From Historic Streets to Modern Spaces: Accessibility in Mexico City

Traveling to Mexico City has always been a goal of mine. As someone who has always wanted to connect with the country where my parents are from, this trip meant a lot to me. Since I was the only one in my family who hadn’t yet been to Mexico City, some of our family members decided to meet us there—making it the first time we had all been together in Mexico. This trip was a blend of history, culture, and accessibility, and I wanted to share my experience navigating both modern and historic spaces in this vibrant city.

Modern Mexico City: Accessibility and Convenience

One of the first things I noticed in modern areas of Mexico City was how much effort had been put into accessibility. Many of the restaurants, malls, and shopping areas had ramps, elevators, and wide pathways, making it easy to get around.

One of my favorite modern spots was a beautiful restaurant where a musician played the saxophone while walking around, creating an amazing atmosphere. We also stopped by an Adidas store where they had replicas of Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or trophies, which was really cool to see in person. Exploring one of Mexico City’s malls also felt seamless, as accessibility features were well thought out, allowing for a stress-free experience.

When it comes to modern spaces, Mexico City does a great job at ensuring accessibility. Whether it’s shopping or dining, many places are wheelchair-friendly, making it easy to enjoy the city’s modern comforts.

Historic Mexico City: Beauty with Challenges

Mexico City is full of historical landmarks, and while they are breathtaking, they come with their accessibility challenges.

One of the biggest highlights of the trip was visiting the Pyramids of Teotihuacán. While absolutely stunning, the terrain made it extremely difficult to navigate in a wheelchair due to gravel and dirt paths. That said, simply being there and witnessing the pyramids up close was a moment I’ll never forget.

Before visiting the pyramids, we had lunch at a unique restaurant inside a cave called La Gruta. While the atmosphere and food were amazing, getting to the restaurant was not easy. The only way down was a flight of stairs, meaning the staff at La Gruta had to carry my wheelchair all the way down. It was a little nerve-wracking, but the staff was extremely kind and made sure I felt safe and secure the entire time.

Another historical highlight was El Castillo de Chapultepec, a site filled with rich history and incredible views of the mountains. Even though it is a historic site, accessibility was surprisingly good, making it a great experience.

We also visited La Basílica de Guadalupe, one of the most important religious and cultural sites in Mexico. Seeing the famous painting of La Virgen de Guadalupe hanging over a draped Mexican flag was breathtaking. The atmosphere inside the Basilica was incredibly peaceful, and walking around the plaza outside was an experience in itself, as there were small vendors, religious artifacts, and beautiful architecture to admire. While the Basilica itself was fairly accessible, some of the surrounding areas had uneven surfaces, making it a bit difficult to navigate at times. Still, it was one of the most moving experiences of the trip.

And of course, what’s a trip to Mexico City without Lucha Libre? We attended a Lucha Libre match, and it was so much fun to watch the high-energy performances and experience the lively atmosphere.

Cultural and Culinary Delights

One of the best parts of visiting Mexico City was getting to try all kinds of traditional food and drinks. Some of the highlights included:

• Chapulines (fried grasshoppers) with chile & limón

• Freshly baked pan de dulce

• Raspa de chamoy

• Micheladas and mezcalitas

Each dish and drink brought a different flavor experience, and I was so glad I got to experience the authentic taste of Mexico City.

Conclusion

Visiting Mexico City was an unforgettable experience, filled with family, history, and incredible food. While modern areas of the city were very accessible, historical sites had some challenges—but overall, the kindness and support of staff and locals made a big difference.

This trip made me appreciate how far accessibility has come in Mexico City, and I can't wait to return and explore even more!