A Blog Post NOT About Nicaragua
– Overlooking the main plaza of Mexico City

Being semi-retired and living on a fixed income means vacations don’t happen as nearly as often as they used to. In fact, it’s been 3 1/2 years since Gordon and I enjoyed a proper holiday together.

When we lived in Canada we dreamt of vacations where we basked in the sun while sipping cold cervezas on beautiful beaches. Now that basking in the sun while sipping cold cervezas on beautiful beaches is a regular occurrence an ideal vacation for Gordon and I is something entirely different.

After much discussion, quite a bit of research and consideration of recommendations from friends we decided to take a trip to Mexico City.

AFFORDABILITY FACTOR

Now that we aren’t working full time we don’t have extra cash to spend on vacations like we did when we lived in Canada. One of the reasons we chose Mexico City was the affordability factor.

We flew from Managua to Mexico City with a quick layover in El Salvador. Round trip tickets through Avianca cost just over $500 USD per person, but beginning in December AeroMexico is offering direct flights from Managua for even less.

We booked a two bedroom apartment through Airbnb. After applicable fees we ended up paying $75 USD per night.

Food and drink cost a bit more in Mexico City than it does here in Nicaragua, but much less than in Canada. Average cost of a beer in a bar was $3 USD, with a typical sit down lunch or dinner in a restaurant priced between $8 and $10 USD.  At $2 USD a full meal from a street or market vendor was much cheaper.

If you’re an expat living in Nicaragua longing to see something new a trip to Mexico City might just work you.

HIGHLIGHTS

We covered a lot of ground while in Mexico City. With so much to do and so many cool sites to see it wasn’t hard to fill two weeks. 

Some of our trip highlights include…

…riding bicycles on Paseo de la Reforma…

– Two thumbs up for FREE bicycle rentals on Paseo de la Reforma
 Paseo de la Reforma is a wide avenue that runs diagonally across the heart of Mexico City. Every Sunday the road is closed to traffic.
– Paseo de la Reforma is a wide avenue that runs diagonally across the heart of Mexico City. Every Sunday the road is closed to traffic.

…visiting the pyramids… 

Teotihuacan
– The ruins of Teotihuacán: Greater Mexico City, Mexico

…eating lunch in a cave…

La Gruta Restaurant: Mexico City, Mexico
La Gruta Restaurant: Teotihaucán, Mexico

…spending time with our friends Tom and Hannah…

- Saturday afternoon cervezas at a popular cantina in Coyoacán
– Saturday afternoon cervezas at a popular cantina in Coyoacán

…strolling through incredible parks…

A Blog Post NOT About Nicaragua
– Parque España: Mexico City, Mexico
A Blog Post Not About Nicaragua
– Parque Mexico: Mexico City, Mexico
- Parque Coyoacán
– Parque Coyoacán

…and going to the movies.

Yes, that’s right going to the movies!

Oh and how could I forget?

…eating sushi!

We really enjoyed our time away and I especially enjoyed having some new sights to photograph (and in turn be able to share them with you).

BUT…

…it’s good to be back.

Back to our miniature schnauzer Maggie…back to our friends…and back to our home and slow paced life on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua.

For a view of Mexican City — through my eyes — I invite you to check out my image gallery below.

 

4 Comments

    1. Hi Bill,

      The smog in the sky was definitely visible, however we didn’t experience any health issues in relation to it.

      The biggest issue for me was how challenging it was to capture beautiful photos against a blown out greyish white sky.

      Cheers,
      Elisha

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