Best Things To Do In Mexico City In July

There are many activities to do in Mexico City in summer, especially in July, which is a sunny, warm and ideal month for walking around the city. However, you should keep in mind that this season is characterised by an increase in rainfall, so some days you may find it difficult to make outdoor plans.

You can celebrate Friendship Day, go in search of the best ice cream parlours to cool off, enjoy the monuments during Frida Kahlo month, visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe to avoid the long queues of December and much more.

International Friendship Day is celebrated on 30 July in Mexico City, an ideal day to go out and explore the city with your friends, or meet new people. I recommend scheduling activities in advance, as many groups are looking for plans to celebrate this day. The celebration is similar to Valentine's Day, but quieter.

Some of the plans not to be missed are:

Cycle around the city with your group

To celebrate Friendship Day you can take a group bike ride around the city, the best times are before sunrise to see the sunrise, or around 4:30 p.m. to appreciate the sunset.

During your bike ride you can take advantage of the free entrance to the University City or go to Los Dinamos National Park, a lung on the outskirts of the city that has waterfalls and is suitable for camping, hiking or mountaineering.

If you want to enjoy green areas without space limitations, I suggest you visit the Ecological Park of Xochimilco, an ideal place to walk the trails, take a guided tour, rent trajineras or have a picnic. Admission is free, but some services have a cost, for example access to the toilets costs about 1 € and parking costs about 2 €.

During June the sun bathes the marshes and trails, it is ideal weather for a walk, but I recommend wearing sunscreen and a hat. In this park you can visit the Chinampa Xochitl Museum, a space that offers history exhibits and houses local animals and flowers.

There is an athletics track where skating is also allowed. Nearby you will find the Paseo de los Arcos with gastronomic and artistic exhibition stands, as well as the viewpoint where you can appreciate the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes.

• Estimated time: At least five hours.
• Best time: From 5:30 a.m. to visit various parts of the city, or after 4:30 p.m. for shorter tours.
• Why do it in July? There are good temperatures in keeping with summer.
• Consider: Some days can be very sunny and UV rays are dangerous. In mid-July the chance of rain increases.

Organise a game of bowling with friends

One of the best options is Bolerama Coyoacán where you can find a bowling lane, bowling machines, pool tables, a restaurant and a bar. Prices per lane start at around €22.

• Estimated time: One to two hours.
• Best time: Any time, but booking in advance is recommended.
• Why do it in July? You can protect yourself during days of extreme rain and sunshine.
• Thingsto consider: The bowling lane can be booked, but some days the venue is overcrowded.

Prepare for a paintball battle

A game of paintball at Gotcha Osos is a totally safe adventure sport, as protective masks and waistcoats are used. It is played on a battlefield, where two teams must face each other firing paint projectiles, you can also organise a pitched battle with other groups that coincide with your time in the area.

This attraction does not operate on Thursdays, admission is approximately €10 and it is advisable to book in advance online. Additional protection starts at €2 and extra paint projectiles are around €5.

• Estimated time: At least five hours.
• Best time: From 1:00 p.m. onwards.
• Why do it in July? There are open areas in case you want to enjoy a sunny day and covered or semi-covered areas to protect you from this month's rains.
• Thingsto consider: Paintballs can hurt, it is recommended to purchase extra protection and establish group rules.

July is considered the month of Krida Fahlo, in honour of the mythical Mexican painter who had political, social and cultural contributions, which broke the canons of beauty and benefited women's rights. Her death is commemorated every July 13th, so there are a variety of sites and activities you can't miss in Mexico City, in fact some events are available all week or all month long.

Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum

The Frida Kahlo Museum is one of the most popular museums, especially during July, so I recommend buying your ticket online. Queues at the ticket office can be up to two hours long, which will delay your visit.

You can take a guided tour and explore the artist's most iconic collections, or visit the Blue House which was Frida and Diego Rivera's home for many years, with its striking gardens, artwork, personal items, pre-Columbian sculptures and some books. Admission ranges from €6 to €13 and photo permits cost approximately €2.

Take a tour on the Fridabús

Every year there are parades, art exhibitions in the Centro Histórico that honour the painter's work, and some years there is even a Fridabús, which is advertised in mid-May on the national billboard. This bus makes stops at the Frida Kahlo Museum and, depending on the package you purchase, includes access to its facilities.

It also stops at the Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum, which houses the works of another important artist who was Frida's partner. There are temporary and permanent exhibitions, children's areas, architectural spaces and admission is around €5. Please note that you are not allowed to take videos, touch the exhibits or use flashbulbs, and you must turn off your phones.

Participate in the Frida Kahlo Run Colors

Every year a marathon is held in honour of Frida Kahlo, the event takes place during July and includes a five to ten kilometre jogging route. You can also walk and stop to enjoy the events that unfold along the route.

The surprises vary from year to year, as do the organisers, so be prepared for a fun experience that includes some free activities.

Get to know other sites of the painter's work

The Dolores Olmedo Museum is located in Xochimilco. There are exhibits of Frida and Diego' s paintings, plus you can see peacocks and xoloitzcuintles in the gardens. Admission is around 3 €. Don't miss the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo which has two buildings, one for each painter. Admission is around €2, but during July there are special discounts.

July is a hot and humid month, so you'll probably want to cool off during your time in the city. One of the summer activities you can't miss in your itinerary is to go in search of the best ice-cream parlours in Mexico City.

Taste a different menu every week

A very interesting proposal is Phaat Vice Ice Cream, every week they offer a different menu that is announced on their Instagram.

It's not a physical shop, so you can order delivery. There is banana pudding ice cream, M&M's, golden butter, candyfloss and many more surprises.

Stop by Carmela's Ice Cream Factory

If you're looking for an artisanal proposal, your best option is Carmela's Ice Cream, a Mexican factory with several locations in Mexico City. To get to know the place where the magic happens, I recommend the Anzures area.

Why visit this ice cream parlour during July? They are known for offering seasonal flavours, so you'll find special summer editions. There are vegan proposals and the special ice creams cost around 12 €.

Enjoy Nieves de Olla

Another option is Nieves de Olla where they are made exclusively with Mexican materials, they also prepare typical flavours of the city and seasonal proposals. They offer healthy ice creams, by the kilo and the typical popsicles. Prices are affordable and range from €2 and up.

To prepare for the marathon that is one of the best activities in August, Mexicans run a Half Marathon in Mexico City which is ideal for a different kind of time.

Generally the route includes the best local areas, you can pass the famous Paseo de la Reforma, see the Angel de la Independencia and run through the lungs of the city where the Bosque de Chapultepec is located, full of parks and green areas that will make the race more enjoyable.

National registrations range from €33 to €36, while international registrations range from €25 to €90. Initially the marathon and half marathon were run together, but due to the massive turnout, a month was set aside for each.

A great option during the summer is to visit the Jamaica Market, one of the most picturesque and colourful proposals in Mexico City. It is located on Morelos Avenue and during July you can find seasonal flowers such as surfinia, geranium, dahlia, carnation, among others.

Here you can also buy mushrooms and wild vegetables in the different food stalls, or appreciate the typical floral exhibitions of the season. Other ideal months to visit this market are September, when the multitudinous anniversary celebration takes place, and during the Day of the Dead, corresponding to the best activities in November.

The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe corresponds to the things to do during December, however July is the ideal month to visit the shrine and avoid long queues. The Basilica of Guadalupe is one of the most important in Mexico, where one of the largest processions in the world takes place.

On arrival you will pass through La Villa where the image of the virgin is located and small chapels, such as the Capilla del Pocito and the Capilla del Cerrito, which have imposing architectural designs. You can walk around the new and old sanctuary, the best thing is that the entrance is completely free. There are food stalls all around, but I recommend eating only at verified stalls to avoid gastrointestinal problems.

Mexico is one of the United States' neighbours, so many traditions tend to be contagious. To make the most of the summer, some Americans travel to Mexico City, or to other paradises like Cancun and the Riviera Maya, where you can enjoy the typical fireworks. So you'll see parades in the streets, food fairs or markets offering an American experience.

You'll also find picnics in the city's main parks and restaurants adjust to offer typical American fare. The best way to experience it is to stay in a hotel that hosts 4th of July themed parties.

The San Angel Flower Fair has a variety of events to celebrate during one week, it is estimated that the programme has more than 100 free activities ideal to spend the month of July. There is music, typical food, handicrafts and the landscapers decorate the region with a variety of flowers.

I recommend a tour of the main areas of the event which include the Plaza San Jacinto, the Parque de la Bombilla and the Casa Risco Museum. This festival has been held since 1857 and includes a big parade through the streets where the flowers are the protagonists. One place where you can find out more about this traditional event is the Museo El Carmen which costs around €4 to enter and offers art, culture and history exhibitions.

From July to October, the World Press Photo exhibition takes place in Mexico City, specifically at the Franz Mayer Museum. Every year, artists from more than 130 countries are expected to participate, offering thousands of images full of history, culture and art.

It is one of the most important photojournalism competitions in the world and is an interactive experience where you can enjoy a multicultural perspective. This exhibition was founded in 1995 and is imported from Amsterdam. Admission is around 5 €.

If you want to experience a bit of Jamaican culture in Mexico City I recommend a visit to the Reggae Fair, where this musical genre is the main protagonist. There are live bands, art exhibitions and food stalls. The event is outdoors, so I recommend you go prepared for weather changes. This activity also includes recreational games, workshops and a bazaar.

Traveller Tip

I recommend you bring sunscreen, cool clothes and rain protection. You can also bring a blanket to rest in the green areas.