Mexico City could keep you busy for weeks, but some of the country's most memorable sights are just an hour or two away. Within easy reach of the capital you will find ancient pyramids, a colonial city famous for its tiles and mole, floating gardens, a mountain village with a clifftop temple, and the "City of Eternal Spring." Here are the five best day trips from Mexico City, with how to get there and what to see.
1. Teotihuacán
Distance: About 50 km northeast
How to get there: Buses leave regularly from the Terminal de Autobuses del Norte and take about an hour. Organized tours and early-morning hot air balloon flights are also popular.
Teotihuacán was one of the largest cities in the ancient world, long before the Aztecs arrived and named it "the place where the gods were created." Walk the Avenue of the Dead between the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest pyramids in the Americas, and the Pyramid of the Moon, and visit the Temple of the Feathered Serpent with its carved heads. Climbing the Pyramid of the Sun is not allowed, so check current access rules for the other structures before you go.
Tip: Arrive when the site opens. There is very little shade, so bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.
2. Puebla
Distance: About 130 km southeast
How to get there: Comfortable buses leave from the TAPO terminal and take around two hours.
Puebla's UNESCO-listed historic center is full of churches and buildings decorated with Talavera, the city's famous hand-painted tiles. Visit the grand cathedral on the Zócalo, the gilded Rosary Chapel inside the Church of Santo Domingo, and the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, one of the oldest libraries in the Americas. Puebla is also the home of mole poblano, a rich sauce made with chiles, spices, and chocolate, so plan your day around lunch.
Tip: Combine Puebla with Cholula, a few kilometers away, to see the Great Pyramid, a vast pre-Hispanic structure hidden under a hill and topped by a church.
3. Xochimilco
Distance: About 28 km south of the center
How to get there: Take the metro to Tasqueña, then the light rail (Tren Ligero) to Xochimilco, or take a taxi or ride-hailing app to one of the boat landings, such as Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas.
Technically still part of Mexico City, Xochimilco feels like a different world. Board a trajinera, a flat-bottomed boat painted in bright colors, and glide along canals lined with chinampas, the floating gardens the Aztecs used to grow crops. Mariachi bands and food vendors float alongside, selling songs, corn on the cob, and drinks. The canals are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tip: Prices for boats are set per hour, per boat, so a group can share the cost. Weekends are festive and busy, while weekday mornings are calmer.
4. Tepoztlán
Distance: About 80 km south
How to get there: Buses leave from the Tasqueña (Terminal Sur) bus station and take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Surrounded by dramatic green cliffs, Tepoztlán is a Pueblo Mágico (magical town) with a reputation for mystical energy. The highlight is the steep hike up to the Tepozteco pyramid, a small Aztec temple perched on a ridge with sweeping views over the valley. Back in town, browse the weekend market for crafts and try the local ice cream in unusual flavors.
Tip: The hike takes about an hour each way and is steep, so wear good shoes and start early. Check that the trail is open before you go, as it sometimes closes for maintenance.
5. Cuernavaca
Distance: About 85 km south
How to get there: Frequent buses leave from the Tasqueña (Terminal Sur) bus station and take around 1.5 hours.
Known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its mild climate, Cuernavaca has long been a weekend escape for residents of the capital. See the Palacio de Cortés, a 16th-century fortress built for Hernán Cortés, which now houses a museum with a Diego Rivera mural. Then stroll through the Jardín Borda, a historic garden with fountains and terraces, and enjoy a long lunch in the sunshine.
More Day Trips from Mexico City
- Taxco: A hillside silver-mining town of white houses and steep cobbled lanes, about 2.5 to 3 hours away.
- Valle de Bravo: A lakeside town popular for sailing and paragliding, about 2.5 hours away.
- Monarch butterfly reserves: Between November and March, take a long day trip or an overnight trip to the forests of Michoacán and the State of Mexico, where millions of monarch butterflies spend the winter.
Tips for Day Trips from Mexico City
- Leave early. Traffic out of the city can be heavy, especially on weekends.
- Use first-class buses. Companies such as ADO and Estrella Roja are comfortable, punctual, and inexpensive. Buy tickets at the terminal or online.
- Plan for rain. From June to September, storms often roll in during the afternoon.
- Stay connected. You will need maps and bus times on the road. An egoViet Mexico eSIM keeps you online throughout your trip, with no roaming fees.
Back in the city? See our list of the best things to do in Mexico City and our Mexico travel guide.
FAQs: Day Trips from Mexico City
What is the best day trip from Mexico City?
Teotihuacán is the most popular day trip, thanks to its huge pyramids and easy bus connection. Puebla is the best choice for food and colonial architecture.
Can you visit Teotihuacán without a tour?
Yes. Direct buses run from the Terminal de Autobuses del Norte to the archaeological site in about an hour, and you can buy your entry ticket at the gate.
Is Puebla worth a day trip from Mexico City?
Yes. Its tiled historic center, churches, and famous mole make it one of the most rewarding day trips, and you can add Cholula's Great Pyramid on the same day.
How do you get from Mexico City to Cuernavaca?
Buses leave frequently from the Tasqueña (Terminal Sur) bus station and take around 1.5 hours.