mexico city parks to visit

• North America
• The Most Beautiful Parks And...

The Most Beautiful Parks and Gardens in Mexico City

Northern England Writer

While Mexico City sometimes gives the impression that it’s a bog-standard concrete jungle, there are actually plenty of open green spaces , gardens and parks to enjoy in and amongst the residential buildings and world-class museums. Here’s our roundup of Mexico City’s most beautiful parks and gardens, which can principally be found in (or within easy reach of) the city centre.

Parque méxico, condesa.

Invernadero de la Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Santa María la Ribera

Parque hundido, insurgentes, jardín del alcazar, bosque de chapultepec.

Parque Alameda, Centro Histórico

Become a Culture Tripper!

Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $1,058 on our unique trips..

See privacy policy .

Parque Lincoln, Polanco

Parque Masayoshi Ôhira (La Pagoda), Coyoacán

Bridge, Park

About the author

Yorkshire-born food, drink and travel writer based out of Mexico, you can find my work at Nat Geo, CNN, Extra Crispy and OZY, amongst other publications. Everything Mexico is my niche, but I also dabble in spewing my unsolicited opinions about teabags and pork pies. Find more of my work at northernlauren.com.

The Story Behind the Mexican Flag

25 Superstitions and Beliefs Only Mexicans Understand

Everything You Need to Know About Santa Muerte

18 Mexican Slang Terms You Need to Know

The Most Famous Mexicans and How They Made Their Name

The Best Books by William Faulkner You Should Read

10 Influential Songs That Changed the World

Mexico City's Best Street Art Locations

Traditional Mexican Dances You Should Know About

How to Spend Christmas and New Years in Mexico City

11 Locations in Coco That You Can Actually Visit in Mexico

11 Things You Should Never Eat or Drink in Mexico, Ever

Culture Trip Fall Sale

Save up to $1,058 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

• About the Gringa
• Contact Info
• Art + Architecture
• Neighborhoods + Walks
• Expat Living
• Visiting Mexico
• Weekend Getaways
• Mexican Culture
• Environment
• Travel Consultations

The Best Mexico City Parks to Enjoy Nature, Wilderness, & Social Distancing

If I’m craving anything during the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s nature . Living in southern Mexico City, I’m fortunate to have access to several pretty, quiet neighborhoods and smallish parks for my socially-distanced walks. But while I’m grateful to be away from downtown crowds, I’ve been sorely missing “real” wilderness. You know it when you see it: sprawling parks or forests that provide true respite from the city. Spots to curl up with a good book . Places where you can no longer hear traffic, car horns, and the omnipresent voice blaring “se compran colchones, tambores, refrigeradores…”

As we cautiously navigate the nueva normalidad (new normal), many Mexico City parks are open with precautions. Indoor restaurants and shopping centers are open as well, but frankly, you won’t find this nervous gringa there any time soon. I am, however, delighted at the reopening of larger and more wild green spaces. There, we can enjoy nature while maintaining a safe distance!

I’ve been wanting to write about the best Mexico City parks for quite some time, and this seemed like the perfect excuse. In the following guide, I’ll be sharing as many large, wild-ish green spaces as I could find. You won’t find small to medium parks (i.e. Parque Mexico), green plazas (Plaza Rio de Janeiro) or quite highly urbanized ones (Parque Hundido, Parque La Mexicana) in this particular guide. This isn’t because they’re not gorgeous —many of them are, and I love visiting them! Rather, I’m focusing on wilderness or semi-wild green spaces where you can take a deep breath of fresh air and socially distance stress-free. After all, we need somewhere to escape our many 2021 anxieties, if only for a day.

Section A: Accessible & Semi-Urban Green Spaces

First, I’ll go through a number of large Mexico City parks that many of us can access with relative ease. These are spots I normally reach walking or using public transportation, and can currently get to on bike or foot to be extra cautious. In short, these parks are in urban or semi-urban areas you can usually get to without a car, yet their size means you can still enjoy a real escape into nature.

1) Viveros de Coyoacán

The Viveros (nurseries) de Coyoacán are one of Mexico City’s loveliest parks. They provide crucial “lungs” to the south of the city, just as Chapultepec does for the center. At 39 hectares (almost 4.2 million square feet), once you walk into the park, the surrounding noises melt away. As the name suggests, the Viveros include a large tree and plant nursery. Back in 1901, celebrated engineer and researcher Miguel Ángel de Quevedo donated a single hectare of land here to start Mexico’s first forestry nursery.

Today, the Viveros are so much more. It’s still home to many young trees that will later make their way to other parks and forests around the metro area. It also has a cluster of small, family-owned commercial nurseries on Avenida Mexico. This spot between Entrances 3 and 4 gives you the chance to purchase a dazzling variety of plants and flowers. And as for the rest of the park? The Viveros are divided by types of trees. Elegant, wide paths flow between rows of towering cedars, pines, oaks, sweetgums, and many other tree types.

This most beloved of southern Mexico City parks has become a gathering place for hobbyists, who come on the weekends to practice everything from karate to yoga to theater. Just be conscious that due to its popularity, Viveros de Coyoacán can get a bit busy. Its wide paths, however, make it fairly easy to maintain distance. Go before noon or on weekdays for fewer visitors. It’s easily accessible on bike or foot if you’re heading to the Coyoacán neighborhood, as well as from the Viveros de Coyoacán metro stop.

6 am to 5 pm everyday. Currently, only Puerta 1 is open. (Search “Viveros de Coyoacán Puerta 1” on Google Maps to find it.)

2) Bosque de Chapultepec

Of course, no respectable list could leave out the Bosque de Chapultepec, Mexico City’s largest and best known urban park. This multi-section park stretches across the center-west of the city, sprawling over an area twice the size of New York City’s Central Park. It includes everything from perfect picnic spots to multiple (rather green-hued) lakes, a bustling zoo to a castle, Diego Rivera mosaics and murals to truly wild, towering forests.

I know, I know — I need to do a post only on everything Chapultepec Forest has to offer. And I will, once all of its offerings are safely accessible and up-and-running again post-Covid. Like many Mexico City parks, the Bosque is currently operating at 30% capacity. At the moment, I strongly recommend going on a weekday if possible to avoid the crowds. If this isn’t possible, stay away from the heavily-transited vendor area. I’m also a big proponent of Section II of the Bosque, which is less crowded and has so much to offer!

6 am to 6 pm, closed on Mondays.

3) Reserva Ecológica Pedregal de San Ángel (and UNAM Botanical Garden, once re-opened)

The UNAM (National University) Botanical Garden and adjoining ecological reserve may be my favorite Mexico City parks. (Though they’ve got plenty of stiff competition on and off this list!) I love our many forests, but there’s something special to be said for the Pedregal. This southern part of the city is comprised of volcanic bedrock that formed when the volcano Xitle erupted around 11,000 years ago. (Don’t worry, it’s dormant now.) As a result, this area is home to the Pedregal, a totally unique ecosystem . Here, cooling lava formed undulating waves of porous black rock. Many of the Pedregal’s plants and animals can only live here — this reserve is quite literally keeping them alive.

In pre-Covid times, I’d take the Insurgentes Metrobus down towards La Joya, getting off at the Centro Cultural Universitario stop. From there, it’s fairly easy to walk up the road to the botanical garden entrance and/or different parts of the large reserve. As of February 2021, however, the botanical garden itself is still closed. You should be able to access the ecological reserve from its external entrances. Please let me know if you have any issues, so I can update this guide ASAP! Even if the main gates are closed, however, you can enjoy parts of the Pedregal environment simply walking near the Centro Cultural Universitario (Campus Cultural Center) and on the tranquil road leading to the botanical garden. Both the garden and reserve are fantastic spots for birdwatching in the city.

The Reserva, located around different parts of the UNAM campus, doesn’t have hours. You can access some parts via gates, and other simply walking around the campus and cultural center . The Botanical Garden is currently closed and I will update as soon as re-opening plans announced.

4) Bosque de Tlalpan & Parque Nacional Fuentes Brotantes

If you find yourself in the south of the city, the Bosque de Tlalpan and nearby Fuentes Brotantes National Park are sprawling, verdant oases of green. Both areas are beloved by runners and picnickers alike. The Bosque de Tlalpan is a standout for me, as it’s fairly accessible even for a car-less grinxicana such as I.

These two Mexico City parks are relatively close to one another. While they have entrances near the Insurgentes Sur Metrobus and other public transport, many families also drive to the parks. Tlalpan is my particular favorite because the green space remains remarkably well-maintained. Clean, well-marked paths lead up and around the foothills. Head here even on the weekend, and you’ll find a wide variety of walks and hikes for every skill level, with plenty of places to socially distance and lose yourself in nature. Fuentes Brotantes is a bit closer to the hills of the Ajusco mountain range, and has both highly developed spots (food stands, a small lake) and wilder areas.

The Bosque de Tlalpan is open from 5 am to 5 pm. The only current access point is the main Camino de Santa Teresa entrance. Fuentes Brotantes National Park is open from 9 am to 6 pm. You can access it via the main entrance on Avenida de las Fuentes. Check out some of the wildlife you can find in Fuentes Brotantes here .

5) Parque Bicentenario

If you’re looking for some green space with a heavy dash of inspiring urban renewal, check out one of Mexico City’s youngest parks, the Parque Bicentenario. The story of the Bicentenario is just as interesting as the park itself. Situated in the middle of a bustling working class, semi-industrial area of Azcapotzalco in northern Mexico City, this large park began its life as a Pemex Oil Refinery! Over the years, the refinery closed. The city was faced with the challenge of what to do with the huge industrial space left behind.

In honor of Mexico’s bicentennial celebrations, leaders decided to rehabilitate the ex-refinery into the urban green space that surrounding neighborhoods desperately needed. Today, many of the Bicentenario’s trees are still young and have some growing to do. However, the park already bursts with innovative and much-loved spaces for local families, and it will only improve from here. Check out the different Mexican regional ecosystems just inside the entrance (some are closed off during the pandemic). Then explore the huge fields that stretch beyond, include a large artificial-but-pleasant lake, winding walking paths, a small museum, a skate park, and many picnic spots.

Parque Bicentenario is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 7 AM to 6 PM. The main entrance is just across the street from the Refinería Metro stop. My only note here is that mask use wasn’t as good as in other parks. That said, the large open spaces mean you can give others a wide berth.

6) Bosque de Aragón

Located in a heavily urban, working class area of the city, the Bosque de San Juan de Aragón (the Aragon Forest) doesn’t always get the credit it’s due. Since 2015, the city has been revamping the park to restore its full natural and cultural beauty. This green space is vast and diverse, covering 162 hectares (over 17 million square ft.) of Mexico City’s east. Aragón has a storied history: it once formed part of Lake Texcoco, the large body of water upon which ancient Tenochtitlan sat. When the Spanish arrived, they built a hacienda around the area, named after Captain Blas López de Aragón.

These days, the park is popular with runners and fun-seeking families alike for its many trails and well-known zoo. Even migratory waterbirds love Aragón. Herons, ducks, and many other species flock here every year as if deep in their DNA, they still remember when this was part of Lake Texcoco. In “normal” times (pre-Covid), the park puts on many cultural activities, from music to movies.

6 am to 6 pm; enter on the Avenida José Loreto Fabela, Colonia San Juan de Aragón. Take the same precautions you would in any large, heavily urbanized green space, avoiding deserted spots and lonely hours of morning and night.

Section B: Wilder Green Spaces

Now let’s look at some great parks that are a little more out-of-the-way. These spots are mostly around the city’s southern mountains and waterways. Here, you can get spectacular views and truly fresh air, often without the crowds. The trade-off is that having a car makes accessing these spaces much, much easier. They’re ideal for day trips, so pack a picnic lunch and get going!

1) Parque Nacional Desierto de los Leones

When I first arrived in Mexico City, I headed to Desierto de los Leones with a few friends on a whim. When we arrived after winding up and up a mountain, I couldn’t believe we were still in Mexico City. This immense, breathtaking national park covers a swath of the southern mountains. After you pass the park’s entrance (and a big pack of very fit mountain bikers), you’ll reach the exconvento, a whimsical stone monastery nestled among the pines.

Visit the monastery (the guided tours are fascinating) and hike through the surrounding paths, which lead you to several crumbling hermitages if you follow the creepy “monk” symbol on the old-school park signage. There are plenty of places to get food and drink, as well as grills and picnic tables. Desierto de los Leones has a truly unique, fairy tale atmosphere. If you’re anything like me, you might just fall in love with the place.

The park itself is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 8 am to 5 pm, but the monastery doesn’t open until 10 am. You can take a rideshare car here…but good luck ordering one to get back, as there’s no cell coverage! For best results, drive your car or rent one, following Waze directions south and further south, with the destination “Exconvento Desierto de los Leones.” Bring petty cash for the monastery, food, and parking.

2) Parque Nacional Cumbres del Ajusco

This humungous national park covers an even larger bit of the southern mountains, this time the Sierra del Ajusco. Ajusco comes from an indigenous Nahuatl word meaning roughly “the place of flowers, from which water springs”. The indigenous peoples of the area knew this area’s value long ago: the Ajusco mountain range is the source for much of Mexico City’s water.

Today, many indigenous people continue to call the Ajusco home, dedicating their communities to its preservation. One such effort is the Parque Ejidal San Nicolás Totolapan , the best-known communally owned park in the Ajusco. Covering 2300 hectares (8.8 square miles) of forested mountain, the park charges a small cash fee ($30 pesos the last I’ve seen) to enter. As in many of the area’s green spaces, it can get crowded around the entrance on the weekends, especially around the food and diversion areas. Hike up the mountain paths for both peace and a safer, socially distanced experience.

Enter the Parque Ejidal San Nicolás Totolapan from 8 am to 6 am. It’s at Km 11, Picacho-Ajusco 5, Panoramica, but just put its name in a navigation app for a fairly easy trip up, up, and up! A car or round-trip taxi will save you a lot of stress here.

3) Xochimilco’s Wild Side

Many know Xochimilco for its touristy, crowded canals packed with colorful trajinera boats, booze, and mariachis. That’s not ideal for worriers like me in these pandemic times — although I feel deeply for all those who work in tourism there and have had to seek alternatives in 2020 and 2021. But Xochimilco is much more than chelas and La Llorona shows.

In reality, it’s a vast, endangered wetland that provides a crucial home for endemic species and a livelihood for indigenous communities. When you’re ready for something very different from the pine and oyamel-covered mountains, drive or ride down to the Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco, or even the peripheral Bosque de Nativitas, for a taste of this singular ecosystem. In the former, you’ll discover canals and chinampas (agricultural islands), herons and ajolotes , ancient traditions and sunrise views of the volcanoes.

9 am to 6 am, enter the Parque Ecológico (Ecological Park) at Periférico Oriente #1 in Colonia Ciénega Grande. In addition, several tour providers offer small-group visits to the park with Covid-19 precautions, including Aztec Explorers .

4) Los Dinamos & La Marquesa

For a beautiful natural experience within the city, you barely need to go past Six Flags before you reach Los Dinamos. Quite a bit further afield, La Marquesa is just outside the city in Estado de Mexico (Mexico State). I grouped these two parks together not because they’re right next to each other, but because they occupy similar places in the hearts and minds of many chilangos. Both have a big jumble of nice, natural green spaces and very family-oriented, crowded areas for food, games, and other outdoor activities. You can even fish for trout and eat it for lunch, though it will come from a very crowded pond that makes it basically impossible not to catch a fish!

My main reservation in recommending Los Dinamos and La Marquesa is that they can get quite crowded on the weekends. But like so many areas on this list, if you get off the beaten track and explore either parks’ trails, chances are you’ll leave the crowds behind.

Los Dinamos is open from 6 am to 6:30 pm, while you can visit La Marquesa from 7 am to 7 pm. You can reach either quite easily by car by entering their names into Waze; bring cash for parking and other expenses. Be safe, don’t wander into isolated areas alone, and try not to bring many valuables.

At the end of the day (or rather the post), keep in mind that this is still just a small cross-section of Mexico City’s many outstanding green spaces! This article kept getting longer, and at some point I have to limit my endless enthusiasm. That doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t check out areas like the Bosque de Tlahuac, Parque Tezozómoc , Parque Nacional Cerro de la Estrella , and the slightly smaller parks I mentioned in the intro!

Nevertheless, I tried to focus on the parks that have brought me the most peace and joy during my years in Mexico City. Most of all, these are areas where you can socially distance with relative ease, expect to see others with masks, and in several cases, receive hand sanitizer and a temperature check at the entrance. Now more than ever, it’s important to stay safe in and out of our beloved green spaces.

Hi, I’m Merin

Merin is a writer and traveller living in Mexico City.

Related Posts

What to See in Coyoacán: A Guide to Mexico City’s Colorful Colonia, Part 1

Return to Chilangolandia: Mexico City Slang Guide, Part 2

¡Felices fiestas!: 6 Incredible Spots to Buy Artisanal Mexican Christmas Gifts

Discover more from the gringa's guide to mexico city.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Expert guide to the best parks in Mexico City: Bosque de Chapultepec

Published by Cassie on 23/10/2024 23/10/2024

If you’re serious about getting to know Mexico City then you can’t miss out on visiting one of the very best parks in Mexico City: Bosque de Chapultepec . This ancient and enormous park not only serves as the lungs of Mexico City, it also offers locals and visitors alike huge amounts of pleasure as they take time to enjoy it. From museums and restaurants to boating and play spaces, you could spend an entire week hanging out in this park and never get bored.

In this article we’ll examine a little of the history of Parque de Chapultepec, discuss if Chapultepec is safe and then look closely at everything there is to do in the park:

🦋 Cultural activities

🛝 Playgrounds and more for the kids – if you’re wondering what to do with kids in Mexico City , exploring this park is right at the top of the list.

🚣🏾‍♂️ Lakes and more

“Bosque”, by the way means “Forest”. You’ll see this park referred to as “La Bosque de Chapultepec”, “La Parque de Chapultepec” and even just “Chapultepec.

Over the past six years I’ve taken the time to get to know the incredible Chapultepec Park. I’ve explored with intention, pouring over maps and reading articles as well as asking Uber drivers to drop me at various weird points so I could see what’s what. I’m so excited to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for this gorgeous park with you so that you, too can have an incredible time in Mexico’s best urban park.

There are affiliate links in this article. If you click and make a purchase I could make a small sum at zero cost to you. Thank you!

Mexico City explorer articles

⭐️ 3 day itinerary for Mexico City | ⭐️ 5 day itinerary for Mexico City | ⭐️ Mexico City for the kids | ⭐️ Taking a day trip to the Xocimilco canals

Where is the Bosque de Chapultepec?

🧭 Bosque de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Forest) is located in the west of Mexico City, near to popular (and safe) areas including Roma Norte, La Condesa and Polanco. It is also the start of the incredible and beautiful Paseo de la Reforma, the avenue that runs from the park through the city to Alameda Central and beyond.

🧭 While bosque actually translates as ‘forest’, this really is, for the most part, an enormous city park. Chapultepec is one of the largest city parks in the world and is the second largest park in Latin America. Around 15 million people visit the park each year.

❗️ If you’re wondering if Chapultepec is bigger than Central Park then you may be surprised to know that it’s actually just over twice the size of Central Park!

History of Chapultepec

🦗 Chapultepec translates from Nahuatl as “at the grasshopper hill”, a name which came to the Aztecs from the Toltecs, the people who lived in the region before the Aztecs. There are even remains of a Toltec altar in the park. 

🦗 Chapultepec was an important location during the Aztec period when it was seen as a sacred place and used as a repository for the remains of rulers. Later it became a retreat for the Aztec rulers. The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan took its water from the springs in the area, something that continued for years after the Spanish invasion. In the fifteenth century Aztec ruler, Emperor Montezuma Xocoyotzin, built a palace and altar in the area, on the hill in the park.  

🦗 This hill, named Chapultepec Hill, saw one of the last battles between the Spanish and the Aztec Empire in 1521. When the Spanish defeated the Aztecs, a Franciscan hermitage was then built over the Aztec altar (yawn, yet another example of Europeans behaving appallingly – see also  Izamal  and  Mérida  for examples of European Christians thinking they could construct their buildings over Indigenous religious sites).

🏰 Eventually the hermitage was demolished and Chapultepec Castle, the building we know today, was built in 1785. In 1821 the castle became the official residence of the Mexican head of state and remained so until 1940 when Los Pinos was built and the castle was converted into a landmark museum. 

Where to stay near Chapultepec

There are hundreds of hotels in Mexico City, these are the few I highly recommend:

🏨  In Polanco –   Camino Royal, Polanco : located in the heart of one of CDMX’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, this 5⭐️ hotel is extremely well priced for the facilities it offers and its great location by the Anthropology Museum. Enjoy spacious luxury in the hotel’s rooms, garden, outdoor pool and numerous restaurant offerings. The breakfast buffet gets great reviews too.

→  Check prices & reserve now

🏨 In Polanco – Residence L’Heritage Royal Colonial : this is a 3⭐️ hotel that feels like a 4⭐️ given the quality of breakfast, the availability of free snacks all day long and the size and quality of the rooms.

→ Check prices & reserve now

🏨  In Reforma –  LaiLa Hotel, Reforma : this budget 4⭐️ hotel is well located if you want to explore the Bosque de Chapultepec while still being close to the centro historico. The rooms are clean and modern and it’s located on a road packed with great restaurant options. I often stay here when I’m in the city.

🏨  Paseo Reforma –   Sofitel Reforma : if it’s city views you’re after then you can’t beat this 5 ⭐️ chic hotel located by the Ángel de la Independencia on Paseo Reforma. The large & comfortable rooms are beautifully furnished and the staff are wonderfully attentive but it’s the views over the city, particularly from the indoor pool, restaurant and bar that give this hotel its edge for me. This hotel is walking distance from the park.

🏨  In the Centro Historico –  Gran Hotel Ciudad de México : this 4⭐️ hotel is one of the most magnificently beautiful hotels in Mexico City. I highly recommend staying in this  perfectly located, gorgeous historic hotel  that offers views over zocalo, the cathedral and National Palace. It isn’t particularly close to the park but it’s an absolutely magnificent place.

For utter ease of visiting the park, I recommend staying in Condesa, Polanca, Roma Norte or around Reforma. These, of course, are some of the most upmarket areas of Mexico City, where many luxurious hotels are to be found.

→ Check Hotel Possibilities near Chapultepec Park now

Is Chapultepec safe?

✅ Yes. I have never once felt unsafe in Chapultepec. I’ve been with my family, with just my kids, with friends, and alone and I’ve never once felt unsafe in this magnificent park. The areas of Chapultepec that you’re likely to ever explore are bordered by some of Mexico City’s most upmarket and safe areas.

❌ I wouldn’t recommend walking through any park, anywhere in the world, after dark particularly if you’re alone.

Reminiscent of New York’s Central Park, there are roads through the park so beware when crossing. 

Chapultepec opening hours

Section 1: Tues – Sun (closed Monday) 6 am – 5 pm

Section 2: 24 / 7

🚾 there are public toilets throughout the park. They generally cost 5 pesos per person.

🐕‍🦺 Pets are not permitted in section 1 of the park but they are permitted in most of section 2.

What to do in Chapultepec

Let’s look now at the very best things to do in Chapultepec. I hope you have at least one whole day to dedicate to this park, if not two, three or even a week! That’s how excellent I believe this park to be. 

⭐️ Mexico City is firmly on my list of the best family friendly spring break vacation options for Mexico ⭐️

Museums in Bosque de Chapultepec

I’ve read that Mexico City has more museums than almost any other city in the world. It wouldn’t surprise me at all as I’ve been visiting multiple times a year for six years and am still finding new museums to check out on every visit. This is one of the reasons homeschoolers in Mexico love the city so much. Chapultepec is home to 13 museums of its very own: 

Museo Nacional de Historia (National History Museum)

This museum is housed in the incredible Castillo de Chapultepec high up on the hill at the centre of section one. It is worth visiting for so many reasons; the views over Reforma to the Ángel de Independencia being my favourite reason.

➡️ The castillo was built by the Viceroy of New Spain as a summer house. It was later the official residence of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico (1864 – 67). In 1882, it was declared as the official residence of the president and remained so until 1939 when President Lazaro Cardenas chose to live in Los Pinos and, in 1939, turned the castle into a museum.

🖼 In this museum you’ll find incredible murals that explain Mexican history and require, nay demands your attention.

🏰 The second section of the museum, the Alcazár, is the palace of the last Emperor, Maximiliano and his wife, Carlota. The upper floor here is astounding as it’s an outdoor garden on the roof and the views from both floors over the city are some of the most impressive you’ll ever see. I stood for far longer than anyone might think is normal just gawping, taking it all in and being utterly grateful for the opportunity and privilege of visiting. 

→  Book your tickets  (this is a GetYourGuide link because although it says there’s an official site to buy tickets it doesn’t appear to work. And yes, tickets do sell out so I recommend buying in advance).

Tips: go early before the crowds. As you enter, ask for a locker token as no food or drink can be taken inside the castle and bags are checked. I was super happy to have a locker as my bag was heavy and it meant I could leave everything not valuable at the bottom of the hill in the guarded lockers and then walk up relatively unencumbered. Oh yes, the castillo is at the top of a hill. 

Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology)

This, for many, is  THE museum of Mexico . I’ve been three times, and yes, it’s astounding. It was also the first Mexican museum (founded in 1825). It is a huge museum that can be pretty overwhelming as it is home to collections from across Mexico’s history and geographic locations. Be sure to leave at least half a day to explore this giant of a museum. 

→  Buy your tickets in advance  (and try to avoid going on a Sunday as it’ll be very busy since it’s free for Mexicans on Sundays)

Museo de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art)

This gallery contains one of the largest collections of Mexican modern art. Head here if you’re interested in learning more about modern Mexican artists. 

Museo de Historia Natural  

A good one with the kids, we visited here partly because it’s where you buy tickets for the Carcamo de Dolores (they come as a pair) but we really had a great time exploring the nine exhibition halls, learning about the natural history of our planet and of Mexico. It’s a very hands on museum that kids love.

Carcamo de Dolores 

💦 We stumbled across the Carcamo by mistake and from that moment on I (weirdly, I admit) thought of very little else. I’m a little obsessed with Mexican murals and with those of Diego Rivera in particular and he is the muralist who decorated this place. I love the detail in his work, the barely suppressed rage, the commentary he provides. This work is an homage to the workers, engineers and architects involved in the construction of the Carcamo. This is also the only subaquatic mural in the world (what you see is not underwater, panic not!)

💦 The Carcamo de Dolores is a hydraulic structure and the mural covering it is called “Agua, el origin de la vida”. The building was constructed to commemorate the Lerma System, which supplies water to the city. In the early days, water was supplied from Xochimilco . Outside the Carcamo is a sculpture, also by Diego of Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. It’s huge and magnificent and when viewed from inside joins with the murals just wonderfully. 

➕ Museo Jardín del Agua – this is more of a sculpture garden around the Carcamo but it’s always a pleasure to explorer.

Did you know that the famous  Día de los Muertos Calavera Catrina  began life as satirical commentary on the upper classes in Mexico in an etching by Jose Guadalupe Posada? She became a popular Día de Muertos symbol and was also painted into Rivera’s murals.

Museo Rufino Tamayo

This museum is a contemporary art museum not far from the Anthropology Museum. 

Museo del Caracol

Right next to the Castillo, is this small museum that is home to twelve rooms outlining the history of Mexico in a series of well made dioramas. The building is spiral shaped, which is nice as it means no stairs until you leave. 

Casa del Lago

This is a cultural centre that often has great exhibitions of social commentary. I saw a wonderful selection of posters from International Women’s Days throughout history in the gardens here. 

Papalote, Museo del Niño

👧🏽 This is one of the best kids’ museums I’ve ever visited. Mexico City has so much to offer children that it’s almost kid heaven . My kids have adored it forever and it has so much in it that it grows with the children. We first went when they were three and five and have been multiple times since then. They loved it every bit as much as the first time they went.

🖐🏿 It’s incredibly hands-on, everything is aimed at the children and learning through play. There is both an Imax, an educational cinema – the price of these can be added on to your entry ticket. Staff often speak English and will rush to help non-Spanish speaking kids as everything is in Spanish (I know this because they’d rush to help mine and then invariably be surprised at the quick language change).

Complejo Cultural Los Pinos

This former presidential residence is now a cultural centre offering exhibitions about Mexican culture.

➕ Museo de Sitio – Visitors’ Centre offering information about the history of the park

Kids & play spaces in Bosque de Chapultepec

🛝 This is really the most wonderful park in the world. If your kids are anything like mine you’ll never be able to leave. There are fabulous playgrounds, an aerial walk way, a tirolesa (zipline), house of mirrors, a carousel, trees to climb and hug, street stalls to gawp at and parents to beg for toys and candies. There are streams to cross, workshops to join, pedalos to pedal, hills to roll down and so, so much more.

💰 Be prepared for the kids to want to buy tourist/kid tat as you explore. We usually let our kids get something small or a t-shirt because in the main areas it’s so very hard to avoid the sellers.

🛝 Playgrounds in the Bosque de Chapultepec

Look on Google Maps using the following playground names

• Parque la Tapatía
• Nidos Colgantes
• By both zonas de comidas are play spaces
• Parque Hormigas
• Constituentes (not on google maps but next to the skate park and in front of the Natural History Museum)

🌳 The tirolesa (zipline) is actually two short aerial walk-ways, one for older kids and one for younger. It’s short enough and cheap enough that my kids often have two or three turns each (while we relax with plates of fruit beneath them. Yes. We’re smart parents), the staff take safety seriously and harnesses and helmets are required.

🪩 The Casa de Espejos (House of Mirrors) and Crystal Maze are fun for kids (once in my opinion, multiple times in that of my kids). These activities are all well priced so as to allow as many people access as possible. There is also a carousel , which my kids still love to ride. These activities are in one location near to the “zona de comida” and the Fuente de las Ranas. There’s a playground here too. We generally spend a few happy hours here with the kids running around having all the fun.

➡️ You can eat at any one of the food stands as they all sell pretty much identical options. It’s cheap, cheerful and absolutely kid friendly. 

Other cultural activities in Bosque de Chapultepec

Jardín botánico (botanical gardens).

🌼 This magical place is home to hundreds of Mexican plants, from cacti and succulents to orchids and lavender. It’s such a wonder to explore. It’s also a welcoming space and although there are guided tours offered, the joy comes in wandering aimlessly through the area. Clamber over the drum paths, climb a tree, sit and contemplate, have a swing, it’s all possible in these wonderful gardens.

🖐🏿 There are also often special sessions for kids (which my kids always hope for when we show up).

Open Tues – Sun 9 am – 3 pm.

Audiorama 

🎶 Oh the audiorama, what a place. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. Hidden away behind the Fuente de la Templanza you could go forever without even knowing this gorgeous spot, just perfect for a doze or a contemplative moment, exists. Before heading in be sure to allow a moment to be awed by Ahuehuete “El Sargento”, apparently the last remaining Ahuehuete (Montezuma cyprus) tree in the park. Then head to the left of the memorial to squadron 201 and find yourself in a truly astounding spot. 

Before the Spanish arrived, this was the Cincalco cavern that led to the Mictlán, a place considered to be a portal between the worlds of the living and the dead by the Mexicas. They also believed that Tláloc, the god of water, lived here. Today, this is a place that makes you feel as if you’re deep in a jungle rather than sitting in an enormous urban park in one of the world’s biggest cities. There is always music playing in the background here. When we were there last it was a jazz day so we sat on a bench and enjoyed the experience. I believe you can also ask to borrow a book but I don’t know how this works. 

Zoológico de Chapultepec

🐼 The zoo is free, huge and on a zoo scale, really not too horrendous. We’ve been a few times. We always use our visits to talk with our kids about the realities of zoos and keeping animals in captivity. There are even giant pandas here, which was a first for us.

It’s open 9 am – 4. 30 pm but last time we visited early we realised that many animals are not awake at 9 am! Go a little later if you want to see everything. It’s organised into regions and there’s a clear path you’re expected to follow.

Aztlán Parque Urbano

The original fería closed down and has been replaced by this brand new amusement park. In late 2024 it is partially open.

Lakes, sculptures, monuments and exploring

As you might expect from a city like CDMX, the park is full, overflowing, with sculptures and monuments. There are over one hundred, apparently. From the Altar a la Patria near the base of the castle, to the Fuente Xochipilli , there are so many magnificent ones to check out.

🦢 The artificial lakes were built in the time of Porfirio Díaz and all are concrete. Both the first and second sections have lakes. In the first section you can hire pedalos (pedal boats) on both sides of the bigger lake – called el Lago de Chapultepec (my advice is to head to the quieter side, near the Casa del Lago, the lines are shorter here).

At the far end of this  large lake is a bookshop, Librería Porrua, that also has a coffee shop. Opposite, there’s a Starbucks.

🦢 In the second section, Lago Mayor is also available for pedalo rental. This lake has three restaurants on its shore. Lago Menor has just one restaurant on its shore. You’ll see that the Lago Mayor here is a popular spot for a stroll or a picnic with locals.

Jardín de Adultos Mayores (Senior Citizen Garden)

Yeah, a part of the park we couldn’t enter, sigh- there are thirty-two sculptures here, a library, a work shop, spaces for workshop classes, a lake, library and so much more. And did I mention I wasn’t allowed in?

Getting fit 

🏋🏾‍♂️ There is all the usual free gym equipment available as well as bike spaces, a skate park, lots of space to walk/hike without getting lost as we did. Even within sections one and two there is plenty to do and see to keep you busy for days.

You can also rent bikes from section one (la casa de la bici) or take in your own bikes. 

Eating in Bosque de Chapultepec

🌮 As noted, there are two main zonas de comida, these sell street food primarily and are both in section one of the park. They’re decent and well priced. We always enjoy eating here.

🍽 There are a number of restaurants scattered around the park but we haven’t tried them as we enjoy street food too much.

🍕 At the kids’ museum there’s a food court that has pizzas and burgers and as you walk around there are affordable street snacks, fruit and drinks everywhere.

Other great city escapes in Mexico

➡️ What to do in Mérida

➡️ Exploring Valladolid

➡️ Let’s visit Campeche

➡️ What to do in Guadalajara

➡️ Exploring Comala

➡️ Cholula & Puebla

➡️ An awesome 5 day Mexico City itinerary

➡️ What to do with 3 days in Mexico City

➡️ Getting to know Oaxaca

➡️ San Cristobal de las Casas and its surroundings

➡️ What’s what in Guanajuato

➡️ Exploring around San Miguel de Allende

➡️ Exploring Chihuahua City

Cassie is a British-born travel writer who lives in southern Spain. Prior to moving to Spain, Cassie and her family lived in Yucatán, Mexico for many years. Something of a self-confessed-all-round travel-nerd, Cassie has a deep love of adventure, and of learning as much as possible about every place visited. This blog is testament to that.

Dr. Keith A. Thorp · 11/08/2022 at 9:00 am

A nice summation of our magnificent park. Thank you! Since the park is a 15 minute walk from our apartment, it is one of my favorite diversions.

The Museo Tamayo is well worth a visit, even if only for the marvelous architecture of the building. But the collection of art is also terrific. At present they have a large exhibit of Tamayo’s pieces, many of which I had never seen. He was a true genius. But there are noteworthy works by other modern artists as well.

The Casa del Lago also has concerts occasionally, so it is worth looking up their schedule if you are going to be in the area. The ballet Swan Lake has been presented on the terraces overlooking the lake.

A fourth section of the park was added in the last year, so it is now larger than ever. And a cable-bus line is being added to connect more efficiently from Los Pinos to the southwest ends of the area. It appears that the Dolores Olmedo Museum is moving much of its collection to a new facility in the park as well. Last fall they staged their ofrenda for Día de Muertos there.

It just gets better all the time.

Cassie · 11/08/2022 at 9:04 am

Thank you for the extra info. I always wanted to get to Tamayo but there is so much to do in CDMX that I never had a moment. Like I said, six years of assiduously visiting museums and galleries and still not got them all visited! Good tip re Casa del Lago, thanks. And yes, I’ve seen the fourth section. It’s a truly magnificent place, a jewel for the city to treasure and of which to be truly proud. You’re very lucky to live so close. Next time you visit, do hug a tree from me.

Dr. Keith A Thorp · 11/08/2022 at 5:26 pm

I also forgot to mention the museums you may not have visited in Los Pinos: one is dedicated to the life of Lazaro Cardenes (arguably Mexico’s most consequential president), another to Benito Juarez (though not as interesting as the Juarez apartment at the Palacio Nacional, if that ever re-opens) and the museum of corn (Museo Cencalli, Casa de Maiz). The latter is in a large structure at the edge of the complex. They are all very interesting if you are visiting again and get the chance to see them. That, and the small museum in the visitors center at the base of the hill, brings the number of museums inside the park to 13!

All the best to you and your family.

Cassie · 11/08/2022 at 10:30 am

Damn. I did include the visitors’ centre but you’re right, the museums in Los Pinos didn’t cross my mind.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

The ultimate 5 day itinerary for Mexico City

Perfecting a 5 day itinerary for Mexico City takes planning. In this article, Cassie shares a great itinerary & tips on where to eat, drink & find the best views

The Xochimilco Canals – an awesome day trip to the south of Mexico City

A trip to the Xochimilco canals in the south of Mexico City is a really fun way to spend a day - this article explains how to plan your day

Your expert guide: 3 days in Mexico City

This article offers a comprehensive, easy to follow guide for perfect 3 days in Mexico City. Includes where to stay, what to see, eat and how to get around.