Mexico City Itinerary (2 weeks)
Are you’re looking to explore a diverse and thrilling country?
Look no further than Mexico.
With everything from ancient ruins and historical cities to breathtaking landscapes, this country really has it all.
The heart of Mexico is the best place to get a good feel for it all, and to also explore lesser known gems that are rarely touched upon by other travelers.
Backpacking Mexico City
In this guide we’ll explore the central regions of Mexico, which includes Mexico City, Hidalgo, Puebla and Veracruz, with our custom 2 weeks itinerary.
Getting around Mexico
Sometimes getting around a country can be a nightmare, however in Mexico the bus is by far the most efficient and easiest way.
Not only is it less expensive than domestic flights, the bus system is really well connected throughout the country with good quality buses and seats.
Of course you can always opt to take domestic flights if you have the funds, which will cut travel distances to only an hour or two.
Most domestic flights will depart from and arrive into Mexico City, although you can sometimes find some smaller cities connecting directly to each other.
Mexico City Travel Tips
When traveling the central regions of Mexico, you’ll need a daily budget of between $20-$25 a day.
This will cover your major daily costs such as a dorm bed, food, some local buses and also a few drinks or extras.
This budget, however, does not cover international or domestic flights, travel insurance or long-distance buses.
Mexico has unfortunately been painted with a very unsafe label, which puts many off visiting here.
In reality it is safe in many areas, given you follow guidance and take necessary precautions. Some of our top tips include dressing down, avoiding wearing flashy accessories and also avoid going out alone late at night. We also recommend bringing a Safe Slider Wallet too.
When completing this itinerary, it’s important to first pack properly.
Here you’ll have a mix of hot beach-side temperatures, somewhat cool cities and sometimes chilly highlands.
For this reason it’s best to pack a mix of clothes, and also a good coat for the more cooler regions.
Central Mexico 2 Week Itinerary
Below we’ll cover our adventurous Mexico City itinerary for you.
As well as being time conscious. It’s designed to keep things fresh and exciting:
Mexico City (Days 1-3)
We’ll be kicking off our itinerary by heading to the big and bustling capital, due to its ease of both domestic and international access.
It can be quite intimidating for a first-timer, with seemingly an unlimited amount of districts to choose from.
We recommend staying in the Centro Histórico or in Condesa, both of which are safe and also with many cultural and authentic sights nearby.
Some of the best things to see in this city include touring the canals of Xochimilco, where you can ride a colorful boat around the intertwining canals, as well as visit the former house-turned-museum of Frida Kahlo.
In the very center we have the Zocalo, which is an impressive main square with a massive Mexican Flag that stands taller than everything else around it.
There’s many important sites to see near here, including the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Metropolitan Cathedral as well as the National Palace.
Our best recommended day trip from the capital has to be to Teotihuacán. These sprawling Aztec temples are famous all over the World, with them being one of the most popular sights to visit in the entire country.
Stroll back in time as you visit many of the incredible structures such as the Pyramid of the Sun as well as the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, with a bus here taking around an hour from the Estación Norte.
Those who want the ultimate experience can head on this highly-rated Hot Air Balloon Tour over Teotihuacán, which offers unmatched views over these ancient pyramids.”
Mexico City Travel Tips
⬇️ Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Mexico City:
- 🛏️ – Massiosare El Hostel (Mexico City), Selena Hostel (Mexico City).
- 🌮 – Mexico City is home to some of the best street food in Latin America. Be sure to walk about La Roma and Condesa neighbourhoods, where even a little bit of exploring will take you to great and cheap eat out. Foods you must try include Tlacoyos, Tacos al Pastor and Tamales.
- 🏛️ – Teotihuacán, Palacio de Bellas Artes (Mexico City), Popocatépetl Volcano. See this list of top rated tours in the State of Mexico.
- 🍺 – Lots of options in this giant city. The Zona Rosa has many options for every music taste. If you are into house/techno, then I would recommend Rhodesia Social Club.
- 💡 – You’ll most likely be based in Mexico City when visiting this region. Taking the expansive metro is by far the best way to get around, however if you do opt for a taxi then make sure they are registered and also to negotiate the rate before setting off.
Hidalgo (Days 4-7)
Now from the popular capital we’ll be heading towards the almost unknown region of Hidalgo.
One of the smaller states off the mainstream backpacking path, Hidalgo is actually a true Mexican gem that is full of great sights.
We’ll first be arriving in the quaint city of Ixmiquilpan, where we’ll then take a shuttle bus up to the site of Tolantongo.
A waterfall with thermally-heated rivers and caves, this is one of Mexico’s best kept gems, and on the way here you’ll have some truly breathtaking landscapes of vast canyons.
You can opt to spend the night on-site (and have the pools for yourself later in the afternoon), or can start making your way back to our next destination that is Pachuca.
If you’re in Mexico City and short for time, then this Full Day Tour to Tolantongo is a great option
The capital of the region, here there’s some cool things to see such as the Monument Clocktower, and also the neighbourhood of Las Palmitas which has been turned into a colorful masterpiece by several artists.
Whilst here be sure to take a day trip to the small village of Huasca, where you can see the perfect hexagonal columns of the Prismas Basálticos, as well as go shopping in the local market for some novel souvenirs.
Hidalgo Backpacking Tips
⬇️ Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Hidalgo:
- 🛏️ – Casa Zen (Pachuca), Hotel Avenida (Ixmiquilpan).
- 🌮 – Café Madero is a cheap yet great option in Pachuca. There’s also lots of amazing restaurants in Real de Monte. Be sure to try Paste, which is the traditional food of the town. Brought over by the English, this is the Mexican version of the Pasty!
- 🏛️ – Tolantongo, Huasca de Campo, Tula Ruins, Monument Clock Tower (Pachuca). See this list of top rated tours in Hidalgo.
- 🍺 – Rata Roja and Musse are good options in Pachuca. Head to the Zócalo, as there’s lots happening in the evening, and many other options we didn’t get to try out.
- 💡 – Most of the major sites are very close to Pachuca, so it’s best to base yourself here and see them as half or full day trips. We did Tolantongo as a day trip from Pachuca, which whilst possible, took quite a long time. You’re better off staying in Ixmiquilpan for a quicker ride there.
Veracruz (Days 8-11)
Veracruz is another region which is seldom touched upon by foreign travelers, though the locals do love to come here and for good reason.
This state is home to some of the best seafood in the country, and also has its fair share of ancient ruins, sprawling jungle and relaxing beaches.
We’ll first arrive in the small town of Papantla de Olarte, which we’ll need a bus connection to arrive to from Pachuca. We’ll only spend one day here (or two if you need to rest), mostly to visit the nearby Tajín Ruins.
These ancient ruins are really spectacular and worth the visit, and have a much different design to the usual temples found in Mexico.
From here we then take a bus to the city of Veracruz on the coast. The best area to base yourself here is in Boca del Río, which is more low-key.
Here you’ll find some incredible beaches to relax on as well as some really great seafood to tuck into.
Whilst in Veracruz, the best things to see include the fort of San Juan de Ulúa as well as the Isla de Sacrificios. We recommend jumping on this awesome Kayaking Tour where you’ll also get to swim with Dolphins and Turtles!
From here we’ll take a bus to the city of Puebla. If you have more time, consider stopping off in the mountain town of Orizaba (which is along the way) for its great hiking paths.
Veracruz Backpacking Tips
⬇️ Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Veracruz:
- 🛏️ – Oyster Hostel (Heroica Veracruz), Base Camp México (Orizaba).
- 🌮 – Veracruz is well known for its regional delicacies. Our favourite is Arroz de la Tumblada – a mixture of shellfish, fish, tomatoes, chillies, and rice – aka the local hangover cure!
- 🏛️ – Boca del Rio (Veracruz), TajinRuins, Pico de Orizaba. See this list of top rated tours in Veracruz.
- 🍺 – Rincón de la Trova is a good option in Veracruz, and also the hotel zone where you’ll find lots of Latin nightclubs.
- 💡 – Definitely look at staying in Boca del Rio in Veracruz, as it’s a lot more low-key and chill than the rest of the city. It also connects well if you want to head south to see other regions.
Puebla (Days 12-15)
Last but not least we arrive in the city of Puebla. Commonly known as Mexico’s most beautiful city, Puebla boasts more than its fair share of attractions.
The Catedral de Puebla, Templo de Santo Domingo and Museo Amparo are some of the top sites to see within the city.
This is definitely one of those cities where you should look to join a free walking tour or even hop on a guided bus tour to really learn about all of the top sites.
Whilst in Puebla you must also visit the small town and ruins of Cholula. Whilst being able to visit some cool stops along the way, and also its novelty shops for souvenirs, the real attraction are the Cholula Ruins.
A large pyramid built on top of a hill, it’s one of the most dramatic ruins built in Mexico, and also features a pretty, small church on the top. This full day tour from Mexico City is best for those who are short for time, where you’ll see all of these highlights including a visit to the church of Tonantzintla.
Also, visit the main Zocalo; not just for the sights, but also to try some typical Pueblan cuisine! There’s many restaurants lining the square, and here you can try many local specialties such as Mole Poblano as well as Chile en Nogada.
From here, you can then easily take a bus back to Mexico City for your departing flight. If you have more time, then consider heading south to the incredible region of Oaxaca.
Puebla Backpacking Tips
⬇️ Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Puebla:
- 🛏️ – Hostal Santo Domingo (Puebla), San Ángel Atlixco (Atlixco).
- 🌮 – Puebla is home to some of the best Mexican food! Be sure to try out Chalupas (from local restaurants, not Taco Bell…) and also Cemitas, a Puebla-born style sandwich filled with lots of goodies inside.
- 🏛️ – Capilla del Rosario (Puebla City), Tlachihualtepetl Pyramid (Cholula). See this list of top rated tours in Puebla.
- 🍺 – Loretta is great for an all-rounder nightclub, and Mantra is one of the most popular Mexican clubs in the city.
- 💡 – We suggest not to rush Puebla City, like most itineraries do. You could easily spend a week here and still not feel like it’s enough, especially with the cool day trips of Atlixco, Cholula and the nearby volcano-based towns.
Best time to visit Mexico City
We’ve spoken a lot about the best time to visit Mexico on this blog (George is absolutely obsessed with checking the weather when we travel).
Overall the best months to visit Mexico City are April and May.
These months are the warmest of the year, with an average daily temperature of 66-67°F, highs of up to 80°F and lows of 53°F.
These months are also just before the wet season starts, with between 0.5-1.5 inches falling throughout each.
During the time you’ll also be able to take part in some memorable festivals, such as Semana Santa and the infamous 5 De Mayo.
Mexico City Itinerary
One of the most popular destinations to visit in the country, Mexico City is always worth the visit.
However it’s the other lesser-known regions of Hidalgo, Puebla and Veracruz that are home to some truly unforgettable destinations in Mexico’s central regions.
In this itinerary-style guide, we’ve looked at all of the regions above, how much time we recommend in each, what to see and also our own top tips.
Be sure to revisit this article whenever you need help planning, or even to suggest your own tips once you’ve completed the adventure yourself.
Read our backpacking Mexico guide for more travel inspiration!
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