Forget about being cooped up all day. The time has come when we can go out and enjoy outdoor activities in CDMX without worrying about the cold or the rain. There are alternatives for all ages and tastes. Before leaving, don’t forget to take precautions such as wearing sunscreen, staying well hydrated and wearing a hat.
1. Mission Rescue (street escape)
If you like adventure and mystery, then don’t miss out on Rescue Mission. We are talking about a street escape where you will have to collect clues to solve a case full of doubts and enigmas. Riddles will be scattered throughout Parque Mexico.
march 16 and April 13, 2024
⏰Starting at 11:00 a.m
🎟️Encuentra your tickets here
📍Mexico Park in the Condesa neighborhood in front of the fountain of “los cántaros”
2. Tourist sites near CDMX (reachable by public transportation)
If you want to get out of CDMX, you should know that these outdoor activities are very close by. Best of all, you won’t need a car, as you can get there by public transportation. Some of these sites are the Nevado de Toluca or Tepotzotlán, see the list of destinations here.
3. Chapultepec night picnic
In the Botanical Garden of Chapultepec, the Botanical Garden of picnic during the night. Access is free and you can enter with food, non-alcoholic beverages and board games. Every month there is a new edition and CDMX Secreta announces through your social networks the date and times, so we recommend you to be very attentive.
📍 Paseo de la Reforma 126, Bosque de Chapultepec I Section, Miguel Hidalgo
4. Chimalpark
Very close to CDMX is one of our favorite outdoor activities:Chimalpark! It’s a perfect theme park for the dinosaur lovers.
Here you will see life-size animatronic pieces, plus there is an artificial river and you will have fun on the zipline. Make the plan and don’t miss this Jurassic adventure. Please note that each activity has an additional cost to the entrance ticket.
⏰Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
🎟️Las child rates range from $10 to $30 and adult rates are between $20 and $50
📍Av. La Pista s/n, Xochiaca, Chimalhuacán, Estado de México
5. Speedboat ride
how long has it been since you last visited the trajineras or took a boat ride? This is a good time to do it. Invite friends, family, or couple and take a walk through some of the canals and lakes of the CDMX.
If you want to take a trajinera ride you can go to Xochimilco or to the Lake of the Aztec Kings, in Tláhuac. Now, if you are a motorboat lover, you have the option of visiting the traditional Chapultepec Forest or the Ecological Park of Xochimilco, where these small boats are often rented.
There is even the option of kayak tour to see the sunrise. In these tours you will go deep into the canals of Xochimilco, you can even go with your pet. You don’t need to be experienced, as they will tell you everything you need to know.
6. Botanical gardens
are you the lady of the plants? These gardens will delight you, as they are full of flowers and small plants. The first one is located in Chapultepec (Paseo de la Reforma 126, first section) and you can visit it from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Tickets are free of charge. Here you will find more than 200 species of orchids, as well as agaves, succulents and much more. Besides enjoying the biodiversity, you will be able to take incredible pictures.
Another botanical garden you can visit is the one at UNAM (tercer circuito exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria). Here there are more than 1,600 species of plants native to our country. You can even participate in the conservation of plant diversity.
Visiting hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Tickets are free of charge. Please note that during UNAM vacations, this space is also closed.
7. Camp in the CDMX
Prepare the tent and go on an adventure in one of the green areas of Mexico City. There are several camping options as:
- San Nicolás Totolapan Ejidal Park: kilometer 11.5 of the Picacho Ajusco Panoramic Highway
- Los Dinamos: Camino a los Dinamos, La Carbonera, Magdalena Contreras municipality
- San Bernabé Ocotepec Tourist Park: 1005 Ojo de Agua Avenue, Tierra Unida neighborhood, Magdalena Contreras municipality
You will be able to enjoy attractions, nature, the starry sky and the incredible views that these places offer. You will also have the opportunity to do different activities such as mountain biking or hiking.
8. Forests and parks in Mexico City
Between forests and parks, Mexico City has many green areas where you can spend a relaxing time fun-filled day playing, on a picnic or simply strolling. In addition to Chapultepec Forest, here are some other options:
- Bosque de San Juan de Aragón (avenida José Loreto Fabela, alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero): in addition to its facilities, workshops and activities to enjoy nature are organized here. He even organizes evening picnics.
- Xochimilco Ecological Park: has a lookout point, lakes, arched walkway, open-air forum, children’s playground, square plaza and palapas, as well as boat and bicycle rentals.
- Parque Bicentenario (avenida 5 de mayo 290, San Lorenzo Tlaltenango, alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo): here you will find ample spaces for a day in the country or ideal for playing. They also rent bicycles and offer spaces to play gotcha. There is even a little train you can ride.
- Tezozómoc Park (Manuel Salazar S/N, Hacienda del Rosario, Prados del Rosario, Azcapotzalco): also a good option for a weekend. It is distinguished because it houses a scale reproduction of Lake Texcoco.
- Desierto de los Leones (Mexico-Toluca highway S/N, La Venta, Cuajimalpa): if you are looking to escape from the heat, this is a good option. It is immersed in the forest. On your visit you will see spaces for a picnic and a former convent that you can visit.
9. Capital Bus routes
It is always a good time to go sightseeing in the CDMX. Capital Bus offers several routes. At Hop On/Hop Off Tour you will travel three routes paying only one ticket. You will visit areas such as the Historic Center, Polanco and part of the south of the city.
It also has a night tour. The start is in the Zócalo of the CDMX. It will take you through emblematic places such as the Diana Cazadora, the Monument to the Revolution and Bellas Artes. This tour has a special edition with mariachi which one will you choose?
10. San Juan de Aragon Spa
did you know that the Bosque de San Juan de Aragón has a spa? Just as you read it. If you’re really hot and need to take a dip, jump into this place where there are swimming lessons and access for recreational use (weekends).
⏰Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00. Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
🎟️Desde $70
📍Av. José Loreto Fabela s/n, Pueblo de San Juan de Aragón, Gustavo A. Madero
11. Magical neighborhoods
Not everything in the CDMX is chaos and stress. There are some areas where you can stroll around and relax, such as downtown Coyoacan, where you will find traditional ice cream parlors and even a streetcar that will take you to know the history of this Zone, as well as some of its secrets. See the list of magical neighborhoods here.
12. Restaurants with terrace
Take advantage of the good weather to eat while you admire an incredible view. A good option is the Cha Cha Cha Terrace, which offers a direct view of the Monument to the Revolution. Here is a list of others restaurants with terrace in CDMX.
13. Open-air cinema
Let’s watch a movie in the moonlight. The Cineteca Nacional offers screenings in its open-air forum. You can participate in this activity from Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30 pm. It is important to mention that on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays tickets are free; while on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays premiere performances cost $75.
📍Avenida Mexico Coyoacán 389, Xoco, Benito Juárez
14. Bicycle Ride
Nothing like going for a bike ride to enjoy the Primavera. Every Sunday the Muévete en Bici ride takes place in the streets of Mexico City. However, it is not the only event to do so. Here is one list of not-to-be-missed bike tours.
15. Los Pinos
This legendary CDMX venue has frequent outdoor activities. The Los Pinos Cultural Complex (Parque Lira s/n, first section of Chapultepec Forest) has many options, although one of them is to read and relax in its green areas. In the Hondonada Garden you will find some reading nests, where you can sit down to read and relax.
This material was produced in four hands by Yulissa Arcos y Karla Almaráz