Central Mexico: Medical Tourism, Culture & Worldschooling
Our latest adventure started in a slightly unexpected place: a dental chair.
We decided to dip our toes into medical tourism to get some veneer work done at CEY Dental Boutique in Mexico City, and the incredible savings completely paid for a multi-city family getaway.
While my smile was getting an upgrade, we transformed the rest of our trip into a vibrant living classroom for Mattie. Packing up our bags and skipping the tourist rentals, we hopped on first-class local buses to explore the historic architecture, street festivals, and language immersion opportunities waiting in Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende.
Our Itinerary!
Stop 1: The Heart of the City (CDMX)
We kicked off our trip in the breathtaking metropolis of Mexico City, using the beautiful Roma Norte neighborhood as our basecamp.
CDMX Main Itinerary:
Day 1: Neighborhood Vibes & The Historic Zócalo * Morning: Fuel up with exceptional coffee and the famous guava rolls at Panadería Rosetta.
Afternoon: Spend time in the tree-lined streets of Roma Norte and Condesa, wandering through the lush Parque México.
Evening: Walk the Zócalo and admire the stunning colonial architecture of the main square.
Day 2: Castles, Modern Art & Ancient Artifacts
Morning: Hike the hill to Chapultepec Castle for massive city views, then visit the nearby Museo de Arte Moderno.
Afternoon: Dedicate a few hours to the world-renowned Museum of Anthropology to see the Aztec Sun Stone.
Evening: Michelin-recognized dinner at Alelí Rooftop (book months in advance!).
Day 3: Indigenous Markets & Colors
All Day: Take the public metro directly to La Merced Market for a sensory overload. Dive into the local vendors and try incredible street snacks while practicing our conversational Spanish.
At the sundial in Anthropology museum!
Stop 2: Santiago de Querétaro (A Baroque Journey)
From CDMX, we took a 3-hour first-class bus ride to Querétaro. The historic center of this city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and incredibly pristine.
Querétaro Main Itinerary:
Day 4: Ancient Aqueducts & Indigenous Art * Morning: A walking tour to see the historic Pink Stone Aqueduct, which still dominates the city's skyline.
Afternoon: Visited the stunning Querétaro Art Museum in the old town to see the monumental, world-renowned César Menchaca exhibit. We all fell in love with the vibrant Huichol beadwork sculptures (including the massive beaded jaguar)—an amazing worldschooling lesson!
Day 5: Festivals, Flavour & Connecting
All Day: We lucked out and stumbled right into a local street festival. Immersing ourselves in the music and colors was unforgettable. We spent the day meeting local families, sharing smiles, and chatting with people in the plazas.
Evening Treat: Cap off your night with fresh, crispy churros from a local stand in the main square.
Stop 3: San Miguel de Allende (The Fairytale Finale)
Our final leg was a short, 1-hour bus ride from Querétaro. San Miguel is a visual masterpiece, filled with fairytale architecture and cobblestone streets.
SMA Main Itinerary:
Day 6: Fairytale Churches & Local Tacos * Morning: Visit El Jardín to gaze up at the towering pink, neo-Gothic spires of La Parroquia (Catedral San Miguel de Allende).
Afternoon (Worldschooling Mattie): Turn the cobblestone streets into a classroom! While buying unique souvenirs in the artisan markets, this was our time for Spanish-speaking practice all the way, making the language come alive with local shopkeepers.
Dinner: Ignore the formal restaurants and head to the busy corner taco stands. It’s where you’ll find the best food and the most vibrant community atmosphere.
Day 7: Art Factories & Ice Cream Sweets
Morning: Spend your final morning exploring Fábrica La Aurora. This beautifully converted former textile mill is now packed with contemporary art galleries, working studios, and design shops. A spectacular worldschooling highlight for the family.
Afternoon: Cool down with a scoop of local artisanal ice cream in the main square before saying goodbye to this magical region.
