In two months, Saul and I will be tying the knot, and several of our nearest and dearest will be convening in Mexico. Although our wedding will take place outside of the hustle and bustle of Mexico City, many of our guests will be flying into CDMX. I have already written a comprehensive list of suggestions for things to do, see, and eat in CDMX, but I thought it would be helpful for our guests and other visitors with limited time to explore for me to put together this guide of how to maximize a one, two, or three-day itinerary in Mexico City.

First things first:

Mexico City sits at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level, meaning that you might feel out of breath or get a headache if you are arriving there from a lower altitude. Keeping this in mind, drink lots of water, moisturize, minimize the carbs and dairy you eat (trust me; the body will process them differently at this altitude and cause bloating), and take it easy on the alcohol until you’ve given your body at least a day to adjust. Also: use extreme caution when opening lotions, makeup, contact solution, or any other liquid; they will explode and get all over you (I learned the hard way)!

Another thing to know:

Many businesses are still cash-only, especially snack carts and artisans, so keep an eye out for ATMs when you need to withdraw pesos. Many employees still receive physical checks on payday, resulting in long lines at, and sometimes, even emptying of ATMs on Fridays and Saturdays. The exchange rate is usually between 19 and 20 pesos to each US dollar.

Transportation:

I take Uber around Mexico City. It is safe, convenient, and affordable. Plus, there’s no required exchange of cash or Spanish fluency needed to utilize this service, since it’s a phone app that most of us already have installed and linked to our credit cards.

Where to stay:

Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, and it has some of the worst traffic I have ever experienced – especially on Fridays. Anticipate that it will take at least 30 minutes for you to travel between neighborhoods within the city, and at rush hour or Fridays, upwards of an hour or more. With this in mind, I highly recommend planning to stay in or next to a neighborhood that you want to explore. Some great options include Condesa or Roma, both of which are trendy, walkable areas with fantastic architecture, shopping, and restaurants. The exception to the traffic is Sundays before noon; Sunday morning in Mexico City is my favorite time of the week.

What to do:

If you only have one day in Mexico City,

Fuel up in the morning with a quick-but-filling typical Mexican breakfast of coffee, fruit, and concha. Pack everything you need for the day so you don’t have to go back to your hotel (again, #trafficproblems). Pick one or two top priorities, and then build your schedule around them. I like to choose a museum or a performance that will give me a taste of the local culture, and then explore the area around that attraction on foot after, stopping into cafes or shops as I go. I would recommend one of the following main attractions:

My absolute number one suggestion is that if the Ballet Folklorico is in season, prioritize getting to a show. I have seen two performances – once in front of Chapultapec Castle and one at the Palace of Fine Arts. Both buildings are main attractions themselves, as listed below. While not a ballet like the Nutcracker, this stunning display of mariachi music and folkloric dance is a thrill, and it is fascinating to see the differences between regional styles of music and dance.

If you enjoy museums, check out the National Anthropology Museum and Chapultapec Castle. Buy tickets online in advance, and wear comfortable shoes. There’s quite an uphill walk to get from the Museum to the castle, but the sweeping views over Mexico City are well worth it.

If you’re an architecture nerd, The Zocalo, or main plaza, is flanked by the Presidential Palace, colonial Spanish buildings, the Grand Hotel from the opening scene of the James Bond movie Spectre, and the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. Remarkably, the partially-excavated remains of an Aztec/Mayan temple that the church was constructed on top of are on display as well. The Zocalo is walking distance from the Palace of Fine Arts. For an Insta-worthy shot of the Palace of Fine Arts, head to the top floor coffee shop at the Sears across the street. You won’t be the only one with the idea, so arrive early or be prepared to wait if you really want the shot. The coffee is subpar, but the view is great. If the wait is long and you’re short on time, skip it.

For lunch or dinner, my favorite restaurant is Azul, if one of its locations is in the area. Mexicans typically eat meals later than Americans, so if you arrive before 2 PM for lunch and before 8 PM for dinner, you won’t necessarily need a reservation. However, to be safe and save time, make a reservation. Many restaurants that do not offer online reservations still take them via phone.

If you have two days,

I’d add in a trajinera ride in Xochimilco and a shopping trip at the Mercado Ciudadela. This is also also a great one-day itinerary if you choose to prioritize these activities over seeing any of the historic city center. When I brought my sister to Mexico City for the first time, we visited Xochimilco and saw the ballet in one long day. Trajineras are basically Mexican gondolas that can large groups of people. Bring cash for your driver, as well as to purchase snacks, soda, and beer from other water-borne vendors (or bring your own). You’ll also need a few coins to use the public bathrooms at Xochimilco. The Ciudadela Market can be a bit touristy, but its seemingly-endless labyrinth of stalls virtually guarantees that everyone will find an authentic handmade item or two to bring home. Pro tips: If you see something that you like, keep looking to see if you can find it for a lower price in another shop. And, if you get tired, stop into the cute bar in the center for a margarita!

If you have three days,

I’d recommend adding in a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the pyramids at Teotihuacan. It’s a bit of a drive out of the city while it’s still dark out, so don’t party too hard the evening prior and make sure your tour includes roundtrip transfers. Most of the tours can be arranged through a hotel’s concierge, and include transportation, breakfast, and passes to enter and walk up the pyramids.

For additional information about Mexico City, check out my longer Mexico City Guide. Feel free to leave questions in the comments or shoot me a DM on Instagram; I love sharing my passion for Mexico!