One of the best parts about having a birthday at the beginning of September is that I almost always get to celebrate over Labor Day weekend. And you know what 3-day weekend usually means, right?
Trip time!
My wife and I take advantage of these types of weekends so often that I have a couple “back pocket” destinations that are my go-to when a situation like this presents itself. Being in Florida, my top choices are usually Jamaica, Mexico, or a popular US city. However, I knew right off the bat that I wanted to go to my favorite destination – Mexico City.
Having been 3 times before, there are few other places that I appreciate and enjoy so much. Mexico City (or CDMX as it’s referred to in Mexico) has all the makings of a very special place. Despite being a large, sprawling city, it is incredibly affordable and stacked full of culture. Imagine a Paris or Rome with taco stands instead of cafes and residents that are kinder to Americans and you have Mexico City.
Once I ok’ed it with the boss, it was time to start searching for a deal.
Flight Booking
Getting to Mexico City from most areas of the United States is pretty easy via large US carriers Delta, American, and United. There are direct flights from many larger cities such as Chicago, Miami, New York, Atlanta, and even smaller, yet medium-sized cities like Orlando.
Additionally, there are a couple Mexican airlines that serve these routes as well. The largest of these carries would be Aeromexico, which tends to be a little pricier than low cost airlines Volaris and Interjet. Average tickets cost between $275 and $350 roundtrip in economy.
Despite there being a non-stop option for me, I decided to book a Delta connecting flight via Atlanta since I wanted to use points and there was an insane first class deal that I just couldn’t pass up. I knew that I’d be able to spend my layovers in the Delta Skyclub with free food and drinks. Not to mention, this connecting flight would get my wife and I to the city earlier than the non-stop flight since it left later in the afternoon and we wanted as much time as we could get.
We ended up booking for only 20k miles plus $115 per person roundtrip. That’s pretty cheap considering the cash price was $704/ticket. Even factoring in the taxes, that nets us just a hair under 3 cents per mile in value. Pretty solid since Delta miles usually are worth 1.2 cents on average.
The best part was that $200 of the taxes were actually covered by my American Express Platinum card with my annual airline fee credit (as seen in the screen shot below). This brought the total out of pocket expenses to 40k miles and $30 for both tickets.
Hotel Booking
There are couple different areas worth staying in Mexico City and I would say the top three are downtown, Roma and Condesa neighborhoods, and Polanco. Roma and Condesa are hip local neighborhoods with a vibrant food and drink scene while Polanco is more of an upscale neighborhood with high-end stores and expensive restaurants similar to what you would expect to find in the States.
My wife and I prefer to stay in the downtown area which offers the perfect compromise between all the neighborhoods and is within walking distance to the Palace of Fine Arts and the historical section of the city. Our favorite spot and the one we defaulted to for this trip is the Hilton Reforma. This property has treated us very well each time we’ve stayed in the past and often upgrades us to a suite thanks to our Hilton Diamond Status from the Hilton Aspire credit card. That means free breakfast and free happy hour drinks for us every day in the executive lounge. Additionally, this really looks and feels like a 5-star property and it features a huge fitness center.
Current rates options for our stay were 102k points or $403.31 in cash. We decided to book in cash because I value Hilton points around .6 cents and this booking at 102k points would only net us .39 cents per point. Additionally, by paying with our Hilton credit card, we stand to gain 12k points for this stay.
For those that want to stay in the Polanco area, I would recommend either the JW Marriott or the W Mexico City. Both hotels are located close to shopping, dining, and Chapultepec park. They’re also pretty close in price ranging from $171-$189/night or 47-50k Bonvoy points per night.
Exploring The City
There’s a lot to do and experience in Mexico City. One of the biggest differences between the capital and most of the coastal cities that attract many tourists is the deep culture in the city. Similar to what you might experience in Rome or Paris, Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world and is home to world class dining, recreation, and history.
You can expect fewer tourists, a more refined feel compared to the coastal towns, and very reasonable daily costs of getting around and enjoying all the city has to offer.
Dining
If you like Mexican food, you’re in the right place. I’m not just talking your standard run of the mill Mexican food either. Mexico City boasts many different types of food from the various regions of the country. One of my favorite places to experience the many flavors is at the Mercado Food Hall in the Roma neighborhood that has something for everyone. The food hall is made even better by the rooftop Biergarten that rests above it.
If it’s brunch you’re in the mood for, Eno is the place to go. Situated in a nice laid-back neighborhood full of families eating outside with dogs, this local spot has some amazing dishes with a fun and friendly vibe.
Finally, there is one place that you absolutely must not miss – El Moro. This churreria dates back to the early 1900s and is a community staple with the best sweets you’ll ever taste. Milkshakes and churros with multiple dipping sauces are their specialty and they service customers 24 hours a day. Talk about heaven!
Recreation
One of the best places to stretch your legs and explore in Mexico City is Chapultepec Park which is beautiful and twice the size of Central Park in NYC. Not only does this park house plenty of walking or running paths, but it also features, a museum, zoo, and a real historic castle. On the weekends, you’ll find the park buzzing with plenty of vendors milling about and locals getting their fitness fix.
If you’d rather walk or run around the downtown area of CDMX, Sunday is the perfect day. That’s because the local police close down some of the major streets so residents can ride their bikes or participate in various forms of exercise without worrying about the crazy drivers that plague the city.
History
Mexico has some fascinating history with the capital featuring some of the most convenient opportunities to explore it. In the center of Chapultepec Park, you’ll find one of the largest and most impressive museums in all of Mexico, the National Anthropologic Museum. This massive structure features exhibits that highlight the inhabitants of Mexico and their culture for thousands of years. If you plan to go, make sure you set aside at least half a day since there are tons of artifacts to see.
One of the other historical treasures that exist nearby are the pyramids at Teotihuacan. Situated just about 25 miles outside the city, the site is approximately 8 square miles and houses the well-preserved ruins of one of the most ancient cities in the Western hemisphere. If you venture out there, make sure you hire a guide to get the most of the experience. There are usually at least a couple English-speaking locals hanging out by the entrance who are actively selling their services.
Conclusion
Many are often surprised when I mention that my favorite city in the world is not Paris, Florence, or even Amsterdam. In fact, they often seem puzzled when I happily suggest Mexico City. However, CDMX is a true diamond in the rough that runs rich with culture and ready-to-be-discovered history. Now, I can’t wait for my birthday!
