A Trip to Mexico City (CDMX), Mexico

 Dear Soul,

“Prioritize YOURSELF, Because YOU Matter – So fill your Cup each day with Morning Meditation.” - Happy World Meditation Day! (Dec 21)

Pro Travel tips:

• In addition to researching places, have AI (like Gemini), Translate, Uber, ADO (Bus operator to/from Cancun) Apps available on the phone
• Pack light: we took 2 carry-ons and skipped our one check-in policy (including our medical kit, toiletry kit, snorkeling and swim stuff and towels), hence avoided the hassle of checking in and waiting to get bags!

Monday, December 22: Off to CDMX

We took an early flight to Mexico City, which felt really long despite all the food and entertainment we carried. On descent, I excitedly started taking video of the red-roofed closely situated buildings along with the lady at the window seat who told me in Spanish that it’s her first time on a flight. When we finally landed at MEX airport which was all decorated for Christmas, we took pesos at an ATM and airport taxi to our hotel: Hilton Mexico City Reforma. We picked the hotel as it is right at the heart of the historic center of Mexico City (Centro) and walkable to Zocalo (main plaza). My DH was excited to be back in Mexico City after more than a decade and he started conversation with the taxi driver right away in his broken Spanish using Translate app. It was a lot of traffic (reminded us of India) and took 1.5hr to get to the hotel. The hotel was super nice with amazing views of Centro from the room. But we were so famished along with headache (common for the next three nights with the high altitude) that we ate the dinner I packed from home, took hot shower and went to bed early.  

Tuesday, December 23:  Centro and Chapultepec

The morning breakfast at Hilton was THE BEST breakfast I ever had and not to be missed. Just across the street is the Alameda central, city’s oldest park with Benito Juárez Hemicycle monument, tons of vendors and a metro station. We walked in the park and visited the adjacent Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts).

We then took uber to Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Forest), which houses a lot of attractions: Chapultepec Zoo, The museum of Anthropology, Chapultepec Castle, Rufino Tamayo museum and many more. First stop - Chapultepec Zoo, we saw the famous Axolotl and Giant Panda. We had lunch at the outdoor food court (one of the best we have seen), and used the Banos (restroom) for MX$6 each. (Interesting, got to know that the toilets can be missing the seat covers and toilet paper.)

We walked in the park through alleys of vendors, CDMX letters to the famous Chapultepec Castle. It has MX$100 /person ticket unlike Zoo, but definitely worth it.  After a short uphill walk, we get to the castle where each magnificent room overlooks the fantastic city views. 

We took Uber back to hotel and went to the pool directly to relax. Saving the best for the night, we had dinner at nearby Toks (Mexican fast casual restaurant chain) and walked to Zocalo. Zocalo, or Plaza de la Constitucion, is one of the most popular spots in Centro that dates back to the Aztec era. It's a large and historic public plaza that never sleeps and surrounded by beautiful architecture and landmarks, such as Templo Mayor. Considering it’s the Christmas Season, it was fully lit up and decorated and super packed for a concert. After a long wait in line, we had the freshly made, popular churros from Churrería El Moro, a must try!

Wednesday, December 24: Revisiting Chapultepec and Zocalo

We started the day with yet another extravagant breakfast at Hilton and took uber back to Chapultepec for the National museum of Anthropology. The entrance opened to a large courtyard with "El Paraguas" (The Umbrella), an iconic, massive inverted fountain and a koi fish pond behind it, with museum halls all around, very convenient and easy to navigate. We visited the Mexica (Aztec), Mayan (with replica of a famous royal tomb) and Teotihuacan halls and were thoroughly impressed.

We had lunch at the onsite restaurant - Sala Gastronomica, got souvenirs and drove to hotel via The Angel of Independence statue at the beginning of the Paseo de la Reforma.

Walked to the museum of popular art next door but it was closed for Christmas Eve. Kids were feeling under the weather, so we stayed in the hotel taking turns going out for food and fun. We revisited Zócalo, which was not as packed as last night with stores and many street vendors closed for the night. Restaurants were closed including the very popular El Cardenal downstairs, so got some fruits from across the street and Chinese food from Barrio China (China town) for a quiet night in the hotel room.

This two-day trip was just enough to get a taste of Mexico City from Cultural and Historic perspective, and we plan to return this year to explore the Art side of it including our kids’ favorite Frida Kahlo!  (of course, staying at Hilton again) Merry Christmas and now off to the Caribbean!!!