Mexico City
October 26 - November 3, 2025
Mexico City: Where Day
of the Dead Comes Alive
Get ready to uncover a side of Mexico that’s far from the typical resort experience—this is Mexico City like you’ve never seen it before! As the vibrant capital and one of the world’s largest cities, CDMX offers an unparalleled blend of history, art, and cuisine. Over nine immersive days, you'll dive deep into the city's rich culture, savoring local mezcal and tequila, and indulging in tacos that will make your taste buds dance. And here’s the kicker: you’ll be in Mexico City for Halloween and Día de los Muertos—a rare and magical time when the city truly comes alive. This is more than just a trip; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to experience Mexico City’s heart and soul during one of the most extraordinary celebrations of the year.
We will come together as a group of strangers but leave with friends we’ll have for a lifetime.
Nervous about coming alone? Don’t be! Most people who come on my trips are solo travelers just like you. You might show up alone, but you’ll leave with so many new friends. Together, we will explore the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan, ride in a hot air balloon, watch a lucha libre fight, celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead, and so much more!
Itinerary
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Fly into Mexico City Airport (MEX)
Transport to our accommodations
Celebratory welcome drinksWelcome to Mexico City! Upon arrival, we will transport you to our accommodations - a beautiful art deco Mexican home in the historical center of CDMX. Once settled in, we will have celebratory drinks and head out for our welcome dinner.
Welcome drinks and dinner included
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Breakfast at house
City center walking tour with local guide
Lunch
Free time in afternoon/eveningToday we’ll walk around the historical center of CDMX with a local guide, and see all of the beautiful architecture, such as la palacio de las bellas artes, zócalo square, and more! If you've never been to Europe but love old architecture, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the European vibes of Mexico City!
Breakfast and lunch included
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Breakfast at house
Cooking class
Taco tour and lucha libreAfter a leisurely morning, we'll head out for a Mexican cooking class, where you'll learn how to make Mexican food like a pro!
After some downtime in the afternoon, we'll start our taco tour, where you'll get to try out the best taco stops in Mexico City.
Then, we'll attend a lucha libre Mexican wrestling match, where you can see the luchadores fight it out to become "el campeón" (the champion)!
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan pyramids
Breakfast buffet
Teotihuacán tour
Lunch in a cave
Free time in eveningWe’ll start out our day bright and early with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
After our hot air balloon ride, we will have a delicious breakfast at a local restaurant and then tour the ancient pyramids. We will follow with lunch in an actual cave!
You’ll have time to rest up back at the house, and then the evening is yours to explore the city.
Breakfast and lunch included
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Breakfast to go
Day trip to Grutas Tolantongo
Return home in eveningToday we're heading to one of the most Instagrammable spots in Mexico and spending the day at Las Grutas de Tolantongo, a turquoise water playground full of hot springs, caves, and underwater thermal pools.
We’ll hit the road early to drive into the picturesque mountains of Hidalgo, Mexico. After stopping at a roadside stand for delicious micheladas and piña coladas, we’ll head to Grutas Tolantongo. After a few hours of exploration, we’ll have a late lunch before we head back to Mexico City.
On the drive back, we’ll watch one of my favorite movies about Día de los Muertos, Coco. Make sure you rest up, ‘cause tomorrow is a trip highlight!
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
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Breakfast at house
Coyoacán neighborhood tour
Xochimilco canal tour with lunch, drinks, and mariachi
Free time in evening
After a bit of time to rest, we’ll head south of the city to tour the Coyoacán neighborhood, which is home to Frida Kahlo. We’ll stop at a famous local market to try some traditional tostadas, aguas frescas, and churros before we head onward to Xochimilco.In the afternoon, we’ll kick off our trajinera party boat through the canals of beautiful Xochimilco, where we’ll have drinks, singing, dancing, live mariachi, and a late lunch prepared right on the boat!
We’ll return back to the city in the evening, and the rest of the night is yours to explore or relax.
Breakfast, snacks, drinks, and late lunch/early dinner included
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Breakfast at house
Visit a local dog shelter
Free time (optional tattoo session)
Dinner at Pujol
Today's our day to give back to Mexico City! Dogs are an important part of Mexican culture. In fact, the Aztecs believed that dogs guided the souls of the dead through the underworld, and being kind to them ensured your place in the afterlife.
We'll be stopping at a local dog shelter to walk the dogs, play with them, and donate food.In the afternoon, you can have free time, or you can get a tattoo to commemorate your trip!
In the evening, we’ll reconvene at the house and head to our private dinner at Pujol, one of the top restaurants in the entire world (so popular, we make a reservation a year in advance) with two Michelin stars! We’ll explore their 7-course tasting menu in their private dining room and try “Mole Madre”—their infamous mole dish that has been aging for over 8 years!After dinner, if you’re still keen to explore CDMX’s vibrant nightlife, we’ll hit up the bars in some of the most popular neighborhoods.
Breakfast and dinner included -
Breakfast at the house
Face painting and ofrenda
Día de los Muertos CelebrationsAfter some time to relax, we’ll be getting our faces painted by local Mexican women, who will do sugar skull makeup application and transform us into Mexican catrinas.
After we get dressed in our Día de los Muertos outfits, we’ll create our own authentic ofrenda to remember our loved ones before heading out to the festivities.
Then we’re heading outside the city to visit a cemetery, where we will get to see how the locals celebrate and commemorate their loved ones.
Breakfast included. -
Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to Mexico. You can stay in the accommodation until 11:00 am, and we’ll be coordinating shared Ubers to the airport (included).
Hasta la próxima!
Breakfast included
Accommodations:
One of the best parts of this trip is that we stay together as a group in a historic home in the Centro area of Mexico City. This not only allows us to experience Mexico more authentically, but it allows our group more time to bond and socialize instead of being separated in a hotel. And don’t worry, introverts—you can still have your alone time!
This five-story art-deco home has 10 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, and a private rooftop with views overlooking the city. The house has both private and shared bedrooms to accommodate your rooming preferences. It also has a full kitchen, living room, dining room, and several hangout spots throughout the house. Please note that the majority of the bathrooms will be shared. Laundry services are available on-site and free of charge.
It’s like adult summer camp, Mexican-style!
INCLUDED:
✓ Airport pickup and drop-off at Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport (on official trip dates)
✓ All activities and tours listed in the itinerary
✓ Local ground transportation to all listed activities
✓ 19 meals (8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners)
✓ Exclusive private group dinner at Pujol (Rated best restaurant in North America 2021—$200 value)
✓ Accommodations in 4-story art-deco home in city center
✓ Spanish/English guide on all tours
✓ Welcome gift bag
✓ Donations to a local dog shelter
✓ Trip travel guide with everything you need to know regarding safety, currency, packing, and preparing for your trip
✓ Group orientation call via Zoom 1 month prior to trip
✓ On-site support from Laura before and during trip
✓ Recommendations for restaurants and activities during free exploration time
✓ Professional photos and videos of the entire trip (provided upon return)
NOT INCLUDED:
X International flight to Mexico City. Details will be provided after you register.
X Travel insurance (required)
X Meals not specified above (we have a full kitchen in the house and are surrounded by many amazing restaurants)
X Most alcohol (some tours will include complementary drinks)
X Gratuities for guide and driver (optional, but highly encouraged)
X Personal shopping
X Any extras not listed above
Why Travel to Mexico City With Us:
You literally just have to show up.
Pack your bags (I'll tell you exactly what to bring) and book that flight (yep, got tips for that too). Everything else? That's my problem now. Your only job is to show up ready for adventure.
I've done the homework so you don't have to.
Visas? Vaccines? I've figured out all the annoying details ahead of time. Because I scout every trip first, you get to skip the tourist traps and rookie mistakes I've already made for you.
No more waiting on flaky friends.
We've all been there - that group chat that starts with "Let's plan a trip!" and ends in radio silence. Not here. The dates are set, the itinerary is locked in, and your adventure squad is ready to go.
Small group = Big experiences.
IForget those massive tour buses. We keep it intimate (10-15 people max) because you can't exactly have a heart-to-heart conversation with 40 strangers or get invited into someone's home for tea when you roll up with a small army.
Make an actual difference (not just Instagram stories about it).
This isn't about drive-by tourism or performative do-gooding. We're talking real connections with local communities, authentic cultural exchanges, and meaningful ways to give back that actually help rather than hurt.
Finally get photos you won’t hate in 5 years.
Let's be honest - we all want at least a few shots that make our friends jealous. I've got you covered with photos that capture the real you having the time of your life (not just awkward poses in front of landmarks). Check out some photos of past adventurers.
FAQs
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In order to ensure our group is a good fit for the activities we will be doing, all participants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the trip.
While my groups vary in age, most are 30-50 years old. -
I tend to focus on my trips on locations that are often overlooked or have the perception of being unsafe--especially for women. These locations are often misunderstood, or the information found on the internet or by the media just isn't true.
Enter group travel. Traveling in a group setting along with a professional driver and trip leader gives you the confidence to see places that are often undiscovered by other travelers.
I vet and curate all my trips to make sure they are safe as possible. That being said, safety isn't guaranteed anywhere--even in your home city.
It is still important to use precautions whenever traveling, and that's why I prepare my groups with safety information that's specific to each country we go to.
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Absolutely not! Most people come on group trips alone, and it’s the best way to meet people!
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Yes, you will need a passport valid for 6 months beyond the trip (May 3, 2026).
If you do not have a passport, I recommend you start the process right away, as it can take several months to receive it. If you need assistance with this, feel free to reach out!
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This trip requires a moderate level of physical activity, with most of it being walking. There will also be several days that we will travel by van for an hour or more.
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While this trip is very on the go (we’ve got a lot of ground to cover), there are several days that have free time built in so you have time to wander, shop, and explore CDMX.
In addition, all planned activities are optional, so you are free to opt out at any time if you choose.
All that being said, this trip is designed to show you the best of the best of Mexico City, and all activities have been personally vetted by me to ensure you’re only seeing things worth seeing. If something isn’t generally liked by the entire group, I don’t include it in the itinerary and leave it for free time.
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I sure hope that’s not the case, but I also realize that life can be unpredictable, and things happen.
All trip payments are non-refundable.
Filling trip spots is incredibly time-consuming. I am a small boutique travel company, and I unfortunately do not have the ability to refund people if their plans change. Your deposits go directly to my local partners, and they are non-refundable to me as well.
For that reason, I highly recommend looking into travel insurance (see next FAQ for more details).
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Yes, travel insurance is required for all of my trips starting in 2025, with a minimum of post-departure/travel medical coverage (typically about $50). There are options to upgrade to trip cancellation coverage + cancel for any reason coverage as well.
I always recommend getting travel insurance for large investments such as a trip like this. It's well worth the peace of mind knowing you will have travel and health coverage should something go wrong before or during your trip (and I have had several people have to use it—they were SO glad they had it).I always tell people to ask themselves, “am I willing to lose thousands of dollars should I not be able to go on this trip?” If the answer is no, consider getting trip cancellation coverage.
If you want to learn more about travel insurance and are looking for a recommendation, you can learn more about my travel insurance partner, Wanderwell, here.
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Wait until you get the green light from me to purchase your flights—I typically recommend 3-6 months prior to the trip, or as soon as I’ve finalized our group and arrival details.
I will be in contact with you regularly with reminders and assistance on purchasing fights, visas, insurance, packing, and more.
In the meantime, feel free to set up a flight alert on Google Flights to start monitoring prices. You will be flying into Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX).
Do you have additional questions about traveling with us?
Fun Facts
Mexico City (CDMX) is the most populous city in North America, and the 5th largest in the world.
We will be visiting during one of the best times of the year! The weather is warm, but we will avoid the scorching heat and cold nights. The highs reach 80 and lows are in the 50s at night.
The Mexican peso is the official currency of Mexico.
“I went to Mexico City with Laura, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The food, the history, the people, the experiences, the spirituality...I will never forget the vibrance of it all. Laura curates an unforgettable, safe, and authentic experience —leaving so much room to enjoy every moment without stressing about any logistics at all. Everything was taken care of professionally but still extremely fun. I felt like I was on an adventure the whole time. The local guides she brings in are outstanding, plus she takes so many great photos of each person to really help capture the epic moments. I had the time of my life thanks to a talented and intrepid girl named Laura. I can't wait to go somewhere else with her!”
Aubrey, Wisconsin
Ready to make it happen?
INVESTMENT: $3,499
I offer a free payment plan, so you can spread the payments across 6 months.
A $500 deposit is due at time of booking with the following additional payment schedule:
$750 due on December 1, January 15, March 1, and the remaining balance due on April 15.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ADD-ON: +$500
Limited single rooms are available for an extra $500. If not selected, you’ll be paired with someone of the same gender based on compatibility.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need a different payment arrangement.
After leading over 230 people through 9 countries, I've learned that while group trips are absolutely life-changing for most people, they're not everyone's cup of tea (or shot of tequila). Before you dive in, let's make sure we're a match:
Vibe Check
You'll thrive with us if:
You can roll with the punches when things go sideways (because they will - it's travel, not a scripted TV show)
You're cool with scheduled adventures (we've got amazing stuff planned, but if you're the "wake up at 2pm on vacation" type, you’ll be missing out)
You understand the whole "strength in numbers" thing means sometimes doing what works for the group vs. your sudden craving for street food at midnight
You can vibe with different personalities (spoiler: you won't click with everyone, and that's totally fine)
You get excited about culture shock instead of freaking out when things aren't exactly like home (that's kind of the whole point)
Think of it like joining the coolest adventure club you never knew you needed. If you're nodding along to these points, chances are you're gonna fit right in. If you're breaking out in hives just reading this... maybe stick to solo travel for now.
Remember: Travel isn't about being perfect - it's about being open to whatever awesome weirdness comes our way. Because trust me, it will.
Still have questions?
Want to check out flight prices?
You will be flying in and out of Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (MEX).
Laura Ericson Group Trips is not responsible for any costs related to flights. You can use this tool to gauge flight prices, but please wait until you get an email from us approximately 3-4 months prior to your trip to book your flights to ensure you have all of the information needed for booking. We recommend always booking with the airline directly and not from an online travel agency (OTA) like Kayak, etc.
“Travel is about the
gorgeous feeling of
teetering in the
unknown.”
— Anthony Bourdain