Girls’ Getaway To Mexico City

Is a girls’ getaway to Mexico City on your radar? It should be. Great food, beaut boutique hotels, stunning architecture, an energized nightlife, more museums than you’ll ever have time for, lush parks, one of the best cocktail scenes on the planet… Oh, and did I mention it’s super affordable?! I could list a million reasons why you should pick CDMX as your next travel destination (yes, it’s THAT amazing), but here are a few that really stand out…

Why You Should Plan A Girls’ Getaway To Mexico City:

1. Flights Are Affordable

Tons of carriers fly to CDMX which makes it very possible to find a great deal depending on what kind of flight path you’re willing to embark on. We flew direct via Air Canada Rouge (5 hrs) which was around $500, but I have seen return fares as low as $350 from Toronto.

2. It’s Cheap To Get Around

The subway system is heavily subsidized so if you take the public transit route, you’ll be paying fares around 30 cents CAD per ride. But given how inexpensive and safe Uber is in Mexico City, we did all of our commuting using the app. Even our 45 min Uber rides across the city averaged out around $5 CAD! That being said, my fave way of exploring a new city is always by foot so make sure you carve out plenty of time to wander through the colourful streets…

3. The Food, THE FOOD

Ok, let’s be real: this is the #1 reason I wanted to visit CDMX. Mexican food is one of my fave cuisines and I wanted to try it ALL — from street food to fine dining. But with thousands of options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed (and underwhelmed) if you don’t know where to eat. In my opinion, a food guide is a must — but not just any food guide… you’ll want to find someone who lives and breathes all-things culinary. My reco? Anais aka The Curious Mexican. She’ll dream up an Eatinerary that will have you feasting with the locals. Beyond the food tour, we devoured some truly exceptional meals while in Mexico City — from homestyle traditional eats (my fave was Fonda Margarita) to innovative and vibrant cuisine dreamt up by critically-acclaimed chefs like Martha Ortiz at Dulce Patria at Las Alcobas…

Book ahead for the popular restos as they fill up fast. Pujol, Quintonil and Contramar should all be on your list…

4. Inspiring Design and Architecture

Fun fact: CDMX has been selected as the World Design Capital 2018. After seeing the city with my own eyes, I’m not surprised. I was blown away by the Art Deco neighbourhoods, contemporary buildings, character-filled boutique hotels, colourful markets and striking modern architecture. A feast for the eyes…

5. Dreamy Hotels

Whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge, deciding where to stay in Mexico City will prove difficult. That’s because all 16 boroughs have a plethora of unique accommodations to choose from: chic boutique hotels, charming B&Bs, glamorous hotel chains etc. We called the beaut Condesa DF home during our visit…

Although Condesa was one of the hardest hit boroughs during the September 2017 earthquake, I personally didn’t see much damage (locals told me the community was determined to rebuild quickly). I was glad we could support a hotel in the neighbourhood as natural disasters can really have a detrimental impact on tourism. Our stay at Condesa DF was not compromised and turned out to be quite memorable. The French neo-classical building dates back to 1928 and is now a hip boutique hotel. There’s something really special about the way space flows here: guests seamlessly weave between indoor and outdoor spaces — from the main lobby and restaurant to the hallways and the pièce de résistance: rooftop bar…

If chic boutique isn’t your vibe, check out the always fabulous Four Seasons. The Mexico City property is modelled after the 18th-century Iturbide Palace and has the dreamiest courtyard at its heart…

6. So. Much. Green Space.

One of the things that surprised me most about Mexico City is how green it is. Think: lush neighbourhood parks, colourful gardens and tree-lined streets…

And did you know CDMX has a park that’s even larger than Central Park?! Yup, Bosque Chapultepec is nearly twice the size and arguably one of the world’s finest urban parks. Filled with winding paths, museums, a zoo, botanical garden, lake, archeological site, countless snack vendors and even a castle with epic views of the city…

7. Luxury R&R

Whether you want to lounge poolside, relax at a spa or sip on cocktails in a beautiful courtyard with your gals, you’ll find all kinds of luxury in Mexico City. To escape the hustle and bustle of CDMX, I recommend heading to the San Angel Inn for a leisurely afternoon. The property was formerly a Carmelite monastery, but is now a gorg resto and oasis in the city…

8. Beautiful Museums

With over 150 museums, Mexico City is certainly one of the world’s museum capitals (up there in the ranks with London and Paris). Home to quite possibly the most eclectic collections I’ve ever heard of — from antique toys (Museo del Juguete Antiguo México) to tequila and mezcal (Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal) — you’ll find all kinds of niche museums to explore with the girls. While many museums in Mexico City are free (like the incredible Museo Soumaya), there’s one you’ll def want to pay to see: the beaut La Casa Azul (appox $12 CAD). In my opinion, no trip to CDMX is complete without a visit to Frida Kahlo’s home and studio where everything still remains exactly as she left it. The exterior of the house is as vibrant as I imagine the renowned Mexican artist to have been…

9. Shop ‘Til You Drop

For those of you looking for a bit of retail therapy with the girls, I recommend hitting up both ends of the spectrum: CDMX’s vibrant markets where you can buy authentic Mexican products (food is always something I return home with)…

And the luxury stores that await you on Presidente Masaryk Avenue. There are many other great shopping streets and beaut restos in the Polanco neighbourhood so make it an all-day affair!

10. Energized Cocktail Scene

Affordable and innovative cocktails. That’s what you can expect in CDMX. Home to the best bartender in Mexico (you’ll find her at Fifty Mils), there are hundreds of talented mixologists serving up unique drinks in Mexico City. Limantour is a personal favourite with their relaxed vibe and world-class cocktails — it’s the kind of place I would frequent often if I lived in the city. Oh, and do take the time to hit up some mezcal bars: sip a few varieties and snack on chapulines (grasshoppers) as the locals do…

11. It’s Postcard Perfect

Mexico City may just be one of the most Instagrammable capitals on the planet. Every corner, every street, every wall… I could spend months snapping away so if you and your gals love a good photo, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store in CDMX!

And if you’re wondering if it’s safe to roam (the most frequently asked question I got via social media on our trip) — YES. I actually felt safer in Mexico City than when visiting some neighbourhoods in London, Paris and NYC. That being said, crime is inevitable in large metropolises so be street smart when you head there with the girls!

So, are you ready to pack your bags or what?! I know I’m definitely heading back. CDMX has so much to offer and is a place I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of. The food, the sights, the people… It’s lively, complex and deeply-rooted in tradition yet decidedly modern. I really hope you get a chance to visit so you can see why I fell in love with this incredible city…

Our accommodations, meals, activities and flights to Mexico City were complimentary as part of a press trip. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own. A huge thanks to CDMX for partnering with us and to Krystle for being such a fab travel buddy on this girls’ getaway to Mexico City!