Mexico City, Mexico

10 Days in Mexico City: Training, Tacos & Chaos

Mexico City is massive, chaotic, and straight-up addicting. It’s a mix of ancient ruins, insane traffic, unreal food, and some of the best training I’ve had while traveling. I was here for 10 days, hosting a trip for Renzo Gracie Los Angeles, which meant a mix of BJJ, exploring, and eating way too much. If you’re heading to CDMX, here’s what’s worth your time.

First Off: The Elevation Will Get You

Mexico City sits at 7,300 feet (2,225 meters) above sea level, which means if you’re not used to altitude, you’re gonna feel it. Walking up a flight of stairs? Suddenly feels like you ran sprints. Training? Feels like you’ve never done cardio in your life.

What helps:

  • Drink water constantly—like, more than you think.

  • Give yourself a day to adjust before training hard or doing big hikes.

  • Take it easy on alcohol (or don’t, but just know it hits harder).

Getting Around

  • Uber → Cheap, safe, and the easiest way to get around.

  • Metro → Super cheap (5 pesos a ride), but packed during rush hour.

  • Metrobus → Faster than regular buses and not as chaotic as the metro.

  • Walking → Totally fine in areas like Polanco, Roma, Condesa, and Coyoacán, but I wouldn’t wander aimlessly at night.

Traffic here is a disaster, so plan for Ubers to take twice as long as you think.

Where to Stay

I stayed in Coyoacán, which was chill, safe, and full of history. If you want a different vibe:

  • Polanco → Fancy, modern, and full of great restaurants.

  • Roma/Condesa → Trendy, walkable, and packed with cafés and bars.

  • Centro Histórico → Closer to major sites but way more hectic.

Coyoacán was perfect for a slower pace between training and city chaos.

Training: BJJ & Striking

Since this was a Renzo Gracie LA-hosted trip, training was a big part of it.

  • Renzo Gracie Mexico City → Great gym, solid training, super welcoming crew.

  • Bujutsu Martial Arts → If you want to mix in striking, MMA, or self-defense, this is the spot.

Both gyms had high-level training and were super open to travelers.

Things to Do (When You’re Not Training or Eating)

1. Teotihuacán Pyramids & Hot Air Balloon Ride

  • Go EARLY—before the crowds and heat hit.

  • The hot air balloon ride over the pyramids is sick and worth it.

  • Afterward, grab food at La Gruta, a cave restaurant near the ruins.

2. Museums That Are Actually Interesting

  • National Museum of Anthropology → One of the best in the world. If you want to understand Mayan and Aztec history, go here.

  • Templo Mayor → Ruins right in the middle of the city, wild to see.

  • Soumaya Museum → The futuristic silver building you’ve probably seen in photos. Free entry.

  • Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) → In Coyoacán. Buy tickets in advance, or you’re not getting in.

3. Lucha Libre at Arena México

  • If you’ve never seen Mexican wrestling, you need to.

  • Get seats close to the ring for the full experience.

  • Buy a lucha mask outside for fun.

4. Xochimilco Boat Ride

  • Basically a floating party on colorful boats with mariachi bands and unlimited beer.

  • Bring your own drinks and snacks—locals come fully stocked.

5. Polanco & Nightlife

Polanco has the best high-end restaurants and bars. For a solid night out:

  • Licorería Limantour → One of the best cocktail bars in the world.

  • Handshake Speakeasy → Hidden, great drinks, worth the hype.

  • Republica → If you want a full club experience, this is the move.

Where & What to Eat

Mexico City has next-level food, and if you don’t take advantage, you messed up.

Tacos

  • El Vilsito → Legendary al pastor tacos, no debate.

  • Los Cocuyos → Tiny stand, insane suadero and lengua tacos.

  • Tizne Tacomotora → More modern, but really solid.

  • El Califa de León → Tacos al carbón (grilled meat tacos) done right.

Street Food

  • Tlacoyos at Mercado de Coyoacán → Blue corn masa stuffed with beans, cheese, or chicharrón.

  • Quesadillas (without cheese unless you ask) → Sounds dumb, but it’s a Mexico City thing.

Sit-Down Restaurants

  • Pujol → If you’re doing one fancy meal, this is the place. The mole madre is unreal.

  • Contramar → Seafood-heavy, famous for tuna tostadas.

  • Rosetta → Italian-Mexican fusion, good for a nice dinner.

  • Lalo! → Solid breakfast spot, great chilaquiles.

Coffee & Churros

  • Café Nin → Great coffee, good pastries.

  • Churrería El Moro → Classic spot for churros and hot chocolate.

Final Thoughts

Mexico City is nonstop. Between BJJ, pyramids, lucha libre, tacos, and nightlife, there’s zero chance of getting bored. The altitude makes everything harder, but once you adjust, this city is unreal. Come hungry, come ready to train, and expect chaos.

Danielle Giordano