Day 1-2: Mexico City – The Megalopolis of the Americas

Your Mexican adventure begins in one of the world’s largest and most dynamic cities: Mexico City (Ciudad de México or CDMX). Built atop the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán, this sprawling metropolis of over 21 million people is the political, cultural, and economic heart of Mexico.

City Characteristics

Mexico City sits in a high-altitude valley at 2,240 meters elevation, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. The altitude means cooler temperatures year-round (15-25°C) and thinner air that takes a day or two to adjust to. The city stretches across 1,485 square kilometers, making it one of the world’s largest urban areas. Despite this size, the historic center and main tourist areas are surprisingly walkable and well-connected by an extensive metro system.

The city’s history spans millennia. The Aztecs founded Tenochtitlán on an island in Lake Texcoco in 1325, building a sophisticated city with temples, causeways, and floating gardens. Spanish conquistadors destroyed it in 1521 and built Mexico City atop the ruins using stones from Aztec temples. This layering of history is visible everywhere—Aztec ruins lie beneath colonial churches, which sit alongside art deco buildings and glass skyscrapers.

Modern CDMX has undergone a remarkable renaissance. Once known for pollution and crime, the city has transformed in recent decades. The historic center has been beautifully restored, new museums have opened, a bike-sharing system encourages sustainable transport, and neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa have become international destinations for food, art, and design. The city pulses with creative energy—street art covers buildings, food trucks serve innovative cuisine, and markets overflow with handicrafts from across Mexico.

Day 1: Historic Center and Cultural Immersion

Begin at the Zócalo, one of the world’s largest public squares and the heart of Mexico for over 600 years. The square is formally called Plaza de la Constitución, but everyone calls it the Zócalo. It’s enormous—capable of holding 100,000 people—and surrounded by some of Mexico’s most important buildings. The Catedral Metropolitana dominates the square’s north side. Built over nearly 250 years (1573-1813), it combines Renaissance, baroque, and neoclassical styles, creating a stunning architectural palimpsest. The interior is breathtaking, with gold-leaf altars, massive organs, and chapels dedicated to various saints.

Next to the cathedral lie the ruins of the Templo Mayor, the main temple of the Aztec capital. Spanish conquistadors destroyed this massive pyramid, but excavations beginning in 1978 have revealed portions of the temple and thousands of artifacts. The on-site museum displays these finds, including the famous Coyolxauhqui stone, a massive circular sculpture depicting the dismembered moon goddess. Walking these ruins while surrounded by colonial and modern buildings powerfully demonstrates Mexico City’s layered history.

Walk down Calle Madero, the main pedestrian street connecting the Zócalo to Alameda Park. This street showcases Mexico City’s architectural diversity: baroque churches, art nouveau palaces, modern shops. Stop at the Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles), a stunning colonial palace covered in blue and white Talavera tiles, now housing a Sanborns restaurant chain. Have breakfast in the gorgeous tiled courtyard—the food is decent, but the setting is spectacular.

Continue to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico’s premier opera house and cultural center. This art nouveau/art deco masterpiece features a white Carrara marble exterior and stunning interior murals by Mexico’s greatest artists: Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Rufino Tamayo. The building itself is an artwork, with Tiffany stained-glass curtain in the theater depicting the Valley of Mexico’s volcanoes.

In the afternoon, visit Chapultepec Park, one of the Western Hemisphere’s largest city parks. The park contains several world-class museums. The Museo Nacional de Antropología is essential—arguably the finest anthropology museum in the Americas. Its collection covers Mexico’s pre-Columbian civilizations from the Olmecs to the Aztecs, with an entire room dedicated to the Mexica (Aztec) culture. The famous Sun Stone (Aztec Calendar Stone) and the reconstruction of Pakal’s tomb from Palenque are highlights. Plan at least 3-4 hours here.

Alternatively, visit Chapultepec Castle, the only castle in the Americas that housed actual sovereigns. Built for Spanish viceroys, it later served as Mexico’s presidential residence and is now the National History Museum, offering spectacular views over the park and city.

Day 2: Neighborhoods and Floating Gardens

Start early for a trip to Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the city’s southern edge. Here, remnants of ancient Aztec chinampas (floating gardens) create a network of canals. Rent a colorful trajinera boat for a cruise through the waterways. On weekends, the canals become festive, with boats selling flowers, food, and even mariachi bands floating alongside to serenade passengers. It’s touristy but uniquely Mexican and great fun, especially with a group.

Return to the city for lunch in Coyoacán, one of CDMX’s most charming neighborhoods. This colonial-era village was absorbed into the growing city but maintains its distinct character with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and two beautiful plazas. The neighborhood is famous as Frida Kahlo’s home. Visit the Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul), the blue house where she was born, lived with Diego Rivera, and died. The museum displays her paintings, personal items, and the bed where she painted after a devastating trolley accident left her bedridden. Book tickets online in advance—it’s very popular.

Nearby, the Museo Casa de Leon Trotsky preserves the house where the exiled Russian revolutionary lived and was assassinated in 1940. The bullet holes in the walls and Trotsky’s study, kept as it was on the day of his death, make for a haunting historical experience.

Spend the afternoon exploring Roma and Condesa, adjacent neighborhoods that epitomize modern Mexico City cool. These areas feature tree-lined streets, art nouveau and art deco architecture, independent boutiques, art galleries, and countless cafés and restaurants. The neighborhoods have a distinctly European feel with Mexican flair. Walk along Avenida Álvaro Obregón in Roma or through Parque México in Condesa, stopping for coffee at one of the many excellent cafés.

For dinner, Roma and Condesa offer Mexico City’s best dining. The city has emerged as one of the world’s great food destinations, with innovative chefs reimagining traditional Mexican cuisine. Restaurants like Pujol, Quintonil, and Contramar (all in these neighborhoods) rank among the world’s best. Reservations are essential for top restaurants, but you’ll also find excellent casual options serving everything from gourmet tacos to contemporary Mexican cuisine.

Day 3: Teotihuacán and Flight to Oaxaca

Rise early for a morning trip to Teotihuacán, one of Mesoamerica’s most impressive archaeological sites, located about 50 kilometers northeast of Mexico City. This mysterious city flourished from around 100 BCE to 550 CE, predating the Aztecs by centuries. At its peak, Teotihuacán was one of the world’s largest cities with a population estimated at 125,000-200,000.

Exploring Teotihuacán

The site’s most iconic structures are the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, connected by the Avenue of the Dead, a 2.5-kilometer processional way lined with smaller pyramids and platforms. The Pyramid of the Sun is the third-largest pyramid in the world, standing 65 meters tall and covering nearly the same base area as Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza.

Climb the steep steps to the Pyramid of the Sun’s summit (248 steps). The ascent is challenging at altitude, but the panoramic view of the entire archaeological zone is spectacular. From the top, you can see the city’s precise geometric layout and the surrounding mountains. The Pyramid of the Moon, though smaller, offers equally impressive views down the Avenue of the Dead.

The site also includes the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl), with impressive carved serpent heads, and the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl, featuring beautifully preserved pillars carved with butterflies and birds. Murals throughout the site, though faded, show that Teotihuacán was once painted in brilliant reds, blues, and yellows.

Who built Teotihuacán remains mysterious—the city was already abandoned when the Aztecs arrived centuries later. They named it Teotihuacán, meaning “place where gods were created,” believing it was a sacred place where the sun and moon were born. Modern archaeology suggests it was a multi-ethnic metropolis with significant cultural influence throughout Mesoamerica.

Return to Mexico City by early afternoon for your flight to Oaxaca (about 1 hour). Oaxaca de Juárez, the state capital, is one of Mexico’s cultural treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Evening in Oaxaca

Arrive in Oaxaca in the late afternoon or evening. Check into your hotel in the colonial center, then take an evening walk to absorb the city’s atmosphere. The Zócalo (main square) is the heart of Oaxacan life, surrounded by colonial arcades housing restaurants and cafés. In the evening, the square comes alive with street vendors, balloon sellers, indigenous women selling handicrafts, and often live music or performances.

Have dinner at one of the Zócalo’s portico restaurants, enjoying the parade of Oaxacan life while sampling local cuisine. Oaxaca is considered Mexico’s culinary capital, famous for its complex moles (Mexico has many moles, but seven are considered uniquely Oaxacan), tlayudas (giant crispy tortillas), mezcal, and chocolate.

Day 4: Oaxaca City – Colonial Splendor and Cultural Richness

City Characteristics

Oaxaca de Juárez is a perfectly preserved colonial city of about 265,000 people, set in a valley surrounded by mountains at 1,550 meters elevation. Founded by the Spanish in 1529, the city’s historic center features a harmonious collection of colonial buildings constructed from green cantera stone, giving the city a distinctive color and character. The architecture is predominantly baroque, with elaborate churches featuring intricate facades carved from the local stone.

Oaxaca is Mexico’s most indigenous state, home to 16 distinct indigenous groups, each with its own language and traditions. This diversity is visible everywhere—in the markets selling traditional textiles, in the varieties of food, and in the handicrafts. The city has maintained its cultural authenticity better than many Mexican cities, partly because of its relative isolation (Oaxaca received a modern highway to Mexico City only in the 1990s).

The climate is mild year-round with a distinct rainy season (May-October). The city has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Unlike Mexico City’s frenetic energy, Oaxaca moves at a slower pace. People gather in the Zócalo in the evenings, traditional markets bustle in the mornings, and life follows patterns that have existed for centuries.

Morning: Markets and Handicrafts

Start early at the Mercado Benito Juárez and Mercado 20 de Noviembre, adjacent markets in the city center. These traditional markets overflow with regional products: chapulines (toasted grasshoppers, a local delicacy), dozens of chile varieties, chocolate (Oaxaca is famous for chocolate), mezcal, mole pastes, local cheeses, tropical fruits, flowers, and handicrafts. The 20 de Noviembre market has a section called “pasillo de humo” (smoke corridor) where vendors grill meats over open fires—the smoke fills the corridor, creating an atmospheric (if hazy) dining experience. Have a breakfast of tasajo (thin beef), cecina (pork), or chorizo with freshly made tortillas.

Walk to Mercado de Artesanías for handicrafts. Oaxaca state produces some of Mexico’s finest folk art: black pottery from San Bartolo Coyotepec, brightly painted wooden alebrijes (fantastical creatures), woven textiles from Teotitlán del Valle, and intricate embroidery from countless mountain villages. While tourist-oriented, the market offers quality crafts at reasonable prices (bargaining is expected and friendly).

Afternoon: Churches and Culture

Visit the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Oaxaca’s most spectacular church. This 16th-century Dominican church features one of the most lavish baroque interiors in Mexico. Every surface is covered with gilded stucco carvings depicting saints, cherubs, and biblical scenes. The ceiling’s gold leaf creates a glowing effect, especially in afternoon light. The attached monastery now houses the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, with exhibits on Oaxacan history from pre-Hispanic times to the present, including the famous treasure from Monte Albán’s Tomb 7—turquoise mosaics, gold jewelry, and carved bones demonstrating the sophistication of pre-Columbian art.

Wander the streets around Santo Domingo, filled with art galleries, mezcal bars, and boutiques selling high-end Oaxacan handicrafts. Stop at Calle Alcalá, the pedestrian street connecting Santo Domingo to the Zócalo, lined with colonial buildings housing restaurants, galleries, and shops.

In the late afternoon, visit a mezcal distillery (palenque). Several offer tours explaining mezcal production, from agave harvesting to roasting in underground pits to fermentation and distillation. Unlike tequila (made only from blue agave), mezcal can be made from over 30 agave species, each producing distinct flavors. Tastings teach you to appreciate mezcal’s complexity—smoky, earthy, sometimes fruity or floral, always complex. Quality mezcal is sipped slowly like fine whisky, not shot quickly with salt and lime.

Evening: Dinner and Performance

Oaxaca’s restaurant scene combines traditional cooking with contemporary innovation. Try restaurants like Casa Oaxaca, Origen, or Los Danzantes for upscale takes on Oaxacan cuisine. If you prefer street food, the Zócalo and nearby streets have numerous tlayuda stands, tamale vendors, and taco carts serving delicious, authentic food.

Many restaurants and cultural centers offer folk dance performances called “guelaguetzas,” featuring traditional dances from Oaxaca’s various regions in colorful traditional costumes. While touristy, these performances preserve and showcase authentic traditions and are visually spectacular.

Day 5: Monte Albán and Flight to Playa del Carmen

Morning visit to Monte Albán, one of Mesoamerica’s most important archaeological sites. This ancient Zapotec city sits atop an artificially flattened mountain overlooking the Oaxaca Valley, about 9 kilometers from the city center.

Monte Albán

Monte Albán was inhabited from around 500 BCE to 850 CE, serving as the Zapotec civilization’s political and economic center. At its peak (300-600 CE), the city had a population of 25,000-30,000. The site’s most striking feature is its location—the Zapotecs leveled the mountaintop, creating a massive ceremonial plaza surrounded by platforms, temples, and palaces. The effort required to build a city on a mountaintop using only stone tools is staggering.

The Gran Plaza is surrounded by pyramids, platforms, and an astronomical observatory. Carved stone panels called “danzantes” (dancers) depict what are now thought to be sacrificial victims or conquered enemies, demonstrating the Zapotecs’ military power. The site’s elevated position offers spectacular 360-degree views of the valley—on clear days, you can see three mountain ranges converging.

Walk through the North and South Platforms, explore underground tombs with faded murals, and visit the ball court where the Mesoamerican ball game was played (this ritual sport, with religious and political significance, was common throughout ancient Mexico). The site is extensive but manageable in 2-3 hours. Arrive early to beat the heat and crowds.

Return to Oaxaca city for lunch, then head to the airport for your afternoon flight to Cancún (about 2 hours). From Cancún, transfer to Playa del Carmen (about 45 minutes south), your base for exploring the Riviera Maya.

Evening in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, or just “Playa” as locals call it, has evolved from a sleepy fishing village into the Riviera Maya’s most happening town. Unlike Cancún’s hotel zone, Playa maintains a more intimate, walkable character. Check into your hotel, then explore Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), the pedestrian street running parallel to the beach, lined with restaurants, bars, boutiques, and tour operators.

Walk to the beach to catch the sunset. The Caribbean’s turquoise waters and white sand beaches are stunning. The beaches here are narrower than Tulum’s to the south but still beautiful. Have dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants, listening to waves while enjoying fresh seafood.

Day 6: Tulum and Cenotes – Mayan Ruins and Underground Waters

Today explores two of the Yucatán’s most distinctive attractions: Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean and cenotes, the magical underground swimming holes unique to this region.

Tulum Archaeological Site

Tulum may not be the largest or most impressive Mayan ruins, but its setting is unmatched. The ancient walled city sits on 12-meter cliffs overlooking the turquoise Caribbean, creating one of Mexico’s most photographed scenes. Arrive early (site opens at 8 AM) to beat the heat and crowds—Tulum is very popular.

Tulum was a port city that flourished during the Mayan civilization’s late period (1200-1521 CE), continuing to be inhabited even after Spanish contact. Its name means “wall” in Mayan, referring to the defensive wall that surrounds the city center on three sides, with the Caribbean providing protection on the fourth. This wall indicates Tulum’s military and commercial importance.

The site’s most iconic structure is El Castillo (The Castle), a temple perched at the cliff’s edge. This building served multiple purposes—temple, lighthouse, and possibly astronomical observatory. The Mayans were sophisticated astronomers, and many of their buildings align with celestial events. Other significant structures include the Temple of the Frescoes, with faded murals depicting Mayan deities, and the Temple of the Descending God, featuring a carved figure in a diving position.

After exploring the ruins, descend the wooden