that'll help you make the most of your trip!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to book something I may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.
WHERE TO STAY IN MEXICO CITY
Whether you’re on a tight budget, splurging on a luxury stay, or booking your stay entirely with points, Mexico City has countless accommodation options for every type of traveler.
💡 Smart Travel Tip: Picking the Right Location
CDMX is a large city full of great neighborhoods, but wasting time traveling between locations can eat into your itinerary, so here's how to pick the right spot from the start.
To customize the location of my hotel to my trip itinerary, I always use this easy Google Maps trick to figure out exactly where to book - and it works in any city. Want to try it out for yourself?
👉 Want to try it out for yourself?
Watch this video to learn how to use the saved lists feature to find the perfect location for your accommodation.
Budget: Casa Castillo Condesa
A cozy and modern hotel situated on a quiet street right in the heart of Condesa. The rooms are simple but clean, and the price point is hard to beat, especially during peak travel seasons.
Budget: Condesa Cibel
This hotel has apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes, balconies, and a rooftop terrace - perfect if you want a bit more space. It’s also just a 10-minute walk from Chapultepec Park and all of Condesa’s great cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Mid-Range: NANA Vida CDMX
If you’re looking for a more unique stay, this stylish boutique hotel in Roma Norte features local Mexican artist’s work throughout the property, offers complimentary drinks and snacks, and has a gorgeous rooftop terrace available for guests to enjoy.
Mid-Range: Hotel Villa Condesa
A charming boutique hotel in a converted mansion with just 15 rooms, a peaceful courtyard, and an on-site restaurant with free breakfast(!!). The staff is super attentive, and they also offer bike rentals. It’s a perfect pick if you want a quieter, more intimate experience in Condesa.
💡 Smart Travel Tip: Use Credit Card Points for a Free Stay
Want to avoid sky-high hotel prices during peak season? Use points to book your stay and save that cash for once-in-a-lifetime experiences instead.
By transferring your credit card points to the Hyatt program, you can stay at the centrally located Andaz Mexico City Condesa for just 12,000 points per night!
👉 Not sure if your credit card points transfer to Hyatt?
Click here to download my cheat sheet to credit card transfer partners to which cards give you access!
Luxury: Casa Tenue
A stunning eight-room boutique property with a minimalistic and art-focused design. This restored early 20th-century home features contemporary Mexican art throughout, copper bathtubs, private terraces, and complimentary mezcal and continental breakfast included with your stay.
Luxury: Ignacia Guest House
Named after the housekeeper who maintained the home for over 70 years, this beautifully restored 1913 mansion in the center of Roma Norte has just nine rooms, a stunning garden with century-old orange trees, daily gourmet breakfast, and complimentary cocktail hour from 5-7pm. This intimate property feels less like a hotel and more like staying at a friend's incredibly chic home.
💡 Smart Travel Tip: Getting Around Mexico City
The easiest and most affordable way to drive around CDMX is by Uber - rides are surprisingly affordable compared to other major cities. However, as the largest city in North America, Mexico City has a lot of traffic, so always budget extra time for your rides
Want to skip the traffic? Take advantage of Mexico City's excellent public transportation options:
🚊 Metro & Metrobús - CDMX has one of the largest and cheapest metro systems in the world (about $0.25 USD per ride), plus dedicated Metrobús lanes that bypass car traffic.
🚴 Ecobici - Mexico City's bike-share program is perfect for exploring neighborhoods like Roma, Condesa, and Polanco. I used this constantly during my trip and loved it! You can register online before you arrive and unlock bikes with the app.
WHERE TO EAT IN MEXICO CITY
Let's be real: Mexico City's food scene is legendary, and for many travelers (myself included), it's one of the main reasons to visit. With everything from street corner taco stands and century-old markets to award-winning fine dining restaurants, CDMX offers an unparalleled range of flavors.
These are a few standouts spots I tried on my own trip that are absolutely worth a spot on your itinerary:
Tortas Al Fuego: For the best al pastor tacos that also happen to be less than $4.
Comal Oculto: For a cozy spot in a beautiful neighborhood with delicious traditional dishes.
Mal de Cruz: For a whimsical and affordable breakfast with the best fresh squeeze orange juice I’ve ever had.
Churrería El Moro: For the best churros in Mexico City.
Entremar: For the same menu as Contramar, without the long wait time.
Panaderia Rosetta: For the appropriately rated excellent pastries, coffee, and everything else.
💡 Smart Travel Tip: Download my Food Map to CDMX
I saved all my favorite restaurants, cafes, snack stalls, and hidden gems across Mexico City to one easy-to-use Google Maps list - so you can spend less time Googling and more time eating!
👉 Click here to download my Google Maps list with 50+ saved places and start adding your own recommendations!
TOP THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO CITY
Familiarize yourself with the city on a local food tour
Speaking of the food scene in Mexico City, there is truly no better city to go on a food tour. Not only is it helpful to get recommendations from a local, but it is also a great way to learn more about the city’s history and Mexican culture in general.
Whether you want to try 15 different tacos, explore the local markets, or go off the beaten path, CDMX has no shortage of culinary experiences to choose from.
🥑 Street Food Bike Tour Foodhood Tours: Explore multiple neighborhoods by bike while learning more about Mexico City and sampling dishes from local markets and street vendors.
🌟 I did this one on my first day in CDMX and loved it - highly recommend!
🌮 Night Tacos and Mezcal Crawl: For those who want to discover the best tacos and mezcal spots in Roma while learning about the history and cultural significance behind each bite.
🌶️ Local foodie experience with Sherpa Food Tours: An small-group walking tour led by local food experts who take you to hidden gems and family-run eateries tourists rarely find on their own.
Watch the Sunrise From a Hot Air Balloon Over the Teotihuacan Pyramids
Without a doubt the highlight of my trip to Mexico City - floating over the ancient Teotihuacan pyramids at sunrise in a hot air balloon is truly bucket-list worthy.
Located about an hour from Mexico City, this experience offers breathtaking aerial views of one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico.
This tour also includes a buffet breakfast after the flight and gives you the option to explore the pyramids on foot afterward, which I highly recommend.
Walking around the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon after seeing them from above gives you a whole new perspective on the scale and grandeur of this ancient city.
📝 Be sure to book in advance as these tours fill up quickly, and dress in layers - it's pretty chilly in the early morning but warms up quickly once the sun rises.
Visit Chapultepec Castle & Park
Twice the size of Central Park, Chapultepec park is perfect for an afternoon stroll or a morning run. In the spring, the park is also one of the best places in the city to see the beautiful jacarandas in bloom!
Inside the park, you'll also find Chapultepec Castle perched on a hill with sweeping views of Mexico City.
The castle itself houses the National Museum of History with detailed and captivating exhibits about Mexico's past, from pre-Hispanic times through the Mexican Revolution.
If you’re planning on visiting, I highly recommend arriving right at 9am when the castle opens and avoiding Sundays - when the museum is free for local residents - to beat the crowds!
💡 Smart Travel Tip: Come Prepared with Cash
Most street food vendors, smaller cafes, and markets in Mexico City still only accept cash, so make sure to stop by an ATM before your visit.
💳 Want to avoid unnecessary ATM fees?
I always travel with a fee-free debit card, like this one from Charles Schwab, which reimburses ATM fees worldwide and guarantees you the best exchange rate.
Take a Day Trip to the Grutas de Tolantongo
If you have an extra day in your itinerary, the best way to spend it is on a day trip outside the city to the breathtaking Grutas de Tolantongo.
Located in the neighboring state of Hidalgo, these natural hot spring pools and caves are surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, and without a doubt worth the 3 hour drive from CDMX.
How to visit: While you can reach Grutas via public transportation, it requires multiple bus transfers with limited food/accommodation options at the park itself.
I highly recommend booking a day tour instead - they include round-trip transportation, a guide, breakfast, and helpful equipment. Look for early morning tours like this one - yes, it's a brutal wake-up, but you'll get to experience the pools without crowds!
What to know before you go:
✅ Bring cash - there are no ATMs in the park and everything is cash-only
✅ If you get carsick, bring Dramamine - the last hour has winding roads and lots of speed bumps
✅ For adventure lovers, the best way to get from the pools to the river is via zipline!
👉 Looking for even more tips?
Watch this video for my complete guide to visiting Grutas de Tolantongo from Mexico City.
You've likely seen photos of the picturesque wall of pools on social media, but the true highlight of the park is the massive waterfall cascading over the main cave entrance. Trust me when I say the photos don't do it justice - you just have to experience it in person.
Explore World-Class Museums
Mexico City is home to some of the best museums in the world. If you only have time for one, make it the National Museum of Anthropology. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece, and the extensive exhibits contain the world's largest collection of ancient Mexican art and artifacts.
👉 Other museums worth your time:
Museo Soumaya - This futuristic silver building is hard to miss, and it is also completely free. The collection itself is all over the place (in a good way), with everything from Rodin sculptures to Mexican folk art.
Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) - Frida's iconic blue house is a must for art lovers. Be sure to book tickets in advance, as this is one of the most popular attractions in the city.
Palacio de Bellas Artes - Even if you don't go inside, the Art Nouveau exterior alone is worth the visit!
Get Lost in CDMX's Best Neighborhoods
Finally, some of the best experiences in Mexico City come from simply wandering the tree-lined streets of its most charming neighborhoods, Condesa and Roma Norte. These are hands down my favorite parts of the city, so here’s how to fall in love with them too:
Walk the Avenida Amsterdam Loop - This oval-shaped street in Condesa is my absolute favorite spot in the city and perfect for an evening stroll.
People-watch in Parque México - Grab a coffee or a book and settle in to watch locals jogging, walking dogs, or taking a dance class in this beautiful park.
Go on a pastry crawl through Roma Norte - Try all of the neighborhood's best panaderías and cafes for pan dulce, conchas, and coffee.
Dive into Roma Norte's vintage scene - This area is full of vintage shops, secondhand stores, and weekend markets selling everything from clothing to records to jewelry.
I hope this guide to visiting Mexico City helps you better plan your city getaway. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email or DM me on Instagram @pointstopointtravel!
Hey there!
Welcome to Points to Point Travel, your go-to guide for unlocking the world of international travel. I'm Stacy, and my mission is to empower you with destination guides, insider travel tips, and travel credit card strategies to help you travel smarter - so you can see more and spend even less!
