12 Things to Do in Mexico City at Night (On Any Budget)

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Most visitors know all about the day trips and awesome parks here in the capital, but what are the best things to do in Mexico City at night?

As a digital nomad, it can be hard to find destination recommendations that aren’t aimed at traditional vacationers with all day to kill. Luckily, I’m here to help. I spent three months living and working here and compiled an extensive list of evening activities in Mexico City, including:

• Museums
• Libraries
• Shows
• Classes
• Tourist Attractions
• Sporting Events
• And much more!

Each entry includes the price of the acitivty, the hours, and what you can expect when you go! No matter your budget, travel style, or taste, this list of 12 things to do in Mexico City has something for everyone to enjoy.

 

 

1. Check Out Biblioteca Vasconcelos

Time: Open until 7:30 pm
Cost: Free

This was the very first place I went to in Mexico City. After seeing the amazing pictures online, I knew I had to get there.

Biblioteca Vasconcelos is perfect if you love photography or just getting off the beaten path in a new city. Spend time admiring the views from every floor, snapping some Insta worthy shots, or just sitting quietly with a book to read.

The library also has gardens surrounding it that you can check out on a sunny day and balconies on the top floor with expansive views of the city.

This is possibly the most unique building I’ve ever seen and stepping inside felt like stepping into a sci-fi movie a thousand years in the future. For digital nomads, Biblioteca Vasconcelos is a must-see evening activity in Mexico City.

 

 

2. Visit the Basilica de Guadalupe

Time: Open until 9 pm
Cost: Free

The Basilica of Guadalupe is a major Catholic site in Mexico City.

You probably weren’t expecting a church on my list of evening activities in Mexico City (just kidding, of course you were) but if you’re at all religious or interested in history or spirituality, this is a must-see. Even if you’re a firm atheist it’s an interesting stop just for the sheer importance of the site to the Catholic community.

What makes this church so special?

In 1531 the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a Mexican man (and now Saint) named Juan Diego. The four apparitions occurred on a hill near this spot and the Basilica was built as a shrine to commemorate it.

It even holds Juan Diego’s cloak, which miraculously bears the image of Mary that is now famously known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. There are now two Basilicas on the site (one old and one new), and both are currently open for exploration, prayer, and meditation.

 

 

3. Take a Cooking Class

Times: Chosen around your schedule
Cost: Around $50 to $80 usd per person

If you have room in the budget, this is a delicious and educational way to spend a night in Mexico City.

I mean, we all know Mexican food is one of the best cuisines in the world, so what better way to enjoy it than by learning all the techniques you need to make it at home? There are tons of cooking classes available on Airbnb.

 

Torre Latinoamericano in the Centro Historico

 

4. Take in the View at Torre Latinoamericana

Time: Open until 10pm
Cost: ~100 pesos / 5 usd per person

The famed Torre Latinoamericana tower was once the tallest in Mexico City and it still is one of the most beautiful evening activities in Mexico City.

Come for dinner, drinks, or just the view. You can buy tickets for the observation deck for 90 pesos or you can go to the restaurant, one floor lower, for free.

If you don’t want to eat dinner here you can get a beer and still hang out at the bar for a bit to snap a few photos of the view. Just make sure you go on a day without smog!

 

Hop 2: The Beer Experience

 

5. Try Craft Beer at a Local Brewery

Mexico City nightlife is definitely not lacking. You can party until sunrise in Roma and Condesa at bars and clubs, but if you’re looking for something a little more lowkey, there are also plenty of breweries to enjoy.

And, conveniently, I have a craft beer guide right here that doesn’t just list the best breweries in Mexico City, but all of the breweries!

My favorite brewery on the list is HOP 2 but I really enjoyed our visit to La Graciela and The Tasting Room as well.

There are a bunch of breweries spread out across the city, so enjoy a less-explored side of Mexico City nightlife and try some beers you won’t be able to get anywhere else. For something a little more social, book this Mexico City pub crawl with a beer sommelier.

 

Garden and square in central Coyoacan

 

6. Wander the Quaint Neighborhood of Coyoacan

Time: Always Open
Cost: Free

This neighborhood is so cute and great to explore day or night. Some people actually think it’s more lively in the evenings and I have to agree.

Daniel and I went around 4:30 pm and spent a few hours here. There’s a large market, two beautiful squares, an ornate church and tons of hip bars, restaurants, cafes, shops and side streets lined with brightly painted houses and green leafy trees.

If you go, check out the top 18 sites in Coyoacan including a tiny by mighty national park, the Frida Kahlo Museum, and much, much more.

 

Lucha Libre show at Arena Mexico

 

7. Go to a Mexican Wrestling Match

Time: 7:30 pm on weekdays and 8:30 pm for the Friday matches
Cost: Tickets range from 100 to 420 pesos / 5 to 22 usd per person

Lucha Libre, or Mexican wrestling, is a big part of Mexico’s culture in the city.

There are matches every Friday and you can buy tickets directly at the box office before they start. However, if you can’t make a Friday show or want to see more than one, there are sometimes fights during the week as well.

I definitely can’t guarantee it, but check out this calendar of events on Ticketmaster to see if any are coming up. If you can, choose one at Arena Mexico which is the main stage.

Daniel and I went to a Friday match and had so much fun. Even if you’re totally not into wrestling and don’t speak Spanish (check and check) the wild atmosphere and sheer absurdity of the event will get yelling and cheering along with everyone else.

A Lucha Libre show should be at the top of every visitor’s list of things to do in Mexico City at night – go on your own or make some new friends on this top-rated Lucha, beer, and taco experience with more than 1400 reviews.

 

 

8. Cheer on Club America at a Soccer Game

Time: Weekday matches start around 8:45 pm
Cost: Tickets range from 150 to 1,000 pesos / 8 to 50 usd

Like the Lucha Libre events, these soccer games are also totally dependent on schedule. Don’t look too far in advance though.

Daniel and I checked the schedule a month before we traveled to Mexico City and saw nothing listed. A few weeks later when we arrived there were two games added in during our stay. They play at the famous Estadio Azteca, which is the biggest stadium in the country.

We caight one on our second visit to Mexico City and had a blast – click here for the complete guide to catching a soccer game at Estadio Azteca including where to buy tickets, how much they cost, and much more.

 

 

9. See the Ballet Folklorico

Time: See the full schedule here
Cost: Tickets range from around 360 to 1500 pesos / 18 to 77 usd.

The ballet is a great stop in Mexico City at night because not only do you get to see a show, but it’s also located in the beautiful Palacio de Belles Artes. The building looks gorgeous day and night and has a museum you can visit as well on your night out.

If you want to learn more about the culture of Mexico or just enjoy a good show, definitely try seeing the Ballet Folklorico after work.

 

 

10. Go to a Meet Up

Time: Varies by event
Cost: Free and paid activities

There are always events in Mexico City – this is a city of more than eight million people after all!

But, how can visitors get involved? I recommend starting with meetup.com to see upcoming events in Mexico City and to explore what’s happening in the capital in the next few days.

Daniel and I have been going to board game nights on Fridays with one meet up group and have been able to meet lots of new people and practice our Spanish as well. We also went to a speed networking event.

The price of the meetups varies but some or free while others cost around 10 usd each to join in.

Just a tip: when you visit the site, the amount of groups can be kind of overwhelming. A lot of them are inactive though, so use the calendar filter instead to see specific events that are coming up and find one that you want to join!

 

Museo Soumaya in the Polanco neighborhood

 

11. Take Advantage of the Monthly Museum Night

Time: Museums reopen their doors from 6 pm to 10 pm on the last Wednesday of every month
Cost: Some museums are free on museum night while others still require an entrance fee

Noche de Museos is hosted on the last Wednesday of every month.

There’s usually tons of special events like concerts and tours at the museums during this time, and many of them offer free entrance as well, so make sure to follow the Noche de Museos official Facebook page to keep up with the latest news and announcements.

 

 

12. Take a Themed Night Tour of Mexico City on the Turibus

Time: Varies by tour, usually around 6 or 7 pm
Cost: Also varies, but usually around 400 mxn / 20 usd (and up)

Thanks Maria for sharing this tip in the comments!

The Turisbus tour company actually offers a lot of different themed night tours in Mexico City like a Mexcal Tour at 7 pm, a Turibus Nocturno night tour at 9 pm, a museum tour at 6 pm, and much more.

Tickets are definitely on the pricier side because this is a purely tourist-focused service but it’s kind of nice to have everything organized for you and to get to learn more about the city on a night out.

Click here to see all the different tours they offer.

 

13. Get to Know the City by Night

Airbnb now offers experiences and already has over 700 available in Mexico City alone. Some of the top-rated night tours (besides the cooking classes and Lucha linked above) are:

• A night bike ride
• This salsa dancing class
• And this mezcal crawl through the Condesa neighborhood

 

Map of the Best Things to Do at Night in Mexico City

Mexico City is so huge that no matter what neighborhood you’re staying in you’re bound to be near one of the evening activities on this list.

You can find many of the best things to do in Mexico City at night on the map below so it’s super easy to check and see what’s closest to you at the moment!

 

 

Bonus: Where to Stay in Mexico City

If you’re just starting to plan your trip to Mexico City and looking for the best base in the city, I recommend booking your stay in the Roma neighborhood or the Condesa neighborhood because both are central and have lots of bars, restaurants, nightlife, etc.

In Roma, check out:

• La Valise Mexico City and Nima Local House Hotel are both top-rated hotels in Roma on Booking.com
• Habitaciones Monterrey is one of the most budget-friendly spots in Roma for a double room
• Hostel Hipster Roma is great for solo travelers at only 10 usd for a dorm bed

The Condesa neighborhood is a little more upscale than Roma and a little more greener. The nightlife is a bit quieter but still good. I lived in Condesa and recommend it for long-term stays, while Roma may be better for just a night or two.

In Condesa, check out:

• Casa Mannach is one of the top-rated hotels in Condesa on Booking.com
• Departamentos La Condesa is one of the most budget-friendly spots for a double room
• Gael Condesa is great for solo travelers in Condesa at only 15 usd per night for a dorm bed

If you’re on a budget or want something a little quieter, I also recommend the Coyoacan neighborhood which is a bit outside the center but has its own cool artsy vibe going on as well.

Wherever you decide to bunk down, rest assured that this guide has everything you need to see, do, and explore deeper than the surface level in this crazy city. Enjoy 🙂

 

Ready to go?

Explore unique stays on Airbnb – like these light-filled lofts in Roma and Condesa, my favorite neighborhoods in the city – or the top-rated hotels on Booking.com to book your stay in the city.

Then, check out more food, culture, and outdoors experiences on Airbnb to round out your itinerary (or book a multi-day Mexico tour with Intrepid to finish you travel planning in one click!)

 

This article is part of the Miscellaneous Mexico City series. Read the rest below:

Mexico City Travel Guide: What to Do in Mexico City

14 Best Day Trips from Mexico City

8 Best Places to Live in Mexico: Ranked

How to See the Monarch Butterfly Migration in Mexico

29 Best Instagram Spots Around Mexico City

The Gringos Guide to Xochimilco Boats in Mexico City

Or, check out the complete Mexico Series for 40+ more articles on what to see, eat, drink, do, and discover in the country.

 

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