Mexico City: Art & Soul
Celebrate the art and culture of Mexico City. Savor the best street food, the city's top restaurants, the smokiest mezcals alongside Chef Jonathan Zaragoza. Join us in the one and only Mexico City!
The Best of Mexico City
Experience the city's ancient culture and unforgettable flavors
September 3 - 7, 2021
One departure only—Limited spots available
5 Days, 4 Nights
Mexico City, Xochimilco, Teotihuacán
Time seems to stop when you’re suspended in air at dawn, above 2,000-year-old monuments built for Aztec gods. As you gently float in a hot-air balloon, Teotihuacán pyramids sprawl out in full geometric glory, as the sunrise streaks the ancient stonework a dusty rose. Somewhere far away is bustling, enchanting Mexico City, with its endless clamor and jumble, its aromas of sizzling barbecued meats, charred corn, sharp salsas. But you’re not quite ready to return yet. You need to keep floating a little longer first, soaking in the quiet, the dawn, the gods.
If your idea of paradise is spending mornings sopping up cinnamon-tinged hot chocolate with freshly fried churros, afternoons sipping smoky mezcals and evenings cheering on masked luchadores, this trip is for you. We’ll travel alongside award-winning Chef Jonathan Zaragoza, float down ancient Aztec canals and tour vibrant neighborhoods. No matter how much you already know about Mexican culture and Mexican food, this journey will teach you, delight you—and leave you hungry for more.
Battery Trip Highlights
Battery Travel isn’t just about going places — it’s about changing how you see the world.
The. Best. Food.
Savor the flavors of the city alongside Chef Jonathan Zaragoza, from smoky mezcals to sharp salsas and succulent barbecued meats
Ancient Culture
Discover Aztec culture, from Teotihuacán pyramids to Xochimilco waterways—ancient wonders right in the bustling city
Immersive Experiences
Dive into the bustle of Mexico City, from ringside seats at wrestling matches to hip mezcal bars, colorful street art to incredible museums
Iconic Mexico City
Mariachi boat rides by day, cheering lucha libre by night. Mexico City is nonstop fun, full of spirit, art and culture.
Pre-hispanic ruins sit side-by-side Spanish cathedrals—it's a city of contrasts, constantly in motion.
We believe the world has a lot to offer beyond our building’s walls. Battery Travel is a collection of expertly curated experiences in the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Each experience is designed to change how you see the world and to create lasting connections within our community and beyond.
Day by Day
Day 1
¡Bienvenidos a la Ciudad de México! Home to 21 million people, Mexico City is the largest city in the Western Hemisphere, and a food lover’s paradise. After settling into our apartments in the hip La Condesa neighborhood, we’ll hit the streets on a guided tour in search of the very best street food. We’ll stop by hole-in-the-wall joints with lines stretching down the block and genteel blue-tiled cafes. In the evening, we’ll visit a mezcalería to sample a range of artisanal mezcals, then mash our own guacamole in a molcajete and enjoy some delicious tlayudas. We’ll round out our Friday night with a classic Mexico City experience: great seats to cheer (and boo) along as luchadores, Mexican wrestlers colorfully dressed up as superheroes and villains, tumble and fly around the ring.
Day 1 Highlights
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Day 2
In Mexico City, street murals are almost a religion. This morning, we’ll make the pilgrimage to downtown’s Centro Histórico, where iconic, wedding-cake-like cathedrals and plazas give way to arcades of humble shoe shops and dark alleyways—perfect for exploring. First, we’ll visit the Cathedral and Templo Mayor to learn about the winding religious history of Mexico City from the Aztecs to the rise of Roman Catholicism. We conclude our art tour at Casa Pedregal, the modern and minimalist color-blocked home designed by artist Luis Barragan. We’ll have lunch at the adjoining Tetetlan restaurant and then walk the beautiful grounds of this space beloved by architecture enthusiasts and artists alike.
We spend our afternoon admiring a more ancient art form: the floating gardens of Xochimilco, the last remnant of an expansive network of canals and waterways developed by the Aztecs, which we’ll explore by boat. We’ll cruise the canal on our floating party boat complete with plenty of drinks, color and our own mariachi band in tow!
Day 2 Highlights
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Day 3
Up, up and away! Our alarms will go off well before dawn, but for the best possible reason: a hot-air balloon ride over the majestic Teotihuacan pyramids. After gliding through the neon-pink sunrise, we’ll celebrate our landing with a hearty breakfast before exploring the pyramids again, this time by foot, in the cool of the morning with our local guide to bring the stories of this fabled site to life.
We’ll have lunch at a restaurant nearby, dining on a special menu of pre-Hispanic cuisine to pair with our historic morning. This afternoon will give us plenty of time to explore our neighborhood base of La Condesa and Roma on our own, with their Michelin-starred restaurants, chic boutiques, and marble-topped cafes. We’ll meet back up as a group tonight at our apartments to enjoy a fantastic dinner by hosted Jonathan melding all of his favorite flavors with Mexico City delights.
Day 3 Highlights
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Day 4
This morning we’ll head to the “creative center” that is the Coyoacan neighborhood. The home of famed artist Frida Khalo is a place bursting with history, plazas and narrow streets still preserved from centuries past. Here, we’ll tour the vibrant markets for tastings and lunch.
In the evening, we’ll learn about another hidden local treasure: Mexican wines from the country’s best vineyards. Winemaker and friend of Modern Adventure, César Margin, will introduce us to the history, terroir, and politics of Mexican wine-making as he leads us through a degustación. Our tasting will be paired with delicious bites that showcase the depth and scope of all we have experienced.
Day 4 Highlights
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Day 5
Ah, the journey of Mexico City is over. We’ll eat a final breakfast and pack up, then say adios to Mexico City and our friends. Until next time we meet!
Day 5 Highlights
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Where We Sleep
In a city as exciting and busy as Mexico City, it’s important to feel at home. The Laredo apartments, in the tree-lined neighborhood of La Condesa, are a welcome oasis.
Laredo Apartments
Mexico CityLa Condesa, famed for its Art Deco mansions and fountain-lined parks, is one of the loveliest neighborhoods in Mexico City, a lush refuge from the teeming streets beyond. But (relatively) quiet doesn’t mean boring! With its distinctly international vibe, a hodgepodge of diplomats, hipsters, and young professionals, it’s the perfect place to feel like a local. Pop out for a late-night taco run, take in a morning espresso, or simply follow your nose as you wander the neighborhood’s stately streets and parks.
Mexico City may be the true city that never sleeps, but when you need to, head back to your home away from home to enjoy a sweeping view of the glittering city lights below, and maybe a nightcap of mezcal from the fully stocked kitchen. Rest up while you can—the city awaits!
“The amount of culture and history our local guide provided surpassed my expectations. I learned more in four days than I would have with a month on my own.”
I loved how incredibly knowledgeable our local guide was.
Being in a like-minded group of curious travelers pushed me outside my comfort zone to try new foods, explore new perspectives and even fly in a hot-air balloon over the pyramids!
Book Mexico City: Art & Soul
Questions?
That’s OK, we have answers. Read our FAQs below or call +1 (415) 942 - 0785 to ask us any questions you have about traveling with The Battery. We're here 8am-5pm weekdays, 9am-1pm Saturday Pacific.
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What does the price include?
Four nights at luxury apartment-style accommodations; private travel for all day trips and excursions; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, lunches and most dinners; local beverages with meals; gratuities for local staff.
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What does the price not include?
International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s starting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; food and beverage not included in itinerary; gratuity for tour leader.
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What are the arrival & departure details?
Our adventure begins at the Laredo Apartments in Mexico City. The closest airport is the Mexico City International Airport (MEX). On our last day, your onward flight from MEX airport should depart at 2pm or later if you would like to join the included airport transfer.
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Who is going on this trip?
Our adventures typically have between 10 and 20 guests, and our Modern Adventure Team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.
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Who is leading this trip?
This trip is hosted and led by a Modern Adventure trip leader. They are experienced travel guides, representatives of Modern Adventure and your go-to for questions or concerns on the trip. Additionally, we’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.
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What travel documents are needed?
US citizens are not required to have a visa for tourist visits to Mexico, but are required to show a valid US passport. It is recommended that your passport is valid for six months after your travels are over. On arrival in the airport, you will be issued a visitor’s permit, known as a FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple). For citizens of other countries, please check with the Mexico Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.
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What are the accommodations like?
For this adventure, we use apartment-styled accommodations. Each unit has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen and living space, accommodating up to four guests per apartment. Note that there is no elevator at these apartments. If you book as a single traveler, you will have a room to yourself, but will share an apartment with an additional one or two guests. Call for questions about the apartments.
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Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?
For solo travelers, there is an $1,000 single-supplement fee—paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. If you would like us to pair you with a roommate, that option may be available upon checkout—these spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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What is the cancelation policy?
You may cancel on or before May 5, 2021 and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel on or after May 6, 2021 there is a 50% cancellation fee. If you cancel on or after July 5, 2021 there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or of the trip being canceled for unforeseeable reasons (see our Terms and Conditions for full details). Please note that for guests who are transferring trips or traveling on rescheduled trip dates, your cancelation terms will vary from the above, and are generally non-refundable. Please refer to your correspondence from our Customer Experience team for specific details.
