5 CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN MEXICO CITY

Mexico City offers some incredible things to do and these are 5 cultural activities in Mexico City, you do not want to miss! 

Why Mexico City?

With a greater area population of 22 million residents, Mexico City is the most populated metro area in the Western Hemisphere. It’s also the largest city in the Spanish-speaking world.

And the oldest capital city in the Americas? Mexico City gets the nod on that one, too. Make sure to taste as much local food as you can get your hands on and learn more about their famous drink on a Tequila route.

Still, the city’s tourism numbers are a fraction of that seen in New York, Toronto, Rio de Janeiro and other major metros throughout the Americas.

Travellers to Mexico City are rewarded with culture and history as vibrant as anywhere else on the globe. Here are five cultural highlights you won’t want to miss when you visit.

Best time to visit Mexico City

The most popular time to visit Mexico city is from March to May when the weather is beautiful and all attractions are open. However, this can be a busy time of the year to visit, especially during Spring Break. One of the best Mexico travel tips we can give is to visit in late Spring for better prices or visit in the Winter for a quieter experience. 

Cultural Activities in Mexico

Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Anthropological Museum)

Rated the numero uno thing to do in Mexico City by TripAdvisor, the National Anthropological Museum is one of the world’s top natural history museums. It’s also the most visited museum of any kind in Mexico.

Most exhibits here pay homage to Mexico’s rich past as both a Spanish colony and a collective of pre-Columbian civilizations. Visitor favourites include Olmec civilization artefacts, Mayan treasures, and a model recreation of Tenochtitlan – the former Aztec capital.

There are also visiting exhibits that showcase cultural artefacts from societies around the globe. The past instalment has highlighted ancient Greece, China, Egypt, and Spain.

Plan on devoting an entire day when you visit. The museum boasts 23 exhibit rooms spanning nearly 20 acres in total.

Chapultepec Park

Step outside the National Anthropological Museum, and you’ll find yourself in Chapultepec Park.

Chapultepec was a larger-than-life Aztec ruler. His namesake park is much the same. Covering a gigantic sprawl of over 1,600 acres, this is one of the largest recreational and natural urban settings in the western hemisphere. In fact, Chapultepec Park is near twice the size of New York City’s Central Park.

Here you can unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life by taking a boat ride or enjoying wildlife at the free zoo. Convenient exercise trails line the park for visitors who don’t want to sit still. This is a great place to visit with children and don’t forget to book a family friendly hotel in Mexico too.

Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú (Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium)

Baseball is referred to as America’s pastime in the US, but beisbol is also a beloved sport in Mexico where the Mexican Baseball League stands among North America’s elite levels of the game.

And there’s no better place to catch a Mexican League game than at the brand new Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium. The home of the Diablos Rojos del México (Mexico City Red Devils) opened in March 2019. The stadium holds over 20,000 enthusiastic fans, making it the second-largest baseball venue in the country.

You might spot some future major leaguers when attending a game here. The MLB has an agreement with the Mexican League allowing contracted players to advance to big-league clubs. This was recently the case for former Red Devil, Julio Urías, who is now pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers – the team oddsmakers pick as World Series winners.

Teotihuacan Pyramids

Teotihuacan is a special archaeological site located just 25 miles northeast of Mexico City.

More than four million annual visitors trek here to see the pre-Columbian Mesoamerican pyramids and temples built between 1 AD and 350 AD. Detailed statues and intricate murals reside within these ancient ruins, offering visitors a well-preserved glimpse into what life was like on these grounds 1,500 to 2,000 years ago.

Also known as the city of Gods, Teotihuacan was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 for its historical and cultural significance.

A variety of tour packages are available at Teotihuacan. Some even include a trained archaeologist guide!

Museo Frida Kahlo (Frida Kahlo Museum)

One of the 20th century’s most celebrated artists, Frida Kahlo was a painter recognized for her colourful self-portraits and other works influenced by the artefacts and nature of Mexico.

The Frida Kahlo Museum, sometimes called The Blue House for its cobalt blue exterior, was Kahlo’s very literal lifelong home – the artist was born, raised, lived as an adult with her husband Diego Rivera, and passed away all in the same structure.

Four years after her death in 1954, Rivera donated the home as a museum to honour Kahlo’s life and work. Visitors here enjoy a large collection of art by Kahlo, Rivera, and their contemporaries. The couple’s personal artefacts, photographs, and other memorabilia are also on display.

Typical prices of travel in Mexico City

Mexico City is a fantastic place to visit for travellers on all budgets. You can find a dorm bed in a hostel for as little as $14 and private rooms cost around $50 in a budget hotel. Mid-range hotels start at $60 whilst luxury hotels start at around $100. 

Breakfast is under $5 and lunch will cost around $10, even at a sit-down spot. Dinner can also be found for under $25, perfect for those on a budget. 

Even though Mexico is an affordable destination, there are still ways to save money too. Stick to street food or buy food from local markets to avoid spending too much on eating out and take advantage of the free walking tours around the city. Uber can work out quite a bit cheaper than taxis and public transport is even cheaper; you can get a rechargeable Smartcard to use at metro stations and save you time.