Mexico City is just the place to get a glimpse of Mexico’s heritage and culture. It’s the heart of the country – geographically and culturally – and it boasts everything from colonial buildings to pre-Columbian ruins, amazing gastronomy, and traditions.
There’s no better way to experience the local lifestyle and learn about its interesting history than by wandering around CDMX and visiting the main attractions with a knowledgeable guide.
You’ll be immersed in the culture of its citizens, discover how history shaped the city, and learn fascinating facts about it. All of which you wouldn’t be able to access if you set out to explore on your own!
To help you find an epic excursion around the city, I’ve compiled this comprehensive article about the best Mexico City tours. From exploring local gems to sampling mouth-watering food, these experiences will take your Mexico City itinerary to the next level!
Why should you trust my selections? I’ve been in the travel industry for a decade, and have vast experience curating travel guides and tours all over the world. I know exactly what to look for in excursions to make sure they’re high-quality and worth your while, and those are the only ones you’ll find here.
Besides, I spent 6 months traveling around Mexico and I’m very familiar with its major sites and attractions, so you can trust my suggestions as if they came directly from a local. You won’t be disappointed.
I personally use Viator to book tours around the world. I especially recommend the platform for its great cancellation policy. If your plans change, you can cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
Limited time? These are the best tours:
| MEXICO CITY TOUR | Historic Downtown Walking Tour |
| PRIVATE TOUR | Mexico City Custom Private Tour |
| FOOD TOUR | Polanco Food Tour in Mexico City |
| LUCHA LIBRE EXPERIENCE | Lucha Libre Experience in Mexico City |
| DAY TRIP TO PUEBLA | Puebla, Cholula & Tonantzintla Day Trip |
The BEST Mexico City Tours for First Timers
▶️ Check out the Historic Downtown Walking Tour to discover the best attractions in the city on foot. Led by a guide, you’ll visit some of the most historically important sites of downtown Mexico City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These include the Zocalo, Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts), and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Learn about their context and history, and get insider tips on other attractions to enjoy during your visit.
You can choose between an English or Spanish tour (in case you feel like practicing your Spanish!) and the tour is capped at 15 people to be a personalized experience for everyone.
This tour includes: A guide, and a 3-hour walking tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Mexico City E-Bike Tour with a Taco and Churros Stop is a fabulous alternative. Accompanied by a friendly guide, you’ll explore the trendy neighborhoods of Condesa and Roma on an e-bike – no exercise required!
See the most iconic attractions and monuments of the historic center, and ride by Bosque de Chapultepec. All along, you’ll be learning about the history and architecture of the sites. Cap off the tour with a delicious tasting of tacos and churros.
This tour includes: A guide, bike rental, bottled water, churros, and tacos. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Xochimilco, Coyoacán & Frida Kahlo Museum Optional Visit is one of the best tours of Mexico City. In one full day, you’ll get to explore many of its top attractions with a professional guide.
Discover the district of Coyoacan, one of the oldest ones in the city, and wander along its cobblestone streets, learning about its history.
One of the area’s main attractions is Casa Azul (Blue House), Frida Kahlo’s former house. It’s now a museum about her life and work, and you’ll get to visit it.
Finally, check out the UNESCO-listed Xochimilco canals. There you’ll embark on a scenic cruise along the iconic waterway, riding a trajinera.
This tour includes: Transfers from a meeting point, a guide, a boat ride, and museum tickets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Teotihuacan Tours & Hot Balloon Flight
▶️ If you want a scenic way to experience the ancient pyramids, get the Hot Air Balloon Flight over Teotihuacan, from Mexico City. It offers a 30 to 50-minute ride over the ruins and the landscapes of Teotihuacan Valley.
You’ll take in a whole new perspective of the massive site, especially if you’ve already visited it on land. Then, enjoy a scrumptious breakfast, an honor toast, and a diploma to remember your experience.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transfers, hot-air balloon ride, breakfast, a coffee break, and a flight certificate. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, Tlatelolco & Tequila Tasting is a full-day trip. Departing from Mexico City, you’ll get to visit three emblematic locations with great historical value.
Pay a visit to Tlatelolco, the largest archaeological site in the city. You’ll enjoy a guided tour around its ruins, discovering the role it played in the Aztec empire. Then, continue to the Guadalupe Shrine, Mexico’s most important religious building.
Enjoy a Mezcal, Tequila, and Pulque tasting at Tlacaelel, and make your way to Teotihuacan. Known as the City of the Gods, you’ll get to explore it with a professional guide.
This tour includes: Transfers from a meeting point, a guide, entrance to Teotihuacan and Guadalupe Shrine, and a tequila tasting. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Teotihuacan Private Tour from Mexico City is ideal for groups of up to 13. You’ll be picked up at your hotel, and driven to the spectacular site with a private tour guide.
Arrive early to avoid the crowds, and explore the ancient ruins as you learn everything about their history and incredible designs. Listen to the stories about the city’s traditions, and have the option of climbing one of the pyramids.
Finally, indulge in a tasting of tequila and mezcal before going back.
This tour includes: Private transportation, a guide, entrance fees, and tequila tasting. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Food Tours in Mexico City
▶️ The Historic Center Food Tour in Mexico City gives you the opportunity to join a local in visiting several eateries for tasty bites. As you learn about the city’s culinary scene, you’ll check out a street market, a cantina, restaurants, and street food stalls.
Sample the most traditional dishes of Mexican cuisine, including mole, empanadas, enchiladas, sweet treats, and drinks. It’s a fun, informative, and delicious day out in which you’ll also get to listen to local stories and legends.
This tour includes: A local guide, and all tastings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ With the Polanco Food Tour in Mexico City you’ll join a small group and a guide to explore the neighborhood of Polanco, considered the culinary hotspot of Mexico City.
You’ll pop by several eating venues to try Oaxacan food, enjoy drink tastings, and sample the most delicious chocolates and ice creams. The tour is capped at 10 people, and it includes 7 delicious bites.
It also offers a good chance to explore Polanco, and you can get great insights of the district from your guide. It’s one of the best food tours Mexico City has to offer.
This tour includes: A bilingual guide, and all the street food tastings and beverages. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Frida Kahlo and Coyoacan Tour
Are you a Frida Kahlo fan? Then you cannot miss the Frida Kahlo Museum VIP: Skip-the-line & Bikes & Churros experience. You’ll bypass the queues at the famous Blue House, former home of the artist with Diego Rivera.
Turned into a museum about her life and work, it’s a very interesting attraction to discover more about this fascinating Mexican icon. Then, you’ll cycle through the neighborhood, stopping along the way for churros and tostadas.
This tour includes: Bike and helmet rental, a guide, museum VIP tickets, and snacks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Lucha Libre Experience
Lucha Libre is one of Mexico City’s most beloved sports, and it’s an experience you can’t miss. Similar to wrestling, Lucha Libre is somewhat rougher and there’s a lot of political incorrectness involved. It’s not for those who get easily offended!
The show only occurs on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, so plan in advance if you want to enjoy it.
With the Lucha Libre Experience in Mexico City, you’ll watch the show accompanied by a guide. You’ll start the evening with a Mexican cocktail at a pulqueria, getting to learn about the Lucha Libre culture before the match.
You’ll sit amidst locals at the stadium, cheering for your favorite fighters, and at the end of the match step into the arena. You’ll take a fighter’s face mask home as a souvenir!
This tour includes: A guide, a Lucha Libre match, a drink, and a fighter’s mask. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Xochimilco: Party on a Boat
The Xochimilco: Mexican Party on Boat with Unlimited Drinks promises a memorable evening. You’ll board a colorful trajinera (a traditional canal boat) and set sail along the Xochimilco canals.
Onboard you’ll enjoy tortilla chips, guacamole, and other snacks paired with beer, tequila, and mezcal. You’ll pass by boat vendors where you can buy more food, and enjoy the lively Mariachi music.
You’ll end the tour at a Handicraft market, after a brief stop at a replica of the Island of Dolls.
This tour includes: A trajinera ride, snacks, drinks, bottled water, and a speaker. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cooking Class in Mexico City
The Mexican Cooking Class with Food Market Visit in Mexico City is a great way to savor local dishes. You’ll be preparing them, after all! You’ll visit a food market with an expert, being introduced to the produce and ingredients used in Mexican cuisine.
Then, embark on a hands-on cooking class in which you’ll discover new spices, flavors, and techniques. Under a chef’s guidance, whip up delicious guacamole and salsas, tacos, and guisados (which of course you’ll enjoy later!)
There are vegetarian options available, and you can choose between a morning or evening class.
This tour includes: A guide, food market visit, a cooking class, and a meal. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Chapultepec Castle Tour
The Chapultepec Castle and the Anthropology Museum offer a complete immersion into the past, which is a fascinating experience for anyone interested in the country’s heritage and history.
This Chapultepec Castle & Anthropology Museum Tour allows you to explore both attractions with a professional guide. Sitting atop a hill, Chapultepec is the only castle in the Americas, and you’ll get to wander around its halls without the crowds.
See the royal artifacts, and learn about its role during the Aztec empire. This Mexico City tour includes a visit to the Anthropology Museum as well. It houses a massive collection of Mexican art that’s worth checking out.
This tour includes: A professional guide, and entrance fees. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Day Tours from Mexico City
▶️ This Full-Day Tour Exploring the Waters of Tolantongo is one of the most enjoyable trips from the city. In the span of 16 hours you’ll visit the spectacular site of Tolantongo, a box canyon with plenty of aquatic wonders.
You’ll relax in the thermal pools, marvel at the striking waterfalls, and explore the tunnels and caves. You’ll have the chance to have lunch by the river (own expense). The trip also includes a visit to San Cristobal, and a tasty breakfast in Actopan.
On the way back to Mexico City, you’ll make a final stop to sample Pastes, a traditional pastry.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, a guide, entrance tickets, breakfast, and a small backpack with essentials. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Puebla, Cholula & Tonantzintla Day Trip is a very cultural excursion. You’ll first visit the town of Cholula, home to over 300 churches. Among them stands out Santa Maria Tonantzintla, renowned for its indigenous baroque art.
You’ll learn about its history and the town’s religion, and then head to Puebla. There, you’ll have time to explore its enchanting historic center, try the delicious cuisine, and browse a local craft market.
A walking tour around the town’s main landmarks will help you dive into its history and culture even deeper.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, and a professional guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Another highly recommended day trip is this Taxco, Cuernavaca & Prehispanic Mine Optional Visit. It’s a top-rated, full-day tour in which you’ll learn about the history of the former mining cities of Mexico.
As you walk down the cobblestone streets of Taxco, famous for its silver mines, discover the city’s mining heritage. You’ll also have the chance to purchase authentic silverwork at one of its many shops.
Then, visit a pre-Hispanic mine, and then head to Cuernavaca.
There you will find one of the oldest cathedrals in America, and the former home of Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes, decorated with murals by Diego Rivera.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, entry tickets to the mine, and a bilingual guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Mexico City Private Tours
▶️ This Mexico City Custom Private Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems is a personalized excursion for up to 8 people. You’ll choose between 3, 4, 6 or 8 hours with your local guide, who’ll be ready to craft an itinerary that suits your interests.
Explore the best side of Mexico City, checking out its major landmarks and local secrets. Learn all about its history and culture, and get to visit only the attractions that spark your curiosity. You’ll also benefit from your guide’s undivided attention.
This tour includes: A private tour, a customizable itinerary, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ How about this Private City Tour in Frida Kahlo, Coyoacan, and Xochimilco? It’s a 4-6-hour trip for groups of up to 15 that will give you the perfect introduction to Mexico City.
Accompanied by a guide, you’ll visit the famous Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s former house and museum. Wander around the streets of Coyoacan, stopping to admire Plaza Centenario, Cafe Avellaneda, and the Mercado, among other landmarks.
Finally, go on a relaxing boat ride on the canals of Xoxhimilco. Snacks and bottled water will be available.
This tour includes: A guide, transfers, entrance fees, a boat ride, snacks, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
And there you go. Hopefully, this list of the best tours in Mexico City will help you plan your trip to Mexico City. Enjoy!
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