A Gentle Welcome to the Heart of the World
Dear fellow travellers,
I want to introduce you to a place that not only has history, but lives and breathes it. Put the sun-shiny beach aside for a second. We are here for the heart of Mexico an exciting, fascinating, and incredibly beautiful place where ancient civilisations meet the modern world’s metropolitan rhythms. My time spent wandering through this beautiful country has been rewarding, and I am happy to share this guide, written from one curious traveller to another, with a little help from the inspiration I’ve gathered through World Flight Vibes.
We begin our journey in one of the biggest cities in the world: Mexico City (CDMX). It is a city of immense scale and astonishing beauty that needs more than just a visit it needs a full, immersive dive. When you arrive, pause. Listen. You are standing on the site of the great Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, and that weight of centuries is still beneath your feet. This immense city remains one of the top destinations in Latin America.
The Metropolitan Marvel – Mexico City (CDMX)
Mexico City is like an encyclopedia but instead of pages, it is full of colours and sounds. Here you can see the most famous museum in the world, try food from a thousand different street stalls, and visit the trendy areas where it seems as if a European movie was shot. If you are wondering what to do in mexico, start right here in CDMX.
1.Experiencing the Dual Personality of Centro Historico
The city centre is a very incredible place of contrasts. Zocalo, the main square is a place where you can see and feel different things all at the same time. Metropolitan Cathedral, a great example of Spanish colonial might and a very impressive building was made from the stones of the conquered Aztec city, is on one side. Just aside it, you can find the uncovered ruins of Templo Mayor, the ancient Aztec Great Temple.
For me, this double nature is the core of CDMX. The violent collision of two worlds is something you can literally follow with your eyes. The contrast is so extreme that you can go from seeing baroque pomp of the cathedral to the archaeological site and then to the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes. The palace is a stunning architectural work, its Art Nouveau and Art Deco style outside is quite different from the inside which has beautiful murals painted by the Mexican greats like Diego Rivera. In fact, the city operahouse is also the best art gallery of the city. For travellers seeking culture, these attractions are exactly what to do in mexico city.
2.Ascending for a New Perspective – The Cable Cars
One of the most different and wide-opening sights for me was the view from above when I took the city’s Cablebús system. If you are staying in the trendy areas of Condesa or Roma Norte, it’s very easy to forget the huge size of CDMX which goes even to the mountains. The cable cars were made to connect the outer parts that are more local with the centre and they give a very important insight into the real, everyday life of Mexicans that you cannot see in any other way.
Whatever the path is that you take, you are going smoothly and quietly over houses, streets, and markets and thus you are able to understand the great size of this super-city just by looking from above. Besides being a nice view, it is an anthropological journey.If you’re planning your itinerary, considering these new transit options is one of the essential activities to do in mexico city.
3.The Culinary Soul on the Pavement
Without indulging in Mexico’s street food, you cannot say that you know Mexico. And to my lovely co-travellers with a conscious palate, you are going to have a great time because the vegan scene here is out of this world. Just forget all the things that you knew about Mexican food and plunge in.
Don´t miss the chance of tasting the Huitlacoche Quesadillas (the well-known ‘corn smut’ or Mexican truffle), a food with a quite earthy, complex flavour only one thing to remember, if you are a vegetarian, order them sin queso (without cheese). Besides the everywhere known (and delicious) tacos al pastor, there are tlaycoyos and gorditas that you can spot on each corner. And in areas like Roma Norte, you’ll find 100% vegan places like Por Siempre Vegana which is the proof that the rich flavour of Mexico’s heritage can be enjoyed by everybody. Tasting the local cuisine is a must when considering what to do in mexico tourist spots.
4.The Green Heart of the City – Chapultepec
If you could take New York’s Central Park and double its size, you still wouldn’t have a park as big as Chapultepec Forest. It is the absolute lungs of the city and a place where you can easily lose an entire day. The best thing about the park is the castle on the hill, so make your way up there to see the breathtaking views. It was the only royal palace in all of North America but today it is the National Museum of History and the view from it is pretty awesome.
Next, you can stroll to the lakes, get a small boat, and just relax seeing other people and animals around the park. For a quiet moment or two, you could go to Parque México or Parque España in the Condesa area. These lovely parks with their beautiful Art Deco buildings are the best places to do nothing but watch people, take a walk with your dog or have a cup of city’s great coffee from a nice cafe like Compay or Quiasmo. The coffee culture here, I must tell you, is a revelation.Exploring Chapultepec is one of the top things to do in mexico.
5.The Subversive Art Scene
CDMX is the place to be for modern art. The old works are everywhere, but it’s definitely worth checking out the small and different places. My personal favourite discovery was La Laguna, a huge brand-new converted textile factory which is now an independent complex for art galleries, studios, artisan shops, and a lovely café. It has a great industrial, bohemian vibe which made me think of the coolest side of East London. This is the place where you can find the local design and art scene most innovative and creative without the tourist crowds. Exploring this is a fun answer to what to do in mexico city. This exploration gives a fantastic taste of what is there to do in mexico beyond the historical sites.
Beyond the Capital Seeking the Soul of Mexico,If you want to know the real country, you have to leave the capital. The trips outside CDMX are full of different kinds of beauty ancient ruins, colonial jewels, and nature that will take your breath away. This next part is about things to do in mexico beyond the urban sprawl.
6.The Surreal Thermal Oasis of Grutas de Tolantongo
When you want to be close to nature and have a complete peace of mind, you must visit Hidalgo state and Grutas de Tolantongo. In fact, it is one of the places mexico has with the most beautiful nature that I have ever seen. Just think of it as a network of hot springs that are naturally formed on the side of a canyon, where the turquoise water with minerals flows down the rocks and waters lots of small “pozitas” (pools) that are made from the river.
The pools are like a thermal oasis. Besides the outdoor pools, there are caves and tunnels that you can visit to see the river made of warm water that is coming through the mountain and green trees are all around. Although getting there involves a little bit of planning, soaking in those healing waters while enjoying the fantastic view of the valley is definitely the reward. For nature lovers, this is a clear answer to what to do in mexico.
7.The Culinary Capital of Oaxaca
The city of Oaxaca is the place to be if you want to enjoy delicious and rich Mexican food made from local products, sourced in the Oaxacan valley. The food is what is most beautiful about the place and a part of that beauty can be found in the careful creations of the seven moles or sauces, one of which is a sweet-salty chocolate-paste-mixture but it also involves the use of lots of chilies and spices. Don’t take my word for it – just book a class and be amazed by how food from the past can still be so tasty today. While you are in the city, of course, you ought to try mezcal , the new must-have of the bar and the smoke-flavored, artisanal version of tequila’s sister. If you want to learn the old- fashioned way on how they roast the agave that they later turn into your bottle of mezcal, just leave for a day at the Palenque (distillery) and watch the process.If you find yourself wondering what to do in cancun mexico you might consider a flight to Oaxaca instead for this unique culinary experience.
Next, spot the local tourist attractions to tour, and you will surely have the time of your life. One notably beautiful journey, among others, is a trek to Hierve el Agua a town where water soon wants to be rock. The reason for this is that the water that has been flowing for thousands of years over the cliffside is full of minerals and that is why the waterfalls look like they have been frozen white, rocky, and natural infinity pools cover the gorgeous mountain view. To truly taste Mexico, this is what to do in mexico.This region offers some of the best things to do in mexico city day trips, though it is a bit further afield.
8.The Colourful Maze of Guanajuato
Guanajuato, just a few hours north, is a real colonial jewel. A place where the old meets the new, this city, listed as a World Heritage site, is probably the most lively and eye-catching place you can find in the whole of Mexico.
The city is laid out in a very narrow valley, which is why the houses, painted in bright colours, appear to go on and on up the hills that surround the city. What basically sets apart from all the other cities is the city´s clever structure: a compelling system of underground tunnels that were formerly rivers now carry the traffic under the city. This makes the surface area very friendly to pedestrians. So just going about your day you can decide to lose yourself in these multi-coloured streets full of life, and at some point coming across the grand Juárez Theatre and the well-known yellow Basilica. Be sure to check out the tiny and popular Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss) which derives its name from a romantic colonial legend. Guanajuato is a town that reminds you of a European mountain village, however, it is definitely Mexican in its colour and spirit. Finding the hidden alleys is key to what to do in mexico’s colonial towns.This is a great alternative if you’re looking for different things to do in mexico city trips.
A Traveller’s Final Thought
Mexico, my friends, is not a holiday it’s an epic. Starting from the colossal and culturally rich Mexico City, where the Aztec past is combined with modernity, to the smoky depth of Oaxacan mezcal and the vibrant, secret alleys of its colonial towns, this country is sure to make a very deep and lasting impression on your soul. If you are researching what to do in cancun mexico, remember that the central highlands offer a radically different and rich experience.
Do as the natives do, and be of an open mind; allow the colours of the country to affect you, and the good nature of the Mexicans to be your guide. Your are setting out on a journey which in the manner it changes, will change the rest of your view of the world. Understanding what to do in mexico is just the start of this adventure. For those who enjoy resort holidays, looking into what to do in cancun mexico is a good starting point, but don’t limit your trip!
¡Que la pasen bien! (Have a great time!)
For official travel information, cultural resources, and government-verified visitor guidance, you can also visit the Mexico Government’s official tourism website
Frequantly Asked Questions
1.Visitors to Mexico City’s Centro Historico must look at the central historical contrast between what?
It is the contrast of the Metropolitan Cathedral (Spanish colonial power, built with stones from the conquered city) and the close by Templo Mayor (uncovered ruins of the ancient Aztec Great Temple).
2. What is an entirely new way to comprehend the enormous CDMX scale and the local life?
One can take a ride on the city’s Cablebús system (cable cars) that gives a view from the top of houses, streets, and markets, which are the means by which the city’s outer parts are linked with the centre.
3. What food is recommended for vegetarians/vegans to try in CDMX, and how should they order it?
Huitlacoche Quesadillas (Mexican truffle/corn smut). Vegetarians should always remember to order them sin queso (without cheese).
4. What is the major point of interest located in the Forest of Chapultepec?
Chapultepec Castle, the only royal palace in North America, which has been converted into the National Museum of History, is offering a stunning view of the city.
5.What two key culinary experiences are a must-try in Oaxaca?
The first is tasting all seven moles (complex sauces) and the second is trying mezcal, the artisanal, smoke-flavored sister spirit of tequila.
