Sustainable Travel Guide: Mexico City
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve been confined to our homes and prevented from traveling as we tried to slow the spread of the virus. Now, as cities and countries begin to open their doors for travel, safe and socially distanced trips are starting to become possible. At one point during this past year, traveling to Mexico City sounded like an invitation to the
hospital, but now with vaccines and proper preparation this trip can become a reality. Resources for where to find the closest vaccine site near you (United States) can be found at the bottom of this report.
COVID Testing & Regulations
Although traveling to Mexico City from the United States is permitted, on your way home you will need to provide proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours of your arrival. This can be incredibly confusing to navigate in Mexico City if you don’t have an appointment so we recommend a fool proof option at the airport. On your way home, you can get a COVID antigen test within 30 minutes at Benito Juarez Airport through JLN Labs. Their testing is approved by all airlines for travel. Make sure to ask that they include your passport number on your test results, as the attendants at the boarding gate will look for this. After receiving your test results, you are required to download the VERIFLY app and enter the results into your profile for review.
Places to Stay:
1. Roma Norte
2. La Condesa
3. Polanco
4. El Centro Historico
Most Loved Cafes
1. BOU Tonalá 110, Esquina Guanajuato, Roma Norte, CDMX. Perhaps the best coffee we came across with locally and ethically sourced products, a well designed space, and pastries that taste as good as they look.
2. Panadería Rosetta Colima 179, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, CDMX. This italian inspired restaurant and bakery definitely lives up to its reputation for being a must visit spot during your trip to Mexico City. Give the daily pasta a try at the restaurant and while at the bakery don’t forget to try their breads and pastries. Our favorite was the Roles de Guayaba.
3. Cafe Milou Av. Veracruz 38, Roma Norte CDMX. This place was a great spot for breakfast before our walk through El Parque de Chapultepec. Their traditional french viennoiseries like the pan au chocolat were some of the best we’ve tried anywhere...including Paris. Their coffee is exceptional and their brunch menu is well curated. It is a small space (outside seating also available) so we recommend arriving early or reserving a table online.
Transportation Tips
During your trip to Mexico City, you’ll notice that good prices are not hard to come by when it comes to transportation. Ubers are incredibly cheap and as we found very safe. Although we recommend staying in one of the walkable neighborhoods that we listed above, we also understand that for certain activities, it is better to use an uber or public transportation. If you are not a spanish speaker and perhaps this is your first trip to Mexico City, Ubers are, in our opinion, the safer choice until you feel better acclimated to the city.
The first hurdle with transportation that you’ll most likely face is the airport. If this is your first time in Mexico City, you might be a bit startled at the crowded arrivals gate. Not to fear, people are incredibly friendly and very willing to point you in the directions of the taxi booths. Ubers are not allowed at Benito Juarez airport, so Taxis are the best form of transportation out of the airport. If you feel insistent on taking an uber, you can exit the airport and go across the street to the hotels where an uber is permitted. When you exit your baggage claim, you should see booths with taxi icons on them. These booths are where you pay for your taxi ahead of time. They typically cost less than ten US dollars to get from the airport to the city center. Do also take into consideration that depending on the time of day, traffic can be extremely heavy which will turn a ten minute drive into an hour long endeavor. Be prepared with bottled water, snacks, and use the restroom before you leave.
Things To Do
Mexico City may surprise you with the abundance of activities it has to offer. There is no shortage of Museums, Markets, and some of the best green spaces in any major city.
1. El Parque de Chapultepec is perhaps Mexico City’s most well known park, and for good reason. It’s much larger than central park and has twice the amount of activities. From museums to food and artisanal markets, it’s a great place to spend the day visiting (or a couple of days).
2. Mercado de Coyoacán located at Felipe Carrillo Puerto 25, Coyoacán TNT, Coyoacán is only a short walk from the Frida Kahlo Museum and is a beautiful market with plenty to see and a great place to shop locally. The park located across the street hosts an art market on Sundays showcasing local artists and is definitely worth a visit.
3. Museo Nacional de Antropología located at Av. Paseo de la Reforma s/n, Polanco, Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo is an amazing way to learn some Mexican history and specifically Idigenous Mexican history. It is a great museum for everybody, with family friendly/kid friendly exhibits located throughout the museum. There are also restaurants and cafes located on the premises, making it the perfect place to spend the day. Our favorite exhibits were the Indigenous exhibits showcasing the different tribes native to certain areas of Mexico.
Sustainable Eats
As one of the culinary centers of the world, Mexico City has an amazing amount of food options to choose from and it would be impossible to name all of the best here. We’ve narrowed down the best options for those looking to eat locally and who provide vegetarian and vegan options.
1. Lalo! Zacatecas 173, Roma Norte is a casual brunch/lunch spot that serves everything from an amazing Spicy Chicken Sandwich to a refreshing Green Apple Salad. Definitely a restaurant you’ll want to come back to over and over again.
2. Huset Colima 256, Roma Norte is a relaxed restaurant perfect for a date night or a table for one. It’s a dim light gorgeous indoor patio with a seasonal menu that offers a variety of options. We tried a Chicken over Rice dish that rivalled just about all the meals we tried on our trip. We also had a vegan pesto pasta that was beautifully light and fresh.
3. Los Especiales Av Francisco I. Madero 71, Centro Histórico is our taquería of choice inMexico City, as it is for many others. One of the highest rated tacos in the city and onceyou try one of their taco baskets, you’ll understand why. They also locally source theirmeats and have vegetarian options for those who ask.
We hope you have an amazing and safe trip to Mexico City and hopefully our guide has provided the resources you need to make the most out of travel during the time of COVID19. Below you will find resources to get your COVID vaccine (in the US) as well as a link to the CDC’s recommendations for travel.
➔ To find vaccine locations near you, text your zip code to 438829 or visit www.vaccines.gov
➔ Airport Testing https://jlnlabs.com.mx/aeropuerto-cdmx/
➔ Ahorro Pharmacy Testing (make appointment ahead)
https://www.fahorro.com/antigen-test
Written by Arianna Collins (Strategic Communications Intern)