Mexico City: Iztapalapa Cable Car Tour & Local Markets

Summary

Ride the world’s biggest cable car see iztapalapa’s murals markets & daily life

You’ll ride Mexico City’s famous cable car over colorful neighborhoods in Iztapalapa, taste tacos and pastries at a bustling market, visit a museum about Aztec traditions, and finish with pulque in a local bar. This day trip brings you into real CDMX life—with laughter, flavors, and unexpected views you won’t forget.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest—I never thought I’d ride a cable car over Mexico City. Not like this, anyway. We started right in downtown CDMX and hopped on the metro (which was already an adventure for me—so many sounds and smells, people selling candies and phone chargers in the aisles). Our guide, Diego, grew up nearby and kept pointing out tiny things I’d have missed: the way folks tap their coins for luck before getting on, or how the murals at each station tell bits of neighborhood stories. It felt like we were slipping into someone else’s daily rhythm for a while.

The museum in Iztapalapa wasn’t what I expected—no stuffy glass cases, just bright walls and old photos of street parties. There was this one display about Aztec traditions that made me pause. Diego explained how some families still keep those rituals alive; he got a little nostalgic talking about his abuela’s tamales. Afterward, we wandered through the local market where the air smelled like masa and grilled meat. Tried a taco al pastor that dripped down my wrist (worth it), plus a pastry so sweet I needed water after. The vendors laughed when they saw my face—guess it was obvious I’m not used to their chili powder on fruit.

Then came the cable car—the main reason I booked this day trip in Mexico City. Floating above rooftops painted every color you can imagine, with kids waving up at us from basketball courts below… it’s hard to describe how big everything feels from up there. The city just keeps going and going. Diego pointed out an old airplane parked on a roof—it’s actually a cultural center now—and we stopped there for a bit to check out some art inside. The whole time, music drifted up from somewhere—a cumbia beat mixing with traffic noise.

We ended back near downtown with glasses of pulque in this tiny bar—milky, sour-sweet, nothing like anything I’ve had before. Locals toasted us with shy smiles; Diego taught us how to say “salud” properly (I definitely butchered it). On the metro home, my shoes were sticky from spilled soda but my head was full of new colors and stories. I still think about that view from above sometimes—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Iztapalapa and cable car ride

• Take subway from Downtown
• Visit local museum on Iztapalapa history
• Walk through Iztapalapa streets and cultural center
• Eat local food at market with murals
• Ride largest cable car for valley views
• Return by metro
• Drink prehispanic beverage in bar

Top questions

How long does the Iztapalapa cable car tour take?

The tour is designed as a day trip starting downtown and returning by metro after visiting several sites in Iztapalapa.

Is food included on this Mexico City cable car tour?

Yes, you’ll get to try Mexican pastries, street tacos at the market, and pulque at the end of the tour.

Does this tour include pickup?

The experience starts downtown; public transportation is used throughout but hotel pickup isn’t included.

What is pulque?

Pulque is a traditional pre-Hispanic fermented drink made from agave sap—slightly sour and milky in texture.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels as most walking is gentle and public transport is used.

Are there English-speaking guides on this day trip?

Your guide will speak English naturally during the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes subway rides from downtown Mexico City to Iztapalapa with your local guide leading the way; entry to a museum sharing Aztec traditions; stops for Mexican pastries and street tacos at the market; soaring over neighborhoods on the world’s largest cable car; time inside an airplane-turned-cultural-center; plus finishing with pulque at a local bar before heading back by metro.