The capital of Mexico, Mexico City is a pulsating megalopolis teeming with culture and history. As one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, travelers find themselves in a melting pot of history and culture where the ancient past and contemporary present blend to create a unique synergy with a foot in both worlds. A world-class destination Mexico City, offers unique and diverse experiences and tours which rival the greatest cities of the world.
Journey Mexico crafts private, custom made itineraries for sophisticated travelers, here are some ideas to get your Mexico City vacation rolling.
Private Day Tours & Itineraries
Highlights
- Historic Center and Zocalo
- Palacio Bellas Artes
- National Anthropology Museum
- Teotihuacan Archaeological Site
- Basilicia de Guadalupe
- San Angel, Coyoacan, and Xochimilco Neighborhoods
Full Itinerary
Map route
Dates and Prices
This trip can be customized for a private journey all year round. Because this itinerary will be custom tailored to your liking, please inquire for exact pricing.
Highlights
- Historic Center and Zocalo
- Colonia Roma Art Galleries (OMR, Monclova, MARSO, Lamm)
- National Antropology Museum
- Museum Jumex and Museum Soumaya
- Chapultepec Park – Rufino Tamayo Art Museum, National Museum of History, Museum of Modern Art
- Luis Barragán House and Studio
- UNAM’s Contemporary Art University Museum
Full Itinerary
Map route
Dates and Prices
This trip can be customized for a private journey all year round. Because this itinerary will be custom tailored to your liking, please inquire for exact pricing.
Highlights
- Mexico City History of Chocolate
- Mexico City San Juan Market Tour and Cooking Class
- Puebla Highlights and Cooking Class
- Oaxaca Highlights and Cooking Class
- Mezcal Distilleries
Full Itinerary
Map route
Dates and Prices
This trip can be customized for a private journey all year round. Because this itinerary will be custom tailored to your liking, please inquire for exact pricing.
Highlights
Visit Top Designers Workshops, Showrooms, and Shops such as Carla Fernandez, Fabrica Social, Takamura and more
Full Itinerary
Dates and Prices
This tour is for weekends only, please inquire for pricing.
Our Guides
Journey Mexico’s expert private guides are the very best; it is not uncommon for them to hold degrees in art history, archeology, anthropology or biological sciences. Of course, our guides are also charming and personable; undoubtedly you will consider them your friend by the time you leave us! We understand the demanding service that luxury travelers require.
Testimonials
– Debbie Wild, March 2014
-Joseph Gandolfo, January 2011
Day 1
Arrival to Mexico City
You will be welcomed on arrival leaving baggage claim and customs to the Mexico City International Airport and privately transferred to your deluxe room at the Four Seasons Hotel Mexico. Tonight dinner is reserved for you at the acclaimed El Izote Restaurant with an explanation of the menu by the chef (subject to availability).
Overnight Four Seasons Mexico City
Day 2
San Angel, Coyoacan, and Xochimilco
Today you will be met in the hotel lobby by your guide for a privately guided exploration of the subtler aspects of Mexico City. We head to the charming suburb of San Angel for the Bazar Sabado (Saturday Bazaar). The bustling market is held along the cobblestone streets and pretty San Jacinto Plaza and features a lovely mix of jewelry, ceramics, glassware, and household items. You will also visit the Casa Estudio de Diego Rivera, the actual home of Diego and Frida masterfully crafted by Juan O’Gorman, where you can see the artists’ workshop and original works by Diego Rivera. On to Coyocan, your lunch at Los Danzantes is reserved and included today. After lunch you can explore the Bazar Artesanal de Coyocan where you will find everything from gypsie silverwork to indigenous pottery and weavings; look out for the stilted jugglers performing in the streets! You may also opt to visit the now famous Casa Azul, the famous former birthplace and home of Frida Khalo where you can see original work by Frida as well as photos and other artifacts from her life. Following lunch, you will visit the ancient Aztec waterways of Xochimilco, which remind you Mexico’s many layers of cultural and historical past. You have up to a two-hour private ride in one of the traditional Trajineras (river boats in Nahuatl) to ply the ancient waterways with perhaps a stop in the Nativitas Embarcadero to the large crafts market for some shopping. Time and interest permitting you can visit the Dolores Olmedo Museum which houses 137 original works by Diego Riviera and also includes 25 works by Frida Khalo and more than 600 pre-Hispanic artifacts. In the late afternoon you return to our lovely hotel, Four Seasons DF, to relax and freshen up for night on the town on your own or reservations can be made at the extraordinary restaurant Pujol.
Overnight Four Seasons Mexico City
Day 3
National Anthropology Museum and Zocalo
Today after a delicious breakfast you will be picked up in the hotel lobby for a full day, privately guided tour of the world-renowned National Anthropology Museum. Your expert guide will add contour and color to the myriad of fascinating exhibits. You will continue on to the Historic Center with continued commentary by your guide with visits to the Catedral Metropolitana, the Templo Mayor and Museum (You may wish to be accompanied by the site’s archaeologist (optional and at additional cost) during your visit to the Aztec’s Templo Mayor), Palacio Nacional, the Zocalo, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and more depending on time and interest. Lunch is included today at Café Tacuba or another of the many fine eateries in the Historic Center. In the late afternoon, you return to your fine hotel for relaxation and dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant, Four Seasons Reforma 500, or at one of the many excellent restaurants within walking distance.
Overnight Four Seasons Mexico City
Day 4
Teotihuacan and Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
You will be met in the hotel lobby for a privately guided tour of the stunning archaeological zone of Teotihuacan, famous for the enormous Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Again, your guide will enhance your experience with expert explanations of the importance of the site and its place in the rich history of Mexico’s many layers of pre-Columbian civilizations. Your privately guided tour includes a visit to theBasilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Afternoon return to your hotel at the Four Seasons and dinner reservations are made at Dulce Patria.
Overnight Four Seasons Mexico City
Day 5
Departure from Mexico City
Private transfer from Four Seasons Mexico to Mexico City Airport.
Day 1
Arrival to Mexico City
Today you will be met by your driver outside of customs and privately transferred to your Mexico City hotel.
Day 2
Mexico City Historical Center
Today after breakfast you will be picked up in the hotel lobby for a full day, privately guided tour of the Historic City Center, your guide will enhance your experience with expert explanations of the importance of different sites and its place in the rich history of Mexico while you visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral, Zocalo, National Palace Murals and Palacio de Bellas Artes. The Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) boats an exterior of the building thatis primarily Neoclassical and Art Nouveau and an interior tat is primarily Art Deco. The building is best known for its murals by Diego Rivera, Siqueiros and others, as well as the many exhibitions and theatrical performances.
In the afternoon, enjoy a guided and expert walk through some of the most important art Galleries in Roma District such as OMR Gallery, Proyecto Monclova, Casa Lamm & MARSO (time and interest permitting).
Day 3
Luis Barragán House and Studio
Today you will be met in the hotel lobby for a privately guided visit to the Luis Barragán House and Studio, the former residence of architect Luis Barragan, now a museum exhibiting Barragan’s work that in 2004 was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the only private residence in Latin America to be named so, and it was because of its representation of 20th-century architecture, which integrated traditional and vernacular elements and mixes various philosophical and artistic tendencies of the mid 20th century, it is one of the most influential and representative example of modern Mexican architecture.
The day continues with a visit to a contemporary art gallery. LABOR, founded by Pamela Echeverría and also the Archivo de Diseno y Arquitectura (ADA). The ADA was consists of two collections: A collection of no less than 2800 national and international industrial design icons and a collection of bibliographical holdings dedicated to the architectural discipline, both open only by appointment.
Day 4
Chapultepec Park, Rufino Tamayo Art Museum, National Museum of History, Museum of Modern Art
In the morning, enjoy a guided visit to Chapultepec Castle & National Museum of History. From its location at the top of Chapultepec Hill, Chapultepec Castle is the eternal witness of Mexico’s history; as it has watched armies, presidents and emperors, who have left a permanent mark on the nation, along with your expert guide walk among its walls, gardens and full of history. Following the castle, visit the Rufino Tamayo Art Museum located within the park, principally dedicated to the former private collection of artist Rufino Tamayo and temporary exhibits of contemporary art. The building was the first major museum in Mexico built with private funds, with Tamayo participating in its design, which won the Premio Nacional de Arte in 1982.
The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish, we recommend a stroll trough Chapultepec Park, down Paseo de la Reforma Avenue admiring the always-changing art exhibitions that lead the way, or visiting the Museum of Modern Art nearby. The Museum of Modern Art has exhibitions of national and international contemporary artists. The museum also hosts a permanent collection of art from Remedios Varo, Gelsen Gas, Frida Kahlo, Olga Costa, Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Leonora Carrington, Rufino Tamayo, Juan Soriano, and Vicente Rojo.
Day 5
National Anthropology Museum, Jumex Museum and Soumaya Museum
Today after breakfast you will visit some most interesting museums in Mexico City starting with the world-renowned National Anthropology Museum where your expert guide will add contour and color to the myriad of fascinating exhibits. Your experience continues with a privately guided visit to Museo Jumex and Soumaya Museum. In five floors, its 17,000 square feet of gallery space the Jumex Museum includes sky-lighted rooms for the permanent collection at the top and special exhibitions one level down. The centerpiece of the building’s interior is a circulation stairwell of polished concrete walls lined in steel panels painted matte black. It forms part of the Plaza Carso development which also includes the Museo Soumaya; that you’ll visit next, with over 66,000 works from 30 centuries of art including sculptures from Pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica, 19th- and 20th-century Mexican art and an extensive repertoire of works by European old and modern western art masters such as Auguste Rodin, Salvador Dalí, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo and Tintoretto. It is considered to be one of the most complete collections of its kind.
Day 6
Mexico City Southern Neighborhoods with MUAC, Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera , San Angel Bazar & MYL Art Gallery
Today you will be met in the hotel lobby by your guide for a privately guided exploration of the subtler aspects of Mexico City. We head to the charming suburb of Coyoacan to visit the famous Casa Azul, the former birthplace and home of Frida Khalo where you can see original work by Frida as well as photos and other artifacts from her life, you will also enjoy a visit to the MUAC (Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo) with a special local art expert guide. In a building designed by Teodoro Gonzalez de León, the University Museum Contemporary Art, MUAC, is holder of the first public collection of contemporary art in Mexico, this Museum has sat a new paradigm for the artistic creation, the construction of knowledge and the significant learning for the public.
Your experience continues on to San Angel neighborhood, where you´ll visit to the Bazar de Sabado (Saturday Bazaar). The bustling market is held along the cobblestone streets and pretty San Jacinto Plaza and features a lovely mix of jewelry, ceramics, glassware, and household items. After lunch, stop at MYL contemporary art Gallery, founded in 2012 by Manuel Loaiza, its architectural design was articulated from the needs of current art production, this gallery defines its profile by focusing on working with Mexican and foreign young artists with a high professional level. Finally, along with your expert guide you’ll explore the famous Casa Estudio de Diego Rivera, the actual home of Diego and Frida masterfully crafted by Juan O’Gorman, where you can see the artists’ workshop and original works by Diego Rivera and Frida.
Day 7
Departure Day Mexico City
Private Transfer from hotel to Mexico City airport for Departure flight
Day 1
Arrival to Mexico City
Today you will be met by your driver outside of customs (international flights) and will be privately transferred to your Hotel, for check in and rest of evening at leisure. Enjoy dinner (on your own) at one of the many gourmet Mexican restaurants in the area, our suggestion is Pujol by acclaimed Chef Enrique Olvera which was named by Wall Street Journal as the “best restaurant in Mexico City” and ranked as the 17th best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine in 2013.
Overnight: St. Regis Mexico City
Day 2
Market Tour & Cooking Class with Chef Maycoll / Historic Center With Chocolate Tasting
This morning you will meet with Chef Maycoll at the J&G Grill Restaurant located in St. Regis to enjoy a market tour of “Mercado de San Juan”, one of the oldest and most unique markets in Mexico City, followed by a 5-course cooking class with wine pairing.
Later this afternoon enjoy a brief walking tour of historical Mexico City including visits to the most important sites such as the magnificent main square (Zocalo), the national palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral and an overview of the Templo Mayor from above. This tour not only offers a great overview of Mexico´s history, it also incorporates important facts about Mexico´s rich culinary heritage and includes a stop at the famed Cafe Tacuba restaurant where you will learn about the legendary makings of Mole, one of Mexico´s most celebrated dishes. This experience concludes with a tasting at Que Bo, one of the most recognized “chocolaterias” in town by Jose Ramon Castillo, an acclaimed pastry chefs. Here, you will taste and learn all about Mexico´s cacao and chocolate legacy over delectable artisan chocolate…a true delight for all of the senses! Time permitting, you can visit the Chocolate Museum, Mucho Mundo Chocolate, to learn how the native cocao bean has been used since pre-Hispanic times in foods both savory and sweet.
Overnight: St. Regis Mexico City
Day 3
Coyoacan and Xochimilco
Today you will be met for a privately guided exploration of the subtler aspects of Mexico City. We head to the charming suburb of San Angel, you will also visit the Casa Estudio de Diego Rivera, the actual home of Diego and Frida Khalo, where you can see the artists’ workshop and original works by Diego Rivera. On to Coyoacan where you can explore the Bazar Artesanal and the now famous Casa Azul, the former birthplace and home of Frida Khalo where you can see original works as well as photos and artifacts from her life. After lunch (suggested at Los Danzantes – not included) you’ll continue to the ancient Aztec waterways of Xochimilco. Enjoy a private ride in one of the traditional trajineras. It’s not unusual to see other river boats pass by, selling traditional Mexican snacks. Time and interest permitting you can visit the Dolores Olmedo Museum. In the late afternoon you return to our lovely hotel to enjoy rest of evening at leisure.
Overnight: St. Regis Mexico City
Day 4
Mexico City Markets
One of the best ways to get to know a city is by walking through its historic neighborhoods. This experience beings with walking through the vibrant community of Roma to learn about the vicinity´s history with insider tips on local shops and businesses and an explanation of the area´s architecture and its uniqueness in what is one of the largest cities in the world. Then visit a local market and learn about Mexico´s vast and rich cuisine, an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, by way of its regional and season chilies, produce, seeds, flowers and spices. Today’s lunch is suggested at Nikos Restaurant (not included).
Overnight: St. Regis Mexico City
Day 5
Puebla
Today after breakfast (included) and check-out you will enjoy a brief Mexico City sightseeing tour of the most important avenues and buildings before heading south to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Puebla. Upon arrival you will enjoy a delicious lunch (included) sampling some of the regions most delectable specialties and a short orientation overview of the downtown enabling you to comfortably explore the area on your own. For dinner we suggest sampling one of Puebla’s regional dishes which include tacos arabes, cemitas, and chalupas.
Overnight: Casa Reyna
Day 6
Puebla and Cholula
After breakfast, meet your guide for a continuation tour of Puebla’s Historic Center. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Puebla’s zocalo is home to more than 70 churches and thousands of colonial buildings, many covered with azulejos (ceramic tile) for which the city has become known. Together with your guide the tour includes a stroll down la Calle de los Dulces (the candy street), and a visit to Puebla’s oldest cantina serving artisanal liquers at La Pasita. Lunch is included today and offers a sampling of Puebla’s famous mole poblano.
In the afternoon, visit Cholula and the Great Pyramid, the largest in the world by volume. Upon arrival centuries ago, the Spanish were frightened by the devout nature of the Aztec worship and when they discovered Cholula they hoped to usurp the spiritual powers of the indigenous by destroying the ritual centers and building churches directly on top of the foundations of the ancient temples.
Overnight: Casa Reyna
Day 7
Puebla Cooking Class
After breakfast, you will experience a “Mexican Cooking Course” at Mesón de la Sacristía (10:00 am to 1:00 pm). Introduction to Poblano cuisine: salsa verde, salsa roja, chalupas, mole poblano and fresh water of jamaica (hibiscus)* Following to preparation is tasting time!
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure and later this evening you will meet you guide at the hotel lobby and prepare to enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Puebla’s most traditional restaurants, includes ½ bottle of wine per person.
Overnight: Casa Reyna
Day 8
Tehuacan en Route to Oaxaca
Early today after hotel check out you will meet your guide for a private 2 hrs transfer to Tehuacan – the place of the oldest maize cobs and city of an impressive botanical garden and biosphere reserve. According to the archaeologist Richard Stockton MacNeish, the Valley of Tehuacan is the first place maize was ever cultivated by humankind. The city is well known for its mineral springs and the traditional dish “mole de caderas” (seasonal dish Sep-Dec). Among interesting attractions we will can visit the Museum of Mineralogy.
Your journey continues towards Oaxaca (2 hrs transfer). Once arrived, settle into your charming hotel to rest and refresh; this evening meet your private guide for a orientation walking tour in Oaxaca Historic City Center.
Overnight: Casa Oaxaca
Day 9
Mitla Archaeological Site, Tule Tree & Mezcal Tasting
This morning we drive one hour to the Mixtec archaeological site of Mitla. Mitla is known for the unique stone fretwork found on the facades of its palace-like structures. Lunch in a small, typical restaurant will be included en route.
After our visit , we will then travel through the valley of Oaxaca visiting 2 small towns: San Dionisio Ocotepec & Santiago Matatlan. These towns are premium mezcal producers with authentic distilleries. Far from the tourist track, the mezcalerias that you will visit use the traditional copper still and pre-Columbian clay still in their production. We will taste the different agave types of Mezcal: Tobala, Espadin, Cuishe, Tobaciche…and more.
Back at your hotel enjoy rest of evening at leisure, suggested dinner on your own at Pitiona.
Overnight: Casa Oaxaca
Day 10
Mitla Archaeological Site, Tule Tree & Mezcal Tasting
Teotitlan del Valle, Market Visit, and Cooking Class with Zapotec Family
Meet your guide for a full day excursion to Teotitlan del Valle, possibly the prettiest village in the east side of the valley. Here, there is a remarkable church with authentic art subjects from XVI Century. At arrival, you will enjoy a guided visit to Teotitlan del Valle Market followed by a visit to a family home to see the process of how traditional woven rugs are made. Many still use the traditional techniques of carding and spinning their own wool, then dying it with natural colors and finally weaving on solid-wood looms.
Later, you will enjoy a regional cooking class and lunch as special guest in a Zapotec family home to share with the locals some secrets of Oaxacan cuisine. Oaxaca is famous world wide for its offerings; both Gourmet Magazine and The New York Times have praised Oaxacan Cuisine as the most authentic food in Mexico.
Overnight: Casa Oaxaca
Day 11
Cooking with Contemporary Chef Alejandro
After spending time in the countryside with local campesinos, learn about the contemporary flavors that continue to attract international attention to Oaxaca with local top Chef Alejandro of Casa Oaxaca. Visit the great central market and discuss the ancient traditions and alternative approaches to a range of local dishes. Through his personalized course, Alejandro will guide you to experience different flavors of Oaxaca, sharing his gastronomical knowledge along the way. Discuss your recent discoveries in the Zapotec communities with Chef Alejandro for further insight into Oaxaca’s cuisine. Peppers, chocolate, seafood from Veracruz and the southern coast – all of these elements are combined on local tables. Prepare another special meal today and enjoy along with a selection of artisanal mezcals
Overnight: Casa Oaxaca
Day 12
Departure Day
Today you will be picked up for your onward flight home.
10:00 Meet your guide for private transfer from your hotel to designer workshops
13:30 Break for lunch
14:30 Continue visiting showrooms, shops, and workshops
18:30 Depart back to hotel