10 Things to Do in Mexico City in June
Dare to see a magical town from above, only in Mexico City. If you prefer, you can go on a cultural adventure outside the city and enjoy the June weather.
June brings spring to an end and you can enjoy the last of the colourful season's activities, but don't worry, at the end of the month summer arrives with festivals and out-of-town options. If your trip coincides with this time of year, I recommend you opt for the best bike tours to celebrate International Bike Day, take a hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan and drink the Simpsons' original beer.
The most interesting activities take place in the first and last days of the month, something you can consider when organising your trip. Also, June is one of the best times to explore the city, as temperatures in June range from 13° to 26°. Your suitcase should include cool, open clothing, but don't rule out coats to cover up for the evenings when the temperature tends to drop.
1. Enjoy Mexico City's festivals in June
Mexicans take advantage of the warm temperatures to take part in outdoor activities and festivals. There are temporary festivals that pop up annually, so keep an eye out for government cultural sites.
Simpson Weekend Fest
Every June, Simpsons fans can enjoy a festival inspired by the famous TV series. Activities include a bazaar, theatre, contests and a costume competition. Yellow is the right colour to attend this event and you can let your creativity run wild when it comes to choosing your outfits. On the premises you can visit Moe's Tavern and try Duff beer, or taste the Kwif-E Mart, considered Bart Simpson's favourite drink. Admission costs approximately €5 to €20.
2. Celebrate International Bike Day
In June, Mexico City celebrates International Bicycle Day, which is a weekend of recreational activities, ideal for families, tourists and locals alike. In the Zócalo square you will find many free events and every year there is a music line-up to enjoy live artists.
In addition, there are food stalls, attractions in the Centro Histórico, dance therapies and the best bike tours of the city's main monuments. There are areas where you can use the bikes for free, and they also organise exhibitions of old bicycles.
The famous biciescuelas, a Mexican initiative consisting of information booths explaining the ecological importance of this means of transport, are set up in different parts of the city. This day celebrates a healthy lifestyle and promotes environmentally friendly vehicles. Bicycles arrived in Mexico in 1869, but initially the models were very expensive and had wheels that were difficult to handle.
3. Get ready for the summer solstice or Litha
The summer solstice, better known as Litha, is considered the longest day of the year, so it's ideal for booking guided tours of the city, as time is at a premium. Each year the activities are different, but in general they involve dance performances, live music, candle lighting and bonfires in parks and squares.
According to Mayan culture, it is advisable to take a purification bath. In Mexico City you can go to Calma Float & Wellness where they offer floatation therapy, body and facial massages, as well as baths in sensory isolation tanks.
Another ideal plan is to participate in the seasonal fruit harvest, take a tour of the city or attend the free meditation classes that are organised in different parts of the city.
4. Don't miss the events and activities at the Digital Culture Centre
The Digital Culture Centre located on Paseo de Reforma, offers different spaces, activities and events involving digital art. Every month there are different screenings and shows and of course June is no exception.
You can find more information on their website, but the activities are usually free. There are also dynamic, interactive and sensory exhibitions as well as film events.
5. Participate in the annual Father's Day marathon
Every year a marathon is held in the Tlalpan Forest to celebrate Father's Day. This local lung is a protected area with summer and spring courses, more than 206 species of flora, among which the bunting stands out, and around 134 species of fauna.
You can live a refreshing experience and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is an ideal morning run to see the sunrise. In different parts of the city you will find exhibitions and live music. On the official website you can find the countdown to the marathon and more information about registration.
6. Take a balloon ride and get to know Teotihuacán
You can't leave Mexico City without visiting Teotihuacan, an archaeological complex located in the northeast. I recommend opting for guided tours to take a hot air balloon ride over the region.
This experience will allow you to see Teotihuacan from the heights for at least forty-five minutes, while adrenaline runs through your veins. In this paradise you can enjoy a Mexican breakfast, walk around the surrounding villages and enjoy:
- The handicraft and food tianguis that take place exclusively every Monday.
- The Cactus Garden that will take you about twenty-five minutes per area, you will be able to see the candelabra cactus, one of the most gigantic in the world, have lunch in the restaurant, visit the art gallery and get to know a variety of garden proposals: Italian, Japanese, tropical, cactus, spring and more.
- Labyrinth of the Senses whose motto is "the only labyrinth that is not made to lose you, but to find you". The cost to access all areas is around 14 €.
- Balnearios de Cuauhtémoc, with a variety of pools for adults and children, admission is completely free.
- A bicycle tour through the archaeological zone will allow you to appreciate the construction of the pre-Hispanic buildings. This way, you will be able to see the Calzada de los Muertos and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, where you can appreciate caves, remains of bones, jewellery and obsidian.
- Palace of Quetzalpapallotl, make a special stop at this imposing palace decorated with butterflies and feathers. If you want to know more about its history, take a walk through the Museum of Culture that exhibits ceramics, textiles, rocks and bones. Tour the Museum of Murals which features paintings of the ancient city and models showing what Teotihuacan looked like in the past.
- Buy obsidian, many people come to purchase this precious black stone that occurs naturally in the area.
7. Experience the Chocolate Museum
Almost everyone loves chocolate, and you're probably curious about the production process and how cocoa farming works. That's why a visit to the Chocolate Museum is perfect for a gastronomic experience and a guided tour of its facilities. Between March and June there are special museum nights, ideal for taking part in workshops or attending a tasting.
There is a souvenir shop and a chocolate shop selling chocolates with a Mexican stamp. General admission is around €4, but there are also family packages. Some attractions have an extra charge, which you should consider before arranging your visit.
8. Learn about Korean culture in Mexico City
To explore Asian culture, specifically the secrets of Korean history, take a tour of the Museum of World Cultures which exhibits a variety of countries. Originally the Mexican mint, it now has an international hall anda Mediterranean hall which houses collections from Greece, Persia, Rome, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
The most interesting exhibit is the Korean hall which reveals details of their culture, such as dances, beliefs, history and a variety of pieces representing Korean fashion. It is ideal to visit at the end of June, when the sun starts to shine and there are really hot days. This way, you'll have a covered plan completely free.
You can also wander around Koreatown where they sell Korean sweets, flavoured milks and things related to k-pop bands. There are also shops selling Korean facial care products and karaoke rooms.
9. Experience the LGBTTTIQ Pride Parade
In June Mexico City celebrates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex and Queer (LGBTTTIQ) Pride month and in commemoration there are a variety of activities including a parade through the main streets of the city. Each year it has a different theme and offers informative lectures, it is a worldwide event held to remember the 1969 riots in New York caused by police abuse during a raid on a gay bar.
In addition there are live concerts, music, dance and theatre performances, art galleries and other activities that support the event.
10. Take a bike ride around the Angel of Independence
One of the most important monuments of the city is the Angel of Independence, I recommend you to take a bus tour with free stops, to get to this point located in the Reforma. During June, many people surround the sculpture on bicycles, so you can take advantage of the opportunity to explore the shops in the area.
Nearby is the Wax Museum, which has more than 230 figures of iconic national and international figures and the entrance fee ranges from €8 to €13, depending on the type of tour. Also located here is the Ripley's Museum and a 4D cinema with special snow, water and air effects.
Mexico City's tourist flow in June
June is the best time to visit Mexico City if you want to enjoy low tourist crowds, as it's low season, so you'll find the main attractions clear.
It's the perfect opportunity to sign up for city tours. I suggest you appreciate every monument in detail and take advantage of the best summer activities.
Other low-tourist options include:
- Things to do in Mexico City in April, you can enjoy the spring and take a trajinera ride through Xochimilco.
- Things to do in Mexico City in May, a great option to tour the Chapultepec Forest, without the crowds.
- Things to do in Mexico Cityin September, ideal for taking advantage of the last rays of summer sun.
- Things to do in Mexico Cityin October, ideal for taking advantage of the spooky Halloween celebrations. Keep in mind that during the last days of the month, the number of tourists may increase slightly.
Places with low tourist influx in Mexico City in June
- Kiosko Morisco is located in Santa María la Ribera, and during June it offers ideal places to take pictures without crowds.
- TheLuis Enrique Erro Planetarium, with an estimated entrance fee of 4 €, offers interesting facts about space, constellations and the most incredible astronomical events that have occurred in Mexico City.
- The colonia of San Rafael and its iconic Contemporary Art Gallery is a crowd-free stop for art shows, exhibitions and film screenings.
- AtMercados de San Juan you'll find dishes made from insects that fuse Mexican and Asian cuisine.
Prices in Mexico City in June
In June you'll find cheaper flights, as well as discounted car hire and affordable accommodation from 10 € a night. There are plenty of cheap or free offers, and the best thing is that it's a month full of concerts and recreational events related to things to do in the summer.