For travelers who appreciate the finer things in life, Mexico City offers the full package. With its innovative art circuit, high-end shopping opportunities, and five-star hotels to die for - Mexico City is the perfect destination for living it up in style.
While there is definitely a luxurious side to Mexico City, it can initially feel hard for a visitor to uncover. After all, this is a crowded city home to almost 9 million people, and many visitors end up feeling dizzy amidst all the hustle and bustle. Curated private tours are the most luxurious way to experience Mexico City without all the hassle. Our professional local guides can introduce you to the luxurious parts of the city you never knew existed. Here are our top picks for luxury tours and activities available in Mexico's vibrant capital city.
Hot Air Balloons Over Teotihuacan
Visiting the ancient city of Teotihuacan is an unforgettable experience. Located about 40 kilometers north of Mexico City, this historic Mayan city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thought to have been established over 2,000 years ago. The most famous landmarks at this pre-Columbian site are the majestic Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. While visiting Teotihuacan is impressive in its own right, the most jaw-dropping way to take in these ancient ruins is with a hot air balloon ride over the location.
Floating high above the crowds, you can take in all the most important landmarks in privacy and from a unique perspective. Needless to say, a hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan also offers stunning photo ops. The balloon ride will usually take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the weather. As has long been customary the world over, the balloon ride ends in a celebratory toast. Participants will also receive a special certificate to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Shop in Chic Polanco
Get ready to shop 'til you drop in Polanco. As one of Mexico City's more upmarket neighborhoods, Polanco offers some of the best shopping for those with a penchant for designer goods and cutting-edge fashion. At the heart of the neighborhood you will find Avenida Presidente Masaryk. This popular shopping strip is Mexico City's equivalent to Champs-Élysées or Rodeo Drive. As with its cosmopolitan counterparts, the street is lined with luxury boutiques, including Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Dolce & Gabbana. Favored by visitors and locals alike, this lively street is also perfect for people watching.
There are also a few shopping malls in Polanco, with Antara being the most popular. This lavish open-air shopping center is home to both international and local brands, including Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Coach and many, many more. Just 500 meters from Antara, the El Palacio de Hierro department store offers even more high-end shopping with brands such as Prada, Fendi, Gucci, YSL, Versace, and more. Besides excellent shopping, Polanco also offers art and culture, with the cutting-edge Museo Soumaya located in this elegant colonia. Which brings us to…
Explore The Art Scene
It's little secret that Mexico City is an art lover's dream. The city is home to over 150 museums, including the iconic Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán. Thanks to the painter’s far-reaching fame, the area has become something of a pilgrimage site for art aficionados. The neighborhood feels like a living work of art, with beautifully preserved Spanish-era buildings adorned with murals bursting with color and creativity. Another emerging art district can be found in the colonia of San Rafael, which exudes an artsy feel and is home to many an art gallery. Additionally, Mexico City hosts the annual Zona Maco art festival, which celebrates contemporary art and attracts visitors from all over the world.
With all this creativity woven into the local landscape, it only makes sense that the city is blessed with a number of highly rated art galleries displaying some of the most cutting-edge art on the continent. Top-rated Mexico City galleries focusing on contemporary art include Kurimanzutto in San Miguel Chapultepec, House of Gaga in Hipodromo, and Tezontele Studio in Centro Historico. Navigating these different neighborhoods can be tricky for a visitor. Consider booking a private guide who can handle the logistics for you, allowing you to focus on the matter at hand: getting immersed in the most creative art happening in the city.
Sleep in the Heart of the City
Mexico City is a hectic metropolis that's always on the move. The most luxurious way to experience the vibrant pulse of the city is by staying in the heart of the action. Many of the city's most luxurious hotels, from the Ritz-Carlton to the Four Seasons, are located along Paseo de la Reforma where you will have the whole city at your fingertips.
This leafy boulevard is home to the iconic Ángel de la Independencia statue (which commemorates Mexico's War of Independence) and leads down to Bosque de Chapultepec, a large park known as the Lungs of Mexico City. Many of Mexico City's best museums (of which there are many) are also just moments away, including the world-famous Museo Nacional de Antropología and the futuristic Museo Soumaya.
There is no better place to take it all in than the Ritz-Carlton, which towers over the city at 59 stories high, elevating guests high above the noise. We hope you'll excuse the pun, but we highly recommend enjoying a tipple at the swanky Samos Bar, located on the hotel's 38th floor. Trust us: the views of the Mexico City skyline will take your breath away.
Conclusion
With its hectic pace and a population measured in the millions, Mexico City is one of the most vibrant cities on the planet. Initially, the fast pulse of the city might leave you reeling. To explore a more luxurious side of this busy metropolis, we recommend booking a private tour of the city. GoWithGuide's private tours are the perfect way to take in Mexico City at your own pace, without sacrificing an ounce of luxury and comfort. Our tours are fully customizable to suit your personal tastes and interests, so why not have a chat with our guides and let us know what would make your trip to Mexico City perfect. ¡Buen viaje!