Once we can travel again, Mexico should be on the top of your list! Mexico City has so many things to do. With more than 150 museums, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, churches, parks, shopping, and eating you can never get enough. Before visiting Mexico City, check out which Mexican food you can’t miss.
If that doesn’t convince you, try these 10 amazing day trips from Mexico City.
Teotihuacan
Or the “place where gods were created”. The famous pyramids in Mexico is in fact not inside Mexico City, but in Mexico State, just 40km away. You can get there through tours or just drive up to this amazing pre-Hispanic city a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is definitely a Mexico City must see. When visiting Teotihuacan, do not confuse it with Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan is the old capital city of the Aztec Empire, the Aztec pyramids in the heart of Mexico City. *You can still see some remnants of the Templo Mayor downtown Mexico City, in the back of the Cathedral.
Teotihuacan was built in 400 B.C., reaching its peak around 400 A.D. Nobody knows who built it, but it is believed that between 100,000 and 200,000 people of different ethnicities lived in its different barrios or neighborhoods. There is evidence of Teotihuacan’s influence around Mesoamerica, in the art and architecture of other cities and cultures. Their obsidian tools were one of their main exports. The city collapsed around 600 A.D. and, like the Mayans, we still don’t know what brought about this collapse. Their buildings were deliberately burned, their artworks and religious sculptures destroyed. Centuries later, the Aztecs took over the city and rose to power, bringing the city back to its glory days until the Conquest.
Walking on the Avenue of the Dead imagining the the streets full of life, a planned city for thousands with many big markets attracting commerce, I can see the city how it’s supposed to be. Surrounded by mountains, sitting in a valley, the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon peak out, urging you to go up its steps.
Recharge on the top of the pyramids taking a couple of minutes to close your eyes, feel the breeze and the sun. Walk around its main avenue and side streets, and visit the museum. Don’t forget to check out some of its most amazing archeological finds in the Museo Nacional de Antropologia one of the best museums in Mexico City. You cannot miss a trip to Teotihuacan.
Teotihuacan’s opening hours is from 9am to 5pm every day.
Tepoztlan
This Magic Town filled with history and mysticism is located at the steps of the Tepozteco Mountain, just 70km outside of Mexico City in the state of Morelos. Walk its narrow cobbled streets down to the zocalo, the Ex-Convent of Nativity and enjoy some delicious food in its daily local market. Or visit its weekend market full of artisan, souvenirs, and food. It is very popular among Mexicans, so expect a crowd on weekends. If you like micheladas, have a chamoyada; a beer with chamoy (a chili and fruit sauce), lime and chili powder on the rim. It is delicious!
Don’t forget to try the hike up the Tepozteco Mountain all the way to its summit, where the Tepozteco Pyramid sits at the top with an amazing view of the town and the valley. The first time I hiked up the Tepozteco I was 3 years old! The pyramid was built circa 1130 A.D. in honor of the god of harvest, fertility and pulque (alcoholic drink made from fermented sap of maguey), Tepoztecatl. It is easy to find where the trail starts as it is at the end of the Avenida del Tepozteco, Tepoztlan’s main street. It is a fairly easy 2km hike up rocky pathways with several resting areas, and a metal staircase reaching the top to summit. Bring some change as there is an entrance fee of $50 pesos (about $2 USD). Some days they don’t charge, but some they do, especially on weekends. You are starting at 1,715 m (5,500 feet), going up to 2,310 m (7,200 feet), so be aware of the altitude and your level of fitness. The hike can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 4 hours. Don’t try to rush, enjoy every moment, you are in a magical place!
For lunch you can also head up to the Posada del Tepozteco, one of my favorite hotels and restaurants with a view. They have amazing mole and other Mexican foods overlooking the town and the Tepozteco Mountain. Or if you are looking for a more eco-friendly, wellness retreat there are many hotels and spas offering stays with yoga, meditation, massages, and temazcal, like Amate Camp. Temazcal is an ancient indigenous healing therapy. By pouring a mixture of water, herbs (copal and sage), and oils on very hot rocks creates a steam bath Inside a large dome structure made of cement, wood or stone with bare ground floor. It is not just a steam-bath, but a spiritually cleansing ritual led by a shaman, giving thanks to the earth and letting go of physical and spiritual blocks. Be careful if you’re planning a temazcal because they can be very taxing as it gets really hot inside the igloo-like structure and crowded, as it is normally in small groups almost touching and no room for standing up. If you have heart problems, high blood pressure, or are pregnant consult with your doctor.
If you get to see the chinelos you are lucky. The traditional festive dance is colorful, lively, and very fun. The chinelo music makes you want to jump and dance with them, while their black robes and painted designs, big round colorful hat, and masks with pointed beard and European features. The dance developed as a mockery of European conquerors during Carnival, keeping the anonymity of the chinelo with gloves, robes, and mask. Today, it is a symbol of the state of Morelos, with small groups of chinelos, the tradition passed down, no outsiders allowed, their costumes expensive (some costing almost $20,000 dollars). I grew up with the chinelos in every Morelos festivity and love them! They are a symbol of my home.
Las Estacas
Las Estacas is a natural park in Morelos State. Its beauty is unmatched as the mineral spring gives way to a river surrounded by forest. The deepest blues and clearest water are characteristic of this natural reserve. Swim along its river or cruise down with inflatables in a relaxing way. Be aware, since it is a natural spring, the water is cold. But fear not, the climate in Morelos is quite warm and sunny year round, allowing you to enjoy Las Estacas even in the winter.
In Las Estacas you can enjoy a swim or relaxing day by the river. Or many more activities like zip line, snorkel, diving, kayaking, a spa, and camping. You can also board your dog, so there is no excuse for not going!
My favorite part is jumping from the platform into the eye of the spring, where there is also a waterfall, and then just letting go until you reach the part in the park where you left your things. You can bring in food that are not in styrofoam or glass containers, but don’t bother, there is an amazing restaurant inside. (There are actually two, but my favorite is Los Amates) Try the cecina rasurada which is a sort of ceviche but made from cecina, or salted and dried meat originally from Morelos.
Check out along the river as there are some swings that you can jump off into the river! This is a super recommended Mexico City day trip.
Check opening times and entrance fees here.
The underwater pictures from Las Estacas are from Mauricio Arregui, check out more of his amazing work!
La Marquesa
It’s real name is Parque Nacional Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, but nobody knows it by that name. For Mexicans it is just, La Marquesa. It got its name because during the Spanish Conquest it was called Marquesado del Valle de Oaxaca.
Head to one of La Marquesa’s valleys to spend the day horseback riding, hiking, renting an ATV, biking, or just having a picnic in this beautiful park. The valleys are Valle del Silencio, Valle de las Monjas, Valle de la Amistad, Valle del Conejo y Valle de Salazar. There is also space for camping and kids playgrounds!
You can even fish your own trout in any of the trout farms in the park, and have it cooked right there. Or eat some Mexican antojitos, like quesadillas, chocolate, sopes, and cecina. You can also visit the Monte de las Cruces, where a very famous battle of Independence was fought.
Enjoy the day in the beautiful park!
Basaltic Prisms of Huasca Ocampo
The slow cooling of lava formed these basaltic prisms in the state of Hidalgo millions of years ago. They average between 30 and 50 meters in height, with waterfalls along them making them unique among these very rare formations.
Walk among the 2.5 million year old formations and imagine how the lava flowed, slowly creating these rare shapes. As the water splashes gently on your skin, think about how it has the power to create forms with its consistency. It is an incredible place to visit!
Open from 9am-6pm Mon-Fri and from 8am-7pm on Sat-Sun.
On your way there or back, stop at Real del Monte, another Magic Town in Mexico. It is an old mining town with English-style buildings where you can warm up as the fog sets in the afternoon with some pan dulce and pulque. If you visit in October, don’t miss the International Pastry Festival!
You can also try your fear of heights in the Via Ferrata in Mineral del Chico, visit some of the old mines, or just stroll around the city.
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa
Is a national park in the state of Guerrero that has one of the largest cave systems in the world. It extends over 2,700 hectares with activities like rappelling, rock climbing, underground river exploring, and touring along the big salons of the cave system. It is a living system, or a cave where water continues to flow and drip growing the formations. The park is also home to animals like the nutria, quail, armadillo, huilota, and tejon.
This cave systems extends through three municipalities in Guerrero and one in Morelos. It has about 90 salons connected through a central gallery, but only 20 are fully explored and open to the public. The maximum height of these salons is 21 meters and maximum width is 42 meters. The caves had been occupied since pre-hispanic times as pottery and other artifacts have been found inside the cave system. During the conquest, the indigenous people managed to hide the caves from the Spanish until 1834 when they were “discovered”.
You can only visit the caves with a guided tour, because careless tourists damaged the glittering walls were damaged as well as stalactites and stalagmites. They cost approximately $5 USD and take you around the salons on a 4km route for about 2 hours. Seeing Mexican creativity is the best part of the tour, as each salon was named after the figure a formation created, like the elephant trunk, the kiss, and the curtain. Your guide will also use his lantern to lit up these stalagmites and stalactites showing you different figures like the Madonna or the bottle spilling over.
Every year you can also enjoy concerts inside the caves during the Jornadas Alarconianas in May and the Silver Festival in November which both take place in the city of Taxco.
Taxco
Close to the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa is the city of Taxco, Guerrero. Taxco is known for its silver and here you can find many silver artisans when you walk around its cobbled streets. Buy silver jewelry and artwork in its fine shops or go to the local market.
Perched on top of a hill, surrounded by mountains, its white colonial buildings and the baroque Templo de Santa Prisca make for an amazing sight as you approach. It has kept its architecture throughout the years, making it an amazing small town to visit as a day trip from Mexico City. Walk its cobbled streets to Santa Prisca, one of Mexico’s most beautiful baroque architectures. Enjoy this majestic legacy of Jose de la Borda, the town hero and wealthy silver miner who was nearly bankrupted by building this church between 1751 and 1758.
You can also take a tour of the Prehispanic Mine seeing what gold and silver look like in a mine. Or take a ride in the cable car Montetaxco and enjoy the view of the valley and towns. Don’t miss the restaurant Rosa Mexicano on top of the Hotel Pueblo Lindo where you can not only enjoy the best views of the city while you dine but you can have some amazing enchiladas de jamaica. Or head to La Parroquia restaurant for some cocktails and an amazing view of the zocalo and church!
Xochicalco
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xochicalco is an archeological site of a fortified political, religious, and commercial center. It was founded in the second half of the 7th century AD, when the great capitals of the Mesoamerican Classic Period like Teotihuacan, Monte Alban and Tikal were in decline. It is an amazing ancient convention center where artifacts from different cultures like Maya, Teotihuacan, and Zapotec have been found. The city was abandoned abruptly in the late 9th century AD after being sacked.
It is built on top of a hill with evidence that the surrounding hills were also occupied. There are three levels in Xochicalco, the lower part encircled by walls has residential buildings. The intermediate level, or Market Ensemble, has more residential structures and the southern ball court, the biggest in Xochicalco. Beyond the ball court is a group of structures called the Palace composed of residential rooms, kitchens, workshops, storerooms and a temazcal. The highest level is a group of temples and other buildings around the Main Plaza. The east ball court can be found here separated by a ramp paved with stone slabs engraved with images of birds, reptiles, insects and mammals. The north of the Main Plaza has a large rainwater cistern for the complex water system that covered the whole of Xochicalco. In this level, we also find caves where they got their construction material and one that makes up the Observatory for study of the heavens and for ceremonies.
The ball court is something to not be missed, especially a description of the ball game. It was not only a game, but had religious significance with the players of special games being used in religious sacrifices. The ball, which could break bones, was a solid rubber ball measuring anywhere from 10 to 30 cm in diameter and weighing from 500 g to 3.5 kg. Mesoamerican art depicts the players often wearing protective gears such as belt and padding for knees, hips, elbows, and wrists. Some even have a padded helmet or feathered headdress. The point of the game was to get the ball through the rings without using their hands. The teams were male only with two or three players, sometimes even using warriors and war captives. The surviving depictions of the game were of mostly elites players and viewers, even though it was widely played by everyone in society.
The Observatory has a chimney that lets the sunlight in as it was used to track the sun’s movement. For a period of 105 days, April 30 to August 15, the sun’s rays penetrate the chimney into the cave’s floor- twice a year directly overhead. The way the light enters this observatory is unique, it creates an optical illusion where if you place your arm through the light you can see your skeleton on the floor of the cave. It also creates a double vision illusion. It is amazing to see!
The Main Plaza, has two pyramidal structures, the Pyramid of the Plumed Serpents, for the god Quetzalcoatl and the Temple of the Stelae (Templo de las Tres Estrelas). Through the architecture of both pyramids we see the clear binding of the three major civilizations of the Classic Era: Teotihuacano, Zapotec, and Maya. It is a truly amazing sight and so well preserved. Do you notice the similarities between representations of the god Quetzalcoatl and dragons from far away cultures, like the Chinese dragon?
Nevado de Toluca
Mexico’s fourth highest mountain, also known as Xinantécatl, is actually a volcano. In its crater there are two incredibly clear lakes, the Laguna de la Luna y Laguna del Sol. It is incredible to think that some Aztec artifacts have been found in the lakes!
You can drive all the way up to the National Park Hut (where there is a bathroom) and then hike 1-2 miles to the crater. Be aware that the altitude here is 4,050 m (13,287 feet) so it can be hard to breathe for some, and there is risk for altitude sickness. Take it slow and don’t leave the main trail and try to climb on your own. Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds, or go very early. There have been multiple deaths and rescue attempts because of people who go beyond their abilities, into places they shouldn’t, or with the wrong equipment/clothing. It is safe if you are a smart traveler and one of the best Mexico City hiking places!
If you are more of an adventurer, summit the Nevado de Toluca, either to its Pico del Aguila (4,620m) or Pico del Fraile (4,691m). The dry season is November through March, making them the best times to climb. I climbed during November as it is the least crowded month. If you do decide to summit, please take the necessary gear (including helmet), snacks, and hire a guide.
When I climbed to the summit of Pico del Fraile, I realized the importance of helmets as a huge rock one climber above us dislodged and it came tumbling down. This head sized rock, gathered momentum and speed as it bounced down directly towards me and two more women in my group behind me. Our guide screamed rock, as I looked up, managed to scream rock so the one’s behind me could get out of the way and I jumped to the side. It barely missed my face.
My husband and I celebrated our five month anniversary summiting to Pico del Fraile and it was an amazing day trip! It was definitely not an easy climb to the summit. Even in the beginning, my legs felt like they were weighted down because of the altitude. It was such a fun activity to do in Mexico City, and on the way back I could barely feel my legs but felt so accomplished! The view from the top was amazing, and it felt like success when I ate my sandwich in the summit!
Peña de Bernal
Two and a half hour drive from Mexico City, we find the Peña de Bernal, a 433m monolith, one of the tallest in the world (third tallest!)! Go up to the small chapel located on the highest hiking point and enjoy the view. There are also climbing routes for the adventure traveler!
The town of San Sebastian Bernal, built at the feet of the Peña, is a Magic Town. Walk around this little town, with the monolith as a background. It is incredibly imposing and majestic juxtaposed with the colonial architecture of this small beautiful town. Don’t forget to try the gorditas de maiz quebrado, where instead of using flour they’re made from broken up corn. You can find them in restaurants, but better try them from the women preparing them in their small stalls around town.
It gets cold in the winter, and even in the summer, nights get chilly, so bring something to cover from the cold or buy a chipiturco, of wool in the Aurora Workshop or warming drinks at Folk Bar. Buy some typical Mexican candy, and see artisans working in the loom.
You can also visit the wineries that are around town in a cheese and wine tour. Drive the wine route and visit Finca Sala Vivé by Freixenet México and Viñedos Azteca.
Where to stay in Mexico City
In Mexico City I would recommend staying in a hotel or Airbnb in the Polanco area. This area is very nice, safe, full of restaurants, night life, shopping, and easy access to all the must visit places of Mexico City. You can also board the Turibus, or Mexico City tour bus, from this amazing neighborhood in Mexico City. Be aware of the time it takes to get places as the city has a ton of traffic, especially during rush hours (8-9am and 7-9pm) and lunch (around 2-3pm).
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Wow, all these places look incredible! I would love to visit Mexico City, but I wouldn’t have known about all these day trips. I hope to visit one day 🙂 thanks for the post!
I hope you visit, too!
I have been to Cancun numerous times and Los Cabos once, but this area looks and sounds like there is way more culture and a way from the tourist areas. I would love that.
Yes, there is so much more culture in and near Mexico City! It is worth a visit!
I had no idea there were so many amazing places you could reach on day trips from Mexico City. It’s been a place high on my bucket list for a long time, but it’s now moved up the list a bit!! Thanks so much.
I am glad I can help! Definitely visit Mexico City and plan for more than a few days to see everything there!