Why Mexico City is highly recommended to Pinoy travelers
We began planning this getaway as early as January, the moment my son, Paolo, received his summer break schedule. It was actually his inspired idea to head to the United States — specifically San Francisco, home to my grade school best friend, Arlene Sanchez (now Therese Roomian), and Sacramento, where my aunt, Tita Jojo, resides.
Paolo hadn’t been to the West Coast since 2015, and at just nine years old then, his memories of it were hazy.
But he had another destination up his sleeve: Mexico City.
A mere four-hour flight from San Francisco, Mexico City had been calling to him through glowing reviews of its culinary scene, rich history and vibrant culture. Paolo’s enthusiasm easily won over me and his sister, Gabbie. When I mentioned the detour to Arlene, she and her family — husband Chris and daughter Audrey — immediately opted in, eager to re-experience a city they had fallen in love with years prior. And so, our itinerary was locked: we would land in San Francisco on May 27, before jetting off to Mexico City on the 29th.
When we touched down, Mexico City International Airport was humming with energy, undergoing a massive facelift in anticipation of its role as a major host for the FIFA World Cup.
A 45-minute drive brought us to our home base in Polanco, an upscale, leafy neighborhood renowned for its luxury shopping, world-class dining and safety. Our accommodations were a dream: a spacious two-bedroom apartment suite complete with a full kitchen, living area and the ultimate travel luxury — a washer and dryer.
After settling in, we embraced the crisp, cool evening air for a 10-minute stroll to meet Arlene’s family at La Casa del Pastor on Masaryk Ave. We dived straight into authentic Mexican cuisine, feasting on their famous tacos al pastor. The tender, marinated pork — traditionally shaved off a vertical rotisserie and served with pineapple, cilantro and onions — was an absolute triumph that beautifully awakened our palates.
The next morning, we immersed ourselves in history at Chapultepec Castle. As the only royal castle in North America to have actually housed sovereigns, it holds a pivotal place in both Mexican and US history. The grand rooms offered a mesmerizing window into the country’s colorful, regal past.
By afternoon, we transitioned from royal history to ancient waterways. Arlene had booked us a tour of Xochimilco, a historic borough famous for its Aztec-era canal system, earning it the moniker “The Venice of Mexico.”
We boarded a brightly colored trajinera (a gondola-like boat), where our hosts, Emilio and Odette, kept the tequila and beer flowing. Gabbie, Paolo and Audrey had a blast, quickly befriending four other young tourists on board — three recent graduates from Northeastern University in Boston and a fellow traveler from London. Bumping into neighboring boats only added to the festive chaos. Amid the collective singing and dancing, we even flagged down a floating mariachi band to serenade us on the water.
Sunday called for an early start to visit the breathtaking Teotihuacan Pyramids. Walking down the Avenue of the Dead, flanked by the massive Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, it is impossible not to marvel at the sheer scale of engineering achieved between 100 B.C. and 650 A.D. Centuries later, even the Aztecs would look at these same ruins in awe.
From the ancient ruins, we booked a ride on DiDi — a local ride-sharing app that functions just like Uber but often operates at a fraction of the cost, making it an incredibly budget-friendly way to navigate the city. The 30-minute trip brought us straight to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Arriving at noon, we found the church packed with devout Sunday churchgoers.
Afterward, a short bus ride took us into a nearby town to view a record-breaking sight: a massive, 200-square-meter street mural. Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest brush-painted mural, the football-themed masterpiece had been featured on CNN — making it a non-negotiable stop for sports fans Chris and Paolo.
By mid-afternoon, we were absolutely famished. Arlene steered us toward El Gran Abanico, a legendary, cash-only taqueria famous for its carnitas. Despite a staggering 53,000 reviews online, the local institution proved the hype is real. We waited patiently in a long line for 40 minutes, and the reward was spectacular. The tacos were hearty, succulent and unbelievably cheap — our entire bill came out to less than 600 Mexican pesos (roughly 2,000 Philippine pesos).
While the rest of us headed back to the apartment to nurse our food comas, Paolo set off for a live Lucha Libre wrestling match. He returned ecstatic; growing up, his idol was Rey Mysterio, and experiencing the spectacle live was a childhood dream realized. Exhausted but happy, the rest of us capped the night by ordering in via Uber Eats.
Our plan for Monday was to explore the Centro Histórico, a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, travel always requires flexibility. We arrived to find the historic heart blocked by steel police barricades due to dual protests by striking teachers and citizens voicing concerns over the upcoming World Cup.
Pivoting quickly, Paolo suggested we head to the Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela instead. It turned out to be a magnificent alternative — a vibrant, bustling kaleidoscope of artisanal stalls that offered the perfect retail therapy for souvenir hunting.
A trip to Mexico is highly recommended for Filipino travelers. The cultural similarities between our two countries are striking. My limited knowledge of Spanish helped immensely with the language barrier, and the kids had a wonderful time testing out their own Spanish vocabulary.
We spent our final evening enjoying a relaxed dinner near our apartment. Gabbie and I savored wonderful, crisp tostadas piled high with fresh toppings, while Paolo enjoyed a perfectly cooked steak. On our final morning, we squeezed in a bit of light shopping and lunch at the upscale Antara mall before heading to the airport.
Rich in history, bursting with flavor, and made infinitely better by sharing it with lifelong friends, Mexico City proved to be an unforgettable summer escape.
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