The Perfect Long Weekend in CDMX

December 18, 2025

Zocalo

My family has always loved Mexico. Growing up I was fortunate to have parents that prioritized travel, bringing us all over the world - with lots of trips to Mexico over the years! We've been to Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Cabo and Todos Santos, and our favourite... Zihuatenajo.

I had always felt that a trip to Mexico meant beach time. Because of that, Mexico City stayed off my travel wishlist for way too long.

In 2025, after spending a week with my family celebrating my dad’s 65th birthday (in Zihua, of course), Justin and I decided to tack on a long weekend in Mexico City for our own little “babymoon”! At 7 months pregnant, I wanted an itinerary that gave us a great feel for the city, while acknowledging that with over 9 million people and 577 square miles (for reference… my town of Victoria is 19 square miles lol), we’d just be scratching the surface.

We absolutely loved Mexico City and would definitely go again someday. I recommend it to anyone... solo travelers, couples, families, friends. There is a ton to do and see and you can really make it your own.

Below is our itinerary from that weekend. For background: We traveled in early March, arriving on a Thursday late afternoon and departing Monday morning, so you can easily tweak this based on your own preferences and dates.

Day 1 – Arrival & Taco Tour (Half Day)

Welcome to CDMX aka Ciudad de Mexico aka Mexico City!

You’ll likely be flying into Mexico City International Airport. Before you arrive, I recommend downloading an eSIM so you can use your phone (we like Airalo — it’s easy and affordable with quick top-ups if you run out of data).

If you’re on a budget or trying to avoid traffic, public transit is a great option. There are lots of buses and metro lines throughout the city. As you’ll find in this itinerary, my pregnant-self relied on Ubers — to each their own!

Where to Stay: Most blogs recommend Roma Norte or La Condesa. We stayed in La Condesa (technically on the outskirts near Parque Mexico) and loved it — leafy streets, cafés, pastel buildings, and an overall relaxed, safe vibe.

Once you’ve checked in, it’s time to explore the neighbourhood! Our intro to La Condesa was a self-guided taco tour. I saved my must-try taco spots in Google Maps and we used that as our guide — here were some of our faves:

• Maizaijo (must try) – Standing-room taco bar known for its corn tortillas. Try their melted cheese options — sooo good.

• El Pescadito – Great fish & seafood tacos and a self-serve salsa bar. Perfect for people-watching outside.

• La Buena Birria MX – Amazing Birria tacos, burritos, even ramen!

• El Tizoncito – Supposedly the creator of the El Pastor taco we know today with the grilled pineapple on top.

  
  

After many steps and many tacos, we grabbed an ice cream and sat in the park to people watch. It was a perfect first evening to get a lay of the land.

Tip: Stop at a 7/11 or supermarket to grab bottled water, fruit, and snacks. Avoid drinking tap water.

Day 2 – Coyoacán, Xochimilco & Roma Norte Evening

First full day!

Start with coffee and pastries in La Condesa. Try Quiasmo for great coffee, then walk up a few blocks to Odette for their famous chocolate-covered croissant.

Next stop: Coyoacán! Take an Uber to Casa Azul (the Frida Kahlo Museum). Make sure you book your tickets early, they will sell out. After exploring Casa Azul and the surrounding streets, stop at Café El Jarocho (open since 1952) for their especial — basically a Mexican ice cap (for the Canadians). Wander through Coyoacán Market for tostadas and souvenirs, then relax at Jardín Hidalgo and people watch (yes we did a lot of sitting and people watching... did I mention I was pregnant? lol).

When ready, head down to Xochimilco — famous for its colourful trajineras (aka party boats). If ubering, request drop-off at Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas. Rates are around 750 pesos per hour per boat, so you can have a private boat or find others at the boat launch to split this with! Bring cash for food, drinks, and mariachi boats! Justin got a michelada, I got a lime juice/soda with tajin rim, and we also tried some elote (grilled or boiled corn on the cob)!

Note that we actually did Xochimilco first before Coyoacan but I recommend doing it in the order I've written above to enjoy a more lively party vibe on the boats!

Afterward, head back to your place for a siesta. Keep in mind time of day/potential traffic. It takes awhile to get from neighbourhood to neighbourhood in this sprawling city! Once refreshed, explore Roma Norte in the evening — wander through boutiques and vintage shops, and stumble upon a spot for dinner and drinks (or pre-save some options in Google Maps... there are lots!)

Day 3 – Historic Centro, Culture & Lucha Libre Night

Another full day ahead! Start at Centro Histórico. We walked… and wouldn’t recommend it. It’s long and not super scenic, so maybe Uber instead (save your steps for exploring Centro when you're there!).

Start at the Plaza de la Constitución (Zocalo) - Mexico City’s grand main square. Walk around and take pictures, then head up to the Terraza Catedral for an aerialview (but watch for tourist pricing... just get one then go). If you're a James Bond fan, check out Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico - it appeared in both License to Kill and Spectre.

Afterward, walk along Calle Madero for some retail therapy until you reach the end, where you'll find more sites to explore, including Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Museo Palacio Postal, and Casa de los Azulejos (beautiful tiled building with a restaurant inside). If you’re hungry along the way, grab a taco at Los Cocuyos, one of Anthony Bourdain’s favourites.

In the evening, get ready for a night out at a Lucha Libre show! There are two stadiums that host shows depending on the day of the week: Arena Mexico for Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sunday (family vibe on Sun) and Arena Coliseo for Saturdays. Tickets are cheap and it’s so much fun.*

Afterward, have dinner at Contramar (try to book ahead!). We lucked out with bar seats and shared small plates — delicious!

*Note: We ended up making two trips to Centro on this day based on the above itinerary, but if I could redo it, I’d combine Centro sightseeing and Lucha Libre in one trip (as we saw LL on a Saturday night, meaning it was at the Coliseo, right in Centro) — start at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes end and make your way to Zocalo for rooftop drinks at sunset before the match.

Day 4 – Chapultepec Park & Relaxation

Final full day! Walk to Bosque Chapultepec - the huge park in the middle of CDMX. Fuel up with coffee and churros at Churrería El Moro — get a mix of dipping sauces! You'll burn off all thesugar with the day's acitivities anyway.

At any entrance to the park, find an Eco-Bici to rent bikes (download the app beforehand while on wifi!). The park is massive, so take your time cruising around the paths. When you're done, dock your bikes and make your way up to Castillo de Chapultepec — book ahead if possible to skip lines. We were blown away by the 360 degree views of the city, as well as the beautiful interior of the castle and all its displays. Note that the signage is only in Spanish... but the Castle exterior is beautiful and the views are more than worth it!

We spent our final afternoon lounging by our Airbnb rooftop pool, swimming, reading, and enjoying snacks — the perfect slow ending to a busy few days.

If your hotel doesn’t have a pool, check if nearby spots offer day passes. For dinner, wander La Condesa — endless options from Michelin-starred to hole-in-the-wall gems.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a trip to CDMX, you’ve probably seen just how much there is to do — from Mayan ruins, hot springs, museums, walking tours, and soccer matches, to endless food adventures. This itinerary was built with my pregnancy in mind — so we focused on keeping things close, slow, and fun. I highly recommend cross-referencing other itineraries for even more ideas!

Let me know what you think — happy to help with advice or tips if you’re planning a trip of your own.

Love, Rach