After welcoming our baby, we were often warned that our traveling days were over. Thanks to our love for travel and our spite for the haters, we were determined to continue our adventures. With our 5-month-old baby in tow, we weighed our options and chose Mexico City as our first family destination. And after an incredible trip, we can confidently say that exploring Mexico City with a baby is highly recommended.
Getting to Mexico City
Most of our travel plans are based on finding cheap flights. Regardless of miles and points, a good deal is hard to resist. In this case, we snagged round-trip flights on American for just $250. It took two short flights to get there from Salt Lake City with an unfortunately long layover in Dallas. It wasn’t ideal, but it did allow us to split up our baby’s first flights.
Where to stay in Mexico City
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Mexico Reforma and we loved it. The view was incredible and it was located along Av. de la Reforma, one of Mexico City’s main streets. Its central location made it perfect for exploring the city, with many incredible sites just a 20-minute walk away.
The hotel offered free baby cribs and served an excellent breakfast, both of which are major considerations for us when choosing accommodations with our baby. The rooms were spacious, and we had a great view of La Reforma.
No matter where you stay along this road, there are lots of restaurants, vendors, and points of interest nearby. Av. de la Reforma is known for being a nicer area of town, and we never felt out of place or concerned with safety. The road, lined with beautiful trees, adds to its charm, making it a delightful area to stay in Mexico City.
Other Recommended Areas
If you’re looking for other great areas to stay in Mexico City, consider:
- Polanco: Known for its upscale vibe, Polanco offers luxury shopping, fine dining, and cultural attractions like the Soumaya Museum and Chapultepec Park. It’s a safe and walkable neighborhood with plenty of parks and green spaces.
- Condesa and Roma: These adjoining neighborhoods are trendy and vibrant, filled with hip cafes, art galleries, and boutiques. They offer more of a bohemian atmosphere with beautiful parks and a lively nightlife scene.
- Historic Center: Staying near the Zócalo puts you in the heart of Mexico City’s historic district, surrounded by colonial architecture, museums, and lively plazas. It’s perfect for exploring the city’s cultural heritage on foot.
- Coyoacán: If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, Coyoacán offers a quaint village-like feel with cobblestone streets, markets, and the Frida Kahlo Museum. It’s a bit farther from the city center but full of history and charm.
Each of these areas is near metro stations, making it easier to explore Mexico City with a baby. Depending on your preferences—from cultural experiences to a vibrant nightlife or relaxed ambiance—Mexico City’s diverse neighborhoods cater to various interests while offering convenient transportation options.
Getting Around Mexico City with a Baby
After we landed, we took an Uber to our hotel. We messaged them beforehand to ensure they could accommodate a baby and car seat. They confirmed they could with no hesitation. Despite the hectic driving and streets, we felt safe and had no problems using rideshare to get to and from the airport.
We initially planned on using the metro to get to our hotel as it’s incredibly cheap, but it requires two stops to get to many downtown locations and would’ve taken up to 45 minutes. Uber, on the other hand, took about 25 minutes and was much more convenient with a baby.
Once at the hotel, we primarily walked. The main streets are wide and clean, with plenty of space for a stroller. La Reforma specifically has great sidewalks. Although the side streets aren’t as well-maintained and accessible, we still had no trouble reaching our destinations. Mexico City’s vibrant street life, with its various parks, markets, and plazas, makes walking an enjoyable way to experience the city.
We also took a Hop-on Hop-off bus as part of a multi-day ticket. We’ve really come to enjoy these tours because they provide a great way to explore the city and get around without relying on taxis or public transit. The bus routes covered all the major attractions on our list, and the buses were never very crowded, making it easy to get our stroller on and off. The panoramic views from the upper deck were an added bonus, giving us a unique perspective of the city’s landmarks.
Our Nuna stroller was a lifesaver. While it’s a bit expensive, we love it because it’s lightweight, folds up easily, and fits perfectly into trunks or tight spaces, making it extremely convenient for traveling. Its compact design also made it easier to navigate through crowded areas and hop on and off buses.
Navigating Mexico City with a baby turned out to be easier than we anticipated. With a combination of Uber, walking, and the Hop-on Hop-off bus, we were able to comfortably explore the city and reach all our destinations without any hassle. The city’s blend of modern convenience and rich cultural experiences made our trip both manageable and memorable.
Where to Get Baby Food and Diapers in Mexico City
During this trip, we realized it’s more practical to pack enough baby supplies for just the first few days at our destination and then purchase the rest locally. This approach frees up so much space in our luggage, and if it’s an option for you, we highly recommend it.
Finding baby supplies in Mexico City is easy. You can find baby essentials in both small pharmacies and larger supermarket chains. Pharmacies, which are scattered throughout the city and often marked by large flashing green crosses, typically stock everything you need, from baby food to diapers and wipes. These smaller stores are convenient and easy to spot while walking down the street. A quick search on Google Maps will help you locate them, and if the language barrier is a concern, showing the pharmacist a picture from your phone can be very helpful.
In addition to these small shops, major supermarket chains such as Soriana, Chedraui, and Walmart carry a wide selection of baby products. These stores can be found in various neighborhoods and typically offer a more extensive range of brands and products, including organic and specialty baby foods.
For those staying in more central areas, convenience stores like OXXO and 7-Eleven also carry basic baby supplies, though their selection might be more limited compared to larger stores and pharmacies.
We had no trouble finding these pharmacies, as they often have large green crosses out front, and getting everything we needed for our baby. Remember, if you ever find yourself in need of specific items or brands, asking locals or hotel staff for recommendations can be a quick and reliable way to locate the best stores in the area.
What to do in Mexico City with a baby
Mexico City has so many family-friendly activities and attractions. We were excited to visit and although we weren’t sure what to expect, especially with a baby, we left feeling like there were still so many things we wish we could have done.
Chapultepec Park
We spent a lot of time exploring Chapultepec Park, a huge park in the heart of the city. The park features large ponds, beautiful gardens, charming bridges, bustling markets, and even a zoo and a castle. With so much to see and do, you could spend days enjoying all it has to offer. Although it was about a 30-minute walk from our hotel—a journey we made several times—the hop-on-hop-off bus also made stops throughout the park, making it easy to reach its farthest corners.
We loved the zoo! Not only is it free to enter, but it also has an impressive collection of animals, including a rare giant panda. We spent an afternoon here and our baby loved being outside and seeing all the animals. Initially, we were unsure about visiting the zoo as we didn’t know much about it, but we were pleasantly surprised by its size and variety. We’d highly recommend it to others and would probably even go back to visit when in Mexico City again.
Castillo de Chapultepec
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to visit Castillo de Chapultepec, the castle in the park. Although we had the time, strollers were not allowed inside, and we didn’t have a baby carrier with us. Instead, we spent a lot of time walking through the different markets in the park and around the ponds. The park is full of vibrant markets, and the weather in Mexico City is perfect year-round, making it great to be outdoors.
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Historic Center
Avenida Francisco I. Madero, or simply Madero, is a must-visit pedestrian street in the heart of Mexico City, connecting to Chinatown, the Plaza de la Constitución, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Stretching from the Torre Latinoamericana to the Zócalo, it’s easily accessible by public transport as well as the hop-on hop-off bus.
Exploring Madero was an unexpected delight for us. Initially not on our itinerary, we found it to be a fantastic place to wander, enjoy great food, and experience lively entertainment. Lined with beautiful and historical buildings like the Casa de los Azulejos and the Church of San Francisco, Madero is a bustling area filled with shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. Street performers, musicians, and artists contribute to its vibrant atmosphere, making Madero a dynamic experience and an essential destination when visiting Mexico City.
If you’re in the city on a Sunday, Paseo de la Reforma is closed to vehicles, allowing for walking and biking without the hustle and bustle of city life. This provides a perfect opportunity to see iconic landmarks like the Angel of Independence and the Diana the Huntress fountain while enjoying a more leisurely stroll or bike ride.
Beyond Chapultepec Park and Madero, Mexico City is full of markets, museums, food trucks, and countless sights to explore. The Mercado de San Juan is a foodie’s paradise, offering exotic meats and gourmet treats, while the La Ciudadela market is perfect for handicrafts and souvenirs. We strolled through the streets and various parks, sampling delights from food vendors and soaking in the city’s rich architecture and history. Many parks and plazas feature live music and performers, providing a lively atmosphere and a multitude of experiences. The city’s historic sites, such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Templo Mayor, are often accompanied by museums, many of which are free or very affordable to visit.
With so much to see and do, Mexico City offers a vibrant and enriching experience that captures the essence of its rich cultural heritage.
Out of the City
If you have extra time, the surrounding areas offer even more to explore, including ancient pyramids, towering mountains, volcanoes, and boat cruises through the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco. A visit to the ancient city of Teotihuacán, with its impressive pyramids of the Sun and Moon, provides a fascinating glimpse into Mexico’s pre-Hispanic history. The nearby town of Coyoacán, with its cobblestone streets and vibrant arts scene, offers a charming escape and is home to the Frida Kahlo Museum. For nature lovers, a trip to Desierto de los Leones National Park offers lush forests, hiking trails, and serene picnic spots. Whether you’re exploring the city’s vibrant neighborhoods or venturing out to nearby attractions, there’s no shortage of activities in Mexico City with a baby, ensuring a memorable and diverse adventure for the whole family.
Conclusion
Many doubted our ability to travel after having a baby, especially to Mexico City. However, our experience proved that traveling with a baby is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. While traveling with a baby can be stressful at times, it should never be a reason to hold back from exploring the world. Mexico City, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and family-friendly activities, made for an unforgettable trip that we wholeheartedly recommend to other parents.