Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City
We were blessed to be able to take a pilgrimage to Mexico City to see Our Lady of Guadalupe. Initially, we considered joining a tour group, but decided to go on our own. This post is our practical travel guide to do this pilgrimage on your own. We have another post describing the pilgrimage itself.
Getting There
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located in Mexico City, sometimes called CDMX, with the airport code of MEX (Benito Juárez International Airport). We found reasonable direct flights from major cities or airline hubs.
Getting in and out of customs was pretty straightforward since we were just there for the pilgrimage and a short stay. Once outside of customs and security, there were plenty of ATM machines to obtain some Mexican pesos.
Where to Stay
We decided to stay in a hotel in the Centro Histórico district. As the name suggests, we were able to learn much of the history of Mexico City within walking distance. Zócalo Plaza, Tenochtitlan Aztec temple ruins, and the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral were some of the sights we enjoyed.
The cab ride to the Basilica is about 20 minutes away.
The neighborhood directly around the Basilica did not appear to be set up for international visitors.
The Historico Central hotel is top-notch, with a reasonable rate. We were welcomed with a cold beer while completing the check-in process. The rate included a hosted snack bar with beer, wine, a large selection of snacks (sandwiches, fruit, etc.), and a tasty sit-down breakfast. The hotel staff spoke excellent English, were friendly, and were available to meet our needs. They also offered a 3-hour walking tour around the historical district, which we thoroughly enjoyed.
Now that we have experienced the Centro Histórico district, we would most likely choose a quieter neighborhood for our next visit.
We had a lovely dinner with a friend in the La Condesa neighborhood. The next time, we would stay in one of the many hotels that cater to international travelers.
Alternatively, for art lovers, the Coyoacán neighborhood was pleasant with a beautiful Basilica, numerous art museums, and fantastic eateries.
Transport in Mexico City
The Uber app worked well for us in Mexico City. It was easy to call for a ride at the hotel and other places we visited. The payments and tips are handled through the app. For safety, the app gives ratings on the drivers and allows us to track progress as we go. The app also tells the driver our destination, avoiding any language barriers.
We were cautioned about using the metro and crime. Apparently, there is a separate subway car for women and children if necessary. We decided to just avoid it altogether.
Food and Drink
We are fans of Mexican cuisine, and this trip provided plenty of opportunities to enjoy the real deal. From tacos al Pastor right off the “meat tornado,” to the delightful churros (dip them in hot chocolate!) and our splurge gourmet Mexican dinner at Azul Condesa.
Other Sights in Mexico City
We spent three full days in Mexico city. One full day allowed us to cover the entire Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the surrounding grounds of Tepeyac Hill. That gave us two more days to enjoy the sights and tastes of what the locals call “the City of Palaces.”
We really enjoyed our afternoon in Coyoacán, from the San Juan Battista Basilica (Saint John the Baptist), strolling through the markets, buying crafts from the locals, and dining. A couple we met at breakfast raved over the Frida Kahlo museum.
The Tlayuda de Arrachera (see photo) from Corazón de Maguey was amazing, and really enough for both of us. Think loaded pizza Mexican style — crispy corn tortilla and black beans of course — and the fantastic asiento (rendered pork fat and crispy bits left after cooking carnitas).
We chose not to visit the pyramids of Teotihuacan (an hour out of the city), instead opting to take the engaging 3-hour history walk through the Historico Central. We did learn that visitors are no longer allowed to climb on the pyramids.
We also passed on the opportunity to take in the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Our tour guide explained they are more about drinking cerveza than history. Maybe next time.
Best Time to Visit Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2026
Three major factors will influence the best time to visit Mexico City for your pilgrimage: the feast days, international sporting events, and, of course, the weather.
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th draws millions of pilgrims and is a very exciting time to honor Our Lady. Last year, 13 million pilgrims descended on CDMX for the feast. The crowds are thick, starting with the Feast of Saint Juan Diego on December 9th (date of the first apparition) to the 12th. Considering that the Basilica receives less than a million visitors for the balance of the year, the choice is yours: join the party, or use a quieter time for devotion.
Alternative celebrations are Feburary 5th, Feast of Saint Felipe de Jesús, patron of Mexico City and May 21st, Feast of the Cristero martyrs. !Viva Cristo Rey!
FIFA World Cup and Other Sporting Events
Sports fans have an amazing opportunity this year to combine their passion with their faith.
- MLB Mexico City Series (April 25–26): The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres will meet at the Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú.
- FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19): This is the massive one. The iconic Estadio Azteca will host the tournament’s opening match on June 11 (Mexico vs. South Africa). With four additional matches scheduled, the city will be exceptionally crowded and vibrant.
- Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix (October 30–November 1): This race weekend draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Weather in Mexico City
Mexico City sits in the tropical zone, but has a high elevation of 7350 feet (2,240 meters), so temperatures are pleasant year round.
The dry season is October through April, with average high temperatures of 70°–80°F (21–27°C), with crisp cool evenings.
May showers begin the rainy season, which lasts through September. Even in the rainy season, the mornings are generally dry with showers starting in the afternoon. The temperatures are similar to the dry season.
April, May, September, and October are the shoulder seasons, in which you may find bargains for hotels. We went in April and had warm sunny weather.
Resources
- Is a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe safe?
- Book review Guadalupe and the The Flower World Prophecy.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage and Mexico City Meanderings
Summary
We are glad that we decided to travel on our own to Mexico City to see Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was less expensive than booking through a tour agency, and we had the flexibility to make the trip our own.
