2 days in Mexico City itinerary

Welcome to our 2 day Mexico City itinerary.

The bustling capital is a must for those traveling to Mexico, here you’ll find everything from Aztec Ruins to floating canals and historical museums.

You can also explore the surrounding region too, which has its highlights such as the volcano of Popocatépetl as well as the nearby towns of Tula de Allende and Tepoztlán.

Backpacking Mexico City Itinerary

In this guide, we’ll explore Mexico City, the best things to see, as well as include our very own 2 day Itinerary for those who are short on time.

From visiting the city highlights to exploring the outer region of El Estado de México, let’s get stuck in.

Getting to Mexico City

Flying into Mexico City is easy, with the international airport here being one of the largest in the country. You’ll find direct flights here from all over the world, which makes the capital a great starting point for any Mexico backpacking trip.

If you’re already in Mexico, then hopping on a domestic flight is another good option since most cities and towns (that have airports of course) have direct flights to Mexico City.

Prices are quite good too, and we would recommend this option for those that are in further afield areas (such as Cancún, Mazatlán, Monterrey etc).

The other option is by bus. Mexico City has four different bus terminals, one in the north, east, south, and west areas of the city (which each head to that part of the country too).

You can take a direct bus from most destinations here. The bus quality tends to be quite good in Mexico and is the best option for those looking to save.

If you’ve read our Mexico itinerary then you’ll have the capital as your first stop.

Other Things to know: Travel Tips

For this itinerary of Mexico City, we recommend a budget of $20-30 a day and that does not include activities such as group tours and admission tickets.

You’ll be staying in a nice hostel in a good area of town (such as the Historic Centre or Roma) Casa Pepe is Dan’s ultimate favorite here, and also tucking into the amazing local foods that make Mexico City such a popular destination.

Other costs such as international flights, travel insurance or long-distance buses are not included in this budget.

When it comes to safety, you’ll want to keep your guard up when walking around. Certain areas are heavily congested (it is one of the world’s biggest cities after all) so pickpocketing can be an issue. We recommend taking this Money Belt with you to help keep your valuables secure and out of sight.

Traveling around Mexico City is best done by using the metro. It’s quite a safe way of getting around (police presence and women/children only zones), and also much cheaper than using a taxi. Just make sure to keep an eye on who’s around, especially when in a busy carriage.

Mexico City Itinerary (2 Days)

Now let’s explore our personalized 2 day itinerary for Mexico City.

Given many only have a little time in the capital, this itinerary will be helpful for those trying to see all of the capital’s main highlights in good time.

Day One: The Best of Mexico City

On day one in Mexico City, we’ll quickly drop-off all of our belongings in the hotel and then make our way straight to the Xochimilco Canals.

This impressive site is full of intertwining waterways, and you can hop on board an authentic trajinera boat which includes a meal and drinks.

Also be sure to make a stop-off at the Isla de las Muñecas, a creepy island that is known for its dark history. We also recommend heading on this tour to Xochimilco, which includes all transport as well as a visit to the infamous Casa Azul (the house of the late Frida Kahlo).

After riding around we’ll then make our way back to the Zócalo, which sits right in the heart of the historic center. This area is known as the beating heart of Mexico City, where you can find many great spots for a filling lunch.

As well as seeing the massive draping Mexican flag in the Plaza, there’s also the Palacio de Bellas Artes which is a must-visit with its collection of impressive Mexican murals.

Other worthy stops here include the Metropolitan Cathedral which has as many as 26 bells, the ruins of Templo Mayor as well as the stunning National Palace (where the current Mexican president resides).

From here this evening is yours to enjoy as you, please. Of course, the weekend will be best, however, any other day of the week will have great nightlife options anyhow. We recommend heading to the Zona Rosa, where you’ll find the very best bars and nightclubs.

Day Two: Ancient Ruins and History

Waking up on our second and last day we’ll now head straight to the legendary ruins of Teotihuacán (hangover or not it’s time to go!).

This site was the capital of the Aztec empire, and here you can see the infamous Pyramid of the Sun, as well as the Avenue of the Dead and other important, crumbling ruins.

For an unforgettable experience can head on an overhead air balloon tour of these sprawling pyramids, which also includes a tasty buffet breakfast.

From here you can grab lunch at one of the small restaurants in the town of Teotihuacán, before making the two-hour journey back to Mexico City.

Our next and final stop is to Chapultepec Park, which is known as one of the largest man-made parks on the planet.

Here you go for a stroll, where you can spot many different types of birds such as hummingbirds and the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, as well as visit the imposing Chapultepec Castle for awesome views over Mexico City.

You’ll also want to make a stop in the Museo Nacional de Antropología, which is known for its sizable collection of ancient artifacts which include the timeless Stone of the Sun. From here you can then make your way back to your accommodation to pick up your things and then head for your flight out.

Best time to visit Mexico City

Although Mexico City is far from the coasts and is located at a high altitude (2240m), it still has a distinct dry and wet season.

The dry season begins in November and lasts up until April. Average temperatures range from 57-66°F, with highs of 79°F and lows of 44°F. Rainfall hovers between just 0.1-0.5 inches each month, meaning getting caught in heavy rains is (almost) impossible.

This time of year is best for exploring and going on hikes around the region, although it can be more expensive (more so during New Years and Christmas).

The wet season picks up from May, and continues on until October (more or less the same for the rest of the country, which is good for longer trip planning). Average temperatures hover between 62-67°F, with highs of 80°F and lows of down to 52°F.

Levels of rainfall increase dramatically during this period, where you can expect anywhere from 5-5.5 inches falling throughout each month. This time will be cheaper for a visit, and slightly warmer too as the lows are less chilly than those of the dry season.

Mexico City Backpacking Tips

Below you’ll find our top recommendations for backpacking Mexico City:

2 Days in Mexico City: Final Words

This melting hotpot of a city really does have everything for everyone, and there’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed during your first visit (trust us – it’s a good thing).

From sprawling ruins to impressive landmarks and more, you’ll find yourself scrambling to fit everything in.

In this Mexico City itinerary, we’ve covered everything you need to know. This includes the very best destinations to visit, our top recommendations as well as a customised 2 day itinerary when visiting the Mexican capital.

Be sure to come back to this article whenever you need help planning, or even to suggest your own tips once you’ve completed the adventure yourself.

While you’re still here, see our backpacking Mexico travel guide if you will be spending more time in Mexico and looking for ideas on where to go.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.

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