Exploring Mexico City’s Surroundings: Your Guide to Incredible Day Trips
Mexico City is not only vibrant in its own right but also perfectly positioned near some of Mexico’s most fascinating historical and cultural sites, making it an ideal base for memorable day trips. From UNESCO World Heritage sites like Teotihuacan and Puebla to the relaxing thermal waters of Grutas Tolantongo, these nearby destinations showcase Mexico’s rich heritage and natural beauty. With various transportation options available, like buses, rental cars, and guided tours, it’s easy to explore these unique locations.
Transportation Tips: How to Get Around
By Car: Renting a car gives you flexibility with timing and the freedom to stop along the way. While parking at these sites is generally reliable, Mexico City traffic can be challenging, so plan extra time, especially when heading back into the city.
By Bus: For a budget-friendly option, Mexico’s long-distance buses are comfortable, reliable, and easily accessible from terminals like Terminal del Norte and Terminal TAPO.
Guided Tours: For convenience, consider joining an organized tour via platforms like GetYourGuide. These often include transportation, entrance fees, and a guide to enhance your experience, especially for historical sites like Teotihuacan and Puebla.
Day 1: Teotihuacan
About: Teotihuacan, an hour northeast of Mexico City, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the "City of the Gods." This ancient city was a major center of Mesoamerican culture and is home to the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, and the Avenue of the Dead. Exploring these massive structures offers a glimpse into the grandeur of an influential ancient civilization.
Entrance Fee: Entrance is approximately 90 MXN ($5 USD).
Getting There: Buses leave frequently from Terminal del Norte (about 52 MXN each way) or drive on the Mexico-Pachuca highway for about an hour. Alternatively, a GetYourGuide tour is a convenient option, including transport, entrance fees, a guide, and often extras like a hot air balloon ride.
Food to Try: Don’t miss trying a gordita de nata or a traditional taco árabe — both popular in this region.
Day 2: Puebla
About: A charming colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage site, Puebla is famous for its colorful tiles, vibrant markets, and outstanding cuisine. Puebla’s historic center boasts beautiful Baroque architecture, while its culinary scene is legendary, featuring dishes like mole poblano, chalupas, and cemitas. Main attractions include the Puebla Cathedral, one of Mexico’s most iconic cathedrals with its towering bell, and the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, the oldest public library in the Americas, showcasing thousands of rare and antique books.
Entrance Fee: The city is free to explore, though museum entries and dining expenses may vary.
Getting There: About two hours from Mexico City, buses from Terminal TAPO cost around 200 MXN ($12 USD). If driving, take the Mexico-Puebla highway.
Day 3: Cholula
About: Located just 20 minutes from Puebla, Cholula is known for the Great Pyramid of Cholula—the largest pyramid by volume in the world, topped with the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Cholula is a vibrant town that combines rich history and stunning views of nearby volcanoes.
Main Attractions:
Great Pyramid of Cholula and Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios
San Gabriel Convent and Capilla Real
Plaza de la Concordia
Regional Museum of Cholula
Mercado Cosme del Razo (for local food and crafts)
International Museum of the Baroque
Entrance Fee: The archaeological zone is approximately 80 MXN ($4.50 USD).
Getting There: Cholula is easily accessible from Puebla by a short bus or colectivo ride. For those starting in Mexico City, buses to Cholula from Terminal TAPO take around two hours.
Day 4: Xochimilco
About: Experience Mexico’s "Venice" in Xochimilco, known for its canals and colorful trajineras (traditional boats). This UNESCO-designated site is a fun and lively experience where you can enjoy music, snacks, and even mariachi bands while floating on the canals.
Boat Rates: Renting a trajinera costs 600 MXN per hour per boat, not per person, making it ideal for groups.
Getting There: Located within Mexico City limits, Xochimilco is about a 45-minute drive. Alternatively, take Line 2 on the metro to Tasqueña, then switch to the light rail heading to the Embarcadero Xochimilco station.
Day 5: Tepoztlán
About: Tepoztlán, a mystical town about an hour and 15 minutes from Mexico City, is famed for its stunning natural beauty and spiritual atmosphere. The highlight here is the Tepozteco Pyramid, perched atop a steep hillside and offering breathtaking views. This Aztec pyramid is accessible via a challenging hike, rewarding visitors with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Tepozteco Pyramid: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors must arrive by 3 p.m. to enter the archaeological zone.
Getting There: Buses depart from Terminal del Sur, costing between 100-200 MXN ($6-$12 USD). If you’re driving, Tepoztlán is around 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Mexico City on the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway.
Day 6: Grutas Tolantongo
About: Grutas Tolantongo, located in the state of Hidalgo, is a natural paradise with crystal-clear thermal pools, rivers, and caves. Its warm, turquoise waters make it an ideal spot for relaxation and exploration. Due to the site’s distance, many visitors opt to spend the night here, allowing for a more leisurely experience.
Entrance Fee: 200 MXN ($11 USD) per day.
Accommodation: On-site accommodation is available for around 120 MXN per night for up to four people per room. Rooms cannot be reserved online or by phone; you must arrive by 3 p.m. to secure your spot, but there is generally ample availability, and rates are the same across options.
Food: On-site restaurants serve a range of meals costing between 120-300 MXN, offering everything from quick snacks to more substantial dishes.
Getting There: It’s a 3-4 hour drive from Mexico City. While there are buses to Ixmiquilpan, followed by a colectivo to Tolantongo, renting a car or joining a tour is often more convenient for this remote location.
From ancient pyramids and colonial cities to natural hot springs and picturesque canals, these day trips from Mexico City offer something for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites, sampling traditional foods, or relaxing in natural springs, each destination showcases the beauty and cultural richness that make Mexico such an unforgettable country.
