We hope we give you plenty of inspiration for your travels in Mexico. Be sure to check out our Food Tours in Mexico City before you go. 

Mexico is the Birthplace of Chocolate

Long before it became the world’s favorite indulgence, chocolate had its origins in Mexico. The Aztecs and Mayans were the pioneering cultivators of the cacao plant, cherishing it not only as a luxurious drink but also valuing the beans as a form of currency. This rich heritage casts a timeless shadow, reminding us that every chocolate bar has origins rooted in ancient Mexican civilization.

Sample first-class Mexican chocolate in good company with our Chocolate Tasting Experience in Mexico City. 

Cholula: The World’s Largest Pyramid

While Egypt’s pyramids have been globally famous since ancient times, it’s the Great Pyramid of Cholula in Puebla, Mexico, that holds the title of the world’s largest pyramid. Towering at 66 meters with a base stretching 400 meters, its grandeur is veiled beneath a mountain, making it an easily overlooked marvel. On its summit rests a church, a symbol of the complex layers of history and culture that define Mexico.

Mexico City: A Cultural Treasure Box

Mexico City is not just the heart of Mexico but also a global cultural hub, boasting over 170 museums. Only trailing behind London for its number of museums, the city offers an eclectic mix of art, history, and heritage, with institutions like the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Bellas Artes Museum standing as testaments to its rich cultural landscape.

Yucatán: Home of the Chicxulub Impact Crater

The Yucatán Peninsula is the ground zero of a prehistoric apocalypse—the asteroid collision with the Earth that extinguished the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. This cataclysmic event carved a colossal crater, now a silent witness to the earth-shattering forces that have shaped our planet.

Cuexcomate: Pint-Sized Volcano

Found near Puebla, Cuexcomate Volcano stands modestly at 43 feet, dwarfed by its towering counterparts around the globe. This geological miniature, part of the tumultuous Ring of Fire, is a quirky, charming highlight of Mexico’s diverse volcanic landscape, proving that the greatest isn’t measured solely in size but also in uniqueness and charm.

Mexico’s 34 UNESCO Treasures

With a staggering 34 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Mexico is a mosaic of cultural and natural wonders. From the vibrant historic centers of cities like Guanajuato, Mexico City, and Puebla to the ancient ruins scattered across its landscape and the verdant agave fields of Tequila, Mexico is a testament to the profound, layered richness of humanity and nature intertwined.

A Biodiversity World Capital 

Mexico’s ecological tapestry is vibrant and diverse, boasting 10-12% of the world’s biodiversity. This makes it the fourth most biodiverse nation on Earth, a land where the calls of spider monkeys, the stealth of ocelots, and the vivid hues of macaws are but a few threads in its rich biological fabric.

Cradle of Academic Excellence

Contrary to common geographical misconceptions, Mexico is a state within North America and it’s home to the continent’s oldest university. Established in 1551 by Charles V of Spain, the National University of Mexico (UNAM) predates even Harvard, standing as a beacon of knowledge and scholarly tradition in the New World.

Mexico Has 59 Types of Corn

In Mexico, corn isn’t just a crop; it’s a cultural emblem. With an astonishing array of 59 varieties, each type of maize is a leaf in the country’s agricultural anthology. Despite modern challenges, Mexican farmers continue to nurture this heritage, safeguarding a cornucopia of kernels and the legacy they carry for future generations. With all that corn, you get corn tortillas and tacos. For a more hands-on tour, consider our Taco Tour of Mexico City.

U.S. Citizens in Mexico

While Mexican citizens represent a significant demographic in the United States, the reverse is also true, with over 750,000 U.S. citizens calling Mexico home. This makes Americans the largest immigrant group in Mexico, reflecting a vibrant, cross-border exchange of culture, tradition, and community.

Mexico City is a Modern Atlantis 

Mexico City, originally the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, stands as a modern marvel built upon an ancient lakebed. However, this architectural legacy comes with a unique challenge: the city is sinking at an alarming rate of 12 cm annually. The underlying soft, muddy terrain, reminiscent of Venice’s foundations, contributes to this phenomenon, making the city a living testament to the delicate balance between human innovation and the awesome forces of Mother Nature.

North America’s First Printing Press

Mexico City is not just a cultural hub it’s also the birthplace of North American print. In 1539, the continent’s first printing press buzzed into action at the Casa de la Primera Imprenta de América. This historical milestone firmly places Mexico at the forefront of literature and communication in the New World, a legacy that continues to resonate through its vibrant literary scene.

Safe Spaces: Women-Only Transit

In a progressive move towards safety and comfort, Mexico City’s subway system includes cars reserved exclusively for women and children under 12 (the Mexico City Metrobús also has a women-only section, and some women-only buses can be found operating in the town). 

This initiative reflects a commitment to creating safe, respectful public spaces. Contrary to stereotypes, these measures highlight societal respect for women, evidenced by the traditional ‘caballerosos’ manners of Mexican men, and offer a stark contrast to the experiences in some other global cities.

From the depths of its sinking capital to the heights of its ancient pyramids, Mexico’s narrative is incredibly diverse. Each fact included above reaffirms Mexico’s place as a world capital of human creativity and natural splendor.
Any questions about this blog? Please get in touch.

The post What are some surprising facts about Mexico? appeared first on Sabores México Food Tours.

Volume 5

For this volume of the Insider’s Map, Ro and Sof surprised us with the following spots:

1.    Expendio de maíz sin nombre (Corn retail store without a name)

This retail store aims fair trade and the use of creole corn through rural cooking techniques. The corn is brought from Guerrero and is used to prepare great dishes with exquisite sauces. The menu varies daily, depending on what the team finds in the market.

2. Amamba

Are you familiar with Morelian gaspachos? These are fruit cocktails accompanied with Cotija cheese and powdered chili, an exquisite combination to freshen you up on a hot day. Apart from the traditional street gazpacho from Michoacán, this spot in La Roma offers delicious kombuchas, juices and specialty coffee.

3. Mictlan vegan antojitos (cravings)

Many vegan chilangos miss enjoying delicious cochinita pibil tacos, a traditional pambazo, or a crunchy tasajo tlayuda. Therefore, this space in the Narvarte neighborhood serves vegan garnachas with the authentic Mexican seasoning, and with very accessible prices.

 4.       Aeromoto

If you are a literature lover, Aeromoto is perfect for you, as it gathers thousands of independent books about contemporary culture inside and antique house in the Historic downtown. This place holds diverse events, meetings, workshops and activities surrounding literature, and the collection is available for in-house consultation.

 5.       Fonda Margarita

This iconic place is perfect for early risers and party-all-nighters, because it opens its doors at 6 AM to offer several traditional Mexican dishes, prepared in huge and steamy coal pots. If you decide to visit the Tlacoquemécatl Del Valle neighborhood and check it out, we recommend you the scrambled eggs with black beans. Be sure to arrive early because they close at 11 AM.

6. Guillermo Tovar y de Teresa’s House

This not so popular museum and cultural center in La Roma used to be home of Mexico City’s last chronicler, which is why anyone who loves this huge city should walk through its ails and discover the collection of objects, furniture, and books that it harbors.

7. Koko Yaki

The traditional Japanese taiyaki or fish ice-cream are served in Koko Yaki in their most delicious and fun version, because seasonal flavors like cempasúchil flower or rose petals, as well as the favorites: matcha, horchata, and activated coal will make this way of eating ice-cream, become your favorite.

Volume 6

For the sixth Insider’s Map, it was Dul and Majo’s turn to share some chilango spots and activities.

1. Comedor de los milagros

This culinary paradise where ingredients and flavors from different Latin-American countries live together is in La Roma neighborhood. Agárrate Catalina, Valderrama, Lima mía, and La Carajita are some of this eatery’s restaurants, where the mood and the Latin flavors never dissapoint. We recommend you try the carajita tostones, the stuffed al plomo sweet potato, and the lulo water.

2. Don Frank

This taco and juice shop has already five branches in the city, because the tacos, fresh juice, and hamburgers they serve are warranty for quality and chilango tradition. The average check is from $80 to $140, depending on what you have. Among favorites, you’ll find the al pastor tacos, the rib quesadilla, and the bomb smoothie.

 3.       Tacos joven (Young tacos)

Whether you have a black bean, a potato, a pork rind, meat in adobo, green mole, or shredded meat taco, each one of this street delicacies in the Vértiz Narvarte neighborhood is a worth it. Even though they’re expensive for a basket taco ($15), their flavor and salsas (green with avocado and red with pork rinds) are worth each peso.

4. Greenway tours

If you like being a tourist, but you get tired easily, these segway tours are perfect for you. There are options to explore Reforma, Polanco, and the Historic Center during the day or by night, with or without historic stops, adequating the rhythm of the tour to your interests, an original way to wander around the city.

5. Los milanesos

The chilangos that live around Olivar de los Padres neighborhood are aware of Los milanesos’ location. These iconic tacos have conquered palates for more than 20 years, because Don Betancourt, the owner, is aware that apart from the specialty of the house (beef milanesa taco), the chicken milanesa one, the ham and cheese, and the stew options (pork rib with adobo, pork rinds with cactus, suadero with green sauce) never disappoint anyone.

We hope you are now hungry and ready to explore the streets of Mexico City after reading these recommendations. If you visit any of the spots shared on our Insider’s Map, don’t forget to tag us on social media (@saboresmexicoft) and use the #InsidersMapSMFT.

The post Insider’s Map: Vol. 5 & 6 appeared first on Sabores México Food Tours.

Thus, in Sabores México we continue with the idea to share with you our cultural and gastronomic favorite spots.

Volume 3

For the third volume or our Local Map, it was Dulce (Dul) and Sofía (Sof) who shared with us some of the places worth knowing in our beloved city.

1.       Nagaoka

Located in the Nápoles neighborhood, this traditional Japanese food restaurant transports us immediately to an Asian island, as through its food products they seek to approach its foodies’ happiness. What makes Nagaoka one of the best Japanese food restaurants in the city is that they transform Mexican ingredients into elaborete Japanese dishes with home technics supported by tradition. Some of the favorites are the kitsune udon and the zaru soba.

2.       Avocado Alley

This corner in Coyoacán is one of the most famous alleys in the quarter, for in spite of being quite narrow, it posseses various scary legends that make many people think twice before touring it. Do you dare to prove if it is certainly bewitched?

3.       XUVA’

This spot in Santa María la Ribera picks up the Nahuas cullinary practices and presents them in dishes with a gourmet touch, using the local technics and ingredients and regaining the cultural meanings of each one. Juan Aquino, Oaxacan chef of XUVA’ is convinced that gastronomy connects us with our past history’s greatness and our present’s pride. Therefore, the antique house in which the restaurant is located is decorated in a modern manner and has a lot of vegetation, with the objective of transporting the foodies to Oaxaca.

4.       Palmeiro Ice-Cream Parlor

One of the best ice-creams in the city is located in a commercial stand inside the Market of Medellín in the Roma neighborhood. The owner is a Cuban man who arrived to Mexico and from many years ago offers exquisite Cuban coffees and incomparable ice-creans like buttermilk, fig with cognac, caramel, “mantecado” and many more flavors. Whether you enjoy it at the bar or take-away for later, these ice-cream are always warranted.

5.       Popular Art Museum

Dedicated to promote and preserve Mexican popular art, this museum located in the Historic Downtown of the city is famous for its collection of ceramics, typical outfits, “alebrijes” and toys. On top of that, it offers severlas workshops, courses and seminars throughout the year for artisans, children and any interested person in Mexican arts and crafts.

6.       Zinco Jazz Club

Behind a hidden door in the Historic Downtown a small and exclusive jazz club is located. Zinco Jazz Clubs opens from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 9pm and relies on the presence of one or more jazz artists. To best enjoy the show, it has a refined cocktail bar and an international food menu. The cover payment varies between $150 and $300 and the average ticket is aproximately $350 per person.

Volume 4

A month after the third volume of our Local Map, all the saboristas in Sabores México Food Tours were excited to share places and restaurants. Following up, the interesting recommendations of Fernanda (Fer) and María José (Majo).

1.       Dolores Olmedo Museum

The ancient estate of La Noria at the south part of the city transformed into this museum, recognized for its beautiful and extensive gardens, its peacocks, xoloitzcuintles and, of course, the more than 900 Prehispanic pieces which are exposed along with artworks from Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Angelina Beloff, and Pablo O’Higgins. One of the best periods to visit this museum is from October to December, as in these months you will also find the majestic Día de Muertos altar which is assembled each year.

2.       Morisco Kiosk

As one of the main attractions in the Santa Maria la Ribera neighborhood, the kiosk is one of the many artistic monuments of the National Anthropology and History Institute. This colorful kiosk was built for an exhibit in New Orleans and, even if its smelting was planned in the United States, the Mexican engineer achieved for it to be brought back to the country, where it has remained since and outstands for its colorful Arab-styled headpieces.

3.       Maison Française de Thé Caravanseraï

In the busy street of Álvaro Obregón Avenue in the Roma neighborhood, this space is located and offers a relaxed environment around  tea. In this house, whose menu contains more than thirty pages, there are diverse living rooms set out around China, France and the Arab world, and an unimaginable variety of teas. Once you have chosen one of the 200 available teas, we recommend you to ask for the dessert that best pairs with it.

4.       La Caravana CDMX

This is one of the unique board game clubs in the city. It is located in the Tlacoquemécatl Del Valle neigborhood and, besides having great beverages, hamburgers and snacks, it owns more than 200 board games that can be played time-free for a single payment of $50. In La Caravana there is a red light guide for board games which indicates the difficulty of each one and, further more, every waiter knows how to play them and can explain them to you if you are not familiar with them.

5.       C.O.M.E

C.O.M.E., aka “Cocina Original Muy Enternacional” (Original and Very Enternational Food) is located in the Roma neighborhood and is and excellent option for Japanese casual and good price food lovers. Even though there is an á la carte service, in his oriental stand almost every client opts for the Menu of the Day, which includes miso soup, rice, a choice of three different stews or main dishes, tea and dessert.

6.       The Dinamos

In the municipality of Magdalena Contreras this natural space is located, opened every day from 6 am and available for a series of activities like hiking, trecking, picnicking, or just escaping from the great chilando metropolis. The dinamos is an excellent place to spend with the family, exercising or going out to an adventure with your pets.

We are certain that after checking out these recommendations you must be hungry and willing to go out from home, so I invite you to explore Mexico City and follow the options you liked the most from our third and fourth Local Map Volumes. Remember to follow our blog and social media, Sabores México Food Tours (@saboresmexicoft) to get to know Mexico City like a local.

The post Insider’s Map: Vol. 3 & 4 appeared first on Sabores México Food Tours.

Even those who have lived in the city their entire lives have a long Mexico City bucket list of places and activities we have yet to accomplish. In our blog entry “One day in Mexico City” you’ll find some activities and spots you can’t miss while visiting the most popular areas in the city.

However, there are many places, restaurants, and hidden treasures in the streets of Mexico City waiting to be discovered by curious travelers and foodies like yourself.

To have the best cultural trip in Mexico City, consider the length of your stay and your travel preferences, so you can properly organize your time and take advantage of this city’s versatility whilst taking part in engaging, fun, and original activities focussed on what you like the most.

Mexico City tourist map

Mexico City has many tourist attractions, including the National Anthropology Museum, the Angel of Independence, Chapultepec, the Frida Kahlo Museum, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. However, each one of the city’s main districts has its worth-visiting spots.

In the Historic Downtown, for instance, the Fine Arts Palace, the Templo Mayor, the Alameda Central, the Zócalo or main square, the Latin American Tower, Chinatown, La Ciudadela Market, the National Art Museum, and the Santo Domingo square are some of the most remarkable places.

Inside La Roma, la Condesa, and La Juárez neighborhoods, it is classic to walk through Álvaro Obregón avenue, the Río de Janeiro square, the Cibeles fountain, and both Parque España and Parque México.

Conversely, in the Coyoacán and San Ángel quarters, it is almost mandatory to walk through Higuera street, enjoy a street churro and/or an ice cream in the Plaza Hidalgo, visit the market, the museums, the “La Paz” Avenue, the Bazaar del Sábado, and the San Jacinto square.

(Those wanting to see the city through the eyes of a local may want to consider joining us for our Coyoacán Food Tour.)

All these attractions and neighborhoods await with a varied gastronomic offer, as well as parks and streets surrounded by leafy trees, bars, nightclubs, a variety of boutique stores, restaurants, museums, markets, and libraries.

However, there are countless other places and not-as-famous spots that chilangos (locals born and living in Mexico City) discover daily. Would you like to learn about them?

Insider’s Map: underrated, non-touristy destinations in Mexico City

If one thing is clear for us at Sabores México Food Tours, there are more than nine million ways of experiencing Mexico City. Each one of its citizens and visitors enjoys its cultural, gastronomic, and entertainment offers in a truly unique way.

Therefore, as of the end of 2020, we took the assignment of creating a local guide with interesting places in Mexico City. In this guide, you’ll find restaurants, museums, parks, bars, bakeries, and other hidden and not-so-well-known spots.

Once a month, SMFT’s team will have a meeting to share their favorite places in the city. On each volume, two members will share some of their favorite restaurants, museums, and places in Mexico City.

This way, step by step, our local Insider’s Map will ?? with varied opinions you can consider giving your visit an authentic chilango feeling.

Don’t forget that having advice from different chilango foodies is a travel game changer and one of the best ways of getting to know Mexico City deeply. With our advice, you’ll be able to live like a local, not just visiting the classic destinations, but going off into unique places that will make you want to come back for more Mexico City adventures.

Discover our Insider’s Map and relive what was shared by SMFT’s team inside each volume through our blog and social media, Sabores México Food Tours.

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

The post Insider’s Map: A Non-Touristic Guide to Mexico City appeared first on Sabores México Food Tours.

Throughout the 573 square miles of extension that this metropolis has, there is an innumerable number of museums, restaurants, bars, entertaining centers, theaters and streets that are worth visiting. It is important for you to know that the Mexican capital is divided into 16 districts, each one with different neighborhoods and zones. Some of the main ones due to their offer are The Zona Rosa, Chapultepec, and Polanco, the Centro Histórico (Historic Downtown), the La Roma neighborhood, the Condesa, and San Ángel.

Its versatility, history, people, gastronomy, and nightlife are some of the things that make Mexico City an attractive and original touristic destination. Therefore, during a short stay, it is always problematic to choose what to see, where to go, and what places to leave for a future visit, thus having tips from a local is a travel game changer for those finding themselves in this situation.

What are must-dos with 24-hours in Mexico City?

It is common that many travelers visit Mexico for business or to enjoy our heavenly sun and beach destinations, and most of them usually save a day to visit the big city. It is then when the dilemma occurs: choosing what to see, what to eat, and what to do to get the most of these 24 hours, as the cultural, gastronomic, and entertaining offer surpasses your expectations. 

If it is not possible for you to reschedule your flight or land transportation in order to stay longer in the city, it is important to have a clear idea of what you would like to experiment during your stay. If you want to get to know the “basics” in the city, keep on reading this article and discover the interesting and varied schedule we have prepared, so you can enjoy 24 fun and entertaining hours in the heart of the city: Historic Downtown. 

The Classic Historic Downtown, the colorful Juárez, and the unusual Tabacalera 

Mexico City originated as Tenochtitlan, precisely in the space where the Historic Downtown is located now. This is why this zone and its surroundings are packed with markets, museums, restaurants, bars, and emblematic buildings that will show you around and let you live the hectic Chilango lifestyle. 

If you have only one day to enjoy the Centro Histórico, our advice is for you to find accommodation there, in order to avoid wasting time on the road and make the best out of your visit. “Downtown México” is a local boutique hotel with modern, cozy bedrooms, and a roof with one of Mexico City’s best views. On the other hand, “Casa Pepe” is a hotel with more affordable prices, a very original roof and, above all, a very fun atmosphere.

Once you have booked your hotel, check out this schedule, as it is the best way to spend one day in Mexico City.

Breakfast – Tamales Madre: with a really modern, but cozy environment, this restaurant offers an original variety of artisanal tamales, prepared with only Mexican ingredients. Suggestion: tamal de nuez (walnut tamal), and tamal de mole con plátano macho (mole and plantain tamal).

Activities – Chocolate Museum: You will learn the history behind chocolate, starting from the cacao seed, and exploring its elaboration process. In the MUCHO (Museo del Chocolate) you’ll also understand the importance of this ingredient for the Mexican culture. Suggestion: Enjoy a traditional cacao drink in Fonda Cacao, located inside the museum.

La Ciudadela Handcrafts Market: You’ll be amazed by the variety of handcrafted products from all around the Mexican Republic. Inside this great market, you can find clay handcrafts, purses, clothes, jewelry, toys, textiles, and more. Suggestion: Verify that the products you buy are Mexican because it is common to find bad quality imported fake products.

Lunch – San Juan Market: It is one of the most important gourmet markets in the city, for it offers exotic products, imported cheeses, and charcuterie, which is why many chefs and Chilango foodies are usual clients of the place. Suggestion: don’t stop to eat in the first place you see; walk through the entire market and choose the places you find more appealing. That way, you’ll get to taste a bite of everything.

Activities – Palace of Fine Arts: It is known for its exterior beauty, its interior murals, and its importance as an artistic place. It permanently exhibits the work of some of the most recognized artists from the Mexican muralism movement. Suggestion: Ask for the temporary exhibit and for the guided tours inside the theater.

Metropolitan Cathedral: This amazing building was constructed during the Spanish Viceroyalty. It is also one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, due to its undeniable greatness. When you enter, you’ll be surrounded by golden altarpieces and grand rock columns. Suggestion: Ask for the guided tours, so you can visit the vestry, understand the altarpieces, and get to know the bell tower.

Snack and drinks – Terraza Cha Cha Chá: With one of the best views to the Revolution Monument, you’ll be able to enjoy tropical snacks with street-like flavors, exotic drinks, and great music to enjoy a fun and warming evening. Suggestion: tuétanos con esquite (marrow with corn grain) and xoconostle mezcalita (prepared drink with mezcal).

Dinner: Tacos, Beer, and Mezcal Tour: Apart from discovering and tasting Mexico City’s best tacos, something you will be proud of, on this tour you’ll visit four neighborhoods and enjoy a drink in the first mezcal bar that opened in Mexico City. Suggestion: Book your SMFT tour in advance.

.It is more than clear that Mexico City has so many things to do, that 24 hours will only be enough to give you a brief idea of what the city is like. However, we hope these options help you choose the most adequate and essential activities and places to visit in just one day. We also encourage you to follow us on our social media, Sabores México Food Tours (saboresmexicoft), so you can learn more about how to travel around Mexico City like an authentic local saborista.

Article by: María José Ordóñez Platas

The post 1 Day in Mexico City appeared first on Sabores México Food Tours.