3 Days in Mexico City: The Best First-Time Itinerary

Last updated on March 31, 2026

Have 3 days in Mexico and wondering what the best things to see, do, and eat are? We’ve got you! This detailed 3 day itinerary will help you make the most of your first trip here.

Mexico City is one of our favorite cities in the entire world. Often called CDMX or simply “Mexico” for short, it is the eighth largest city in the world and has so much to offer in terms of culture, art, history, food, and art.

3 days in Mexico City is just enough time to see the top sights and boatloads of delicious food. During our RV trip across Mexico, we spent two weeks in Mexico City and the surrounding area, exploring and experiencing all we could. We’ve now gone back a total of three times!

Given the city’s size and diversity, there is no way to see or do it all in just 3 days. If you have more time to spare, I encourage you to extend your trip to 5 or 6 days. However, if you’re visiting CDMX for the first time, this itinerary will share the best things to do, see, and eat in just 3 days in Mexico City.

Tips for your 3 days in Mexico City

Here are a few tips for you to know before traveling to Mexico City. You can also learn more in our complete travel guide for Mexico City. It shares everything you need to know to plan a trip to Mexico City.

Book experiences early

If you only have 3 days in Mexico City, you don’t want to leave any tours or experiences to the last minute. Many popular tours will sell out, which means you’d miss out on some epic experiences. I recommend booking any tours a week or two before your trip to make sure the times and availabilities line up with your weather and travel plans.

Pro Tip: We always opt for skip-the-line tickets from GetYourGuide whenever possible.

Have a travel credit card with no international fees

Most restaurants and shops in Mexico City will accept credit cards, which is great! Make sure you have a travel credit card that does not charge international fees when abroad.

Come prepared with pesos

Mexico is a cash-heavy country. Many restaurants in popular tourist areas or more modern shops will accept debit or credit cards, but cash is still king here. Mexico’s currency is the peso. You should convert pesos from your bank before traveling if they don’t charge a fee.

💳 We pull out money from ATMs once we arrive in Mexico City using our Revolut card. Our Revolut card gives us the best conversion rate and has a massive network of ATMs, so we aren’t charged a fee for withdrawing. It also gives us a layer of safety when traveling abroad. If the card is lost or stolen, I can withdraw the funds from the app, putting it safely back in my bank account.

There are loads of other features, like being able to send money to people abroad (think Venmo, but international), create invoices to receive payments (like PayPal), and I can recharge the card as needed, using it without foreign transaction fees.

💵 Revolut is the #1 transaction app in Europe and is finally in the USA. Did I mention the app and card are completely free?

How much cash do you need for 3 days in Mexico City

Mexico City is very affordable. You can get by comfortably with $1,000 – $2,000 MXP per person, per day ($50 – $100 USD). You likely will spend less, especially if you visit places that take cards or are booked and paid for online beforehand. However, having $1,000 – $2,000 MXP per person should cover you.

Practice your Spanish

You’ll want to brush up on your basic Spanish before visiting Mexico City. Most people will speak English in popular tourist areas, like La Condesa or Roma. Spanish will be the only language spoken in taco stalls, mom-and-pop shops and restaurants.

➡ Read Next: Our Method of Learning + Practicing Spanish ⬅

Is Mexico City Safe?

One of the first and most common questions people ask when planning a trip to Mexico City is, “Is Mexico City safe to visit?” No city with 23 million people will be completely safe. Like any big city, there are areas you can visit comfortably and safely, and areas you want to avoid.

Neighborhoods that you want to avoid as a tourist are Iztapalapa, Tepito, Neza, Ecatepec, and Doctores.

We believe Mexico is a safe country to visit, and have spent over a year and a half traveling there (in an RV, mind you). We’ve visited everywhere from big cities to tiny villages and even traveled to many “do not visit” regions of the country. The only issues we’ve had have been with corrupt officers, which is a broad problem in the country.

Follow general safety rules for traveling, like avoiding illegal activities, being aware of your surroundings, and not flaunting expensive items or making yourself an easy target for petty theft. If you follow those guidelines, you should be completely safe in Mexico City!

➡ Read Next: The 14 Safest Places in Mexico to Visit ⬅

Day 1 Mexico City itinerary

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s dive into this 3 day itinerary for Mexico City. On day 1 of your 3 days in Mexico City, you will start with some coffee and breakfast near your hotel or Airbnb before heading into the historic center of Mexico City. Then, you’ll dive into the amazing food of Mexico City on a food and history tour before finishing the evening off at a Lucha Libre show.

1. Breakfast + Coffee in La Roma

Your first stop is to get coffee. If you’re staying in La Condessa or Roma neighborhoods, visit Cumbé. This is a cute coffee shop with fantastic specialty coffee and breakfast. We got a light pastry because we wanted to have room for our food tour later, but you can dive into more traditional breakfasts like chilaquiles 🤤 if you’re extra hungry.

2. Walk the historic center

The historic center of Mexico City is absolutely beautiful. It’s home to several museums as well as beautiful buildings, including the Palacio Postal and Palacio de Bellas Artes. The Post office is by far the grandest post office we’ve ever been in. It’s adorned with marble, gold, and gorgeous mid-century modern architecture.

The Palacio de Bellas Artes is Mexico City’s Theatre, regularly hosts ballets, symphonies, and plays. Even if you don’t attend a show, stop by to admire the gorgeous architecture and pop inside to see the very grand interior.

You can get a fantastic view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes from a coffee shop across the street, Finca Don Porfirio. This spot is hardly a hidden gem and has much higher prices due to its prime views. But it’s a lovely spot for a drink and a good photo opportunity.

Also, stop by the Plaza de la Constitución, which is where the opening scene of James Bond Spectre was filmed. In the center of the Plaza, you will find the National Palace, which is the Federal building for Mexico City. On Tuesday through Saturday, you can tour the Palacio for free. Go to the museum across the street at 10:30 am to show your passport or valid ID and receive your ticket (in person only). The palace tour is around 1 hour long and showcases Diego Rivera’s incredible murals.

Take some time to walk the streets. It seems every calle or avenida has a unique building filled with character. Lots of buildings are adorned with ornate Spanish tiles, including the famous tiled house, or La Casa de Azulejos.

Want more help planning your trip to CDMX? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER MEXICO CITY GUIDES BELOW.

• Where to Eat in Mexico City: 20 Restaurants You Can’t Miss
• The Chinampas of Xochimilco: Mexico City’s Floating Gardens
• Teotihuacan Pyramids: Must-Do Day Trip From Mexico City

3. Visit the Templo Mayor in the Zocalo

In Mexico, the Zocalo is the main plaza or square in the center of town. Mexico City’s Zocalo is a popular destination because it is home to the Templo Mayor, an Aztec Temple that dates back to the 14th century. It was only recently discovered in the 1970s when an electrical company found a monolith underground.

After the Spanish colonized Mexico, the Templo Mayor was destroyed and the Aztecs were forced to build a church for the Spaniards in the same location from the remnants of their sacred temple.

You can view some of the ruins of this temple at the Museum of the Templo Mayor. It is 90 pesos per person to enter or you can buy skip-the-line tickets. We didn’t have an issue with long lines, but we had a friend visit a month ago, and it was sold out so they couldn’t visit!

The museum gave great information about the history of the Aztecs, including certain religious and cultural practices. They explained some of the rituals that were likely performed and had a massive museum with artifacts. If you prefer to simply stop and admire the museum, there is a platform that overlooks some of the ruins for free.

4. Go on a walking history + food tour

Our favorite part of traveling is food. Mexican cuisine is by far at the top of our favorite foods and Mexico City is the epicenter for delicious Mexican food. Mexican food is a lot more than enchiladas and tacos. Taking a food and history walking tour will expand your repertoire of Mexican food but show you some off-the-beaten spots you likely wouldn’t visit as a tourist.

We loved our food tour and got to try some fun new foods, like cochinita pibil, one of our favorite Yucatan dishes.

➡ Read Next: 17 Delicious Yucatan Dishes to Try on Your Mexico Vacation ⬅

5. Lucha Libre show

With your stomach full, you may not be ready for the next adventure, but it’ll be worth it! You’re going to a Lucha Libre show. Lucha Libre originated in Mexico City and is Mexico’s version of professional wrestling.

The luchaderos wear colorful masks that are an icon for the country. On this tour, you’ll stop at a taqueria for some drinks and delicious tacos before heading to Arena Coliseo, the iconic spot for Lucha Libre matches.

Day 2 Mexico City itinerary

Day two of your 3 days in Mexico City begins in Xochimilco, one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Mexico City. If you have time, stop at the Frida Kahlo Museum (about 20 minutes from Xochimilco). After, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before exploring Chapultepec Park and enjoying one of the best meals of your life in Mexico City!

1. Breakfast at Panaderia Rosetta

I don’t think a single travel guide to Mexico City would miss Panaderia Rosetta. This is the most famous breakfast spot in all of Mexico City, known for its freshly baked breads and pastries. It’s a super tiny place and very popular, so there is always a line to eat here, no matter what day of the week or time of day. You can order pastries to go (recommended when it’s a long line) or get a sit-down breakfast or lunch.

Don’t pass up the most amazing doughnut called Berlinesa and their guava and cheese roll.

➡ Read Next: Where to Eat in Mexico City: 20 Restaurants You Can’t Miss ⬅

2. Float down the canals at Xochimilco

Xochimilco (pronounced so-chi-mil-ko) is a UNESCO World Heritage site located 45 minutes south of Mexico City and is one of the most popular places to visit on a Mexico City trip.

Xochimilco is home to hundreds of canals and manmade islands that date back thousands of years. The Aztecs created these islands, called chinampas, to grow crops. Today, Xochimilco is more of a “booze cruise” party vibe, where you can take a group tour or rent a boat privately. But these islands are the foundation of the entire city and a critical part of Mexico City’s ecosystem.

We decided to avoid the mariachi music and enormous micheladas and go on an eco-tour with De La Chinampas. This tour takes you to active farms and explains the ancient art of making chinampas from a local farmer and former chef. It was one of our favorite tours in all of Mexico and shows you a completely different side to Xochimilco than most tourists see.

➡ Read Next: Xochimilco Chinampas: The Floating Gardens of Mexico City ⬅

You can also take a kayak tour through the canals for a more tranquil experience than the traditional tours.

If you aren’t doing a tour with De La Chinampas, you’ll want to grab some lunch before exploring Chapultepec Park. However, if you do the tour lunch is included with an amazing homemade cheese, tamale, aguas frescas, and cafe de olla.

3. Relax in Chapultepec Park + Visit the Castle

Your next stop on this 3 day Mexico City itinerary is at Chapultepec Park. Consider this the Central Park of CDMX. It’s massive, encompassing over 1,695 acres of green space. It’s such an amazing reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city. Since Mexico City is high in elevation, it’s wonderful weather year-round. But it’s still nice to get out of the sun and beat the heat in the summer months in the shade of Chapultepec Park.

There are three important museums and cultural sites in Chapultepec Park, The Anthropology Museum, Natural History Museum, and Chapultepec Castle. Mexico City has more museums than any other capital city in the world. 150 to be exact, with 3 of the top museums being located in this park.

If you’re a history buff or simply enjoy learning about the history of Latin American ancient civilizations these museums are worth a stop. The tour below helps you make the most of your visit to this massive and at times, overwhelming museum.

4. Dinner in Mexico City

There is no shortage of delicious food in Mexico City and the food scene is extremely diverse. You can have the most incredible taco for $1 to $2 or dine at a world-famous fine-dining restaurant. If you want an out-of-this-world meal, try to score a reservation at Pujol.

➡ Read Next: Where to Eat in Mexico City: 25 Restaurants You Can’t Miss ⬅

Our meal at Rosetta, the sister restaurant to Panaderia Rosetta, was a truly unique and standout dining experience. Located in the Roma neighborhood, Rosetta is one of Mexico City’s finest dining establishments, where the chef uses distinctive Mexican ingredients to create an immersive culinary journey.

Contramar is a famous seafood spot to enjoy incredibly fresh seafood in the Roma neighborhood and Máximo is another great option. It was even voted in the top 50 best restaurants in Latin America!

Day 3 Mexico City itinerary

On the last day of your 3 days in Mexico City, you’re going to do a day trip to the nearby Teotihuacan Pyramids. If you’re up for it, you’ll even ride in a hot air balloon! After, you’ll return to Mexico City for some delicious tacos and drinks.

Visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids

The Teotihuacan Pyramids are located about 45 minutes to an hour north of Mexico City in the city of San Juan Teotihuacan. Their proximity to Mexico City makes it a popular destination, even on a short trip. You can visit the pyramids on your own, with a tour guide, or if preferred, on a hot air balloon ride.

These pyramids belong to an unknown civilization with buildings dating as far back as 300 BC. The Aztecs, one of the world’s most well-known ancient civilizations, found this area abandoned. There’s a lot to do and see here, with this trip taking up the majority of your day.

➡ Read Next: Visiting Teotihuacan Pyramids: A Must-Do Activity in Mexico⬅

2. Tacos and drinks in Mexico City

Tacos can be served any time of day. Specific tacos are served for breakfast, while others only come out at night. Going to a taqueria or street vendor is normally a late-night activity and you’ll see taco stalls pop-up all over the city.

If you aren’t comfortable exploring the taco scene solo, you can take a guided food tour that takes you to some local taco stops.

One taco you can’t miss in CDMX is tacos pastor. This taco originated in Mexico City and is what this area is known for! If you’re okay DIYing your own taco experience, here are a few recommended taco spots:

• Los Cocuyos (sit-down restaurant)
• Siembra Taqueria
• Tacos Charly
• Taquería El Califa de León (first taco stand to win a Michelin star)
• Taqueria Orinoco
• Taqueria Revolucion

Where to stay in Mexico City

With 3 days in Mexico City, Mexico you want a safe, central neighborhood close to most major activities and tourist sites. Our top pick with just 3 days in Mexico City is the La Condesa or Roma neighborhood. These are the trendy neighborhoods with great cafes, restaurants, and super walkable. However, it is one of the most expensive areas for Airbnb and hotels.

Due to budget, we stayed in the Juarez neighborhood nearby. It’s an up-and-coming neighborhood that isn’t quite as trendy as Roma or La Condesa but has a super local feel to it. It was still within walking distance to great restaurants and shops and we definitely recommend it for a slightly more affordable stay.

🏩 Browse vacation rentals and hotels for your 3 days in Mexico City below!

How to get around Mexico City

If you only have 3 days in Mexico City, you may be wondering what your options are for getting around. We highly recommend walking to most places. There’s nothing like taking in your surroundings on foot. The smells, noises (I love the noise of Mexico City), and architecture here add to the experience.

If you need to go a far distance, for example, Teotihuacan, Chapultepec Park, or Xocimilco grab an Uber. It’s the most convenient way to get around and is very affordable.

I cannot emphasize this enough—but DO NOT rent a car in Mexico City. Mexico City has strict rules about what vehicles can drive on specific days to reduce emissions. We got pulled over when driving there and dealt with three corrupt officers in 24 hours. Not to mention, driving in Mexico City is complete chaos. I have never been so overwhelmed as we were driving in CDMX. DON’T DO IT!

What to bring on a trip to Mexico City

Here are a few things you should bring to Mexico City.

• 🎒 Zippable backpack with straps or fanny pack: Petty theft isn’t a huge issue here (it’s worse in European cities like Madrid). However, being such a big city it doesn’t hurt to have an easy and secure way to hold your belongings.

• 👟Comfortable shoes. We walked so much in Mexico City. Dennis loved that he had his Earth Runners (his shoes of choice) and I wished I had a better pair of sneakers. I have my Vessi‘s now which are amazing travel shoes. They are waterproof which means I don’t have to worry about a rainy day, and they are incredibly comfortable and cute. Grab a pair here!

• 🩻 Travel Insurance: We always recommend having travel insurance to cover the “what-ifs”. While visiting Mexico City is safe, it’s nice to know you would be covered if there were any major medical emergencies or trip interruptions. Our go-to travel insurance is Safety Wing. You can get a free quote for coverage by clicking here.

• 💳 Travel credit card with no international fees: Many places in Mexico City accept credit and debit cards, but most banks charge an international fee.

There you have it, the perfect first-timers itinerary for Mexico City. Hopefully, this guide has helped you make the most of your 3 days in Mexico City and has taken the guesswork out of where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. If you enjoyed this post, please Pin it, share it with a friend, or let me know in the comments below!