After my first month bouncing around Mexico, I decided to spend a couple of weeks taking in one of the world’s biggest urban jungles–Mexico City, home to 23 million people. Fun fact: locals just call it ‘Mexico’ or ‘CDMX’ (Ciudad de México), keeping it simple.
As a long-term traveler, I decided to take things slowly while I was here, giving myself a few days to settle in and not becoming preoccupied with seeing everything. I’ve realized this approach is necessary, as the goal to see and do everything is a surefire recipe for burnout. This city is so big that I was really only able to scratch the surface during my stay.
Mexico City has many different zones, each feels like their own world. From the more developed ‘hipster’ zones like Roma and Condesa to the historic centre to the off-the-beaten-path spots, there’s a lot to explore.
I was pleasantly surprised by how clean and orderly life appeared in Mexico City. Compared to my chaotic (and transformative) experience in Delhi last year, Mexico City felt calm and quiet in comparison. Honking was rare, and I was never approached by pushy vendors. It’s easy to see why Mexico City is becoming a popular destination for remote workers, though this trend does come with its own set of unintended consequences.
So, get ready I’m about to take you on my whirlwind tour of my Mexico City adventures. From ancient pyramids to zombie parades, we’ve got a lot to cover. Ready to dive in?
Reflections From a Backpack
After more than a month on the road, the reality of my “new normal” has begun to settle in. I’m enjoying the luxuries that come with it like waking up naturally each morning, and bidding farewell to the Sunday Scaries. However, a sense of responsibility has crept in–this isn’t an endless vacation, but a pivotal time in my life to reflect, listen, learn, and experience.
One of the challenges I’ve faced on the road has been finding structure amidst the unpredictability of travel. I mentioned this in my last update and it remains an ongoing hurdle. There are no set rules for this journey, and I’m only accountable to myself. There’s no office to report to, no defined work hours. No one dictates when I should stay out late, what I should try, or how much time I should dedicate to planning or writing. I’ve come to realize that this is an invitation to explore my true desires and to regularly check in with myself. It’s a chance to try new things, embrace the possibility of making mistakes, and learn from them.
Discovering New Places
Mexico City – Historic Center, Roma, and Condesa
The centre of Mexico City is a hotspot for tourism, culture, and activity. There are more museums than one can possibly see in a single visit, endless food options, and events every night. All of these zones are as safe as any city I’ve been in and everything I wanted to see was in walking distance.
The Centro Histórico boasts museums and historical sites. In its centre is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, the largest cathedral in the Americas, built over Aztec sites. Next to it is Templo Mayor, the remains of the Aztecs temple built in several stages over the centuries. I also got a chance to see a zombie parade and to visit the Museum of Memory and Tolerance which focuses on the world’s genocides. There’s not much happening at night, but a close move over to the Roma district changed that.
I spend the majority of my stay near the Roma and Condesa zones which are known as the ‘hipster’ part of CDMX. Here, I took in the night life at some clubs, tried a salsa lesson (learning I have two left feet), and got a few morning runs in to see the area. Some of these runs took me to Bosque Chapultepec, a green space twice the size of Central Park.
Teotihuican
Teotihuacan is just an hour’s drive from Mexico City and has one of the world’s larges pyramids–the Pyramid of the Sun. Around 2,000 years ago, an estimated 100,000 people lived here, making it the world’s largest city at the time. During its prime, it served as Mesoamerica’s center for culture, religion, and trade. It’s awe-inspiring to see these ancient structures still standing, and I often find myself imagining life during that time.
I splurged on a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the site and can definitely say it was worth it. A 4 AM wake-up call and van ride brought our group to a field dotted with hot air balloons ready for takeoff. While less adrenaline-pumping than I’d anticipated, the views were nothing short of breathtaking. Our balloon drifted directly over the Pyramid of the Sun before touching down in a brambly field near a neighboring town.
Mexico City – Tepito
Tepito, an infamous neighborhood just north of the Centro Histórico, is known for its black markets, high crime rate, and cultural resilience. It’s relatively safe to walk during a Sunday market as long as the proper precautions are taken. During one of these days, I wandered through the streets of Tepito, leaving my wallet at home and refraining from pulling my phone out to avoid drawing attention. The afternoon market was a sensory overload—outdoor dance clubs competed to play the loudest music, and stalls offering everything from prescription medication to counterfeit DVDs and other oddities.
The Face of Travel
Two weeks in Mexico city, and I have met more amazing people than I can list. Here are just a few.
Marysa
While faces can come and go in hostel life, some stick around. Marysa and I bonded over engineering, career transitions, plant-based diets, and a love for fitness. She also left an engineering career to pursue a path towards sustainability. We synced up for a couple of days, sharing museum fatigue, grabbing food, and going a run though some parks.
Cynthia and Victor
Cynthia and Victor are are members of an organization called Servas International. Servas is a global non-profit that looks to connect travellers with local hosts for peace, understanding, and understanding through cultural exchange. I met Cynthia and Victor in their area of Coyacán where they took me to an exhibition on Nuclear Amnesia, bought me lunch, and showed me a few other spots. They helped me with my Spanish as we talked throughout the afternoon. I can’t emphasize enough the generosity I’ve met from people as I’ve travelled.
Erandi
Erandi, another Mexico City local, has a heart of gold. We first connected over drinks and later hit a club with my hostel group. Afterward, she generously offered to show me her neighbourhood, Tacubaya. Stepping away from tourist hotspots, I was shown the ‘regular life’ of a Mexico City resident. Erandi showed me where she grew up, pointing out the local pool hall and a sprawling market that sold everything from fresh produce to home hardware—and even housed a school for the vendors’ children. We wrapped things up with a visit to her home, where I had the pleasure of meeting some of her family members and rescued cats.
One Interesting Story…
The transit in Mexico City reminded me that I was in one of the world’s largest cities. Determined to save a few dollars and travel like a local, I tried to make as much use of public transit as I could while I was in the city. The busses and metro fill up fast during peak hours which meant being crammed into a metal structure for uncomfortably long periods.
On the metro from a museum, I managed to squeeze my way onto one of the cars. I had to use the roof to brace myself from the unpredictable stops. I questioned the last time the roof was cleaned and I noticed I could smell the breath of a man next to me. I realized that what was a novelty for me was a reality for many thousands here and millions around the world. For many, sandwiched between 10+ hour workdays, this claustrophobic commute is a twice-daily ordeal.
What I’ve Been Eating
Vegan Tacos Trying to stay on a ‘flexitarian’ diet, I found a few vegan places including one ‘takeshi’ (taco sushi) taco |
More Tacos! Though food options were plentiful, a cheap and delicious street taco down the road was always an easy choice. |
Tamales Tamales are everywhere, But the ones next door to my hostel looked like they came out of a michelin star restaurant |
Final Thoughts
Continuing the first leg of my journey, I can’t help but feel that Mexico has become one of my favourite countries to backpack through. The food is nothing short of spectacular, the people are incredibly welcoming, and the country comes to life with it’s vibrant culture. Most people I’ve met are proud to call Mexico their home as they are happy to share their country’s gifts with me.
That being said, I always try to keep a balanced perspective. even if I don’t see the problems of crime, corruption, or poverty first-hand, it’s still a reality I remind myself of to avoid viewing my experiences through rose-colored glasses This is important for me as I seek to learn about the world with all of its beauty, complexity, and nuance. I’ve found that engaging with locals, and taking time to learn about the history of the country I’m in helps me to do this.
I’m spending my final days in Mexico in the beautiful region of Oaxaca, where I’m lucky enough to experience Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). It’s been a fitting end to my time in this diverse and fascinating country.
My next stop is Panama, where I’ll be spending a month volunteering with a non-profit called Geoversity. This organization focuses on education, conservation, and sustainability in the rainforest, which aligns perfectly with my desire to contribute meaningfully during my travels.
As I reflect on these past weeks and look forward to what’s next, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences I’ve had and excitement for what’s to come. Whether you’re planning your own adventure or simply curious about life on the road, I hope these stories inspire you to embrace new experiences and find wonder in the everyday.
“Wanderer, there is no path; the path is made by walking.” – Antonio Machado
With love,
Adam