Mexico City has become one of the more popular travel destinations in the world. Budget backpackers and casual travelers alike, flock to the Mexican Capitol.

In the last few years I have traveled to CDMX a total of five times. Repeating visits has a lot to do with how much I love this city, but also because you cant see it all in one trip

Not everyone has the time and the freedom to make several trips or stay in one place very long. So I have put together a list of what are the top five things to do in Mexico City with limited time.

1) National Museum of Anthropology

This museum reccomended to me as a must visit by everyone I met before my first trip to CDMX. It may be one of the more popular and immpresive museums in the entire world. Packed with significant archaeological and anthropological artifacts from Mexico's pre-Columbian heritage. Such as the Stone of the Sun (or the Aztec calendar stone) and the Aztec Xochipilli statue.

You can tour the museum on your own, or look into hiring an English speaking guide. Budget at least two to three hours for your visit, and trust me you will want to take your time here.

2) Teotihuacan

Outside the center of Mexico City sits the UNESCO World Heritage site of Teotihuacan. The holy city of Teotihuacan ('the place where the gods were created') is situated some 50 km north-east of Mexico City.

Built between the 1st and 7th centuries A.D., it is characterized by the vast size of its monuments. In particular, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, laid out on geometric and symbolic principles. Considerd one of the most powerful cultural centers in Mesoamerica. Teotihuacan extended its cultural and artistic influence throughout the region, and even beyond.

Getting here is wasy, you can take public transportation, taxi or an Uber. Tours can also be arranged through your hostel or local tour adcenies.

3) Lucha Libre @ Arena Mexico

Wrestling (Lucha Libre) has become an essential stop while traveling in Mexico City. Also popular with the locals. It all takes place at Arena Mexico in the Roma Norte neighborhood.

Head to the arena on a Tuesday or Friday night. You can buy tickets in advance on ticketmaster, or just turn up to the Arena Mexico and buy tickets on the night. If you want the best seats then buy them in advance. If you’re happy just to get involved then a reasonable ticket will cost around 100 pesos.

I suggest you avoid going to the matches on any organized tour. These tours are overpriced and you end up sitting in a “gringo” section with all the other tour groups. If you just go on your own in an Uber you can get a GA ticket and sit among the locals and get the entire experience.

4) Free Walking of the Historical Center

A great option to explore most of the historical center of the city is to take a free walking tour. Not only are these tours interesting, this also serves as a great way to meet to people.

Here is a link to Strawberry Walking Tours, which is more of the more popular tours in the area.

5) Parque Mexico & Bosque de Chapultepec

Chapultepec, more commonly called the "Bosque de Chapultepec" (Chapultepec Forest) in Mexico City, is one of the largest city parks in the Western Hemisphere

The Parque México, is a large urban park located in Colonia Hipódromo in the Condesa area of Mexico City.

Ok so this is by far my favorite place in in Condesa. This park is the central hub to life in this neighborhood. Here you see people out walking dogs, playing music, taking classes, boxing and more. My favorite thing to do each morning is to get a cup of coffee, and head over to the Foro Lindbergh and sit under the pillars to watch people gather. You will find a crowd of locals playing frisbee, soccer, roller skating, dancing, and passing a football. All this is going on right in the center of the space almost happening witout anyone getting in the way of each other.

Honorable Mentions: EAT!

This did not make the top five only because it goes without saying. While in Mexico City you should be eating your way from one destination to the next. Grab a street taco before the museum, and sit down for a nice dinner after the Luche Libre. No matter where you are in the city, the smell of delicious food is in the air.

5 Days In Mexico City: Top Things To Do