Mexico City itinerary for five days

Mexico City, or CDMX, is a vast metropolis that can be challenging to navigate for first-time visitors. We visited Mexico City in early May, as part of a 14-day trip to Mexico that also included a week in La Paz and BCS. We got to spend the days in Mexico City with our local friends, and here is our five-day itinerary and some tips for CDMX:

📅 Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Coyoacán

• Frida Kahlo Museum: You will need to book the tickets in advance online and enter the museum at the designated time.
• UNAM(National Autonomous University of Mexico): The main university in Mexico. The botanical garden inside has many cactus species and is an interesting place to visit.
• Trinidad in the Market: Great breakfast spot, popular with both tourists and locals.
• Dinner @ Restaurante Humberto el Yucawach, a Yucatan-style restaurant.
• Coyoacán: We stayed in the Coyoacán district. This district is close to the university and is home to many university staff and students. There are many markets and bars worth visiting.

Day 2: Teotihuacan

• Teotihuacan Pyramids: If you want a guided tour, look for official guides with badges at the entrance rather than those waiting outside. Be prepared to pay in cash.
• Mineral del Monte: A mining town once settled by people from Cornwall, England. Many places still sell English-style pasties.

Day 3: City Centre

• Templo Mayor, Palacio Nacional, Catedral Metropolitanas
• Pre-ballet Dinner: Restaurante el Cardenal
• Evening: Folklore Ballet performance. The 1.5-hour ballet covers Mexican history and regional cultures. Tickets usually go on sale a month in advance.

Day 4: Cacahuamilpa Caves

Not recommended for those who don't speak Spanish. It’s a two-hour drive from CDMX. The cave tours are only in Spanish.

Day 5: Anthropology Museum & Chapultepec 

This was our last day, so we slept in and arrived at the museum around noon. We spent three hours there, with a much-needed break at the museum’s restaurant (a bit pricy, but there aren't many other options). The Anthropology Museum is huge, so we missed the Chapultepec Castle because we left the museum too late. ☹️

Dinner: Azul Historio (a slightly upscale farewell dinner).

🏧 Payment

Many places in Mexico City only accept cash, especially in the local markets. There are no free ATMs, and each charges differently. For example, Monzo cards cost £1.5 to withdraw at Citibanamex but £10 at BBVA! Check the fee before withdrawing cash.

🛜 Internet

For UK travellers, O2 (with travel package) can be used directly in Mexico, charged at UK local data rates. Otherwise, it can be a good idea to get a local SIM.