Jan 17, 2025 • 7 min read
10.01.2025 - 17:31 / lonelyplanet.com / An Airbnb
Jan 10, 2025 • 7 min read
Mexico City has a unique combination of old-world and new-world charm – top museums, sidewalk cafes, music in the streets and an eternally pleasant climate that makes walking its streets a year-round delight. After living here for 14 years, I still love the city as much as the day I arrived.
For visiting couples looking to relax and reconnect I always suggest scheduling in plenty of time for people-watching, naps and leisurely meals. True romance sometimes means simply spending time together, so whatever you do you will likely find it refreshing. Nevertheless, if you want a few suggestions for a romantic weekend in CDMX, here's what you need to know.
When to arrive: To avoid long traffic delays to and from the airport I suggest that you arrive after 10am and before 6pm on a Thursday to maximize three full days in the city.
How to get from the airport: Uber is probably the most convenient option from the airport, but also feel safe taking a local taxi that you can arrange at one of the many airport taxi stands. The local metro is also an option if you want to travel cheap, but it can be tricky with luggage.
Getting around town: Ubers are easiest for visitors that don’t speak Spanish, but if you want to go deluxe, a private driver can be hired for a few hundred dollars for the weekend. For something a little more on-the-ground get a bike share account for the weekend or rent a bicycle built for two with Poray.
Where to stay: I always recommend planning your hotel based on your other activities so you can walk as much as possible and avoid getting stuck in traffic. For lovers who want boutique artistic vibes, La Valise is a dream. Be sure to book one of the suites with a bed that rolls out onto the terrace for sleeping under the stars. If you are looking to have a couple's massage, a bigger hotel such as Sofitel or Ritz-Carlton will offer a full spa and an upscale experience. For a more affordable option, the Red Tree House has an incredible location right off Amsterdam in Condesa and guests rave about the breakfasts. Be forewarned that the crowd there tends to be a little bit older. An Airbnb in a great neighborhood like Roma or Condesa can also be a great way to have privacy and save money.
What to pack: Mexico City is not the place for casual beachwear, sundresses and sandals. Pack smart city attire – a few casual outfits for day trips or a taco crawl, and a few nicer outfits for a fancy dinner. Bring a hat and sunscreen if you are heading out the pyramids or the southern canals.
Dinner: Ease into your vacation with a dinner prepared by a private chef at home or in your hotel. La Valise will bring you in-room dinner from the fabulous Sartoria restaurant around the corner or, if
Jan 17, 2025 • 7 min read
It's no secret that travel can get expensive very quickly. But some destinations are more costly than others, especially if a tourism tax (a daily charge usually applied to hotel bills) is involved. U.K.-based financial comparison site Money recently rounded up five cities that charge the priciest tourism taxes around the world to help travelers make informed decisions about their next vacation.
Until fairly recently, Mexico City’s most in-demand hotels were found in one of two areas: moneyed Polanco or along the skyscraper-lined Reforma Avenue. But over the last few years, a number of small, independent properties have emerged in the trendier (and expat-heavy) boroughs of Condesa and neighboring Roma, many of them moving into the graceful old buildings that characterize this verdant pocket of the sprawling capital. The most appealing hotels in this new crop tend to favor low-key charm over unbridled luxury but in a part of town that’s notably serious about design, they fit right in. Here, three of the newest standouts.
Jan 16, 2025 • 6 min read
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Jan 16, 2025 • 6 min read
By the time my kids, Mila and Joe, were tweens, they’d become pretty savvy travelers. We had traveled as a family all over Mexico and Central America, to French Polynesia, and around Southeast Asia—Joe had even tagged along with me on a work trip to Egypt. But a family trip to Europe? Nope. I had been urged by a few well-traveled friends to save Europe for a time when my children would really appreciate it, when they could enthusiastically spend not just hours but consecutive days wandering museums and historical sites, when their palettes could handle sophisticated flavors, and when 10 p.m. dinners wouldn’t destroy the following day. I’m not sure why I chose to listen to this parenting advice while cavalierly ignoring all sorts of other cautionary tales and whispered warnings, especially since my kids ate everything, had been visiting museums since their toddler days, and frequently stayed up to 1 a.m. But I did, and year after year, kept punting on a family trip to Italy or Greece, countries I knew and loved and couldn’t wait to share with my kids when the time was right.
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