The Best Nature Escapes Near Mexico City

Headed to Mexico city but interested in a nature escape that is near the bustling city? Look no further than the great places below.

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Peaceful Nature Walk at Parque México

Photo by Yalimna Etnegoroska on Unsplash

With Art Deco at every turn, this is an organic, quiet step away from the bustling city. Enjoy a relaxing stroll near idyllic ponds and fountains that dot the park’s pathways. It’s full of eye-catching art like the iron clocktower and Fuente de los Cántaros fountain. You also can’t miss the iconic Foro Lindbergh with its five pillars and surrounding murals, with a stage situated under a pergola. Besides the cool architecture, there are a variety of unique plants to see like palms and bamboo along the way. So consider taking a break from your busy itinerary and completing your travel bucket list while on vacation in the city. You deserve it. 

Local Horseback Riding with Food and Wine

Ever wanted to travel through the countryside on horseback? You’re in luck! Ride through the forested trails of the Ajusco Mountain on this private tour. Your knowledgeable guides will pick you up from your hotel in the city and introduce you to the world of horses at their ranch in Ajusco National Park. Here you’ll get to practice horseback riding basics with your new furry friend before heading off for your scenic adventure. 

After experiencing the magic of the tour and heading back to the ranch, you’ll enjoy a delicious full course meal, complete with drinks, that has been kindly prepared for you. The whole tour lasts about seven and a half hours, while the horseback trip specifically goes on for about an hour and a half. The staff at the ranch are incredibly friendly and cater to the individual’s needs, and it’s evident that they also take immaculate care of their animals. This is a top 10 Mexico City travel experience for animal lovers, and is the perfect family-friendly adventure that you’re sure to look back on fondly.

Stroll Through the Oldest Park in North America – Alameda Central Park

Photo by israeljam22 on Pixabay

Once an Aztec marketplace, this park was created in 1592 and is the oldest public park in North America, two-thirds of which are gardens. It has a rich history and is home to 8 monuments, 300 trees, and 12 fountains that make it a popular place to hang out in the city. Though there are crowds that flock here during the day, it’s a clean and family-friendly spot filled with snack vendors and benches where you can rest or do some people watching. Alameda Central Park is right across from the Palace of Fine Arts, so be sure to head in and check it out after you’re finished exploring! You can add them both to your custom itinerary in the Tripio app easily. 

Wander Through UNAM Botanical Garden

If you’re a nature lover, then you’ll enjoy wandering through this well-kept botanical garden full of diverse flora indigenous to Mexico. The country itself is home to over 800 cactus species, so there is a huge section of cacti to see here, many of which are endangered. There are ornamental and medicinal plants in every direction that provide a peaceful place of respite from the bustling city. 

The botanical garden is situated on volcanic rock formations caused by an ancient eruption, so you’ll find paths that pass over, under, and around lots of interesting natural formations. You’ll come across serene water lily ponds full of koi fish and turtles as well as small natural waterfalls, adding to the overall tranquility of this green oasis. Go birdwatching or spot some of the reptilian wildlife that live in the gardens such as lizards, a variety of snakes, and butterflies.

Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Teotihuacán

Photo by Hugo Herrera on Unsplash

If you’re looking for the most breathtaking aerial view of the Teotihuacán pyramids, flying with Sky Balloons Mexico is one of the best things to do in Mexico City. This high-flying adventure offers various flight options, where you can choose to fly at sunrise or celebrate a special event onboard. Your captain is well versed in safety protocol and will ensure your hour-long balloon ride is nothing but smooth sailing. After your amazing flight experience, you’ll get to share a complimentary champagne toast and cross hot air ballooning off your bucket list. You’ll find the link to book your balloon flight in the Tripio app and can place it in your custom top 10.

Hike to the Scenic Overlook at Mirador La Peña

Offering spectacular 360 views of Valle de Bravo, this steeper hike is well worth the effort! Steps are made of stone, so be sure to wear shoes with good grip in case the rocks are slippery after rain. Plan to reach the top at sunset for a show of colors gliding across the lake that will make the experience that much more magical. Even though it takes around two hours to travel to Valle de Bravo from the city, there are a variety of outdoor activities you can enjoy there to get the most out of your vacation day. 

Walk to the Overlook at Cerro de la Estrella National Park

This national park features pyramid ruins on a hill overlooking Mexico City that was once used as an important Aztec ceremonial site. You can get here on the metro and walk 10 minutes to get to the base of the hill, and another 15-20 minutes to walk to the nearby museum. The museum has two rooms chock-full of ancient relics, art, sculptures, and historic artifacts. If you’re a history buff, consider plugging this one into your custom top 10 using Tripio’s itinerary tools.

Visit Diego Rivera’s Water Garden

Photo by David Gracia on Pexels

This water garden was a project the city began in the 1940’s in an effort to bring water to the city from the River Lerma River. Around the garden, you’ll find various fountains built around hidden reservoirs, which is free to walk around and admire. For fans of famous Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, this activity is one of the best things to do in Mexico City for art lovers. 

There is also a small hydraulic building featuring murals created by Mexican artist Diego Rivera that serves as a museum, called Carcamo de Dolores. This section of the garden does charge a small entrance fee. The colorful murals are incredibly detailed and pay tribute to not only the creators of the water system, but also to the cradle of life and the evolution of man. Rivera also designed the large sculpture right outside the museum that depicts Tlaloc, the Aztec god of water, which was created to be viewed from above. Be sure to add it to your custom itinerary or your top 10 if you’re a fan of Rivera’s work. 

Hike or Camp in Scenic Los Dinamos Eco Park

Photo by Alfonso Navarro on Unsplash

For nature lovers, this is one of the top things to do in Mexico City if you’re looking for a scenic getaway to put on your itinerary. This forested park provides the perfect natural escape from the busy city where you can stroll through the winding trails and fill your lungs with fresh air. The park features hiking paths for every skill level, lined with trees, rivers, and waterfalls galore. It’s also a popular area for horseback riding, fishing, ATV riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping. There are food vendors here where you can try a local delicacy. Cabins are available for rent, so you can bring a grill to make some delicious food out in the great outdoors. 

Need more of a challenge? Los Dinamos is also a popular spot for rock climbing, which you can find more info about in the Tripio app, which makes planning your Mexico City vacation itinerary a breeze.

Explore Desierto de los Leones National Park and Convent

Considered Mexico’s oldest protected biosphere, this scenic national park is home to over 100 species of birds and many species of amphibians and reptiles. Several great hikes wind their way through the forested areas that you can find, or go directly to see the 17th century convent tucked away inside the park. Built by Carmelite monks dedicated to a life of prayer and silence, they were forced to leave their home in 1810 by the government. Today, you can tour this historic convent and explore the catacombs underneath the structure, but be sure to bring a flashlight! With so many activities packed into one location, it’s a great one to add to your top 10.

Besides the convent, there are other ruins and stone structures spread out throughout the park that are fun to happen upon. Have a picnic in the gardens or visit one of the art museums within the park — either the Bicentennial Museum or La Hostería.

Velo de Novia Waterfall Trek

There are a lot of beautiful hiking trails on Tripio, and this is one of them! Hop on an Uber and head to this gorgeous waterfall hike about two hours from Mexico City for a scenic day trip. The trail is tucked away in a lush, forested area of Valle de Bravo, so there are loads of other outdoor activities to try in the area if you’d like to make a full day of it. This is a popular hike found on many outdoor enthusiast’s top 10, so be sure to get there in the morning before the afternoon crowds start to gather. The trek itself is pleasant even if it’s a short one, and there are also some handicraft stores near the lookout point that you can check out. 

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed my blog, interested in more of Mexico City, check out: Experience Mexico City To The Fullest

and Discovering Mexico City: A Dream Vacation of Culture, Cuisine, and Adventure

-Rachael Grow, Tripio Guru

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