Mexico is a mosaic: ancient cities that predate the Aztecs, Spanish-era plazas, and modern neighborhoods where chefs and artists set global trends. In one week, you’ll dive into Mexico City’s museums, murals, and taco stands before flying to the Riviera Maya for Caribbean-blue water, cenotes, and Isla Mujeres. Expect big flavors, generous hospitality, and landscapes that shift from high-altitude valleys to palm-fringed coast.

Founded in 1325 as Tenochtitlan, Mexico City sits atop layers of history—Templo Mayor just steps from a 20th-century cathedral and Diego Rivera’s murals. A short hop away, Teotihuacan’s Pyramids of the Sun and Moon rise over a sacred valley. On the coast, Cancún launched as a resort in the 1970s, yet nearby Mayan sites—Chichén Itzá and seaside Tulum—anchor timeless stories.

Practical notes: Mexico City sits at ~7,300 ft (2,240 m); hydrate and take it easy on day one. Use authorized taxis or rideshare; carry small bills for markets. Tap water is not potable—ask for “agua embotellada.” Check current travel advisories and hurricane season (June–Nov) conditions on the Caribbean coast. Book top restaurants and major tours in advance.

Mexico City

CDMX rewards curiosity. Wander leafy Roma and Condesa, climb Chapultepec Castle for sweeping views, and eat your way from blue-corn tlacoyos to tasting menus at the vanguard of Latin American cuisine. Evenings hum with mezcalerías, jazz bars, and the roar of Lucha Libre.

• Don’t miss: Museo Nacional de Antropología, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Zócalo and Templo Mayor, Diego Rivera murals, Coyoacán’s Frida Kahlo Museum (book early), and Sunday biking on Paseo de la Reforma.
• Where to stay: Base yourself in Roma Norte or Condesa for cafes and nightlife, Polanco for luxury, or Centro Histórico for landmark views.

Search stays: VRBO Mexico City | Hotels.com Mexico City

Flights to CDMX: Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Nonstops from major U.S. gateways often run 3–5 hours; typical roundtrips range $250–550 depending on season.

Day 1: Arrive, Centro Histórico, and First Tastes

Afternoon: Land in Mexico City and transfer (~30–60 minutes to Roma/Condesa depending on traffic). Check in and acclimate. Stroll the Centro Histórico: the Zócalo’s vast square, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor ruins where offerings still surface from Aztec layers.

Evening: Dinner under twinkling lights at Azul Histórico (regional classics like Oaxacan mole negro), or El Cardenal for hot chocolate, nopal salads, and enchiladas suizas. Nightcap with skyline views at Terraza Catedral, or a mezcal flight at Bósforo—ask about agave varietals like tobalá and arroqueño.

Day 2: Chapultepec, Anthropology Museum, Roma-Condesa

Morning: Coffee and guava rolls at Panadería Rosetta (arrive early). Walk up to Chapultepec Castle for 19th-century history and city panoramas, then continue to the world-class Museo Nacional de Antropología—linger in the Mexica and Maya halls for the Piedra del Sol and intricate stelae.

Afternoon: Late lunch at Contramar (order the tuna tostadas and the whole grilled fish “a la talla”—half red, half green salsa). Browse Roma’s design shops and galleries; stop for a churro at El Moro and an espresso at Quentin Café.

Evening: If it’s Tue/Fri/Sat, go ringside for masked drama, live brass bands, and thunderous cheers: Lucha Libre Tickets & Tacos & Beer & Mezcal - BEST NIGHT EVER!. It includes tacos and mezcal, perfect for a crash course in local flavors.

Day 3: Teotihuacan by Hot-Air Balloon + Coyoacán

Early morning: Bucket-list sunrise over pyramids: Balloon flight + pick up in CDMX + Breakfast in Cave + Pyramids. Float above the Avenue of the Dead, then walk the site with historical context and refuel with a hearty cave breakfast.

Afternoon: Return to the city and unwind in Coyoacán’s cobblestone core. Browse San Juan Bautista Church, sip Oaxacan-style coffee at Café Avellaneda, and snack at Mercado de Coyoacán (try tostadas piled with tinga and fresh salsas). If you pre-booked, tour the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul).

Evening: Dinner at Pujol (book well ahead) for a modern ode to Mexican terroir—mole madre aged hundreds of days—or opt for Taquería Orinoco for pastor on flour tortillas with grilled onions. Drinks at Licorería Limantour or the intimate Baltra Bar (both consistently among the world’s best).

Cancún

Welcome to the Caribbean side: powder-soft beaches, electric-blue water, and ferries to laid-back Isla Mujeres. Cancún’s Hotel Zone brings convenience and nightlife; downtown (El Centro) has family-run Yucatecan spots and local markets. Offshore reefs teem with marine life, while day trips unlock cenotes and UNESCO-listed Chichén Itzá.

• Top experiences: Day trip to Chichén Itzá and a cenote, sail to Isla Mujeres and snorkel, taste cochinita pibil in downtown eateries, and watch sunset over the Nichupté Lagoon.
• Where to stay: Hotel Zone for beachfront ease and clubs; Downtown for local food and value; Puerto Juárez for quieter stays near the Isla Mujeres ferry.

Search stays: VRBO Cancún | Hotels.com Cancún

Editor’s picks: NIZUC Resort & Spa (secluded luxury, private coves), Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancún All Inclusive (great for families and food variety), Selina Cancún Laguna Hotel Zone (social vibe on the lagoon).

Getting there from Mexico City: Morning flight MEX→CUN is ~2 h non-stop; budget fares often $50–$150 one-way. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi or shuttle to the Hotel Zone takes ~25–45 minutes.

Day 4: Fly to Cancún, Beach Time, Downtown Eats

Morning: Fly CDMX→CUN. Drop bags and head straight to the sand—Playa Marlin and Playa Delfines have wide shores and clear water; red/black flags mean strong surf, so check conditions.

Afternoon: Lunch lagoon-side at El Fish Fritanga (grilled fish “al ajo” and pescado frito under palapas). Coffee and cake at Café Antoinette or a cold brew at Café Nader in El Centro. Stroll Parque de las Palapas for fruit aguas frescas and marquesitas (crispy crepes with edam cheese).

Evening: Dinner at La Habichuela (downtown institution—try the “cocobichuela,” curried seafood in a coconut) or El Pocito for Yucatecan staples like sopa de lima and cochinita pibil. Cocktails at Amarula con Acento Tropical or a relaxed beer at Muellecito.

Day 5: Chichén Itzá, Cenote Swim, and Valladolid (Full Day)

Unlock a Wonder of the World with a guided excursion: Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour. You’ll explore El Castillo’s astronomical design, visit a sacred cenote for a refreshing swim, and pause in the colonial town of Valladolid for pastel facades and a plaza stroll. It’s a long but rewarding day with hotel pickup and a buffet lunch.

Post-tour dinner back in Cancún: Taquería Los Chachalacos for pastor shaved off the trompo, or Puerto Madero for Argentine steaks and harbor views if you’re up for something upscale.

Day 6: Isla Mujeres Sailing and Snorkeling + Playa Norte

Morning–Afternoon: Glide across turquoise water on a catamaran: Isla Mujeres Luxury Sailing: Adults Only or Family Friendly. Expect reef snorkeling, open bar, and free time on the island.

Afternoon: Linger at Playa Norte, one of Mexico’s calmest, clearest beaches—shallow sandbars make it ideal for floating. Grab ceviche and a cold cerveza at a beachfront palapa before the ferry back.

Evening: Casual taco crawl: Taquería Coapenitos (excellent arrachera and chorizo), then churros at El Chorrito. For nightlife, consider a live-DJ lounge in the Hotel Zone; if you prefer mellow, sunset mezcal on your hotel terrace does nicely.

Day 7: Slow Morning & Departure

Morning: Brunch at Rooster (eggs Benedict and chilaquiles), or Marakame Café for shady garden seating and Yucatecan-style panuchos. Last dip in the sea or a stroll along the Nichupté Lagoon boardwalk.

Afternoon: Head to the airport for your flight home. If you still need tickets or want to tweak timing, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Bonus (if you extend):

If you add a day on the front end of CDMX, consider a nature escape to Hidalgo’s hot springs: Full-Day Tour Exploring the Waters of Tolantongo—a network of turquoise pools carved into a canyon, thermal rivers, and caves. It’s a long day but unforgettable.

Where to Eat and Drink (Cheat Sheet)

• Mexico City breakfasts: Lalo! (eggs, fluffy pancakes), Panadería Rosetta (guava roll), Chilakillers (custom chilaquiles).
• CDMX lunches: Contramar (seafood), El Turix (cochinita pibil tortas in Polanco), Mercado Roma (gourmet food hall sampling).
• CDMX dinners: Pujol (book early), Máximo (seasonal bistro), Pasillo de Humo (Oaxacan moles), Taquería Orinoco (late-night tacos).
• Cancún breakfasts: Café Antoinette (pastries), Rooster (hearty brunch), Marakame Café (garden ambiance).
• Cancún lunches: El Fish Fritanga (lagoon-side seafood), El Polilla (fish tacos), Parque de las Palapas (street snacks).
• Cancún dinners: La Habichuela (Yucatecan), Puerto Madero (steaks/seafood), El Pocito (home-style Yucatecan classics).
• Drinks: Licorería Limantour and Baltra (CDMX), Amarula con Acento Tropical (Cancún). Try a neat espadín mezcal to appreciate smoke and minerality.

Getting Around: In CDMX, rideshare is affordable; the Metro is fast but crowded at rush hour. In Cancún, buses (R1/R2) run along the Hotel Zone; taxis are plentiful—confirm price before setting off. For day trips and sailing, pre-book reputable tours (linked above) to maximize time and safety.

In a week, you’ll trace Mexico’s arc from pre-Hispanic pyramids to contemporary cuisine, then swap highland mornings for Caribbean sunsets. Expect bold flavors, storied ruins, and warm seas—memories that linger as long as mole spices and salt on your skin.