Best Day Trips From Mexico City

Mexico City is an inexhaustible source of experiences: colonial architecture & gastronomy are so varied that your palate will never be tired of trying hundreds of dishes along with being in a city that is full of culture and ancient history... But in addition to getting to know the capital of Mexico you might want to take a leap to nearby places like Puebla, Teotihuacán, Taxco, or Bernal, in this blog we will be going over all the best day trips near Mexico City.

DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF TEOTIHUACÁN

With a site whose name means “Place where men become gods,” who wouldn't want to visit this archaeological wonder? Teotihuacán is one of the most popular attractions in Mexico and it is not difficult to know why. This ancient pre-Hispanic city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and houses some of the country's greatest historical treasures.

The Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon are attractions that no visitor should miss among the excursion options near Mexico City. But not only that, sometimes you can even enjoy group hot air balloon rides that fly over the archaeological site or also do it on a private balloon flight . Likewise, Teotihuacán is on the outskirts of Mexico City, making it the perfect place to enjoy a weekend excursion away from the urban chaos.

However, it is close enough to get there and back in the same day. You have a multitude during your day trip such as discovering Teotihuacán at sunrise , visiting the ruins at sunset , going on your own or doing it on a private tour exclusively for you.

TAKE A DAY TRIP TO TAXCO

Taxco may not be a particularly popular place among tourists, but this is precisely what makes it even more attractive. With its Spanish colonial architecture and small-town charm, this city is ideal if you are looking for excursion ideas near Mexico City. One of the main attractions of Taxco is its production of silver jewelry, which makes it a perfect destination for shopping. However, its beauty goes even beyond jewelry. It has many pink quarry buildings as well as museums and churches. These are all perfect for learning more about Mexican culture.

Taxco is only three hours from Mexico City, so you can visit it in a single day along with the mines of Cuernavaca.

It is also advisable to spend the night in the city and take the time to explore its streets, its silver workshops, and even the Montetaxco cable car, which offers the most exclusive views of this incredible city.

VISIT THE WONDERS OF THE IZTACCÍHUATL-POPOCATÉPETL NATIONAL PARK

This National Park not only allows you to enjoy nature and the extraordinary views of two of the most famous volcanoes in Mexico: Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl, but it is also a small paradise of history in Mexico. It was in this park where Hernán Cortés first contemplated the Valley of Mexico while he headed to the city of Tenochtitlan. In addition, it is a place full of legends, as the residents say that both volcanoes are actually a warrior and an indigenous princess who swore eternal love.

The Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl National Park is the perfect place to take an excursion outside the city and do activities such as hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. It is even possible to camp overnight and go mountaineering, but it is important to register at the park offices for safety reasons. You can book this excursion to enjoy unbeatable views of Popocatépetl and the Valley of Mexico.

ENJOY A GLASS OF WINE IN BERNAL

Many know Teotihuacán and the National Park, but if what you are looking for are unusual options for excursions near Mexico City , Bernal is the perfect place. This site is known to be one of the most popular destinations for climbers. But don't worry, if extreme sports are not your thing, Bernal is also a Magical Town with a particular charm. Its streets are ideal for exploring on foot and its architecture looks spectacular in any photograph.

Likewise, this beautiful town has a strong wine making tradition, so if you want to enjoy a glass of Merlot while contemplating the incredible landscape, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit this city . Bernal is not in the state that Mexico City belongs to, but is part of the state of Querétaro, but it is only three hours away from Mexico City, so pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable day trip.

EXPLORE THE SECRETS OF PUEBLA

The truth is that Puebla perhaps should not be on this list of day trips from Mexico City, but rather it should be a destination that deserves an exclusive visit of more than a day trip from Mexico City. However, if you are already in the Mexican capital, you can always take a two-hour trip to this Puebla and get out of the routine of the busy city. It is difficult to choose the best activities to do in Puebla since it offers a lot but the food is an attraction that you definitely have to try. Puebla dishes are famous worldwide and you can enjoy them both in five-star restaurants and in street stalls.

Likewise, the architecture of its churches and cathedrals, as well as its markets and the warmth of its people make this city an unmissable destination. Buy a Talavera craft, visit the Palafoxiana Library , and enjoy some mole enchiladas before heading back to Mexico City. Although you can always spend one or two nights in this wonderful place and take the opportunity to visit some of its natural sites and nearby towns. On this excursion you will explore two of the oldest cities in Mexico: Puebla and Cholula.

DISCOVER SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, THE PERFECT DAY TRIP NEAR MEXICO CITY

If there is a Mexican city that you cannot miss, it is definitely San Miguel de Allende . It is difficult to describe all the reasons why this is a site worth visiting, but we can start by saying that San Miguel is declared a UNESCO World Heritage City. This charming town in Guanajuato has attractions capable of captivating any visitor. The craft market is perfect for discovering the most typical souvenirs of the region and its museums and cultural centers have famous murals, historical relics, and even antique toys.

Likewise, its churches and parishes are the perfect example of the architecture and its cafes and restaurants do not fail to please even the most demanding palate. It takes about four hours from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende , but don't worry, you can always spend the night in town and give yourself the opportunity to further explore this Guanajuato treasure. You can do it on your own, on a guided tour , choose a horseback excursion through Coyote Canyon or the unique experience of getting to know the city on a night horseback tour.

BOARD A TRAJINERA FROM XOCHIMILCO

Xochimilco may not fall into the category of a day trip near Mexico City, since it is technically within the limits of Mexico City. However, it is worth including it because these water canals are an attraction in their own right. The Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas in Xochimilco is an extremely popular place among both foreigners and locals. Their boats, called trajineras, are large vessels that can carry between ten and fifteen people. Once there, visitors can enjoy local food and drink while taking in the scenery offered by the canals. Other smaller boats sail around selling souvenirs or typical dishes .

There are also mariachi services that can liven up the walk with one or two songs and you can hire special tours to help take you to visit the famous Island of the Dolls. Xochimilco is in the south of Mexico City and, although it is easy to get to the site, it is advisable to reserve a whole morning or afternoon to explore its canals. The trajineras can be rented for a minimum of sixty minutes, although you can get good deals if you book three hours or more in advance.