A Whirlwind Long Weekend in Mexico City
After soaking up the dry heat of Guadalajara and the culinary magic of Oaxaca, Tammi and I headed off to Mexico City for a few chill days.
First Impressions
Surprisingly, the weather in Mexico City was way more comfortable than Guadalajara or Oaxaca. This made exploring the city far more enjoyable, for which we were both extremely grateful.
However, the smog was reminiscent of Los Angeles. I would say it was a small price to pay, but I left Mexico City with a cough that stuck around for more than a month. Tammi had no issues — just me, sensitive orchid that I am.
Still, the city had a buzz that made it easy to (mostly)overlook the haze. It felt like New York City times three.
Getting High—Legally
One of the coolest things we did was a tour that combined subway travel with a ride on the city’s cable car system.
The subway even has a women-and-children-only section—something more cities should consider. And the cable car system gives you stunning birds-eye views of neighborhoods and rooftop murals that most tourists don’t see.
Okay, Tammi saw more of it than I did. My fear of heights put my meditation skills to the test. I did manage to release my death grip on the seats long enough to snap a few photos.
Fortunately for me, the trip included so much more than just the ride in the cable car. It showcased the rich culture of both Mexico City and Iztapalapa. I loved my time in the Iztapalapa museum.
This tour was a unique way to see the city and get a sense of its vastness and diversity.
In-Depth Tour
Of course, we also played the hits with a jam-packed tour of Xochimilco, Coyoacán, & Frida Kahlo Museum. Bonus stops included a visit to a silver factory (where Tammi was gifted a carved tin sample!) and mosaic-covered library of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
But the main event was floating through the canals of Xochimilco in the famous trajineras (colorful boats). Imagine a floating flea market meets party barge, with vendors gliding up offering elote (Mexican corn), margaritas, flowers, and live mariachi music. You never knew what you were going to see float by. It was exciting…and chaotic.
Back on land in Coyoacán, art lovers have the option of exploring the Frida Kahlo Museum as part of the tour. The museum offers an intimate look into the life and works of one of Mexico’s most iconic artists. I fell in love with this part of the city. In fact, it was so charming that I decided to stay there when I extended my time in CDMX.
Let’s Talk About Food, Baby
We ate ourselves silly. Honestly, I’m just going to let the images do the talking on this one.
Bonus Moment
When I extended my stay, I got to go to a West Coast Swing (WCS) dance. I had a blast! Even better? I got to dance with the Flor Diaz. Yes, you should totally be envious — she is a joy to lead. I’m now seriously tempted to pop over to Buenos Aires, Argentina for the WCS event in August.
✨Final Thoughts
Mexico City was never on my bucket list — I assumed it was just another giant, overwhelming city. I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong.
Yes, it’s huge. Yes, it’s loud. And yes, it can be hard on the lungs for some of us. But it’s also vibrant, interesting, and for a few days of delicious, sensory overload, it’s 100% worth it.
📝 Have you been to Mexico City? What did you love (or not love) about it? I’m always curious how others experience such a big, bold place—drop your thoughts below!
