13 Best Tours In Mexico City: We Did Them All!
There’s no shortage of tours in Mexico City. Whether you’re after a deep dive into the capital’s markets or an unforgettable balloon ride above one of the world’s largest ancient pyramids, there’s an unforgettable, informative experience waiting to be discovered.
To help you narrow down your options, we’ve picked 13 of our favourites from the many we’ve tried first-hand. As well as outlining the general itinerary, we’ve also included a few personal thoughts and tips to enable you to pick the perfect tours to suit your tastes.
Some of the options we’ve listed here take a closer look at popular neighbourhoods and foodie areas that you’ll already have read about during your holiday prep. Others are more unusual treks into the lesser-visited underbelly of the city.
All of them will give you a greater understanding of CDMX’s past and present.
⚠️ 10 Survival Tips For Your Trip To Mexico City. We live here and know both the amazing and the ugly sides of the city. ➡️ ➡️ Get your FREE Guide here.x
TOP 3 TOURS IN MEXICO CITY – Our Favs! ❤️
On this tour, you’ll get to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, the gorgeous neighbourhood of Coyoacan, and it includes a boat ride through Xochimilco. What a combo!
Are you a big foodie like us? A food tour is the best introduction to the local cuisine. We did a couple of foodie tours, but the one we share here was by far the best! ⬇️ ⬇️
If you’re looking for a fun, evening activity to experience how the locals spend their weekends, join a lucha libre tour! We had so much fun that night!
#1 Food Tour In Roma Norte – Best For Culinary Exploration.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: Every trip to Mexico City needs to include at least one tasting tour, and this is the one we liked the most. Over the course of about 4 hours, you get to sample a broad mix of dishes and quite a few drinks in CDMX’s most foodie neighbourhood.
OUR EXPERIENCE: We’ve done a few other food tours in Mexico City, including one that covers Polanco and one around downtown. The Roma Norte one was easily the best.
First off, we got a lot more food with this tour, from fish tacos to Oaxacan delicacies, complemented by coffee, cocktails, and mezcal. Although it’s not a vegan tour, there were lots of vegan options.
All the places we ate came with personal stories about the owner and the origins of the food that contributed to a delicious smorgasbord of an experience.
As a bonus, the guide was super knowledgeable about the architecture and history of Roma Norte, stopping between the various stops to dish out nuggets about the colonia.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: The tour starts at Guanajuato 53, on the eastern side of Roma Norte, and crisscrosses the district, ending up at Café Barajas.
Along the way, you’ll stop off on Roma Norte’s most happening street, Alvaro Obregon, as well as drop in on a couple of local plazas that burst with life.
#2 Teotihuacan Pyramids – Once In A Lifetime Mexico City Tours.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: Flying over the Mesoamerican pyramids of Teotihuacan should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s one of the most incredible adventures in all of Mexico.
OUR EXPERIENCE: Mexico sightseeing tours don’t come more special than this, floating above the spectacular pre-Hispanic city with its impressively preserved pyramids. Although it’s quite pricey, we thought it was worth every penny!
Bring a warm jacket or sweater, as it does get cold up in the sky, regardless of the temperature on the ground.
We picked the option with free time in the archaeological zone after the flight and breakfast, which is what we recommend you do, too. That way, you can explore the enormous Pyramid of the Sun from the earth as well as the heavens.
This tour takes the whole day, so don’t plan on doing anything else!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: The organisers pick up from several hotels in the city centre, before driving you in an air-conditioned bus to the take-off point.
The hot air balloon ride over the ruins lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on wind conditions.
After the flight, there’s a celebratory toast, followed by a breakfast that’s served up to the sounds of a live mariachi band.
One of the more customisable Mexico City tours packages, the itinerary can be adjusted so you can decide whether to go back with the group right after breakfast or spend a little longer exploring the area on foot.
#3 Frida Kahlo + Coyoacan + Xochimilco – Excellent Combo Of South CDMX Sites.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: This is one of the best guided tours Mexico City has to offer if you want to explore outside CDMX centre. Coyoacan is a lovely, creative neighbourhood where you can visit Frida Kahlo’s house (now a museum), while the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco are a uniquely playful World Heritage Site.
OUR EXPERIENCE: Mal is a big fan of Frida Kahlo, so it was a big thing for her to finally get to see the legendary artist’s studio and house. Visiting the museum on one of the tours of Mexico City meant we got some added colour from the guide that would have been missing on a solo trip.
We’d been to Xochimilco once before on our own, but it was definitely better with a tour. Riding the trajinera (a flat-bottomed boat) is all about the social party vibe, so ideally you want to go with a group. Plus, negotiating a boat ride when yourself is a hassle – leave it to the pros!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: One of the longer tours in Mexico City, expect quite a bit of travelling as part of the 10-hour excursion.
The itinerary covers not just the beating heart of Coyoacan, where the Frida Kahlo Museum is located, but also University City, with its famous murals and architecture.
Xochimilco is even further out of town, but it is something to try at least once. Food and drink on the trajinera are purchased separately.
#4 Mexico City Bike Tour – Best For Getting Your Bearings.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: This tour is a super way to get a big-picture overview of CDMX, so do it on your first day. You can then return to the places you want to explore in greater detail at a later date.
OUR EXPERIENCE: One of the top reasons to invest in tours and sightseeing in Mexico City is to get that extra insight from a local person that you’d otherwise miss.
Even though we signed up to this experience after a few months of living in CDMX, the guide still managed to surprise us with a couple of places that we hadn’t been to yet.
One of the best Mexico City small group tours we’ve been on, it was just us and another couple, which meant the guide was able to accommodate special requests for stops. (Technically, the max number of people is 9).
The e-bikes were very easy to ride, but Reforma can be quite busy. If possible, plan to go on a Sunday, when the avenue is closed to cars.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: Among the best Mexico City architecture tours, the guide will take you past some of the most iconic structures in the capital over the course of four hours.
Starting at the intersection of Zacatecas and Cuauhtemoc, the tour winds its way through Roma Norte and Juarez, before heading down CDMX’s main avenue, Reforma. Along this road, you’ll stop at the Monument to the Revolution, the Palacio de Bellas Artes, and the Historic Centre.
From here, you’ll turn back along Reforma to the Angel de la Independencia statue and Chapultepec Park, swinging through upmarket Polanco and our home neighbourhood, Condesa, before ending back at the start point.
#5 Historical Tour Of Mexico City – One Of The Best Guided Tours Of Mexico City For Architecture Buffs.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: Another of the best architecture tours Mexico City has to offer, this 2-hour walking tour takes you on a deep dive into the history of downtown CMDX and the stories behind the buildings.
OUR EXPERIENCE: We took this tour during an event that was happening in the Zocalo, so it was a little hectic and crowded – even more so than usual for the Historic Centre!
Although we personally preferred the e-bike tour (described above), we’d still recommend this as one of the best private tours of Mexico City for people who like detail and personalised service.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: This is among the most comprehensive tours in Mexico City of the downtown area.
Beginning in front of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the guide will next walk you to the Torre Latinoamericana, formerly Mexico’s tallest building, which has miraculously survived no less than three major earthquakes.
From there, you’ll stroll past the lavishly decorated Palacio Postal, the neoclassical Palacio de Mineria, and the Casa de los Azulejos with its elaborately tiled facade.
The last stop is the Zocalo, where you’ll see the Aztecan Templo Mayor and the enormous Metropolitan Cathedral.
#6 Lucha Libre – Best Cultural Experience.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: Lucha Libre can seem like a bit of a mystery to non-Mexicans, which is why this is one of the most essential guided tours of Mexico City. It provides a fascinating glimpse into one of the nation’s most beloved entertainments.
As a bonus, you’ll get to experience the nightlife scene of Doctores like a local.
OUR EXPERIENCE: Few tours CDMX has to offer come with dinner and a show!
We loved going out in Doctores, which is a super authentic part of town filled with cantinas and taquerias. As part of the package, we went to a couple of neighbourhood joints for pre-show mezcal cocktails and tacos, which helped get us in the mood for the big event.
While really engaging, the experience was also exhausting. We’d suggest having a relaxing afternoon beforehand so you’re full of beans for the wrestling pageantry. Bring cash for snacks and beers to keep your energy up during the show.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: Lasting about three hours, the itinerary visits a cantina and a taqueria, before ending up at the wrestling arena.
We went on the tour that takes you to the Arena Mexico in Doctores, but there’s an alternative option that goes to the Arena Coliseo in the Centro Historico.
#7 Taco Tour – One Of The Best Tours Of Mexico City For Foodies.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: Tacos are delicious, what other reason do you need?! This evening tour will take you to some great non-touristy street food spots in the city, which you can return to for seconds and even thirds during your holiday.
OUR EXPERIENCE: This might not be our absolute favourite, but it’s definitely up there with the best tours in Mexico City. We enjoyed all the taco joints and their different specialities.
The gourmet excursion takes place around Roma, so we were also able to discover new cool areas to hangout in CDMX’s most food-centric colonia.
Perhaps the only downside is that it doesn’t cater for vegans, though most places have veggie options.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: This is one of the best Mexico City tours for trying two Mexican signatures: tacos and mezcal. The three-hour route winds its way through Roma, starting off at Casa Franca and ending at La Nacional on Orizaba.
#8 Cooking Class – Our Favourite Food Tour.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: No other city tour Mexico City has to offer teaches and feeds you so well. It’s a first-class adventure into traditional ingredients and how to turn them into exquisite home-cooked meals.
OUR EXPERIENCE: This was our favourite food experience in CDMX by far! The chef who looked after us was super fun and knowledgeable, but it was learning alongside other enthusiastic guests that really elevated it. A private lesson would just not have been as fun.
Another thing that really sold this to us as one of the best tours Mexico City provides is that it includes the opportunity to sample unusual eats at the local market. We tried 9 different insects in total!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: The 4.5-hour itinerary is essentially divided into two parts. The main experience is the cooking class itself, which takes place at Aura Cocina Mexicana. This includes a welcome agua fresca and a glass of mezcal, beer or wine, as well as the four-course menu you’ll learn to cook.
Although the market visit is advertised as a secondary aspect, it’s part of what makes this tour so good. The chef will walk you to Mercado Medellin for some background info and tastings at a few stands.
#9 Cable Car Tour – Top Tours CDMX For Adventurous Travellers.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: Take the road less travelled with one of the most intrepid tours around Mexico City, visiting what is arguably CDMX’s most dangerous district, Iztapalapa.
OUR EXPERIENCE: We are big fans of exploring non-touristy neighbourhoods, and this is one of the tours in Mexico City that did exactly that.
‘Wow’ is the only way to describe the views from the Cablebus. Even compared to the many rooftop bars we’ve visited downtown, this is something special.
Although Iztapalapa is not very safe in general, we didn’t feel at risk accompanied by a local guide. Just bear in mind that it is far from the centre, so there is some long travel on the metro involved.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: Starting at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the guide will escort you via the metro to the Iztapalapa district. Here, you’ll get a flavour of the neighbourhood’s vibe, visiting a cultural centre and a local market.
The highlight is the journey on the Cablebus, which trundles up above the district for incredible views of the urban sprawl.
To finish, you’ll return to the Palacio de Bellas Artes for a debrief and a drink at the Pulquería Vacas Verdes Bellas Artes.
#10 Market Tour – One Of The Most Eye-Opening Mexico City Market Tours.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: A trip to La Merced lets you experience the wilder side of CDMX, complete with hectic streets, authentic food, and prowling prostitutes.
OUR EXPERIENCE: Visiting La Merced was a true eye-opener. Away from the sanitised neighbourhoods of Condesa and Roma Norte, this part of town is crowded and exciting.
Despite having been on many Mexico City market tours, it was only in La Merced that we enjoyed our first Michelada (a bit like a bloody Mary made with beer) – and we’re now hooked!
We also had amazing tacos from a local, non-touristy taqueria.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: Starting at the Hotel Castropol, this 4-hour tour takes in several different markets, including La Merced with its myriad stalls selling all kinds of everyday goods and Abelardo L. Rodríguez, which boasts numerous murals.
Perhaps the most interesting (and also shocking) part of the excursion is Sonora Market, where items used for witchcraft are sold. There’s also supposedly a robust trade in illegal animals, including tigers, though we didn’t see any personally.
#11 Non-touristy Neighborhood Tour – Best For Underexplored CDMX.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: Never heard of Santa Maria la Ribera? That’s no surprise. Even though it’s not an area that features on the traditional tourist trail, there’s plenty to explore for people looking to eat off the beaten track.
OUR EXPERIENCE: With most Mexico City sightseeing tours, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Not in this case.
Santa Maria la Ribera was unknown territory for us, but we were pleasantly surprised by how well organised and interesting the whole experience was. Best of all, there was a ton of food!
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: One of the most diverse food tours in Mexico City, this one takes you on an afternoon jaunt to a tamale maker, a traditional market, a cookery school, and a pulqueria, as well as local landmarks.
Along the way, the guide will explain the history of the area, which begins in the 1860s and has gone through seismic revolutions over the ensuing decades.
#12 Tepito Tour – One Of The Best Mexico City Tours By Locals.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: Known as the Barrio Bravo (‘Fierce Neighbourhood’), Tepito makes for one of the most stimulating city tours in Mexico City
OUR EXPERIENCE: Easily among the best reality-check sightseeing tours Mexico City has to offer, we’re glad we made the excursion to Tepito, even if we left rather stunned by what we saw and heard.
This is a place where poverty and gangsters both run riot, but in spite of that the residents were amazingly friendly. Our host even took us to his home as part of the trip.
Just like Iztapalapa, Tepito is a big no for tourists, but we felt safe with our local guide.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: Certainly one of the most unusual Mexico City guided tours, the itinerary takes in such eclectic sights as a sprawling market, a well-known local sport centre, a gorgeous old church from the 1700s, and an altar to the cult of Santa Muerte.
Those are only the landmarks, however, in what is really a tour designed to pull back the curtain on how Tepitenos live.
As part of the experience, you’ll get to try micheladas along with a few snacks.
#13 Mural Tour – Best For Art Lovers.
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR: Explore Mexico City’s amazing collection of murals, including works by the great Diego Rivera, as well as José Clemente Orozco and David Siqueiros.
OUR EXPERIENCE: We were the only people on the tour and took full advantage, asking questions and getting the most out of our personalised time.
Murals play a big role in Mexican culture, but without context it’s easy to miss out on the complex symbolism and historical references at play. Our guide was amazing at taking us through how the nation’s turbulent past informed the works of art.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
ITINERARY: One of the best tours in Mexico City for art lovers, the itinerary includes exemplary examples of the nation’s mural culture, including the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso and the Museo Mural Diego Rivera.
The highlight of the trip is a visit inside the Palacio de Bellas Artes, where the guide will take you round 17 different murals inside one of CDMX’s most stunning buildings.
Best Tours In Mexico City: Wrap-Up
Even though we’ve been living in CDMX part-time for a few years now, we’re still discovering new things by taking tours in Mexico City. From foodie excursions to adventures that explore the darker side of the capital, there’s never a shortage of new experiences to be had.
MORE CDMX TRAVEL GUIDES
