A 3-Day Mexico City Itinerary: Boats, Pyramids, and Churros!
The smell of fresh tortillas and chopped cilantro filled the air, taxis honked past, and a mix of Neo-colonial and modern buildings hit me the second I landed in Mexico City.
I was immediately diggin’ it.
This city is intense, in the best way. The energy is everywhere, the love for the culture shows in everyone you meet, and the food… the food is indescribable. It’s easy to see why CDMX is considered the sun of the country.
I hope to get back soon. My Mexican-American boyfriend has tons of family there, so it’s only a matter of time. Until then, here’s exactly what I did with 3 days in Mexico City.
TRANSPORTATION TIP
If you’re looking for buses and shuttles around Central America and Mexico, this is what I use.
3 Day Mexico City Itinerary: Day 1
Don’t expect a list of must-see spots here, because that’s not really the point of Roma Norte. It’s Mexico City’s coolest neighborhood, gentrifying fast but still keeping its scruffy edges, and it’s safe, beautiful, and not pretentious about it.
We stayed next door in Roma Sur and spent the day wandering, getting lost, and eating. A lot.
I like getting to know a neighborhood without an exact itinerary. The street art, the cafes, the parks, the food, that’s what makes Roma Norte worth your first day. If you’re into shopping or museums you’ll find plenty here too, but that’s not really my thing.
One non-negotiable: get a street taco. Today. It’s day one of your Mexico City itinerary, how are you not already eating a taco?
RELATED: 17 Things To Do in Sayulita, Mexico.
Xochimilco’s Floating Gardens
Xochimilco was a total treat. We escaped the city for an hour and floated into a magical Mexican trance.
Boats decked out in bright greens, reds, and yellows, mariachi bands drifting by, the smell of sweet corn and micheladas in the air.
We cruised the canals on a trajinera (a “wooden pole boat”) past the chinampas, the little floating farm plots the area is known for, guided by a captain and his massive wooden stick. I tried steering myself. Not easy. I may have bumped into another boat.
We cracked open beers, had a mini photo shoot, and floated past the creepy doll island (yes, that’s real, look it up before you go). Every bit of it was worth it, and it’s so different from anything else you can do in the city.
Essential info for visiting Xochimilco:
- Catch the boat from Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas.
- Expect to pay around 500-750 pesos/hour. You rent the whole boat, not per person, so it doesn’t matter how many people you bring.
- Get the boat with tables and chairs, not the one with benches along the sides. You’ll likely need to cross the bridge (opposite side of the market) to reach these.
- Don’t buy a ticket from anyone hawking on the way to the boats. Get there and negotiate with a boat guide yourself.
- Ignore anyone who tells you the area is closed for a festival or whatever excuse they’re using. Just go.
- Bring your own booze and snacks. Prices on the boats are inflated.
Low on time? Want to squish day one and two of this Mexico City itinerary together? Check this popular tour out so you don’t have FOMO and get everything you want!
3 Day Mexico City Itinerary: Day 2
Today you’re covering Coyoacán and the historic center, and you’ll probably rack up as many steps as calories. Worth it.
Frida’s Neighborhood and Coyoacán’s Market
Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, but book your ticket in advance, or you may never get in!
We then stumbled onto the Mercado Coyoacán, which might be the piñata capital of the world. Seriously, it’s like a fiesta threw up in the best way, plus you’ll find cheap nail polish (10 pesos, better than most I’ve bought at home) and a fresh tortilla stall worth a peek and a sniff.
From there, Coyoacán turns into the best animal watching in the city. Parque México is basically a dog park without borders, every breed and every kind of human trying to keep their dog under control. Then head to Jardín Hidalgo for a calmer scene: fountains, benches, and squirrels so friendly they’ll practically pose for you. I’m from Florida, land of a million squirrels, and I’ve never gotten this close to one in my life.
Historic Center and a Rooftop Sunset
Honestly, most of Mexico City looks like it belongs in a history book, but the Centro Histórico is next level, especially Avenida Madero, a pedestrian-only street packed with boutiques, restaurants, and buildings you’ll want to photograph nonstop.
Walk it end to end and you’ll pass the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, the Latin America Building, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes, all works of art in their own way. We tried rooftop beers at the Latin America Building first, but the prices were rough, so we switched to Terraza Catedral instead. Not as tall, but the beer cost what beer should cost, and the sunset view over the cathedral was worth it.
RELATED: Your One Week Yucatan, Mexico Itinerary.
3 Day Mexico City Itinerary: Day 3 (Teotihuacan)
Not technically in Mexico City, but close enough and awesome enough that skipping it would be a sin. It’s also the perfect city break after two days of nonstop walking.
Teotihuacan is such an easy day trip from Mexico City that missing it would be a shame. We spent about half a day roaming the ruins, and a tour is 100% unnecessary.
Get there early, that’s the whole secret. We arrived at 8:30am and finished the entire complex in under 4 hours, with plenty of time for photos and video, and we beat both the crowds and the heat. We also went in early December, which is shoulder season, my favorite time to travel anywhere.
The Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon are the headliners, and the best view of each is from the top of the other. There’s also a third, smaller pyramid, the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent, still being excavated, with snake heads carved into the sides. Worth the quick stop, and kind of cool to watch the excavation happening in real time.
Getting to Teotihuacan (and Tour Options)
Head to the Northern Bus Station and walk to the far-left bus stand, there’s a clear sign for Teotihuacan buses. Buy a round-trip ticket, hop on, then grab your pyramid entrance ticket once you arrive. Buses run constantly, so don’t stress about timing it.
Prefer a guide? These are solid options:
- Early Morning Teotihuacan Pyramids Tour with a Private Archeologist
- Teotihuacan Pyramids by Metro and Dinner with a Local Family
- Mexico City Super Saver: Teotihuacan, Tlatelolco, and Guadalupe Shrine Plus Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo
Have extra time in Mexico City? These day trips are on my “next time” list:
What to Bring
- Sunscreen. I forgot mine and got lucky, most people around me got crispy.
- A hat, if you’re sun-sensitive. There’s zero shade out there.
- Water, unless you love overpriced bottles.
- A snack, same logic.
Where to Eat in Mexico City
We were based in Roma Sur and Roma Norte and found some genuinely yummy places to eat. Here’s where:
- Álvaro Obregón Tacos: recommended by a local expat friend and known for tacos al pastor (that’s the meat, not a priest). Everything we tried was excellent.
- Por Siempre: a vegetarian taco stand, a rare find. Their soy-rizo (soy chorizo) is genuinely damn good, and you can load up with nopales, salsas, and beans without the post-taco meat bloat.
- Comedor de los Milagros: a pan-Latin American menu with a full bar at the back, great if you’re indecisive and want a bit of Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil on one table.
- El Moro: the go-to for churros and hot chocolate. Share an order of four between two people unless you want a sugar coma, this stuff is filling.
Want to eat like a local without the guesswork? Try a food tour in the city.
Where to Stay in Mexico City
Roma Sur worked perfectly for our 3 days in Mexico City. Roma, Condesa, or Coyoacán all make great, safe home bases; the restaurants in Coyoacán are worth the trip alone, from traditional Mexican food to trendy cafés.
Not staying long? A hotel near the airport is the easier call.
Check out some of the excellent hotels in the area.
3 days in Mexico City is enough to fall for the place, and I’m willing to bet you will too.
Big thanks to Megan and Scott, we were traveling around Mexico with them and Megan had every detail dialed in.
Tips for Booking Your Trip:
TRANSPORTATION
The best way to get bus and shuttle tickets around Central America and Mexico. Check here.
THINGS TO DO
You’ll want to book a few tours! I use Viator and GetYourGuide!
Don’t forget insurance!
Get a quote with the best and easiest travelers’ insurance: Safety Wing
GET DATA EVERYWHERE
Get an eSIM before you take off!
When are you headed over? Did this Mexico City itinerary help? Let me know in the comments!
Hi Nina!
Love your blog post. I’m visiting Mexico City in August and this was super helpful!
Just wondering- where was the top picture taken? (the one with the blue and yellow patterned wall)
Angie 🙂
On a side street off of the famous street in the city!
Hi, Nina! This is an amazing guide! I`m impressed how much you can see and experience in just 3 days. Not to mention how magical Mexico City is- with all of the colors, smells and tastes it`s so easy to fall in love with. I was wondering, is there anything you wish you knew before taking this trip?
Thank you! Not really. MC is pretty darn easy and chill! I didn’t think it would be but it was!