Beyond the Buzz: A Local Insider’s Guide to Mexico City
October 28, 2024 by Lucía Arredondo, LUPA Co-Founder
For us proud residents, there’s nothing quite like witnessing a traveler’s first impressions of Mexico City. We love seeing their surprise and admiration and hearing their thoughts as they take in the city with fresh eyes: the lush, tree-lined avenues, the stunning architecture that ranges from pre-Hispanic sites to avant-garde 21st-century buildings, the flood of creativity from boutiques, design stores, and art galleries, and the sight of people enjoying delicious bites at any time of day. From Michelin-starred restaurants to street tacos, all Mexicans unite in their love of food and the pleasures of friendship around a table (or a ‘comal’).
It’s been an amazing city for at least seven centuries. But in recent years, Mexico City has come into the spotlight for international style editors, digital nomads, curators, and travelers looking for a destination that ‘has it all’ (including perfect weather). I think this is only natural —my city is an endless source of inspiration, adventure, and wonder, a true paradise for the curious.
Surrounded by magnificent mountains and volcanoes, Mexico City is vast —hardly a ‘best-kept secret’— with millions of residents and visitors each year. More than just a single city, it feels like a collection of smaller cities shaped together by development and the flow of history. Every few years, an obscure or run-down neighborhood becomes the next hotspot for art and culture, as happened with Tabacalera, or the beautiful Santa María la Rivera, or the San Rafael area. In fact, there are countless hidden gems —you just need the right guide to navigate the labyrinth.
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico City and want to make the most of your time, it’s wise to trust the experts and insiders. That’s Lupa’s raison d’être. We create tailor-made itineraries based on your interests and schedule. From guided tours with archaeologists, art critics, or historians, to the best kitchens, galleries, artist studios, boutiques, and hotels, we open doors, fulfill travel wishes, and help visitors—first-timers or locals— deepen their appreciation for a city we truly love.
Polanco and La Roma
Arguably the best areas for visitors to stay in Mexico City, these two neighborhoods offer slightly different experiences. Polanco has been favored by the upper and upper-middle classes since the mid-20th century. This area offered a modern and cosmopolitan lifestyle, with large homes in the Colonial Californian style, good connections to the city’s center, and a prime location next to Chapultepec Park, the largest green space in the city.
With the addition of high-rise buildings housing multinational headquarters, five-star hotels, and some of the best dining and shopping in Mexico City, Polanco is still a fantastic option for those seeking luxury with authentic Mexican vibes. Many world-class cultural institutions are located in or near Polanco: Museo Jumex, Sala de Arte Público Siqueiros, the Tamayo Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the historic Chapultepec Castle (home to Maximilian von Habsburg and his wife Carlota during the Second Mexican Empire), and the crown jewel, the wonderful Museo Nacional de Antropología. We are lucky enough to offer our guests after-hours access to the last two.
La Roma is not far from Polanco. Also planned as an upper-class neighborhood (though a few decades earlier), La Roma experienced a steep decline after the devastating earthquake of 1985. But at the start of the 21st century, and along with neighboring Condesa, it became one of the most vibrant and dynamic areas in the city, radiating energy to nearby districts like Juárez, Doctores, and Narvarte. Its mix of old mansions, art deco apartment buildings, tree-lined streets, and public gardens makes it the perfect setting for street art, trendy restaurants, fashion boutiques, and a lively nightlife scene. Some of the city’s most prestigious art galleries, such as OMR, Travesía Cuatro, and Arróniz, are located here. La Roma feels younger and more diverse than Polanco, its posher and more refined sister.
Luxury Mexicana
Whether you choose Polanco or La Roma, you can experience the unique flavor of Mexican luxury by staying at Casa Polanco or being one of the first guests at the newly opened Casona Roma Norte. Both boutique hotels are well-located and serve as excellent starting points for exploring the rest of the city.
Casa Polanco has earned numerous accolades since it opened in 2020, and we love its art collection, the spacious and quiet suites with solid wood furniture and marble bathrooms, and especially its location opposite Parque Lincoln, which gives it an oasis-like feel in the middle of the city. The mansion, built in the 1940s, is a fine example of Polanco’s Colonial Californian architecture.
Visit in early February to explore ZonaMaco, Latin America’s most prestigious contemporary art fair, and enjoy the many activities surrounding the event, such as Gallery Weekend, special exhibitions at every museum, and alternative fairs like Material. By then, the jacarandas —the beautiful purple flowering trees abundant throughout the city— will begin to bloom.
Or come in early November to experience the festive atmosphere of Día de Muertos and the incredible Mexican rituals for remembering the dead. Christmas is another of our favorite times to explore Mexico City. Many locals leave on vacation, making it easier to move around the now traffic-free city. Come anytime! Winter days average 70°F and the sun will most likely shine on you. What could be more luxurious than that?
Working with Lupa: The Art of Local Access
Lucía Arredondo and her team at Lupa have designed, curated, and executed more than 500 cultural experiences in Mexico City. Feel free to reach out to her with any questions you might have about the destination. Her email address is lucia@lupaexperiencias.com.
