Recommended days for Mexico City

Thats about 5 days more than I would stay (or have stayed on a number of ocassions), so that should cover it.

Do visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan.
See the Ballet Folkloric
The Museum of Anthropology

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g150800-Activities-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

I say five days should do it.

We spent five days, and could have used at least one more. We added a short trip to Puebla, which is charming and not far on the excellent public bus system. Two nights there would be good.

We went in late March and stayed in the Condesa. I agree a day trip to Teotihuacan is outstanding. We spent two half days at the anthropology museum and only saw about 2/3 of the exhibits. There is a lot to do in Chapultepec park. I’d try to visit once on the weekend when all the families are there, and once when it is quieter during the week. Reserve ahead for the Frida Kahlo museum. We didn’t and were unable to get in.

We were frankly surprised at how much we enjoyed the city during a 4 night stay. There are plenty of things to do, some world class museum such as the Museo Archaelogico, and a number of day trips that are worth considering. The pyramids of Teotihuacan are indeed a must see, and a day trip to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in the neighboring state of Michoacan is one of those once in a lifetime experiences.
I'd agree that 5 or 6 days would be about right, and would suggest spending another 4 or 5 nights in the pretty little town of San Miguel de Allende in order to explore some of the old Spanish silver mining towns in the area. You can get there from Mexico City by bus (which is excellent ... and relatively cheap). You might consider an open jaw (or multi-destination) flight plan by flying into Mexico City and then returning via Guanajuato or Queretero.

We just spent 2 weeks in Mexico City and could have stayed longer. We stayed in 2 locations, near the Zocolo (hotel) and in Zona Rosa (apartment). We liked how much public transportation was close to Zona Rosa, but we were shocked by how noisy our apartment was due to nearby clubs. Know that in general, Mexico City is a lively city. We hope to go back next January but will choose another neighborhood.

Commenting as a reminder to follow this thread. Mexico City is also on our radar for potentially next March. Our preliminary plan is a week in Mexico City and then flying to Merida for another week. All plans are in pencil right now.

Allan, we are again on the same wavelength. My yoga teacher is from DF and says March is great for the blooming jacaranda trees, maybe you have seen them blooming in Sydney or LA or South America generally.

I'm using United points and so open jaw doesn't really work. But free is good regardless. Remembering Zona Rosa comment, noise isn't the purpose of the trip.

This is the biggest city in the hemisphere so want to give it plenty of time.

I offered the following "book report" (see the last entry in the posting for the origin of that description) in October, 2022. Things change, but my guess is that most of the statements are still in play. Many of the comments are at least as helpful as what I was trying to convey.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/a-week-in-mexico-city

Thanks for all the ideas, maybe look at 2+ weeks with a couple of overnights. It’s a very dense country: architecture, history, art, food.

Checking, United does fly Puebla>>Houston nonstop for the same price as MEX>> Houston. There is also a nonstop bus San Luis Potosí >>Puebla without requiring returning to Mexico City.

Check flights out of SAT as well.

And read the State Department travel advisories. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html.

Recommend visiting Coyocan. It is a quieter charming town with great neighborhoods and restaurants. The Freda Kahlo museum is excellent, but requires advanced reservations. We would actually spend a few nights there if we return in Mexico City. Also really enjoyed Chapultepec Park. Was pleasantly surprised to learn that many of the museums are free.

@blue439, I just reread your "book report" and enjoyed it again. Does Oskar Maldonado have a website or still do tours?

Allan.....Oskar continues to offer excellent tours in Mexico City. I will private mssage his contact info to you
The last time I posted non-RS tour guide info, it crashed the board.
Go Flames!.

Finalizing itinerary:

Nonstop to MEX (Delta miles)

8-9 nights Mexico City (starting with 3 nights in Coyocan)

Deluxe bus to Puebla, 2-1/2 hours

3-4 nights Puebla

Return on United from Puebla via Houston (miles again)

So:

Looking for a driving service in Mexico City from airport.

Looking for a driving service for the day, to make a day trip from Puebla to Museo de Antropología de Xalapa.

Following this thread as well. I'm thinking of a "last minute" trip to Mexico this June. Would be my first time. Maybe it's not the most ideal time, but with work it's the best I can do right now. It'd be a short trip though. I'm think 5-6 days in Mexico City and then maybe 2 somewhere else. Not sure yet.

Just an FYI, there will be a Monday Night Travel show on Mexico City in the next few weeks.

I would love that much time there! It’s a great city, but a week would be good, and then spend 2 or 3 nights at one of the other places mentioned. Puebla isn’t that far and it has plenty for a couple full days, especially if you go to the villages or Pre-Colombian sites outside town (Cholula, Cacaxtla, Xochitecatl).

It’s a big place so going someplace like Coyoacan to see Frida’s house could be combined with San Angel to see where she and Diego lived, and the Carrillo Gil art museum (if you’re into art). A day or so to go to Xochimilco to take a colorful boat ride around the old canals (I did this with a local so not sure how hard this is if you don’t have enough Spanish), a day around the zocolo and various museums and sites around there, plus Chapultepec, the basilica if you’re interested, Casa de Luis Barragan if you like architecture….. So much to see! Maybe you do need all 11 days there!

Barbara: Thanks for the heads up!

Registered, of course it’s May 5.

Hi toby - just sent you a private message with info for a guide/driver in Puebla.

We used Uber several times in Mexico City and was very pleased. We had a lot of luggage including a wheelchair so used Uber Black. Have a wonderful trip. Both Mexico City and Puebla are great.

Revising things a bit, after all this trip doubles as a winter break so extra days OK. Surprised that Oaxaca is hot in March.

Fly into Oaxaca via Houston on United, lounge access for the 5-1/2 hour connection, arrive 6:30 pm. Does any of the United lounges at IAH have showers?

4 nights Oaxaca

Deluxe bus to Puebla 4-1/2 hours. (Would fly but no flights on this route).

4 nights Puebla

Deluxe bus to Mexico City 2 hours

8 nights Mexico City, timed for late March to coincide with the jacaranda flowering trees.

Fly home nonstop on Delta.

Toby,

Surprised that Oaxaca is hot in March.

It's not unbearably hot, and it cools off nicely after sunset. The "worst" time of day (and there is no worst time of day in Oaxaca!) is between noon-4pm. It can get into the low 90s. Keeping to the shady side of the street is advised. :)

-- Mike Beebe

You might get something out of this Viceland TV show from a few years ago, 'Urban Tribes of Mexico City'. It explores the other side of Mexico City, the city's subcultures, the urban tribes. You will likely either enjoy it or hate it. It's from Viceland's 'States of Undress' series.

It sounds like a wonderful trip. I hope you have a great time.

Your revised itinerary looks grear. Oaxaca is a very magical city. I’m hoping to go back soon.