Do you have only three days in Mexico? Don't waste time running around and scrambling for things to do when you're there already. Be guided by this itinerary covering city attractions as well as cultural attractions in nearby cities. It can give you a very good picture of what to do, where to go, and how much time is needed for each activity. You can customize this itinerary according to your needs, but if you prefer convenience, you may click on the links that will bring you to City-Discovery.com and exciting things to do. If you choose this option, we recommend that you reserve activities in advance so you don't use up your precious vacation time looking for things to do. By reserving online you may also be able to benefit from special deals. Activities listed in this itinerary include an experienced tour guide, comfortable transport, and hotel pickup/drop-off.
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Mexico City, the City of the Gods, is the A-lister for any passionate traveler. Mexico reverberates with life, color, and adventure. Once you discover Mexico City, all other cities may seem dull in comparison.

Day 1
Mexico City and Xochimilco

Morning: Enjoy the many beautiful architectural monuments of the city, with elaborate style and design. Visit the national palace where you’ll see beautiful murals painted by the great muralist Diego Rivera, the Constitution Square (Central Plaza or "Zocalo") and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

In addition to the main avenues, visit Chapultepec Park, the most important residential zones of the city, and the Pink Zone (Zona Rosa).

Afternoon: Go south of the city, to see: the World Trade Center, the Siqueiros Cultural Polyforum, the monumental Mexico Bull Ring, and the Insurgentes Theater with its mosaic mural featuring Cantinflas, painted by Diego Rivera.

At the University City, visit the famous library decorated all over with the mosaic murals of Juan O´Gorman, the Olympic Stadium, and the residential area of Pedregal de San Angel, built on lava fields.

Proceed to the peaceful waters of the Xochimilco Canals, one of the last traces of the ancient Aztec Era and enjoy a relaxing trip on a traditional punt or pre-Hispanic boat.

Continue on to Coyoacan, an impressive colonial district, to walk down Francisco Sosa street lined with big, old, rambling houses of the 16th Century. At the main square, see the Church of Saint John the Baptist with its beautiful paintings and altarpieces and the mansion of the "Conquistador" Hernando Cortes.

If you have energy left for a lively dinner spiced up with a famous ballet folkloric show, go to La Fonda Del Recuerdo Restaurant, located in the beautiful Polanco zone in the north section of the city.


La Fonda Del Recuerdo Restaurant
Mexico City Tour and Xochimilco

Day 2
Puebla and Cholula

We recommend a day trip outside Mexico City. Start early at 9am and be back in the city at 7pm.

At Huejotzingo, visit the Convent of San Miguel and explore several cultural origins of the Mexican race: Spanish, Arab, and Native American. Next, visit the Cholula archaeological zone to visit the largest pyramid in the world.

The go to Puebla Colonial and the cosmopolitan city that preserves its traditional flavor in its food, art and culture while at the same time offering all the amenities of a modern city. As you walk these beautiful streets, you’ll be drawn to the splendid architecture of the city’s cathedral, houses, museums and cultural centers the majority of which are decorated with tiles and beautiful sculpted freestone. See also the city’s majestic Cathedral, Main Square, Chapel of the Rosary, Convent of Santa Monica, Onyx and Talavera ceramic factories.

Puebla and Cholula with Lunch

Day 3
Taxco and Cuernavaca

Set out early in the morning so you can be back in Mexico City by early evening.

Cuernavaca is the city of eternal springtime, so-called on account of its year-round warm climate. Visit one of the oldest Cathedrals on the American Continent before continuing on.

Next is the beautiful city of Taxco, known as the "Silver Capital of the World." Visit the famous parish church of Santa Prisca with its impressive Churrigueresque art style. Stroll down Taxco’s cobbled streets and admire the silver work of skilled craftsmen. Let the charm and magic of Taxco ink into you and discover a kind of romanticism that can only be found in Mexico’s “Magical Towns.”

Walk along narrow cobblestone streets, admire the Cathedral's beautiful architecture. Also visit various stores and markets, where precious silver items are sold at affordable prices. To thoroughly enjoy the city, check out one of the frequent cultural events held in the squares and theaters. As the day winds down, drop in at one of the bars near the main plaza to relax and admire the sunset.

Taxco and Cuernavaca with Lunch

The city now known as Mexico City was founded by the Mexica people, later known as the Aztecs, in 1325. The old Mexica city is now referred to as Tenochtitlan and was the most dominant city-state in Mesoamerica at the time until the Spaniards, led by Hernan Cortez, laid siege to the city.

The Spaniards took control of Tenochtitlan and renamed it Mexico as it is easier to pronounce. At present, the city of Mexico is the country's largest city as well as its most important political, cultural, educational and financial center.

Popular attractions that draw tourists into the city include Historic Center the "floating gardens" of Xochimilco, the Constitution Square or “Zocalo,” the Aztec Major Temple, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Other interesting sights that visitors should not miss are the Chapultepec Park, the National Museum of Anthropology (which houses the Aztec Calendar Stone) and the Fine Arts Palace.

Below is a suggested itinerary that City-Discovery.com recommends for first-time and seasoned travelers. The itinerary is good for three days which should give visitors a comprehensive tour of Mexico City and its neighboring cities.

Day 1
Mexico City and the Anthropological Museum

Enjoy the city’s beautiful buildings on your first day. Admire the elaborate style and design of the city’s architecture at the historic center. Visit the National Palace where you’ll see beautiful murals painted by the great muralist Diego Rivera, explore the Constitution Square (Central Plaza or "Zocalo") and see the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Next, you will stop at the Chapultepec park followed by a visit to the Anthropology Museum. The Anthropology Museum displays archaeological finds from extinct Indian cultures on the ground floor. The upper floor documents the lifestyle of contemporary Indian inhabitants of Mexico.

Enjoy excellent food and a 360-degree view of the city at the Bellini Restaurant , the only revolving restaurant in Mexico, located on the 45th floor of the World Trade Center. Then head out to the city’s "Plaza Garibaldi," a classic meeting place of the most famous Mexican Musicians, "The Mariachi’s" . Dance to the beat of live music and enjoy a live Mariachi variety show.

Mexico City Tour with Anthropology Museum
Garibaldi at Night with Dinner at Bellini
Garibaldi at Night
Mexico City Tour

Day 2
University City, Xochimilco and Coyoacan In a Day

Spend the second day  exploring the University city with its famous library decorated throughout with the mosaic murals of Juan O´Gorman. The tour also takes you to the Olympic Stadium and the residential area of Pedregal de San Angel, built on lava fields.

At the Xochimilco Canals, see the last traces of the Aztec Era through a relaxing, scenic journey to these ancient waters on a traditional punt or pre-Hispanic boat.

You will proceed to the impressive colonial district of Coyoacan after your visit in Xochimilco. Stroll along Francisco Sosa Street with its large, old, rambling houses of the 16th century and admire the mansion of the "Conquistador" Hernando Cortes and the Church of Saint John the Baptist with many beautiful paintings and altarpieces at main square.

Xochimilco - University City - Coyoacan

Day 3
The Virgin and the Pyramids

Your third day brings you to the shrine of of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most important pilgrimage sites among Catholics. The Our Lady of Guadalupe is considered the Patroness of the Americas. You will also visit the Plaza de las Tres Culturas.

The tour proceeds to the famous archaeological site of Teotihuacan where you can see the monumental Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalpapalotl and the Avenue of the Dead. See the  remnants of the Aztec civilization that reached remarkable architectural and artistic accomplishments during its heyday. See samples of fine pottery from Teotihuacan which are found today in exhibitions around the world.

Guadalupe Shrine and Teotihuacan Pyramids