Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis. It’s also sinking. The evolving city has an array of things to see and things to do for every kind of traveler. From hiking the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan to riding the riverboats through the floating Gardens of Xochimilco, visiting the myriad museums to traversing through Zocalo, Mexico City’s enormous main square, the outdoor artisan markets to the street food fare and Michelin Star-restaurants, you’ll want to be prepared.
One consistent theme that ran throughout our trip was that we seldom went back to the hotel. We left in the morning and came back at night. There is just so much to do here. Your packing should be versatile enough to accommodate all of the different outings, and be able to transform from day to night.
When visiting a city has dynamic and colorful as Mexico City, I find the most success packing when I plan out what I’m going to wear each day and night I’m there. This requires a bit more thought up front, but I pack much more efficiently this way.
The packing guide below will give you an idea about Mexico’s climate, social mores, pace and kind of activities you may encounter – all things to take into consideration before packing.
Mexico City Trip Details
Location: Mexico City
Travel month: October
Weather: Mexico City remains balmy for most of the year. December through March is driest and peak travel time. Rain is common June through September. Visiting Mexico City in October made it perfectly tolerable to handle all of the walking and hiking we did. The nights get cooler but nothing a jacket can’t fix.
Mexico City weather averages:
What to Pack for Mexico City by Activity
- Outdoor Markets
The outdoor markets are truly a gem. There’s art, artisanal ceramics, shot glasses, clothes, trinkets, tons of souvenir items and, of course, Mezcal. One thing I’d highly recommend bringing is a tote. I carried the same Longchamp tote I carried to the airport. This came in handy because I was able to stuff my more fragile and smaller purchases inside my tote instead of carrying a separate shopping bag.
My CDMX crew and I headed straight to the market after checking into the hotel and didn’t bother to change, which was fine. But the outdoor markets are super cute with many photo ops. We took a cab here and the walking around the market was easy and pleasant. If I could do it again, I might wear a pair of jeans with a statement top and some sandals.
Where to purchase
1. Lace off-the-shoulder top; Stella McCartney at Mytheresa; On sale $412
2. Wedgie Fit Women’s Jeans; Levi’s at Revolve; $98
3. The Day Market Tote; Everlane; $175
4. Women’s Ella Sandal; Sorel; On sale $59.90
2. Museums
There was always quite a bit of walking en route to each museum because it was incorporated into a longer itinerary for the day. Mexico City has the most museums than any other city in the world. The most efficient way to see the many must-see museums are to incorporate them into your itinerary based on location.
I wore tennis shoes each day I went to a museum and my feet certainly appreciated it. The walking will make you hot but once you’re inside, a light sweater or cardigan might come in handy. They don’t blast the AC in Mexico like I’m used to in the US but it was nice to have.
The museums in Mexico City are amazing. From the architecture to the Mayan artifacts to the gardens, you’ll be busy snapping away. So another accessory I have come to really appreciate in these intense photo-snapping settings is a phone crossbody purse. Not only does it make your phone easier to find in your purse, but it’s great to be able to carry your phone on your arm (or hang around your neck) in an accessible manner for a short period of time before you stick it back in your bag.
Where to purchase
1.Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee; Madewell; $19.99
2. Midi Slip Skirt; Aqua at Bloomingdales; $68
3. Fine-knit Cardigan; H&M; $12.99
4. Nike Air Force 1 Sage Low; Nike; $100
5. Belinda Crossbody Case; Bandolier; $98
3. The ancient pyramids of Teotichaun and the Metropolitan Cathedral
The pyramids are steeped in history. While you certainly don’t need a tour guide to appreciate the visually stunning site, I got a much richer experience this way. The bus picked us up at 7:30am sharp. We got to the pyramids when nobody was there. Being in this historic expanse when it was empty was truly a cathartic experience.
But it’s brisk this early so you’ll need a light hoodie or jacket you can tie around your waist. The absolute most important thing though when climbing the pyramids is that you need great walking tennis shoes. The steps can be steep and there are many. Our Apple watch counted 20,000 steps this day.
You’ll also want to be cool and comfortable. I wore my most breathable cotton romper and this worked out great. The romper was flexible and comfortable as jammies. Another great option might be breathable athleisure wear. Better yet, you can opt for an athletic romper like the one featured below. You’ll sweat quite a bit. Sunglasses were a must here and though I didn’t wear a hat, I wish I would’ve brought a snug cap to provide protection from the sun as there is no shade anywhere near the pyramids. Oh and bring water! They don’t sell water here, or at least I didn’t see anyone who did.
Metropolitan Cathedral
Our tour guide took us to the Metropolitan Cathedral right after the pyramids. So we saw two major historic monuments in one day. This architectural gem is the largest and oldest cathedral in all of Latin America. If you do visit both in the same day, you’ll want to prepare your outfit so that it’s appropriate for both locations. It’s generally understood you don’t wear shorts here. What I wore was perfectly fine, as is the outfit I feature below. I covered up my shoulders by donning my hoodie sweater before going inside the cathedral too.
Where to Purchase
1. Hillside Mesh Romper; Athleta; On sale $118.99
2. Nike Air Force 1 Sage Low; Nike; $100
3. Swiftie Running Cap; Sweaty Betty; $30
4. Fine-Knit Cardigan; H&M; $12.99
5. 004 Sunglasses; Chimi at Revolve; On sale $59.40
4. Chapultepec Castle and Bosque de Chapultepec Park
Set in the huge beautiful Bosque de Chapultepec park famous for its CDMX photo op, the Chapultepec Castle is an impressive castillo housing fascinating artifacts and artwork from Mexico’s history. The actual name is Museo Nacional de Historia where you can see how Maximilian from Habsburg lived during his stay in Mexico.
Getting to the Castillo is not quite like hiking the pyramids, but it is an uphill trek. The serene walk is picturesque and beautiful, but you’ll need to wear comfortable shoes. You could get away with comfortable sandals. Still, I’d wear tennis shoes because the walk is considerable. I wore an authentic long Mexican skirt I purchased at the outdoor market with a tank top and tennis shoes, which worked out great. A maxi dress would also work well for the occasion.
Where to Purchase
1. Knit Maxi Dress; Nordstrom; On sale $38.90
2. Nike Air Force 1 Sage Low; Nike; $100
3. Fine-Knit Cardigan; H&M; $12.99
5. Fine dining
Mexico City is known for its street fare, but it’s also got some amazing fine dining restaurants including two Michelin-star restaurants. We dined at Pujol, named by Wall Street Journal as the best in Mexico City. Reservations are required months in advance but it is worth it. We tried their 1,748 day- old mole. Holy mole!
I chose a wrinkle-free LBD and strategically wore the same puffer jacket I wore to the airport so I wouldn’t have to pack a thick jacket in my suitcase. The nights were cold and since this was the night we planned to stay out, the thicker jacket saved me from the chill and helped dressed down my outfit for the speakeasy bar we went to after. Simple mid-high black heels completed the outfit. And don’t forget the easiest way to dress up an outfit while traveling: a little jewelry bling.
Where to Buy
1.Whisper Ruffled V-Neck Mini Dress; French Connection at Nordstrom; $148
2. Drexler Sequin Sleeve Puffer Jacket; By Generation Love at Saks Fifth Avenue; On sale $222.75
3. Rain Earrings; Deepa Gurnani at Shopbop; $60
4. Madison 12-Hour Ankle-Strap Pump; Banana Republic; $128
6. Canals of Xochimilco, Mexico
We had planned to visit the “Venice of Mexico” on the last day we were here, but we ran out of time. Unless you are about to miss your flight like I was, please don’t miss this rare chance to see Mexico City while riding on the colorful trajineras (tourist boats).
The trajineras come complete with table and chairs so you don’t need to stand the whole time or sit on the floor but I’d still wear pants. Getting in and out of boats require maneuvering, and this one is no different. A pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and button up would be a great option. Also, since food is allowed on board, I’d bring a tote you can carry some snacks in.
Where to Buy
1.Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee; Madewell; $19.99
2. The Day Market Tote; Everlane; $175
3. Wedgie Fit Women’s Jeans; Levi’s at Revolve; $98
4. Nike Air Force 1 Sage Low; Nike; $100
5. 004 Sunglasses; Chimi at Revolve; On sale $59.40
7. Swim & Workout
We stayed at the Hyatt in Polanco (they have an amazing breakfast buffet, btw). The hotel had an indoor poor and gym. I didn’t get a chance to take a dip but I did get to work out, which felt great.
If you think you might have a chance to enjoy the hotel amenities, pack a bathing suit or extra tights and tank top, which wouldn’t take up much space but could do wonders for the body. To work out, I wore the same tennis shoes I wore throughout my whole trip which saved a lot of space.
Where to Buy
1. Onix Tess Balloon One Piece; Vix; $210
2. Seek Simplicity Tank 2 Ways; Lululemon; On sale $29-$34
3. Nike Air Force 1 Sage Low; Nike; $100
4. Delancey Herringbone Tight; Athleta; $89
8. Airport
Airplanes tend to get chilly. I strategically wore my thicker puffy jacket on the plane to save suitcase space. Leggings, a simple cotton t-shirt and tennis shoes kept me plenty comfortable and they were both items I could reuse throughout my trip. Full disclosure: I wore the same outfit both on the way to Mexico City and on the way home.
Where to Buy
1. Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee; Madewell; $19.99
2. The Day Market Tote; Everlane; $175
3. Delancey Herringbone Tight; Athleta; $89
4. Nike Air Force 1 Sage Low; Nike; $100
5. 004 Sunglasses; Chimi at Revolve; On sale $59.40
So in a nutshell, here’s what I’d pack.
