Mexico City in Five Days: Tacos, Murals, and Ancient Echoes
Five days in Mexico City is the perfect introduction to a capital that thrummes with history, art, and some of the best street food on the planet. You’ll walk Aztec ruins that predate the Spanish conquest, float through the canals of Xochimilco with mariachi bands drifting past, stand beneath Diego Rivera’s monumental murals, and eat tacos from a different market stall every single day. This itinerary packs the essential CDMX experiences into a well-paced five-day rhythm without leaving you exhausted. Estimated budget: $400–600.
5-Day Itinerary Overview
Route: Centro Histórico (1) → Teotihuacán day trip (1) → Chapultepec & Condesa (1) → Coyoacán & Xochimilco (1) → Roma Norte & Departure (1)
Best for: First-time visitors to Mexico, culture and food lovers, travellers with limited time who want a rich introduction to CDMX
Budget: $400–600 per person (excluding international flights)
Direction: City-centre focused with one day trip north to Teotihuacán. All accommodation in a central neighbourhood like Roma Norte or Condesa.
Getting There & Getting Around
Arriving in Mexico City
Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) is one of Latin America’s busiest hubs, with direct flights from across the US, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. It’s only about 8 km east of the city centre.
Visa: Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan can visit Mexico for up to 180 days visa-free. You’ll receive a tourist card (FMM) on arrival — don’t lose it, you need it to leave.
Airport to city: Metrobus Line 4 ($0.50) runs from Terminal 1 to the centre. Uber ($8–12) is the easiest option — head upstairs to the departures level for pickup. Avoid the official airport taxis (overpriced).
Getting Around CDMX
Metro: One of the cheapest subway systems in the world ($0.25 per ride). Lines 1, 2, and 3 cover the tourist areas. Avoid rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM) — it gets crushingly packed.
Uber: Cheap and reliable within the city. A cross-town ride rarely exceeds $6.
Metrobus: Excellent for Avenida Insurgentes and longer routes. Same fare as the Metro.
Walking: Centro Histórico, Roma Norte, Condesa, and Coyoacán are very walkable. CDMX is at 2,250 metres — take it slow the first day while you adjust to the altitude.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Centro Histórico — Zócalo, Murals & the Aztec Past
☀️ MorningStart at the Zócalo, Mexico City’s immense main square, the second-largest public plaza in the world after Moscow’s Red Square. On one side stands the Metropolitan Cathedral, a 250-year construction project blending Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles. On another, the Templo Mayor — the excavated ruins of the Aztec main temple, right in the middle of the colonial city. The on-site museum is superb and holds the iconic Coyolxauhqui stone disc. Spend a solid 2 hours here.
🌆 Afternoon & EveningWalk two blocks north to the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Don’t just photograph the art deco exterior — go inside for the murals. Diego Rivera’s Man, Controller of the Universe is a politically charged masterpiece that’s worth the entry alone. Then walk east to the Museo del Estanquillo for a quirky collection of Mexican pop culture. End the day with a stroll along Madero Street, the pedestrianised thoroughfare filled with street performers, vendors, and colonial buildings.
Entry: Templo Mayor ($5), Bellas Artes ($4), Estanquillo (free).
Accommodation: Roma Norte or Condesa guesthouse ($25–45/night).
Day 2: Teotihuacán — The City of the Gods
☀️ MorningTake an early bus from Terminal Autobuses del Norte to Teotihuacán (buses every 20 minutes, $4 each way, 1 hour). Arrive by 9 AM before the crowds and the midday heat. Walk the Avenue of the Dead — the main axis of this pre-Columbian city — and climb the Pyramid of the Sun (248 steps, the third-largest pyramid in the world). The view from the top across the valley, with the Pyramid of the Moon at the far end, is genuinely breathtaking.
🌆 AfternoonDescend the Pyramid of the Sun and walk the full length of the avenue to the Pyramid of the Moon, which gives an even better perspective for photos. Explore the Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl with its vivid feathered-serpent carvings and intact murals. The site museum is excellent — don’t skip it. Bus back to CDMX by mid-afternoon.
Transport: Bus from Terminal Norte ($8 return).
Entry: Teotihuacán site ($5).
Day 3: Chapultepec Castle, Anthropology Museum & Condesa
☀️ MorningStart at Chapultepec Park — at 678 hectares, it’s the largest city park in the Western Hemisphere. Head straight up the hill to Chapultepec Castle, the only royal castle in the Americas. The building is spectacular, the murals inside tell Mexico’s story from conquest to revolution, and the terrace has an unbeatable view of the city. Allow 2 hours.
🌆 AfternoonWalk downhill to the Museo Nacional de Antropología — arguably the greatest museum in Latin America and an absolute non-negotiable for any CDMX visit. The Aztec Sun Stone (the Calendar Stone) gets the spotlight, but the Oaxaca, Maya, and Mexican Northwest halls are equally extraordinary. Budget at least 3 hours. After the museum, collapse into a cafe in tree-lined Condesa — walk Avenida Amsterdam, the park-like circular avenue built around a former racecourse.
Entry: Chapultepec Castle ($3), Anthropology Museum ($5, free on Sundays).
Day 4: Coyoacán, Frida Kahlo & Xochimilco’s Floating Gardens
☀️ MorningTake the Metro to Coyoacán, the bohemian colonial neighbourhood that was once an independent village. Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul) — book tickets online at least two weeks in advance because they sell out daily. Seeing her actual studio, bed, and corset-painted paintings is an intimate glimpse into the artist’s life. After the museum, wander the cobblestone streets around the central plaza (Jardín Centenario).
🌆 AfternoonTake a taxi or Uber (15 min) to the Xochimilco canals — the last remnants of the Aztec lake system. Rent a colourful trajinera (flat-bottomed boat) by the hour ($15-20 per boat per hour, shared with other travellers). Float past floating gardens, mariachi boats that pull up alongside, and vendors selling elote, tamales, and micheladas. Two hours on the canals is plenty.
Entry: Frida Kahlo Museum ($15, book ahead), Xochimilco boat rental ($15-20 shared).
Transport: Metro to Coyoacán ($0.25), Uber to Xochimilco ($6-8).
Day 5: Roma Norte, Last Markets & Departure
☀️ MorningSpend your final morning in Roma Norte, CDMX’s most walkable and photogenic neighbourhood. Start at Mercado de Medellín, a chaotic and glorious market where you can watch tortillas being made by hand, drink fresh aguas frescas, and buy mole paste and vanilla to take home. Then wander the tree-lined streets — Roma Norte is full of art deco buildings, street art, and independent bookshops.
🌆 AfternoonIf your flight is later, make a final stop at Mercado de La Merced, CDMX’s largest traditional market — it’s enormous, raw, and utterly fascinating. Or if you prefer something calmer, visit the Soumaya Museum in Polanco (free entry, incredible Rodin and Dalí collection in a mind-bending building). Head to the airport by 3 PM for most evening flights.
Entry: Soumaya Museum (free), Mercado de Medellín (free browsing).
Practical Information for Mexico City
Visas & Entry
Most nationalities (US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea) enter Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days. You’ll fill out a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) on the plane or at immigration. Keep the tear-off slip — you need it to depart. If you lose it, expect a fine and delays at the airport.
SIM Card & Internet
Buy a Telcel SIM at the airport or at any OXXO convenience store ($2-5 for the SIM, $10-20 for a prepaid plan with 3-10 GB). Telcel has the best coverage in CDMX and across Mexico. Free WiFi is available in most cafes, museums, and the Soumaya Museum. Don’t rely on airport WiFi — it’s slow and drops constantly.
Money & ATMs
The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the local currency. ATMs are everywhere in CDMX but avoid the ones at the airport — terrible exchange rates and high fees. Use bank ATMs (Santander, BBVA, Banamex) inside the city. Always decline the ATM’s offered conversion rate — let your home bank do the conversion. Cash is still king for street food, markets, and small shops.
Language & Communication
Spanish is the language. English is spoken in hotels, tourist restaurants, and museums in CDMX, but not in markets or street stalls. Learn: ¿Cuánto cuesta? (how much?), La cuenta, por favor (the bill, please), No picante (not spicy — say this with conviction). A few words of Spanish will get you much better service.
Best Time to Visit
November to April is the dry season — clear skies, mild temperatures (20-25°C), perfect for walking. December has amazing Christmas lights on the Zócalo. May to October is the rainy season — afternoon downpours are reliable, mornings are fine, and the city is greener and less crowded. September 16 (Independence Day) is spectacular in the Zócalo. CDMX is year-round viable — just bring an umbrella May-October and a light jacket December-February (it gets cool).
Health & Safety
Altitude: CDMX sits at 2,250 metres. Take it easy on Day 1 — altitude sickness is real. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol your first day. Food safety: Eat from busy market stalls that turn over food quickly. Skip anything that’s been sitting out. Water: Do not drink tap water. Brush your teeth with bottled water. Safety: CDMX is safer than its reputation. Roma Norte, Condesa, Coyoacán, and Centro (by day) are very safe. Avoid Tepito and Iztapalapa. Use Uber at night. Don’t flash expensive phones on the Metro.
Budget Summary: 5-Day Mexico City Itinerary
Estimated Total: $400–600 per person
- Accommodation (4 nights): $100–180
- Teotihuacán day trip (bus, entry, guide): $25–55
- Xochimilco boat (shared): $10–20
- Frida Kahlo Museum: $15
- Other entries (Castle, Anthropology, Templo Mayor, Bellas Artes): $20–25
- Meals and street food: $80–120
- Transport (Metro, Uber, bus to Teotihuacán): $30–50
- SIM card & miscellaneous: $20–30
Best Season: November to April (dry season) or June-October (green season, fewer crowds)
Recommended For: First-time visitors on a short trip, food lovers, art and history enthusiasts
Money-Saving Tip: The Anthropology Museum and many museums are free on Sundays. Plan your visit accordingly. Also, eating from market stalls and street vendors ($2-4 per meal) is both cheaper and better than sit-down restaurants. And use the Metro — $0.25 per ride versus $3-5 for Uber.
Disclaimer: Prices are estimates and may vary by season. Frida Kahlo Museum tickets should be booked at least two weeks in advance. Always check current visa requirements and travel advisories before booking. CDMX is at high altitude — allow time to acclimate.