Travel Diaries: Mexico City
BY MAHI KUMAR
Underrated travel destination to add to your radar.
4 JUL - 2023
From the museums and the rooftop bars to the delicious food, I love Mexico City.
The capital city of Mexico is the most populous city in the Country, and in fact, the largest city in North America (bigger than NYC and LA!). Although Mexico often has danger and stigma associated with it (and I’m not at all saying that you should disregard any allegations or warnings of danger), the sheer size of Mexico City means that there’s so much to see and do. Did you know it’s home of the largest African-American expat community in the world? A Bronx-born man I met at a rooftop bar told me that he left his day to day rat race to become an owner of a company that leases boats based in Tulum, all while he is based in Mexico City.
When I went to Mexico City this January, I fell in love with it far more than I thought I would. There’s so much to see and do, and despite many safety warnings, I felt safe. The locals were so friendly and helpful (despite us at times sticking out like sore thumbs), and for those of you who love a mixture of food, culture and partying, it’s a great option.
As a huge fan of Mexico, and Mexico City in particular, I’m here to give you my top 5 can’t-miss experiences for you to make sure you hit up when you’re there.
Frida Kahlo Museum
Mexico City has no shortage of Museums, with the national history museum being at the top of everybody’s lists. But the Frida Kahlo museum has been adapted from her very own house located in Coyoacán, Mexico City (the gorgeous old town).
Frida is an iconic Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits and other works that were inspired by Mexico and its artefacts. She’s a treasure of Mexico and the locals are (justifiably) immensely proud of her. Her pictures and paintings have been shown at exhibits around the world, with it recently having been exhibited at the Auckland Art museum.
I would recommend that you visit this museum because the bright colours and vibrancy of the house is so unique, and afterwards, you can stroll around the streets of Coyoacán which are filled with markets, and churros made fresh on the street.
Xochimilco and the Old School Boats
One thing I didn’t expect to love quite as much as I did was the gorgeous old canal and colourful boats (called trajineras) here.
Xochimilco is a borough in the southern part of Mexico City, Mexico. It has a vast network of canals and floating gardens, which were originally built by the ancient Aztecs. You take the trajineras (which are usually decked out with snacks and drinks) and enjoy a leisurely ride along the canals while experiencing the lively atmosphere, traditional music, and food. There are other trajineras in the canals next to you and there will be things from a live mariachi band to corn on the cob rimmed with tajin. It’s a phenomenal experience.
The area is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered an important cultural and ecological area in Mexico City, so visiting is a must.
Night Out at Párramo and the Supra Rooftop
When I say I had the best meal ever at Párramo, I am not taking it lightly. We ate street food, we ate at markets, and we ate at fine dining restaurants but nothing prepared us for the dining experience Paramo brought to the table.
Roma Norte is a gorgeous neighbourhood of Mexico City known for its bohemian and artistic atmosphere, with numerous cafes, restaurants, galleries, and boutique shops. Páramo is known for its contemporary Mexican cuisine and elevating traditional Mexican dishes with more flavours and foreign inspired fun. It feels like tradition was mixed with modern interpretations and the menu had so many winners. It was the catalyst for my love for tostadas, and in particular, ceviche de camaron tostadas (shrimp). I also had a hot sauce that I can’t stop thinking about there, and the best tajinn rimmed chilli marg.
Then, we headed to Supra (also in Roma Norte) which is a rooftop bar with 360 degree panoramic Mexico City views and is multi-levelled. We had such a fun time here doing tequila shots with expats from all over the world. It’s a must do night if you’re out in Mexico City.
Day trip to the natural hot springs just an hour away from Mexico City
Tolantongo is an exquisite day trip located in Hidalgo, Mexico. Referred to in Spanish as Grutas Tolantongo, it’s a natural spa and hot spring resort.
Grutas Tolantongo is known for its stunning natural landscapes and thermal waters. The main attraction of Tolantongo is a series of hot spring pools situated within a canyon. These pools are filled with warm, mineral-rich water that flows from the surrounding cliffs, creating a relaxing and rejuvenating experience for visitors.
In addition to the hot spring pools, Tolantongo also features underground caves, grottos and waterfalls that can be explored. I went through an underground waterfall and swam across to the other side and the current was so strong that I thought I might die… but it was so worth it on the other side.
Honestly, this day was just such a unique and majestic experience that I would 100% recommend to anyone going.
Watch the Lucha Libre
Surely you’ve seen the movie Nacho Libre… Well the Lucha Libre is where it’s all been derived from.
Lucha Libre, quite literally translates to "free wrestling," and is a form of professional wrestling that originated in Mexico. It is characterised by its high-flying aerobatic manoeuvres, and bright and colourful masks worn by the wrestlers.
It’s pretty much scripted wrestling known for its theatrical and dramatic presentation. The rounds get crazier and weirder, and there are even team rounds but the fights involve athletic and aerial moves like flips, dives, and holds, creating an exhilarating watching experience.
I can genuinely say I was in awe the whole way through the show. From the masks, to the crazy and pumping atmosphere (like the pushing to get into the stadium was crazy!)...It's obvious why the Lucha Libre has such a rich history and cultural significance in Mexico. So make sure you cop tickets to a show!
I absolutely loved Mexico City. Now, I know people say it is slightly dangerous so I would advise you to do your own research and check your countries travel guidelines before you book any flights, but from a personal experience I felt safe and loved the culture yet chaos it brought. It was filled with cultural richness, authentic Mexican food and friendly locals, yet brought a party and dining scene that I absolutely loved (like… I’m a slut for a rooftop bar…). If you’re interested in Mexico, put it on your last ASAP.
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