Beyond the Surface: A Travel Guide to Mexico City for Second-Time Visitors

Museo Frida Kahlo, check.

Palacio de Bellas Artes, check.

Museo Nacional de Antropología, check.

I have good news: If you’ve been to Mexico City once before, but only for a few days – this post’s for you (and if you haven’t? Check out my first Mexico City trip recap to start planning your first adventure!).

I’ve already shared a few posts from my second trip to the capital city, like a day trip to Teotihuacan, all of the things I ate, and a splurge of a dinner at Pujol. Today I’m sharing the rest of what Michael and I did during our five days in the city, diving a little bit deeper into this never-ceasing cultural wonder:

MEXICO CITY TRAVEL GUIDE

Viernes Espectaculares: Friday Night Lucha Libre

On our last trip to Mexico City we attended the Family Night Lucha tournament, but this time around we wanted to take in the more rough-and-tumble Friday night show (that’s the link to the show from the night we went; try to spot us in the crowd!).

We ordered our tickets online and picked them up in advance from Ticketmaster, same as last time, and headed over to the Arena Mexico for the show. The crowd felt larger and even more engaged with the show this time, and surprisingly there were still a lot of children in the crowd. Our seats were labeled Row 2 and located in a corner, but I guess since the corners are narrow there is no official Row 1, so we actually had front-row seats.

It was a lot of fun to be so close to the action, but if we ever had any doubt the whole thing is staged, those beliefs would have been shattered. From up close it’s easy to tell that punches and kicks don’t always make contact like the wrestlers would have you believe.

The show was timed perfectly, ending precisely at 11 p.m. (which meant we had quite a long day since we’d been up since 4 a.m.!). Will we go back again for a third show? Probably not, but it’s something I think everyone should go to at least once.

→Arena México // Dr. Lavista 189, Doctores, Cuauhtémoc, 06720 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

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A Visit to Chapultepec and the Castle

Chapultepec bears many resemblances to New York City’s Central Park, as it too houses a lake, museums, a castle, and a zoo – but it’s twice as large so you still won’t see it all on your second visit. Enjoy the weather and get a little lost in the park, as it’s a wonderfully lovely place to do so.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the Castillo de Chapultepec. The deeply intertwined relationship between Austrian nobility and Mexico is why this very European castle is sitting up high overlooking Mexico City. For MXN 70 (about USD 4) you can tour the castle and the surrounding gardens and grounds. The interiors are a bit overwhelming; the crowds, narrow hallways, and over-the-top decorations make the whole experience a bit of a sensory overload but it’s worth it if you’re comfortable navigating these experiences. Just something to be aware of!

→Bosque de Chapultepec // Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, 11580 Ciudad de México, CDMX
→Castillo de Chapultepec // Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11100 Mexico City, Mexico

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Museo Soumaya

The Museo Soumaya is a great place to spend an afternoon, and it’s just as impressive inside as it is outside. The best part? It’s free, making this large collection of European art and pre-Hispanic coins accessible to all. Note, the security at the entrance are sticklers about food and drink. I had to check my pack of chicle at the coat check, a travel-first for me.

→Museo Soumaya // Blvd. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, 11529 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

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Car-Free Sunday

Every Sunday the grand Paseo de la Reforma is closed to cars and opened to the people – and the city smiles and relaxes with the freedom to walk, cycle, or roll down the Champs Elysee of Mexico City, or anywhere else on the full 55km route.

Locals have access to a bikeshare program, but free bicycles are available to all when an ID or passport is checked as collateral. Michael and I waited in the queue for a free bike for quite some time, but few were being returned (here is what the stalls look like in case you are able to time it right!) and we opted for a ride on Lime and Bird scooters (you can use code RTZCIPV on Lime and code 4bptrz on Bird for a free first ride/unlock – I’ll also receive credit if you use those codes. Thank you for your support!).

→Paseo de la Reforma // Multiple Locations

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Take in the Architecture

On your first visit to Mexico City, you probably blitzed through the Zócalo and snapped a photo of the Ángel de la Independencia from your Uber. On your second visit, take the time to notice the little details all around you – from the beautifully ornate Palacio de Correos to the brightly colored homes in the neighborhoods you visit – and appreciate the thoughtfulness with which each was designed.

→Palacio de Correos // C. de Tacuba 1, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

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Head to Teotihuacan

I wrote about our day trip to Teotihuacan in detail here so I won’t go into it again on this post, but a second visit to any city is the perfect opportunity… to get out of that city. We plan to do the same thing next time, but on an excursion to Xochimilco instead!

→Pirámides de Teotihuacán // 55825 San Juan Teotihuacan de Arista, Méx.

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Lounge in the Parks

People- (and dog-) watching is one of my favorite ways to spend time in any city, and parks are always the best place to indulge. Grab a coffee or a snack and your travel-mate (in this case, my ~~boyfriend~~ fiancé, who’s also a snack, heyyy) and find a nice bench to sit and watch the world go by.

→Parque México // Av México s/n, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
→Parque España // Parque España, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Cuauhtémoc, CDMX, Mexico

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Ride the Metro

With limited time in a city, it makes sense to explore via the fastest transport option; in Mexico City’s case, that would be Uber. With a little more time, join the locals on public transportation. The Metro in Mexico City is inexpensive (one ride anywhere in the city is MXN 5, or a little more than a quarter in USD).

It can be hectic, so dip your toe in slowly at first. Ride off-peak if possible, and make use of the women’s and children’s car if that applies to you. As always, guard your possessions and be aware of your surroundings.

→Metro Website

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Indulge in a Little Shopping

There are so many great things to do in Mexico City other than shopping, but occasionally I like to bring things home to remind me of my trip. I very nearly purchased a pair of shoes from the vintage shop goodbye folk (and thankfully they ship free to the U.S. if I ever change my mind!), and I desperately wanted to buy everything in Loose Blues. What I did end up buying was a bandana from Utilitario Mexicano and an alebrije for my desk at work from the artisan market La Ciudadela, well, in addition to bags of coffee and bars of chocolate, of course!

→goodbye folk // Multiple Locations
→La Ciudadela // Balderas S/N, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06040 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
→Loose Blues // C. Dinamarca 44, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
→Utilitario Mexicano // Calle Marsella 3a, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

FINAL THOUGHTS ON TAKING A RETURN TRIP TO MEXICO CITY

Just like the New Yorks and Parises of the world, you can visit Mexico City as many times as you’d like, and you’d still never have time to experience it all. In fact, each time I leave, my list simply grows longer (not that I really need an excuse to return, but I’ll gladly take it!).

Oh, and if you’re wondering, “Where’s the food?” Don’t worry. I’ll never let you explore this incredible city while hungry. Check out my two-part Mexico City Food Guide: Part One and Part Two.

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Questions for you

Have you visited a city more than once?

What are your favorite things to do on a return visit?

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