Mexico left a great impression on me only a few years ago when I visited Mérida – Relaxing in Merida Mexico. I loved the food, the vibe and the people. And so I was excited to be back again, this time in the capital Mexico City, a city that everyone should visit.
As soon as I arrived at the Mondrian Hotel in Mexico city, located in the La Roma area, I knew I was going to love this city. Cute little bars and restaurants were popping up every few metres. I was keen to explore this city. And after the letdown in Costa Rica when it came to food, I was really looking forward to some amazing meals. And this city did not disappoint. So, why should you visit Mexico City? Besides the incredible cuisine and the historical site Teotihuacan?
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Why you should visit Mexico City
It was surprisingly cold in Mexico City, but it was winter and the capital actually sits at an altitude of 2260 metres. Just like Bogotá in Colombia. Nevertheless, I walked a lot around Mexico City, showcasing why it’s a destination worth visiting.
I walked from the urban and vibrant La Roma area, a hub for Mexico City’s new age arts and culture scene, to La Condesa, famed for its lush, tree-lined avenues and iconic Art Deco architecture, and all the way to the famous city square, Zócalo. Famous because the James Bond movie Spectre filmed its opening scene there. However, the city centre was a little underwhelming, to be honest. It was dirty, busy, and not very special. I wouldn’t want to hang out here at night.
I much preferred the La Roma and La Condesa areas. They were colourful, vibrant and trendy parts of Mexico City, full of opportunities to dine and shop. My favourite part was around Colima Street. From amazing vintage and second-hand shops to plenty of artisan boutiques selling handcrafted Mexican items, this area in Mexico City was surprisingly enjoyable. I could have shopped up a storm, but had to be careful with my luggage weight.
I also liked the amount of healthy food options, which was perfect for me. Mexico City is a very walkable city and the people are friendly and happy here. I really liked it! That’s why you should definitely visit Mexico City. For the culture, the art, the vibe, and the incredible food. You won’t be disappointed. And yes, it feels very safe in the mentioned areas.
Exploring these neighbourhoods, you could easily forget that Mexico City is home to over 22 million people.
Otherwise…
Besides dining and walking through the suburbs of Mexico City, you should also take a trip to Teotihuacan. After all, this is the third largest pyramid in the world and also a reason why Mexico City is worth visiting.
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Pyramids in Teotihuacan
The historic site of Teotihuacan is known today for being home to some of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas. That’s a good enough reason why you should visit Mexico City. The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest structure in Teotihuacan and quite stunning. It was also the only truly touristy thing I did in Mexico City.
Personally, I don’t believe you need a guide, as you can easily read up on the history online and here of course – The Ancient City of Teotihuacan. Worth mentioning: entry is only 210 MXN, which is great!
It took about one hour each way to get there, and I only spent around 30 minutes on site. Walking to the Pyramid of the Moon, taking photos, then walking to the Pyramid of the Sun for more photos. I also made some new friends who happened to visit on the same day as me. So many soldiers!
Teotihuacan was a great side trip and definitely worth a visit.
Remember my trip to the pyramids in Egypt? That was an amazing experience as well. – Hanging out with the pyramids in Egypt.
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And so…
Mexico City completely won me over with its vibrant neighborhoods, rich culture, incredible food scene, and creative energy. It is a place I’d happily return to and would definitely recommend for visiting. I’ve been here for four days, and there are still plenty of restaurants left for me to try. But how many tacos can one eat in a day?
TIp: My all-time favourite meal was at the restaurant Voraz. It’s a small corner restaurant that I only noticed because it was incredibly busy all day long. I quickly made a reservation and ended up having one of the best meals of this trip. And as you know, I don’t usually recommend restaurants, but this one is a must-visit!
Final note about Mexico City: I was actually quite surprised by how little English is spoken in restaurants, shops, and bars. Hardly anyone speaks English, even though most menus are in English. Oh well, I can at least practise my Spanish, which I had almost forgotten. Remember the time when I lived in Spain for a while, back in 2019? – My first week in Altea, Alicante.
So, have I given you plenty of great reasons why you should visit Mexico City and Teotihuacan? I certainly hope so!
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