When your daughter tells you she’s headed for a solo trip to Mexico City, which was recently listed as on of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the world in Forbes , you worry a little. But the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and she has her mother’s planning skills and in the end she planned a safe and exciting itinerary for herself to take a break from the New England weather and practice her Spanish. She also is a chip off the block with her photography, like her dad, and shared some great photos of her February adventure. See our interview with E. and get some great suggestions for touring Mexico City and tips for solo travel anywhere!
GSIT: How did you decide on this destination? Why did you want to go?
I’ve been practicing my Spanish for several years, and taking lessons with a native Chilean speaker online. Although I went to Chile with my parents last year, I realized a solo trip to a South or Latin American city would force me to use more of my Spanish. Mexico City had a lot of interesting attractions and the weather was comfortable and much warmer than where I live in February. Mexico’s affordability fit my budget.
Avenida Paseo de la Reforma was opened as a pedestrian and bikeway on Sundays, a safe spot to get my run in!
GSIT: How did you plan your trip? Did you use a travel agent or tour?
I chose Mexico City after my mom’s local travel agent recommended it for a mother daughter birthday trip for my sister, the ideas of things to see and do seemed interesting, but I didn’t have the budget to book a high end bespoke trip, so I started doing my own research on Moon Guide to Mexico City and by staying in a shingle room with a private bath in a hostel rather than a hotel, and by joining local group tours rather than hiring a private guide, I could keep my trip affordable!.
A Group Tour in the Floating Markets
GSIT: Any tips for solo women?
I did research to determine the safer neighborhoods on reddit and other user forums
I stayed at a hostel in a private room is usually cheaper than a hotel, but much safer than a shared room. Additionally, there’s the possibility of connecting with other solo women or small groups for dinners or evenings out at nightclubs or shows. That’s safer than wandering the city alone at night.
Centro neighborhood with all of the major sites, was safe during the day, at night take precautions, other neighborhoods to stay are the Roma neighborhood, which gave hipster vibes, Cundessa, which was leafier and more upscale, and Polanco neighborhood with upscale hotels and prices to match and the Coyoacan, a Colonial and bohemian neighborhood a bit further from town,
I often ate street food where I saw they were doing good business with the locals, so I didn’t have to eat alone in a restaurant and I knew the food would turn over quickly and be safe to eat.
I took group tours for many of my nighttime activities, such as a Mexican Wrestling show and a pub crawl. It was safer to be with a group and guide than try these activities alone.
I took precautions to carry my valuables in a money belt, didn’t wear expensive clothes or jewelry, and used dedicated “women only” cars on the public transit.
I kept my phone tucked away and stepped into the store or cafe if I needed to check directions rather than be distracted on the street.
I identified someone at home to have my location via my phone, and I checked in when i was safely back at my room each night.
The Roma Norte neighborhood
GSIT: What did you do while you were on this trip?
Museums
Detail of a Frida Khalo work at the Museo de Arte Moderno; It’s important to know that to see significant works of Khalo, Rivera and other Mexican Modernists, the M de AM is the place to go…the homes of Khalo and Rivera feature their personal effects and studios, but not much of their own work.
Centro- Historic Center
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Palacio postal
Museo Nacional de Arte
(the three above are all “palace” style museums built during the ruling of Porfirio Diaz)
Murales de la Secretaría de Educación Pública (one of the few museums open Mondays, courtyards full of murals)
Bosque de Chapultepec
Museo Nacional de Antropología (famous Aztec and Mayan ruins including the “Aztec calendar”
Museo de Arte Moderno (the only place to see a Frida khalo self portrait)
Castillo de Chapultepec
Other (Outside the city center)
Museo Frida Khalo (Casa Azul) Frida’s life and personal effects in her old home- must book in advance at least 2 weeks out
Frida Khalo’s Studio
Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo (Frida and Diego’s other house built by famous architect, the main draw here is the unique mid century building not the exhibits)
Tours
Xochimilco Boat Tour on the canals in Mexico City
Luche Libre Mexican Wrestling Tour
Xochimilco Boat Tour on the canals in Mexico City
Archeology and History
The reconstructed Pyramids and temples of Teotihuacan (and below)
Teotihuacán- reconstructed pyramids/temples and city from 600 AD or so- book a guide with transit as this is located outside of city limits, earlier is better for good lights and pictures, sunrise hot air balloon tours are available and popular although as a solo traveler I did not go this route
Mexico City has a rich history, visible to all who seek it! The Temple Mayor in the foreground, Colonial Mexico in the middle and modern Cuidad de Mexico in the background.
Templo Mayor- ruins of the famous Aztec pyramid destroyed during Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlán (now CDMX) and an associated museum found in the center of CDMX
Museo Nacional de Antropología
See notes in Museums above for more info on this Central City museum of artifacts from ruins all over Mexico.
Food
Churreria el Moro: has several locattions for chrurros
Terraza Catedral: Sweeping views of the city from the rooftop (no cover on Thursdays, when they have live jazz, DJ on the weekends) and it didn’t feel like a tourist trap.
I also looked for vendores or small shops with a line and had no problems despite my sensitive stomach! And most foods were not that spicy unless you add the various salsa offered.
Carving meat for tacos
GSIT: What surprised you about this place? Is there a "don't miss it" attraction?
The weather in Mexico City was cooler at night than I expected. I found it really easy to get around using Uber and public transit, although knowing Spanish did help!
The Castillo de Chapultepec was a don’t miss attraction, and going early allowed me to get good photos.
Having the Castillo de Chapultepec to myself for quiet contemplation and tourist free photos!
GSIT: What tips would you give for someone who wants to visit? Anything special you should pack?
Pack layers for mid 70’s during the day to 50’s at night. Mexico uses the same power outlets, so you won’t need an adaptor.
Try to get Mexican Pesos in smaller denominations of 200 peso or less before you leave, the ATMs dispense 500 peso bills, which are too big to break at local shops and vendors. Larger purchases at shops and restaurants are easily made with a credit card.
GSIT: Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about your trip?
I was fortunate to have terrific local guides, and I felt very safe at all times, and I could have spent more than a week visiting!
Thanks, E, for sharing your solo journey to Cuidad de Mexico with GoSeeIt Travel…I’m proud to see another generation of my own family venturing out into the world and sharing those adventures with others! She reminds us all that travel is accessible at all budget levels and for any traveler that has the wanderlust!
