When we were living in Mexico city, I had the opportunity to take so many Mexico City day trips. And it was one of the easiest ways to do some of the nearby places and be back home by the end of the day.
And during a recent trip to Mexico, I ended up visiting a few more day trips from Mexico City.
In this post, I write about everything you need to know about the best day trips and how to do them from Mexico City.
Everything you need to know about 15+ of the Best Mexico City Day Trips
I found that one of the best ways to visit all the nearby Mexico City day trips was by taking tours from Mexico City. They are quite convenient and can help you do it at your ease when you are day tripping from Mexico City.
You definitely need an eSim when you want to do these day trips. Because as a solo female traveller, I always love to stay connected. During my last trip to Mexico, I ended up using Yesim eSIM for Mexico and loving it for its ease of use and affordability.
Now let us list all the best day trips from Mexico City in no particular order and this of course is from personal preference.
Xochimilco
Xochimilco is one of the most popular Mexico City day trips and is actually considered as one of the boroughs of Mexico City.
It is also one of the cheapest day trips in Mexico City since it is almost accessible by the metro.
It is located 28kms south of Mexico City and it takes around 45 mins by car depending on traffic.
It is famous for its colourful Gondolas or Trajineras, floating gardens / chinampas and a UNESCO canal system said to be built by the Aztecs.
It is a popular weekend destination from Mexico City and there are lots of Mariachi bands playing with lots of food vendors too.
Prices of the gondolas are usually fixed by the government and you need to be careful that they do not overcharge you.
It is popular with Mexicans and can seem like a tourist trap if you go on the wrong days.
You can also visit the haunted Island of the Dolls.
Teotihuacan
One of the easiest top day trips from Mexico City has to be the day trip to Teotihuacan from Mexico City.
This was also one of the first day trips we did as a couple when we landed in Mexico City since it was so easy to choose to do.
Teotihuacan or the ‘City where Gods were created’ is an ancient Mesoamerican city, around 50 kms outside Mexico City.
It is now an UNESCO world heritage site and is definitely a must visit during your trip to Mexico City.
It is said to be older than the Aztec civilisation and there are so many sites to visit here.
Ideally, look to spend at least half a day here. Teotihuacan is quite close to Mexico City and you can easily reach here in 40-60 mins by car or a tour.
I recently visited this site again and was still mesmerised by it and this one day trip you need to do if you are in Mexico City.
Read this post
Tepotzotlan
Many people combine Tepotzotlan and Teotihuacan to make a full day trip from Mexico City.
Both are located north of Mexico City and Tepotzotlan is around 45 kms north of Mexico City and takes around an hour to get there from Mexico City.
This should not be confused with Tepotzlan which is another city south of Mexico City which is famous for Temazcal ceremonies. If you ask me, these are not the authentic ceremonies and please speak to the locals for more authentic experiences.
Since the distance between the two takes around 1 hour, it is usually paired with Teotihuacan for a full day tour from Mexico city.
Like many in this list of best Mexico City day trips, it is a Colonial Pueblo Magico which means a “Magical Town” in Mexico that features well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, historical significance, and rich cultural traditions.
It is famous for the Ex-Convent of San Francisco Javier, the National Museum of the Viceroyalty, and the stunning baroque Church of San Francisco Javier.
This town is famous for Mexican High Baroque architecture.
Tepoztlan
This is actually another Pueblo Magico but this is located south of Mexico City in the state of Morelos and it takes around 90 mins from Mexico City.
This is not a very popular day tour from Mexico City and hence in most cases, it is easier to take a bus or drive yourself there if you want to visit.
The main attraction is the El Tepozteco pyramid which is a 75 min hike up one way. You need to be in good shape to do the hike since it quickly gains elevation. I ended up not doing it when I was in Tepoztlan.
Please note that the pyramid is only open from Wednesdays to Sundays from ( AM to 4 PM and this needs to be kept in mind while visiting.
This mountain town is also famous for its weekend street food markets with a lot of artisanal stalls.
Tula
Tula or Toltec Ruins is one of the popular day trips outside of Mexico city and is also usually combined with Teotihuacan.
It is a Mesoamerican site that gained significant popularity after the fall of the Teotihuacan and was the capital of the Toltec empire.
You must have seen pictures of the large Basalt columns (4 meters tall) in the shape of Toltec warriors on top of the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl. They are called Atlantes as well.
It is around 90 kms north of Mexico City and takes close to 2 hours to get there.
One of the biggest advantages of Tula as a a Mexico City day trip is that it is relatively quieter compared to a similar historical site Teotihuacan.
It is open daily from 9 Am to 5 PM.
You can also combine it with Tepotzotlan to make it a full day trip or do it along with Teotihuacan.
Cholula
If you have time, I would definitely recommend spending at least couple of days in the towns of Cholula and Puebla.
But if you are short on time like me, then another very popular day tour from Mexico City is to Cholula and Puebla from Mexico City.
You start in Cholula which is around 2.5 hours away from Mexico City.
You visit the Great Pyramid (Tlachihualtepetl) which is the largest pyramid in the world by volume followed by the Spanish church on top of the pyramid – Santuario de Nuestra Senora de los Remedios.
You must have seen pictures of the yellow church with the snow clad mountains at the back. And this is the same church.
Cholula town is also quite colourful and there you will end up visiting the monastery of Convento de San Gabriel Arcangel which is considered one of the oldest monasteries in Mexico.
Puebla
Puebla is just 7-10 kms from Cholula and here you will visit the Puebla cathedral, the Rosary Chapel and Biblioteca Palafoxiana which is the oldest public library in the Americas.
The old town is filled with colourful buildings and do not forget to visit the Parian market.
Both cities are also known for their cuisine and I definitely had some great vegetarian food while I was there.
It is considered one of the best day trips from Mexico city for food lovers.
The journey back from Puebla to Mexico City is around 2.5 hours too.
Read this post
Valle De Bravo
If you are visiting between November and March, this is the place you need to go if you are someone who loves nature.
Because around 20kms from this city is the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary where you can see millions of monarch butterflies migrating.
Every year, they fly from Canada to Mexico during these months and it is sight to behold.
There is a hike of around 1.5 hours each way through the woods to see these butterflies and the Cascada Velo de Novia waterfall.
It is also a popular hiking and lake destination (Lake Avandaro) throughout the year. Paragliding is also quite famous here.
The historic old town of Valle De Bravo is also a must visit.
Valle De Bravo is around 2 hours by car from Mexico City and is one of the best seasonal day trips near Mexico City.
Taxco
This gorgeous white town is famous for one thing. You can buy some awesome silver jewellery and in the process also visit some mines and workshops.
Till I went, I did not know that Taxco is considered to be the silver capital of the world. I ended up shopping to my heart’s content and ended up buying jewellery for myself and my sisters.
But the center of the town is extremely cute too. I ended up walking around the many alleys around the town, visited the Santa Prisca Church and also attended a workshop where they showed us how they made silver jewellery.
One of the most unique things that I did in Taxco was to ride the Volkswagon Beetle taxis or Vochos.
Since it is a hill station town, it is quite steep and the alleys are quite narrow and hence the Beetle taxis are the ideal way to see the city. I took one upto Cristo Rey Monument to see panoramic views of the city from above.
Only thing to keep in mind is that there are no taxis up there. So you need to ask your Taxi to wait for 10-15 mins while you are there. I was also told that there are a few pickpockets up on the monument and hence you need to be extra careful.
Taxco is around 3 hours away from Mexico City by car.
I ended up taking a tour which combined both Cuernavaca and Taxco.
Cuernavaca is around 1.5 hours away from Mexico City and it is another 1.5 hours to Taxco. Taxco to Mexico City takes around 3 hours.
So it is going to be a long day tour from Mexico City but it is definitely worth the hype.
Most tours spend more time in Taxco and spend just a couple of hours in Cuernavaca.
If you are taking a combined day trip from Mexico city, they usually only take you to two spots in Cuernavaca. The Cuernavaca Cathedral and Palace of Cortes.
This cathedral is said to be one of the oldest Christian missions in Mexico.
You can also do this town on your own but if you are short on time, I would definitely recommend.
Toluca
Toluca is the capital of the State of Mexico and is around 1.5 hours from Mexico City.
But one of the popular Mexico city day tours is not to Toluca but to Nevado De Toluca which is around 1 hour away from Toluca and 2.5 hours one way from Mexico City.
If you are someone who loves hiking, then this inactive volcano is a popular hiking day tour from Mexico City.
You need to be in shape especially if you are planning to hike to the rim of the crater and see the two alpine lakes on the way.
Please note that you need to acclimatize to the altitude in Mexico city for at least 24 hours before you attempt this hike. It is almost 4000 meters above sea level.
Real Del Monte
This Mexico City Day trip was something that I decided to go on during my last week of living in Mexico City.
It is not a very popular day trip with tourists but I did see a lot of locals doing this day tour from Mexico City.
Both Real Del Monte and Huasca De Ocampo are usually done in a single day tour where they usually take you to Real Del Monte in the morning followed by Huasca De Ocampo in the afternoon.
Real Del Monte is around 2 hours from Mexico City while Huasca De Ocampo is around 30 mins from Real Del Monte. Huasca De Ocampo is around 2 hours from Mexico City too.
Both of them are Puebla Magicos located in the state of Hidalgo.
Real Del Monte is an old Mining town that was established by Cornish settlers in the 1800s.
The famous Pastes originated from here. It is very similar to a puff with cheese, vegetables or meat inside.
The town center is filled with colourful buildings and a church.
And if you are on a tour, then they will take you to an English cemetery of Cornish miners which faces England. It was quite funny that they took us to a cemetery though.
It looks like a town still living in the past with some amazing scenery in the hills.
Huasca De Ocampo
This is another charming town /ravine in the state of Hidalgo and is home to a few attractions.
But the main attraction of the town is the Basaltic Prisms which are the 40-meter-high geometric volcanic rock columns and waterfalls.
These were created by the slow cooling of volcanic lava.
It is also home to Santa Maria Regla Estate or St. Mary of Regla Hacienda or an old colonial mining property.
Currently it runs as an old style colonial hotel.
Don’t forget to shop for pottery during your visit to the city center.
Queretaro
Queretaro is a city in central Mexico.
It is known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture such as a striking pink stone aqueduct.
It is around 200 kms from Mexico City and usually takes around 3 hours one way from Mexico City.
Many tours combine Tula with Queretaro to make a Mexico city full day trip.
Notable baroque buildings include Santa Rosa de Viterbo church.
You will be spending a lot of time commuting but if you are like me who preferred day trips, you would still be back home for dinner.
San Miguel De Allende
I really wanted to visit San Miguel De Allende when I was in Mexico City.
But my husband was always working and hence I did not have an option other than to take a day tour here.
It is one of the prettiest cities in Mexico and the Spanish Baroque architecture is to die for.
Food is also exceptional here and you need to try the Cacti tacos when you are in San Miguel De Allende.
I really wanted to stay back after visiting and I hope to visit it one day.
Travel time from Mexico City is between 3.5 – 4.5 hours one way which means that you will be inside the vehicle for at least 8 hours.
Wouldn’t recommend it unless you have no option like me and really want to explore San Miguel De allende even for a few hours.
But San Miguel De Allende is definitely a must visit and you should ideally spend 2-3 days here during your trip to Mexico.
You can spend days wandering around the main plaza of El Jardin and seeing the pink towers of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel from every angle.
Grutas Tolantongo
This is something I haven’t done yet. But this tour has become quite popular in the past few years.
You must have seen pictures of Grutas Tolantongo everywhere. Usually with a woman standing among thermal pools gazing into the distance.
It is a popular thermal resort located around 4 hours from Mexico City.
There have been mixed reactions on whether it is a tourist trap or a genuine location since it can get crowded at times and is run by a private authority.
Due to the long travel time, this is the longest day trip from Mexico City and it usually takes around 16 hours if you plan to do this as a day trip.
Frequently asked questions about Day trips from Mexico City
These are some of the most commonly asked questions:
What is the best time of year for day trips from Mexico City?
The dry season, from November to April, is generally the best time for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring archaeological sites. However, many destinations can be visited throughout the year.
Are Mexico City day trips safe?
Yes, the most popular day trip destinations are generally safe for tourists. Stick to reputable tour operators, use official transportation, avoid isolated areas after dark and keep your belongings secure.
What is the best way to travel on day trips from Mexico City?
It depends on the destination. Organized tours are the easiest option, while buses are affordable and reliable for places like Puebla, Taxco, and Teotihuacan. Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring multiple destinations.
What are the best day trips from Mexico City?
My favorites have to be Teotihuacan, Puebla and Tula.
Conclusion: Mexico City Day Tours
Mexico City is the perfect base for exploring some of the most fascinating destinations in the country.
Whether you are discovering the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan, cruising through the colorful canals of Xochimilco, admiring the colonial charm of Puebla or hiking in the breathtaking landscapes of Nevado de Toluca, there is a Mexico city day trip to suit every type of traveler.
These destinations offer a deeper glimpse into Mexico’s rich history, vibrant culture, incredible cuisine, and diverse natural beauty.
By planning your day trips in advance and starting early, you can make the most of your time and experience more than just the city’s famous attractions.
Whether you’re visiting Mexico for a few days or a few weeks, these unforgettable excursions will add variety and adventure to your itinerary.
