It is definitely worth it (I’d even dare say it’s necessary) to spend more than a week in Mexico, but when you don’t have much time, how should you plan your days?
First, you’ll have to ask yourself what you want out of your vacation. There are so many different things to do here: lazy beach getaways; exploration of historical sites, large cities and small quaint towns with very rich cultures; or an escape in spectacular nature from waterfront to mountain tops.
For me it was a lot easier. My location was already set. You see, I had a wedding in the capital. So I built my itinerary around that.
Now without further ado:
One week in Mexico
Day 1-3: Mexico City (CDMX)
Why?
Well, obviously for me, the wedding.
But then we also spent 3 more days here.
For one, there are tons of museums ranging from Modern Art to Anthropology (P.S. some of these are worth visiting even if just for their architecture). And when I say “tons,” I’m really not exaggerating. With over 150 institutions, you’d have enough museums to fill up a whole month’s worth of plans and probably still have some left over.
Another favorite of mine: let’s talk food! Delicious meals from hole-in-the-walls and street stalls to super affordable fancy restaurants. You can also find classes to learn how to make your favorite dishes from local businesses so you can take a piece of Mexico with you (and some bragging rights for your peeps back home!).
Finally, architecture. It ranges from colonial to modern and contemporary . CDMX is a huge city you’ll love to get lost in.
Some of my personal favorite spots:
- Soumaya Museum and the nearby Polanco area for delicious food
- Castillo de Chapultepec – art, history, architecture, and views (oh and some good exercise–getting up that hill ain’t no joke) Pair it off with a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology
- A visit to the center where you will find the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Cathedral and the Zocalo, and the National Palace.
Day 4: Santiago de Queretaro and San Miguel de Allende
We rented a car and started heading out to San Miguel de Allende but first:
A quick stop at Santiago de Queretaro (around 217km, a little under 3hrs, from CDMX)
*Recommendation: leave before traffic starts, ideally before 8am, it can get a little crazy getting out of the capital.
Why?
- More art! There is a wonderful art scene in Queretaro. You will be able to find museums, galleries and a personal favorite: street art.
- History! The center of the town is very well kept. Tons of beautiful churches and an urban plan that mixes the old and not so old.
- Oh and it boasts the title of safest city in the country.
Then we were off to San Miguel de Allende (around 64.6km, about 1hr)
We spent the rest of the day exploring the town and spent the night here.
The town is one of the prettiest I’ve ever visited. The colonial architecture is well preserved, the house are painted in lively colors and it seems flowers bloom everywhere you look. There are so many picture ops, you must walk around and get lost in its streets.
It is a very popular destination so there are many options for accommodations.
I highly recommend you seek out a restaurant or bar on a rooftop to catch the sunset. No sweat though, there are plenty!
The cathedral is probably the most emblematic building in the city, and there’s no way you will miss it, but it nevertheless needs to be mentioned. Tip: make sure to bring something to throw over yourself to enter if your shoulders are uncovered.
Day 5: Guanajuato (77 km, around 1hr30)
After spending the night in San Miguel de Allende, we got back in the car and made our way to Guanajuato.
Another beautiful town that felt less touristy. Despite its UNESCO status, it is a little overshadowed by its neighbor (San Miguel de Allende). Don’t ask me why.
The houses are colorful, the food delicious, the atmosphere quite lively.
Make sure to go up to the hill, either walking or on the funicular, because the views are well worth it. Tip: try to time it for sunset, you’ll be well rewarded (there is even a bar at the top for a sundowner).
Here we spent the night, and a lazy morning before hitting the road again.
Day 6 Quick stop: Morelia on the way back (175km, about 2hrs)
Another UNESCO heritage site. And no, it is not just a title, at least not an undeserved one.
The colonial architecture in the center is very well preserved. Outside of Mexico, it is less known than our other stops, so there are even fewer international tourists.
But don’t worry, the city is definitely ready for your visit with plenty of accommodations, restaurants and activities.
This is the end of our tour! After walking until our feet hurt, we got back in the car and headed for CDMX (308km, around 3hrs30).
My final tip: make sure to plan so you don’t hit the road at night, it can be dangerous. You should also plan to arrive in the city before peak hours (aka after 5:30pm), because like I said before, traffic is insane in the capital.
