Celebrating Hispanic Heritage in Mexico City

There are some travel experiences you never forget. For you, maybe it's a sunrise in Paris or autumn colors in Boston. For me, it is the whirlwind of colors and textures I found in Mexico City. Growing up in a Latino household, I was raised on telenovelas that showed clips of traffic on El Paseo de La Reforma between scenes of rags-to-riches tales. I consumed so much Mexican media that I made it my goal to one day visit the place where all these stories played out.

One of the world's ten largest cities, Mexico's capital might seem a bit daunting at first, but careful planning ensures that you can cover as much ground as possible and see some of the jewels this city has to offer.

Our itinerary begins at the Zócalo and the Palacio Nacional where you can try to wrap your brain around the scale of Diego Rivera's The History of Mexico. This mural covers three walls and takes the viewers from pre-Columbian Mexico into the artist's imagined future. Along the way, you'll encounter famous faces in Mexican history and even a peek of his wife, Frida Kahlo, hidden among the crowd.

Next, you'll dive into Frida Kahlo's life at the famed Casa Azul where the original selfie queen somehow managed to convey the complexities of love, disability, and life through her self-portraits. There is something almost magical about standing next to the bed where she learned to paint as she recovered from the streetcar accident that changed the course of her life. Explore Frida's corner of Mexico as you walk through the streets of Coyoacán, where you can't help but be inspired.

Xochimilco's colorful canals are next on the agenda. Sometimes called the Venice of Mexico, this area was first settled around 900 BCE as an agricultural center. The people here created the distinctive chinampas, or floating gardens. In pre-colonial times, the small islands in the lake produced corn, beans, and squash for the growing population. Today, it's a great spot to sit back and relax as you float on the lake in your trajinera.

Spend the next day exploring the National Museum of Anthropology. One of the world's best museums, this site boasts more than 600,000 artifacts displayed in over 320,000 square feet of exhibition space. Be sure to visit the giant Olmec head, Moctezuma's quetzal feather headdress, and the Aztec Sunstone at the heart of the museum. Spend the rest of your day exploring Chapultepec Park, the second-largest city park in Latin America. There are museums, fountains, monuments, and even a zoo nestled in this forest that serves as the lungs of Mexico City.

Just 25 miles north of Mexico City lies the ancient city of Teotihuacan. First settled in 600 BCE, Teotihuacan was once the largest city in all the Americas and today is the most visited archeological site in Mexico. The most striking features of this site are easily the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Climb the ancient stone steps to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun to take in the stunning views and imagine the city thriving as it did millennia ago.

As you bid farewell to this captivating city, you'll carry with you not only cherished memories but also a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of Mexican culture and history. Perfect for students of Spanish, history, and art, this itinerary offers an opportunity to recognize the beauty of Mexico and Hispanic heritage. Be sure to explore our other Latin American destinations and see how we celebrate the diversity of the region all year long.