Just survived (and thrived!) a whirlwind 4-day fiesta in Mexico City, or as the cool kids say, CDMX. If you’re planning a quick getaway with your posse, buckle up, because I’m about to spill the beans on how to cram the most awesome into the least amount of time.

Day 1: Bikes, Aztec Ruins, and a Fruit Salad That Changed My Life

We kicked things off by grabbing ECOBICI bikes, because who needs traffic when you can wobble your way through Reforma Avenue on a rental bike? (Fun fact: on Sundays, they close the whole street to cars, so you can pretend you’re in a Tour de Reforma… just try not to crash). We pedalled to the Zócalo, which is basically the city’s giant living room, complete with a cathedral that’s so fancy, it probably has its own Instagram account. Then, it was off to Templo Mayor, where we saw actual Aztec ruins in the middle of the city. Talk about a historical plot twist! Lunch at Mercado San Juan was a full-on food assault (in a good way). I’m pretty sure I ate my weight in fresh fruit and tacos. Pro tip: get the weekly ECOBICI pass. It’s cheaper than a cab and better for your daily dose of “almost died trying to avoid a bus” adrenaline.

Day 2: Frida, Murals, and Trying to Look Artsy

Coyoacán was our playground today. It’s like stepping into a bohemian dream, with Frida Kahlo’s Blue House as the main attraction (book tickets early, or you’ll be staring at a very blue wall from the outside). We wandered around, soaking up the artsy vibes, and tried to look like we understood the deep meaning behind the street musicians’ songs (spoiler: we didn’t). Then, we checked out the UNAM murals, which were so massive and impressive, they made my phone’s panoramic function crash.

Day 3: Tacos, Tequila, and Totally Legit Wrestling Moves (Not Really)

This was the day my stomach and soul reached peak happiness. We started with a food tour in Roma Norte, which was basically a taco marathon. La Condesa was perfect for wandering, pretending we were locals with impeccable taste. We hit up some rooftop bars in Polanco for sunset mezcal cocktails, because nothing says “vacation” like sipping fancy drinks while overlooking a sprawling metropolis. But the real MVP of the day was lucha libre wrestling at Arena México. Imagine a room full of screaming fans, masked wrestlers flying through the air, and us trying (and failing) to learn the proper cheers. Even if you think wrestling is just spandex and shouting, trust me, you’ll have a blast. I’m pretty sure I pulled a muscle just from cheering.

Day 4: Pyramids, Hot Air Balloons (So worth it!)

We woke up at “who wakes up at this hour?” o’clock for a hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán. Watching the sunrise over the pyramids was absolutely magical, even if I did feel like I was floating away in a giant wicker basket. Walking around the pyramids afterwards felt extra special, like we were sharing a secret with the sun. We ended the day with a chill walk through Chapultepec Park, which is basically Mexico City’s Central Park, but with more squirrels.

Quick Tips for Survival:

• Stay in Roma Norte or Condesa. They’re basically the cool kid neighborhoods.
• Uber is your friend, but try the metro once for the full city experience.
• Drink water like it’s your job. The altitude is no joke.
• Eat all the tacos. It’s a non-negotiable.

Four days flew by faster than a luchador off the top rope. Already planning my return trip. Who’s bringing the tequila?