A Weekend In {Mexico City}

Broadening the Mind

Words & Photos by Katy Chadwell

Travel is one of the best ways to educate children about various cultures. Family travel goes beyond simply being on vacation. Foster that sense of discovery and think ahead to future adventures your family can share. Mexico City is a perfect place to try new things and make lasting memories.

Friday

Check into the hip Condesa neighborhood, whose central location will make it easy to walk to Chapultepec Park. Visit the Chapultepec Castle for a hilltop view of the city.

Then head down the hill to their National Anthropology Museum, which houses artifacts from Mexico’s Pre-Columbian heritage. The scale of the Aztec Stone of the Sun is astounding, and the entire place opens one’s mind to better understand the history of our neighbors to the south. End the day with a seafood feast at Contramar.

Saturday

Explore the neighborhood and enjoy the El Moro for breakfast at Mercado Roma, a gourmet food hall that serves some of the best churros in town. Take a cab to the area of Coyoacan to visit the Casa Azul, named for its cobalt blue walls. This former home and studio of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo provides interesting information about her life and works. The Coyoacan market is an ideal place for lunch at Tostadas Coyoacan. Afterwards, have fun exploring the local’s stalls and finding hand-made souvenirs. Tacos al pastor were invented in Mexico City, and one can’t go wrong with tacos at El Kaliman once back in Condesa.

Sunday

A day trip to Teotihuacan is the perfect way to round out the weekend. The ancient Mesoamerican site is located 25 miles outside the city. Spend the day exploring the most architecturally significant pyramids in the Americas and its well-preserved murals. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, visitors can still climb up to the top of the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Another option would be to join local families for a fun boat ride through the floating gardens of Xochimilco, a truly unique experience.

If you go…

How to get there: Oasis Collections offers a variety of vacation rentals in Mexico City. Through part of the World of Hyatt, guests earn points that can be redeemed for future stays at any Hyatt or Oasis Collections property.

How to get around: Uber is a convenient, inexpensive way to get around Mexico City. The prices are much lower than other big cities with the average ride being $2 for every 10-15 minutes. Hire a driver guide for day trips outside the city.

What to wear: Thanks to its elevation, Mexico City enjoys a fairly temperate climate. Pack layers and expect mid 70s during the day and mid 50s at night. Bring a rain coat when traveling between June and September because afternoon showers are common.

Contact:
Katy Chadwell is a member of the team at Austin-based Century Travel and would welcome the opportunity to help you plan a trip to Mexico City or wherever your travels may lead you! Contact her at katy@century-tvl.com, and let her take the stress out of planning your next vacation!