Chapultepec Park- 2 Days
Mexico City is one of my ALL TIME favorite places.
It’s a massive place that can feel overwhelming for first-time visitors with so much to see and experience!
I’ve been visiting this magical place for over 10 years now and have distilled the perfect agenda for first-timers to fully immerse themselves without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re visiting Mexico City for the first time and need some help, this series is for you!
Below is a very helpful way to explore Chapultepec Park. This is Mexico’s version of Central Park, but bigger, much bigger, almost TWICE the size! It’s the green soul of Mexico City with so much history, dating all the way back to when the area was settled by the Aztecs (Mexicas).
This two-day agenda covers what most consider to be the star attractions of the park: The National Museum of Anthropology, Chapultepec Castle, Rufino Tamayo Museum, and The Museum of Modern Art.
There’s also an order and pairing that I highly recommend. Click the free, no obligation PDF to learn more!
CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD FREE TRAVEL AGENDA PDF
Chapultepec Park Agenda: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to squeeze all four museums into one day?
Anything is possible, but I do not recommend it for several reasons. First, Chapultepec is massive. Americans have trouble with this because these massive parks don’t exist in the US, but to get from one location to the next in itself will take time (like 20 minutes, here, 30 there…)
You’ll also be standing on your feet quite often, trying to do all four will leave you completely exhausted, and wrecked mentally. Museums in Mexico City are serious affairs; they often cover subjects in far greater detail than American museums. That takes time to process, especially with installations at the National Museum of Anthropology.
Give yourself the gift of exploring Chapultepec Park in two days, and you will thank yourself and find yourself gleefully immersed in so many wonderful and enriching experiences! You will not get bored and discover that even after two full days, there’s still more to see!
Shouldn’t I spend all day at the National Museum of Anthropology and see the other three in one day?
No. The National Museum of Anthropology is not meant to be all consumed in a single day. There’s simply too much to absorb before your mind pushes back and says, “ENOUGH!” In reality, 3 hours is the sweet spot. It’s enough to feel like you are walking away having learned some significant things about Mesoamerican city-states, and can allow the brain to rest. I also recommend having lunch at their restaurant. It’s an elegant experience with high-quality ingredients. Not only is the food delicious, but it can save you time from having to walk to one of the restaurant zones in the park (and potentially have to wait a long time to be served).
Is it safe to eat at those food stalls in Chapultepec Park?
Yes. Maybe. No. Food stalls are cousins of Mexican food trucks and street food, and each one always deserves its own inspection. You have to check for yourself and decide. These eateries serve mostly traditional Mexican street food, think tacos. These food vendors go out of their way to ensure their food is safe to eat. After all, it’s their livelihood.
We ate at one, andhad no issues other than thoroughly enjoying every bite! The woman was wearing nice, clean clothes, her hands looked clean, and all of our food was made to order. It was cooked on the spot, so no sitting out for long periods. We ordered drinks from the bottle (no ice), and we were fine.
If food poisoning is a concern, you can always go to a pharmacy and have a pharmacist prescribe an antibiotic medicine. In Mexico, pharmacists have the ability to diagnose and prescribe at a basic primary care level, general ailments and remedies.
What’s the difference between the Rufino Tamayo and the Museum of Modern Art?
To be honest, not much. They both are platforms for modern and contemporary art and they both showcase Rufino Tamayo, one of Mexico’s most acclaimed artists.
The Museum of Modern Art is older and has a more storied history. It houses some of the greatest Mexican masterpieces in the world. Aside from its impressive permanent collection, it also has a beautiful sculpture garden and contemporary exhibitions.
The key distinction between the two is that The Modern focuses almost exclusively on Mexi-centric art: artists, inquiries and themes are almost always tied back to Mexico, Mexican identity, Mexican history.
The Tamayo is more focused on an international lens. So there you will see contemporary art with broader themes related to humanistic inquiries that transcend national dialogues and borders.
How much of Chapultepec Castle do you actually get to see? So many castles only show you tiny portions!
First, in terms of European castles, Chapultepec is on the smaller side.
It’s much smaller, for instance, than the Royal Palace in Madrid, Buckingham Palace, or Versailles. It’s more like a wing in one of those grander palaces.
The good news is that you get to see quite a bit! The showcasing of the castle, which is now the National Museum of History, literally opens its doors. You get to see the dining room, the private bedrooms and living spaces. There are stories, too, with helpful audio guides.
There’s one room that is covered with beautiful scarlet red and cream white tapestry that was a gift to the Emperor and Empress from Napoleon III. You learn little things like that, which deepen your appreciation.
You can also tour the gardens and the various viewing balconies for mesmerizing panoramic views of Mexico City. You have some of the best views in all of Mexico at Chapultepec Castle!
You also learn more about Mexican history after the brief reign of Maximillion. To learn that it was also the Presidential Palace was interesting, and that Porfirio Diaz really loved that place was also interesting to learn.
The only caveat I will mention is that it’s all uphill getting to the castle. Traditionally, they do not allow cars that are allowed to drive up (that may have changed), but make sure you are wearing very comfortable shoes. Also, if you need to take breaks, take them. You’ll see many people stopping, sitting, and catching their breath. In the end, it will be worth it!