10 Awesome Day Trips From Mexico City

While Mexico City itself offers a vast array of cultural and historical sites, venturing outside of the city opens you to even more unique experiences.

The best day trips from Mexico City blend culture with nature and delicious food, of course! From fascinating archaeological sites to picturesque towns steeped in history, the day tours from Mexico City are seemingly endless.

I’ve detailed everything you need to know about these Mexico City day trips, including how to get there and what to do. And I’ve included some day trips in Mexico City because sometimes navigating this large metropolis feels like a trip in itself.

Let’s discover the best places to visit near Mexico City to deepen your knowledge of what lies beyond the vibrant metropolis of CDMX.

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Places to Visit Near Mexico City

I decided to start this list with several day trips in Mexico City. The reason is that Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis. It could easily take an hour or two to get from one side of CDMX to another.

While you’ll still want to plan a half or full day for these places to visit near Mexico City, their proximity means you won’t spend the majority of your time traveling there and back.

1. Teotihuacan Archeological Site

The ancient city of Teotihuacan is a top place to visit near Mexico City, even if you’re not a history enthusiast. Located about an hour northeast of the city, the main features of this UNESCO site are the Sun and Moon Pyramids. But there are many other places to explore between the two. 

I’ve visited Teotihuacan three times. And the truth is, you learn so much more about Teotihuacan with a guided tour. I highly recommend you book this Teotihuacan tour so that you can learn more about the site, its history, and the over 200,000 people that once called Teotihuacan home. 

Or for a spectacular start to the day, book this hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan in the morning and then explore the site as soon as it opens. Both provide transportation from Mexico City.

2. Xochimilco Floating Gardens

This unique day trip is famous for its colorful trajineras (trah-he-ner-as) which are traditional wooden boats that can be rented by the hour to explore the waterways.

The canals of Xochimilco are a series of floating gardens built by the Aztecs to grow food and other plants. While this is one part of Xochimilco, the other and more common experience is the party atmosphere that develops among the various boats. 

As you float through the canals, other boats full of people pass by as well as vendors selling beers, elotes (corn), and other snacks. Although the most fun is the mariachi bands that will happily board your boat and play a few songs for a fee.

Tip – Buy snacks, drinks, and ice at the small stores near the boats. You can bring them on board. Often the boat captain will have a bucket to use as a cooler.

Since it’s quite a social atmosphere, it’s best to visit Xochimilco in a group. This also helps with sharing the cost to rent the boat.

Alternatively, you can book a tour of Xochimilco from Mexico City which includes transportation and the cost of the boat. This day tour includes a visit to Coyocan and Frida Kahlo’s House, Casa Azul so that you can maximize your time in Mexico City. Or check out these Xochimilco day tours.

3. Coyoacán and Frida Kahlo Museum

Coyoacán is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Mexico City. So, yes this is one of those day trips in Mexico City. To make it a full day, there are other Coyoacán museums to visit. Or a day trip to Coyoacán pairs nicely with the floating gardens of Xochimilco which are also located south of the city.

The neighborhood of Coyoacán which in Nahuatl is interpreted to mean “place of coyotes,” blends a bohemian atmosphere with colonial charm. It’s most well known for Casa Azul, the former residence of Frida Kahlo turned museum.

Stepping into The Frida Kahlo Museum is like stepping into the pages of Kahlo’s life. The vibrant blue walls, lush gardens, and preserved interiors provide a glimpse into the world that shaped her identity and artistic vision.

Exploring the museum allows you to intimately connect with Frida Kahlo’s art. I particularly admired her striking self-portraits, which reveal her pain, resilience, and unapologetic embrace of her Mexican identity.

Tip – You need to buy tickets for the Frida Kahlo Museum in advance and arrive at least 15 minutes before your entrance time. Tickets sold out? Read this post to find out how to score Frida Kahlo museum tickets.

You may want to take the time to walk around the colorful neighborhood of Coyoacán. In the center is the main square with a beautiful coyote fountain. And a short Uber away is the studio of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo which you can also tour.

If you prefer, you can book a tour that includes Coyoacan, Casa Azul, and a boat ride through the canals at Xochimilco. Several also include the Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum and a trip to see the murals at the Mexico City University, UNAM.

Staying in CDMX? You’ll want to discover the best lucha libre tours in Mexico City.

4. The Murals at UNAM – Mexico’s Oldest University

Founded in 1551, UNAM is the oldest university in North America. And if you’ve enjoyed discovering the Diego Rivera murals in the city, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this day trip from CDMX.

The most impressive mural at UNAM is the 4-sided mosaic mural on the multi-story UNAM library building created by Mexican artist Juan O’Gorman. It tells the history of Mexico from Mesoamerica to modern day.

UNESCO deemed the Central Library, along with the Central Campus of the University City, as a World Heritage site. I recommend walking around the campus to discover all the murals.

And if you want to learn more about the murals, you should book this guided walking tour of the murals at UNAM with a knowledgeable guide. It’s easy to get to the university using the Metrobus which takes you all the way there from the city.

Want to discover more of CDMX? Click to read my top picks for a Mexico City taco tour.

5. Grutas Tolantongo Hot Springs

This is one of the longest day trips from Mexico City. But if you love hot springs, you don’t want to miss visiting Grutas Tolantongo. 

Located approximately 4 hours from the capital, Grutas Tolantongo is a series of hot spring pools fed from a thermal cave that flows into a gorgeous blue river of the same thermal waters. The setting alone is worth the trip to Grutas Tolantongo.

If you’re planning to take a day trip to Grutas Tolantongo from Mexico City, it is best to book a day tour to Grutas Tolantongo which includes transportation and entrance fees. 

Tip – I would avoid public transportation for a day trip to Grutas Tolantongo because it requires a transfer in Ixmiquilpan which takes too much time along this already long excursion from Mexico City.

6. Puebla Day Trip From Mexico City

Puebla is a colonial city renowned for its traditional culinary dishes and historical significance. It’s also known for its incredible churches such as the iconic Puebla Cathedral and the gold-gilded Rosary Chapel.

The historic center is a UNESCO site and treasure trove of architectural gems. Puebla is famous for its beautifully preserved colonial buildings, characterized by their intricate facades, some of which are adorned with colorful Talavera tiles. 

Want to visit Cholula and Puebla on a day trip from Mexico City? Book this tour with a knowledgeable guide.

9. Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

If you’re visiting in the winter months, one of the best day trips from Mexico City is to see the monarch butterfly migration in Mexico. Located in the mountains of Michoacan, the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is where millions of monarch butterflies migrate to every year.

After hiking into the sanctuary of oyamel fir trees, you’ll be greeted by thousands of vibrant orange and black butterflies clustered together on the branches. As the sun begins to warm the air, the butterflies take flight and create a magical, breathtaking scene.

As a day trip from Mexico City, the best way to venture here is to book a Monarch Butterfly Tour that includes transportation and a guided tour into the sanctuary. Your guide will share fascinating insights into the arduous migratory journey and the significance of their presence in Mexican culture, specifically for Day of the Dead.

While the monarch butterfly season only last from about mid-November through mid-March, I highly recommend seeking out this incredible experience.

10. Tula Archeological Site

This archeological gem offers a glimpse into the period of the Toltecs after the fall of Teotihuacan. Tula archeological site is one of the lesser visited ruins in Mexico and its proximity to the city makes it a great Mexico City day trip. 

Love archeological sites? You should book this private tour to visit both Tula and Teotihuacan on the same day.

Tula Archeological Zone features four columns carved in the shape of Toltec warriors. They are carved of basalt rock and stand tall on Tula’s most prominent pyramid. While these are the most impressive formations at Tula, there are plenty of other places that have been excavated, including two ball courts.

When I visited the site with my uncle, one of the highlight was the entrance which weaves through the Tula National Park. It features a beautiful botanical garden with native species such as mesquite trees and many types of cactus.

11. Izta-Popo National Park

If you’re looking for an adventurous day trip from Mexico City, you should visit Izta-Popo National Park, home to the famous Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl volcanoes. 

This national park offers breathtaking views, diverse landscapes, and challenging hiking (mostly due to the elevation). 

If you want to visit, I highly recommend you book this tour to trek between Mexico’s most famous volcanos. This day tour includes gear and trained guides with safety equipment. 

Another popular hike is the Iztaccihuatl Volcano hike. This intermediate-level trail takes about three hours to reach the base a few thousand feet below the snowcapped volcano which stands 17,000 feet high.

Due to the altitude, it’s important that you are hydrated before adventuring on this day trip from Mexico City. If you’re not experienced with high-elevation hikes, it’s another reason to go with a guide that can assist along the way.

Do you love Mexican food? Check out these Mexico City cooking classes to up your culinary game.

12. Nevado De Toluca National Park

Visiting the Nevado de Toluca National Park is an incredible day trip from Mexico City for experienced hikers. This park is home to Nevado de Toluca, an extinct volcano and Mexico’s fourth tallest peak at 4,000 meters (13,000 feet).

There is evidence to show that Nevado de Toluca was previously as tall as Popocatépetl. However, an immense eruption occurred roughly 25,000 years ago.

It caused a significant portion of the volcanic cone to be violently expelled, resulting in a substantial reduction of its altitude by approximately 900 meters (3,000 feet).

Incredibly, there are more than a dozen archeological sites within the park, including the two lakes that sit at the top of the volcanic crater. There have been many archeological finds at the bottom of the lakes, including many pieces of copal that were likely ritual offerings.

To explore, I recommend you book this tour to hike Nevado de Toluca which includes a bilingual guide, safety equipment, and round-trip transportation from Mexico City. 

13. Tepotzotlán and Arcos del Sitio Park

Located just an hour from CDMX, the pueblo mágico of Tepotzotlán is another unique Mexico City day trip. Most visitors come here to explore the Museo Nacional del Virreinato which is located in the former College of San Francisco Javier.

Today the entire complex consists of three parts – the former school, the ornate church of San Francisco Javier which has incredible gold detail inside, and the Church of San Pedro Apostol which is still used for religious purposes.

You can combine a visit to the museum in Tepotzotlán with a trip to Tula Archeological Ruins when you book this private day trip from Mexico City.

Another unique place to visit nearby is the Arcos del Sitio Park, a recreational site at the location of an incredible 18th-century aqueduct. The Xalpa aqueduct consists of an impressive 43 arches spread among its four levels.

At approximately 438 meters long and 61 meters high, it was considered one of the highest aqueducts in the world at the time. The Arcos del Sitio Park offers its visitors sweeping views, a picnic area, horseback rentals, and a zipline. You can also take a hot air balloon ride among the arches.

FAQs About Day Trips From Mexico City

Final Thoughts: Mexico City Day Trips

As you can see, the day trips from Mexico City are as diverse as the city itself. From the ancient echoes of Teotihuacán to the charming streets of Taxco, one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. 

Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply a curious traveler, Mexico City day trips offer a world of possibilities. So, let the allure of ancient civilizations, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture guide your adventure as it unfolds.