Serena Inayatali

Just got back from the craziest, most amazing trip to Mexico City and I had to share it with you guys! We spent 5 days adventuring around the city, stuffing our faces with delicious food, and soaking up that incredible culture.

Day 1: La Condesa Delights and Parole Palanco Party

We landed in La Condesa, a vibrant neighborhood that’s like something out of a travel magazine. Trendy cafes line the streets, art deco buildings cast cool shadows, and the air hums with a contagious energy. Foodies would be in heaven here!

But the real highlight of night one was Parole Palanco. Forget your average restaurant – this place is like a party in your mouth! Singers and musicians weave between tables, serenading you with traditional tunes and getting the whole place moving. We were clapping, singing along, and having a blast by the time the main course arrived.

Day 2: Grutas Tolantongo – A Thermal Wonderland

Day two was all about pushing our boundaries. We took a road trip (a beautiful, albeit long, 4 hours) to Grutas Tolantongo, a thermal waterpark unlike any other. Imagine natural hot springs cascading down cliffs, steaming caves begging to be explored, and waterfalls spraying cool mist in the warm air. It’s basically heaven on earth. We booked a shuttle and guide with a group of friends, which was definitely the way to go – navigating the park on our own would have been a bit overwhelming. If I could do it again, though, I’d absolutely stay the night. Spending most of the day in a shuttle wasn’t ideal, and there’s just so much to see and do at Grutas Tolantongo.

Day 3: Ballooning Over Teotihuacan and Culinary Adventures

Speaking of unforgettable experiences, day three involved a hot air balloon ride over the Teotihuacan pyramids at sunrise. Let me tell you, it was breathtaking.  Gliding silently over those ancient ruins as the sun cast its golden light over the landscape was an experience I’ll never forget.  Afterwards, we explored the pyramids themselves, feeling dwarfed by their sheer size and majesty.

Teotihuacan wasn’t just about the sights though – our day took a delicious turn when we ended up at Las Grutas restaurant nearby. This place offered a true taste of Mexican cuisine, and for the adventurous eaters in our group, even grasshoppers were on the menu!  Apparently, they weren’t the worst thing on the menu, but I wasn’t exactly lining up to try them myself!

Day 4: City Exploration – From Art Deco to Lucha Libre

Day four was a whirlwind city exploration. We checked out the Palacio de Bellas Artes, a gorgeous art deco museum that left us speechless with its stunning marble staircase and intricate architecture. The museum itself was a wonderland of Mexican art, but it was definitely a bit more crowded than the charming backstreets of La Condesa.  We braved the crowds though, and the artistry was totally worth the jostle.

Later, we wandered through the labyrinthine alleys of the Coyoacan Market, a feast for the senses.  Street vendors piled high with fresh produce and local crafts enticed us at every turn, and the aroma of sizzling tacos wafting from hidden corners had our stomachs rumbling.  We spent a good chunk of the afternoon getting lost in the maze of stalls, picking up unique souvenirs and treating ourselves to local street food.

To top it all off, we ended the night at a Lucha Libre fight.  Let me tell you, those wrestlers put on a show!  Even though it’s obviously staged, the athleticism and theatrics were seriously impressive. The costumes were outrageous, the crowd went wild, and we left with smiles plastered on our faces.

Day 5: La Condesa Chill and Churro Mishaps – A Sweet Ending

Our last full day was a chill one, perfect for unwinding after our whirlwind adventure. We wandered around La Condesa and Roma Norte a bit more, soaking up the sunshine and the good vibes.  These two neighborhoods are like cousins – both trendy and stylish, but with their own unique personalities. Roma Norte has a bit more of a hipster vibe, with vintage clothing stores and speakeasy bars tucked away on side streets. La Condesa, on the other hand, feels more polished and upscale, with art galleries and high-end boutiques lining the avenues.

And of course, no trip to Mexico City would be complete without a churro-making class! We figured it would be a fun way to end the trip, and let me tell you those things are way harder to make than they look! We all ended up with misshapen blobs of fried dough that looked more like abstract art than churros, but hey, at least they tasted good after a generous dunk in a vat of cinnamon sugar!  Our instructor was patient and kind, guiding us through the process with a laugh, and in the end, the slightly misshapen churros were a badge of honor (and a delicious reward).

Day 6: Adios Mexico City!

The next morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast at a local spot that served steaming cups of cafe con leche and fluffy pan dulce pastries, and with slightly fuller bellies (and possibly a touch of cinnamon sugar lingering on our fingers) we headed back to the airport, already planning our next trip back. Mexico City, you stole a piece of my heart! ¡Hasta luego!