CDMX for the solo traveler
April 13, 2025 1:37 PM Subscribe
I’m going to Mexico City for work. It will be my third trip in a few years. I have 2 extra days/nights. I am staying in Condesa near Parque Mexico.
Previously I have gone to the Zocalo, the anthro museum, Chapultepec Castle, Kahlo home, Teotihuacan, the Ballet Folklorico.
Any particular other recommendation for my full weekday there? My Spanish is strong and I am comfortable being alone in Mexico City but also want to be relaxed and comfortable as a solo female traveler.
Amy standout dining recs for a solo diner?
Previously I have gone to the Zocalo, the anthro museum, Chapultepec Castle, Kahlo home, Teotihuacan, the Ballet Folklorico.
Any particular other recommendation for my full weekday there? My Spanish is strong and I am comfortable being alone in Mexico City but also want to be relaxed and comfortable as a solo female traveler.
Amy standout dining recs for a solo diner?
Best answer: Palacio de bellas artes; the bookstores Centro Cultural Elena Garro and Librería El Sótano are fabulous and the Mexican publishing ecosystem has some real gems that don't cross the border often; the national pop culture museum; if you like handcrafted ceramics Taller Experimental de Cerámica Díaz de Cossio has good stuff; the San Angel flower market and Bazar San Angel food court are right outside Coyoacán but very pleasant for light shopping and grabbing a bite (go earlier in the day, they get busy and I had an easier time with moderately strong Spanish while I was well rested). I think the San Angel market is where I got mole paste last time I was down there.
If I had two days I'd probably go to a bookstore, museums, and then park at coffee shops near beautiful houses.
posted by VelveteenBabbitt at 2:43 PM on April 13 [3 favorites]
If I had two days I'd probably go to a bookstore, museums, and then park at coffee shops near beautiful houses.
posted by VelveteenBabbitt at 2:43 PM on April 13 [3 favorites]
Masala y Maiz is my go-to dining recommendation in CDMX. Norma and Saqib, the owners, are amazing.
I loved Under the Volcano, a sweet little English language used bookstore, and Vegattos, the vegan bodega with resident cats.
I also stayed in Condesa and enjoyed sitting in Parque Mexico with ice cream or a coffee, watching the dog walkers with their huge packs.
Hope you have a great time!
posted by wicked_sassy at 4:23 PM on April 13 [2 favorites]
I loved Under the Volcano, a sweet little English language used bookstore, and Vegattos, the vegan bodega with resident cats.
I also stayed in Condesa and enjoyed sitting in Parque Mexico with ice cream or a coffee, watching the dog walkers with their huge packs.
Hope you have a great time!
posted by wicked_sassy at 4:23 PM on April 13 [2 favorites]
Seconding Palacio de Bellas Artes. That was my favorite spot when we were there in January. So many amazing murals and other works of art. As a solo traveler, you can take your time and appreciate everything they have there. Give yourself a few hours. Best museum in cdmx imo. I believe admission is free on Sunday (so actually not the best day to go, pretty crowded). Also, if you go to the Sears across the street, you can go up to the top floor, there's a patio you can get great unobstructed pictures of the palacio, which is a very impressive building (especially at sunset) .
posted by Rivvo at 4:48 PM on April 13 [1 favorite]
posted by Rivvo at 4:48 PM on April 13 [1 favorite]
Masala y Maiz is terrific.
La Esquina de Chilequile is a street side stand serving sandwiches stuffed with saucy fried tortillas and crispy chicken breast cutlets. Kinda out there conceptually but oh so delicious and you could tell this place was popular.
We did a food tour with Culinary Backstreets that was great. They have a couple itineraries but we did the non-Xochimilco one. One of the last stops was a taco stand in the back of Jamaica Market serving green chorizo tacos from Toluca. A top ten lifetime bite.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 6:24 PM on April 13
La Esquina de Chilequile is a street side stand serving sandwiches stuffed with saucy fried tortillas and crispy chicken breast cutlets. Kinda out there conceptually but oh so delicious and you could tell this place was popular.
We did a food tour with Culinary Backstreets that was great. They have a couple itineraries but we did the non-Xochimilco one. One of the last stops was a taco stand in the back of Jamaica Market serving green chorizo tacos from Toluca. A top ten lifetime bite.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 6:24 PM on April 13
When you go to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, go across the street to the Sears (really!) which is more of a department store than what we think of as a Sears in the US. Go to the coffee shop on the 8th (I think) floor for a great view of the dome. Then go to the Alameda Central, ideally in the early evening, to watch all the families and couples and teenagers frolic around the fountains. After that, Cafe de Tacuba is fun for a kitschy but great dinner (and it's where Frida and Diego had their wedding reception!).
Also, if you didn't stroll around Coyoacan when you went to Frida's house, that's definitely worth an afternoon.
posted by lunasol at 4:57 PM on April 14 [1 favorite]
Also, if you didn't stroll around Coyoacan when you went to Frida's house, that's definitely worth an afternoon.
posted by lunasol at 4:57 PM on April 14 [1 favorite]
Another place to go near the Palacio is Museo Kaluz. It's at the opposite corner of the Alameda, across the street. Wonderful collection of paintings old and new by Mexican artists, including my favorite, Dr. Atl. Also, it has an open-air cafe on the roof with a good view of that part of town.
posted by bricoleur at 1:36 PM on April 15
posted by bricoleur at 1:36 PM on April 15
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A spent a great afternoon visiting Barragan's Casa Pedregal and Tetetlan, a really unique restaurant/shop/art/community space next door.
If you are there on a Saturday, I recommend El Bazaar Sabado for some great shopping and/or eating.
posted by greta simone at 2:33 PM on April 13 [3 favorites]