5 Tips for Planning a Monday in Mexico City?
Monday in Mexico City can be tough. Most of the things the city is known for are closed. Museums are closed, Zona rosa is sleepy, Chapultepec is closed, It’s challenging. But don’t worry. You have come to the right place for some great suggestions on how to make the most of a Monday in Mexico City.
This is the best day to arrive or depart
I’ll start with the most obvious piece of advice. If you can skip Monday in Mexico City, do it. This is a great day to arrive or depart for your trip here. But don’t fear, if your plans are already made, I have plenty of suggestions for you on how to make the most of this day.
Xochimilco
You may have heard of the canals of Xochimilco. If done right, these can be a magical experience that showcase the natural beauty of Mexico City, and tell a fascinating story of its Agricultural History.
If done wrong it can be a big waste of a day.
Unfortunately there is no way to do it right alone. You’ll need to ride on the water in a Trajinera, which is a devestating tourist trap, or you can do a unique Kayak Experience.
Tracey Parker Travel has partnered with a tour provider that specializes in Sunrise Kayak Experiences on the canals of Xochimilco. They also do a sunset one too, for the non-early birds.
Contact Us to book one of these experiences.
***If you’re interested in Xochimilco, I urge you to read carefully about exactly what will take place on a tour. For the locals, Xochimilco is a place to rent a Trajinera, with your friends or family, and spend the entire afternoon drinking.
Most of the tours that I have found involve this and nothing more. You don’t want to end up the only non Spanish speaking person on a boat full drinkers.
Restaurants
Restaurants are slow on Mondays and you can use this to your advantage. It is a good day to go to famous Mexico City Restaurants that usually have long waits.
Another Mexico City Restaurant hack is to keep in mind that lunch time doesn’t usually start until 1:30. Check the hours of the restaurants. If it shows that they are open at Noon, go there. There will be no wait, and the few who are there will be Americans.
Contramar is the restaurant that I had in mind when I wrote this tip. It is the most famous seafood restaurant in Mexico City. They open at 12 so this will be a winning idea.
I assume part of its success is this Netflix documentary that was made about this restaurant.
If you decide to do lunch at Contramar, there is a free museum around the corner that you should check out, that is open on Monday. It is a colonial townhouse that is meticulously restored and beautifully decorated.
Museums Open On Monday
Soumaya – Personal art collection of Carlos Slim, Mexico’s Richest Citizen. Interesting Architecture of building. Located in Polanco.
Guillermo Tovar de Teresa Museum – colonial townhouse that is meticulously restored and beautifully decorated
Museo Kaluz – Located on Alameda Central this Museum has a wonderful collection of traditional Mexican Art
Casa de Louis Barragan – Last but not least, this is a very popular museum. It is the house and studio of Louis Barragan, one of Mexico’s most famous Architects. The only way to visit is by a guided tour. The tours are offered in English and Spanish.
The bad news is that you’ll need to reserve your tour weeks in advance, at the least. Kudos to you if you’re planning that far in advance.
Gallery Tour San Miguel Chapultepec
I’ve lived in Mexico City for over 5 years and I’ve always heard about all the Art Galleries. Yes there are a lot.
They are mostly located in Roma and Condesa, with a surprisingly high concentration in San Miguel Chapultepec.
Make a Dinner Reservation at a Nice Restaurant of Your Choice
Self Explanatory
Stock Up on Weed for the Week at a Legal Point of Sale of Marijuana
Legal Point of Sale of Marijuana in Mexico City
Grab a Work Out at Barras Insurgentes
Mexican men love to work out at outdoor gyms. This one is a very popular one right in the heart of Zona Rosa. It may be intimidating when you first arrive, but I promise you, I go here regularly and it’s an inclusive environment. They even have a LGBT group that works out here Thursday nights from 6-8PM. But it’s not necessary to go on that night to feel welcome.
This gym is packed from 8-10 M-F, a little less so on the weekend nights. But there are people there at 6 as well.
Gay Cruising and Sex Clubs that are crowded on Monday
Gay sex clubs are popping every night and Monday’s are no exception. You could totally end your day with the Tracey Parker gay cruising and museum walking tour of downtown Mexico City. But you’d have to skip the museums, and start at Cine Savoy.
Since you’re skipping the museums you can start later, but remember, Cine Savoy closes at 7:00PM. Sexto Piso closes at 10PM on Monday, and El Chikro closes at Midnight.
Also check out El Chikro, my favorite gay sex club in Mexico City.
