I’m a California-based photographer who recently visited Mexico City for a weekend getaway with my girlfriend.
Having heard numerous positive reviews about this vibrant city, I was eager to experience its renowned food scene, world-class museums, trendy neighborhoods, and beautiful parks for myself. However, my biggest concern was how to experience all of this in just three days.
Pre-trip spending
Accommodation: $163.34 per person for four nights in an Airbnb in Roma Norte.
On the ground
Thursday
Airport transport: We landed late Thursday night, and transport options were limited. Inside the airport, we were quoted 580 pesos ($32.98) for a taxi; however, outside the airport, the fare was 275 pesos ($15.63). We ultimately discovered that Uber was cheaper, costing just 199 pesos ($11.34), so we opted for that.
Total: $5.67 (for my half of the expenses; my girlfriend and I split everything down the middle)
Friday
Breakfast: Breakfast included two coffees and chilaquiles at a local café for 260 pesos ($14.79). Because tap water isn’t safe to drink in CDMX, we also purchased a two-liter bottle of water (22 pesos; $1.25) to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Lunch: After exploring our neighborhood, we stopped at a street stand for eight mouth-wateringly delicious tacos for a total of 150 pesos ($8.53), including a 50 pesos tip.
Activities: We then took an Uber to the Museo Frida Kahlo, which had an entrance fee of 250 pesos ($14.22). In the afternoon, we roamed local markets before returning to our place using the Metro for just 10 pesos each ($0.57).
Dinner: For dinner, we enjoyed more tacos at the renowned Tacos Orinoco (286 pesos / $16.27), followed by drinks at a local craft cocktail bar (305 pesos / $17.35).
Total: $49.57
Saturday
Breakfast: We had a delectable breakfast at WO Barra De Café (278 pesos / $15.82) and picked up another bottle of water (22 pesos / $1.25) for the day.
Activities: We took an Uber to Centro Histórico, the historic heart of CDMX. Although the Metro was an option, the small additional cost was worth the time-saving convenience.
We spent the morning exploring Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Zócalo until heading to another part of town. Due to heavy traffic, we decided to take a taxi instead of Uber, costing us 510 pesos ($29.01).
Lunch & activities: After lunch, we visited the Museo Nacional de Antropología, a must-see destination featuring pre-Hispanic culture. The entrance fee was only 90 pesos each ($5.12), and we could have spent all day there.
Snacks: During our stroll home, we stopped by Pasteleria Suiza for a few sweets. Two delicious baked goods set us back 105 pesos ($5.97).
Dinner: We splurged on dinner at Meroma, with a meal that included ceviche, grilled artichokes, and wine totaling 2004 pesos ($114.01).
Total: $101.23
Sunday
Breakfast: For an early start, we had breakfast at La Balance (153 pesos / $8.70) before heading to Teotihuacán, a massive archaeological site 30 miles outside of the city.
Activities: We opted for Uber to Teotihuacán (664 pesos / $37.77) and paid an entrance fee of 90 pesos ($5.12). We also hired a tour guide for a more enriching experience at 1000 pesos ($56.89).
Lunch: We shared tacos and tamales for lunch (150 pesos / $8.53) at El Turix. We couldn’t resist stopping by Pasteleria Suiza again for some of the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted (95 pesos / $5.40).
Dinner: In the evening, we enjoyed cocktails and shared plates at Polpo, totaling 1132 pesos ($64.40).
Total: $99.35
Monday
Airport transport: As we reluctantly left for the airport at 5 am, we took an off-peak Uber that cost 109 pesos ($6.20).
The final tally: $422.26
While I usually travel on a tight budget, my girlfriend and I were glad to spend a little extra for this mini vacation. Mexico City is easily enjoyable on a budget; however, sticking to the incredible street food and casual dining options is essential. We found cocktails to be relatively expensive, while beers remained reasonably priced.
Although we spent a decent amount on transportation by choosing Ubers and taxis, the Metro covers the entire city at a fraction of the cost. To save time, I recommend researching neighborhoods in advance; we chose Roma Norte for its proximity to top-notch restaurants, cafes, bars, and art.
