Mexico City is known for being an immense metropolis packed with both modern skyscrapers and ancient ruins. When thinking of this city, its rich culinary traditions and cultural vibrancy most likely come to mind. But biophiles seeking a nature-filled escape should look no further for their next vacation destination, because the nation’s capital is overflowing with greenery that in some cases is glaringly obvious (read: Bosque de Chapultepec) and in others, strategically incorporated into the urban jungle that is CDMX. As a nature-lover myself, I am writing to urge you to reconsider your preconceptions of Mexico City and add this lush urban oasis to your shortlist.
Read on for my top nine reasons why all nature lovers should visit Mexico City.
Tree-lined Streets
You’ll find greenery galore throughout Mexico City, and pedestrians are in for a special treat in the areas that have installed tree-lined walkways between each side of the highway.
Bosque de Chapultepec
Although often compared to Central Park, Bosque de Chapultepec is twice the size and even more diverse. This urban green space is home to museums, a botanic garden, sculptures, playgrounds, lakes, countless wildlife species, and even a castle. Known as the lungs of Mexico City, Bosque de Chapultepec is a must for nature lovers.
A City in Bloom
No matter where you look, the flora in Mexico City is alive with color.
So.Many.Rooftops
… that are perfect for taking in the scenery and soaking up the CDMX sun while overlooking the city.
Living Walls
I mentioned that some of the greenery is seamlessly incorporated into this urban jungle and below are two prime examples…
Open Air Food Courts
We fell in love with all of the open air “comedors,” or dining rooms that we found in Mexico City. These modern, open air food courts bring a taste of the outdoors in, and are perfect for large groups, as you order your food and drinks from any of the number of vendors whose stalls surround the perimeter of the area.
Outdoor Markets
If you love indulging in some retail therapy while enjoying the great outdoors, CDMX is the place for you. We went to a ton of markets, but my favorite for both shopping and photos was Centro Artesanal La Ciudadela.
Outdoor Dining
From the courtyard of the Four Seasons to four street tacos for $48MXN there is no lack of outdoor dining options that allow you to indulge in Mexico’s culinary delights while taking in all of nature’s glory.
Floating Gardens
Xochimilco’s canals are Mexico’s Grand Canal complete with floating mariachi bands. The colorful boats above float the canals between chinampas propelled by a gondolier. The aztecs were in growing need of more farmland, so what better way to obtain this than to stake off sections of the lake bed and fill the plot with mud and vegetation. They created living islands with rich soil and constant irrigation. Fast forward to today, these chinampas are still in working order and visitors can experience these natural works of art via a short car ride south from the center of Mexico City.
Pro Tip: The experience you will have in Xochimilco is dependant on the dock you choose to leave from. There are 11 docks, so do some research before you go. We left from Embarcadero de Cuemanco on a culinary backstreets food tour and had a very educational and serene ride through the canals
