Airbnb options in Mexico City

One of the great things about being an Airbnb host is that you can rent out your place, go to another city and rent an amazing apartment that's completely different than your own. The options in Mexico City were plentiful, so much that it made my head spin.

I ended up renting three different places, and while they were all great, next time I think I'll stay in one spot longer. Since most have a check in time of around 3 or 4pm and a check out time around 11am (as they need time to turn it over, like a hotel), it makes for a complicated tango in the middle of the day with your luggage. Luckily, the hosts were accommodating and early/late check outs worked out, but I know what a hassle it can be for them and hated asking. And moving to a new place in the middle of the day ate up a lot of site-seeing time.

I wrote in a previous post about my first host - Tom, who was a super nice ex-pat from NY, and he immediately set me up with a map and suggestions of where to go. He really made me feel at home, which is something that's really invaluable when arriving into a foreign country you're not familiar with. The next night we hung out with some wine and commiserated on the ups and downs of being a host. Exchanging Airbnb horror stories is always fun. Above is a photo of his beautiful roof deck, which was a great place to hang out and read his guidebooks.

Next I stayed at a place that was like a glass tree house in the middle of the city (the patio shown on the top of this post, with me looking pensive). There was also a private rooftop patio with a BBQ, but I only used it to dry my laundry. I can BBQ at home.

There was a huge double jacuzzi tub off to the right, but since it was so large, the hot water would run out by the time it got to about two inches deep. So I would try to flatten out and splash water on myself, like a sad sea lion.

One thing I didn't expect was to be so cold in Mexico... January days were still pretty mild during the day, but it got chilly at night and apparently heating in homes is rare.  So one of the reasons I booked the 3rd place was for the old clawfoot tub (just like I have at home), and it was perfect to warm up in. And that TILE! I'm a sucker for concrete tile. This whole apartment was visually amazing.

Everything in this place was thoughtfully and beautifully designed. Love how this beautiful wood counter was also a bottle rack. And the drawer under the sink pulled out and drawers fit in around the plumbing - an excellent use of space (something I've done in the past when converting a vintage dresser into a bathroom counter).

The downside was the stairs to get up to this rooftop apartment, which was more like a ladder. Difficult with luggage, but the worse part was the many doors with tricky locks and different keys to get past. My keys kept getting stuck in the door, so I would have to hide my valuables and hope for the best. This unfortunately led me to forgetting my hidden cash and passport when I checked out, and a resulting 2 extra long Uber rides across town to retrieve them. Duh.

One more shot below of Tom's roof patio... these open metal walkways are popular around Mexico City. An excellent use of space again, but stresses my vertigo.

Mexico City - in search of tacos. Airbnb experience tour

Contramar lunch of sopes and shrimp soup

The deco architecture is amazing! 

I'm in Mexico City right now on a whim of a trip I booked two weeks ago. The reason for the trip was simple (if a little sad) - some repeat airbnb guests who love my dog (and vice versa) were having an extended stay at my studio in Joshua Tree, and were willing to watch him in exchange for reduced rent.  I would travel a lot more if I wasn't so attached to that damn dog. So I opened up Google flights and started searching destinations and Mexico City popped out. I've been all over the Yucatán and Baja, but never in central Mexico. I had heard horror stories about traveling in Mexico City years ago (even from Mexicans!), but lately I've been hearing what a fabulous place it is.

My first evening, relaxing on Airbnb host Tom's roof.

It's hectic and loud,  but also beautiful with an energy that's hard to describe. Luckily my first airbnb host, Tom, was a super nice ex-pat from NY, and he immediately set me up with a map and suggestions of where to go. He really made me feel at home, and the next night we hung out with some wine and commiserated on the ups and downs of being a host.

The second day I decided to try one of Airbnb's relatively new "experiences", and did a taco bike ride tour around the city. It's a great thing for someone traveling alone, but also for anyone wanting to find "insider gems" in a new city. The host, Diego, was a charmer and his tour was very well organized. We covered a lot of ground in three hours, making five stops to experience a variety of tacos.

Diego talking tacos

First we went to a small Mayan taco joint, where we had conchinita pibil tacos, with about 10 different great salsas. Plus vibrant green agua Frescas made from a leafy green plant that I've forgotten the name of. I also didn't catch the name of the place, unfortunately... someone else on the tour told me it was called Habinitos, but I wasn't able to find it online. It was a tiny little place, and I went to use the bathroom and had to go through a little half-sized door that reminded me of Being John Malkovich.

2nd stop was seafood at Tres Galeones, at Calle Jalapa 117, Roma Norte. It was so good that I went back the next day and got the same thing - a soft shell crab taco and shrimp sopes - both amazing.

Tortillas being made at the market for our carnitas  

3rd stop we rolled our bikes into a busy market all the way to the back for pork confit tacos. They showed us the big vat of oil the pigs are cooked in, and the guy demonstrated how he could cut right through the bone, "like it was guacamole". at least I think that's what he said. My Spanish really sucks. 

Diego answered some of my silly questions - like what they were chanting out of megaphones from circling trucks? I thought it was some sort of political thing, but turns out they're just announcing that they buy used microwaves, mattresses, refrigerators, etc. He also told us to look for men going around at night with two metal sticks, explaining that people pay them for an electric shock. He showed us a photo of him doing it with friends a few nights prior. They hold hands in a circle, the current passes through everyone, and the first person who lets go has to pay the shock man. Another woman on the tour asked if the shock wasn't dangerous for his pregnant wife, and he just laughed and said "Nah!"

Me sporting my growing butt, about to eat more tacos.

The last stop was for Asian fusion duck tacos with a sauce reminiscent of Peking duck. El Autintico Pato Manila, Calle Culliacan 91, Condesa. I thought about going back there as well, but needed to make time for the amazing Contramar that every person that had Mexico City tips had recommended. With good reason - it was excellant

I also discovered a great Oaxacan place called Pasillo de Humo, Avenida Nuevo Leon 107, Hipodromo, Mexico City 06100. I think it's only open for lunch. There was a crowded scene on the first level, with several different counters, but I ate at the more quiet upstairs. Mainly because a hostess asked me a question and gestured upstairs, so I said "Si" and that's where I ended up.

Duck tacos at El Autintico Pato Manila, Calle Culliacan 91, Condesa

We wrapped up the tour with a shot of mezcal, with an orange and worm salt on the side. This was the first of lots of mezcal during my trip. Apparently we were lucky to have Diego lead the tour, because his employee was on a paid vacation. He's only been giving these experience tours since August, and has an employee on vacation!!

I was going to try and go to Oaxaca and then meet up with a friend in Puerto Vallarta, but ended up deciding Oaxaca could wait. Too much to see and do in Mexico City. I know, I know, I'm missing out, but hopefully it won't go anywhere and I'll see it next time.

Spiderweb metal work. And that PINK!