It was time to explore parts of Mexico that we’d never been to before! For my husband’s birthday trip, Mexico, for us, looked like tacos eaten at plastic tables, chanting at football games, and mornings spent in spaces so beautiful they begged you to slow down. We started in Guadalajara and ended in Mexico City, following our curiosity (and our appetite) more than an itinerary. These are the places we stayed, where we ate, and the moments that made this trip stick with us long after we unpacked.

Our adventure in Guadalajara, a city I honestly didn’t know much about before booking, aside from knowing that it’s a popular place for facelifts and medical travel. Turns out, there’s way more to it than that.

Guadalajara: Historic Stays & Tacos

We found an incredible Airbnb that stole my heart the second I stepped inside. The house was brimming with historic charm, curated art, and Day of the Dead decor that honestly felt magical. The owner collects pieces from museums he runs. I would die to live in a place just like this!

Naturally, I had to take boudoir photos there (yes, self-portrait vibes with husband-as-photographer) because why wouldn’t I? The kitchen was gorgeous, the patio bursting with flowers, and those details made it feel like a creative love letter in physical form.

Guadalajara is also a huge jumping-off point for visiting agave farms and tequila distilleries in the surrounding region, something a lot of travelers come specifically for. We skipped that part since I’m sober (4.5 years babyyyy!) but it’s worth knowing if that’s your thing.

While in Guadalajara we ate a lot — and for me, gluten-free was not a struggle here. I was thrilled that everywhere we went either had options or full gluten-free menus. One standout was D’ Almendra Keto Bakery, a gluten- and sugar-free gem that honestly changed my dessert expectations.

Other favorites included:

• La Chata — fun vibes (but not gluten-free friendly)

• Los Ilustres — best breakfast hands down, gorgeous views overlooking the city

• Santa Clara — perfect ice cream with allergy info (“trigo” means wheat)

• Cafe Pedro — the best cappuccino I’ve ever had

• A taco stand in the market — name lost to glorious horchata haze 😅

We even caught a Chivas football game! The energy, the cheering, the performances. It was an unforgettable local experience. We even grabbed some elote to snack on which is one of my favorites. Then we took a short Viva flight to the beautiful capitol of Mexico!

Mexico City: Food, Friends, & Exploring

Next up: Mexico City — a place I now think you should visit just for the food.

If you’re gluten-free like me, rejoice. There are options everywhere! A few highlights:

• Farina — gluten-free pizza that might honestly be the best I’ve ever had. Get the pear & gorgonzola pizza!

• Brick Hotel — we went there for a birthday breakfast that felt effortlessly special.

• Cuina — their indoor-outdoor restaurant has a tree growing through the glass roof, and the croissants (yes, my husband had them) are reportedly the best he’s had outside of France. I got a delicious plate of chilaquiles. The pancakes are great too I hear!

• La Otilia — 100% gluten free!! YOU MUST GO!

• Tacos del Valley — late-night taco goodness

• Taquería Orinoco — phenomenal tacos!! Our fav taco place!

• Amorino — gelato with tons of gluten-free options (including GF tiramisu gelato 😍)

• Brew Brew — cute drinks (both coffee and alcoholic drinks)

We stayed at Casa Olivia (Hotels.com) a cozy, lovely hotel in Roma Norte (the best neighborhood in Mexico City in my opinion!) Since our friend Kelly has the same birthday as my husband (January 13th) we asked her to join us for part of the trip, which kicked things up a notch. We love Kelly! I’ve know her since high school.

We also tried to hit the Frida Kahlo Museum, but it was fully booked for weeks (major bummer), so that’s on next-trip list. And yes, we did a day trip to Teotihuacán, the incredible pyramids about 45 minutes outside the city. Our guide was amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed the breathtaking views. All our sports and sight seeing tickets were booked through StubHub + Tripadvisor. We should have tried that for the museum too, then maybe we could have gotten in!

We saw another football game. This time Club America vs. Athletico San Luis. This was was just as lively! We got to sit closer which I really enjoyed. The girls behind me were freaking out over some of the players they thought were cute which was so funny.

One of the most surprising highlights was a lucha libre wrestling match. I thought I’d watch once and be done — but I legit loved it. The charisma, the theatrics, the athleticism… it was wild and so fun.

A Quick Shopping Note

I’m not much of a shopper when I travel, but Poema Space is absolutely worth a stop. It’s colorful, elegant, and full of things you’ll want just one of: jewelry, stationery, candles, mugs, plates, artwork, and the cutest pajamas. They sell Votive Candles featuring Bad Bunny and Pedro Pascal, which made me laugh out loud. If you’re nearby eating tacos (as you should be), don’t miss it.

Final Notes

Both places we stayed were 10/10, so if you’re traveling for the vibes and comfort (like I always am), I’d recommend them without hesitation. Don’t miss a football game and lucha libre match! Take my food suggestions, especially the gluten free ones.