The Ultimate 3-Day Mexico City Itinerary
Mexico City holds my heart… and its food my stomach. It has this vibrant energy that blends centuries of history with modern creativity. From the colors of Roma Norte to the ancient ruins of Teotihuacán, every part of the city feels alive.
As a busy professional juggling life and work, Mexico City is ideal for a long weekend… or 3-4 days at a minimum. It’s a short flight from many U.S. cities (especially those on the west coast or in the midwest), making it accessible for a 72-hour adventure without feeling rushed. Whether you’re exploring pyramids, sipping mezcal at a hidden bar, or dancing in Roma Norte, you’ll feel like you’ve made the most out of your PTO.
TLDR: Mexico in 3 Days
Day 1: An Easy Introduction
- Get breakfast at either La Panadería Rosetta or Alegre Cafe.
- Take a free walking tour around downtown
- Indulge in tacos
- Explore Roma Norte
- Enjoy fine dining at Blanco Colima
- Dive into vibrant nightlife
Day 2: Adventure Packed Day
- Witness sunrise in a hot air balloon over Teotihuacán
- Tour ancient ruins
- Enjoy a mariachi band
- Lunch and nap
- Dinner out or potential food tour
- Experience Lucha Libre
Day 3: Unique Cultural Experiences
- Party on Xochimilco’s canals
- Visit Coyoacán Market
- See Frida Kahlo Museum
- Dinner at Huset
- Unwind at hidden bars
Day 1: Roma Norte’s Magic and Tacos
Morning: Explore Roma Norte
Start your day in Roma Norte, one of Mexico City’s most charming neighborhoods. Its tree-lined streets, stunning murals, and quirky cafes make it the perfect area to explore on foot. It has a great balance of approachability for tourists, but great history as well.
I stayed there when I last went. Our Airbnb was a sleek two-bedroom spot that cost just $120 per night, split between five people—total steal! It’s a great neighborhood to stay in because it’s safe, central, and tourist-familiar.
Roma Norte has awesome coffee shops and bakeries. If you can, grab coffee and pastries at Allegre Café, a cozy spot that’s as Instagrammable as it is delicious. We loved it so much, we bought matching hats as souvenirs. You can also go to La Panadería Rosetta– they have unique pastries as well. A perfect way to start off your 3 day trip in Mexico City: with some Mexican inspired treats.
Afternoon: Tacos at Taquería Orinoco
Take a walking tour with one of the free walking tours in the area. It’s the absolute best way to get a local view of the city and learn everything at a cheaper price. We were able to get to know the history of town while trying unique desserts. I recommend taking a free walking tour on every trip because you get the best of all worlds. Plus, the folks are always friendly. When I went, my group made friends with our guide and even went out with him that night!
Pro Tip: Get churros from El Moro Churrería– it’s famous and delicious. Perfect for a post walk snack!
For lunch, head to Taquería Orinoco, where you’ll find some of the best tacos in CDMX. While it’s a chain that is all around the city, the food is still top notch. Their tacos al pastor and carne asada are absolutely divine, and you must pair them with agua de Jamaica (hibiscus water). That was my favorite combo, and we went multiple times when we were there.
Pro Tip: If you want something even more authentic, you can try the street tacos, but try to avoid anything raw to not upset your stomach! (Also, try not to drink the tap water. Getting water bottles will help avoid tummy troubles.)
After lunch, spend some time wandering Roma Norte. The parks, vintage shops, and art galleries are perfect for a relaxed afternoon of exploring. You’ll probably spend a good amount of your 3 days in Mexico City here, but it’ll be worth it!
Evening: Fine Dining and Nightlife
Get dressed up and head to Blanco Colima for dinner. Located in a restored mansion, this fine-dining spot serves up beautifully crafted dishes like croquettes and baked artichokes.
Pro Tip: Make reservations for the nicer restaurants, especially for popular spots like Blanco Colima.
After dinner, dive into Roma Norte and its surrounding areas’ nightlife:
- Gin Gin: A stylish bar with an edgy vibe and creative cocktails. They have hookah and a sick wall of skulls.
- Patrick Miller: A lively dance club where locals show off their moves. My friends and I danced with the locals here, and got the recommendation from our walking tour guide.
- Jardín Juárez: An outdoor cocktail bar with DJs, disco balls, and a fun crowd. Our walking tour guide also took us here– it was great to bop to music.
- Xaman Bar: A hidden speakeasy with mystical vibes. The DJ was a little more intense, the lighting low, but the experience was one to remember.
- Rico Club: A gay bar with fantastic music and inclusive energy. This was an absolutely packed bar where people were dancing the full night away!
Day 2: Teotihuacán Adventure and Lucha Libre
Morning: Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Teotihuacán
My favorite experience on the trip, and ultimate bucket list experience, was taking a hot balloon ride in Teotihuacán. It’s an hour outside of the city so you have to wake up incredibly early… but it’s absolutely worth it. We booked through Volare, which included transport, breakfast, and the balloon experience.
They picked us up in CDMX, we drove over to the area, they gave us snacks, and then we were off. Watching the sunrise over the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon was pure magic. After we landed, they gave us lunch and drove us to the Pyramids to see for ourselves.
We hired a guide named Lucy at the entrance. Before the tour, we convinced her to drop us off for a quick lunch at La Gruta, the cave restaurant. The food was interesting– we liked some of it, but we loved the experience of being in the cave itself. I highly recommend it!
We ate, took the tour with her, and then got picked up by Volare. They provided brunch, champagne, and a mariachi band. After relaxing for a bit, they drove us back to the city to go about the day.
Pro Tip: Dress in layers—it’s freezing in the morning but warms up later. We were frozen in the balloon basket, but baking in the sun on the hot tour. Also, keep your phone or camera secured during the ride!
Be sure to hire a guide to explain all of the history. It might seem expensive but between a group it’s worth it, plus you will make the most out of your experience! This is a must do in all of the 3 days you have in Mexico City.
Afternoon: Relaxation
First things first, take a nap. You’re going to be exhausted after the morning (my friends and I were… we slept the whole 2 hour ride back). If you have the energy, you can try to hit another coffee shop or go for a lazy stroll around the neighborhood as well.
Evening: Lucha Libre Madness
Once you’re up and ready, go out for dinner at either a chill place for tacos or go for a nicer place in downtown itself. I have a few recommendations here, but you could also do a fun food tour if you have the energy and they have an evening slot open!
Once you’re full, go for an unforgettable evening at Lucha Libre, Mexico’s iconic wrestling show. It’s pure chaos—in the best way. The colorful masks, dramatic costumes, and high-energy crowd make this an experience you’ll never forget.
Pro Tip: Get your tickets in advance. (Here’s a good option for one with a group tour.) We bought it on our own on site. I had trouble the day of buying on Ticketmaster, which led to me haggling in Spanish with the ad hoc (and possibly fake) ticket vendors outside. Also, buy your mask from street vendors for the full experience, and arrive early to soak up the pre-show buzz.
After the show, hit up one of the nightlife spots I mentioned above.
Day 3: Xochimilco and Coyoacán
Morning: Party on the Canals of Xochimilco
Spend your last morning (and early afternoon) in Xochimilco, where colorful trajineras (boats) float down picturesque canals. It’s an area on the very edge of the city where you’ll find a cute town by the canals that have a ton of vendors, and the boat guides.
Once there, you’ll have to inquire with folks there to hire a boat, but you can handle the rest. Bring snacks, drinks, and music for your boat ride—it’s a party on the water. Vendors float by selling elote and souvenirs, so have some cash handy. I personally LOVED the elote. It was delicious and great to experience!
Pro Tips for Xochimilco
- You can Uber there from the city and it’s not terribly expensive. Just watch for traffic.
- Bring snacks, drinks, and music for your boat ride.
- Bring a speaker!! It makes the vibes. We danced with other boats because theirs were so loud.
- Once there, you’ll have to inquire with folks there to hire a boat.
- Negotiate the boat price upfront, they will try to upcharge you.
- Don’t buy what they’re selling you. They often offer Micheladas or various drinks, but it’s often overmarked.
- Bring cash– all of the shops prefer it and the boats on the canal only accept cash.
- Specifically, bring coins. They only accept coins to use the bathroom.
- Try to use the restroom before you come! You have to pay coins to get in, but more than that, it was not necessarily the cleanest.
- Also, bring hand sanitizer. The soap wasn’t working when I went.
- Be prepared for all weather. It was a bright and sunny day that turned into a storm for my friends and I… which ended up getting us soaked.
If you’re traveling with friends, this is the perfect group activity! I recommend it for a special occasion and big group to get the most out of your experience. Regardless, it’s a great way to experience culture in the short 3 days you are in Mexico City.
Afternoon: Coyoacán Market and Casa Azul
If you have the energy after the boat ride, head to Coyoacán Market for lunch and shopping. This lively market is full of traditional Mexican crafts and street food. I bought some tshirts, looked at Mexican trinkets, and enjoyed chatting with the locals there. Afterward, visit the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) to learn more about her life and art. I wasn’t able to go, but I have heard phenomenal things about it!
Pro Tip: Tickets for Casa Azul sell out months in advance—book early!
Evening: Dinner at Huset
End your trip with dinner at Huset, a garden restaurant serving delicious seafood and creative cocktails. I recommend getting a little bit of everything. This place felt a little higher scale than others and all of the food and drinks were spectacular It’s the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable 3 days in Mexico City.
Nightlife: If you still have energy, head back to Roma Norte for one last night of dancing at Patrick Miller or cocktails at Gin Gin.
Final Tips for Busy Professionals
- Maximize PTO: Fly out Thursday night and return Sunday evening or Monday morning. Try to go on a 3 day weekend so you can make it into an even longer trip.
- Stay Central: Roma Norte’s walkability and charm make it the perfect base.
- Packing Essentials: Bring layers for chilly mornings, sunscreen for sunny afternoons, and comfortable shoes for all the walking (and dancing).
- Explore as much as you can: Mexico City is massive and there’s so much to see– make the most of it!
Conclusion
Mexico City is the ultimate destination for a quick getaway. From ancient pyramids to vibrant markets and unforgettable nightlife, this city offers something for everyone. For busy professionals, it’s the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation—all within a long weekend.
Want to know more about Mexico City before you visit? Here are the top things to know before traveling to CDMX.
