Day 1 — Centro to Chapultepec
Mexico City · Aztec & Art
The Aztec heart of the city, tacos al pastor done right, the great museum, mezcal in Roma.
09:00
Zócalo & Templo Mayor
Attraction · Historic core
The Aztec Templo Mayor sits right beside the cathedral — the excavation museum’s eagle-warrior room is the highlight. Go at 9:00 opening.
MX$100
11:30
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Museum · Murals
Rivera and Siqueiros murals inside the marble Art Nouveau palace. The best exterior photo is from the Sears café terrace across the street.
MX$90
14:00
Tacos al pastor at El Vilsito
Lunch · Netflix-famous
Auto shop by day, taco temple by night — but the trompo spins from lunch. Order pastor "con todo" and watch the piña flick.
MX$120
16:00
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Museum · World class
If you see one museum in Mexico, this is it — head straight to the Mexica hall for the Sun Stone, then the Maya rooms.
MX$95
20:30
Mezcal at La Clandestina, Roma Norte
Evening · Mezcalería
Order a flight of espadín and tobalá, sipped with orange and worm salt — never shot. The bartenders will teach you the difference.
MX$250
Getting around: Metro Line 1 + short taxi to Narvarte · 30 min
Day 2 — Mole & Monte Albán
Oaxaca · Markets & Ruins
The green-stone church, smoke-hall market lunch, Zapotec mountain capital, seven moles at night.
09:00
Templo de Santo Domingo
Attraction · Baroque
The gold-leafed baroque interior is staggering — then the ex-convent’s cultural museum holds the treasure of Tomb 7. Ethnobotanical garden tours sell out; book ahead.
Free
11:30
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Lunch · Smoke hall
Walk the pasillo de humo (smoke hall): pick your meats raw, they grill them on the spot — eat with tlayudas, radishes and chapulines if you dare.
MX$120
14:00
Monte Albán
Ruins · Panoramic
The Zapotec capital flattened a mountaintop 2,500 years ago — climb the South Platform for the full valley panorama. Zero shade: hat and water.
MX$100
20:00
Mole tasting at Casa Oaxaca
Dinner · Book ahead
The rooftop faces Santo Domingo lit at night. Check live availability and reserve directly several days ahead.
MX$600
Getting around: Colectivo up the mountain · 25 min
Day 3 — Ruins & Cenotes
Tulum · Maya Coast
Cliff-top ruins at opening, a jungle cenote swim, ceviche in pueblo, beach until the light goes.
08:00
Tulum Ruins
Ruins · Beat the buses
The only Maya city on a cliff over the Caribbean — enter at 8:00 sharp before the Cancún buses arrive, and bring a swimsuit for the little beach below El Castillo.
MX$95
10:30
Gran Cenote swim
Cenote · Bring a towel
Crystal caverns with turtles and stalactites — rinse off all sunscreen first (it’s the rule, and it matters). Snorkel gear rents on site.
MX$500
13:30
Ceviche at El Camello Jr
Lunch · Local favorite
Plastic chairs, giant portions, the freshest fish in town — the mixta ceviche feeds two. Locals eat here, not on the beach road.
MX$180
15:30
Playa Paraíso afternoon
Beach · Golden hour
Public access, powder sand, and palms that lean just right. Stay for the pink light after 17:30 — the crowd thins as the beach clubs close.
Free
Getting around: Taxi or bike to Gran Cenote · 15 min