Mexico City is a photographer’s dream.  The city is bursting with pretty churches, historic architecture, swanky buildings, charming neighbourhoods and  picturesque parks.  With only 3 days in the city it is difficult to pinpoint where exactly to go to make the most of your time.  We’ve narrowed down below what we felt were the best Mexico City Instagram spots!

Mexico City Instagram Spots: The Basics First

Before we get started on where to go in Mexico City to take photos, let’s talk about some basics you should know first.

How to get around Mexico City

Mexico City has an extensive metro system and it is very affordable at only 5 pesos a ride (that works out to only about $0.30)!  You can pretty much get to wherever you want to go.  HOWEVER the metro is a nightmare during rush hour (the worst of it being around 7-9am and 5-7pm).  Don’t believe me?  Just YouTube Mexico City Metro at Rush Hour.  You also need to be VERY careful with your wallet, cell phone and camera.  Pickpockets are infamous in Mexico City, especially in the metros.

If you want a less stressful, albeit slightly more expensive option, take an Uber!  Of course, you will need data on your phone (we’ll get to that next) and a credit card.  It is very convenient and quick to find a driver.  We never had to wait more that 5 minutes – most times we only waited 1 or 2 minutes!  And most rides across the city cost us under 100 pesos (about $5.50)!  Way cheaper than taking a taxi back in Canada or the US.  And you don’t have to worry about having cash on you.

Never taken Uber before?  Sign up here to get free credit for your first few rides! (Note: the free credit only works when taking Uber in your country)

The thing with Uber is that, like the metro, you might get stuck in major traffic, especially during rush hour.  For example, in mid-morning, it took us 40 minutes to go 6km.  However I’d much rather be in a comfortable, clean car than on a packed metro if I’m going to be stuck in rush hour.

Of course, Mexico City also has taxis BUT we were told not to hail them in the street.  For your safety, only take them from authorized taxi stands because apparently taxi drivers have been known to rob and/or attack tourists.

Where to get a SIM card in Mexico City

Upon arrival at Benito Juarez International Airport look for the Telcel shop.  In Terminal 2 you should be able to find it on the ground floor.  In Terminal 1 we found it on the upper floor between doors 6 and 7. Walk all the way to the right side entrance and line up to see one of the agents there.  If you look unsure where to go, one of the nice security guards will likely show you which line to get into (that’s what happened for us 🙂 ).  Just say you want to buy a “chip” which is what they call a SIM card. The agent luckily spoke English and let us know a chip card would be $79 pesos.

They will let you know the different packages available.  We went with the 2GB data package which included unlimited calls and texts all over North America!  Meaning we could call/text family back in Canada and the US as much as we wanted.  The cost?  Only $300 pesos.  The internet was very strong as well – I had no problem connecting anywhere we went and it was LTE+.  Perfect for shooting LIVE videos and IG stories wherever and whenever 😉  You can also go with a cheaper package, which might actually be all you need if you are only in Mexico for 3 days.  So budget at the most about $20 for your SIM Card and package.

What to wear in Mexico City

We always try to blend in as much as possible when we travel so we don’t look like major tourists.  But, when you are trying to get that perfect Instagram shot with the outfit to match, you are probably going to stick out a bit.  And that’s ok in Mexico City.  It didn’t appear to be a super conservative place.  I heard from a few different people that locals don’t wear shorts.  It did appear somewhat true but I definitely saw more local girls wearing shorts than I was expecting.  Mexican men?  Not so much.

The men dressed very nicely.  A lot of dress pants, nice shirts, nice shoes, no ripped jeans or graphic tees.  Ladies were quite fashionable as well and tight jeans seemed to be common.  Dressy hats also seemed to be popular.  I saw girls wearing crop tops, sleeveless tops, low cut shirts – so you don’t have to worry about being too conservative.  Of course, if you are traveling solo, you may get unwanted attention from the local men who are not shy to whistle or yell out at you.

I would probably avoid wearing much jewellery.  Comfy shoes are recommended with all the walking you are likely to do!  I wore my Nike Frees pretty much all the time, even with my dresses even though they didn’t match haha.  But we walked so much I just couldn’t last in my sandals and definitely not in my heels!

 

DAY 1

Zócalo

Start your day off right in the heart of the Centro Histórico.  The Zócalo is the city’s main square and one of the largest squares in the world.  Standing in the square we couldn’t help but feel like we were in James Bond’s Spectre scene.

Enjoy taking photos of this massive square and its enormous Mexican flag.  You will also find a CDMX sign to take photos with.

Palacio Nacional

This massive palace sits on the entire east side of the Zócalo.  It houses the Federal Treasury, National Archives, and previously the offices of the President, as well as many Diego Rivera murals.  It is free to enter but entry is restricted to only a small number of people at a time (I think it was 150 people?) and you need official ID to enter.  We unfortunately did not have ID on us so did not get to enter 🙁

Try to get there when it opens to avoid a long wait in line and don’t forget your ID!  Also, don’t go on a Monday because it is closed.  Tuesday-Sunday hours are 9am-5pm.

Chapultepec

Head all the way to the other side of town, either by Uber or Metro, to the famous Bosque de Chapultepec.  This is one of the largest parks in the Western hemisphere.  At over 1695 acres there is more than enough to see here to keep you busy for the rest of the day!  This massive park consists of an amusement park, zoo, man-made lake, castle, museums and tons of vendors hawking souvenirs and street food.

To get your best Instagram shots, walk up the hill to the Castillo de Chapultepec and feel like the king and queen of the castle!

On your way out of the park, at one of the exits on Paseo de la Reforma, there is a cute little Starbucks that makes for some cute photos, too.  I’ve never seen such a picturesque Starbucks, with hanging chairs and indoor/outdoor vibes.

Parque Alameda

Head back to the Centro Historico to another sprawling, beautiful park.  If you come in the spring, like we did, you will be enamored with the flowering jacaranda trees!  They are the prettiest trees in my opinion – jacaranda trees are Mexico City’s equivalent to the sakura trees of Japan.  Enjoy photographing these lovely purple trees.

There are many splendid fountains dotted around the park as well.

Sears

You are probably wondering why Sears is on your list of places to visit.  Well, it’s because of the (not-so-secret) cafe on the top floor of the department store that provides you with a fantastic view over the Palacio de Bellas Artes.  Purchase a drink and get a seat right on the edge to have the perfect view overlooking the ornate Palacio de Bellas Artes.  A great way to take in the sunset and get some extra shots of this iconic building.

Where to stay:

Book yourself a room at the Best Western Hotel Majestic.  Located right on the Zócalo, rooms here give you the perfect view over the square.  You are also in a great position to explore the Centro Historico by foot, setting you up perfectly for Day 2 of Instagramming!

Want to know where to find all the places mentioned in this guide?  We’ve provided a map at the end of this post!

 

DAY 2

Palacio de Bellas Artes

Wake up early and head back to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, this time for some magical sunrise shots.  If you are early enough, around 7:30am, you can get some great shots without any people in the way!

 

Casa de los Azulejos

Head to the House of Tiles, so-called because of its walls covered in delightful blue and white tiles from Puebla.  This 18th century mansion now houses the flagship Sanborn’s restaurant, a famous Mexican chain.  If you visit here right after your sunrise photos at Palacio de Bellas Artes, you will get the facade all to yourself and get in some fantastic, people-free photos!

Palacio Postal

Very close to the Casa de los Azulejos sits the Palacio Postal.  It was built in the early 1900s and is the most gorgeous post office you will ever see.  It opens at 8am so we recommend going around that time to get your perfect Instagram shots on the famous ornate staircases before tourists start arriving.

Wondering where to eat?  Check out our Mexico City Guide for Budget Foodies!

 

Torre Latinoamericana

Once Latin America’s tallest building at 188m, the Torre Latinoamericana offers fantastic panoramic views over Mexico City.  If you are blessed with a clear morning (Mexico City is often covered with hazy smog), head up to the top of the tower when it opens at 9am.  You can take some awesome shots from the 42nd and 43rd floors, although they are enclosed with glass, and from the observatory on the 44th floor, which is open but with a large chain-link enclosure.

The nice thing about the Torre Latinoamericana is that once you buy a ticket it is good for the entire day.  If you visit during the morning you can head back at night to catch the sunset.  The tower is open until 10pm every day.

Biblioteca Vasconcelos

Save time and catch an Uber (about $45 pesos) to this super modern library.  The interior design will blow you away.  You are free to wander but be careful not to be too obvious when taking your Instagram shots.  Ryan got stopped by the police when he was taking my photos because “no professional photos are allowed”.  We were only using our point and shoot camera with no tripod but they still deemed it “professional”, so keep your posing to a minimum or be very discreet.

There were no signs that said no photos allowed and many non-locals were in there taking photos without issue.  It seems like they just don’t want people lingering too long and posing, causing a distraction, which is understandable.

Kiosco Morisco

From the library, take a 15 minute stroll over to the Kiosco Morsico located in a local park.  This Moorish-style kiosk with elaborate geometric designs makes for some fantastic photos.

Catedral Metropolitana

No doubt you’ve seen photos of this incredible cathedral, located on the northern side of the Zócalo.  Built in the 1500s, it is Latin America’s oldest and largest cathedral.  It makes a great backdrop for photos but due to its popularity, it is difficult to get a shot without people in the way.

 

Templo Mayor

This ancient Aztec temple is located next to the Catedral Metropolitana.  If you don’t feel like paying to go in, you can still get some decent shots from outside.

Where to stay:

Experience a different side of Mexico City at the Mexico City Marriott Reforma Hotel.  Located right on Paseo de la Reforma, one of the main avenues that runs right through the heart of Mexico City, this hotel places you in the perfect position to explore more of the city by foot tomorrow.  Not to mention the views over the city are fantastic.

Read all about our stay at the Mexico City Marriott Reforma here.

 

DAY 3

Teotihuacán

Wake before sunrise and get your walking shoes on!  Head to this vast Mesoamerican city located 50km northeast of Mexico City.  Aim to be here at opening time (around 8am) to explore this amazing archaeological complex before the crowds arrive.

Check out our full Teotihuacan post!  Click Here

 

 

Relax at the hotel pool

After a full morning of walking at Teotihuacán, head back to the Marriott and relax at their peaceful pool.  If you book yourself into a room with Executive Lounge access, head to the top floor and take some great shots with the city backdrop.

Roma Norte and Condesa

After you’ve regained your energy, time for some more wandering on foot!  Walk in the direction of Parque México, passing through the trendy neighbourhoods of Roma Norte and then Condesa.  You’ll find so many pretty buildings to take photos of.  The tree-lined streets are so peaceful.

Parque México

Mexico City boasts a tremendous amount of pretty parks and this is yet another one of them!  You can find more of the magnificent jacaranda trees here as well as more fountains.  Perhaps our favorite thing here was seeing all the many, many dogs being walked throughout the park.  They were so adorable.

Ángel de la Independencia

This famous monument celebrating Mexico’s independence is located only a couple blocks from the Marriott hotel.

Well, there you have it!  Those are our top recommendations for the prettiest Instagram locations you can fit into 3 days!  Of course, this city has many, many more gems so if you have more time you’ve got to venture out into the other neighbourhoods and explore some of the 100+ museums!

 

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