What to do in Coyoacan

Here’s a guide on what to do in Coyoacan. Coyoacan is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Mexico City, as well as one of the most picturesque and interesting places due to its history.

Coyoacan was house of many artists who at the time decided to live here like Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Leon Trotsky and more.

An area full of art, history, ancient landscapes that denote the colonial era.

Definitely a place that is a must see for tourists, and favorite for those of us who live in Mexico City.

The center of Coyoacan has been my favorite for many years, I still remember when I came in my teens to buy bracelets, to get henna tattoos or get dreadlocks and colored braids.

In fact, one of the tattoo shops from there, was where I got my first belly button piercing and my first tattoo.

Coyoacan or “Coyo” as we call it, is a place to just walk, admire its streets and buildings, have a coffee and eat.

You can also do a whole day tour and visit some museums and historical places. But the nightlife, is amazing as well.

Coyoacan keeps my memories and happy moments alive. Visiting Mexico City and not going to Coyoacan is a sin, but if you are one of those who loves to try new and traditional things in my country, you can’t miss it.

Wanna be a pro tasting mezcal? check this out

Where to have breakfast

La Ruta de la Seda

Address: Aurora 1, Santa Catarina

A small coffee restaurant, but with very good pastry and bakery. The “matcha” is one of the favorite ingredients of this place, since you find it in teas, breads and cakes. But they also have very good breakfast dishes like muffins and eggs to taste of all kinds. Oh and many organic products.

Cafe Negro

Centenary 16, Coyoacán.

If you are more into having a coffee and something more simple like a sandwich or a bagel, this place is the ideal. Apart from being very welcoming, it is pet friendly, which makes it one of my favorite places, since as some will know I take my dogs everywhere. They also have delicious desserts like the famous “churros” or pretzels.

Cafe El Jarocho

If you are in a rush and just wanna grab a coffee and something to munch, this is the place. You can find a lot of “Jarochos” al over Coyoacan. They have a wide variety of beverages and a very good desserts.

I always have the hot chocolate and a pecan nut donut.

Where to eat in Coyoacan.

There is an infinite list of places to eat and for any type of budgets. So don’t worry about it. This are my favorites.

Coyoacan Market

Address: Ignacio Allende S / N corner with Xicoténcatl.

Wanna try the real mexican food? and cheap, I recommend you visit the Mercado de Coyoacán. Here you will find a variety of “tostadas” (baked tortillas), tacos, quesadillas and a thousand other things; all delicious and at an excellent price. Apart from enjoying what a real market is.

Inside you have “Las Tostadas Coyoacán” ask for a “tinga tostada” (Baked tortilla with chicken and tomatoe sauce), but I recommend you also those of octopus and shrimp.

“El Güero” has pork meat in tacos, they are really good!

Corazón de Maguey or Los Danzantes

Parque Centenario, Coyoacán Center.

If you are looking for a more comfortable and nice restaurant, there are many options. One of the most popular of Mexican food is “Corazón de Maguey” or “Los Danzantes” both in the center of Coyoacan. The truth is that the food is very similar, very Mexican and with exotic things to try, here it depends on which one looks better to you. I like Corazón de Maguey a little bit more because of the style of the place, apart from the fact that they have a very good mezcal.

The Kiosk of Coyoacan

Parque Centenario

One of the oldest and most traditional ice cream stands is here. There are ice creams of many flavors, fruit flavor waters, smoothies, “chamoyadas” and a small churros stand. Perfect to enjoy a dessert while you walk through the center of “Coyo”.

A beer?

There are some pretty awesome bars you have to try!

La Coyoacana

Higuera 14, Coyoacán

La Coyoacana is a “cantina” that is formerly known as La Guadalupana. It is one of my favorite bars because of the great atmosphere that is created. Who says no to a good tequila with mariachis?

But, I recommend you go to the terrace, it is where the mood is best. Have a little patience if you have to stand in line or arrive early as it is a place that fills up fast.

La Celestina

Caballocalco, 14 A, Coyoacán

My favorite bar in Coyoacán, the truth is that I have spent great moments (ok, good drunk memories) in this place and I always end up having a great time. The place is very cozy, has good music and they have a mezcal from the house that is also very good (as you can see the mezcal it’s my thing).

This place is behind the Cathedral of the center of Coyoacán and the decoration is quite original with recycled pieces, bricks and a very romantic lighting.

It has a fairly wide food menu from tacos to “tortas”; and a series of very fine cocktails, I recommend the “Candela”, which is mezcal, apple juice, a slice of orange and cinnamon.

Museums

Coyoacán is full of culture and history, of course I could not stop recommending some of the museums that I like and the most popular, I will start with those that are closer to the center of Coyoacán, which you can actually walt to, of course starting with Frida’s house.

“La Casa Azul” Frida Kahlo Museum.

London 247

Who does not love Frida? The house where Frida Kahlo lived as a young woman and spent the most important years of her life, a place that you definitely cannot miss. But get ready to wait in line for hours! so arrive early and preferably buy your ticket online to get the shorter line.

Another suggestion is that there are tours that include the entrance to the museum, it is worth it just for the fact that they already have their arrangements and when they arrive at the place they get inside very fast, otherwise you can take a few hours in line .

El “Indio” Fernandez’ House

Zaragoza 51, Santa Catarina

House of Emilio Fernández Romo, producer and director nicknamed “El Indio”, the indian. This property is the work of architect Manuel Parra. It is worth visiting because it is in perfect condition and the style of the house is unique. It has been part of many films like “Frida” and “Man on Fire” among others, and the truth is that it is shocking how beautiful it is.

Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum

Street Museo 150, San Pablo Tepetlapa, Coyoacán.

This is one of my favorite museums, to get to this museum it is necessary to take a car but it is worth the visit. Its structure is made of volcanic stone and each floor represents the sky, the earth and the underworld. What makes it a very mystical place. There are exhibited pieces that Diego Rivera collected, as well as paintings, figures and sketches of the painter, many things inspired by pre-Hispanic times.

Trotsky House Museum

Churubusco River 410, Del Carmen

Another artist from Diego and Frida’s time, Leon Trotsky, an exiled Russian who was supported by Mexican artists and was finally killed by Stalin’s orders. Here you can know a little more about his life. Trotsky’s ashes remain in the garden.

MUAC Museum of Contemporary Art

Ciudad Universitaria, Insurgentes Sur 3000, Ciudad Universitaria.

If you are looking for something modern, this is the place. This museum is located inside Ciudad Universitaria C.U. and it is surrounded by beautiful places like the Sculptural Space of the UNAM.

But here you will find different exhibitions of more modern artistic proposals. You can not miss The Space of Sound Experimentation, and when leaving the museum, the store that has a lot of things that you will love. check out their web page to see the temporary exhibitions, and marvel at the architecture of Teodoro Gonzales de León.